Modern Reformer
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  • My Blog
    • Helping in Turkana
    • Iceland overview
    • Day 1 in Iceland
    • Photos from the Amsterdam Trip
    • Trip of a Lifetime
    • Our Journey
    • This World Stinks
    • The Elements Shall Melt
    • False Prophets- - AMEN!
    • Death of the Church
    • Who was the last prophet sent by God?
    • Write the Vision
    • Fast Food Christians
    • Jesus Wept
    • The Demise of the Protestant
    • Considering Memorial Day
    • Judas
    • The Downfall of a Civilization
    • Divine Business
    • A Futuristic Short Story
  • Questions
    • Prophecy >
      • What is the point of the "Great Tribulation" if all of the Christians will be raptured?
      • How Do We Prepare for the Great Tribulation?
      • Many preachers say Jesus is coming soon, while there are no clear signs of it. Is it a scare tactic to make people do what they want?
      • Is it true that the Bible says that no one goes to heaven until Jesus comes back?
      • What does the Bible say about Jesus' Second Coming?
      • When does the 2nd Resurrection Take Place?
      • How will Jehovah God save Israel when he brings all nations against it ?
      • When the kingdom of God is established, in what manner ( physically or ?? ) will everybody who obeys Jehovah God will become like Adam ( they will no longer be males and females but all males ) ??
      • Spiritually, What are we on the verge of?
      • When did the 70 years desolation spoken by Jeremiah begin?
      • What is meant by Rome being called the Antichrist?
      • In the book of Daniel 11:21-24, is the despicable man that is mentioned here was Antiochus Epiphanes IV?
      • What is the difference between the Babylonia that were mentioned in the Old Testament and the Babylonia that was mentioned in the book of Revelation?
      • What are the comparison of the verses Ps 83:1-8,Ez 38:7-16, Zech 14:2-3,and Rev 20:8-9--are they the same in meaning?
      • Of that Day and that Hour
      • How Will Jesus' Second Coming Happen?
      • Will the End Times Battle Be Fought With Weapons
      • Biblically speaking what will the world be like after Armageddon?
      • End Times and Sodom and Gomorrah?
      • At which trumpet will Michael and his angels boot Satan and his angels from heaven to earth?
      • When does/did Jesus Christ's reign as King of God's Kingdom start?
      • Is the Beast in Revelation the Antichrist?
      • Jesus Would Return as He Left?
      • What do you think Jesus meant that if God had not shortened those days, no flesh would survive?
      • What are You Looking Forward To?
      • Is This the Beginning of the Apocalypse?
      • What does Jesus Mean When He Says This?
      • Evidence of the Signs of the Times?
      • What will the Kingdom Accomplish?
      • How Will the Scoffers Feel when Jesus Comes?
      • What is the Significance of the Word "Presence."
      • Why Does My Mom Say We are in the Last Day?
      • What Exactly do People Think the Apocalypse is?
    • Doctrine >
      • Can a person worthy of Heaven be OK with others going to Hell?
      • Can the theory of "being born a sinner" and the theory of "age of accountability" exist at the same time? How and why?
      • According to the Bible, why is everyone born a sinner?
      • Do those don't hear about Jesus go to hell?
      • How is Christ the Wisdom of God?
      • Why does the Soul of the Dead Sinner need to be Oppressed?
      • What did Jesus mean when He said: The Way, the Truth, the Life?
      • Is the Fire of Hell Literal? Why?
      • Did Jesus Redeem Everyone? Is Everyone Saved?
      • If a baby or infant died ....he'll become an angel?
      • What is Biblical Faith?
      • Do You Believe in Hell?
      • Water Baptism and Spirit Baptism, which is more important?
      • Question on Death, Sleep, Resurrection?
      • What is the soul?
      • The Rapture
      • Is John the Baptist going to heaven?
    • General Questions >
      • How can the Gospel transform individuals and the society today?
      • Why are dogs not allowed in heaven according to the Bible?
      • Question about Islam and Christianity
      • Is a Person Who Hasn't Heard About Christianity a Sinner...?
      • Are Saints in Heaven Free...?
      • Question on John the Baptist
      • Thief on the Cross Question
      • Does the Bible has a mention about the secret societies like...?
      • Is the Garden of Eden still on earth (hidden from mankind ) ?
      • Does the Bible prove all other religions false?
      • Why do Muslims hate Jews ?
      • What do you think of the Interpretation of Gen. 2:17?
      • Did God Hate Esau from the Womb?
      • What is your opinion of the theological terms kingdom of heaven and kingdom of God?
      • ​Please can you explain Colossians 2:14-17, where it's says "do not let anyone judge you"?
      • What do you mean by Regeneration..?
      • Is it literally mean that Turkey is the seat of Satan?
      • I'm a Christian but I don't like to go to church...I pray and read my bible in the house....what the bible teaches about fellowship?
      • Abraham the father of Isaac and Ismael...he was Jew or Hebrew..?
      • I'm a believer. I pray that I might win in lottery,sweepstakes, casino...I won....is this a sin?
      • Please Explain Romans 10:9,10
      • Can We as Christians be Guilty of Choosing Barabbas over Jesus?
      • What is the Purpose of Satan?
      • Why would God do this? And then punish Israel for it?
      • Is the Roman Catholic Church a true church established by Jesus Christ?
      • What is Heaven Like?
      • How long (on average) does it take one to join your religion?
      • Is a judge performing his duties in a courtroom violating Jesus' command, "Do not judge"?
      • How is it that even the demons "knew Him to be the Christ." How did they know?
      • Who is Jesus claiming to be in John 8:24 and what does it mean to "die in your sins"?
      • Does the Bride of Christ have to die first?
      • Can We as Christians be Guilty of Choosing Barabbas over Jesus?
      • What about Holidays?
      • What is a Biblical Family?
      • How do We Treat Family Members Who Say They are Christians but Don't Acts Like It?
      • What is the Second Death?
      • Question on the Parable of the Two Sons
      • Christ came that we would have life abundantly correct?
      • Who is the Son of Perdition?
      • What are your thoughts on Psalm 137:9?
      • What is the difference between the DOOR in Rev 3:8 and the DOOR in Rev 3:20 ?
      • Out of the Seven Churches in Revelation, which would you say is the closet to your church?
      • What is the main message in the book of Amos, what value does it hold for today’s modern society?
      • Gospel of Thomas question:
      • Question on Tithing
      • Are some people never going to be resurrected from the dead?
      • Does God Love Unconditionally?
      • What Percentage of the Bible Do You Have to Know?
      • Do you keep the Sabbath?
      • Why was Man Excluded Because No Wedding Garment?
      • It is the Day of Atonement...Will you offer a prayer & agree in prayer for their salvation?
      • Did Noah Keep Bees in the Ark?
      • As the Pope's 9-letter surname, Bergoglio, has the word GOG bang in the middle of it, I wonder if biblical?
      • Who is Peter talking about in 1 Peter 4:18?
      • What is the purpose of pigs?
      • Please explain how the meek inherit the earth?
      • Do You Know the Names of Jesus' Two Sheepfolds?
      • Is Jesus in His Human Body in Heaven?
  • Meditations of Joy
    • Overcoming Lack of Confidence to Connect and ‘Fit In’ Part 1
    • All Things in the Name of Jesus
    • The Treasured Life
    • Afflicted in Faithfulness
    • Making All Things New
    • Instinctive Trust
    • #721 Extracting the Precious from the Worthless
    • Some Keys to Dealing Faithfully with Criticism and Conflict Part 2
    • Some Keys to Dealing Faithfully with Criticism Part 1
    • Facing Change and the Unknown in Confidence
    • Glorify Thy Name in us, O LORD
    • Remembering Who We Are
    • Deliverance through Overwhelm
    • Finding Stability
    • Resurrection Power At Work
    • Diamonds in the Night (Revisited)
    • Final Faithfulness According to the Will of the Father Part 2
    • Final Faithfulness According to the Will of the Father
    • The Expanse of Jesus Prayer
    • The Reality of the Joy Set Before Him
    • The Determination To Do His Will
    • Choosing the Will of the Father
    • He Sustains the Weary with a Word
    • I am willing
    • Looking Forward: Making Isaiah 40.27-31 my own Part 2
    • Looking Forward: Making Isaiah 40:27-31 my own
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 5
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 4
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 3
    • #698 Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 1 A Dear Brother wrote out the main things he was learning in the past year. As I read them I realized that that the Lord was teaching me along similar lines. First he shared: 1. “God’s
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 1
    • Our True Source of Stability in Trying Times Part 2Blog
