Wednesday, June 19, 2002
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Wednesday, June 19, 2002 |
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Teaching marriage from the Biblical perspective By JOHN HATCHER In one week, I am off to Uganda in East Africa. Sir Winston Churchill once referred to Uganda as the pearl of Africa because of its vast, lush beauty. Uganda is indeed beautiful, but even more are its people. They have the sweetest voices and some of the most willing attitudes. But, unlike the traditional evangelist who goes into African countries for souls (and yes, often for dollars), I am on mission to teach Biblical principles regarding marriage. It's my niche. God has demonstrated here in states and in Africa that I can hit a lick in the area of marriage and be understood. So, that's what I am off for. One of the sensitive issues that I have addressed is romance. Ugandan husbands know little of the need of their wives for romance in the act of physical sex. Most men there (and ignorant ones here) simply think of the women as a sex vending machine: coin in and drink out and out of there. Through the use of Holy Scripture, I make a case for taking time in the sex act and loving one's wife enough to permit her to find pleasure also. Believe it or not, this is liberating stuff for women and totally revelatory for men. Another issue revolves around the dowry. It is still very much a cultural practice that the man pays her parents a dowry in exchange for a wife. The dowry can be shillings or cattle: something of monetary value. Again this subject cannot be approached from the perspective, "Now in America we do it this way ..." It has to be approached from a Biblical perspective. Many Christian couples live together in sin (without benefit of marriage) because the man has not been able to pay the dowry. While others, although married, are so in debt because of paying the dowry that they are unable to set up a household of their own. So, how does one approach the subject? I am able to share the Biblical perspective that blessings go forward, not backward. A father is to bless his children and children's children with material blessings in order that they may have a good beginning in life. While addressing these and many other subjects, I have discovered that Ugandans are eager to hear the truth. I remarked to my traveling companion of last year that I have never been "heard" as closely ever before in my ministry. Truly, I was received as if I were an angel (which my wife can tell you I am not because angels do not marry nor are given in marriage). On this trip, I am blessed that my daughter, Anna, a recent graduate of Starr's Mill High School, will be going with me. She will be teaching Ugandan teenagers on the subjects of Godliness and moral purity. The next time you will hear from me I will be in the bush of Ugandan and by the miracle of Internet's e-mail, I will be able to dispatch my column. How amazing! Please whisper a prayer for me and Anna that we will be effective for our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. That's what we want
The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community
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