So Hugo Chavez has shuffled off this mortal coil.
Color me confused.
On one hand, I mourn the passing of someone whose persona indicated a lack of faith in Christ. Another soul has been lost, never again to have the potential to access the glory of the throne room of God. Chavez was a self-made man and died still apparently following his own path. What a loss. He was a pretty sharp guy. He had vision and guts. He loved the poor and was their champion. Whatever other flaws he had (and they were many), he had gifts and skills.
On the other hand…
-I remember walking home from the store back when we lived in the Santa Rosa de Lima section of Caracas, disappointed because the nationalization of the milk factories had resulted in no milk for my kids, ages 1 and 4. Also absent – sugar, coffee, chicken, flour.
-I remember Chavez’s supporters riding motorcycles through peaceful opposition marches, scattering rocks and bottles and bullets.
-I remember how the national convention pastors refused to make calls from the mission office because they all believed Chavez was listening.
-I remember that time I was coming home on foot because there was no gasoline available (in petroleum-rich Venezuela) and passed a guy headed the other way carrying a gallon of gas and an old tire. I hurried after that. Bible studies were canceled later.
-I remember how churches lost their properties to invasion by squatters who were ultimately protected by Chavez’s militarized police force.
-I remember smelling the tear gas from the hill overlooking the Santa Fe highway exchange.
-I remember when mission agencies working in the jungles lost their rights to work in-country because of Chavez’s beliefs that missionaries were subverting the people, supressing human rights, and running CIA training camps. Hospitals closed, airstrips disappeared, and missionaries left.
-I recall how the president began revoking visas for evangelicals after Pat “(insert derogatory term)” Robertson called for Bush to send in special forces to execute Chavez.
-I remember discussions for how to flee the country. Words like “tarp” and “banana truck” figured heavily.
In the summer of 2007, we hurriedly left Venezuela in order to get our locally-born daughter out before authorites put into place final plans for keeping all Venezuelans in the country. Many missionaries who had chosen to give birth in their adopted homeland fled in a similar fashion, aiming to keep their children safe. We left friends, Christian and otherwise, without so much as a hug. In the aftermath of our sudden departure, we struggled to understand where we were supposed to serve. We were called to Venezuela, and living anywhere else seemed like disobedience.
So, yeah, I’ve got mixed feelings.
Politically, he was both loved and villified. I’ve got nothing to say about that side of things, though. I am not Venezuelan and as such do not have the same deep understanding of the history and currents in the political system. As well, while I am aware that Hugo Chavez was a rabid opponent of all things of the United States’ origin, I don’t fault him for it. We’re all entitled to our opinions, even those who do not like us.
But at times, as an evangelical missionary, I found life in Venezuela to be so much harder than I think it had to be. I believe I watched the growth of an environment hostile to the gospel, to the church, to the gathering of believers, to the worship of anything that wasn’t doused in the ruling party’s red paint. I think the cult of personality around El Jefe was such that you were either required to love him and every opinion he ever expressed, or you deserved oppression. I feel as though Chavez spouted just enough scripture to capture the imagination of a deeply spiritual nation while setting himself up as a personal messiah who would tolerate no rivals to the salvation/revolution he offered required.
I have absolutely no idea what or how I am supposed to feel, but I think what I do experience is an overwhelming sadness. It didn’t have to be this way, not for someone as gifted as he was.
Jeremy , Always love reading you and I think I get what you are trying to say. Although, I must respectfully disagree with this statement. “He loved the poor and was their champion.” While I know this is the narrative that dictators try to build I do not buy this for one second. I have not lived in Ven but I have lived in a communist country. While the communist/dictators ( Same system IMHO ) try to build a narrative of helping the poor they really hurt the poor more than anyone. Dictators amass fortunes for themselves and institute policies that stifle spiritual and economic growth which ultimately kills the poor. Their desire to control everyone hurts everyone.
We also work in an oil rich super poor country in Africa. Same thing even though this country is friendly to the US. The dictator controls the oil, says he is for the poor, yet his policies destroy the poor. The narrative cannot be spread any further about these world dictators of helping the poor. Their policies kill the poor more than anyone and I think that needs to be said.
I’ve stayed away from a thorough, exhaustive evaluation of his politics because they don’t really interest me at this point.