    • Humble Yourself Under the Mighty Hand of God
    • Our True Source of Stability in Trying Times
    • Thriving in the house of God
    • Living the Divine Dimensions of Their Love
    • Make Room for the Blessing! Part 2
    • Make Room for the Blessing! Part 1
    • Dealing with ‘What If’ Part 1
    • Abiding in Their Love
    • Serving by Night
    • Serving By Night
    • Tenacious Love Part 2
    • Tenacious Love Part 1
    • Reverence for God is an Access to Wisdom and Confidence
    • The Practice of Praise
    • Separate the Precious from the Worthless
    • Therefore I Will Remember You Part 2
    • Therefore I Will Remember You Part 1
    • #676 Only One Thing is Necessary
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 3
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 3
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 2
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 1
    • Pliability and Surrender Part 2 In the Care of the Shepherd
    • Pliability and Surrender Part 1 in the Hands of the Potter
    • The Choice to Rejoice
    • Dealing with Reaction to Criticism Part 3
    • Dealing with Reaction to Criticism Part 2
    • Dealing with Reaction to Criticism Part 1
    • Courage to Go Forward
    • Facing Challenge Equipped with His Armor Part 3
    • Facing Challenge Equipped with His Armor Part 1
    • The Holy Ground of Challenge
    • What We Remember, What We Forget
    • The Answer to Anxiety Part 3
    • The Answer to Anxiety Part 2
    • The Answer to Anxiety Part 1
    • Paul’s focus in Prison: Part 6b Resurrection power Beyond Our Comprehension
    • Paul’s Focus in Prison: In Awe of His Resurrection Power Part 6aBlog
    • Paul’s Focus in Prison: Part 5a Never give up praying for one another!
    • Paul's focus in Prison: Part 4 Guarded!
    • Paul’s focus in prison Part 3 Going forward with Passion
    • Paul’s focus in prison Part 2
    • Paul’s Focus in Prison Part 1
    • LIVING Hope and Joy
    • Arms Wide Open
    • Diamonds in the Night (Revisited from 2017)
    • “Yet Thou art Holy”
    • Resolutely Going Forward
    • Passover Love
    • Praying for a Word to Give the Weary
    • Content Whatever Lot I See Part 2
    • Content Whatever Lot I See Part 1Blog
    • A Night Journey to Peace Part 2
    • A Night Journey to Peace
    • Trusting His Choices
    • Peace Amid the Storm
    • Love is Patient
    • Proving His Name to His Glory
    • Watching in Hope
    • Glorifying His Name Begins with the Realm of Thought
    • "Father Glorify Thy Name"--Possible when we Let Him Love us
    • Father Glorify Thy Name Possible when we Let Him Love us
    • Father Glorify Thy Name Part 3 (A roadblock to be aware of)
    • Father Glorify Thy Name Part 2 (Practical application)
    • Father, Glorify Thy Name
    • Finding His Joy
    • The Blessing of Over-and-Over-Testings
    • Redefining Our Perception of Rejection
    • The Source of all Encouragement
    • Casting our Care and Leaving it There
    • Setting our Face Like Flint
    • Accepting God’s Will for our Beloved Brethren
    • Our Home in Every Challenge: Seeing Beyond the Illusion
    • Call to Consider: His Amazing Provision
    • Call to Consider: His Amazing Provision
    • Sure Proof of His Divine Provision
    • Some Lessons from David in Absalam's Rebellion and Unresolved Conflict
    • His Glory: Permission to Prune
    • His Glory: A Call to Re-focus
    • Trade in the Old Thinking for a New Song!
    • A Practical Look at the Armor of God
    • Resting in His Provision
    • His Perspective from the Heights, Borne on the Wings of the Eagle
    • What Would Jesus THINK?
    • The Joy of Wholeheartedness Part 2
    • The Joy of Wholeheartedness Part 1
    • The Joy of His Love Empowering us to Love Part 2
    • The Joy of Overcoming Irritation: Divine Love Empowering us to Love Part 1
    • The Joy of the LORD is your Strength: Sending Portions!
    • Finding Joy Part 2b: The Joy of the LORD is your Strength: Eat and Drink!
    • Finding Joy Part 2a: The Joy of the LORD is your Strength
    • Finding Joy: The Joy Set Before Us Part 1
    • The Refuge of His Wise and Loving Power
    • Facing the Challenge in the Beauty of Holiness
    • Facing the Challenge with Praise, Prayer and Perspective
    • Enthroning Him upon our Praise
    • Yet You Are Holy
    • Yet You are Holy
    • Another Look at “Arise, Let us go hence”
    • “My Peace” When We Feel Alone
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 5
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 4
    • My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 3
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 2
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 1
    • A Prayer for the Power of His Penetrating Gaze of Love Part 2
    • A Prayer for the Power of His Penetrating Gaze
    • Trusting Enough to Get Out of the Boat
    • The Answer to Resistance: Trusting His Provision in the Process Part 2
    • The Answer to Resistance: Trusting that what He allows is GOOD.
    • He Knows What We Need, a Call to Praise Amid the Unknown!
    • My Heart is Fixed
    • My Heart is Fixed
    • The Creative Deliverance That Surrounds Us
    • How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 4
    • #547 How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 3
    • How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 2
    • How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 1
    • Our Prayerful Song in the Midst of Whatever Happens
    • #543 What Brings Us Peace No Matter What Happens
    • Freedom from the Trap of Old Thinking
    • Freedom from the Trap of Old Thinking Part 2
    • He Restores my Soul
    • “Look up and Let Go”
    • Nothing Shall Offend
    • Moment by Moment Deliverance from Fear
    • We Will Continue to Praise Him in the Midst of Every Circumstance
    • We Will Continue to Praise Him in the Midst of Every Circumstance Part 2
    • We Will Continue to Praise Him in the Midst Every Circumstance
    • Trust in His Perspective Frees us from Every ‘Prison’ Part 2
    • Trust in His Perspective Frees us from Every ‘Prison’
    • Run through the Open Door
    • Dwelling in ONE Master
    • Dwelling in His Shadow and Watching from the Wings
    • Dwelling in the Obedience of Christ
    • Overcoming Some Old Habits of Thought
    • Setting our Minds for Surrender Each Morning
    • Some of Peters Advice for Relationships in these Last Days
    • What Helps us to Accept Every Experience
    • His Leading through the Valley
    • Being His Valiant Warrior
    • Our Valiant Warrior
    • Living Deep-rooted Attachment in Christ
    • Keep on Sowing!
    • Surely the LORD is in the place
    • Red Sea Advice Part 4 The Red Sea Response
    • Red Sea Advice Part 3 The Red Sea Reaction
    • Red Sea Advice Part 2
    • Red Sea Advice Part 1
    • A Call to Peace
    • But Then on The Third Day
    • He Endured the Cross Part 3 Psalm 22 NIV
    • He Endured the Cross Psalm 22 Part 2
    • He Endured the Cross Part 1
    • The Cup that Crystallizes Part 3
    • The Cup that Crystallizes Part 2
    • The Cup that Crystallizes Part 1
    • The Yoke that Gives Us Rest
    • Proper Use of limitation, A Call For Balance
    • Another Lesson in Making Room for Their Surpassing Power Through the Proper Use of our Limitations
    • The Posture of Waiting and Trust that Allows Him To Demonstrate His Surpassing Power
    • To Demonstrate His Surpassing Power 2
    • To Demonstrate His Surpassing Power
    • WE will get through this!
    • Delight to do His will
    • I Know the Plans I Have for You
    • But for a Moment
    • Wake me up, Lord
    • We are a Team!
    • When we feel alone
    • The One Next Step
    • Trusting the Love that Stabilizes Us Through Every Storm
    • Triumph Over Appearance
    • The Joy of His Abundance
    • Express Gratitude
    • Numbering our Days
    • Expressions of His Love
    • The Breadth of His Provision
    • His Faithfulness Behind Every Challenge
    • He Stands at the Door of our Hearts
    • Your Tender Mercies Give Me Life
    • The Craftsmanship of His Workmanship in us
    • With You Wherever You Go
    • Listening to His Voice Amid the Physical Challenge of Shingles
    • A Refuge Better than People Pleasing
    • My Prayer in the Morning
    • They Will Not Prevail
    • When Things Don't Go My Way
    • How To Be a Refuge Like Him
    • A Very Present Help in Trouble
    • How to be a Refuge Like Him
    • Humble Yourselves Under the Mighty Hand of God
    • On Which Side Will We Dwell?
    • The Light That Shines on Our Challenges
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 6
    • Plow My Thoughts
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 5
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 4
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 3
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 2
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts
    • Stand in Awe in the Midst of Depression
    • Patient Waiting in the Face of Challenge
    • Our Expectation and Refuge in the Face of Fear
    • His Way of Escape
    • Healing the Root of Fear pt 2
    • Healing the Root of Fear
    • Weeding Day
    • Another Aspect of Wash Day!
