Nelis musings

"Will Jesus come back when we have done a Bible translation in every language?" The director of Wycliffe Netherlands was asked this question at the celebration of their 50th anniversary. It got me thinking. What would be my answer?  It is a rather attractive idea that our work will hasten the coming of Jesus. It means we can contribute to Jesus coming back! We can go out and get it done. We can bring about the glorious moment the church has been waiting for for 2000 years! As a go-getter, as a manager, as a change agent, I can get quite excited about that idea. And even better, the concept of contributing to Jesus' return attracts people and funding like nothing else. So what would be my answer? The theology I grew up with fits well with these concepts. I grew up with a pretty clear idea of how Daniel and Revelations needed to be interpreted. However, I have become increasingly uncomfortable with it. I have gradually shifted in my convictions. And that is rather sca...

His voice was choked off together with his breath. He asked for mercy but his voice was not heard. George Floyd. Until last week only his family and friends knew his name and he was just another guy. One of the millions of people who go about their business, making ends meet. A nameless person with no claim to fame and very little chance to be heard by those in authority. And just like many others before him he came face-to-face with power and wasn't heard. In his case it cost him his life.  Because the cameras happened to be rolling when he was choked to death, his name became a rallying cry. "I can't breathe" has become a call for the voices of black people to be given dignity and to be heard. And my response is just like that of most people: they need to listen. They should change the laws. They need to train the police differently. They need to ensure that black people have a fair chance. They… that is other people. It is their problem. And I realise how hyp...