The Power of Just a Little Money

November 20, 2013

For some reason, despite his abysmal human rights record, the United States Government has continued to fund the Paul Kagame regime of Rwanda. Never mind that there are at least 6 million dead at his hands. Never mind that he invaded the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) twice (officially) - According to his Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) Government, it was to rid the DRC of forces hostile to Rwanda, however, these invasions openly killed innocent civilians as well, without apology.

The latest invasion into the DRC by Rwanda was unofficial. It came in the form of an illegal militia named M23 (named after the date of it's founding - March 23). While many journalists call M23 a rebel group, I will not - it was an illegal militia sponsored by Rwanda and Uganda to destabilize the DRC. 

Recently, the Army of the DRC (FARDC) with the help of the UN (MONUSCO) defeated M23 and sent over 1000 militants fleeing the border to Uganda and over 100 militants into Rwanda. Both countries refuse to turn those militants over to the DRC for justice. Since they deny any involvement in this militia, it is interesting that they do not help prosecute these criminals. 

The FARDC and MONUSCO was only able to finally defeat M23 when the United States temporarily withdrew military aid money from Rwanda. Interestingly, President Kagame shunned this gesture and laughed in the face of his ally - the US, but in the end, his neo-colonial movement failed. 

For the time being, the DRC is free from M23 oppression. At the same time, we must remember that there are many other militias in the Eastern DRC that would destabilize this mineral rich nation. What could be one of the richest nations in the world has its citizens living in abject poverty due to poor governance on the part of President Joseph Kabila and his cronies and also because no leader has ever been given the chance to actually lead without being under constant attack from outside forces - be them nations or corporate interests. 

The Gospel of Mark Bible Study

I publish my Bible Studies on my blog to so that I can find them for use later. I also publish them to be used by others. The Bible Studies I create are very contextual to my particular congregation and setting. I invite anyone to use this Bible Study for Church, Small Group, or Personal use. I just ask that if you choose to use it, you leave a comment letting me know that you are using it and how it is working (or not working) for you. Let me know of any improvements that could be made.  Again, keep in mind that when I create a Study, I create it for a specific group of people, so adapt as needed. 

The Gospel of Mark Bible Study

Background Information:

            The Gospel can never be fully written.  The Gospel is not a book, but it is Jesus Christ.  As far as written Gospels go, scholars believe the Gospel of Mark was the first written Gospel.  At that time in history, being able to read was not normal, so stories and news were passed orally.  Though the story of Jesus was first written in Mark, the Gospel existed long before that.  Mark was probably written around the year 70 AD.

            Mark is one of the 3 Synoptic Gospels.  The Synoptic Gospels are Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  They are called Synoptic Gospels because most of the information is the same in all 3 (or 2 out of the 3 depending on the story being told).  Often the wording is almost “word for word.”  John is not a Synoptic Gospel.  John’s wording and emphasis is much different from the other 3. 

            Scholars say that Mark was written first because most if its information is in Luke and Matthew.  Scholars also say that Luke and Matthew got some of their information from a source that hasn’t been discovered.  They call that source “Q” (from “quelle”- a German word meaning “source).  Whether or not “Q” existed is unknown, but it would explain information in Luke and Matthew that is not in Mark.

            No one really knows who wrote Mark.  Names were not given to the Gospels until the 2^nd Century (101-200 AD).  Traditionally, the story says that Peter’s interpreter (John Mark) wrote Mark.  This may be the case, but it’s difficult, and probably impossible to prove now. 

            It’s also important to remember that just like every book in the Bible, each Gospel was written for a particular reason.  First, the reason was to give the story of Jesus Christ and to make believers.  But, each book was originally written to a specific group of people.

            Scholars believe that Mark was written to a community of people who were going through persecution and suffering.  As we read, we will see evidence of that.  Luke was probably written to a non-Jewish group, and Matthew was probably written for a “lower class” of Roman Citizens (Remember, Rome had control of the whole “known world” at that time, so this doesn’t mean that the people lived in Rome). 