    • Wash Day!
    • The Cup of Blessing Which We Bless
    • Our Abba Father
    • Accepting the Gift and Passing it On
    • Accepting the Gift of His Training
    • Open Our Eyes to See
    • The Breath of Forgiveness Part 2
    • The Breath of Forgiveness
    • Living Each Moment for Him
    • Diamonds in the Night
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 7
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 6
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 3
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 3
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 2
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 1
    • Faithful in the Hour Part 1
    • Delight in His Delight
    • The Beauty of Brokenness Surrendered to Him
    • How to Never Give up Part 2
    • How to Never Give UP part 1
    • Whatever We Do Part 2
    • Whatever We Do
    • Resurrection Power At Work
    • Tested by the Word of God
    • Waiting on the LORD
    • My Dad Road Sign
    • The Amazing Privilege of Being Coached by the Most High God
    • Casting Both Circles of Care Upon Him
    • The Heart of Deliverance
    • Say Amen!
    • Amen
    • Trusting Where He Leads
    • Made Strong to Listen
    • This is Who I AM
    • The Mindset of Deliverance
    • Strongholds
    • Your Love Has Conquered My Resistance
    • Our Stability Amid These Times and Seasons of Change
    • Precious in the Sight part 2
    • Precious in the Sight of the Lord
    • His Battle
    • Looking to Him
    • Proving Him Holy
    • Rejoice in the Road
    • The Divine Ectetera
    • Waking up to Hope in God in the Present Moment
    • Hiding His Word in Our Heart
    • The Power of Acceptance
    • The Power of Listening From His Love
    • The Gift of Spiritual Eyesight (In Relationships)
    • The Gift of Spiritual Eyesight Part 2
    • The Gift of Spiritual Eyesight
    • The Past and Present Reality of Deliverance
    • Willing To Trust
    • Quieting the Noise So We Can Hear His Knock and Receive Feasting in Place of Empty Snacking
    • An Olive Tree in the House of God
    • Our Choice at Break of Day
    • From Accusation to Acclamation
    • The Pure Joy of What Is
    • Arise and Eat
    • Power Over the Pit
    • His Altar (The Dimensions of Love)
    • Living The Dimensions of Love
    • The Dimensions of Love
    • All My Springs are in You
    • Crucified with Christ--A Prayer
    • Psalm 22 on the Cross to the Ninth Hour
    • The Mind of Christ Revealed on the Cross Part 2
    • The Mind of Christ as Revealed on the Cross Part 1
    • Stop and Savor His View
    • The Final Hymn
    • The Keeping Power of the Father and the Son part 3
    • The Keeping Power of the Father and the Son part 2
    • Keeping the Power of the Father and the Son part 1
    • Father Glorify Thy Name
    • She Has Done What She Could
    • The Megaphone of God
    • Teach me to be an influence that honors You
    • Fill Me with Your Willingness and Skill
    • The Greatest Reality Amid any Overwelm
    • Seeing Something New
    • Trusting Him Anew
    • The Power of the Yoke of Jesus
    • How to be Humble
    • Building Faith to Prepare for Any Collision
    • Opening the Door of our Language to God
    • Safe in His Compassions
    • Who He Is in Every Experience
    • Continual Praise
    • Beside Still Waters
    • Faith and Hope in the Midst of Challenge
    • The Beauty of Flaw Wrapped in Perfection Revisited
    • Empowering Love
    • Discovering the Hidden Treasure
    • Thoroughly Known
    • Very Present Help
    • Not by Might
    • Under His Wings I Trust
    • Aiming at Eternity
    • What to Forget, What to Remember
    • Ready to Turn My Life Around for God
    • Triumph Over Circumstances--Don't Kill the Messenger
    • Waterlogged and Triumphant
    • Escape from Stress When We Don't Understand
    • Escape from Stress, Equipped with Hinds Feet
    • Surely the Lord is in the Place
    • Escape from Stress When We Fail part 2
    • Escaping from Stress When We Fail part 1
    • Escape From Stress When We don't Understand
    • From Stress to Peace Part 1
    • Step by Step Escape from Stress
    • Making Room to be Filled
    • Making Room to be Filled
    • The Power to Love When We Cannot
    • The Power to Love When We Cannot
    • Overcoming Illusion
    • The Blessing of Overwelm
    • Jesus is the Door
    • In Perfect Faithfulness
    • The Space to Choose
    • Discipline, Not Condemnation
    • Discipline, Not Condemnation
    • The Voice of our Risen Lord
    • Passover Perspectives: A Night of Watching
    • Passover Perspectives: The Protection of the Father in the Midst of the Cross
    • Passover Perspectives: The Deliverance that will Never Be Forgotten
    • Passover Perspectives: No Fear
    • Passover Perspective: The Far Reaching Power of His Sacrifice
    • Passover Perspectives: Living Unleavened
    • Passover Perspectives: Eating on the Run
    • Passover Perspectives: The Fires that Proved Him Faithful
    • Passover Perspectives: The Power of his Sacrifice
    • Passover Perspectives Exodus 12: The Keeping of the Lamb
    • Passover Perspectives: A collective celebration
    • Passover Perspectives: A New Beginning
    • A Prayer for God's Glory
    • Road Sign
    • The Beauty of Perfection
    • Every Hour
    • What will we put in the Relationship Box?
    • Discovering His Everlasting Love
    • His Timing and Strength in Every Phase of Life
    • Trusting Him in Every Valley
    • Trusting the One Who Pours the Cup
    • Smallest Beginning, Greatest Gift
    • Thoroughly Known, Thoroughly Pursued
    • Red Sea Rule #10
    • Red Sea Rule #9
    • Agreeing with God
    • Red Sear Rule #8
    • Red Sea Rule #7
    • Red Sea Rule #6
    • Red Sea Rule #5
    • Red Sea Rule 3 & 4
    • Red Sea Rules #2
    • Red Sea Rules--part 1
    • What Great Honor
    • What do you see?
    • The Power of a Living Faith
    • Awe for God in the Face of Fear
    • No Trial Will Ever Be Too Severe
    • The Work of the Gardener and the Architect
    • Wisdom Out of the Whirlwind
    • Hold On
    • Dwelling in Hope: The power of what we expect and believe
    • Conflict as a Call to Loving Action
    • Trusting His Infinite Wisdom
    • Emotion Management through The Power of Discretion
    • Do Not Delay; The Golden Moments Fly
    • Delight in the Lord
    • Loving New Part 2
    • Loving New
    • To Change the Paradigm
    • My Yoke is Easy, My Burden is Light
    • The Way of Escape
    • Equipped to Face Whatever Comes
    • Time to Trust part 3
    • Time to Trust part 2
    • A Time to Trust
    • Words of Wisdom
    • Wake Up New and See the Bigger Picture
    • Weeping and Finding
    • Resurrection Legacy
    • His Seamless Garment
    • Resurrection Legacy
    • Compelled by Love
    • Test of the Dream Part 3B
    • Test of the Dream --Part 3
    • Test of the Dream --Part 2
    • The Test of the Dream
    • The Love of God in Christ--part 2
    • The Love of God in Christ
    • Shedding Light on Discouragement
    • No More Re-Runs and No more Previews
    • No More Re-Runs
    • Triumph of Trust
    • With You Always, Day by Day
    • Triumph over Temptation
    • Step by Step
    • The Lord, My Confidence --part 2
    • The Lord, My Confidence--part 1
    • Seeking the Face of God and Christ
    • My Always Faithful God
    • The Answer to Overwhelm
    • Every Knee Shall Bow
    • Free to Experience the Intentions of God
    • Finding Bread at Midnight
    • Faithful Wounds
    • Battlefield Strategies
    • Take Time to Be Kind
    • Oh Magnify the Lord with Me by the Power of Thanksgiving
    • What do You Expect?
    • Unlikely Battlefield Strategies Part 2
    • The Miracle of Acceptance
    • Crisis Control
    • When Things Don't Go My Way
    • The Power of Pure Choice in Christ
    • Let the King of Glory In!
    • Whose Wall Do I Trust?
    • The Power of Thanksgiving
    • The Postures of Possiblities
    • If You Trust Me Let Go
    • Barefoot!
    • Holy Ground: Accepting the Mission
    • Holy ground: Facing the Fire
    • After the Battle
    • Accessable
    • Surrender in Awe and Wait in Joy
    • The Strength of our Spiritual Root System
    • Space to Trust
    • Full of Sap Part 3
    • Full of Sap Part 2
    • Full of Sap
    • The Mind of Mature Persistence part 3
    • The Mind of Mature Persistence part 2
    • Mind of Mature Persistance
    • Expect the Unexpected
    • Hearing Through the Ears of Jesus
    • Our Memorial Legacy: Keeping the Feast
    • Our Memorial Legacy
    • The Heart of the Father
    • The Cattle on a Thousand Hills
    • Patient with Process
    • He is Risen! Continue to Seek
    • Never Out-Numbered--Never Give Up!
    • Never Out-Numbered
    • Gathering Forces No Match For the Lord of the Harvest
    • The Power of Sanctified Choice – A Testimony
    • The Power of Sanctified Choice on the Cross
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 8
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 7
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 6
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 5
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 4
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UKRISTO WA KWELI

