SUMMARY<\/p>\n
Beauty, power, betrayal, murder. These are not words of the latest movie, but words that describe centuries of world history as captured by Peter Frankopan, director of the\u00a0Centre for Byzantine Research at Oxford.<\/p>\n
In the book, The Silk Roads: A New History of the World<\/em>, Peter Frankopan challenges the linear understanding of history by presenting a complex multi-level account of some of the major events that have shaped our world. The Silk Road was a major highway of trade in the ancient East spanning across several nations from China to the Mediterranean Sea. The author also uses this phrase symbolically to describe how the economic centers of the world have changed throughout history. Trade has been shaped by a diversity of commodities across centuries, including silk, spices, silver, and oil as well as by different waves of political turmoil. Consequently, the silk roads\u2014or the centers of economic and political power\u2014 have never been permanent. Currently, the global need for oil, gas, and new minerals used in electronics seems to predict a new shift of economic power centered in the East. Frankopan concludes that the ancient Silk Road is once again awakening, and that the economic power that has been centered in the west will eventually return to the ancient Persian lands.<\/p>\n REFLECTION<\/p>\n I found the book fascinating. Some critics have pointed out that the book has some historical errors, some misrepresentations, and it omits some important facts. Despite these weaknesses, Frankopan succeeds in showing the complexity of history with engaging accounts and quotes, demonstrating that economic and political power are always shifting. In the midst of so much information, the book has made me reflect on a few lessons about leadership with current implications.<\/p>\n The first lesson is one about eschatology. The horrors of war and destruction have painted apocalyptic images throughout history. Thus, it is easy to understand why\u2014from an insider\u2019s perspective\u2014these events looked like the end of the world. Yet, as we now know, the fall of Rome, the Mongol conquest, or the fall of Constantinople were horrific events but not necessarily prophetic. This is a sobering lesson to learn as a pastor. It is easy among Evangelicals to start speculating about the end of times, especially when the current events may look apocalyptic. It seems inevitable that our eschatology will be shaped by our historical context, but this is the first important lesson. I must teach about the hope and signs that Jesus taught us, but I must also teach that no one knows the time\u2014not even Jesus.<\/p>\n The second lesson is one about relationships. As history shows, the colonial mindset that characterized the superpowers throughout history has a common melody. They all looked down on the natives as inferior people. This ethnocentric song written with notes of prejudice were well captured in the words of Elwell-Stutton as he described the way in which Anglo-Iranian employees treated the locals. Frankopan quotes Elwell-Stuton, \u201cToo few Europeans took the trouble to find out about Persians, finding it easier to look on the \u2018natives\u2019…as dirty savages with peculiar habits that were of no interest to anybody, except perhaps anthropologists. This \u2018racial antipathy\u2019 was bound to end in disaster.\u201d (The Silk Roads, 402). Frankopan reminds us that prejudice results in resentfulness and lack of trust. Sadly, this colonial mindset is not limited to politics, but it is also found in ministry. It only takes a few conversations with nationals who have worked with foreign missionaries to discover that a colonial attitude is also a phenomenon in the church. This is another important lesson to learn. If I am to lead effectively across cultural boundaries, I must ensure that I treat people as equals and not as inferior. Only then trust is gained and true partnerships are born.<\/p>\n Finally, the third lesson is one about humility. History shows that there is a lot of damage that has been done in the name of Christianity and democracy. Human trafficking, genocide, broken promises, manipulation and betrayal are all words that describe many who have acted in the name of Christ. Consequently, not everybody is excited to meet a Christian or an American. This is a humbling lesson to learn. As we serve internationally, it may be easy to dismiss the feelings of antagonism that we may find. Yet, resentfulness has a story. Therefore, if we are to be successful in reaching out to peoples that bear the scars of history, we must first gain their trust by acknowledging the damage done and showing ourselves to be trustworthy.<\/p>\n I am left with mixed feelings after reading the book. I am reminded of proverbs 16:8 & 12: \u201cBetter a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice,\u201d and \u201cA throne is established through righteousness.\u201d Our political leaders would be wise to remember these foundational truths. As we see the economic pendulum move, and as we try to maintain a position of world influence, it may be wise to remember that being a superpower is not a right but a privilege, and no nation has been able to keep the pendulum from moving. Through history, nations have risen and kings have reigned but not in true righteousness. Thus, I am also reminded of the core hope found in the Gospel. The desire for a just and righteous throne is fulfilled in the Messiah. Jesus will bring true justice and righteousness, and his reign will never end. As history continues to be written, I look forward to the new chapter. I echo the last words of the Apostle John in Revelation. \u201cCome Lord Jesus.\u201d Yes, Lord, come.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" SUMMARY Beauty, power, betrayal, murder. These are not words of the latest movie, but words that describe centuries of world history as captured by Peter Frankopan, director of the\u00a0Centre for Byzantine Research at Oxford. 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