St Francis Magazine Vol 10, No 3 | August 2014 A KUYPERIAN VISION FOR THE MIDDLE EAST Taylor Graeme Smythe PhD, Prisca Smythe MD Introduction 1 Arab Spring has been the label applied to the many political and regime changes that have occurred in the Arab World. A sign of hope for political renewal and social transformation has accompanied the changes and toppling of authoritarian regimes. There has been much anticipation of democratic reforms as constitutions have been drafted, election laws put in place, and newly formed governments established. What is the current status, years later in the process? Recent events in Egypt have been often the center of much discussion and debate as an elected president, representing the religious majority of the country has been removed by the military leadership. The question of whether the Arab World is ready for representative democracy has often been posed. In part, this has resulted from a perceived dichotomous choice between democracy and Islamic fundamentalism as the alternatives to ineffective authoritarianism. The more stable governments, especially in the Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC), are carefully observing the changing geopolitical realities and taking preventative measures to maintain order and political security. As the majority faith in the Arab World is Islam, democracy and Sharia government can converge to the same path. This reflects not only demographics, but also the fact that the religion of Islam sees all of life as under their faith. Separation of church and state does not exist in most forms of Islam, and the religion is to be established as the official state religion. Compartmentalizing church and state is a non-starter for most Arab Muslims, and many may question the success of secular Islamic countries. An Islamic state would afford various rights to religious minorities (dhimmi), and in extreme examples would be a theocracy with state sanctioned religion and leaders. What are appropriate Christian responses to the current political landscape in the Arab World? In the rest of the paper we want to present a possible model for Christian engagement based on the life and philosophy of Dutch theologian, educator, and politician Abraham Kuyper. Kuyper his life and work Born in 1837 in a Christian home to a reformed minister, Kuyper received his schooling at home. He later matriculated at the prestigious University of Leiden, where he earned a doctorate studying the ecclesiology of Calvin and Laski. He then served successfully in three pastorates, culminating in the Reformed Church in Amsterdam. His leadership in the church eventually led to a split and secession of the conservative and orthodox members from the more liberal wings of the church. While in Amsterdam, he founded a newspaper, and became involved in Dutch politics helping found a Christian party the Anti-Revolutionary Party. He would later serve his country in many official capacities, including the office of Prime Minister from 1901-1905. Some of his interests included private and Christian education, which he sought to elevate to a high standard. Kuyper expressed his vision in these words: “One desire has been the ruling passion of my life. One high motive has acted like a spur upon my mind and soul. And sooner than that I should seek escape from the sacred necessity that is laid upon me, let the breath of life fail me. It is this: That in spite of all worldly opposition, God’s holy ordinances shall be established again in the home, in the school and in the State for the good of the people; to carve as it were into the conscience of the nation the ordinances of the Lord, to which Bible and Creation bear witness, until the nation pays homage again to him”.2 His reformed theology influenced his political involvement. His concern was the philosophy of secularism influencing politics and the church. In effect the state religion was secular and humanistic in outlook, which marginalized Christian involvement in public life. He believed that God’s 1 The author thanks Reverend Matthew Pieters, Sr Pastor Bridgepoint Church USA for his critical review of the paper and helpful comments. 2 J Beeke ‘The Life and Works of Abraham Kuyper’ Christianity and Society 14 no 1 (January 2004) p.24-31. St Francis Magazine is published by Arab Vision and Interserve 5 St Francis Magazine Vol 10, No 3 | August 2014 sovereignty extended into all spheres and domains of life, and that Christians were called to participate and engage in the public issues of the day. In Kuyper’s words, the dominating principle of Calvinism was “the sovereignty of the Triune God over the whole cosmos, in all its spheres and kingdoms, visible and invisible.” Perhaps his most oft quoted saying is , “There is not a square inch [literally, ‘thumb’s breadth’] in the whole domain of our human experience over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, ‘Mine!’”