UKRISTO WA KWELI
 

SIFA KWA
 UKRISTO WA KWELI
 

Wilberforce ni mmojawapo ya mashujaa wa kihistoria ya kisasa waliopuuzwa -hata Wakristo wengi hawajamfahamu Mkristo huyu shupavu wa fikra na pendo, ambaye mtazamo wake wa kibiblia, na utegemezi wa Roho wa Mungu, ulimpa moyo wa ujasiri, kuongoza juhudi za kumaliza utumwa.
Huyu ni mtu ambaye tunapaswa kusikia kutoka kwake , na Bob Beltz amefanya apatikane. Kitabu  hiki, cha miaka 210 bado kinafaa sawia na umuhimu wake..
Kupitia kwa huu msaada wa Bob, ni jambo linalo inua moyo kukaa miguuni mwa Wilberforce, mtu ambaye Mungu alimtumia kubadilisha ulimwengu.


RANDY ALCON
MWANDISHI, HEAVEN AND SAFELY HOME


Tuseme ni kumaliza vizuri! Siku chache kabla ya kifo chake, juhudi za Wilberforce kumaliza utumwa huko Uingereza ziliendeshwa kwa mafanikio. Usiku ule wa toleo la picha ya kushangaza, ya Amazing Grace, kulikua na toleo jipya la filamu ya kitabu cha Wilberforce, Real Christianity, iliosahihishwa na kusasishwa na rafiki yangu Bob Beltz, ambaye pia alifanya kazi kwenye filamu hio. Ilikua ni zawadi nzuri sana ya Krismasi ya mwaka 2006 kwetu sisi sote!


BOB BUFORD
MWANZILISHI, LEADERSHIP NETWORK
MWANDISHI, HALFTIME AND FINISHING WELL.


Hiki ni kitabu ambacho nakipendekeza sana. Bob Beltz amefanya tafsiri ya kisasa kabisa ya mojawapo ya vitabu kuu sana ya Ukristo wa nyakati zote. Nimesoma na kurudia Real Christianity, yaani, Ukristo wa kweli, na nimepata ujumbe wake unafaa leo hata na vile ilivyokuwa wakati wa huyo kiongozi mkuu wa Kikristo, aliyekielelezo maishani mwangu, yaani William Wilberforce, alipoiandika. Usichukue kitabu hiki tu- lakini ukisome.


CHUCK COLSON
MWANZILISHI NA MWENYEKITI, PRISON FELLOWSHIP


Pengo kati ya imani ya kweli na Ukristo wa kidersturi ni pana leo kama ilivyokuwa wakati wowote katika historia, kwa hivyo kuna mengi tunaweza kujifunza kutoka kwa uamsho-na mafanikio ya kilio cha William Wilberforce. Bob Beltz ametufanyia huduma nzuri katika kufanya kitabu cha aina hii kinachouzwa vizuri zaidi kupatikana tena.


