HEROES

Andrea: "Unhappy is the land that breeds no hero."
Galileo: "No, Andrea...Unhappy is the land that needs a hero!"
--Bertolt Brecht, Galileo

"The fate of the hero is linked to the secularization and disenchantment of the modern world. Ours is said to be an age without God, without heroes, and ultimately, without selves... A great many of us have lost our sense of self. Like Alice in Wonderland, we are unable to articulate who we are... ours is an age without heroes or in which heroism is reduced to mere celebrity... without cultural heroes common to all, who represent ideals, we may lose a common sense of what binds us together so our culture itself begins to fragment.

Heroes serve as centers of moral space. They signal to what one's life is called to or committed... (they) are more than figures we admire... in some way, we emotionally identify with a hero... they are further along on our journey, because they have responded to the same call to which we respond... We stand with our heroes, to uphold the values they uphold. For those who have them, heroes are an important inner marker of identity. They are a part of the landscape of the soul.

If it is true that we lost our sense of heroic calling, then the 3 losses---the loss of God, the loss of heroes, and the loss of selves---seem to go together. God, heroes, and selves all partake of the sacred while the central tendency in the collective life of modern/postmodern culture is profoundly profane and secular... Moral vision is essential to selfhood (identity). Traditionally, in the west, God was the source and foundation of the good (godly)... the heroic is itself closely tied to a religious sensibility, a sensibility, we are seeing, that seems on the wane. The word hero comes from the Greek 'heros' (as referenced by Dad in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"), meaning "God-person," the person charged with the charisma of the holy and sacred... for those who have them, heroes (usually) symbolize (embody) moral (godly) ideals... humility, integrity, dedication, vision, and courage." ---Douglas V. Porpora

"No sadder proof can be given by a man of his own littleness than disbelief in great men." -Carlyle

According to Marshall Fishwick, "the search and need for heroes is inherent in human history... (but) heroes have become increasingly attenuated (reduced in force and value) with secularization (worldliness, irreligious). In ancient times heroes were demigods, in the middle ages they were God's representatives, in the Renaissance they were truth-seekers, and in the 19th century=self-made men. Today, there has been a kind of leveling of heroes (with the rise of capitalism). The charismatic (godly) hero, the hero bespeaking transcendental horizons, is (as) dead..."

“The modern world worships heroes of talent, beauty and power. But this is new, a change from days gone by. Previous generations honored heroes for what they possessed that others could emulate.” –Mansfield

Leo Lowenthal documents, "a shift during the early 20th century in the kind of heroes celebrated by the media. Whereas before, American capitalism lauded 'idols of production,' people who actually do something...after WWII, media heroes became mere 'idols of consumption,' athletes, movie stars, and entertainers. This shift reflects a greater cultural orientation toward leisure lives." "Celebrities have replaced heroes in modern culture. Whereas heroes were famous because they were great, clebrities are great because they are famous. the celebrity is a person known for his well-knownness (and moral neutrality or negativity). Celebrities are not moral beacons that fill us with purpose, but empty receptacles into which we pour our own purposeless (fitting heroes for an age without metanarratives=big stories w/ absolutes, truth and reference pts)" -Daniel Boorstin

"We continue to clamor for the very qualities we're rendering impossible. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst." -C.S.Lewis

"Let us not be complacent about our supposed capacity to get along without great men. If our society has lost its wish for heroes and its ability to produce them, it may well turn out to have lost everything else as well." -Arthur Schlesinger Jr.

The purpose of this blog is to ignite hope and inspire heroism. Every life story and truth testimony told here may serve to invite us to intimacy with the Living God, while calling us to courageous action.

