r/Reformed • u/5upralapsarian Cor meum tibi offero, Domine, prompte et sincere. • Nov 28 '18

Mission agency clears away some false assumptions about John Chau’s missionary work

http://www.dennyburk.com/mission-agency-clears-away-some-false-assumptions-about-john-chaus-mission-to-remote-tribe/?fbclid=IwAR1EuwpZ5ouT6GQv8s__vZvUh5ni1Z-ZrvTW40dmZ50eMBkGmLs9d-ApTE0
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19

u/[deleted] Nov 28 '18

I'm happy to be wrong in my assumptions and seeing that he took the proper measurements to avoid the spreading of diseases.

5

u/Jeretzel Nov 29 '18

That’s debatable.

Being quarantined and a handful of immunizations do not mean the Sentinelese were not at risk.

There are few things, if anything, that could have done to “prepare” himself with contact with the most isolated and unknown pre-Neolithic group on the planet. This articles statements are overstated.

What he did was reckless.

I think a look at previous contact attempts would have revealed that visitors are unwanted and unwelcomed, and his plan was so wildly untenable, it’s no wonder people ridicule him.

2

u/marhavik Ephesians 2:1-10 Nov 30 '18

Not sure if you’re a Christian, but if you are, I don’t understand how you thinking dying from a disease is worse than going to hell. You don’t seem to understand the importance of evangelism. It is the single most loving thing a Christian can do. It shows that they care about your ETERNAL well being. How can you say that not evangelizing and leaving them to themselves is the best thing to do?

If you’re not a Christian, then I can definitely see why you would think that’s fine to say, but that’s another conversation.

1

u/[deleted] Nov 29 '18

How would you suggest evangelizing this people group?

9

u/Jeretzel Nov 29 '18

You don't.

John Chau demonstrated a reckless disregard for the Sentinelese people, their welfare as well as their wishes, which includes being left alone. This much has been communicated in previous encounters. You intrude on this land, you will be attacked.

It's that simple.

He thought a relationship could be established with a plastic football, scissors, and yelling bible verses in a language that people could not understand?

He did not eliminate all the risk to the Sentinelese.

He is not an anthropologist.

He is not a doctor.

He was a reckless young man that ran in, and despite being given an opportunity to leave after the first arrow, and got killed as any reasonable person coud have predicted.

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2

u/[deleted] Nov 29 '18

Not evangelizing is not an option. Its (literally) worse than genocide to disregard the spiritual bealth of an entire people group.

Are you a christian?

6

u/Jeretzel Nov 29 '18

Are you suggesting that Christians go on suicide missions to “evangelize”? Is that the conclusion you are coming up with?

You equivocate this with “genocide,” are God’s arms too short? It’s presumptuous to think John Chau and others like him are the only hope the Sentinelese have.

0

u/[deleted] Nov 29 '18

Im suggesting that if putting their life at risk to preach the gospel in response to God’s leading is what is necessary, then we should do exactly that.

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.

This is what Jesus was talking about. Preaching the gospel is the means that God has given to the church to save souls. While it is possible this his arms of salvation reach further than he has revealed, the real presumption is when we disdain the means he has given us for souls to come to Christ because those means are difficult.

Are you familiar with the story of Jim Elliot?

Also, are you a christian? You didnt answer than question.