            There are many ways to read the Bible.  We can read it for the story.  We can read it for a deeper meaning.  We can read it to see how it speaks to our situation.  As we do this study, we will see how Mark speaks to us today.  It is important, however, to remember that Mark did not write this Gospel for us.  In fact, Mark probably didn’t think the Gospel would last as long as it has.  It was written to a specific group of people for a specific purpose. 

            The beauty of the Bible is that even though the books were written to specific groups, they speak to all generations.

Schedule:

Week 1:  Introduction and questions.  Chapter 16 (Read together)

            Notice there are 2 Endings—why is that?

            Why would we start at the end?

            What does the resurrection mean for you?

            Why were the appearances added in the Longer Ending?  How do they speak                                     to us today?

            How does Jesus still speak to us today?  Personal examples you are willing to                                     share?

Week 2:  Read Chapters 1 and 2 and think about the following questions:

            Why didn’t Mark include a birth narrative (Christmas Story)?

            Why is John the Baptist so important?

            Why does Jesus tell the leper not to tell anyone who healed him?

            Why does Jesus do so many healings?

           

            How does the calling of disciples speak to us today?  What does it mean to be                                     “fishers of people?”

            How have you had an “unclean spirit” (vs. 21-34) and how has Jesus healed                                     you?  What do you think Mark meant by “unclean spirit?”

            Look at Chapter 2 vs. 17.  What does that mean for you? For the church?

            What is the importance of Sabbath to you?

Week 3:  Read Chapters 3 and 4

            Why did Jesus choose 12 apostles?  Why not another number?

            Why does Jesus sound so harsh in 3:31-35?

            What is a parable?  Why are they important?

            Why does Mark discuss Jesus stopping a storm?  What is the deeper                                                 meaning?

            3:13-19- Picture yourself as one of the apostles.  What would it take for Jesus                                     to convince you to be one?

            3:20-30-  Think about “a house divided against itself…will not be able to                                     stand.”  Do you see that in today’s world? In your life?  In the Church?

            3:31-35-  How has being a “family in Christ” affected you?  What more (or                                     less) would you like to see?

            4:30-32-  What does it mean that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard                                     seed?  How do you see it today?

            4:35-41-  Does Jesus stop storms today?  If so, how? If not, why not? 

Week 4: Read Chapters 5 and 6

            What is the Demoniac?  How might we describe him if he were alive today?

            What does the restoration of life to Jarius’ Daughter and healing the woman                                     with hemorrhages say about Jesus?  Does it apply today?

            Why does Jesus call the older lady “Daughter” and the young girl “Little Girl?” What would Jesus call you?

            Why would Jesus’ hometown reject him?  How does this happen today? (to                                     Jesus and people of this community)?

            If Jesus fed 5000 one day, what does that say about Jesus in today’s world?

            Does Jesus’ walking on water hold significance for you?  Why/Why not?

Week 5:  Read Chapter 9:1-13, 9:33-37, 10:17-31, 10:32-34

            Picture the Transfiguration.  What does it look like? Why is it important?  If                                     you were there, how would you have reacted?

            What does it mean to be the Greatest in the Kingdom?  Can we name people                                    who are/will be greatest?

            Why does Jesus tell this Rich Man to sell all he owns and give it to the poor?                                      He didn’t say that to everyone.  How does this speak to you and your situation?

            If you were with Jesus when he foretold his death, how would you have                                     reacted? Go back and read 8:31-38.  Was Jesus too harsh on Peter? Why didn’t Peter understand?  Do we understand?

Week 6: Read Chapter 11:1-11, 11:15-19, 12:18-40, 12:41-44

            Describe how the Triumphal Entry must have felt and looked.

            Would Jesus act the same way if he came to modern churches as he did in the                                     Temple?  What would he cleanse (if anything)?

            In 12:18-40, what do we learn of Jesus’ identity?

            How are we like/unlike the widow?

Week 7: Read Chapter 13

            Describe the significance of the Temple being destroyed.  Is he just talking                                     about the Jerusalem Temple?

