HE SONS OF THUNDER

(Editorial)

Which of the disciples would you most like to resemble? The tireless Paul of Tarsus or the impetuous Peter? Barnabas, called the "Son of Encouragement" or Andrew, who convinced his brother, Peter, to go with Jesus? The Gospel presents us many examples of faith which, if studied well, can teach us profound truths. If I must choose my ideal, however, that which I feel I resemble, I would select the two terrible brothers, James and John, called by Jesus: "Sons of Thunder". This would almost seem to be an Indian name, like "Crazy Horse" or "Sitting Bull". Or perhaps it would make a good title for a film of Stallone and Swarzenegger. Nevertheless, it is Jesus Himself who uses this nickname for the two sons of Zebedee (Mark 3:17).

One can better understand this strange nickname by reading a passage in Luke's gospel. Jesus is going to Jerusalem and on the way, passing by a Samaritan village, seeks lodging for the night. The Samaritans, however, in light of their ancient rivalry with the Jews, do not want to host Jesus and His disciples. For this response, there comes a great idea exactly to James and John: "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and to consume them?" In other words, "Don't we want lightening to strike these inhospitable Samaritans?" Jesus stops their pyrotechnical intentions, and the village continues on without the shedding of blood!

I like James and John. Not for their vindicative spirit, but for their resoluteness, their sense of the extreme, their desire to defend the Master from that which, in their eyes, was a grave offense. But Jesus rebuked them and reminded them that He did not come to lose souls, but to save them (Luke 9:55-56). From this episode, charged with the dramatic, emerges the impulsive and combative character of these two brothers which will pass through history as the "Sons of Thunder".

Today, as Christians, we must rediscover that "thunderous" character. To many times we have put people to sleep with our lame duck preaching, presenting a watered down message, without strength or vigor, and we have forgotten that "the preaching of the cross ... is the power of God" (1Corinthians 1:18). In the New Testament, the term "power", in reference to the Gospel's message, to God, or to Christ, is used about thirty times.

Let's try to reread those passages and, perhaps, we will reevaluate the fact that "God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline" (2Timothy 1:7).

A while back, some friends wanted to give me a gift of a bonsai tree. Do you recall, these are the little trees that seem just born, about seven to twelve inches tall, and which, in reality, are a hundred years old? With art, those who take care of these trees impede the bonsai's growth, cutting here and trimming there, so that that tree, which should be an oak of almost one hundred feet, remains about a foot tall. I remember that they wanted to give me a bonsai as a present, but I did not want it. The bonsai bring me sadness, trees which can not grow. How they make me feel uncomfortable, those timid and fearful Christians who hid behind their Bibles and conceal themselves with pat answers. Christians who have forgotten that "The kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power" (1Corinthians 4:20). Christians who, instead of being oaks, are sad bonsais of faith. Bonsai Christians who grow little and do not help others to grow. How can they save themselves from this sickness? By rediscovering that power and that strength which were in James and John.

That power which can be refound in the words of God's Son. Of the first Christians, in Acts, it is remembered that they "turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6). Are we doing the same thing? Also this is part of the spirit of original Christianity which we desire to follow.

From Sons of Thunder to bonsai Christians! This is not what our Lord is expecting of us! We must make our churches and our city squares to feel once again the thunders of Mt. Sinai. The world, our city, our neighborhood must be able to feel the power of the proclamation of the Gospel. That Gospel which sees us as ambassadors. We are sons of thunder, sons of God.

(Vittorio Vitalone)

KOINONIA 1998

In preparation for the lectureship "Koinonia 98" (Fellowship 98), God willing, which will take place in the southern region of Calabria in the Sila Mountains from May 1-3, we have prepared some questions on various aspects of ethics which, during the studies and the discussions, we intend to confront with the brethren who will attend.