.3 Alternatives for the Middle East Obviously, Kuyper’s context in a religious Holland presented unique opportunity for a theologian to influence his political system. Some point out that during Kuyper’s era, Holland was also sovereign over one of the largest Muslim countries in the world, the Dutch Indies, and that he was wary of the influence of Islamic faith on his nation . In the current context, Christian influence in the Arab World will be from a minority position at best. While several countries have a historic Christian presence, others have few to no indigenous Christians, but expatriate believers are needed for their economic, political and military contributions. In some places in the GCC, nationals have become a minority in their own countries in what many describe as a “grand bargain” between the ruling families and their citizens, in order to keep the nationals happy, and maintain stability and order through economic expansion in a globalized world. Rarely, countries such as Lebanon have an institutionalized pluralistic, multi-faith coalition government.. We propose that believers in the Middle East should embrace, along with Kuyper, the sovereignty of God over their challenging context. Followers of Christ are uniquely positioned to integrate the divine claim to ownership as they address strategic issues and collaborate with professional and political leadership to shape the responses implemented in their communities. Expression of our faith is incomplete if we call only for personal conversion of individuals; believers must seek to also influence structures and policies for the sake of the gospel. In both personal and public life Christ has come to transform, not only in the religious domain but in every area. Current issues in the community need approaches that embody the love and righteousness of the Lord and thus demonstrate the reality of the Kingdom of God. One such issue is protection of the rights of the minorities. Giving them a voice and not disenfranchising the minority and the development of pluralism with protection within the framework of society is important. Increasingly, human rights are being measured as a benchmark of civil society. Economic development and prosperity cannot be the only measure of effective government and success. Human rights issues relevant to this region include worker’s and laborer’s rights, elimination of human trafficking, and religious freedom especially the ability to choose one’s affiliation and change/convert. Freedom of speech, especially relating to political or religious positions is another area that can be addressed from a biblical standpoint. Reconciling and mediating tribal and sectarian conflicts is another strategic area which Christians can and should address. Arab Muslims understand that not all of the conflicts they experience are from external forces but within the umma itself, tribes against tribes, Sunni against Shia. The working out of these initiatives will take cooperation and understanding within the Christian community. Also, there will be need to have meaningful collaboration with Muslims, finding appropriate topics for dialogue and rapprochement. Just in this last year, the GCC witnessed a possible opening for such cooperation. A Michael W Smith music tour and concert in Bahrain, was attended by leaders of multiple faiths as a sign of goodwill and seeking forgiveness, peace and reconciliation. 3 Beeke 2004 St Francis Magazine is published by Arab Vision and Interserve 6 St Francis Magazine Vol 10, No 3 | August 2014 Some examples Lisa Gibson and Libya Lisa Gibson lost her brother who died as a passenger in Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie Scotland in 19884. She pursued a degree in law with the intention of using her profession to teach people reconciliation and mediation rather than conflict and war. Through her own journey of personal forgiveness, culminating in forgiving the convicted criminal of the bombing, and Colonel Qaddafi who ordered the strike, she has been instrumental in educating Libyans in how to pursue peace rather than tribal conflict. Her non-governmental organization was active in helping to rebuild Libya and provide capacity after the revolution that brought down Qaddafi. She has taught on the role of love and forgiveness in governance as universal principles providing the means to resolve intractable conflict. On the anniversary of her brother’s death in 2012, she was in Benghazi serving the Libyan people at a time when few Americans were permitted in country for security reasons. Her work has extended to other neighboring countries including Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Egypt, and Israel . Andrew W hite, Canon of Baghdad The Reverend Canon Andrew White is vicar of St George’s Church, Baghdad, the only Anglican church in Iraq near the “Green zone.” He has thus been dubbed the “Vicar of Baghdad”. He is also President of the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East5 which continued the work he began in Coventry. He meets with Sunni and Shia leaders to mediate sectarian conflict, and also has been involved in several hostage negotiations. Conclusions The Arab Spring has brought a unique epoch and is a “kairos” (opportune) moment for the Arab World. Many have rejected a fundamentalist Islamist state as a viable political system for the region. Some GCC countries are offering moderate and capitalistic Islam with a benevolent dictatorship as a model for governance and prosperity. Christians need to engage with and speak into the issues that the Gospel can address. We need to pray that God would raise up leaders who are open to the ideas of freedom and rights to be accorded to all image bearers of the most High God. As a community, believers must realize the importance of living out the witness of unity within diversity before the cross. As Christ mediates our peace with God and each other, so He can be the source of peace in the Middle East. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, … (Ephesians 2:14) 4 Lisa Gibson Life in Death: A Journey from Terrorism to Triumph (Xulon Press, 2008) 5 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundation_for_Relief_and_Reconciliation_in_the_Middle_East; www.frrme.org St Francis Magazine is published by Arab Vision and Interserve 7