''Christianity has survived and thrived miraculously, in the midst of terrible dangers, chiefly because it has found concrete embodiment in human lives of persuasive quality, and the most persuasive of all qualities is that of genuine affection. One demonstration is worth a hundred arguments, for though doctrines may be impressive, it is experience that is convincing." -Elton Trueblood

Brothers and sisters, "hear the word of the Lord... the people who know their God shall be strong (courageously loyal), and carry out heroic deeds -Dan.11:32 ...return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope (God dreamers). Even today...I will restore double to you. For I have bent Judah (praise and thanks), My bow, fitted with Ephraim (fruitfulness and harvest), and raised up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and made you like the hero's sword -Zech.9:12-13 ...keep your eyes open, stand fast in the faith (hold to your convictions), be brave (heroic, be strong with relentless love) -1Cor.16:12-13.

 “We need to remember and search for our roots in the luminaries, risk-takers & movements of the church through the centuries...to neglect them is to fall victim to a narrowing amnesia that leaves us floundering." -Timothy Jones

“My eyes shall be on the heroes of the land, the faithful!” –Ps101:6

“Who thru faith obtained promises…out of weakness were made strong…of whom the world was not worthy!!!” - Heb11:2, 33-38

My desire is the same as the journalist on "Enemy at The Gates:"....to give you "hope!...another way-a way of courage, a way of love...We must publish again the magnificent stories that exalt sacrifice and bravery-that make us believe in victory and give hope... Yes, we need to make examples-but, examples to follow. What we need are heroes!!!.....'Do you know any heroes around here?'...YES, comrad...I KNOW ONE!" 

Friends let's "look unto JESUS!" ...and "be diligent as followers of them who through faith and patience inherited the promises of God." -Heb.12:1-2, 6:11-12

“The Personal Testimony of Stephen”-Acts 6-7

“They chose Stephen (to serve), a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit…full of God’s grace and power…opposition arose…but could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.” –Acts 6:5, 8, 10

“We need to remember and search for our roots in the luminaries, risk-takers and movements of the church through the centuries...to neglect them is to fall victim to a narrowing amnesia that leaves us floundering." -Timothy Jones

 “It is observed that a man improves more by reading the Story of a person eminent for prudence and virtue, than by the finest rules and precepts of morality.” –J.Addison

I. Stephen’s Story-

The power of a testimony and inspiration from a godly example are personal invitations to engage life and experience God. Christian history and biographies cultivate the fertile soil of our hearts and minds while germinating the seeds of destiny within us.  Once we read how they lived, what they believed, and see the passion, commitments and sacrificial service of their lives, it’s hard to return to a mediocre faith.

Father God delights in using history, biographies and personal testimonies to bless and benefit us. The most powerful forces for changing perspectives, motivations and expectations are personal ones. The Holy Spirit uses human lives in changing human lives, whether from a real relationship or the pages of a book.

Acts 6-7 focuses on Stephen’s life, faith, defense trial and death. It teaches us the vital role of lay ministry, understanding history & a theology of suffering in Christian witness. In other words, we are involved in spiritual warfare with eternal life & death consequences. You have a crucial role to play. Many Christians in history and around the world live with suffering and persecution that is foreign to us. And an understanding of Biblical, Christian history may free us from the spirit of the age and selfish motivations or mindsets.

           

As Christians, we believe that the Bible has both inspired reporting and inspired interpretation of events. Acts is the history book of the early church. Luke is the finest historian of the New Testament; and he devotes three times as much space to the speech of Stephen (the 1^st Christian martyr) than he does to any of the sermons of Peter or Paul.  This seems intended to build a theological bridge from where the Jerusalem Church is to where Paul will eventually be; that God is not limited to a particular place or people…but is Living and moving in history and our personal lives. This truth confronts a Hebrew (eastern or religious) mindset with Christian perspectives. In the NT (now), there are no holy places, only holy people…who are the house of God, the temple of the Holy Spirit!

 II. Speech Themes-

Stephen’s speech or “defense” begins with a simple review of OT Jewish history & the life of Abraham. It seems this intro was to show his familiarity with and love for the people of Israel. As it progresses, he focuses on Joseph and Moses, who were raised up by God, rejected by Israel and later honored as deliverers. Though Stephen doesn’t compare them directly with Christ, the analogy is unmistakably clear. Rather than seeking acquittal from false charges, Stephen gives a history lesson for a defense of Christianity as God’s way of worship. He says little about Jesus (7:37, 52) and much about Moses because he is accused of rejecting Moses’ teachings and speaking against the Temple and its customs (6:11-14).

