What happened to the Garden of Eden?

 

What happened to the Garden of Eden?

 

The question about exactly where the Garden of Eden was and what became of it is often asked by people today. Many ask the question as an attack against Christianity, in an attempt to question Biblical testimony. As believers, however, our approach is different: We do not doubt the truth of Scripture. We believe that the Bible, as God's Word, was inspired by God himself through His Spirit and therefore gives an accurate account of the facts.

 

1. The Garden of Eden really existed

Unlike many people in our day, we believe in a real six day creation of everything that exists as it is described in Genesis 1-2. The Garden of Eden was therefore created by God as a home for Adam and Eve (Gen. 2:8-15). 

Everything that God created was good, including everything in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 1:1-31). Evil and sin entered the world when Adam and Eve, in rebellion against God's command, ate of the fruit of the tree in the midst of the Garden (Gen. 3:1-7). There were many consequences for this act of sin, but one of the consequences was that the Lord put Adam and Eve out of the Garden, closed the entrance to the Garden and placed an angel there to guard it (Gen. 3:23-24). No one could ever enter this Garden again. 

According to Genesis 2, the Lord planted the Garden of Eden for man (v8), by placing in it all kinds of trees that were good for food (v9). A river sprang from the garden and divided into four branches (v10). The names of these four rivers are given to us (v11-14) as Pishon, Gihon, Hiddekel (also known as Tigris), and Euphrates. 

The Scriptures teaches us that the Garden of Eden was a real place in which two real people, Adam and Eve, lived until the fall.

 

2. The global flood really happened

Like Adam and Eve, their descendants also sinned, and the evil in the world increased to such an extent in the days of Noah that God had sorrow that He made man (Gen. 6:5-6 & 12-13). That is why God sent a worldwide flood to wipe out all mankind, with the exception of Noah and his family (Gen. 6:17 & Gen. 7:6-9, 21-23). 

This flood wiped out every living thing that God made over all the earth, except Noah, his family and the animals that he took with him in the Ark (Gen 7:4). The details does not testify to a localized flood, but a flood that overcame the whole world. The rain fell on the earth for forty (40) literal days and completely covered it (Gen. 7:12, 17-20), and it literally took a hundred and fifty (150) days for the water to subside (Gen. 7:24). 

Evidence for this global flood has been found. For example, deep layers of sediment, that in places in the world are even as deep as three kilometers, bear witness to such a flood. Most Scientists today deny the Creation story and the story of the Global Flood and therefore believe that these layers developed through millions of years of death and destruction. The believer sees in these layers confirmation of the Word of God which gives an explainable answer to these layers thousands of years before any scientific theories arrived. The worldwide flood of Genesis 6-7 is true. 

3. The modern localization of the rivers

In ancient Mesopotamia known today as Iraq, two rivers existed, and still exist, known as the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. It is however unlikely that these present day rivers are the same rivers that flowed from the Garden of Eden.  Apart from the fact that the rivers Pishon and Gihon were not found, there is also no branching out into four rivers as described in the Bible of these rivers. These rivers, according to biblical description, ran to lands that were known for Gold, Bdellium and Onyx Stone (Gen. 2:12). However, countries near these modern day rivers are more famous for Oil than for the things the Bible describes. The countries described in Genesis 2:13-14 are Cush (Ethiopia) and Assyria, making the location of Eden in Iraq unlikely. 

To the best of my knowledge, no river or river division has yet been found that matches the Biblical description of the river that sprang from Eden. However, this does not mean that the Biblical description is wrong, because the Bible itself explains to us why the rivers as described in Genesis 2 cannot be found. 

Genesis 6 and 7 describe a global event that would have had such an astronomical effect on the typography of the world that nothing would ever be the same again, the global flood. It is unrealistic to think that after such a catastrophic event anything on earth would look like it did before. Rivers would no longer run where they ran; once luxuriant groves and forests would be totally destroyed: Nothing would be the same. 

But there is another reason why any places and things like rivers cannot be found after the flood. The flood would have covered the entire earth with sedimentary layers. These layers are explained by most Scientists today as the result of millions of years of death and destruction, but they came about as a result of the Global Flood. It is estimated that these sedimentary layers may be even deeper than three kilometers in some places. 

The sedimentary layers would lie on top of the rivers and the Garden of Eden which would be buried beneath them. No typographical descriptions of areas before the flood would compare to their description after the flood. The rivers and Garden as described in Genesis 2 lie buried under thousands of meters of sediment and therefore bear no relation to the rivers known today as Tigris and Euphrates. It would be wrong to compare the two rivers in modern-day Iraq with those in the Garden of Eden. 

This may leave you wondering why the modern rivers in Iraq were given the names Tigris and Euphrates. The most logical answer is that Noah, or his descendants, after the flood, named these rivers after those well-known rivers we read about in Genesis 2. The same thing still happens today where place names from well-known places are given to other places which have no relation whatsoever with the original place. An example of this is the town of Bethlehem in the Free State (in South Africa) which is named after the birthplace of our Lord Jesus.  Apart from the name there is no similarity between these two places. Similarly, Noah, or his descendants, saw these rivers and, in memory of the rivers in the Garden of Eden, gave these names to two rivers in Mesopotamia.

 

4. The position of the Garden of Eden

The Lord closed the Garden of Eden and placed an angel at its entrance with the aim that no one would be able to enter this garden again. Later, the Lord sent a worldwide flood that not only destroyed this Garden, but the entire world and buried it under sedimentary layers. 

Any attempt to locate the Garden of Eden or even to determine in which region it would be is therefore completely impossible and would be nothing more than speculation. While it may be a very interesting study to find the exact location of this Garden, it is not possible for us to give an answer to that with any accuracy. 

However, our inability to determine the position of the Garden of Eden does not change its reality. The Garden of Eden, with its four flowing rivers as described in the Bible really existed and the biblical description of it is absolutely accurate. The Bible also describes the reason why the Garden may not be entered or even found. 

