Kaarina Ham
An open letter to Dr. Sharon Linzey on Russia
Also Yakov Krotov's opinion
17 October 1999
Dr. Sharon Linzey,
A copy of your article, entitled "Moscow's Stock
Market: Crapshoot or Bargain? - Linzey on Russia" was recently forwarded to
me. To be honest, this article left me breathless. Although your stated intent,
given in the first sentence, indicates a desire to inform Westerners about the
present, grim realities of the Russian economy; the article left me somewhat depressed
regarding such a negative view of modern day Russia as "an insatiable kleptocracy."
It's been a privilege to minister in this region for two decades and
to experience firsthand the transformations which have occurred across the board.
I take great pleasure these days in having the freedom to park in front of Christian
homes in broad daylight; to pull up to the apartment building where Andrei Sakharov
was kept under house arrest in the 1980s in Nizhny Novgorod, or where Lenin was
born in Ulyanovsk, to have a look at memorabilia from fascinating and historic
eras; and to enjoy "kitchen talk" with families---not because they have to whisper
the truth over tea in their tiny kitchens anymore, but simply because they enjoy
the intimacy of such familiar fellowship.
While I am neither economist nor sociologist, it is not difficult to
realize that the picture you have painted bears much truth, and that a warning
to Western agencies, politicians and Christians concerning "The Truth About Russia"
(to parody a well known piece of "literature" which appeared at mid-century) is
in order. However, there are several issues which I would like to mention in response
to this presentation. 1. The individuals you quote are mainly heads of institutes
or secular publications, noted political figures or economic analysts, or Iakov
Krotov (although you refer to him as a "political analyst," during the months
that I assisted him in Moscow with the editing of his personal reports, I knew
him to be mainly a church historian and a member of the Christian intelligentsia).
This, in my opinion, may be similar to situations where mission leaders
come from abroad once a year and speak only with leaders of missions and denominations---not
with the rank and file actually doing actual grassroots ministry---thereby basing
their very public statements back in the West on the perspectives of a limited
and lofty clientele. I do not consider the views of the intellectual, professional,
or religious elite in Moscow (where I lived from 1993-1997) to be necessarily
those of the entire populace, whether secular or Christian. Even in the wider
perspective of politics and economics, I believe that one must strive to gain
a balanced feel for present circumstances and how they are played out in real
life.
For example, in my ministry, I am finding that Russian youth and their
parents are not completely unaware of the corruption and malaise which plague
their society and government, and which dominate news reports. They are tempted
to believe the dismal forecasts for the future coming from all directions. One
mother recently lamented the fact that such a sickly man wields power over the
land, and that this portrays to the world an image of a sick, limping, dying,
hopeless nation.
A recent survey taken by the Public Opinion Foundation found that 75% of those
polled believed that human rights are not observed in Russia. This does not indicate
that the public is generally unaware of present realities. Nor is everyone attempting
to survive through corrupt and shameful means. As you have pointed out, the road
from communism to whatever path the Russian people eventually choose will be bumpy
for years to come. We have known this theoretically for some time, but it has
been difficult for Westerners to really accept. If recent years have seemed like
a roller coaster experience for those of us who are outsiders within the context,
not knowing what coup might be next or who will be in control tomorrow, how much
more for insiders!
Nevertheless, despite the speculation of pundits and their doomsday warnings,
I truly believe that the Russian people will learn gradually to choose worthy
leaders. They may have to endure more pain in the process, but it is their right
as a people to learn over time to choose well, even if their choices do not make
sense by Western standards. You may feel that this is over-simplistic, but I have
faith that most Russians, despite an historic tendency toward pessimism in the
face of chronic suffering, want a future which is bright, in a nation which is
secure. Many young people, especially Christians, almost dare to hope for a good
life, a good job, and a measure of personal happiness.
2. This point leads to the question of where ongoing Western aid, such
as that of the IMF, comes into the picture. It also leads to the issue of who
is in the best position to point out both the visible and hidden schemes and failures
of present power brokers. In the secular realm, the battles waged in the US Senate
may arguably be an effective means of calling the world's attention to the "legitimate"
versus the "illegitimate", as you describe them; although both good and bad have
come from taking the religious legal question to world governments.
