23/03/2016

Po zamachach w Brukseli – zło dobrem zwyciężaj

Po tragicznych wydarzeniach, które miały miejsce w Belgii, otrzymaliśmy przejmujący list od Patricka Nullensa, rektora Evangelische Theologische Faculteit w Leuven . Zapraszamy do zapoznania się z nim oraz z odpowiedzią rektora EWST Wojciecha Szczerby.

(oba teksty w języku angielskim).

Dear friends,

A dark cloud of pointless violence has covered Brussels. As I am writing these words the victim toll is 34 dead and about 230 injured.  Brussels is a European hub, which explains the many nationalities of the victims. The metro bombing took place at a station very close to the European Parliament. One of our sons goes to a school less than a mile from the incident. The airport is about 12 miles from our ETF campus. Passengers who were stranded after the incident have been given shelter in hotels and at people?s homes in Leuven. The war is no longer at our doorstep, it?s in our very homes.

Fathers, mothers, sons and daughters have been killed or severely injured. Why? Why? Terrorism is worse than murder, because it creates a climate of fear and continuous insecurity. The bombs destroy people as well as our ideals. As we have learned from history, terror creates a climate of despotism and intolerance. IS committed a cruel attack on the core values of European society in an attempt to murder our very souls. We believe in religious tolerance, dialogue, freedom and respect for each person. Radical Islam demeans these values.

As I felt overwhelmed by rage, the following words of the apostle Paul came to my mind: ?Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.? (Rom. 12:21) It is very tempting to respond with repression and revenge. But will it help? We obviously must not be naive. One of the basic tasks of the government is to protect all of its civilians. And in this asymmetric war this seems to be very difficult as violence is inevitable. So please pray for all of our leaders. Pray for the virtues of prudence, self-control and courage.

It is encouraging to see how friends from all over the world have expressed their concern to us. As a small theological school in the heart of Europe we need your support as we think about our responsibilities and ministry in this challenging moment. We want to thank all of you for your support and prayers. Through the grace of God, you are a part of the good overcoming evil!

Patrick Nullens (Ph.D.)

Rector (president), professor Theology and Ethics

 Evangelical Theological Faculty,  Leuven (Belgium)


Dear Patrick,

Thank you very much for you reflections and your wisdom. At EST we feel horrified thinking of the acts of terrorism in Brussels. We are asking exactly the same questions as you are coping with.

We are praying for you, ETF and people in Belgium. In this very moment it is important, we feel, to maintain that we are one family, one team striving to overcome evil in our pilgrimage to God.

You can count on the support of EST. You are in our hearts, our thoughts and our prayers.

Yours in Christ,

Wojciech Szczerba (Ph.D.)

Rector (president) Evangelical School of Theology (EST) in Wroclaw, Poland 

Pamiętajmy w naszych modlitwach o ofiarach zamachów w Brukseli i ich rodzinach.

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