As believers, we believe that the Bible is God's Word and that it describes the story of real people and real events in real places. This is also true for the Garden of Eden. The Bible itself gives sufficient explanation why this Garden cannot be found in our day, and in that we should rest without any doubt or concern.

  

The Garden of Eden was nothing more than a foreshadowing of the eventual future Paradise where all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ will go. There is no reason for us to look back or look for the Garden of Eden, because there is a better and more glorious eternal Garden waiting for us. In that eternal Garden the relationship between every believer and God will be completely restored. What Adam and Eve destroyed in the Garden of Eden will be completely restored in our eternal rest with God (Heb. 4:4-7). The believer may perhaps nostalgically think back to the Garden of Eden, but only if he does so with the prospect of much better eternal rest with God.

 

ds. Leon Harmse

Pastor of Sunward Park Baptist Church

Wat het van die Tuin van Eden geword?

Wat het van die Tuin van Eden geword?

 

Baie mense het in ons dag vra oor presies waar die Tuin van Eden was en wat daarvan geword het.  Baie vra die vraag as ‘n aanval teen Christenskap, in ‘n pooging om Bybelse getuienis te bevraagteken.  As gelowiges is ons benadering egter anders.  Ons betwyfel nie die waarheid van die Skrif nie.  Ons glo dat die Bybel, as God se Woord, deur God self deur Sy Gees geinspireer is en daarom ‘n akkurate weergawe van die feite gee.

 

1. Die Tuin van Eden het werklik bestaan

Anders as talle mense in ons dag, glo ons in ‘n werklike ses dag skepping van alles wat bestaan soos dit beskryf word in Genesis 1-2.  Die Tuin van Eden is daarom deur God geskep as ‘n tuiste vir Adam en Eva (Gen. 2:8-15).  

Alles wat God geskep het was goed, dit sluit ook alles in die Tuin van Eden in (Gen. 1:1-31).  Boosheid en sonde het in die wêreld ingekom toe Adam en Eva, in opstand teen God se opdrag, geëet het van die vrug van die boom wat in die middel van die Tuin gestaan het (Gen. 3:1-7).  Daar was talle nagevolge vir hierdie daad van sonde, maar een van die nagevolge was dat die Here Adam en Eva uit die Tuin gesit het en die ingang van die Tuin gesluit het en ‘n engel daar geplaas het om dit te bewaar (Gen. 3:23-24).  Niemand sou ooit weer by hierdie Tuin kon ingaan nie. 

Volgens Genesis 2 het die Here die Tuin van Eden vir die mens geplant (v8), deur allerande bome daarin te plaas wat goed was vir kos (v9).  Daar het ‘n rivier uit die tuin voortgespruit wat in vier takke verdeel het (v10).  Die name van hierdie vier riviere word vir ons gegee (v11-14) as Pison, Gibon, Hiddekel (ook bekend as Tigris), en Frat (ook bekend as Efrat). 

Die Skrif leer ons dat die Tuin van Eden ‘n werklike plek was waarin twee werklike mense, Adam en Eva, gewoon het tot die sondeval. 

 

2. Die wêreldwye vloed het werklik gebeur

Die nageslagte van Adam en Eva het soos hulle gesondig, en die boosheid oor die wêreld het soveel toegeneem teen die dae van Noag dat God berou gehad het dat Hy die mens gemaak het (Gen. 6:5-6 &12-13). Daarom het God ‘n wêreldwye vloed gestuur om die hele mensdom, met die uitsondering van Noag en sy gesin, uit te wis (Gen. 6:17 & Gen. 7:6-9, 21-23).  

Hierdie vloed het elke lewende ding wat God gemaak het uitgewis reg oor die hele wêreld, behalwe Noag, sy gesin en die diere wat hy saam met hom in die Ark geneem het (Gen 7:4).  Dit getuig nie van ‘n gelokaliseerde vloed nie, maar van ‘n vloed wat reg oor die hele wêreld gekom het.  Die reën het veertig (40) letterlike dae lank op die aarde geval en dit geheel en al oordek (Gen. 7:12, 17-20), en dit het letterlik ‘n honderd en vyftig (150) dae geneem vir die water om weg te sak (Gen. 7:24). 

Bewyse vir hierdie wêreldwye vloed is gevind.  Daar is byvoorbeeld diep lae van sediment wat op plekke in die wêreld selfs so diep soos drie kilometer is, wat getuienis lewer van so ‘n vloed.  Meeste Wetenskaplikes in ons dag ontken egter die Skeppingsverhaal en die verhaal van die Wêreldwye Vloed en glo daarom dat hierdie lae ontwikkel het deur miljoene jare se dood en verwoesting.  Die gelowige sien in hierdie lae bevestiging van die Woord van God wat duisende jare voor enige wetenskaplike teorië ‘n verklaarbare antwoord gee vir hierdie lae.  Die Wêreldwye Vloed van Genesis 6-7 is waar.

 

3. Die Hedendaagse lokalisering van die riviere

In antieke Mesopotamië wat vandag bekend is as Irak, het twee riviere bestaan, wat steeds bestaan, wat bekend is as die Tigris en Efrat riviere. Dit is onwaarskynlik dat hierdie hedendaagse riviere dieselfde riviere is as die wat uit die Tuin van Eden gevloei het.  Behalwe dat die riviere Pison en Gibon nie gevind is nie, is daar ook geen vertakking tot vier riviere soos in die Bybel beskryf van hierdie riviere te vind nie.  Hierdie riviere het ook, volgens Bybelse beskrywing geloop na lande wat bekend was vir Goud, Balsemgom en Onikssteen (Gen. 2:12).  Lande naby hierdie riviere is egter eerder bekend vir Olie as dit wat die Bybel beskryf.  Die lande wat beskryf word in Genesis 2:13-14 is Kus (Etiopië) en Assur, wat die lokalisering van Eden in Irak onwaarskynlik maak. 