But thanks for your insight. I really do appreciate another perspective. If others wish to engage you on this, that would be great.
My feelings are not sadness. I hope Acts 24 will be reflective of what happens now in Venezuela.
After Herod died…..
Act 12:24 ?? … the word of God increased and multiplied.
I remember this same type of talk when Osama bin Laden died, mostly from the left of course, but I recall a Christian radio personality state that we shouldn’t celebrate bin Laden’s death because “Christ died for his sins just like He did for yours and mine and everyone else’s.”
However, I recall that in the OT, the saints rejoiced when the wicked perished, especially when the wicked persecuted God’s people. A very good example of this is the rejoicing of Israel when David slew Goliath. The idea that we shouldn’t rejoice because the wicked are no more – which means that they can no longer harm the innocent and commit great sins against God anymore – is basically the product of liberal, including postmodern and relativistic, thinking that purposefully rejects a Biblical worldview. So there is no need to have mixed feelings over the passing of the wicked.
I still remember when the liberals in the news media claimed that our celebrating over the death of bin Laden showed that we were no different, no better than the crowds in other countries who would celebrate by dragging the dead bodies of our soldiers through the streets. One does not have to endorse our military actions and foreign policy to realize that stuff like that is multicultural, PC relativistic postmodern nonsense that isn’t even fit to wash a hog with.
“He loved the poor and was their champion. Whatever other flaws he had (and they were many), he had gifts and skills.”
And Goliath was a brave, skilled and accomplished fighter, a champion of and source of pride for his people and exceedingly devoted to his religion. But he was still Goliath, which meant that his death was a very good thing. King Herod, the one who attempted to murder Jesus Christ, did a lot of very good things too … he did so much for the Jewish temple that it was called “Herod’s temple.” But he was still Herod.
I for one appreciate your candid comments. For those of us who are neither missionaries (in the sense you are) nor much familiar with Venezuela, it gave me pause to reflect, and to remember a lesson I “learned” long ago: that no matter how poor an opinion I may have of someone, there will be others for whom that “someone” was important, to whom that “someone” did good things, and whose opinion will therefore differ from mine. And yes, I hope that the Gospel and Gospel servants will be able to become more effective now. But that isn’t our mandate; ours is ony to be faithful, regardless.
John
Thanks for the article. I’ve known many pastors who weep when they have to preach at the funeral of a lost person. In the “already, not yet” contiuum, I think that rejoicing over the destruction of the wicked falls in the second category, when the thoughts and intentions of the heart are fully revealed.
As someone who takes a particular interest in Latin America, the passing of Chavez leaves a lot of uncertainty both in the political landscape as well as the opportunities afforded to gospel-workers. DLB.
Jeremy: did you work with Perry Walker much (I think he was in Venezuela prior to 2004)? His parents and my parents were in orientation together in 1973.
I’m not a big fan of autocrats of any stripe. I realize, though, that they are established by God’s strong right hand and serve his purposes whether they intend to do so or not. But they tend to find their power in corruption and the people they claim to help are the ones most deeply impacted–intentionally or not–by their behavior.
The rumor is that Chavez has $2 billion squirreled away in private accounts. I don’t know if he did or did not, but I know it didn’t go with him. One hopes and hopefully prays that the faith efforts that were begun before Chavez sought to stop them have under withering persecution found deep soil and have brought forth seed that is hearty and sustained.
We can see in China how a good work was stopped and yet not ended in the 50 to 100 million (or more) Christians there. Perhaps that is how God makes best use of our missionary efforts: seed the soil, close the doors, so there is no doubt whose plan is being fulfilled and what God’s investment is in that plan: us.
I hope that in the statements of frustrations and difficulties we see the love that Jeremy continues to have for the people he was called to reach. I don’t believe that Hugo Chavez succeeded in diminishing that love, and if his experience was anything like mine: leaving the field you’ve come to call home is just as wrenching as leaving home to go there in the first place.
May God show his face to the nation–the people–of Venezuela in this time of mourning, consideration, and change. And may he bless them with his sustaining presence and grace and lead them to Himself.
Perry and I have worked together off and on for years. He lives in the next building over from me, in fact.
