Adam Gonnerman: Three Cups, Leaving Microsoft and the Book of Acts

Friday, May 15, 2009

Three Cups, Leaving Microsoft and the Book of Acts

Not long ago I did a review of the Book "Three Cups of Tea." That book tells the tale of Greg Mortenson's accidental discovery that the Balti people living in a mountainous area of Pakistan had no school for their children. In "Leaving Microsoft" John Wood tells a similar story about an unexpected encounter with the lack of educational infrastructure in Nepal. Specifically, he visited a village school and found that the "library" consisted of an outdated world map and a locked closet of a handful of books hikers had cast off. Shocked, Mr. Wood promised to return with books.

There are many similarities between the stories of Mr. Mortenson and Mr. Wood. Both started their charitable work when they were in their mid-30s (that gives me some encouragement!), both knew to depend on locals to coordinate efforts (no top-down management), both counted on big money supporters to fund their efforts, and neither had a specifically religious motivation in what they were doing. Both men are clearly deeply and passionately committed to the work they do.

There were at least two major differences that I found interesting. One was that Greg seemed to soak up the language and culture of the people he sought to serve, while John did not. Another is where they started out: Greg was living out of his car when he got his non-profit going, and John left a well-paying job and had quite a bit of money in the bank when he started his non-profit work.

Perhaps it isn't fair to do this sort of comparison in what was supposed to be a "book review," but having read these two books so closely together, I can can't help but make comparisons.

What comes out most strongly in John Wood's book is the enormous amount of time and energy he has devoted to his non-profit work. The description he provides of traveling across the country and around the world speaking to fund-raising chapters and then visiting libraries and schools that have been started in developing countries through Room to Read sounded both exhausting and oddly familiar. The travels of the apostle Paul, described in the New Testament Book of Acts in the Bible, came to mind.

I know, this seems odd, but bear with me and hear me out.

Neither Greg Mortenson nor John Wood have an overtly "religious" angle in what they do, but they do share a common drive and sense of satisfaction derived from doing good that seems to have marked the apostle Paul. The long hours, the difficulty (Greg Mortenson was kidnapped for eight days and dealt with having two fatwas against him, along with the regular rigors of working in impoverished Pakistan and Afghanistan) and the struggle seemed reminiscent of the shipwrecks and beatings the apostle Paul endured. Indeed, the apostle Paul seemed to get the worst of it.

In modern times there is a popular notion that all the apostle Paul did was travel around like a revival preacher from early American history, told people how to avoid hell and go to heaven when they die, and organize congregations. In reality what a serious student of the Bible can find is that Paul preached a message of non-violent social change through individually changed lives. Though his preaching of the Good News he confronted corrupt powers and authorities and elevated human dignity. The poor, weak and enslaved were just as important (or perhaps better than) the rich and powerful. Paul preached the message of the crucified and risen Messiah, a Lord who reigned through service. This message drove Paul throughout the then-known world. He saw the injustice of humanity and declared the supreme justice of God.

I have an enormous amount of respect for the tireless devotion of Greg Mortenson and John Wood to their respective humanitarian efforts, and I hope to see the church rise up to do at least as much, perhaps remembering and recapturing something of the apostle Paul's original vision and appeal. Yes, there are many Christian ministries at work throughout the world, but are we making our message clear. Or are we just doing good to try to sell a particular brand of Christianity? Is it genuine justice we seek, or a bait-and-switch offer we are making?

Why don't you read these books, then the Book of Acts and some of Paul's letters in the New Testament and see what comes to your mind?