BISHOP Edghill has been attacked from many labour, political and religious quarters within the last few years and he has said virtually little to defend himself. The purpose of this letter is not to defend him; in addition to being conscientious, he is a gifted and articulate communicator who could well stand up on his own two feet. However, with the recent spate of attacks recently, I felt compelled to comment on the reactions of Christians to the Bishop regarding giving “honour” to the demitting President of the country.
I wrote the gist of this letter as a blog in response to the letter, “Some of us do not approve, Bishop Edghill”, by an anonymous writer whose name was given as “Observing Pastor”, in the KN, on 15-09-11; the KN moderator, however, deemed it not fit for publishing.
I was not present at Mr. Jagdeo’s ‘Day of Appreciation’ so I am not sure what Bishop Edghill actually said. However, according to “Observing Pastor”, Bishop Edghill stated that he was following the Biblical principle of giving honour where honour was due. “Observing Pastor” took offence to the Bishop’s statement by surmising, “honouring leaders is a Christian principle but not just any leader/s. Many of them were also rejected”.
“Observing Pastor” should know that Christians ought not to conveniently select which leaders should be honoured. The Biblical call to respect governing authority in Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-25 is very clear.
Mr. Editor, please permit me to quote the very relevant verses of the latter reference:
V13-Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority; V14-Or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. V15-For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. V16-Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. V17-Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honour the king. V18-Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. V19-For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. V20-But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. V21-To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps. V22-“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” V23-When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. V24-He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. V25-For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
The scriptures do not say that we should limit our honour to ‘good’ leaders; we ought to give honour to all governing heads of state – even to Hitler or Mugabe – or Jagdeo!
What is outrageously stupendous is that in the same context, Christian slaves (in the institutionalised slavery) were/are called to submit themselves to their masters.  Why? The answer is given in 1 Peter 2:18-25.  The same thought is echoed in Ephesians 6:5-9. Christians are exhorted to honour the name of Christ by showing honour to those in authority.  What is paramount for the Christian, therefore, is that those within and without could detect ‘salt’ and ‘light’, and that “they may see our good works and glorify the Father in heaven”!
Lurlene Nestor’s Sep. 21 letter in the KN, “There was nothing Christian-like here”, was far from reflecting Biblical truth, as the Bishop was not present there to underline political support for Mr. Jagdeo’s (‘right’ or ‘evil’) policies/goings-on; he was there to bestow respect to the office of the head of government.
Like “Observing Pastor”, Ms. Nestor proclaimed that Bishop does not represent the Christian community, and does not speak for “us”.  I wished at least one of these letter writers could have given us an idea of which Christian man/woman represents the community in question, and tell us who really speaks for “us”.  Also, I’d like to know who really is“us”!
I implore all Christians to abandon racial and political preferences and dare to be a Daniel in adhering to Biblical principles to honour the name of Christ by giving honour where honour is due.
Where does your loyalty lie, dear Christian friend?  Christians need to make a firm choice: follow the Bible and be willing to be criticized and suffer for it, for God’s glory, or to compromise our faith to prop up our own entity to please the self. Let not race or political affiliation take the place of Christian conviction and conscience; let us be who we are first and foremost – the salt of the earth and light of the world – in and through Christ!