wfn.org | Kanyoro to Assembly: "We Always Live in Tension Between Opinions"

[ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 20, 1997

KANYORO TO ASSEMBLY:
"WE ALWAYS LIVE IN TENSION BETWEEN OPINIONS"
97-CA-36-LJG

    PHILADELPHIA (ELCA) -- Promising to overlook everyone's "funny accent,"
Dr. Musimbi R. A. Kanyoro discussed how people in the Church handle
difference in a Bible study presentation Monday.  Her presentation received
a standing ovation during the fifth biennial Churchwide Assembly of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America meeting here Aug. 14-20.
    Kanyoro, executive secretary for women in church and society, Lutheran
World Federation, is one of three Bible study leaders examining St. Paul's
first letter to the Corinthians.  Kanyoro discussed how food practices are
connected to mission -- in Corinth two thousands years ago and among
ourselves today.
    "Is the problem the food or ceremonies accompanying the food, or is the
real issue here about difference?"  asked Kanyoro after those in the
assembly hall viewed a video of animal sacrifice and of the Easter
celebration with eggs in the Orthodox Church in Russia.  Paul addressed
such questions from the ancient Corinthian congregation.
    "Can food distract people from mission? Yes, the Church has sometimes
allowed itself the luxury of risking mission for food," said the native of
Kenya.  She shared a missionary story of her own grandfather, who was in
attendance, not being baptized into the church because he would not give up
his medical and beverage science.
    In Corinth, Christian converts brought opposing pagan and Jewish food
traditions to the congregation.   Some advocated eating sacrificed meat,
arguing "all things are lawful."  These confident, knowledgeable people
reasoned that one Christian person's liberty should not be determined by
another person's problems, said Kanyoro.
    Others, more fragile,  were troubled by their consciences about eating
food that had been offered to idols, because for them the idols were real,
she said.
    "For me the process that Paul uses to respond to the Corinthian
concerns is more meaningful for my quest to understand mission than the
actual answers he provides," said the international scholar.
    "Paul warns that if another Christian is hurt by your eating, do not
use your freedom," Kanyoro said.  "Mission is about caring for all people
in their needs, not just caring for those we know and associate with.  We
must not let rights cause the fall of a brother or sister.  Christians have
a responsibility not to use freedom to injure other people's spiritual
life.
    "We always live in tension between opinions.  This is embarrassing in
our world where knowledge is the badge to success, " she continued.  "These
scriptures shame us to humility if we have to do mission.
    "`Difference is a reality, but it need not be a liability,' is what
Paul seems to be saying to us," Kanyoro said.
    Kanyoro has served as the executive secretary for women in church and
society for the LWF in Geneva, Switzerland, since 1988.  Kanyoro studied
philosophy and religious studies at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, and
received the master's degree and Ph.D. in linguistics from the University
of Texas at Austin.
    She has traveled extensively to all regions of the world to develop and
maintain contact with the leadership of the churches and with women,
working to improve the status of women in the Church and in society.  She
is internationally known as a public speaker, advocate and writer, and also
has served as a representative to the United Nations on women's issues.

For information contact:

Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html