So vêr my kennis sterk is daar nog geen rivier of rivierverdeling gevind wat aan die Bybelse beskrywing van die rivier wat uit Eden gespruit het beskryf nie.  Dit beteken egter nie dat die Bybelse beskrywing verkeerd is nie, want die Bybel self verduidelik vir ons waarom die riviere soos beskryf is in Genesis 2 nie gevind kan word nie. 

Genesis 6 en 7 beskryf ‘n wêreldwye gebeurtenis wat so ‘n astronomies effek op die tipografie van die wêreld sou gehad het dat niks ooit meer dieselfde sou wees nie, die Wêreldwye Vloed.  Dis onrealisties om te dink dat na so ‘n katastrofiese gebeurtenis enige iets op die aarde sou lyk soos dit voorheen gelyk het.  Riviere sou nie meer loop waar hulle geloop het nie; eens weelderige bosse en woude sou totaal vernietig wees: Niks sou meer dieselfde gewees het nie.  

Maar daar is nog ‘n rede waarom enige plekke en goed soos riviere nie na die Vloed gevind kan word nie.  Die Vloed sou die hele aarde met sedimentere lae bedek het.  Hierdie lae word vandag deur meeste Wetenskaplikes verklaar as die gevolg van miljoene jare se dood en verwoesting, maar dit het ontstaan asgevolg van die Wêreldwye Vloed.  Dit word gereken dat hierdie sedimentëre lae op plekke selfs dieper as drie kilometer mag wees. 

Die sedimentêre lae sou bo op die riviere en ook die Tuin van Eden lê wat daaronder begrawe is.  Geen tipografiese beskrywings van gebiede voor die Vloed sou vergelyk met hulle beskrywing na die Vloed nie.  Die riviere en Tuin soos beskryf in Genesis 2 lê begrawe onder duisende meters van sediment en hou daarom geen verwantskap met die riviere wat vandag bekend is as Tigris en Efrat nie.  Dit sou verkeerd wees om die twee riviere in hedendaagse Irak te vergelyk met die in die Tuin van Eden. 

Dit mag dalk by jou die vraag laat oor waarom die hedendaagse riviere in Irak die name Tigris en Efrat gegee is.  Die mees logiese antwoord hierop is dat Noag of sy nageslag, na die Vloed hierdie riviere vernoem het na daardie bekende riviere waarvan ons in Genesis 2 lees.  So vind ons steeds vandag dat plekname van bekende plekke aan ander plekke gegee word wat in geen opsig enige ooreenstemming met die oorspronklike plek het nie.  ‘n Voorbeeld hiervan is die dorp Betlehem in die Vrystaat (in Suid Afrika) wat vernoem is na die geboorte dorp van onse Here Jesus, maar behalwe vir die naam is daar geen ooreenkoms tussen hierdie twee plekke nie.  Net so het Noag, of sy nageslag, hierdie riviere gesien en ter nagedagtenis aan die riviere in die Tuin van Eden hierdie name aan twee riviere in Mesopotamië toegedig. 

 

4. Die posisie van die Tuin van Eden

Die Here het die Tuin van Eden gesluit en ‘n engel voor die ingang daarvan geplaas met die doel dat niemand weer hierdie tuin sou kon binnegaan nie.  Later het die Here ‘n wereldwye vloed gestuur wat nie net hierdie Tuin nie, maar die hele wêreld totaal verwoes het en begrawe het onder sidimentêre lae.  

Enige pooging om die Tuin van Eden te lokaliseer of selfs te bepaal in watter landstreek dit sou wees is daarom geheel en al onmoontlik en sou niks anders as spekulasie wees nie.  Terwyl dit ‘n baie interesante studie mag wees om die presiese plasing van hierdie Tuin te vind, is dit nie vir ons moontlik om met enige akkuraatheid ‘n antwoord daarvoor te gee nie.  

Ons onvermoë om die posisie van die Tuin van Eden te bepaal verander egter niks aan die werklikheid daarvan nie.  Die Tuin van Eden, met sy vier uitspruitende riviere soos in die Bybel beskryf het werklik bestaan en die Bybelse beskrywing daarvan is absoluut akkuraat.  Die Bybel beskryf ook die rede waarom die Tuin nie binnegegaan mag word of selfs gevind kan word nie.  

As gelowiges glo ons dat die Bybel God se Woord is wat die verhaal van werklike mense en werklike gebeure in werklik plekke beskryf.  Dit is ook waar vir die Tuin van Eden.  Die Bybel self gee genoegsame verduideliking waarom hierdie Tuin nie in ons dag gevind kan word nie, en daarin behoort ons te berus sonder enige twyfel of bekommernis.  

 

Die Tuin van Eden was niks meer as ‘n voorskadu van die uiteindelik toekomstige Paradys waarheen almal wat in die Here Jesus Christus glo sal gaan nie.  Daar is geen rede vir ons om terug te kyk of te soek na die Tuin van Eden nie, want daar wag ‘n beter en meer heerlike ewige Tuin vir ons.  Daar sal die verhouding tussen elke gelowige en God geheel en al herstel word.  Dit wat Adam en Eva in die Tuin van Eden vernietig het, sal volkome herstel word in ons ewige rus saam met God (Heb. 4:4-7).  Die gelowige mag miskien nostalgies terugdink aan die Tuin van Eden, maar net as hy dit doen met die vooruitstig na veel beter ewige rus saam met God.

 

ds. Leon Harmse

Leraar van Sunward Park Baptiste Kerk

Wat is die Christelike reaksie op Rasisme?

 

Wat is die Christelike reaksie op Rasisme?