The theme: ETHICS
A) Introductory questions about the biblical ethic
   1) What is the biblical ethic?
   2) How do we explain certain elements of good also found in non-Christian religions?
   3) What can be said about the so called New Morality or Situation Ethics?
   4) Is there a contradiction between the God's law and love?
   5) How do we view in the context of biblical ethics, the cases of deviation by men of God in the Old Testament?
B) Christian ethics and moral and existential questions
   1) Is it legitimate to use the Bible as a "judge and guide" in order to establish an ethic for questions which are not strictly ecclesiastical?
   2) How should we use the Scriptures for moral and existential questions?
   3) What biblical principles can help Christians to establish and ethic for questions like: abortion, homosexuality, work, economy, school, social obligations, and political duties?
C) Ethics and scientific progress
   1) Is there an incompatibility between scientific progress and biblical ethics?
   2) Can the return to the Scriptures help to establish some ethical principles in the scientific camp?
   3) Has scientific progress put before the Christian new ethical questions like: fecudation or artificial insemination, cloning, birth control, euthanasia, etc.?
   4) What biblical principles can help Christians to resolve ethical questions that pertain to our times?

(Paolo Mirabelli)

SANREMO (ITALY'S ANNUAL MUSIC CONTEST) - ARE THEY ONLY SONGS

We like music and we like songs, but we do not like seeing thousands of people who rave and go crazy for a so called star, like Madonna. This time, however, the Catholic Church does not count. This time it's millions of spectators before their televisions who support a singing contest. This year Annalisa Minetti won. We ask ourselves: "Why is it that people follow with great interest Sanremo, but then show indifference to the Gospel's principles? And still, is there no other happiness outside this event?" It is a shame that one day the indifferent will not be able to hear "The song of Moses and the song of the Lamb" (Revelation 15:3)!

MARCH 8 - BETTER THE GOSPEL THAN THE GIFTS OF MIMOSA

Also this year, on March 8, hundreds of bouquets of mimosa were given as gifts to women. We believe that a festival or a flower of mimosa will not better the condition of women. The Gospel of Christ is that which has said for 2000 years, "... there is neither male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28). The same dignity and opportunity, therefore, but different roles. So next year, why not give to women, and not only to them, a gift of the Gospel instead of some mimosa?

LECTURESHIPS

a) BOLOGNA 1998
13 April '98
BOLOGNA
Theme: John 17:6-26
The lunch is offered by the congregation in Bologna

b) KOINONIA 1998
1-3 May '98
HOTEL DEL LAGO-SILA
Theme: Ethics
Cost: Lire 110,000 ($57) per person
For information and reservations, call Paolo Mirabelli - 06.871.936.97

c) SEVERA (Rome)
15-17 May '98
Theme: Jesus
Cost: Lire 85,000 ($49) per person
For reservations, call Giancarolo Balboni - 06.880.39.00

NEWS FROM THE CONGREGATIONS

BOLOGNA
The church which is in Bologna is happy to invite you, on April 13, to the 19th ANNUAL LECTURESHIP OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF ITALY. The theme of the meeting will be: "That Which Jesus Asked in Prayer to the Father for His Disciples the Evening of the Lord's Supper" and speakers will be Carl Mitchell, Italo Minestroni, and Stefano Spina. For more information: write the Chiesa di Cristo (Church of Christ) - Via S. Rocco, 7 D/E - 40122 Bologna or call 05.52.45.92. (from a circular letter sent to the congregations)

BONDENO
The church in Bondeno announces with joy the new birth into Christ of TAULANT SHEHU, which took place on the 15th. Taulant is a young man who is 18 years old, originally from Valona, Albania. He knew of the Lord through Sister Alida, who was converted while serving as an interpreter for the church in Valona. Taulant entered Italy as a refugee after the well known political events in his country. His family and the church in Valona have continued to keep in contact with those whom they have helped. Now he has a job, is becoming well integrated into Italian society, and is a collaborator full of enthusiasm for the Lord's work.
(Francesco Fergnani)

ROSSANO SCALO
Bro. Antonio Pometti called asking for our prayers and to communicate the new address for future correspondence with the congregation in Rosanno: Chiesa di Cristo - c/o Antonio Pometti - Contrada Oliveto Longo - 87068 Rossano Scalo (CS) - tel. 0983.51.57.74.

