Review: Healing in a Broken World (Chapters 7-12)

If you are reading this review on the Sabbath, then I would like to wish you a Sabbath filled with God’s grace to stand with allegiance to Him, above everything else.

This week’s review is the continuation of the 12 part series, Healing For a Broken World, chapters 7 through 12.  

Description

Many Christians desire to act as responsible citizens, but are uncertain how to do so in a truly Christian manner. This video series, consisting of 12 ten-minute segments, will help.

I was a bit confused for a while, as I couldn’t find chapter 7, and after gong back and forth for a bit, I concluded it had been left out.  However, it came after chapter 12.  So if you purchase the series via Vision Video, be aware that Chapter 7 is the last chapter in the video.

Chapter 7 was about life issues.  We take a look at the painful and complicated consequences of things like assisted suicide and abortion and how these relate to what the Bible speaks of concerning the sanctity of human life, as each human being is created in the image of God.

One of the presenters mentioned Psalm 139:13: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

We look at the point of how slavery was abolished, and how that related to other unethical choices, such as abortion.

One contributor said something very interesting about health care: Cuts in health care was backdoor euthanasia. 

We look at our role in society in helping those who cannot help themselves, for some reason or another and those who don’t have or have lost their voice.

Another interesting point made, was the role of the civil society in helping those who make unethical choices, such as an abortion, even though their choice is not approved of. How can we as Christian show care in situations where we are not advocates of the choices?

Chapter 8 - Poverty

This chapter started with a powerful testimony from a lady that had unexpectedly fallen into poverty. From this, we look at the role of a welfare system and how God shows consistently through His word, that He cares for those who are in need.  Psalm146 was referenced. Psalm 146 is about not putting our trust in men, but in a God who provides.  Verse 7: He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.  The Lord sets prisoners free,

We look at how caring for the poor relates to solidarity, spoken of in chapter four.  

It was interesting to look at the notion of helping the poor help themselves and how Old Testament laws referencing helping the poor regarding grain, can be applied to modern society by way of education and training.  I like how it was emphasized that people have to be willing to take advantage of the help offered to them.  After all, in the Old Testament, the poor had to go to the field in order to get the extra grain that was left on the edges of the field for them.  Action was required on their part. 

There are many questions to ask - I notice each chapter in this series could be broken down even further, as each chapter has extensive topics.

Chapter 9 - Caring for God’s Creation

I had never heard of the, What Would Jesus Drive, campaign, but got to learn some facts about it in this chapter.  This chapter was focused on being good stewards of the earth. This verse was referenced: The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness therefore.  This verse was taken from Psalm 24.

This chapter also mentions highly debated subjects such as global warming and more concrete concerns, such as the extinction of animals.

There is a lot to reflect regarding balancing stewardship and using earth resources, as well as the impact of the role of government policies in the stewardship of the earth. 

Chapter 10 - Violations of Human Rights

A powerful testimony from a preacher is shown in the beginning, followed by various commentary on Christian martyrs.  We look at religious freedom, modern day slavery, sex trafficking and the responsibilities of individuals and governments in the middles of these global issues.  

Chapter 11 - Africa

I learned an amazing fact about the correlation between the growth of faith in this continent and the continued increase in poverty, disease and political instability.

There is a lot of information about the situation of epidemics like AIDS in Africa and the role of local churches, non government agencies and government help in relief work. 

There is also a lot of reflection on how we, as individuals, respond to the suffering of others.

Chapter 12 - War and Terrorism

One thing that I really appreciated about this intense chapter, was the need to focus on spiritual things, even in the heat of battle.  This chapter raises concerns about the notion of pursuing what we deem as evil, at all costs and punishing evil with a spirit of vengeance, anger or victory.

I really like how one contributor stressed that the ultimate worst thing, is to be separated from God - that we must always have in mind.

This series looks at all the issues that encompass the sinful world we live in.  It’s concise, in-depth, but doesn’t overwhelm.  However, there is no doubt that reflection will spark deep thought about these issues and how we, as professing Christians, relate to them.

I am interested in looking into getting the book that this series is based on.

I watched, Healing for a Broken World, via Vision Video’s website.

Thank you for reading this review. Until next time - peace be with you.

Film source: www.visionvideo.com

Thumbnail: www.visionvideo.com