Ek dink daar is baie min twyfel daaroor dat rasisme verkeerd is en meeste gelowiges sal hiermee saamstem.  In Suid Afrika is hierdie ‘n baie belangrike saak.  Aangesien daar in ons land ‘n ongemaklike geskiedenis van rasisme bestaan het, en omdat daar steeds, sonder twyfel, aanduidings is dat dit steeds bestaan.  Rasisme is natuurlik nie net ‘n ‘Suid Afrika’ probleem nie, dis ‘n sosiale kwessie wat reg oor die wêreld sigbaar is.

Die vraag is, hoe moet die gelowige hierop reageer? Wat is ‘n Bybelse en Christelike reaksie op die sonde van rasisme?  Meeste gelowiges se reaksie volg die patroon van die hedendaagse media.  Daarin kritiseer hulle rasisme asgevolg daarvan dat dit diskrimineer en ongelykheid bevorder.  Maar die gelowige het nodig om sy begrip en verwerping van rasimse op Bybelse en Christelike beginsels te grond.

Dit is daarom nodig dat ons begin om Bybels oor die saak te dink en vanuit ‘n Bybelse fondasie ‘n Christelike etiek hieroor saam te stel.

 

1. Wat die Bybel oor rasisme sê

a.Net een ras, nie baie nie

In werklikheid bestaan daar nie baie verskillende rasse nie, maar slegs een ras: die menslike ras!  Kaukasiëers, Afrikane, Asiërs, Indiërs, Arabiere en Jode is nie verskillende rasse nie, maar eerder verskillende etniese groepe van dieselfde ras (Handelinge 17:26).  Alle mense, met klein verskille, het dieselfde fisiese karakterseienskappe.  Alle mense is ook gelyk deur God geskape, na Sy beeld (Genesis 1:26-27).  Om daarom neer te sien op iemand wat in klein onbelangrike maniere van jou verskil is om die beeld van God in hulle te verag.  Dis nie ‘n aanval op die persoon nie, dis ‘n aanval op God in wie se beeld daardie persoon gemaak is.  Ons kan nie ons siening van ‘n persoon baseer op die kleur van sy vel of enige ander onbeduidende verskil nie.  Ons moet alle mense sien vir wie hulle werklik is: Een wat gemaak is in die beeld van God en ‘n afstammeling van dieselfde mens, Adam. 

As afstammelinge van Adam is elke mens natuurlik in sonde ontvang en gebore (Romeine 3:10-20; 5:12-21).  Die gevolg is dat mense van nature geneig is tot sonde.  Dit was juis sondige gedagtes oor ras wat die vervloeking van Babel (Genesis 11:7-9) tot gevolg gehad het.  Die gebeure by die toring van Babel is nie die oorsprong van verskillende rasse nie, dit was die ontstaan van rasisme, wat die mens se sondige reaksie op onbeduidende verskille tussen mense is.

Die Skrif toon egter aan ons dat God geen partydigeheid of bevoordeling het nie.  In Deutreonomium 10:17 lees ons: “Want die HERE julle God is die God van die gode en die HERE van die here; die grote, magtige en gedugte God wat die persoon nie aansien en geen geskenk aanneem nie.”  Net so lees ons in Romeine 2:11 “Want daar is geen aanneming van die persoon by God nie.” 

b.Die gelowige se verantwoordelikheid

Van die gelowige verwag die Here ook dat ons geen onderskeid tussen mense moet tref opgrond van sulke onbenullige dinge nie.  Jakobus 2:4 waarsku ons om met ‘verkeerde oorlegginge’ te onderskei en oordeel te vel, en in vers 8 van dieselfde teks beveel hy ons ‘Jy moet jou naaste liefhê soos jouself – dan doen jy goed.’  Die verwagting is dat ons alle mense moet liefhê ongeag die kleur van hulle vel of die plek van hulle herkoms. 

Verder is ons verantwoordelikheid om sonder onderskeid die evangelie aan alle mense te verkondig.  Die Groot opdrag sonder geen spesifieke bevolkingsgroep of nasie uit nie. Mattheus 28:20 “Gaan dan heen, maak dissipels van al die nasies, en doop hulle in die Naam van die Vader en die Seun en die Heilige Gees; en leer hulle om alles te onderhou wat Ek julle beveel het.”  Daar is geen groepering van mense wat hierby uitgesluit is nie.  Alle mense uit alle bevolkingsgroepe is sondaars en almal van hulle het die evangelie nodig.  Dit sluit die bevolkingsgroep waarvan jy deel is net soveel in as enige ander bevolkingsgroep.  Geen ‘ras’ is uitgesluit by die universele vloek waardeur alle mense in sonde ontvang en gebore is nie, en daarom het hulle almal nodig om hulle te bekeer van hulle sonde, sonder uitsondering. 

Om mense partydig te hanteer opgrond van iets so onbenullig soos velkleur is sonde (Jakobus 2:1).  Die opdrag van onse Here Jesus is dat jy jou naaste moet liefhê soos jouself (Mattheus 22:39).  Instede daarvan om rede te soek om onderskeid tussen jou en ander te vind, wees lief vir hulle en deel met hulle die evangelie, sodat julle verenig kan word in Christus. 

c. Alle Gelowiges is verenig in Christus

Jesus Christus het juis gekom om al die skeidingsmure wat mense uit sonde onder mekaar opgerig het af te breek.  In die kerk kan rasisme nie meer voortleef nie (Efesiërs 2:14).  Rasisme, voorveroordeling en diskriminasie in die geloofsgemeenskap is ‘n belediging van Christus se werk aan die kruis.  Alle gelowiges is verenig in Christus, soos Galasiërs 3:8 ons leer “En die Skrif wat vooruit gesien het dat God die heidene uit die geloof sou regverdig, het vooraf aan Abraham die evangelie verkondig met die woorde: In jou sal al die volke geseën word.”   So sien ons dat die vervloeking van Babel (Genesis 11:7-9) wat mense verwar en verdeel het, in die kerk op Pinksterdag tot nietgemaak is deur ons in Christus te verenig (Handelinge 2:5-11).  Dit maak geen verskil of die gelowige ‘n man of vrou, Amerikaner of Rus, swart of wit, Afrikaans of Zulu praat nie, as hulle in die Here Jesus Christus glo is ons verenig met hulle deur geloof wat groter is as enige onderskeid is wat ons kan tref. 

