HIV/AIDS and the Kingdom of God
by Grace TazelaarWhat is the Christian Responsibility to the HIV/AIDS crisis? This is the question that God is using to wake up the North American church. In the face of such an overwhelming epidemic, what can we say or do – as Christians?
I’d like to propose that it isn’t about HIV/AIDS, the pandemic,
or what we say or do in response to it. It’s really all about God, His
Kingdom, and how, in His providence, He is redeeming the evil of HIV/AIDS to
build His Kingdom.
First, God is using this disease to bring people into a personal relationship with Himself. While working in Uganda, we often heard people thanking God for their illness with HIV/AIDS. Without it they said, “I would never have come to know Jesus.” God redeemed the illness by bringing those infected and affected by the disease into contact with others who could share the Good News of Jesus with them.
Second, it has brought people back into community. The problem is too big for one person, one family, one community, or one nation to address. We are beginning to realize that we are all impacted by this disease and that we all have a role to play in addressing it. The Kingdom of God transcends geography, church affiliation, race, and gender. God is building His Kingdom; and incredibly, He has chosen to use His people to accomplish this. But we need to work together as a body, each gifted for a purpose with Jesus as the head and the Holy Spirit to guide us.
Third, Kingdom citizenship has responsibilities that are concomitant with its rights and privileges. HIV/AIDS has made us aware of the injustices and inequalities that exist both within and outside of the Church. The fact that countries hardest hit by the epidemic do not have healthcare delivery systems that can cope with distributing antiretroviral drugs even if they were affordable and available highlights some of the inequalities.
HIV/AIDS exposes the economic, social, and political power structures that contribute to the inequalities and injustices associated with HIV/AIDS. The impact this disease will have on the world economy, how the devaluation and exploitation of women is critical its transmission, and how abuse of power (it thrives in areas torn apart by war and insecurity) and abuse of freedom (sexual promiscuity) contribute to its spread are topics of concern.
Within the Church those who have been blessed with resources are just beginning to realize that their brothers and sisters in Sub-Saharan Africa have succumbed in great numbers to HIV/AIDS in the past twenty years. They are awakening to God’s call regarding their part in His work that redeems HIV/AIDS for His Kingdom building activity. Prayerfully, the Church’s response will speak into these injustices and inequalities in a loving and compassionate way. In so doing, the Church will incarnate Christ and His Kingdom to those who are watching, and serve to advance His Kingdom.
The “Mission Through the Lens of AIDS” track at Urbana 06 is open for registration. Join us!
Grace Tazelaar is Missions Director, Nurses Christian Fellowship
Unless otherwise noted, all materials on the urbana.org web site are Copyright InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA. All rights reserved.
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