The same affliction of Venezuela has begun here; it has not yet got to the point that it was there, but it is on its way. Christians are being shoved to the side, marginalized, excluded from the public forum, being tolerated with contempt. The schools, industry, finance, service organizations, governmental establishments, are being put off limits. Soon we shall find ourselves being transported to concentration camps. Why? Cause the same people who ruled in the communistic states are apparently the same who rule here…and I mean behind the scenes. Consider Carroll Quigley’s Tragedy and Hope and his The Anglo American Establishment, Cleon Skousen’s The Naked Capitalist, Tony Brown’s Empower the People, Bella Dodd’s School of Darkness and a multitude of other works. Consider how the latter author, Bella Dodd, was chairman of the American Communist Party and how she resigned due to being ordered by Moscow to take her orders from one of two Capitalists who lived in the Waldorf Astoria. Quigley’s works are not available on line. Just google them and download. On pages 1028 and 1029 of the one I downloaded, Tragedy and Hope, the author, who was Mr. Clinton’s mentor at Georgetown Univ. and who recommended him for the Rhodes and Fulbright scholarships to Oxford, outlines the theology of the group who consider themselves the folks in control of the world and the theology they oppose. They call their theology orthodoxy and the other that of the Puritans (the original theology of Southern Baptists). How interesting! How very interesting?
The same affliction of Venezuela has begun here; it has not yet got to the point that it was there, but it is on its way. Christians are being shoved to the side, marginalized, excluded from the public forum, being tolerated with contempt. The schools, industry, finance, service organizations, governmental establishments, are being put off limits. Soon we shall find ourselves being transported to concentration camps. Why? Cause the same people who ruled in the communistic states are apparently the same who rule here…and I mean behind the scenes. Consider Carroll Quigley’s Tragedy and Hope and his The Anglo American Establishment, Cleon Skousen’s The Naked Capitalist, Tony Brown’s Empower the People, Bella Dodd’s School of Darkness and a multitude of other works. Consider how the latter author, Bella Dodd, was chairman of the American Communist Party and how she resigned due to being ordered by Moscow to take her orders from one of two Capitalists who lived in the Waldorf Astoria. Quigley’s works are available on line. Just google them and download. On pages 1028 and 1029 of the one I downloaded, Tragedy and Hope, the author, who was Mr. Clinton’s mentor at Georgetown Univ. and who recommended him for the Rhodes and Fulbright scholarships to Oxford, outlines the theology of the group who consider themselves the folks in control of the world and the theology they oppose. They call their theology orthodoxy and the other that of the Puritans (the original theology of Southern Baptists). How interesting! How very interesting?
As Americans, we rejoice that an enemy of freedom is not longer in power. As a Christian, can we rejoice that a died and (from all accounts) went to hell for all eternity?
Can we separate what we are as Americans from what we are as Christians? There is reason to celebrate when great wickedness is ended. This does not have to be separated from sadness that the wicked person never repented.
If we should rejoice at the death of Chavez, wouldn’t we need to rejoice at the death of any unbeliever? I bet that would make preaching at an unbeliever’s funeral very interesting.
Andrew,
While all are sinners, most unbelievers do not carry out the kind of oppression and wickedness of tyrants. The book of Psalms provides ample examples of praying for and even celebrating such demise.
In the “already, not yet” contiuum, I think that rejoicing over the destruction of the wicked falls in the “not yet” category, when the thoughts and intentions of the heart are fully revealed. It’s one thing to be happy he’s not in power. It’s another thing to be happy he’s dead.
Understood, but the dead part explains the no longer in power part.
Jeremy,
Thanks for your thoughtful and sincere words. I have fond memories of Venezuela and the brief time I spent there a few years ago participating in a pastors training conference. My impression is that most of the dear brothers and sisters in Christ I met there would, in a great degree, resonate with the sentiments you express here. I was also impressed at the vibrancy of the Evangelical church at large, and the growth and missionary vision they have, in spite of the repression they sometimes face.
For those who know Spanish, here is a link to some wise and edifying words by Samuel Olson, president of the Evangelical Council of Venezuela, on the death of Chavez, and the future of the country:
http://www.entrecristianos.com/201303062361/Samuel-Olson-declara-a-los-medios-sobre-la-Venezuela-sin-Hugo-Chavez
En el artículo dice, “También invitó a todos las personas de fe en una nación que es cristiana para que oren y clamen a Dios de manera que Él dirija la fuerza viva de nuestra nación para que haya un consenso para que haya una dirección particular para la Venezuela sin Hugo Chávez Frías” (énfasis mío).