Reeds in die eerste eeu het die kerk van Christus bestaan uit Jode, Grieke, besnydes, onbesnydes, wyses en onverstandiges, slawe en vrymans, maar almal van hulle is verenig in een liggaam in Christus, sodat daar geen onderskeid meer was nie (Kolossense 3:11) 

In sy eerste brief sê Johannes dat dit moord is om jou broer te haat (1 Johannes 3:15).  Terwyl dit nie noodwendig fisiese moord is nie, is jou onwilligheid om hulle te aanvaar of te verwelkom ‘n vorm van ‘moord van die hart’. 

In die hemel sal daar geen rasisme wees nie (Open. 5:9-10; 7:9-12; 22:1-5).  As erfgename van die ewig rus moet ons nou reeds streef om dieselfde gesindheid hier op aarde te hê as wat ons vir ewig in heerlikheid sal hê.  Om antagonisties teenoor mense te wees opgrond van taal, kleur, of etniese agtergrond is om in teenstryd te wees met God se ewige plan en ontwerp.  

Die gelowige moet daarom enige vorme van rasisme in die kerk, en in sy eie hart beveg as deel van sy verantwoordelikheid om alle sonde af te sterf en in sy strewe om God se wil te soek en te bewerk.

 

2. ‘n Christelike etiek 

Ian von Memerty het homself eenmaal as ‘n ‘herstellende (recovering) rasis’ beskryf. Hy het gesê dat hy nou al reeds 30 jaar relatief skoon is, maar soms weer val.  Dan moet hy berou toon en homself herinner dat alle mense in die beeld van God gemaak is en daarom waardevol is.  Ek dink daar is groot waarheid in sy beskrywing.  Rasisme is sonde, en alle mense, insluitend gelowiges, is sondaars en ons moet daarom deurlopend daarteen waak om in hierdie sonde te val. 

a.Rasisme is verkeerd:

-    Rasisme is sonde

Om mense te defineer opgrond van iets so oppervlakkig soos biologiese karaktereienskape is teenstrydig met die Christelike geloof.  Ons moet eerder besorg wees oor mense se geestelike toestand as hulle biologiese kenmerke.  Elke mens is ‘n beelddraer van God en daarom moet ons besef dat alle mense waardig is.  Rasisme is nie net teenstrydig met Christenskap nie, maar dis onmenslik.

Verder vernietig rasisme gemeenskappe omdat sommige persone opgrond van onbelangrike verskille verag en verneder word deur ander.  Daar is geen tekort aan voorbeelde in ons eie land se geskiedenis hiervan nie.  Nie net versoorsaak rasisme sondige politiese sienings nie, maar dit veroorsaak ongelykheid van regte en daardeur benadeel dit een groep ten koste van ‘n ander sodat dit persone op verskeie maniere benadeel soos opvoeding en inkomste.

-    Rasisme is liefdeloosheid

Omdat rasisme onderskeid maak op onrealistiese gronde word byvoorbeeld neergesien op huwelike tussen persone uit verskillende etniese agtergronde.  Verder veroorsaak dit onnodig ongemak en ontevredeheid oor ‘n buurman wat uit ‘n ander bevolkingsgroep as jy kom.  Daar is talle ander voorbeelde waarin rasisme mense bevooroordeeld maak en veroorsaak dat mense selfs veroordeel op ontoepaslike gronde. Om jou naaste lief te hê, soos die Woord van God van ons vra wys aan ons dat rasisme liefdeloos is.

b.Christenskap vereis liefde

-    Liefde vir alle mense. Ons kan nie onderskeid getref opgrond van ‘n persoon se etnisiteit nie.  Die Here vereis van ons om ons naaste lief te hê.  Ons naaste is alle mense met wie ons in aanraking kom, ongeag wie hulle is.  Dis uit liefde en besorgheid oor hulle siele dat ons die evangelie met hulle deel, ongeag wie hulle is of wat hulle herkoms is.  Daar is nie ‘n ander evangelie vir een bevolkingsgroep as vir ‘n ander nie. Daar is ook nie een bevolkingsgroep wat opgrond van wie hulle is, die evangelie minder of meer nodig het nie.  Alle mense is van nature in sonde ontvang en gebore en het daarom nodig om tot geloof te kom.

-    Rasisme in die kerk is totaal teenstrydig met die boodskap van die evangelie wat alle onderskeid oorbrug.  Die kerk is saamgestel uit elke stam, nasie, volk en taal en almal wat tot geloof in Christus gekom het is verenig tot een liggaam.  Terwyl die taal waarin die evangelie oorgelewer word soms noodwendig ‘n sekere groepering van mense by mekaar sal bring moet dit nooit die rede word waarom ‘n sekere taal gekies word nie.  Dieselfde Gees wat in die gelowige Afrikaaner woon, woon ook in die gelowige Xhosa en Shinees.

c. Christenskap verwag andersheid

Die Woord verwag van ons om ‘sout en lig’ te wees om sodoende verandering in die gemeenskap te weeg te bring.  Ons benadering, houding en gesindheid teenoor persone van ander bevolkingsgroepe behoort anders te wees as mense in ons gemeenskap wat sondig optree. 

-    Jou behandeling van jou werknemer (tuinier en huishulp ingesluit) behoort jou Christelikheid te reflekteer.  Jy behoort besorg te wees oor hulle familie, hulle gesondheid, hulle finansiele toestand.  Jy behoort ook met hulle die evangelie te deel.

