Why Were Christians Involved in the Rwandan Genocide?
Jun 7, 2017 1999
Radio Version:
Why Were Christians Involved in the Rwandan Genocide?
During a period of 100 days from April 7 to mid-July 1994, an estimated 500,000–1,000,000 of the people of Rwanda were killed, about 20% of Rwanda’s total population, in a mad spree of genocidal murder.
The horrific reality is that many of those who rose up to barbarously hack their neighbours to death were Christians of all persuasions. They didn’t do it for religious reasons, but because of prejudice and hatred.
But how could this happen? Although the answer is complex, it’s also simple. It’s because Christians have too often spent their energies filling people up with rules and intellectual teachings, rather than filling people up with the Good News about Jesus that melts hearts and transforms lives.
We must always remember what Jesus said:
…go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners’ – Matt. 9:13. And that’s how to stop Rwanda from happening ever again.
Christians have too often spent their energies filling people up with rules and intellectual teachings, rather than filling people up with the Good News.
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