Human Dignity – A Most Urgent Challenge for Today’s Church

Human dignity in crisis Tens of thousands are murdered each year for their faith Tens of thousands are murdered each year for their faith Millions are displaced due to religious violence Millions are displaced due to religious violence 19 million people are currently refugees 19 million people are currently refugees 50 million children are malnourished 50 million children are malnourished

Human dignity in crisis 60 million people are infected with HIV 60 million people are infected with HIV 120 million children are forced to work full-time rather than attend school 120 million children are forced to work full-time rather than attend school 500 million children survive on less than $1 per day 500 million children survive on less than $1 per day

Why Adventists respect and work to enhance human dignity 1.God created humans 2.Christ died for humanity 3.We are the temple of the Holy Spirit 4.God gave us His Commandments

1. God created humans “Then God said: Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have domination over … all the earth …” (Ge.1:26-27) (Ge.1:26-27)

Lesson 1 * We are the fruit of God’s love and part of His global design. *We have been created by God in His image for a special purpose. *When we deal with human being, we deal with God’s creature.

2. Christ died for humanity “For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (Jn 3:16)

The Son of God identified Himself with the poorest among the poor: The Son of God identified Himself with the poorest among the poor: “I tell you, indeed, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me!” “I tell you, indeed, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me!” (Mt. 25:40)

Lesson 2 * Every time someone is abused, tortured or humiliated, Christ is affected. *The creature of God, the object of Christ’s redemption should never be treated like an ordinary object to be used, but as an irreplaceable jewel. *The creature of God, the object of Christ’s redemption should never be treated like an ordinary object to be used, but as an irreplaceable jewel.

3. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit “Or do you know that your body is the temple of the holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price …” (I Cor. 6:19) (I Cor. 6:19)

Lesson 3 * Treating our bodies poorly not * Treating our bodies poorly not only affects our personality but it also affects the idea we develop about human dignity. *Our body belongs to our Creator. We have to respect and to manage it the best we can.

4. God gave His Commandments Jesus summarized the law in a few words: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with your soul and with all your mind, and ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:26) “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with your soul and with all your mind, and ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:26)

Lesson 4 *In ordering us to observe His Commandments, God gave us guidelines to promote and protect human dignity. *We have to build relations with others through recognition of and the respect for the intrinsic value of each person.

A Test of Our Religion A Test of Our Religion Religion is more than a formal program, it is life! It has to do with the protection of human dignity. Religion is more than a formal program, it is life! It has to do with the protection of human dignity. “The pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their suffering, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” “The pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their suffering, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” (Ja. 1:27)

Religion applies to real life “… in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and exploit all your laborers “… in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and exploit all your laborers … Is this not the fast I have chosen: … Is this not the fast I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, To let oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry …” (Is. 58:3c, 6-7)

Adventists and Human Dignity “Slavery, the caste system, unjust racial prejudices, the oppression of the poor, the neglect of the unfortunate, -these all are set forth as unchristian and a serious menace to the well-being of the human race, and as evils which the church of Christ is appointed by her Lord to overthrow.” Life Sketches, 473 “Slavery, the caste system, unjust racial prejudices, the oppression of the poor, the neglect of the unfortunate, -these all are set forth as unchristian and a serious menace to the well-being of the human race, and as evils which the church of Christ is appointed by her Lord to overthrow.” Life Sketches, 473

Human Dignity and Human Rights “The Lord Jesus demands our acknowledgment of the rights of every man. Men’s social rights, and their rights as Christians, are to be taken into consideration. All are to be treated with refinement and delicacy, as the sons and daughters of God.” Gospel Workers, 123 “The Lord Jesus demands our acknowledgment of the rights of every man. Men’s social rights, and their rights as Christians, are to be taken into consideration. All are to be treated with refinement and delicacy, as the sons and daughters of God.” Gospel Workers, 123

The Silent Church “Adventist must become involved (in the world) because their God cares and wants them to care for each other… It is not enough to care for a person and have no concern about laws that affect the life of that person in society” “Adventist must become involved (in the world) because their God cares and wants them to care for each other… It is not enough to care for a person and have no concern about laws that affect the life of that person in society” Dr. Zdravko Plantak

Citizens of this world According to James White: The Christian: “has really as much interest in this old world as many men. Here he must stay and act his part until the Prince of Peace shall come and reign.” According to James White: The Christian: “has really as much interest in this old world as many men. Here he must stay and act his part until the Prince of Peace shall come and reign.” –In Douglas Morgan, p. 31

Adventists are not neutral “Every ‘temperance’ advocate is duty-bound to counteract [the moral indifference of society] by precept and example – by voice and pen and vote.” Review 58 (8nov. 1881) in Morgan p. 38 “Every ‘temperance’ advocate is duty-bound to counteract [the moral indifference of society] by precept and example – by voice and pen and vote.” Review 58 (8nov. 1881) in Morgan p. 38

Adventists are not neutral “We are not doing the will of God if we sit in quietude, doing nothing to preserve liberty of conscience.” “We are not doing the will of God if we sit in quietude, doing nothing to preserve liberty of conscience.” Ellen White, 5 Testimonies to the Church 714.

Adventists and Human Dignity To Adventists human dignity is an essential value and a core ministry. To Adventists human dignity is an essential value and a core ministry. We should never support a policy or an attitude which denies human dignity. We should never support a policy or an attitude which denies human dignity. We should not be a “Silent Church” on vital issues which affect lives of million people. We should not be a “Silent Church” on vital issues which affect lives of million people.

Being Ambassadors of the kingdom of God, we are signs of a new world where human dignity will be totally restored and established for ever. Being Ambassadors of the kingdom of God, we are signs of a new world where human dignity will be totally restored and established for ever. Promote and protect human dignity is part of our sacred mission. Promote and protect human dignity is part of our sacred mission. Adventists - God’s Ambassadors

God will bless the Church when it promotes and protects human dignity: God will bless the Church when it promotes and protects human dignity: “Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.” “Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.” (Is. 58:8)