-    Jou stem op verkiesingsdag behoort eerder jou Christenskap as jou ras te reflekteer.  In Mattheus 5 leer die Here ons hoe ons in die wêreld moet optree en hoe ons ‘n verskil moet maak in die wêreld.  Dit vereis dat ons stem nie gebaseer moet word op etniese verskille nie, maar geestelike verskille.  Ons invloed in die gemeenskap word gedryf deur ons Christelike etiek eerder as ons fisiese etnisiteit.

-    Jou hantering van vreemdelinge behoort nie beinvloed te word deur die kleur van sy vel nie.  Kriminele en slegte persone word in elke bevolkingsgroep gevind.  Terwyl ons nodig het om versigtig te wees vir vreemdelinge beteken dit nie ons mag onvriendelik wees of alle persone uit ‘n spesifieke bevolkingsgroep onder dieselfde kam mag skeer nie. 

Die vraag is dat ons navolgers van die Here Jesus moet wees.  Hy het sy lewe gegee vir mense uit elke stam, volk, nasie en taal.  Hy verwag van ons om die evangelie na alle mense moet uitdra.  Terwyl die gelowige ongelowiges anders moet benader as mede gelowiges is die verwagting in albei gevalle dat ons in liefde sal optree.  Jou liefde vir Christus vereis dat jy alle mense, wat in die beeld van God gemaak is, sonder vooroordeel of diskriminasie sal hanteer.  

Dis belangrik om deurentyd bewus te wees van ons natuurlike geneigdheid tot sonde en begeerte om te diskrimineer teen persone wat anders as ons is.  Deel van die geveg teen rasisme is om te erken dat jy 'n jou sondige natuur nie net hiertoe instaat is nie, maar hiertoe geneig, en miskien selfs skuldig was of is.  As gelowiges ontken ons nie ons sondigheid nie, ons bely dit, weerstaan dit en streef na oorwinning van dit.

 

3. Rasisme teen my

Natuurlik moet ons nie in daardie strik val waarin ons dink dat rasisme altyd net in een rigting plaasvind nie.  Alle mense is afstammelinge van Adam en daarom instaat en geneig tot sonde wat ook rasisme insluit.  Maar hoe behoort ek as ‘n gelowige op te tree wanneer ander rasisties teenoor my optree, of as rasisme enige vorm van diskriminasie teen my veroorsaak? 

a.      Volg die voorbeeld van Christus

In 1 Korintiërs 11:1 vra die Apostel Paulus van ons “Wees my navolgers, soos ek dit ook van Christus is.” In Efesiërs 5:1-2 vereis hy dat ons navolgers van God moet wees wat in liefde wandel, soos Christus se liefde vir ons.  Die Here Jesus het nie Sy mond geopen in protes toe hulle Hom onregverdig beskuldig, geslaan en gekruisig het nie (Jes. 53:7).  Maar soos ‘n Lam het Hy hierdie aanvalle teen Hom verdra en selfs gebid vir die vergifnis van hulle wat Hom so aangeval het (Lukas 23:34).  Die Here verwag ook soortgelyke optrede van ons (1 Petrus 4:13).

b.      Wees lief vir jou vyande

In Lukas 6:27-29 lê die beginsel neer van hoe die gelowige moet optree teenoor enige iemand wat hom wil te na kom.  “Maar Ek sê vir julle wat luister: Julle moet jul vyande liefhê en goed doen aan die wat vir julle haat.  Seën die wat julle vervloek, en bid vir die wat julle beledig.  Aan hom wat jou op die wang slaan, moet jy ook die ander een aanbied; en aan hom wat jou bo-kleed neem, moet jy ook die onderkleed nie weier nie.” 

Die beginsel wat hieruit geleer moet word is dat ons nie ander moet hanteer opgrond van die manier waarop hulle ons hanteer nie.  Instede daarvan om terug aan te val of terug seer te maak, of selfs kwaad te word, leer die Here ons om in liefde teenoor hulle op te tree wat ons sleg hanteer.  Die wraak vir sonde kom ons nie toe nie, maar die Here toe.

c.       Vermaan die sondaar in ‘n gees van sagmoedigheid

In Galasiërs 6:1 word ons geleer om hulle wat deur sonde oorval word in ‘n gees van sagmoedigheid reg te help en terselfdetyd daarteen te waak om nie self in die versoeking te verval nie.  Terwyl hierdie teks heel moontlik net toepaslik is tussen gelowiges, is daar wel ander tekste wat toon dat dit ons benadering teenoor enige persoon moet wees wat sondig, want Jakobus 5:20 sê ‘dat die een wat ‘n sondaar van sy dwaalweg bekeer, ‘n siel uit die dood sal red en ‘n menigte sondes sal bedek.’  ‘n Sagmoedige woord sal eerder lei tot iemand se bekering as ‘n harde woord.

 

Ek besef dat rasisme baie skade aangerig het in verhoudings tussen mense in ons land en dat dit steeds voortgaan om skade aan te rig.  Terwyl die mense van hierdie wêreld en wêreldse instansies hulle planne maak om hierdie ongeregtighede reg te stel op hulle eie maniere, word daar van die gelowige verwag om dit op ‘n Bybelse manier reg te stel.  Dit vra dat ons die voorbeeld van Christus moet navolg deur die sonde te weerstaan en af te stref.  Dit vra dat ons die ongeregtigheid waaraan ons skuldig was sal erken, belei en vergifnis voor vra.  Dit vra dat ons voordurend sal waak teen ons eie natuur en reaksies wat geneig is tot sonde.  Dit vra dat ons alle mense sal sien as ewewaardige beeldraers van God.  Dit vra dat ons alle mense in liefde sal hanteer en ‘n ernstige besorgheid oor hulle siel sal hê.  Dit vra dat ons alle selfsugtige en selfverheerlikende gedagtes waarin ons poog om onsself of ons bevolkingsgroep te verhef bo enige ander sal afsterf.  Dit vra dat ons verdraagsaam sal wees teenoor alle mense wat sondaars is, net soos ons.  Dit vra dat ons in liefde sal optree teenoor hulle wat haatlik en veragtelik teenoor ons optree. 