The speech emphasized that history repeats itself. In every generation, men are the same…lacking understanding, quarreling, disobedient, backsliding, rejecting God’s messengers, preferring useless idols and humanistic endeavors to the merciful, Living God (7:25, 27, 35, 39, 41). God is also the same. HE reveals Himself to us, hears us, knows our troubles, comes to free us, sends deliverers and leads us out of bondage into new life and promised lands (7:30-36). For Stephen’s hearers, it was a warning, but also an assurance that every promise of God stands firm.

Stephen’s message also stressed that the activity of God is not confined geographically to Israel, and that worship acceptable to HIM is not confined to the Jewish temple. To the horror of his accusers, he outlines how much of God’s activity has taken place outside of their land and before there was a temple. He then highlights that the Most High is not confined to our buildings, and gives great prominence to the spiritual nature of true religion and the comparative insignificance of its externals. Here he quotes Isaiah’s word that buildings are not what really count with God, but rather the moral and spiritual condition of our lives. The God of Heaven looks for broken and contrite hearts belonging to those who tremble at HIS Word (7:48-50, Is.66:1-2). God’s word and Presence transcends all boundaries, and this is justification for the spread of the Gospel & Church.

III. Spirit-Filled Suffering-

He concludes with a “scathing” accusation of these Jewish leaders; charging them with resisting the Holy Spirit, murdering the Messiah (Jesus), and failing to keep the Law…they reacted with anger and pronounced an immediate death sentence. Stephen must have known that his life was in danger. All he had to do to save his own life was to give a compromising speech. But he would rather die than betray his sacred trust. Luke’s vivid description of the enraged crowd dragging Stephen away and stoning him to death is matched only by the shocking supernatural events that accompany the execution (7:57-60).

“Stephen’s experience of a special anointing with the Spirit’s fullness in the midst of suffering challenges many prevalent notions. We usually relate that fullness to some ministry activity or personal spiritual experience…we must not forget that the Spirit’s fullness is also given to prepare for suffering (or comfort and encourage in times of severe crises), which are important parts of the life of faithful obedience. God is powerfully at work both when the sun shines brightly and when dark clouds loom over us…I believe the Spirit’s fullness in the darkness is so important for our spiritual health that God permits us to go through dark times in order that He can fill us afresh…

There, the vision of God’s glory and Christ’s exaltation is seen…and when we realize that God is on the throne and that He is for us, we can find courage and even joy in the midst of our pain.” –Fernando

Stephen’s last words are similar to Jesus on the cross…asking God to receive his spirit and not to hold this sin against his killers (7:59-60, Lk.23:46, 34). Wow! That is supernatural. Augustine says the church owes Paul to the prayers of Stephen. This may have been his only sermon, but his closing prayers combined with the witness of his life and anointed death prepared the way for Paul’s later conversion.

IV. A Special Revelation for Us-

The ministry and martyrdom of Stephen helped remove some prevailing prejudices and mindsets that were hindering Christianity and the spread of the Gospel. He opened a historic window for the light of Christ and fresh breeze of the Spirit to pour in. He opened the door theologically for the world mission of the church. And most importantly, his testimony brought a revelation to us that because of Jesus Christ, the Heavens are open, God’s holiness and presence is available anywhere! God in Christ came to us…and will meet us still!

“…the Message of Christianity is that Jesus is in Place, at home with where we are. This is the ultimate liberation from all pretension of there being more or less sacredness to places. It is an invitation to go into all the world, into every place, and know that God is with us. This message reaffirms a different deity than that which is promoted by many in this world…our God lingers wherever we find ourselves, whether it is gazing up at trees or fretfully poring over our monthly bills.

