The Middle East: What is to come?

Dear friends and colleagues,

We began today our Institute for Excellence in Cairo, Egypt, for about 55 leaders of seminaries and theological education programs which are situated in the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe.  These are areas in which the Church (or at least, evangelicalism) is a decided minority – in the Middle East, of course, it is Islam which is dominant.  In countries like Poland, Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Serbia, the dominant religions are Catholic or Orthodox, or, more often now, secular.  So, despite the cultural differences, this minority status in face of a more dominant, often suppressive culture is a deeply felt common denominator (to speak nothing of the growing face of Islam in Europe).

For my reading on the trip I brought an issue of the Wilson Quarterly, the cover story of which asks the question, “The Middle East: What Next?”  The question, of course, is prompted by the tumultuous and ongoing changes which have taken place across the region: most prominently in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Syria, and Yemen.  The former president of Egypt, after ruling with a firm hand for 30 years, was put on trial last week.  Some have called this an “Arab Spring.”  Here in Egypt they talk about the “Revolution,” a term not filled with quite the same measure of hopefulness.  As one Egyptian commented, “It might turn out to be only a brief thaw, with another winter ahead of us.”

My taxi driver from airport thought that not much would change.  “It will be the same body, just a different head.”  The most common descriptions in answer to the question reflect a great deal of uncertainty.  For many this is accompanied by fear.  “Our fear is that the revolution is being hijacked by one segment of Egyptian society which wants to impose their will on all, and the hope for freedoms and rights for minorities which motivated many at the beginning of the revolution will again be suppressed by those who come to power.”  Last week the placards held by the crowds at Tahrir Square read “The Qu’ran is our constitution.”  And, “Christians have no place here.”  One can easily justify a spirit of uncertainty and fear in such circumstances.

But, a few Christians have expressed to me a spirit of hope.  “Egypt will never be the same.  We have found our voice.”  One seminary leader suggested that there are two possible paths for Egypt, but both will be good for the Church.  “Perhaps in the new government, Christians will have more rights for worship and expression.  Or, perhaps the country will become even more Islamicized.  But, that would also be good for the Church, as persecution would bring purification and strength.”

One of the major themes of this week, as we talk about the sustainability of the seminary, is role of the context.  First, the seminary is impacted by the context – as these seminaries serving in oppressive cultures know all too well.  Secondly, the seminary must be responsive to the context – what the real needs for church leadership and how do we shape our programs to meet those needs, both short-term and long-term?  And, we need to be willing to change as our context changes – not to change the function of theological education, but to change the forms in which we carry out that task.

Pray for us this week as we continue our exploration of these themes.  And, will you also join with me in prayer for Egypt road ahead.

Warmly yours in Christ,

Scott Cunningham