In the Christian realm, the Gleb Yakunins of this world are a rarity.
God is still able to raise up such prophetic but highly unpopular voices to accomplish
His purposes. Yet I have puzzled over the role of Christian dissidents and intellectuals
in the post-Soviet order. Clearly, the late Jane Ellis is a loss to all of us
in this area, since she brought several decades of both Soviet and post-Soviet
thought and experience to bear on this important issue.
3. I suppose that the basic question emanating from my reading of the article
is this: Where is the God of history in the picture which you paint? In our work
at the grassroots level of training young Christian leaders, I do not feel the
need to make every financial scandal my cause and to live on the edge of depression.
Rather, I want to instill in young leaders a biblical hope in the God of history,
who is the God of the present, and also of the future.
It is true that I do not struggle with the same acute housing, employment,
or provision struggles which characterize families here, since my earnings are
raised through faith giving in the USA. But by employing validated ministry methods
and asking the Lord for wisdom, we are endeavoring to offer the reassurance that
God is the ultimate source of hope and provision, whatever the circumstances and
whatever adversities come our way from harsh political and economic climates.
We have taken great reassurance lately from the life of Daniel in the Old Testament,
who triumphed in a hostile and seemingly hopeless cultural and spiritual environment.
4. Over the years, several patterns have become clear concerning the
behavior Western Christendom toward ministry in Russian lands, all of which cause
particular concern. First, Soviet and post-Soviet Russian church history expert
Walter Sawatsky astutely and rightly reminded the Western Church, as early as
the era of glasnost' and perestroika, that ministry and mission in Russian lands
have a history. This was something which many evangelicals and fundamentalists,
in their zeal to evangelize following the demise of Communism, were either unaware
of, due to the secrecy of much mission endeavor over recent decades, or simply
chose to ignore. Finding missions new to the context who asked hard missiological
questions regarding funding of nationals, who should be the source of ministry
vision (nationals or expatriates), how to empower leaders rather than overpower
them with the Western "bringing-receiving mentality", was a breath of fresh air.
The missiological carelessness of many groups, and the repercussions
from Orthodox hierarchs, which affect all of us who continue to minister in this
region, are well known. Russian church history will long bear the marks of the
illadvised approaches of those who were led to believe that "if they could turn
on a video recorder", they were ready for ministry in the fast-opening former
Soviet Union. Furthermore, in my opinion, Western mission has, in recent years,
favored short-term over long-term approaches. Again, Sawatsky reminds Western
Christians of the importance of "ministry of presence", not only the in-and-out
type which necessarily characterized ministry during Soviet times. Since it is
the local church level where young people are primarily impacted toward mission,
I have wondered if this short-term tendency stems, at least in part, from a lack
of faith (on the part of pastors and other Christian leaders, perhaps?) that God
is still able to call people toward long-term missionary commitment.
Second, something which has troubled me during this last decade is the
alarmist tone which has characterized many mission prayer letters and publications
concerning Russian lands. Just as the fascination of thrusting onesself into ministry
in the former USSR, regardless of knowledge or preparation was, in many cases,
an unavoidable temptation; so has the tendency to loudly proclaim that "the doors
might close any day" tempted many toward ill-advised missionary and fund-raising
behavior. This, too has contributed to familiar Orthodox hostilities. The truth
is that the Lord was present among His people in Russia during the totalitarian
days; He is present now amid the overwhelming difficulties at both national and
individual levels; and He will continue to be present and active here in the uncertain
future, whether or not loud, flashy ministries are permitted.
Lastly, my concern for the new Millennium is whether Western (particularly
American) Christian students will develop a favorable impression toward Russia,
or whether they will be drawn into a negative image of Russia as a corruption-riddled
land in which nothing good is possible. Just as the attitudes of pastors affect
the thinking of young missionaries, so too the roles of professor and writer impact
the thinking of Western Christians who are in a position to effect change in fiscal
and political policies. Since you feel the calling to be a spokesperson at a distance
regarding the Russian church, society, government and economy, I trust that your
ongoing teaching and writing will reflect not only the alarming realities, but
also the positive ways in which the sovereign Lord is working through His people
in cities and churches all across this great land.
Sincerely in Christ,
Kaarina A. Ham, Ph.D
Also Yakov Krotov's opinion
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