Answers with Andrew Fadoju
You ask Elim experts the questions. This month, it’s Pastor Andrew Fadoju of Elim Christian Fellowship, Worthing
Should Christians take part in public protests?
Yes, Christians should participate in public protests. This aligns with Christian theology and historical practice. Old Testament prophets spoke truth to power, and Jesus’s actions in the temple were a protest against heresy and injustice by the leaders of the day. Historically, the church fought against slavery and for racial equality, exemplified by figures like Martin Luther King Jr.
While participation is vital for addressing systemic barriers to God’s kingdom on earth (especially regarding wider community wellbeing beyond salvation), wisdom and discernment are crucial. Christians should avoid partnering with those who endorse violence, as we cannot achieve good through evil means. Protests should respect the law while focusing on challenging the root causes of injustice, aiming for systemic change similar to what the Civil Rights Movement and the Suffragette Movement did in tackling injustice and inequalities.
How can we quench the Spirit? (1 Thessalonians 5:19)
Jesus said, “Out of your innermost being will flow rivers of living water,” (John 7:38) talking about the Holy Spirit. This is a picture of how Jesus wanted his presence to be reflected in the life of his followers. There should be a river that flows from the life of a disciple of Jesus, and that river brings life, faith, hope and love to those they encounter and engage with through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
We stop the flow of the Holy Spirit in our lives when we ignore the Holy Spirit, who is the source of this living water, and pay no attention to his leading and resist his truth from Scripture and his correction in our lives. Or when we tolerate destructive habits and allow fear and unbelief to grow in our hearts, not treasuring time with God our Father and rationalising it with reasonable arguments.
Then, rather than speaking life, we end up speaking lifeless words that do not bring faith, hope and love to those around us. When this happens, we quench the Holy Spirit and need to repent.
What is agape love?
A perfect example of agape love is Christ dying for us while we were still sinners and also praying for his executioners: “Father forgive them, they do not know what they are doing.”
Agape love is a love rooted in the will, not the emotions. It is an intentional decision to value and love somebody simply because you have placed a loving value on them irrespective of their merits or actions. This love is not reciprocal, it is a selfless love that is willing to endure hardship or inconvenience for the sake of the one being loved.
When Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, he described a love that manifests itself in kindness, a love that is not envious, not boastful or proud. It is a love that doesn’t look out for self, is not easily endangered and keeps no record of wrong.
This is a good description of Agape Love. It transcends human emotions because it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.