RSS FeedWhy Solzhenitsyn mattered?
Written by Peter Youngren on August 11th 2008The most famous dissident of the Soviet era, Nobel Prize winner Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, passed away last week at the age of ninety. To my way of thinking, he was a giant, not because I agree with everything he said or wrote, but because he exhibited a rare quality. Solzhenitsyn believed in something beyond his own personal wellbeing and convenience, which is probably a common human trait, but here is what stands out: he dared to give voice to what he believed, no matter what the consequences. Now granted, most of us live in societies where we can believe and say whatever we desire and there are no negative repercussions. We can think, say and write whatever we want about political and religious leaders; our television networks produce comedy shows that mock anyone who is in the public’s eye; we can picket, demonstrate and shout obscenities without fear of any real consequence. Sure, someone may be detained for a couple of hours but no one is going to jail long-term and certainly no one is going to be shot in a back alley for voicing an opinion.
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was sentenced to eight years in prison and internal exile for life for merely describing Stalin as a tyrant using the metaphor “the whiskered one.“ It seems laughable from a western perspective but it was deadly in the totalitarian Soviet Union. Solzhenitsyn’s most famous work, the Gulag Archipelago, reads like an encyclopedia of the monstrosity of Communism under Stalin. Solzhenitsyn made a choice to express himself and take a stand no matter what the cost. He wrote in order to give a voice to those who suffered and expose the lies of a cruel regime. When he first came to America he was applauded and became a media darling. That all changed when his voice became critical of western decadence. Eventually he moved back to his motherland Russia.
Solzhenitsyn’s passing causes me to reflect: what things am I willing to stand up for no matter the consequences? What are the causes for which I am able to risk my life? Do I take a stand when I see deception? You’ve heard the saying, “if you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything.“ What do I stand for? How about you?
It’s hard to judge ourselves, others may judge us better, and certainly God knows us perfectly. From where I sit it seems that the revelation of the Gospel of the grace of Jesus has made me less tolerant of mystical religion and foolish legalism. It has made me more adamant that the whole world has a right to hear the Gospel. Now that is something worth standing for, worth my interest, my finances and my commitment. Your thoughts?
Wendy
Just recently I was asked to comment on what I thought about becoming like Jesus. It was an open discussion in church. I said we have been taught that it was our goal for years. I have heard so many people say; I can’t do anything for Jesus yet because I am not enough like Him. I also said that I haven’t met one person that accomplished that goal either. Jesus is perfect. I have not met one perfect man or woman yet. He has used me many times when I have been at my worst. Our holiness and righteousness is in HIM. His crucifixion didn’t cover our sins; it REMOVED them. My mind has been attacked ever since I stood up and spoke up. One person said; Shouldn’t we want to be like someone we worship and admire. I say rather than focusing so much on that we should be focused on SOULS. It is not about being like Him, it is about abiding in Him. He said you are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. I believe that if we are busy trying to be like Him we will not grab on to His grace to enable us to finish the race. Anyway at the end of it all I am in no hurry to return to church this week, just because I don’t think anyone agreed with me accept my husband. I said to him after; I feel like I sounded too harsh, did it sound like I was yelling at them? He said; no not at all. Right now I don’t feel like I will be able to do it again, but it isn’t about how I feel, it is about His enabling power. Therefore, I just might do it again whether I feel like it or not. In my opinion that’s not being like Him; that is abiding in Him and letting Him have His way and His say.
Jeffrey Teo
Amen Wendy.Acually I was hoping that some of us bloggers may get to meet up.We are in the same flow.
As what Pastor Peter said that David sang,‘As the deer panteth for the water so my soul panteth after Thee.My soul thirst after Thee.‘
But we have the fountain in us.And out of our belly shall flow rivers of living water.And we will never thirst.Because we are New Creation in Christ.Christ is in us,the Hope of Glory ! Ps 42:1-2,Jn 4:4,7:38.
David said about us.‘Blessed are those whose sins the Lord doesn’t impute.‘
David was a man after God’s heart in the old covenant.BUT we are people in the new covenant that God’s heart is after !!!
In this is love,not that we loved God but that God loved us and set His Son as the PROPITIATION for our sins
Beloved, if God SOOO loved us,we also ought to love one another.
Agape,
Jeff
jeffrey Teo
Yes Peter.When our message is common,no one will criticize or come against us.
‘Balance theology’ doesn’t invite trouble.In fact it makes more friends from different denominations and groups.
Apostle Paul like Jesus wasn’t balance at all.He was converted from an extreme Pharisee of Pharisee to a radical grace preacher.
So much so that people accused him of being too liberal and giving licence to sin.
The Gospel means ‘too good to be true’ news.Religious people are upset about the outrageous love of God !
They feel that they have a right to earn merits with God.