Photo by Torsten Martens
One of the important lessons taught in Out of Darkness Into Light is that, when it comes to mission strategies, Christians are always better working in a united effort. It coincides with how the Ethiopian highlands spiritual journeys and the people undergoing them have had a strong affinity for Christianity throughout the centuries.
Because no matter the differences between denominations, we all believe that Christ came to save the world and nourish the spirit of humanity. The book even has examples of Southern Baptists working alongside Ethiopian Orthodox Christians.
Some might wonder why this is so. Why does Ethiopian spirituality and Christianity seem more intertwined compared to African nations like, for example, Nigeria?
In fact, some may even be surprised that an African nation like Ethiopia has been a predominantly Christian nation for far longer than even the United States!
Sadly, this tends to be because there is an unhealthy exoticism around in Africa in general. They forget that Africa is not only a big place, but it also has a very long history. Likewise, Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries on the continent (if not the world).
To get an idea of just how old civilization has been in the country, archeologists are finding that the lands of Ethiopia have traded even with the kingdoms of Ancient Egypt.
This happened thousands of years ago! And as anyone starts following this history through to the time of Jesus and then after, the picture they will see becomes far more complex.
Understanding this is very important for the missionaries of today. It not only helps Christians across denominations get a better sense of history, it will also bridge divisions and make it easier to understand the people in need of ministry.
Ethiopia’s Early Christians
Photo by Justin Ziadeh
Christianity came to Ethiopia around the 4th century B.C. More specifically, it was when Ethiopia was once known as the Kingdom of Aksun and ruled by Ezana of Axum.
According to historians, Ezana’s conversion was through the witness of his slave-teacher Frumentius, a Syrian Christian. When he became king in 303 B.C, Ezana made Christianity the state religion of the kingdom. This was nearly a decade before Emperor Constantine received the vision that would lead him to legalizing Christianity in the Roman Empire.
Today, so many people still have this distorted idea that Christianity was brought outside of Europe to colonize places like Africa. They don’t know that the Gospel was already there, and people were being baptized by the early churches! If people were worrying about Ethiopian spirituality and Christianity coming together, then they would have to go way back in time to keep it from happening. It is very deeply rooted in much of their present identity!
Likewise, it is very sad to see so many young Christians today who don’t realize how blessed they are compared to their counterparts in Ethiopia (and even the ones who lived during the 1st century).
It is why working as a missionary can be such a powerful, eye-opening experience that can bring you closer to God as well as your brothers and sisters around the world.
The Reality of Conflict (Religious and Otherwise)
Photo by Taylor Flowe
Now, this isn’t to say that things were perfect just because Ethiopia was one of the first Christian states in world history. (In fact, that is another misconception many Christians today have about following Jesus!)
There are still so many people over there who struggle to get their basic necessities. The people we were helping at the Menz plateau were just one of the thousands who still live in isolation from the world, without access to proper healthcare, education and decent livelihood.
To make matters more complicated, there was still much conflict that remained unresolved throughout the nation’s history. While some of these were because of religion, a lot more was the result of differences among political dynasties, ethnic tribes and even just differences in language!
We said in the book how a lot of the troubles our mission experienced were very similar to Acts. Likewise, the situation of Ethiopia at large was still very much like Rome even after its emperors were converting to Christianity. Back then, people (including Christians) were involved in all sorts of conflicts and often along the very same divisions.
The truth is sin has a way of always getting people to fight over just about anything. That is the reality behind every conflict no matter where you are. But if you trust in the Lord, and truly profess in following Him and His Word, then you would know that no conflict will keep you from fulfilling His plan for all humanity.
Spiritual Yearning for Peace
Some might get a bit cynical and think that, for all the work of Christians in its history, the plight of many impoverished Ethiopians hasn’t improved by much.
That is only understandable if you no longer believe in how God works.
But for those who do, they can still see it in the way Ethiopian spirituality and Christianity work together to instill resilience, determination and hope as believers strive to bring others from darkness to light.
If you want more in-depth personal accounts of how that worked amidst Ethiopia’s turbulent years in the 1970s, then the story told in Out of Darkness Into Light still comes highly recommended. It’s already on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
- Christian Unity: Achieve Oneness and Get Along in God - October 31, 2024
- Ethiopian Spirituality and Christianity – History in the Making - October 30, 2024
- Doing the Hard Work of Faith: The Missionary’s Place - September 28, 2024