OS GUINNESS
MWANDISHI, UNSPEAKABLE FACING UP TO THE CHALLENGE OF EVIL
 
Mamilioni ya maisha yalibadilishwa kwa sababu ya uamuzi wa William Wilberforce kubadili jamii ya siku zake. Miaka mia mbili baadaye, mahitaji karibu yetu bado ni makubwa. Natumai watu wengi watasoma toleo hili jipya la kitabu cha zamani cha Wilberforce na kutiwa moyo na mfano wake.


NICKY GUMBEL
MWANDISHI, QUESTIONS OF LIFE AND A LIFE WORTH LIVING
 
 
Real Christianity ni juu ya kuishi alivyoishi Yesu, na kufanya vile Yesu alivyofanya. Lazima isomwe na kila mtu anayetaka kuishi maisha yake yote kwa Kristo tu.


WALT KALLESTAD
MHUDUMU MKUU, COMMUNITY CHURCH OF JOY GLENDALE, ARIZONA


Kwa muda mrefu Wilberforce amekuwa shujaa kwa wengi wetu. Sasa, kupitia Real Christianity, tunapata mtazamo mzuri katika theolojia yake, hali yake ya kiroho na shauku yake. Kwa kutumia kazi ya Bwana Wilberforce katika asili yake, Bwana  Bob Beltz anatupa changamoto inayohitajika kwetu sote, kwa sababu sote mara kwa mara tunajaribiwa kupoesha imani yetu iliomoto ikawa vuguvugu na ya Ukristo wa kawaida.
BRIAN MCLAREN
MWANDISHI/ MWANAHARAKATI (BRIAN MCLAREN.NET)


Kitabu cha kihistoria, kinachobadilisha utamaduni kilichoandikwa na mwanasiasa mwiinjilisti aliyebadilisha historia ya Dola ya Uingereza. Kitabu hiki bado kinafaa hata leo.
RONALD J. SIDER
RAIS, EVANGELICALS FOR SOCIAL ACTION

 


 
 
 
UKRISTO
WA
KWELI

Falisi katika Kiingereza ya kisasa ya Mtazamo wa Vitendo wa Mfumo wa Kidini uliopo wa Wanaodai kuwa Wakristo wa Tabaka la Juu na  la Kati katika nchi hii Ukilinganishwa na Ukristo wa kweli
Iliyochapishwa mnamo 1797


  Kimeandikwa Na William Wilberforce, Esq.
  Mbunge wa Kaunti ya York
Iliyorekebishwa na Kusasishwa na Dk Bob Beltz
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                YALIYOMO
 
 

Utangulizi wa Toleo hili ……………………………………………………….6
Na Dr Bob Beltz

William Wilberforce Mtu wa Msimu Wote ……………………… ... ………. 9
Na Kevin Belmonte

Utangulizi Asili wa Wilberforce ................................................................. 16

Sura ya Kwanza ……………………………………….……………………… 19
Hali ya Ukristo wa kisasa

Sura ya Pili ……………………………………………………………..……… 27
Mawazo ya Kisasa Kuhusu Asili ya Mwanadamu

Sura ya Tatu ……………………………………………………………………..41
Kuelewa Ukristo wa Kidersturi

Sura ya Nne ………………………………………………………………….…..63
Vigezo vya Kweli vya Tabia ya Kikristo

Sura ya tano …………………………………………………………………… 131
Hoja za Ukristo wa kweli

Sura ya Sita ..........................................................................................................139
 Hali ya Kisasa ya Ukristo

Sura ya Saba ………………….. ………………………………………………...165
Vidokezo vya Kimsingi Kuhusu Imani halisi

Maandishi yaliyopendekezwa ……………………………………………………201
Yaliyokusanywa na Kevin Belmonte



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UTANGULIZI WA HABARI HII
Dk Bob Beltz
 

Katika kurasa zifuatazo nitakutambulisha kwa kitabu cha kipekee na mojawapo ya takwimu za kushangaza katika historia ya Uingereza. Jina lake lilikuwa William Wilberforce. Labda unasoma kitabu hiki kwa sababu tayari umemjua mtu huyo lakini haujawahi kusoma maandishi yake. Kwa kweli ndivyo nilivyokuwa katika uzoefu wangu mwenyewe. Halafu, miaka kadhaa iliyopita, nilikuwa na bahati nzuri ya kuwa sehemu ya timu ambayo ilianza kutengeneza filamu ya Amazing Grace, ambayo ilitokana na maisha ya William Wilberforce.
Mwanzoni mwa mchakato wa kufanya kazi kwenye filamu hii niliamua kusoma toleo la kawaida la kazi ya asili ya Wilberforce juu ya imani ya Kikristo.

              Jinsi unavyoweza kuona kwenye ukurasa wa anwani ya kitabu hichi, hii ilikuwa ni kazi iliyoandikwa wakati wachapishaji waliamini kwamba inampasa mtu kutoa habari nyingi iwezekanavyo katika kichwa cha kitabu chake. Mnamo 1797, mwaka ambao kitabu hiki kilichapishwa kwa mara ya kwanza, majina ya kuvutia hayakuwekwa wazi. Tangu wakati huo nimeona mara nyingi mada zikipunguzwa na hatimaye kuwa A Practical View of Real Christianity. Ila kusudi na lengo la BwanaWilberforce zilibakia.  Kwa kazi yake, Bwana Wilberforce aliwalenga watu wa kundi la aina Fulani; kama watu walioishi kwa wakati fulani, na mahali fulani, ama watu walioshikilia mfumo wa aina fulani wa imani, hasa mfumo uliozalisha uzoefu maalum wa kidini. Kwa hivyo, ili kuunda mada sahihi na kamilifu kwa kitabu chake, Bwana Wilberforce mwenyewe aliandika kwamba maandishi yake yalikusudiwa kuwa Maoni juu ya Mfumo wa Kidini Unaojulikana, wa wale wanaojiita Wakristo -sio wa kundi lolote la watu wanaojidai kuwa ni Wakristo, bali ni wale wanaojiita Wakristo ambao wako kwenye Matabaka ya Juu na ya Kati katika Nchi hii (yaani Uingereza mnamo 1797). Ilikuwa ni aina hio ya mfumo wa imani ya kundi hili maalum, ndio iliwatofautisha na kundi lile ambalo Bwana Wilberforce aliliita “Ukristo wa kweli”- yaani Real Christianity.

                            Kwa sababu ya umaarufu wa kitabu hiki, ni ngumu kuthamini kabisa kazi iliyopo bila kumfahamu mwandishi na ulimwengu wa wakati wake. Sio nia yangu hata kidogo katika chapisho hii kuandika biografia ya William Wilberforce. Wale waliohitimu zaidi kufanya hivyo tayari wamekwishafanya kazi hiyo. Labda nikuelekeze tu kwa sehemu inayofuata, ambapo wasifu mfupi wa kumbukumbu ya shujaa wa ubinadamu (Hero for Humanity) wa Kevin Belmonte imejumuishwa, pamoja na orodha za nakala, ilioundwa kwa ustadi na Belmonte.