ANZIO
We have received the second edition of the little newspaper, "La Gazzetta Spirituale" (The Spiritual Gazette) desk top published by the congregation in Anzio. Whoever would like to receive a copy of this newspaper, can ask the church in Anzio for it. Thanks for the good job!
An update on the address is: Chiesa di Cristo - Via Fabio, 5 - 00142 Anzio (Rome), tel. 06.980.53.31.

FIRENZE (FLORENCE) - A NEW SONG BOOK BY 2000
After three reprintings of the last edition of our song book, the moment has arrived to have a new one. The church in Florence is thinking of producing it. A brother, a professional in this area, is working on this new edition. Among new items, other than the insertion of new hymns, there will also be recordings on audio cassettes to help facilitate the learning process. Whoever wants to participate in this project, can contact the congregation in Florence: Chiesa di Cristo - Via S. Donato, 15 - 50127 Firenze.

PRAYER REQUEST FROM ALBANIA

We were called by Bro. Stefano Spina, who just returned from a fraternal visit in Albania, to ask our prayers for the Albanian brethren. Bro. Stefano reported that the situation in Albania has worsened in these last few weeks.

ROME - FACTS AND FAITH: CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES VISITING ITALIAN FAMILIES IN ORDER TO GIVE THEM A COPY OF THE BOOK OF ACTS

This initiative began in one of the high rooms of the Vatican and has mobilized hundreds of Catholic members to be "missionaries", who go, with a bag full of books and a written prayer in their pockets, to knock at Italians' doors to fulfill their mission. And thus it happened that they presented themselves also at the homes of a few of our brethren. In the two accounts which follow, we briefly report the actions of what happened to one of our families and to a Latin American sister.

The Vitalone Family - It was an afternoon when the intrepid "missionaries" knocked at the door of Bro. Vitalone. "We want to give you the book of Acts of the Apostles, to read with you and to pray," was stated as soon as their foot was in the door. They had not finished speaking when they saw open before their eyes four Bibles, including the Lucy version and the newly revised Lucy. It wasn't what they expected, but they understood immediately that they had not come upon some Catholic family. "Do we want to read the Bible?", said Bro. Vitalone, "Alright, let's read then Acts 4:12: "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.
After the reading of this text, there began a discussion about it. At the finish, they pulled out their written prayer and would have recited it, but they recognized that perhaps there was something which the Vitalone family would not say, "Amen!" Then Bro. Vitalone led the group in prayer. Who knows, maybe the Lord is giving us in this period the opportunity to meet some Catholics in our homes, in order to tell them the true story of Jesus of the Gospels and in order to introduce them to the church of the New Testament.

Rosaelena - The same happened in the house where Sister Rosaelena works. Only the time the woman for whom Rosaelena works is a bigoted Catholic and when she knew that the "missionaries" would be in her home, she claimed that our sister had hidden all the Catholic magazines and even the Bible. Then she demanded that Sister Rosaelena be present at the time for prayer together. "Madame, I can do anything you ask me, but I will never do anything that will bring displeasure to or offend my God. My faith in Jesus Christ does not allow me to worship in this way." After saying this, Sister Rosaelena went to her bedroom to pray and to read Psalm 139. Here is a Shadrach, Meshach, or an Abednego in our days. Also when Nebuchadnezzar ordered them by decree to bow down in front of a statue that he had erected, these three friends responded: "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up" (Daniel 3:16-18).

TRANSLATIONS OF THE BIBLE IN 30 NEW LANGUAGES

In the annual report of the United Bible Society, it came out that in 1997 the Bible or parts of it were translated into 30 new languages, thus augmenting the languages in which the Bible can be read to 2,197. Notwithstanding, there still remains much work to be done, if one recognizes the fact that the written and spoken languages of the world number about 6,000. May God bless all which is done to His glory and praise for the progress of His kingdom!

CHIESEinFORMA is a year old.

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