I took time to respond as thoughtfully as I could to what I presume is a view shared by many. I would like to share our exchange, but after consulting this alumna, she preferred that I did not share her letter. I respect her wishes, so you'll only see my reply and a summary of her letter. I hope this will address concerns shared by others, but convey my sincere belief that we are all on the same team. May our unity be a witness to the world.
____________________________
The author of the letter is a double alumna from Wheaton, having earned her undergrad and graduate degrees (in psychology) from the school in the 1990s. She notes that it was a place where she learned to "freely think with God's Word at the center."
In observing the issues around Dr. Hawkins' statements and the administration response, she wants to encourage me to use whatever influence I have to "put God's word and HIS definition of himself" before any other consideration.
She then goes on to refer to "several missionaries who serve in Muslim countries (who also reject the "insider movement")[...] because they love their lord, Jesus Christ, and second because they love Muslims more than they love themselves."
It is clear that the letter's author believes that Dr. Hawkins' initial statements of solidarity with Muslims creates confusion about theology for Christians and Muslims, and overall find these statements harmful, rather than helpful.
She concludes saying (in boldface type), "I truly want God to be glorified over any one person, college or group."
Overall, she writes with humility and passion, and I have great respect that she is engaging these issues. I wanted to write thoughtfully, and hope my response might be helpful for others. Here is what I said:
Dear ______________,
Thank you
for your thoughtful letter. I appreciate your sharing your thoughts and
feelings with me. I appreciate your love of the Lord, His Word, Wheaton and
concern for all that’s going on here.
I want to
assure you that in all that I do, I do strive to put God’s word at the center.
I want all my students to have the experience you describe, of thinking
freely, with God’s word at the center.
I
understand that by supporting Dr. Hawkins it might seem that I am placing my
concern for her, or perhaps for Muslim-Christian relations, ahead of scripture.
I certainly understand how it can appear that way. But I support Dr.
Hawkins because I see scripture as fully supportive of both what she has done
and what she has said. Let me try to briefly explain:
As an
anthropologist, I look at this partly through missiology. That is, whenever I
think about how and what I am going to communicate of my faith, I think about
the context and meaning of what I say in terms of those hearing it. How will it
represent the Truth of Christ to those I’m speaking to, specifically those who
need to hear the Word? How will it reflect on the Kingdom in this time
and place? This is the apostle Paul’s concern in I Cor. 9:19-23 where he
talks about becoming “all things to all people.” Of course this is not about
neglecting the gospel. Quite the opposite! It’s about making the gospel
visible and available to those who seek it; helping to make the gospel
understandable.
In this
situation, I believe Dr. Hawkins’ actions and words speak to a non-Christian
world powerfully, as a witness of Christ’s love to the nations. I want my
support for her - as well as my support for the mission of the college - to
speak to a non-Christian who is observing this. I know that for some Christians
this can look like a compromise of biblical truth, but I have searched the
scriptures for help and believe everything that Dr. Hawkins has said and done,
and my support for her, have strong biblical warrant and ground.
You
mention your missionary friends and their concerns. Of course you
recognize that there are many missionaries who do not reject the insider movement, and that there are several positions on a continuum of ministry in
Muslim countries (the C-1 through C-6). Though I have not been a
missionary to Muslims myself, I have read some around the issue and see those
across the spectrum looking to scripture to understand their work. Scripture
provides guidance for them all, and I do not think there is a single biblical
answer to what is, in my mind, a complex contextual question. Those I
know who accept the insider movement do so because they love the Lord and love
Muslims more than themselves, just as those who reject the insider movement.
I am convinced that when sincere believers - truth seekers who come as
the Bereans did to the scriptures daily - disagree on the guidance the Bible
gives in a particular area, it is because of the different questions and
context they are bringing to their thinking. Thus, Christians who have
committed their lives to sharing the gospel with Muslims come to different
views of how best to do that, not because some are looking to scripture and
others are not, but because they work in distinct contexts, come from different
backgrounds, and sincerely hear the Holy Spirit speaking to their questions and
concerns.
We always
live our lives for Christ in the context of real life where we are called to
think about how Jesus would have us respond. This is what Paul is doing
throughout his letters, instructing Greek, Jewish, and Roman believers coming
from a wide variety of prior religions and cultural contexts in how they can
think about glorifying God in their context. This is why he gives different
instructions at different points. Paul is not inconsistent! The
Scriptures have NO contradictions. Paul is consistent in instructing the
believers to live the Truth of Christ in light of how it can best provide
no unnecessary obstacle to those who God would draw to
Himself.
Dr.
Hawkins was speaking into a context where vulnerable people (Muslims are only
2% of the U.S. population) were frightened and feeling isolated in places like
the town of Wheaton. She wore the hijab to express Christian love of her
neighbor, rooted in the ministry and words of Christ. I understand her
initial posts were confusing to many, but her follow-up statement was clear and
appealed to scripture, theology and charity. (Have you read the statement she
provided to Dr. Jones? It is here at drlaryciahawkins.org)
Many people - nonChristians as well as Christians - have told me that
they learned about the love of Christ from her. A number of alumni who
did not have as positive an experience at Wheaton as you had have written to
say that Dr. Hawkins and the support she received has helped them to return to
scripture and the Church. God’s word does not return void and I see in
this an opportunity to witness for Him.
This is
what I teach my students, in general and specifically in this context. I
don’t expect that I would persuade you to support Dr. Hawkins’ actions in this,
but I hope that we can share our common commitment to the Word of God and His lordship
in our lives. I sincerely agree with so much of what you’ve written and wish
nothing more than to see God lifted up in this. God and His word is so
much more than me, Dr. Hawkins, Wheaton, or the United States. It is
timeless and perfect, revealed in a baby 2000 years ago born in an
insignificant place to insignificant people to save the world in every place
and time. Now we must stand with God to show this revelation of love to our
neighbors. Thank you for doing that where you are and please continue to pray
for us as strive to do that here.
Your
brother in Christ,
Brian
1 comment:
Very thoughtful. Thank you.
Post a Comment