Out of Africa?
Philip Jenkins, in his book The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity asserts that if we extrapolate current demographic trends out to the year 2025, there will be "around 2.6 billion Christians in the world, of whom 633 million would live in Africa, 640 million in Latin America, and 460 million in Asia. ... Africa and Latin America would be in competition for the title of most Christian continent" (3). As such, according to Jenkins, Christians in Europe and America should be aware that there will be an accompanying shift in influence from the Northern hemisphere to the South, a shift that will have a major impact on Western Christianity.
I think there are some debatable points in his book, but it is an interesting read nonetheless, and it has hhighlighted for me the importance of paying attention to what is happening in Christian circles outside of America. As such I was fascinated to read Bono's speech at the National Prayer Breakfast last week, where he once again urged America to take the lead in helping poorer African nations deal with crippling debt and poverty. It's an amazing speech for all sorts of reasons, not the least of which is hearing Bono talk about the Old Testament. You can read the text here: http://www.data.org/archives/000774.php.
He concludes by saying that:
"There is a continent—Africa—being consumed by flames. I truly believe that when the history books are written, our age will be remembered for three things: the war on terror, the digital revolution, and what we did—or did not to—to put the fire out in Africa."
This speech seemed reasonable enough to me, ignorant as I am with regard to economic development in other countries. The travel-writer Paul Theroux, however, is apparently more savvy about these matters, and has expressed his disdain for Bono in an article in the New York Times from last December (note that Theroux was not responding to Bono's prayer breakfast comments, but rather to Bono's various speeches and activities from last year).
You can read Theroux's article reprinted in the Herald Tribune here: http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/12/19/opinion/edtheroux.php
So, what am I supposed to think? Can someone tell me?
Just kidding. But seriously, although from other books I have read by Theroux I am used to his somewhat pompous way of talking about himself, and I do think that in large measure he is offended by the Christian element of Bono's work, he does raise some very compelling points. As long as trained Africans continue to leave Africa, and money is poured in without any paper-trail or accountability, nothing is going to get better. Giving money may appease our consciences while at the same time doing very little to ease the suffering of those struggling in extreme poverty or dealing with AIDS or civil war. Yet at the same time I do think there is real value to the work that Bon is doing, whatever his motives may or may not be. I think that although in the big picture things may look grim, in the small picture there are changes taking place, and I am confident that Christian organizations are working extremely hard to make a real, tangible difference in the lives of the poor and oppressed across the African continent.
A blog is hardly the place to hash out significant solutions to these problems, but I am throwing it out there for discussion anyways. If Jenkins is correct about the growth of Christianity in Africa, then we should have a deep passion for the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Christ. The problem, I suppose, is how to express that passion. Bruce WIlkinson, of Jabez fame, had a passion to help, but that ended with his retirment, not just from Africa, but from ministry altogether: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/002/8.76.html.
There must be some sort of middle ground between Bono and Theroux. It seems ridiculous that we could have so much money here in the US and there still be so much poverty in Africa. And it's tempting to assume that a redistribution of that wealth, even in small amounts, would solve everything.
My conscience compels me to do something. Or is it just my guilt about being affluent? Or both?
I think there are some debatable points in his book, but it is an interesting read nonetheless, and it has hhighlighted for me the importance of paying attention to what is happening in Christian circles outside of America. As such I was fascinated to read Bono's speech at the National Prayer Breakfast last week, where he once again urged America to take the lead in helping poorer African nations deal with crippling debt and poverty. It's an amazing speech for all sorts of reasons, not the least of which is hearing Bono talk about the Old Testament. You can read the text here: http://www.data.org/archives/000774.php.
He concludes by saying that:
"There is a continent—Africa—being consumed by flames. I truly believe that when the history books are written, our age will be remembered for three things: the war on terror, the digital revolution, and what we did—or did not to—to put the fire out in Africa."
This speech seemed reasonable enough to me, ignorant as I am with regard to economic development in other countries. The travel-writer Paul Theroux, however, is apparently more savvy about these matters, and has expressed his disdain for Bono in an article in the New York Times from last December (note that Theroux was not responding to Bono's prayer breakfast comments, but rather to Bono's various speeches and activities from last year).