            How do you feel about persecution?

            Did Jesus’ Death/Resurrection bring on the Kingdom of God?  Why would he                                     Return?

Week 8: Read Chapters 14-16

            Look at the details.  Why are they significant?  Which ones are most significant?

How to Read the Bible - Guide for Youth or New Readers of the Bible

I publish my Bible Studies on my blog to so that I can find them for use later. I also publish them to be used by others. The Bible Studies I create are very contextual to my particular congregation and setting. I invite anyone to use this Bible Study for Church, Small Group, or Personal use. I just ask that if you choose to use it, you leave a comment letting me know that you are using it and how it is working (or not working) for you. Let me know of any improvements that could be made.  Again, keep in mind that when I create a Study, I create it for a specific group of people, so adapt as needed. 

Learning to Read the Bible

The Bible isn’t a book, it’s a LIBRARY of books.  There are many different authors, and the different books are about different things.  But, the WHOLE BIBLE is about God.

The Bible has two main parts. The Old Testament takes place BEFORE JESUS was born.  The New Testament takes place from the BIRTH OF JESUS and about 100 years after.

HOW TO USE THE BIBLE:

1.    Find the BOOK.  (Most Bibles have the name of the Book at the top of      each page).

2.    Find the CHAPTER.  (The Chapter is the big number on the page).

3.    Find the VERSE.  (The Verses are the little numbers in the story).

Here is how we write Books, Chapters and Verses so people can find them:  Example:  John 3:16 (That means the Book is John.  The first number is the chapter.  Here we want Chapter 3.  After the chapter is the verse.  We want verse 16.)

Let’s Start with The Gospels:

            The Gospels are the books about Jesus and his life.  Gospel means “Good News.”  There are 4 Gospels:  MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, AND JOHN.  All the Gospels tell about Jesus’ life, but each one is a little different from the others.  Why would they have differences if they’re about the same thing?

1.    Find each Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)

2.    Let’s find some specific parts in the Bible

a.    Matthew 2:1 (That means the Book is Matthew, Chapter 2, Verse 1).  What is happening here?

b.    Mark 8:5 -  How many loaves of bread did Jesus have?

c.     Luke 6:20-21 (That means Luke, Chapter 6, verses 20 to 21).  What is Jesus talking about here?

d.    John 3:16 – What does this verse say?

Homework:  Read any 2 chapters from Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.  When we meet again, tell me what they were about.

 

The Old Testament

The Old Testament is the story of God before Jesus was born.  It starts with God creating the world and 

goes on to tell the story of Israel, Gods Chosen People.

         *Chosen People means that God chose Israel          to teach the whole world about God.  It doesn’t mean God loves them more.

Find Genesis 1 (Genesis is the first book of the Bible, then find chapter 1).  Read the story of Creation then answer the questions.

 

         *How did God create everything?

         *How many days did God use?

         *What did God do on the 7^th day?

Read Genesis 2 about Adam and Eve.

         *How did God create Adam?

         *How did God create Eve?

         *Why did God create Eve?

Homework:  Read Genesis 1 and 2 at least 2 more times.  Picture what is happening in your head.  Tell me what you saw, or draw a picture of what happened.

Why? - An Answer

A person I respect made the following statement via Twitter, and I feel I owe this person response.  Here is his statement (edited only so that it can have full words and be in more than 140 characters): "It's astonishing how certain people get exercised about Rwanda, but you never hear a peep out of them about any other African country."

Any reader of my blog realizes that I am one of those voices, and I will offer my explanation. I can only speak for myself. Others may have their own reasons, and I cannot answer for them. So, please know that these responses are my own and only my own.

1. I cannot stay contained to US or Regional issues only. I have a strong believe that as we are all created by God, we are all connected. I do not believe in regional issues. What happens in one area affects the totality of humanity.
a. Why? I have a strong Theology of the Incarnation - That means that the coming of Jesus Christ means the fulfillment of humanity. Christ made us fully human. By God coming as an embodied person, all human barriers that we put between ourselves are null and void. Galatians 3:28:  There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

2. Though many accuse me of only being involved in Rwandan issues, they only know me via this medium. I am involved in many issues in different mediums. This involvement happens to be the one that is most public. That is so because it is currently impossible for many reasons for me to be physically present in Rwanda. Writing is my only voice.

