13 September 2001 Editorial:
Pacific Union Crisis: Let the Good Men Cease From Doing Nothing

Larry Kirkpatrick

The words of Edmund Burke are worthy. "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." May we add that when good men do nothing, it calls to question whether they are good men. Those called of God sometimes face problems that appear as towering and insoluble mountains. Sometimes they face rebellion--open, brazen, evil, and entrenched. There are times when, because it is sick, a person's body attacks itself. At such a time, severe choices may become necessary. The church is likened by God to a body. Responsible men must learn anew how to summon moral courage. Service in the remnant church in these days of all days require it.

Under the shadow of the events of this week, it is as if we've all been divinely sobered. The protecting hand of heaven moves a hairs-breadth, immediately the surrounding serpents bite us. We are reminded that apart from God's continuous protection, everything we hold dear and count as valuable would, long ago, have ceased from existence.

One most valuable possession is the structure of a world church body. I, for one, hold that dear. I, for one, hold that it is worth fighting for.

How would we all feel if the firemen of New York stood around and did nothing while the screams of the dying emanated from the rubble-pile that had been the World Trade Center? We would be astonished and appalled. We would see their treason. But they set us a better example. In their nobility, and with an awareness of the gravity of their danger, they risked their lives. Latest estimates are that 350 of them (so far) have paid with their lives.

Shall our leaders do any less when the unity of the world church is at stake? There must be a response to the action of the Pacific Union.

In the back of my mind is rejoicing, for I know that a day is coming when the lucid words for these lucid times will be no more; when I shall walk along the pleasantly gurgling streams of the newly remade earth in a new age and a renewed place where sin and evil are no more; when I will walk and talk with Jesus my Savior, and know as friends my fellow travelers through the ages, Moses, Mary, John the Baptist, Elijah, and so many more. Perhaps we will walk along that streamside with those of the mettle of William Tyndale, John Wycliffe, and John Wesley. What giants these.

But that day will never come for me unless I stand faithful now. For you and for I as well as for them, no resting place intervenes between here and the end. The battle rages on. There is no respite. Truly if we would be good men and good women in the service of our Redeemer, there is no way we can stand by and do nothing when treason manifests its dragonic head.

The world church watches what North American Division and the General Conference will do about the recent action of Pacific Union. Those who stand for truth must be as relentless and tenacious as those who stand for error.

Let us not cease from strengthening the hands of our leaders at this time. Let us summon them to manly courage and action and heroism. We must contact them, one by one, phone call by phone call.

All the heroes are not dead.

Let the good men cease from doing nothing.

Other items on this topic:
5 Sept 2001: Pacific Union Conference Defies World Church
6 Sept 2001 Editorial: Supporting the World Church in Crisis
7 Sept 2001: SDA News Services Hide Union Action
8 Sept 2001: Express Yourself and Lift Up the Hands of Moses and Aaron
9 Sept 2001: Will This be Another Case of Institutional Paralysis? by Kevin D. Paulson
9 Sept 2001: What is at Stake
9 Sept 2001: Action That Could be Taken by Kevin D. Paulson
10 Sept 2001: Details: What Happened in Ontario by Larry Kirkpatrick
12 Sept 2001: Open Letter to the Pacific Union Conference Executive Committee
13 Sept 2001 Editorial: Let the Good Men Cease From Doing Nothing

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