                            Kusudi langu katika kitabu hiki ni "kutafsiri" kazi ya Wilberforce kutoka kwa lugha ya mwisho ya karne ya kumi na nane kuwa kitabu kinachofikisha ujumbe wa Wilberforce kwa watu wa karne ya ishirini. Wabishi wa Wilberforce watapungua, nina hakika.
Lakini kwa wale wanaofanya hivyo, ikumbukwe kwamba Wilberforce, katika kitabu chake, alipendekeza kufanya hivyo hasa na vitendo kutoka kwa vizazi vilivyopita ambavyo havikuweza kufikiwa na watu wa kawaida kwa sababu ya lugha au mtindo wa uandishi. Kwa mfano, katika Sura ya 6 ya toleo la 1824 la A Practical View, Wilberforce hufanya maoni yafuatayo akizungumzia seti ya vitabu vya 1707 vilivyoandikwa na mchungaji wa Presbyterian Richard Baxter:


Toleo la 1707 la Practical Works la Baxter ni hazina ya hekima ya Kikristo, na itakuwa huduma muhimu sana kwa wanadamu kuirekebisha, na labda kuifundisha, ili kuipa ladha inayofaa zaidi kwa wasomaji wa kisasa.


 
                            Matumaini yangu na nia yangu ya kurekebisha na kusasisha kitabu hiki ni kwamba kizazi kipya cha wasomaji wa kisasa kitagundua huyu mtu wa ajabu na ujumbe aliouwasilisha.


Kabla ya kuendelea na utangulizi wa Wilberforce mwenyewe, wacha nikuambie kwamba nilifanya kazi kutoka toleo la kumi na tano la maandishi kamili A Practical View of Real Christianity. Toleo hili, lililochapishwa huko London na T. Cadell mnamo 1824, linatambuliwa kama toleo la mwisho la kitabu kilichohaririwa na Wilberforce mwenyewe. Ukurasa wa kichwa wa toleo hili una nukuu mbili chini ya kichwa chake cha muda mrefu. Nitaziwasilisha hapa kama zilivyoonekana kwenye ukurasa halisi:


Tafuta maandiko haya!-----
                 
                     Yohana 5:39.


Ni jinsi gani FALSAFA YA KIUNGU inavyopendeza!
Sio kali wala haichoshi, kama wapumbavu wanavyodhani,
Lakini ni kama sauti ya kinanda ya Apollo,
Na kama kusherehekea peremende isioisha
Bila ukwasi wowote.
                                                                                          
                                                               John Milton


 
Wilberforce alijua kuwa wasomaji wake wangefanya vizuri kufuata agizo la John ili kupata thawabu iliyoonyeshwa na Milton. Natumai toleo hili la kisasa la kazi ya Wilberforce litakuwa na athari wa namna hio.



 
 
 
 
WILLIAM WILBERFORCE:
MTU WA MAJIRA YOTE
Kevin Belmonte


Kwa kiwangoo yoyote, William Wilberforce alikuwa mtu wa kushangaza sana na kwa kweli ameelezewa kama "Mwana mageuzi mkubwa zaidi katika historia" 1. Urithi wake uliathiri maisha ya wengi wakiwemo wafalme pamoja na  marais, na vile vile  kugusa maskini na hata wanyonge katika mataifa mbali mbali ulimwenguni.


Wilberforce alizaliwa katika mji wa bandari wa Hull, Uingereza, mnamo Agosti 24, 1759, katika familia iliyofanikiwa, familia ya wafanyabiashara ambao leo tungewataja kama "tabaka la katikati". Familia yake ilikuwa na matumaini kwamba William huyu chipukizi angeongeza utajiri wa familia au labda angeshinda nafasi ya kifahari katika uchaguzi wa kisiasa. Matumaini haya hayakukosea. Miezi chache tu baada ya kuhitimu kutoka Chuo Kikuu cha St John's, Chuoni Cambridge mnamo 1780, Wilberforce alipewa kiti katika House of Commons kama  Mbunge wa Hull- siku chache tu baada ya yeye kusherehekea mwaka wake wa ishirini na moja tangu kuzaliwa.


Kufikia wakati huu, Wilberforce alikuwa karibu na William Pitt the Younger, ambaye angekuwa Waziri Mkuu ambaye ni kijana zaidi katika historia ya Uingereza. Hawa vijana wote wawili walikuwa na vipawa kubwa vya kisiasa. Wilberforce alikuwa mjanja, mzuri na mwenye akili. Alikuwa na haiba ya kuvutia na aliimba vizuri hivi kwamba mnamo 1782, Mkuu wa Wales alisema atakwenda popote ili kumsikiza Wilberforce akiimba. Pitt, mwenyewe, mmoja wa wasemaji wakuu wa Uingereza, alisema kwamba Wilberforce ana ueledi wa usemi zaidi ya mtu yeyote yule amewahi kumjua. Vipawa hivyo vilimwezesha Bwana Wilberforce kushinda ubaguzi wa kitabaka uliowekwa na wasomi wakubwa (ambao walitawala Uingereza sana wakati huo) dhidi ya kundi la wafanyabiashara. Alikuwa kijana anayeinuka.


Pitt akapanda kuwa Waziri Mkuu mnamo 1783 akiwa na umri wa ajabu wa miaka 24.  Na chini ya miezi sita baadaye, Wilberforce akachaguliwa kuwa Mbunge wa kaunti ya Yorkshire- mojawapo ya viti vyenye nguvu zaidi katika Baraza la Commons. Ila njia ya Wilberforce ikachukua mkondo tofauti sana na ya Pitt kufuata uchaguzi wake. Huku akitamani kufurahia mafanikio yake kisiasa, Wilberforce alianza safari ya kwenda Ulaya na familia yake na marafiki wachache waalikwa. Baada ya miezi kadhaa, alirudi huku moyo wake ukiwa katika lindi la mahangaiko lilikolea kutokana na mazungumzo aliyokuwa nayo na Bwana Isaac Milner, mmoja wa wale wenzake waliosafiri naye. Milner, Mwanglikana Mwiinjilisti, alikuwa Mtu wa Jumuiya ya Royal Society (taasisi ya kitaifa ya Sayansi ya Uingereza) na baadaye rais wa Chuo cha Malkia huko Cambridge. Kwa ueledi wake wa ufafanuzi alikua amemwelezea Bwana Wilberforce juu ya "moyo wa marifa ya Kikristo" 2


Wilberforce alirudi London mnamo msimu wa 1785, huku amejawa na mashaka juu ya hatima yake. Mazungumzo yake na Milner yalikuwa yamemshawishi kuhusu ukweli wa Ukristo, lakini hakuona jinsi, au ikiwa, Mkristo anaweza kumtumikia Mungu katika siasa. Alikuwa katikati ya kile angeelezea baadaye kama "Mabadiliko Makubwa", au kushikilia Ukristo wa Kiinjilisti.


Pasi na kujua mahala pengine pa kugeukia, Wilberforce alimtafuta John Newton, nahodha wa zamani wa meli ya watumwa aliyegeuka mhudumu wa Kinglikana ambaye tunamkumbuka leo kama mwandishi wa wimbo wa "Neema ya Ajabu" yaani Amazing Grace. Wilberforce alikuwa amemjua Newton akiwa bado mvulana mdogo tu. Lakini familia ya Wilberforce ilishtushwa na ushirikiano wake mkubwa na mtu ambaye walimwona kama mtu shupavu wa dini;  hiyo wakamtenga na ushawishi wa Newton na ya mjomba na shangazi yake mwinjilisti ambao Wilberforce alikuwa akikaa nao.