            For many, this is a wild claim. It challenges the view that churches are more sacred than schools, or that God’s wisdom is more prevalent in universities than in mental wards. It challenges the notion that there is more freedom to be found by a vacationer on a cruise ship than by a death row inmate in a cold prison. No. Jesus has been to all these places, HIS Presence makes each a place where we can encounter God. Jesus has obliterated the harsh lines of distinction between all places by coming to all of us, where we exist. God is surely with us. Wherever we are, God will meet us there! That is good news!” -Paul E. Stroble

"Fair Sunshine"

One of the most influential books I read in my early ministry life was: “FAIR SUNSHINE –Character Studies of the Scottish Covenanters” by Jock Purves.

These biographical sketches of certain Scottish Covenanters…the story of their faith, families, and horrific persecutions; and ultimately the memory of their heroic lives, Biblical convictions and eternal perspectives were used by God in my formative (early) years as a Christian to bring about a revolution in my own heart and mind.  

I wholeheartedly agree with Samuel Johnson and Joseph Addison when they said, “No species of writing seems more worthy of cultivation than biography”; and “It is observed that a man improves more by reading the Story of a person eminent for prudence and virtue, than by the finest rules and precepts of morality.”

The power of a testimony and inspiration from a godly example are personal invitations to engage life and experience God. Christian biographies cultivate the fertile soil of our hearts and minds while germinating the seeds of destiny within us.  Once we read how they lived, what they believed, and see both the passion and priorities of their lives, it’s hard to return to a mediocre faith.

The most powerful forces for changing perspectives, motivations and expectations are personal ones. That’s why Jesus came, what HE sends us for (Mt 10:40), how your witness is so vital, and where the influence of biographies comes from. The Holy Spirit uses human lives in changing human lives, whether from a real relationship or the pages of a book.

When Jesus teaches on sanctification, HE tells us the power to change is in the truth of the Word, being sent as HIS representative, and a personal relational love motivation (Jn 17:17-19). It is “for their sake” or because of our loving concern for another that consecration is possible. You can’t be holy alone…there is no true sanctification from trying harder, self-discipline or works orientation. You will never become more like Jesus without relationships. The fruit of the Spirit is to be manifest in the relationships and difficult circumstances of our lives.

“Fair Sunshine” was and is a useful guide to readers who could, should learn more about a people and their Covenants with God in Christ…

The Spirit of God testifies that they had the mind of Christ.  Here is a small part of their Rules of Society Meetings:

 ‘As it is the undoubted duty of all to pray for the coming of Christ’s kingdom, so all that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and know what it is to bow a knee in good earnest, will long and pray for the out-making of the Gospel promises to His Church in the latter days, that King Christ would go out upon the white horse of the Gospel, conquering and to conquer, and make a conquest of the travail of His soul, that it may be sounded that the kingdoms of the world are become His, and His Name called upon from the rising of the sun to its going down.

            1. That the old casten of Israel would never be forgotten, especially in these meetings.  That the promised day of their ingrafting might be hastened; and that dead weight of blood removed off them, that their fathers took upon them and upon their children, that have sunk them down to hell, upwards of seventeen hundred years.

            2. That the Lord’s written and preached word may be sent with power to enlighten the poor pagan world, living in black perishing darkness without Christ and the knowledge of His Name…that they would love, sympathize, and pray for one another in secret, and in their families who have them, and weep when any member weeps, and rejoice with all such as are joined in this society communion which is the strictest of all communions; and before they go to their meetings everyone would be importunate with the Lord to go with them and meet with them, that it may be for the better and not for the worse, and with all such meetings.’

I loved this when I first read it in my UR dorm room during the winter of 1989…and I am inspired to live by it even today. Notice that historically, King Jesus is the 1 going forth on the “White Horse” of the Gospel, not the anti-christ.

“What shall I say in this great day of the Lord, wherein in the midst of a cloud, I have found a fair sunshine! I can wish no more for you, but that the Lord may comfort you, and shine upon you as HE does upon me, and give you that same sense of HIS love in staying in the world, as I have in going out of it.”

-Letter of Archibald Campbell, a Covenanter, to his daughter-in-law, written on the day of his execution in Edinburgh for his Christian faith.