Carpe Diem

The bus arrived early and soon our eyes were yielding to the desire to close. To be honest, we remember little of the trip to Pompeii but we will never forget Pompeii. Considered one of the best preserved ancient sites (others being Ephesus and Delos), Pompeii’s preservation is because it was almost instantly covered in 25 feet of volcanic ash in 79 AD. The volcanic Mt. Vesuvius was considered extinct so the city of Pompeii with 25,000 inhabitants enjoyed a typical Roman lifestyle. The sea at its feet, the rich volcanic soil all around and the beautiful Mt. Vesuvius in the background, what could go wrong? Yet on Dec. 24, 79 AD, the eruption began. The initial panic subsided when only a few hours later, the eruption seemed to end. Life for many went on as usual but then the huge eruption (similar to Mt. St. Helens) buried the city in 25 feet of volcanic ash. Many died in their beds, others frantically trying to find a boat to take them out to sea and still others running for their lives. It must have been quite a scene as many had not heeded the warning, assumed life would go on as before and did not buy the opportunity to find safety.

Amazingly, for over 1600 years no one bothered to excavate the ruins but simply returned to farm the rich volcanic soil, which not only covered Pompeii but filled in a huge section of the sea. Not until the mid 1700’s did excavations begin. Today over 75% of the ash has been removed to expose the streets and floors and walls of houses just as they were the day they were buried.

As you wandered this 66-acre site, you cannot help but realize how quickly one’s life on this earth can come to an end even though it is seemingly beautiful today. The account of King Herod in Acts 12 comes to mind who one day seemingly had it all and the next, “an angel of the Lord struck him down because he did not give God the glory” (12:23). Or how about Annanias and Sapphira in Acts 5 who were part of God’s work yet due to a lie, immediately died.

Life can be going very well but we must never presume that it is forever or even for another day.

More of Ancient Rome with Pictures

Since our last blog, we’ve seen a lot of the remains of Ancient Rome. We took two separate tours as well as miles of personal walking. Most was related to Ancient Rome or Rome in the days of Paul and the early church. In the midst of it all, we bumped shoulders with thousands of people.

Rome in the day of Paul was the mega city of the world with over 1,000,000 inhabitants. In size it dwarfed any other city yet to the credit of the builders of Rome, the city worked.

Here are some pictures, as well.

The Appian Way

Yes, how could the gospel enter Rome? Yesterday we took a bus out of the city via and down the Appian Way, one of the major highways into Rome. Those coming from the east, including Paul, would have entered by this road. Straight as an arrow and well paved for its day, buses, cars and even pedestrians continue to use it. One cannot help but wonder if Paul stepped on the same stone paver you are walking on.

One significant reason for the spread of Christianity was the Roman roads, which allowed travel throughout the entire Roman World. Yet, a significant reason to visit the Appian Way is not the road but the Catacombs. Although most do not believe they were used as places of security in times of persecution, they were used for Christian burials. That significance may allude us unless we realize the Romans primarily cremated their dead, yet God’s people in both the OT and NT have buried their bodies because they believe in the resurrection. The presence of over 100,000 burial spots within the Catacombs over hundreds of years suggests Christianity not only infiltrated Rome but also radically changed the lives it impacted.

Once again the first chapter of Romans became increasingly clear. Paul said “I often intended to come to you . . . so that I may have some fruit even among you . . . for I am not ashamed of the Gospel . . . for it is the power of God to salvation, to all who believe, the Jew first but also to the Greeks” Rom. 1:13-17. Even Rome, the heart of paganism, could not stop the entrance of Paul and the transforming power of the Gospel.

Today, Ancient Rome lies in ruins while the church of Christ continues alive and well. That fact was reinforced tonight while eating dinner at a sidewalk café. The young couple only 3 feet from us bowed their heads and prayed for their food. If the gospel in Paul’s day overcame pagan Rome, surely it can do the same today.

A Tour of Ancient Rome

Today we took a tour of Ancient Rome. The massive Pantheon (a temple dedicated to all the gods), the remains of the Roman Forum (with its many Arches to conquering generals and emperors, its many Temples dedicated to a variety of Gods and its many Basilicas, dedicated to their Emperors), the awesome Colosseum (a sporting arena which could seat 50,000 spectators for gory entertainment such as combat between wild beasts and people or simply between Gladiators) and the Palaces of the Emperors all speak of a paganism focused on indulgence, immorality, intoxication and idolatry.

Paul and the early church faced a seemingly impossible task. Who could expect the gospel to penetrate this paganism. It would seem Rome matched the words of Paul “ever learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7) or even “to their own lusts they shall heap to themselves teachers” (2 Tim 4:3).

How could the gospel enter that city? Check back tomorrow.