Uiteindelik is die rede waarom die gelowige Rasisme moet weerstaan bo alle ander redes, omdat dit oneer aan God bring, wat self, uit Sy genade, elke mens na sy eie beeld gemaak het.  Dis om weer terug te val in die sonde van Babel wat genadiglik op Pinksterdag onder gelowiges herstel is.  As navolgers van Christus, moet ons die liefde betoon wat Hy betoon het toe Hy Sy lewe gegee het vir mense uit elke volk, stam, nasie en taal.

 

ds. Leon Harmse

Leraar van Sunwardpark Baptistekerk

What is the Christian response to Racism?

What is the Christian response to Racism? 

I think there is very little doubt that racism is wrong and most believers would agree with this. In South Africa this is a very important matter. Since there has been an uncomfortable history of racism in our country, and because there are still, without a doubt, indications that it still exists. Racism is of course not just a 'South African' problem, it's a social issue that can be seen all over the world. 

The question is, how should the believer respond to this? What is a biblical and Christian response to the sin of racism? Most believers responds by following the pattern of today's media. They criticize racism on the grounds that it discriminates and promotes inequality. But the believer needs to base his understanding and rejection of racism on Biblical and Christian grounds. 

It is therefore necessary that we begin to think Biblically about the matter and put together a Christian ethic on this from a Biblical foundation.

 

1. What the Bible says about racism 

a.Just one race, not many

In reality, there are not many different races, but only one race: the human race! Caucasians, Africans, Asians, Indians, Arabs and Jews are not different races, but rather different ethnic groups of the same race (Acts 17:26). All people, with minor differences, have the same physical characteristics. All people are also created equal by God, in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). Therefore to look down on someone who is different from you in small unimportant ways is to despise the image of God in them. It's not an attack on the person, it's an attack on God in whose image that person is made. We cannot base our view of a person on the colour of their skin or any other insignificant detail. We must see all people for who they really are: One made in the image of God and a descendant of the same man, Adam. 

As descendants of Adam, each person was of cause conceived and born in sin (Romans 3:10-20; 5:12-21).  The result is that people are naturally prone to sin. It was sinful thoughts about race that resulted in the curse of Babel (Genesis 11:7-9). The events at the tower of Babel are not the origin of different races, it was the origin of racism, which is man's sinful reaction to insignificant differences between people. 

However, the Scriptures tells us that God shows no partiality or favouritism. In Deuteronomy 10:17 we read: “For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.” In the same way we read in Romans 2:11 “For God shows no partiality.” 

b.The believer's responsibility

The Lord also expects from the believer that we should make no distinction between people on the basis of such trivial things. James 2:4 warns us to discriminate and pass judgment with 'evil thoughts', and in verse 8 of the same text he commands us, ‘If…you shall love your neighbour as yourself, you are doing well.’ We should love people regardless of the colour of their skin or the place of their origin. 

Furthermore, it is our responsibility to preach the gospel to all people without distinction. The Great Commission does not exclude any specific population group or nation. Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” There is no group of people excluded from this. All people from all people groups are sinners and all of them need the gospel. This includes the people group which you are a part of just as much as any other people group. No 'race' is excluded from the universal curse by which all men were conceived and born in sin, and therefore they all need to repent of their sin, without exception. 

Treating people with partiality based on something as trivial as skin colour is a sin (James 2:1). The instruction of our Lord Jesus is that you must love your neighbour as yourself (Matthew 22:39). Instead of looking for a reason to find distinction between you and others, love them and share the gospel with them, so that you can be united in Christ. 

c. All Believers are united in Christ

Jesus Christ came for this very reason: To tear down all the walls of separation that people have erected among themselves through sin.  In the church, racism cannot exist (Ephesians 2:14). Racism, prejudice and discrimination in the faith community is an insult to Christ's work on the cross. All believers are united in Christ, as Galatians 3:8 teaches us “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘In you shall all the nations be blessed.’” Thus we see that the curse of Babel (Genesis 11:7-9), which confused and divided people, was nullified in the church on Pentecost by uniting us in Christ (Acts 2:5-11). It makes no difference whether the believer is a man or woman, American or Russian, black or white, Afrikaans or Zulu, if they believe in the Lord Jesus Christ we are united with them through faith which is greater than any distinction that we can make. 

Already in the first century, the church of Christ consisted of Jews, Greeks, circumcised and uncircumcised, wise and foolish, slaves and freemen, but all of them were united in one body in Christ, so that there was no longer any distinction (Colossians 3 :11) 

In his first letter, John says that it is murder to hate your brother (1 John 3:15). While this is not necessarily physical murder, your unwillingness to accept or welcome them is a form of 'murder of the heart'. 

In heaven there will be no racism (Rev. 5:9-10; 7:9-12; 22:1-5). As heirs of eternal rest, we must strive even now to have the same attitude here on earth as we will have in glory forever. To be antagonistic towards people based on language, colour, or ethnic background is to be at odds with God's eternal plan and design. 

The believer must therefore fight any forms of racism in the church, and in his own heart as part of his responsibility to die to all sin and in his endeavour to seek and do the will of God.

 

2. A Christian ethic 

Ian von Memerty once described himself as a 'recovering racist'. He said that he has been relatively clean for 30 years now, but sometimes relapses. Then he must repent and remind himself that all people are made in the image of God and are therefore valuable. I think there is great truth in his description. Racism is a sin, and all people, including believers, are sinners and we must therefore constantly guard against falling into this sin. 

a.Racism is wrong

-    Racism is sin

To define people based on something as superficial as biological character traits is contrary to the Christian faith. We should be concerned with people's spiritual condition rather than their biological characteristics. Every person is an image bearer of God and therefore we must realize that all people are worthy. Racism is not only contrary to Christianity, but it is inhumane.