You can read Theroux's article reprinted in the Herald Tribune here: http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/12/19/opinion/edtheroux.php
So, what am I supposed to think? Can someone tell me?
Just kidding. But seriously, although from other books I have read by Theroux I am used to his somewhat pompous way of talking about himself, and I do think that in large measure he is offended by the Christian element of Bono's work, he does raise some very compelling points. As long as trained Africans continue to leave Africa, and money is poured in without any paper-trail or accountability, nothing is going to get better. Giving money may appease our consciences while at the same time doing very little to ease the suffering of those struggling in extreme poverty or dealing with AIDS or civil war. Yet at the same time I do think there is real value to the work that Bon is doing, whatever his motives may or may not be. I think that although in the big picture things may look grim, in the small picture there are changes taking place, and I am confident that Christian organizations are working extremely hard to make a real, tangible difference in the lives of the poor and oppressed across the African continent.
A blog is hardly the place to hash out significant solutions to these problems, but I am throwing it out there for discussion anyways. If Jenkins is correct about the growth of Christianity in Africa, then we should have a deep passion for the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Christ. The problem, I suppose, is how to express that passion. Bruce WIlkinson, of Jabez fame, had a passion to help, but that ended with his retirment, not just from Africa, but from ministry altogether: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/002/8.76.html.
There must be some sort of middle ground between Bono and Theroux. It seems ridiculous that we could have so much money here in the US and there still be so much poverty in Africa. And it's tempting to assume that a redistribution of that wealth, even in small amounts, would solve everything.
My conscience compels me to do something. Or is it just my guilt about being affluent? Or both?
posted by Jonathan Ziman at
11:12 PM
3 Comments:
Theroux's screed dismantled here.
By
Anonymous, at 5:31 PM
Thanks "anonymous". That's a great link. Very interesting indeed.
I particularly liked the quote given from economist Jeffrey Sachs:
In the past, the overwhelming prejudices against Africa have been grounded in overt racism. Today the ever repeated assertion is that corruption--or "poor governance"--is Africa's venal sin, the deepest source of its current malaise. Both Africans themselves and outsiders level this charge...
The point is that virtually all poor countries have governance and corruption indicators that are below those of the high-income countries. Governance and higher income go hand in hand not only because good governance raises incomes, but also, and perhaps even more important, because higher income leads to improved governance...
Africa's governance is poor because Africa is poor. Crucially, however, two other things are also true. At any given level of governance (as measured by standard indicators), African countries tend to grow less rapidly than similarly governed countries in other parts of the world... Something else is afoot; as I have argued at length, the slower growth is best explained by geographical and ecological factors. Second, Africa shows absolutely no tendency to be more or less corrupt than other countries at the same income level. (TEoP, p. 311)
Admittedly, economists argue all the time about causes and effects of national problems. However, this analysis seems to make sense to me.
I suppose the bottom line is "how cynical am I going to be?" Should I refuse to help someone out because there is a possibility that a corrupt person might intercept my money and use it for ill? I think that completely removes God from the picture. Certainly we should be responsible and careful in our giving, and work to ensure that charities and aid organizations are held accountable for what they do with that money. Ultimately, however, God calls us to give generously. Not to get paranoid about what happens to it. It is His money, His blessings, not ours. And I should trust God to take of it accordingly. Right?
Especially considering the fact that Westerners, blessed as we have been, continue to be so miserly in our giving. At least, according to most polls and studies that I have seen.
By
Jonathan Ziman, at 8:44 AM
"there will be "around 2.6 billion Christians in the world, of whom 633 million would live in Africa, 640 million in Latin America, and 460 million in Asia. ... Africa and Latin America would be in competition for the title of most Christian continent" (3). As such, according to Jenkins, Christians in Europe and America should be aware that there will be an accompanying shift in influence from the Northern hemisphere to the South, a shift that will have a major impact on Western Christianity.
-------
Probably every country is myopic in its own way, but Americans, living in a big country, are myopic in a big way, and Christian Americans aren't too much different. Paying attention to Christians in other parts of the world is so important and vital. I think of your comment about free pizza for hearing a Bulgarian pastor, and wonder if taht is what it takes for us to get outside of our interest zone.
The world is a big place too and it is overhwelming-where would one start? maybe by just taking one continent, one country and putting that in one's attention zone..
By
Anonymous, at 7:45 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home