First Impressions Are Impressive

Half asleep from the overnight flight, I tried to focus on the countryside as our taxi drove the 20 miles from airport to hotel. To be honest, I don't remember much, however, I vividly remember coming out of a tunnel and face to face with the Colosseum. Wow! How can you not be impressed with such an imposing structure built to house sporting events for vast crowds (and to think it had a retractable roof to shelter from the sun). Later after checking into the hotel a local bus took us back and we walked through many ruins of Ancient Rome. To say the least, they are impressive in size and when one sees pictures of the original structures superimposed over the ruins, well, its even more incredible. Yet the ruins speak of the best man can do, yet producing only a culture filled with indulgence, immorality, intoxication and idolatry. One can not miss the mixture of this decadent life style with the many evidences of the worship of pagan gods. Paul writing to that city wrote "for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. . . because knowing God, they glorified Him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened. . . wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts" (Romans 1:18-25).

Yet ancient Rome is only part of the First Impressions. After a good nights sleep, its off to Vatican City, the heart of the Roman Catholic Church. No study of current Christianity can be complete without understanding how the church has moved through history and in particular how the Catholic Church has developed. The guide continued to note that everything was designed to impress the visitor with the wealth and size of the Church. She was right, the structures, sculptures and system are impressive. One is left feeling incredibly insignificant in the vast space of St. Peter's Basilica and incredibly unsophisticated in the overwhelming art of the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican museum. Yet the guide also repeatedly showed us how the art was often taken from the sculptures of Ancient Greece and Rome. For example, the face of God in Michelangelo's "The Last Judgment" painting is identical to the face of Apollo in Greek Sculpture. An even greater insight came when our guide was explaining the beliefs of Catholicism and said "you may ask me if this is true and I answer 'I was not there so how could I know. It is a matter of your faith'". I couldn't escape the words of Christ to the Pharisees when He noted they make "the Word of God of none effect through your tradition" (Mk 7:8-13).

Well, the first impression of Rome is IMPRESSIVE, however, it all has to do with the works of men rather than the work of God! Yet early this morning, Lynette and I read Paul's other comment to the church at Rome when he said, "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world" (Rom 1:8). In some ways not much has changed. It is still a wonder how perverted man without God can become and how glorious it is when the gospel of God becomes the "power of God to salvation" (Rom. 1:16,17).

Updates from Rome

Rich and Lynette are vacationing in Rome, and will be providing updates here in the coming days. Stay tuned!

New Address

Effective September 1, please direct all mail to our new address:

Word for the World
303 Oakshade Rd
Shamong, NJ 08088

Please pray for the Van Heukelums as they relocate to South Jersey.

New Audio Available

Here is Pastor Rich's message from Sunday, August 8, at Walnut Ridge. Right-click the link and select "Save Target as..." to download the MP3 file to your computer.

Living in a Dream - Jude 8-17

New Audio Available

Here are Pastor Rich's messages from Sunday, August 1, at Walnut Ridge. Right-click the links and select "Save Target as..." to download the MP3 files to your computer.

More Secure Is No One Ever - Jude 1-7
Timid Timothy - 1 Timothy

When the Worst Evangelist Is the Best, Part 3

I hope you've benefited from parts one and two. Now we conclude with answers and implications.

The conclusion seems to be that God used the worst evangelist to produce the greatest revival, yet did not allow that imperfect servant to remain such. God who used Jonah did not approve of his attitude or actions, but diligently worked to change him.

So what are the implications for me?

First, this account may remind me of God's compassion for His doomed creatures. This may help as I deal with doomed creatures, but more importantly it may remind me that I was, and to some extent still am, one of those creatures who needs His compassion.

Second, this account may help me to accept flawed people whom God brings into my life. God in His wisdom may know that the one who doesn't handle me or my situation well is the one God will use to effectively change me. He used Jonah to effectively change Nineveh. The boss, coach, parent, spouse, pastor, or neighbor with flaws may be the tool God uses to effectively help me.

Third, this account may encourage me to serve even if I, like Jonah, am flawed. Sometimes I say or do things which are wrong. I may conclude that God can't use my action in that situation. I might even conclude that I can't be used until I have corrected. I may even conclude that God will never want to use me again. Yet God did relentlessly pursue Jonah. God did not leave him to drown in the sea or rot in the fish. God did use him, even with his imperfections. Maybe God knows He can use my imperfection for His good. Remember Joseph's words to his brothers in Genesis 50? "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good."

Fourth, this account may motivate me to improve. If I see times when my flaws are actually used by God for His good, I may begin to think my flaws are acceptable and even useful -- so why change? How easily I can say, "That's the way I am," and allow the explanation to become my excuse. God used Jonah, but did not approve or his attitude or actions. More importantly, God did not leave Jonah where he was. Flaws that God uses are not excuses to leave them.

The insight from one of the men allowed the account of Jonah to take on a new dimension. What can God do with and for the world's worst servant?