Furthermore, racism destroys communities because some people are despised and humiliated by others based on insignificant differences. There is no shortage of examples of this in our own country's history. Not only does racism cause sinful political views, but it causes inequality of rights and therefore harms one group at the expense of another.  Some examples of this harm is found in education and income.

-    Racism is lovelessness

Because racism makes distinctions on unrealistic grounds, the result is that, for instance marriages between persons from different ethnic backgrounds are looked down upon. It furthermore causes unnecessary discomfort and dissatisfaction with a neighbour who comes from a different population group than you. There are countless other examples in which racism makes people prejudiced and causes people to judge others on inappropriate grounds. To love your neighbour, as the Word of God asks of us, shows us that racism is loveless.

b.Christianity requires love

-    Love for all people. We cannot discriminate based on a person's ethnicity. The Lord requires us to love our neighbour. Our neighbour are all people who we come into contact with, regardless of who they are. In love and concern for their souls we must share the gospel with them, regardless of who they are or what their origin is. There isn’t a different gospel for one people group and another for others. Nor is there one people group that, based on who they are, needs the gospel less or more. All people are by nature conceived and born in sin and therefore need to come to faith.

-    Racism in the church is totally contrary to the message of the gospel which bridges all distinctions. The church is made up of every tribe, nation, people and language and all who have come to faith in Christ are united into one body. While the language in which the gospel is delivered will sometimes inevitably bring a certain group of people together, this should never become the reason why a certain language is chosen. The same Spirit that lives in the believing Afrikaner also lives in the believing Xhosa and Chinese.

c. Christianity expects a difference

The Bible expects us to be 'salt and light' in order to bring about change in the community. Our approach and attitude towards persons from other people groups should be different from others in our community who behave sinfully.

-    Your treatment of your employee (gardener and domestic helper included) should reflect your Christianity. You should be concerned about their family, their health, their financial condition. You should also share the gospel with them.

-    Your vote on Election Day should reflect your Christianity rather than your race. In Matthew 5, the Lord teaches us how we should act in the world and how we should make a difference in the world. This requires that our vote should not be based on ethnic differences, but spiritual differences. Our influence in the community is driven by our Christian ethics rather than our physical ethnicity.

-    Your treatment of strangers should not be influenced by the colour of their skin. Criminals and evil people are found in every people group. While we need to be careful of strangers, this does not mean that we may be unfriendly or that all persons from a specific people group are equally wicked or good.

 

The question is that we must be followers of the Lord Jesus. He gave his life for people from every tribe, people, nation and language. He expects us to carry the gospel to all people. While the believer must approach unbelievers differently than fellow believers, the expectation in both cases is that we will act in love. Your love for Christ requires that you treat all people, who are made in the image of God, without prejudice or discrimination. 

It is important to be constantly aware of our natural inclination to sin and desire to discriminate against persons who are different from us. Part of the fight against racism is to admit that you in your sinful nature are not only capable of this, but prone to it, and perhaps even guilty of it. As believers we do not deny our sinfulness, we confess it, resist it and strive to overcome it.

 

3. Racism against me

Of course, we should not fall into the trap of thinking that racism always only happens in one direction. All people are descendants of Adam and therefore capable and prone to sin which also includes racism. But how should I act as a believer when others act racist towards me, or if racism causes any form of discrimination against me? 

a.Follow the example of Christ

In 1 Corinthians 11:1, the Apostle Paul asks of us “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” In Ephesians 5:1-2 he requires us to be imitators of God who walked in love, and love like Christ's loved us. The Lord Jesus did not open His mouth in protest when they unjustly accused Him, beat Him and crucified Him (Is. 53:7). But like a Lamb, He endured these attacks against Him and even prayed for the forgiveness of those who attacked Him in this way (Luke 23:34). The Lord also expects similar actions from us (1 Peter 4:13).

b.Love your enemies

In Luke 6:27-29 lays down the principle of how the believer must act towards anyone who wants to harm him. “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.”

The principle to be learned from this is that we should not treat others based on the way they treat us. Instead of counter attacking or hurting them back, or even getting angry, the Lord teaches us to act in love towards those who mistreat us. Vengeance for sin does not belong to us, but to the Lord.

c. Admonish the sinner in a spirit of meekness

In Galatians 6:1 we are taught to help those who are overtaken by sin in a spirit of meekness and at the same time to guard against falling into temptation ourselves. While this text is most likely only applicable between believers, there are other texts that show that this should be our approach towards any person who sins, because James 5:20 says 'let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.' 

 

I realize that racism has done a lot of damage to relationships between people in our country and that it still continues to do damage. While the people of this world and worldly institutions make their plans to correct these injustices in their own ways, the believer is expected to correct them in a Biblical way. It calls for us to follow the example of Christ by resisting and to kill it off. It requires that we recognize the injustice we have been guilty of, repent and ask for forgiveness. It requires that we constantly guard against our own sin-prone nature and reactions. It demands that we see all people as equal image bearers of God. It requires that we treat all people with love and have a serious concern for their souls. It calls us to stop all selfish and self-exalting thoughts in which we seek to elevate ourselves or our people group above any other. It asks that we be tolerant of all people who are sinners, just like us. It calls us to act in love towards those who act hatefully and contemptuously towards us. 

Ultimately, the reason why the believer must resist Racism above all other reasons is because it brings dishonour to God who himself, in His grace, made every human being in His own image. It's to return to the sin of Babel, which was graciously restored among believers on Pentecost. As followers of Christ, we must show the love He showed when He gave His life for people from every people, tribe, nation and language. 

ds. Leon Harmse

Pastor of Sunward Park Baptist Church