What's Missing?

David James

Equipping Pastors International

I recently visited the Egyptian National Museum at the Cairo Citadel. Near the entrance of the museum there is a wall that depicts the four periods of Egyptian history frame by frame: the Pharonic Age, Islamic Age, Modern Age, and Present Age. As I stood in front of this wall staring at the panoramic history of one of the worlds great nations I was struck, not by what I saw, but what I didn't see--nearly a thousand years of Christian history was missing. 

Where are the historians--real historians--who care about the truth? Of course, secular historians have never seemed to mind the erasure of history as long as it's Christian history that is being rubbed out. I have come to have no expectations for most of what passes for history in the secular world. Revisionism is the rule of the day. 

However, I had a different set of working suppositions when it came to sacred history. It is one thing for Islamic governments to wipe away nearly a thousand years of Christian history, and for secular historians and observers to look the other way while it happens. It's another thing altogether for sacred historians and Christian observers to be almost entirely silent while it happens. 

I was appalled. Not at the Islamic government of Egypt. Nor at the revisionist. I have no expectations regarding these two collaborators. No, I was disgusted with myself. Why did it take me so long to get it. I have been a Christian for 23 years, and involved in the ministry for most of that time. How could I miss it? How could I be so caught up in my own little world that this escaped my attention?

There are multiple reasons, but none that excuse personal responsibility. I was not taught this at Bible college. I was not taught this at seminary. I was not taught this at church. In short, this simply was not taught. I'm sure it was probably mentioned in passing somewhere. I'm sure a professor, or journalist mentioned this in class, or wrote about it in an article for a journal or Christian periodical. I'm sure.

Regardless, all my dismay is with myself.  

Therefore, I will not be silent anymore. I will not be complicit in the erasure and the revisionism of Christian history. That is why I have joined Equipping Pastors International to focus all of my efforts on resurrecting and recovering the lost Christian heritage in North Africa and the Middle East. If you would like to partner in this ministry than here's how you can help.

First, get mad. There is a lack of appropriate outrage regarding the lost history of this region from the invasion of Islam in the seventh century to the present. Righteous indignation will precede any meaningful action. Our maxim here is found in Paul's words to the Ephesians: Be angry, but do not sin. 

Second, get the word out. Write, talk, share in any way you can. Refer people to this blog, the EPI web page, or to me personally. Use every bit of influence you have.

Third, give to this cause. There is no way around the reality that this cause is going to cost money. I am completely unashamed to ask for your support. I am so convinced of the importance of this mission that I have no reservation or shame about asking you to support it with sacrificial giving. We are talking about the overthrow of Islam. It will require nothing short of giving until it hurts. 

Fourth, Pray. I do not say this casually. I make sure to never ask for prayer in a meaningless, trivial way. For that reason, I do not call my newsletter a prayer letter. In my newsletter I am attempting to accomplish two things: distribute information about our mission, and raise financial support to accomplish this objective. I will not cheapen the mission or the medium with a cloak of prayer. That being said, however, we will not defeat Islam, and all the principalities and powers of spiritual darkness that surrounds it without much labor in prayer. 

Please join me in this effort. Get mad, get the word out, give until it hurts, and pray without ceasing for this mission.