Dr. Pipim’s GC Session Report—Part 5--I Will Not Be Silent
I WILL NOT BE SILENT
We live in a culture of cowardly silence—a controversy-avoiding society where “getting along by going along” is the way of life. In this culture of silence, we tend to be mute on critical issues or conditions, until our personal self-interests are threatened, or until it is too late.
But I refuse to be silent.
As some of you may know, not everyone is happy with my latest book COURAGE and my report and analysis of the recent 2015 GC Session in San Antonio. In fact, during the past four years some of my adversaries did everything in their power to ensure that my voice would be forever silenced on issues being debated in the Church. Not surprisingly, in the wake of the major decisions at the recent GC session, and as the Church gears itself for the next phase of spirited discussions, some of them have renewed their spiritually-disguised campaign of slander. But as I’ve done in the past, heeding the counsel of EGW, I will continue to ignore them, and will refuse to stoop to their level.
All are welcome to my Facebook page, and even to disagree with my point of view. But my page is not for well-meaning or misguided opportunists to promote themselves, their organizations, websites, or their ideological agenda. Nor is it the place to spread their ignorance, hypocrisy, hate, false accusations, gossip, racism, insults, spam, or any other thing that is of bad taste. Anyone who desires to make comments on my page should be guided by this principle:
“Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8). Those who violate this basic principle of Christian conduct will be BANNED or BLOCKED. Period!
And if anyone asks why, point them to one of my weekly thought nuggets:
WRESTLING WITH PIGS
“Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty, but the pig enjoys it” (An old adage). The Bible says: “Do not answer a fool according to his folly. Lest you also be like him" (Proverbs 26:4). At times the best response to falsehood, slander, and cruel attacks is to ignore them, trusting our case with God. We learn this from David, after Shimei cursed, accused, and threw stones and dirt at him (2 Samuel 16:5-14). Writes E.G. White: “False reports will circulate about us; but … let us leave to God the care of our reputation. Slander can be lived down by our manner of living; it is not lived down by words of indignation. Let our great anxiety be to act in the fear of God, and show by our conduct that these reports are false.” DON’T wrestle with your pigs!
Meanwhile, I refuse to be silent or silenced. For, when Eagles are silent, parrots make lots of noise. Or as we say in Africa, “until lions write their own history, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”
I have every right to speak, even as others are doing on their pages and blogs, and in their public statements and official pronouncements. Nay, I have an obligation to speak and write. In the words of the Apostle Paul, “necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16). My writing is a ministry to those who care to know the truth. It may be a treasonable act in this age of ideological propaganda, but the alternative--silence--is a criminal act by cowards of all stripes. In times of crises, writing liberates and empowers, but silence enslaves. Or as I explain in one of my simple rhymes:
Those who read
are those who lead.
But those who write
keep the leaders right.
For silence is the crime
by cowards of every time.
By the grace of God, I will NOT be silent. I refuse to be silent. Neither should you. Too much is at stake to be silent. Therefore, in this age of cowardly silence—in our controversy-avoiding culture where “getting along by going along” is the way of life—I want to appeal to you, through one of my thought-nuggets:
BE THE PEN
No one has yet succeeded in silencing the voice of the pen. To ignore it is to be influenced by it, and to attack it is to promote it. Over the years the powerful have tried to banish, tarnish, and even vanish the pen. They vilified, conspired, unjustly tried, and imprisoned it. Then they executed it, consigned its burial to infamy, and made sure there was no tombstone for it. But somehow the ordinary pen outlives the sword of the mighty. Its spilled blood infuses life into the veins of new generations. Be “the pen of a ready writer” (Psalm 45:1). Dare to speak. Refuse to be silenced. For the pen of truth is the most effective weapon against the arrogance and tyranny of power. Be the pen!
Within the next two days, you should expect Part 6 of my GC Session report (titled, “Read the Fine Print”). Meanwhile I pray that my latest book COURAGE will continue to inspire you with the courage needed to stand!
NOTE: Here’s a quick follow-up to the previous post.
SOLDIER ON
They’re the words of a graduate student in Asia, encouraging me to not be silent. By God’s grace, I will soldier on. Frankly, I’ve been completely overwhelmed by the positive responses I have received on the last post ("I Will Not Be Silent"). Besides the words of encouragement and support in your comments on my Facebook wall and Inbox messages, I have also received lots of emails expressing support, and urging me to refuse to be silenced or silent. I am most grateful.
And now, pray for me that I will be able write my final report on the 2015 GC Session and share it with you by tomorrow. Titled “Read the Fine Print,” it will explain some significant things that happened (and failed to happen) at the San Antonio GC Session and their implications for the Church. I was hoping to have been done by now, but I hope to be done in time to share it with you by tomorrow.
The next phase in the women’s ordination discussions is about:
(i) what to do with the biblically compromising actions/policies of the past in ordaining “women elders” and “commissioned women pastors” and (
ii) developing appropriate guidelines or policies for women in ministry based on Scripture.
As we move to this new phase, you need to be very clear about why the Seventh-day Adventist Church (from the days of our pioneers till now) has always rejected women’s ordination as incompatible with the teachings of the Bible and the writings of EGW.
COURAGE was written to explain why your Church encourages women in ministry, but does not (or ought not) ordain them to the office of pastor or elder (the Bible makes no distinction between the office of elder or pastor). This engaging, easy-to-read book is available as:
1. A FREE PDF download:
http://drpipim.org/documents/courage.pdf or
2. Ebook & Softcover Book
http://store.eaglesonline.org/index.php/books/courage.html
Again, thank you, all, for your encouraging words. And a very Happy Sabbath to you, wherever you may be on the globe! COURAGE!—SKP
Next Report:
“Read the Fine Print”—Dr.Pipim’s GC Session Report—Part 6
(http://tinyurl.com/qxa45yj)
Previous Reports:
1. “At the GC Session: Why?”—Dr.Pipim's GC Session Report—Part 1
2. “Reflection On The First Week—Dr. Pipim's GC Session Report—Part 2:
3. “Wednesday Was Already Present”—Dr. Pipim's GC Session Report—Part 3
4. “Something Has Changed”—Dr.Pipim’s GC Session Report—Part 4
5. “I Will Not Be Silent”—Dr.Pipim’s GC Session Report—Part 5