Darfur

by Joe Thorn on January 25, 2006

Al Mohler has written an excellent piece concerning the genocide in Darfur and called the church to both awareness and action. In our comfortable climate it can be easy to forget our God calls us to more than personal devotions and a private prayer life. He calls us to work for justice, to value mercy and to walk humbly with him. This means the atrocities in Darfur cannot simply be ignored by the church. So get educated on the situation. I agree with Mohler when he says, “Merely knowing about the crisis does not solve the crisis–but it is a necessary first step.” I am hopeful that for many in our Convention, the first step for them will begin with Dr. Mohler’s commentary.

Relevant Links:
Save Darfur
Darfur: A Genocide We Can Stop
Darfur Information Center
Human Rights Watch

About Joe Thorn

I am the Lead Pastor of Redeemer Fellowship in Saint Charles, IL, and author of Note to Self: The Discipline of Preaching to Yourself. Jen is my wife, and Katherine, Elias, Madeline and Kilian are my kids.

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  • http://justtodd.snowhill.org Todd

    Good post Joe. I will link to Mohler’s article. We have been working to let folks know in our area. We printed T-Shirts and sent the proceeds to World Vision, we have sold the green rubber bracelets like the one our staff wear pledging, “Not on our watch.” We have informed at our church and in our conversations that something must be different than with Rwanda. Glad you are pushing this on your blog. Jason and I have done the same over on our sites as well. Hopefully this will get more attention than former atrocities that did not include the element of “oil.”

  • http://theram4jc.blogspot.com Joe Kennedy

    For some of us, we really want to say “it’s about time someone important spoke up.” But I think maybe I’d rather say, “better late than never.”

    A call to action is good. I’ll go read the article in a minute… hopefully he offers some suggestions. How ironic would it be to see Southern Baptists protesting outside the White House over Sudan?

  • http://www.doneydepot.blogspot.com Marcguyver

    Chalk up another score for the “Peaceful Religion” of Islam.

    I suppose once you slaughter the competition you will have ultimate peace.

  • http://www.joethorn.net Joe Thorn

    Let’s not miss the point here. I would rather this post not be about a false religion, finger pointing, or showing just how wrong their religion is. The I-told-you-so rhetoric is old. I am more intereted in our response as Christians to the suffering and evil being committed, and demonstrating the power of the Gospel to overcome evil, libertate from lies and save from sin.

  • http://theram4jc.blogspot.com Joe Kennedy

    I didn’t see Dr. Mohler’s suggestions on what to do now. Do we just give money to these people who want to end the genocide? Do we wear wristbands and tell more people about it in person or online with banners? Do we talk to our representatives and senators about putting pressure on Sudan? What do we do? Mohler seems fairly concerned with the bad reputation that SBCers and Evangelicals get for not being vocal. Yes, that’s a legitimate problem, but not because we’re SBC, but because we’re Christians. Again I ask, though, what can we do?

  • http://www.joethorn.net Joe Thorn

    Well, you named the basics. The first step, like in most things, is education. Know the problem and make it known. Talk to your reps. Talk to your church. Read and pray. Our church is at the beginning of this, and who knows specifically what God will call us to do?

  • http://justtodd.snowhill.org Todd

    the issue in the Sudan is not a religious one. the research we have done indicates it is much like the Cain and Able schism which may have been a bit about “farmers” and “ranchers.” the government sided with one group and supports militia to oppose the other. i am with joe here – education is imperative. this is not about Islam.

  • Kiki

    I’m glad to see people responding to the crisis in Darfur. There are issues all over Africa, some receiving more attention than others.

    We have personally chosen to partner with two: Invisible Children (www.invisiblechildren.com) which focuses on kids in Northern Uganda who are being kidnapped and forced to serve in rebel armies and Stand for Africa (www.standforafrica.org) which is addressing the AIDS crisis throughout the continent.

    There are so many practical ways to help. We are showing the film “Invisible Children” on our campus Feb. 14th. It is powerful, and needs to be circulated as much as possible to get the word out.

  • http://www.joethorn.net Joe Thorn

    Thanks Kiki. I will check all of that out.

  • Kiki

    Joe,

    “Invisible Children” is actually a very well-made film, and is a refreshing change from your traditional documentaries.

    It was made by three college students from UCSD who just decided to go to Africa and see what they could do. They actually started out in Sudan, but ended up finding the story in Uganda instead.

    It’s pretty raw in places (even has a graphic “peuk” scene) but makes a strong point. I think it’s something every American citizen should see.

    If you contact them, they will actually send a team (usually including one of the producers) to speak as well.

  • http://theram4jc.blogspot.com Joe Kennedy

    Joe, Invisible Children is phenomenal. You should definitely check them out. They’re serious.

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