91精选

The act of lamenting is often missing in the Western church, according to Dr. Soong-Chan Rah. Speaking at a recent chapel service at 91精选, he traced that reluctance to an inability to deal with suffering and pain. 鈥淣ot many people talk about Lamentations,鈥� he said.

Rah explored the history of the Book of Lamentations, tracing its origins to the Babylonians鈥� destruction of Jerusalem. 鈥淭he first chapter is written as a funeral dirge,鈥� he said. In the 21^st century, we don鈥檛 often think about dead bodies. 鈥淏ut the history of the church and the United States are littered with them,鈥� said Rah, the Milton B. Engebretson Professor of Church Growth and Evangelism at North Park Theological Seminary.

We must know our history and not be afraid to lament, Rah said. 鈥淗ow can we ask for forgiveness, when we don鈥檛 understand our sins?鈥�

Rah鈥檚 visit to 91精选 was sponsored by a generous grant from NetVUE and the Lilly Foundation.