¿Es evangélico este periódico? Me interesa que dice que Venezuela es una nación cristiana.
In the article it says, “[Olson] also invited all the people of faith in a nation that is Christian to pray and cry to God that He would direct the life force of our nation so that there you be a concensus so that there would be a particular direction for Venezuela without Hugo Chavez” (emphasis mine).
Is this an evangelical periodical? It’s interesting that it says that Venezuela is a Christian nation.
Andrew,
Yes, “Entre Cristianos” is an Evangelical website. It would be good to listen to the whole 5-minute interview of Pastor Olson in the accompanying video clip to get the context of what he is saying.
I am not saying I believe there is such a thing as “Christian nations,” per se; but I don’t think he meant that as a polemical point. I think he was just recognizing the social dynamic of the country at large, and calling on the people of Venezuela to seek God in this moment.
I just thought it was interesting to see similar rhetoric to what I see from a lot of American conservatives.
I recall waking up the morning after the first execution following the Supreme Court’s lifting of the nationwide moratorium, and hearing about it on the TV. The beneficiary of that execution, by firing squad, was Gary Gilmore, a terrible murderer.
I recall a feeling of sadness rose in me, much to my surprise. A man had died, probably to spend an eternity separated from God.
Once the sadness subsided, I figured that was a message from God. We’re not to rejoice at the death of the wicked. He said He doesn’t, and neither should we.
If God did rejoice in that, we’d all be dead and not in Heaven, either…..
Jeremy,
I didn’t know you had ministered in Venezuela. Have you been back? My family has been going in one form or fashion for the past 8 years. My wife and kids have spent whole summers there.
On the one hand, Chavez has improved elements of the infrastructure. I remember the dirt roads in many poorer neighborhoods that are now paved. I’ve seen new fluorescent light bulbs and TVs with cable in tin shacks.
On the other hand, he has done it to the detriment of the economy in general. It’s tough to get food enough for a small team these days. It’s one thing to get arepas on the street, but to get meat at the store is another thing. My wife nearly got beaten up last year over a pack of luncheon meat. The best time was going to minister to the Yukpa. The big issue was not going out at night for security issues. (The “bano” was out there, which made things interesting. The team had a bucket inside. But I wonder that a passing rebel wouldn’t accidentally fall into our “bano”.) Another issue was the military checkpoint. They tried to detain my youngest son because he looked like a Venezuelan. But all they really wanted was a bribe.
The one thing he hadn’t improved is the water system in the area we typically go. Everyone still gets non-potable water in their tanks and cisterns to bathe and flush with, but they all use “mineral” water to cook with and drink such that we don’t generally have to carry bottled water with us anymore.
My family and I cannot return to Venezuela until some laws and unofficial policies are changed. I returned alone to quickly pack up our belongings, though.
Here a post from Denny Burk: http://www.dennyburk.com/chavezs-last-words-and-yours/
If I could only read one blogger, it would be Denny Burk.
…and NOW a word from Mike Huckabee about the death of Mr. Chavez:
Mike Huckabee
Venezuela’s President is dead, but most of the tears are coming from the American left …When Hugo Chavez died of cancer Tuesday, Sean Penn and Oliver Stone hailed him as a great friend and hero. Jimmy Carter and New York Rep. Jose Serrano lauded his concern for the poor. And the US media called him “colorful,” “charismatic” and “populist.” Well, I hate to speak ill of the dead, but sorry: Chavez was a dictatorial socialist nutjob who ranted against America; buddied up to Castro, Ahmadinejad and Assad; terrorized opponents, nationalized industries and crushed freedom of the press. His apologists say his people elected him. But who’d dare vote against a dictator who controls the voting machines? He reportedly left a $2 billion estate, about the same as the Castros. Good socialist dictators always share the wealth by giving themselves first cut. Many Venezuelans are sad, but one told the Miami Herald that he hopes Chavez will be remembered not for what the media writes, but as: “a sadistic, demonic, oppressor of the Venezuelan people.” Let’s find THAT man a job writing for the media.
For more of the Huckabee Report, visit MikeHuckabee.com.
Mr Huckabee is certainly entitled to his opinion.