Walakini mbegu nzuri iliyopandwa ndani ya moyo wa Wilberforce na Newton (na mjomba na shangazi yake) haikunyauka kabisa. Iwapo Wilberforce angemhitaji mtu wa kumkimbilia, bila shaka alijua anafaa kumtafuta Newton. Alikuwa ndiye chaguo anayemfaa.


Newton alisaidia Wilberforce kuona kwamba Mungu alikuwa na kusudi maalum katika maisha yake- kwamba anaweza kumtumikia Mungu katika siasa na kufanya mabadiliko huko, kama vile Danieli na Yosefu wavyofanya katika nyakati za Agano la Kale. Kufikia 1787, Wilberforce alikuwa ameshikilia jukumu ambalo kwalo leo hii tunamkumbuka: vita vya kumaliza biashara ya watumwa wa Uingereza. Na ilikuwa ni John Newton, mfanyabiashara wa zamani wa watumwa, ndiye Mungu alimtumia kumsaidia Wilberforce kuona kwamba mwelekeo huu ndio inampasa kuchukua. Si ni kinaya kwamba mtu aliyekua na makosa ya jinai dhidi ya binadamu hivi leo amegeuka na anamfundisha rafiki yake njia bora ya kuwahudumia na kuwasadia wanadamu!
 
                            Wakati huo huo, Wilberforce alijitoa kimasomaso kuhamasisha mabadiliko katika ukuzaji wa maadili na dersturi huko Uingereza. Kama alivyoandika katika shajara yake mnamo Oktoba 28, 17 87, Mungu alikuwa ameweka vitu viwili vikubwa mbele yake: kukandamiza biashara ya watumwa na kazi ya mageuzi ya maadili. Na kwa hiyo, hata na alipokua akipigana vita vya kumaliza biashara ya watumwa huko Uingereza, (vita vilivyomchukua miaka 20 kumaliza), Wilberforce alianza hatua nyingi za mipango ya uhisani. Katika mjadala wake na wahabari wenzake katika Clapham circle (waliitwa hivyo kwa sababu waliishi karibu sana mmoja kwa mwingine katika kijiji cha Clapham), alifuatilia marekebisho ya kila aina.


Wilberforce aliongoza au alikuwa mwanachama wa angalau jamii 69 nzuri. Alikuwa mwanzilishi na mchangiaji wa magazeti kama Christian Observer, Christianity today yaani Ukristo Leo wa wakati wake. Alisaidia kuanzisha eneo la kikoloni huko Sierra Leone kwa watumwa walioachiliwa, Jumuiya ya Kifalme ya Kuzuia Ukatili kwa wanyama, hospitali za maskini, Taasisi ya Kifalme ya Uingereza (iliyowekwa wakfu kwa utafiti wa kisayansi), na Jumba la Sanaa la Kitaifa. Alikuwa pia mwanaharakati wa mageuzi ya kielimu, mageuzi ya magereza, ukuzaji wa mipango ya afya ya umma na kutetea masaa mafupi ya kazi na hali zilizoboreshwa katika tasnia.
 
                             Wilberforce aliwahifanya kazi na watu wengi waliokuwa na mitazamo tofauti na yake kuhusu ulimwengu wa Kikristo, lakini kila siku juhudi zake zilikuwa ni kuwa chumvi na nuru kwa watu wake. Kazi yake, wakiwa na Bwana Jeremi Bentham, ya mageuzi ya magereza ni mojawapo ya mifano hio, na ushirikiano wake na Bwana Charles Fox katika kukomesha biashara ya watumwa ni mwingine. Wilberforce aliamini kwamba, "Ni jukumu la kimsingi la kila mtu kudumisha furaha ya wenzake kadri awezavyo."3

                            Mojawapo ya mambo Wilberforce alidumisha kama desturi yake ilikuwa ni uchapishaji wa kitabu chake A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System… Contrusted with Real Christianity mnamo 1797. Kiliweza kuuzwa kwa haraka sana na hata toleo nyingine tano zikatolewa kwa muda wa miezi sita. Kufikia 1826, matoleo 15 yalikuwa yamechapishwa huko Uingereza, na matoleo 25 yalikuwa yamechapishwa huko Marekani. Kilitafsiriwa kwa Kiholanzi, Kifaransa, Kijerumani, Kiitaliano na Kihispania.
Maoni ya kweli juu ya Ukristo wa kweli iligusa maisha ya wengi kote Uingereza. Edmund Burke, mtaalamu mkubwa wa siasa na mpatanishi, alikuwa amekisoma kitabu hiki siku chache za mwisho za maisha yake na akafarijika sana, hata akatuma ujumbe kwa Wilberforce akisema kwamba iwapo angeishi, angemshukuru sana rafiki yake huyo kwa "kutuma kitabu kama hicho ulimwenguni" .4 Kitabu hiki kilisaidia sana katika kubamdilisha mwanafalsafa wa maadili wa Scotland Thomas Chalmers, pamoja na mwandishi maarufu wa mambo ya kilimo na safari Arthur Young.

                            Kwa watu wa wakati wa Wilberforce, kitabu, A Peactical View of Real Christianity kilikuwa ni ombi (kilio kutoka moyoni ") kwa Waingereza wenzake kukumbatia kile alichokiita kuwa Ukristo kamili au halisi. Tofauti na vitabu vingi vilivyochapishwa kwa wakati huu, A Practical View of Real Christianity kilikuwa kitabu cha kupendeza na cha kutajika. Kilikuwa tamko la dhamira ya imani ya Wilberforce, na kwa hivyo, hakikuonyesha tu ushawishi wa Jonathan Edward na Philip Doddridge, bali pia kiliweka mbele maono ya Wilberforce ya jamii nzuri. Wilberforce aliamini kwamba watu ambao maisha yao yamebadilishwa na kweli za Kikristo wangeweza kuongeza thamani ya jamii ambamo walikuwa wakiishi. Na kama urithi wake unavyoshuhudia, alikuwa sahihi.

                            Kwa sababu ya afya mbaya, Wilberforce alistaafu kutoka kwa maisha ya kisiasa mnamo Februari 1825, akiwa ametumikia taifa lake kwa takribani miaka 45, lakini shauku yake ya kupata dhamana ya watumwa kwa makoloni yote ya Uingereza iliendelea bila kufifia. Alishiriki katika kusukuma maombi, na kuwaelekeza wanasiasa wachanga (kama vile Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton na Lord Shaftesbury) ambao walirithi vazi lake, na pia alijitahidi kuhutubuia uma iwapo kuliwezekana. Siku tatu kabla hajafa, alijulishwa kwamba Bunge lilinuia kupitisha sheria ya kumaliza utumwa katika Milki yote ya Uingereza.

                            Kati ya Wamarekani-Waafrika wengi ambao maisha yao yalishawishiwa na Wilberforce walikuwapo William Wells Brown, Paul Cuffe na Fredric Douglas. Mababa wengi wanzilishi wa Merekani pia walishawishiwa na kazi ya Wilberforce, pamoja na John Quincy Adams, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, Rufus King, Marquis de Lafayette na James Monroe. William Hooper, mwimbaji wa Tangazo la Uhuru, hata alimpa mwanawe jina William Wilberforce Hooper.