3. Why Rwanda and not any other African Country? - That is only partially true for me. Rwanda gets the majority of my attention, however this is not where all of my attention resides. 

4. I became involved quite unwillingly. President Kagame was scheduled to be a speaker at a Quaker University Graduation in the US. I knew some of his biography and alleged warcrimes. I did some research and was overwhelmed by the official UN Documentation that I found. I wrote a letter to the university asking them to reconsider having President Kagame as their speaker. For those unfamiliar with Quakerism, it is a Christian "peace" denomination - meaning the majority of Quakers oppose war and violence under all circumstances. This is a general statement to which there are many interpretations.
     a. Had my letter been received and acknowledged, I most likely would have stopped and not become anymore involved.  Within a day, my e mail inbox was flooded with threats of bodily harm and other threats from people claiming to be in the US from Rwanda and huge overreaction for just suggesting that this university should reconsider having President Kagame as its speaker.
    b. This overreaction was a sign to me that there is more to the situation than I knew. Why would I be threatened? I made a simple statement. I could have received a reply that my letter was received and then the university could have gone on with their plans or chosen to reevaluate. How did Rwandans (or people claiming to be Rwandans) receive my e mail? Why didn't they just point out that I was wrong (if I was wrong)? Why did they immediately threaten me?

5. This engagement showed me that I needed to do more research. I read many official documents including the UN Mapping Report of the DRC, Reports from Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International among many other books and studies. I read the GOE Report that Rwanda was sponsoring M23 in the DRC. I saw the proof.

6. I saw President Kagame's denials - written and in interviews - but each time, they were anger filled rather than explanations. I understand that when one is falsely accused one can become angry, but when one is a national leader, that person does not have that luxury. His anger made me think he was hiding something. The evidence was too convincing. 

7. When engaging in discussions, I have been constantly attacked. The other party (if Rwandan) would not have a discussion. He/She wanted to jump to ad hominem attacks. This can be seen in the "journalistic" (I use that term VERY loosely) trash The Exposer. Though it claims to be a newspaper, it only engages in personal attacks on a person's character and makes up trashy stories. Why would a reputable regime need to do that? (And yes, I know of the relationship between the owner of The Exposer and Pres. Kagame's wife - NOT a scandalous relationship to be clear).

8. President Kagame has been responsible for the deaths of millions of Rwandan refugees and Congolese people in his pursuit of the interahamwe after the 94 Genocide. Such a big deal may not have been made if attacks were made against legitimate military targets, but attacks were made against entire refugee camps. It is true that there were most likely armed enemies there, but everyone was not the enemy. President Kagame has caused many people to disappear or be arrested illegally. As I said before, Rwanda is not unique to this, but this space is where I engage Rwanda. I use other outlets to engage other nations including my own.

9. While the DRC does have governmental problems, Rwanda sparked the 2 Congo Wars. These wars killed millions of innocent people. 

10. Why not other African Countries? - Mostly because at the present moment, Rwanda is the one that is causing the most bloodshed and is being supported by my tax dollars. Again this is not fully true. I do and have engaged other issues in other nations. This space is where I engage this issue. 

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That said, I hold no resentment for the people of Rwanda. I pray that Rwanda has a good future! 

I also acknowledge and condemn the sufferings my own nation has caused on Rwanda. 

I cannot blame everything on President Kagame. He too was once a refugee undergoing a sad injustice. He was once not allowed to enter his own homeland. The cycle of violence and exclusion must stop. Someone must say that enough is enough. The needs of the people in all nations cannot be put aside for victory of the politicians. Eventually to stop a powder keg from exploding, someone must take the words of Abraham Lincoln which I will loosely quote - "The best way to destroy your enemy is to make them your friend."