Indonesia

Clergy/Leaders' Mail-list No. 0-240 (General Information)

CHRIST-MAS, THE ONLY HOPE (Part 2 - continued from CLM-0-239)

Reflections on Indonesia, Christmas 2000

by Rev John Barr

Meanwhile the unstable political situation and the uncertain economic climate throughout Indonesia provides a platform for the rise of extremist Islamic forces in the region. I need to say that most Muslims in Indonesia are not extremist. They do not support radical Islam and, in fact, have great fears concerning this movement that appears to have strong links with Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Middle East and also with liberation movements in the Southern Philippines. This fear was manifest in the recent Indonesian elections where radical Islamic groups polled extremely poorly.

Yet, in collusion with military interests, radical Islamic groups are engaged in an active push to assert their dominance and to eliminate Christianity in a number of areas of Indonesia. They are pursuing a radical Islamic agenda with the ultimate intention of changing Indonesia from a secular state that embraces a number of religious traditions to an Islamic state based on Islamic law.

The formation of a 'jihad' in Java earlier this year is a case in point. As many as 10,000 young Muslim young men were recruited, trained, armed and sent to Christian areas on what now appears to be a missionary venture to either convert Christians to Islam or eliminate Christianity all together. I believe many of these young men are misguided. Most are victims of the economic crisis. They are vulnerable as they have no work, little income and a very uncertain future.

Despite this, Christians are understandably terrified and traumatised by what is happening. As recent as this week, there were reports indicating that another 50 Christians were massacred in Maluku. This is a tragic addition to the hundreds already massacred earlier in the year. We have evidence that the Indonesian military are actively supporting the Jihad as the Jihad attack, kill and burn Christian communities. Christians in Maluku have told me that they feel defenseless against these unrelenting attacks. They have no security, no protection and no rights.

All this scheming, power-play and manouervreing is incredibly serious because it could lead to the kind of conflict that goes on for generations and generations. We are looking at another Middle East and the situation is so serious that it threatens the future of Indonesia.

So the news is not good. It's not good for Indonesia's 20 million Christians. It's not good for people who yearn for democratic reforms. It's not good for those who are committed to a modern, secular state. And it's not good for the majority of Indonesia's Muslims who simply want to live in peace with their neighbours.

If people are to have a future in Indonesia then I believe the manouervreing, manipulation and power-play that is going on must be challenged. The international community and the worldwide Christian community have a vital role here in raising the issues and keeping the issues before governments and strategic authorities around the world.

If people are to have a future in Indonesia then I believe there must also be an emphasis on peace and reconciliation. This is indeed a priority among the Christian churches and also among an increasing number of local Muslim organistions in Indonesia. I am, for example, aware of important negotiations that have already taken place between local Christian and Muslim communities in Kupang, West Timor, and in Tual, Southeastern Maluku.

The Evangelical Christian Church in the Land of Papua, like many churches across the Indonesian archipelago, is particularly aware of these issues. During their recent General Assembly in Sorong, Irian Jaya (which I attended), the Evangelical Church identified this time in terms of 'kairos', a critical moment in time when the church must reach out to the community and play an important role in bringing people together. The purpose of this bringing together is to nurture and encourage people to work for peace and reconciliation.

Likewise in Manado, North Sulawesi, I encountered some young ministers who saw this as a critical time when the church must affirm its solidarity with the poor and prioritise its ministry with those who are traumatised and hurt. In East Timor I saw the church using this as critical time to demonstrate God's incredible grace as warring parties learn the power of forgiveness. In Halmahera I have seen how the love of Jesus can radiate in the lives of church leaders as they pick up the pieces and just get on with it despite the evil that has been done around them and despite the evil that has been done to them.

Good things are happening in times that may only be seen to be bad times. There are things to praise God for.

And this brings me to my most important point. When I was asked to speak this evening it was suggested I bring a Christmas message. The great advent text from Isaiah 9: 1-7 was suggested. Little did people know that this is a text that really sustains me and keeps me going during these most difficult times. Isaiah 9:1-7 is one of those texts that simply will not leave me alone. I find myself coming back to it to time and after time after time.

The New International Version introduces the text with the words: 'To Us a Child in Born' and we all know what is meant here as we prepare for the coming of the Christ child.

'The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined.'

And what a light this is! For it is a light that brings peace and justice. The one who comes is named as: 'Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.'

These are magnificent words with a powerful promise. Here is a strong statement about God and the mighty works of God among God's people. Here is a promise for those who are burdened. Here is a promise for those who are trod on and for those who have been plummeted into the shadow of death.

I have no doubt that today many Christians in Indonesia and East Timor are sustained and encouraged by these powerful words of promise. I have no doubt that these words will be as powerful as ever this Christmas as the realities of life are faced by our brothers and sisters across the Indonesian archipelago.

And there is more because in all of this we, as the family of Christ around the world, also find hope in these words. We all find hope when there may be little ground for hope. We all discover there is a future when there may little evidence to suggest otherwise.

Tonight and as we approach Christmas I believe God reaches out to the Christian community in Indonesia and God reaches out to members of this community with the ongoing challenge to live with a particular conviction.

And the conviction goes like this: The hope and the future of the world lies in the birth of the Christ child. The turmoil, the fear and the trauma of what is happening to our north can be, and will be, challenged. There will avenues reconciliation and there will ways for peacemaking. There will be an end to the violence. This is God's promise.

As we hear all these stories and work with our Indonesian brothers and sisters, I believe this is our reason for being as Christians today. Our reason for being is to live with the conviction that the light is here, that the darkness holds no power over those who love the Lord, that God's reign of justice and peace is upon us.

It's a challenge for me and it's a challenge for you. As we prepare for Christmas I pray your reason for being and your conviction to follow Christ will embrace and live out this great promise.

'For a child has been born for us, a son given to us: authority rests on his shoulders: and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.'

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Rev John Barr Secretary for Indonesia and East Timor Uniting Church in Australia PO Box A2266 Sydney South 1235

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