                            Kati ya wanafasihi walioathiriwa na Wilberforce walikuwemo Thoreau, Emerson na Whittier. Jedidiah Morse ("baba wa Jiografia ya Marekani") alimhesabu Wilberforce kama rafiki, vile tu mwanawe Samuel Morse- msanii na mvumbuzi alivyofanya; alimhesabu Wilberforce kama "Leonardo da Vinci wa Marekani." Mianga mingine wa tamaduni ya Marekani ambayo maisha yao yaliguswa na Wilberforce ni pamoja na Caspar Morris, Lyman Beecher, Harriet Beecher Stowe, William Lloyd Garrison, Edward Everett, Jonathan Edward, Jr., Timothy Dwight (Rais wa Yale), William Jay, George Ticknor, Abraham Lincoln, William Buell Sprague, Charles Sumner, William Cabell Mito, EM Bound, Arthur na Lewis Tappan, Henry Ingersoll Bowditch, na wazazi wa mshairi mwenye ueledi wake Wilberforce Lord.
 
                            Ushawishi wa Wilberforce (na mduara wa Clapham) bado haujakamilika. Chuo kikuu cha Wilberforce cha Ohio, chuo kongwe cha zamani zaidi cha Wafrika- Wamarekani, kinaendelea kuelimisha vijana katika siku zetu. Viongozi wa Kidemokrasia na Republican katika Nyumba na Seneti wanaendelea kupata msukumo kutoka kwa urithi wa Wilberforce. Ushirika wa Magereza, Jukwaa la Wilberforce na vikundi vya Baraza la Utatu vinamuheshimu na kukuza jitihada zake katika utamaduni mpya. Kwa kweli kazi ya Wilberforce haijamalizika.

                            Kufuatia kustaafu kwa Wilberforce mnamo 1825, Robert Southey, Malenga gwiji wa shairi wa Uingereza kutoka 1813 hadi 1843, alilipa ushuru kwa huyu rafiki yake wa zamani. Maneno ya Southey hutumika sawa na ushuru kwa urithi wa kudumu wa Wilberforce: Southey aliandika, Nyumba ya Commons "haitaweza kuona kama wewe tena" .5



 
 
 
Kumbuka
  1. Maelezo yaliyotolewa katika hotuba ya Dk. Os Guiness, Mkufunzi wa Kikristo, mwandishi na msemaji.
  2. J. Pollock, Wilberforce (London: John Constable, 1977), P.34
  3. W. Wilberforce, A Practical View of Christianity, ed. Kevin Belmonte (Peabody, M.A: Hendrickson Publisher, 1996), n.p.
  4. Kevin Belmonte, “William Wilberforce: The Making of an Evangelical Reformer” (master’s thesis, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, 1995), p.2
  5. Robert Isaac and Samuel Wilberforce, The Life of William Wilberforce, vol. 5 (London: John Murray, 1838), p. 238
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UTANGULIZI HALISI WA WILBERFORCE
 
 

Utetezi wa mwandishi: Ninachojaribu kutimiza

 Imekuwa hamu yangu kwa miaka mingi kuwaandikia wananchi wenzangu juu ya imani.1 Sikuweza kufanya hivyo hadi sasa kwa sababu ya shughuli zinazoambatana na wadhifa wangu kisiasa na pia hali ya afya yangu duni. Kwa muda mrefu nimekuwa nikitarajia uwezekano wa kupata msimu fulani usio na shughuli nyingi, ambao utaniwezesha kuweka umakinifu wangu wote katika kazi hii. Nilikuwa natazamia wakati ambapo sisumbuliwi na mambo mengine, ili kwa juhudi na umakinifu niweze kuandika kwa njia ambayo msomaji hatatiziki na kazi yangu. Mwishowe ikawa dhahiri kwangu kwamba msimu kama huo hatimaye umepatikana. Kwa hivyo, nimechukua nafasi hii ya bure ili nitekeleze kusudi nililotumainia. Kwa hivyo, niwie radhi kwa kosa lolote linalotokana na mbinu ya uandishi.


                            Bila kuzingatia hisia yako msomaji kuhusu ubora wa uandishi, wacha nikuhakikishie kwamba kile nimeandika katika kurasa hizi hazijaafikiwa bila uangalifu mkubwa. Nafahamu kwamba anwani ya kitabu ni muhimu sana, hivyo nimeitafuta kwa uangalifu mkubwa, na kwa kujihoji na kukariri mara kadhaa yote utakayoyasoma.

                            Bila shaka mtu anaweza kutoa pingamizi kwamba kwa vile mimi sio mwanatheolojia, sistahili kushughulikia suala hili. Ikiwa yanipasa kujitetea dhidi ya pingamizi hilo, basi naweza kusema kwamba waandishi wengine tayari wamekwishafanya vivyo hivyo. Lakini nadhani sote tuna jukumu moja la kujitahidi kimasomaso ili kukuza ustawi wa wenzetu.  Kwa mfano, iwapo wampenda mtu ila yaonekana wazi kwamba hauna nia njema na maisha yake, kwa kumhangaisha, ilhali, ni mnyonge, na hawezi fanya lolote kujitetea, ama labda anaogopa vile watu watakayomwona; basi ijulikane wazi kwamba wewe humpendi, bali unamtumia tu kwa ukatili wako; ama kweli, hauna moyo.

     Napenda kupendekeza kwamba imani ni jukumu la kila mtu kwa sababu shughuli za imani zinamshikamano mkubwa sana na ustawi wa kijamii kiasi cha kwamba haifai mwanasiasa kuzipuuza. Kwa kuongezea, ukweli kwamba mimi si kuhani wala mhudumu kanisani waweza kusaidia watu kuona wazi zaidi yale yanayosemwa katika kitabu hiki. Kwa hivyo, hakuna mtu anayeweza kunishtaki kwa kuandika kile ninachokiandika kwa msingi ya kuwa nimevutiwa na ubinafsi kama kuhani au chuki ya kitheolojia.
 
                            Haya basi, nimekwisha toa tetezi na mahalalisho za kutosha; sasa wacha niendelee na kazi hii kuu sana ninayo, kwa maana ndio madhumuni yangu kuu katika kuandika kitabu hiki.
     
                            Sitajaribu kuwashawishi wakosomaji au kujibu maswali ambayo yaonekana wasioamini huuliza, lakini badala yake nitaeleza baadhi ya shida za waumini na vitendo vya wale ambao tayari wanadai kuwa ni Wakristo. Hapa najaribu kulinganisha kile tunachokiona kwenye maisha ya wengi, (labda wengi, ambao hufanya madai haya), na yale ninaelewa Bibilia inafundisha juu ya maana halisi ya kuamini katika Kristo. Ninasikitishwa ninapoona wengi wa wanaojiita Wakristo wakiwa na uelevu mdogo sana juu ya hali halisi ya imani wanayoidai. Imani ni somo lenye umuhimu sana; hivyo basi hatufai kuipuuza kwa ajili ya uvuto au usumbufu wa maisha haya. Yatupasa kuelewa kwamba sote tutatoa hesabu mbele za Mungu kwa jinsi tulivyoishi maisha yetu. Nami sitoi tisho lolote kwa kuandika juu ya ukweli huu. Natumai utayatia manani yale niliyonakili katika kurasa hizi.

                            Haya! Ndio yote naweza sema kwa utangulizi. Ikiwa yale ninayoandika yanaonekana kuwa ngumu sana kwako, nitakuuliza tu ukayaangalie ninayoyasema dhidi ya yale ambayo Biblia inafundisha. Hayo ni maoni tu ambayo ni muhimu. Ukikubali mamlaka ya Bibilia, nadhani utayakubali.
 
 
 
 
 
         
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