Channels of Hope

“Our Christian Response to the HIV and

AIDS pandemic”
A Personal Devotion

Please note that you need to complete as much as possible this before
the workshop . Bring it to class on Tuesday, 8.10.19
~ Compulsory Questions to be completed : 1, 2, 5 & 6 ~
How do we respond to crises? Usually we react intuitively or instinctively. The problem is that
our instinctive, spontaneous reactions may not always be right. For instance, we may
instinctively douse a fire with water. However, if the fire is caused by petrol this will only make
the fire worse. The way in which Christians have reacted to the pressing problem of HIV and
AIDS in our society has often been instinctive in a manner that has made the problems
associated with the HIV and AIDS pandemic worse.

To grow towards a competent Christian response to the HIV and AIDS pandemic we need to
honestly evaluate our initial (instinctive) responses and second, to study the Bible as a guide to
a better response to HIV and AIDS. To assist us in this process we have formulated a few key
“guiding principles”. These “guiding principles” are markers or pointers to help us find ways of
responding to the AIDS pandemic that are both appropriate (this includes being consistent with
our fundamental beliefs and values as Christians) and effective. Our aim must be to unpack
what it means practically for us to be light and salt in the world.

When the Bible was written AIDS was unknown. There was no understanding of viruses as the
cause of sickness. However, what the Bible is clear about is that God wants us to be His hands
in this world, deeply involved in transforming it to become what it should be – a place in which
all human beings can live together in love, wholeness, peace and dignity.

This assignment is intended to encourage and help you to formulate your own insights and
clarify for yourself what you have learned from God’s Word so far about your response to HIV
and AIDS.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR A “CHRISTIAN RESPONSE”

1 Why am I involved in the HIV and AIDS pandemic?

Why are we involved in the HIV and AIDS pandemic? Is our involvement as Christians different
from that of non-Christians? Why should I be involved? Our motivations for involvement are
many and complex. We may be responding because we feel called by God or we may simply
need to earn a salary. Where do you stand?

What can we learn from the Bible?

Paul explains why he is driven to preach the gospel in 2 Corinthians 5:14. What is his motive?
Compare: Luke 6:32-36; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 5:1-2; Philippians 2:1-5
Your thoughts: ________________________________________________________________
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CoH for HIV Pre Training Assignment - Christian Response,
based on a personal devotion developed by CABSA 2007: page - 1 -
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Paul is compelled by the love of Christ.

The deepest motive for our involvement as Christians should be the love of Christ, the love we
have experienced and the love we believe Christ has for all people, including people living with
or otherwise directly affected by HIV and AIDS.

2 How should we respond to people living with HIV?

Often our first reaction to someone living with HIV is to wonder how this person contracted the
virus. Behind our curiosity lies a moral judgment: is this person ‘innocent’ or ‘guilty’? The result
is that we react differently depending on what we think we know about the person’s
circumstances. Our reactions may contribute to the stigmatisation of HIV and people living with
HIV. Reactions that stigmatise are a clear indication that something is wrong.

What can we learn from the Bible?

In Romans 15 Paul teaches us about relationships. What does he say in verse 7?
Compare: Luke 15:1-3, 25-32; Luke 6:36-38; Galatians 6:1-2; Colossians 3:12-15
Your thoughts: ________________________________________________________________
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We know that the Gospel is the good news of forgiveness and reconciliation. Christians are
called to live the Gospel in our relationships with one another. According to Romans 15:7, we
are obliged to accept as Christ accepts. This is unconditional acceptance.

3 How do we respond to people in need?

For some Christians the spiritual needs of people are more important than their physical needs.
For others, people’s physical needs are so pressing that their spiritual needs are forgotten. If we
prioritise the one over the other, we will tend to do the same in responding to HIV and AIDS –
with far-reaching consequences.

What can we learn from the Bible?

James 1:27 describes what true Christian faith is about. What does it say?
Compare James 2:14-17; Isaiah 58:6-10; Zechariah 7:4-10; Matthew 7:21-23;
Matthew 25:31-40
Your thoughts: ________________________________________________________________
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In John 10:10 Jesus says: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly”. Too much
concern about ‘saving souls’ can lead to the neglect of immediate physical, psychological and
emotional needs and what is necessary to have abundant life. According to James, pure and
faultless religion is demonstrated through helping people in need in practical ways (James
1:27).
CoH for HIV Pre Training Assignment - Christian Response,
based on a personal devotion developed by CABSA 2007: page - 2 -
4 How can we respond appropriately to the pandemic?

We often react simplistically to complex problems. There are no easy solutions to the HIV and
AIDS pandemic. In order to respond appropriately we need to understand the complexity of the
pandemic.

What can we learn from the Bible?

James pleads with the readers of his letter to be wise and understanding (James 3:13). How
does he describe wisdom in verses 17 and 18 of chapter 3?
Compare Isaiah 11:2-5; Ephesians 5:15-17; Philippians 1:9-11; Colossians 1:9-10
Your thoughts: ________________________________________________________________
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We need wisdom to understand the problems underlying the pandemic and the willingness to
seek answers with integrity. We cannot do this without the guidance of the Holy Spirit – this is
the “wisdom from above” James describes in James 3:17. This is in fact the wisdom from the
Holy Spirit.

5 How can we communicate in the context of HIV and AIDS in a way that actively
contributes to eradicating stigma?

Our reactions to people living with HIV can convey ignorance, distance, judgement and other
negative attitudes that will fuel stigma. To keep silent when it is necessary to speak out for the
truth also contributes to stigma. We are challenged to communicate in such a way that stigma is
eradicated.

What can we learn from the Bible?

In Ephesians 4 Paul argues for the need to be mature in Christ. What does he say in verse 15
about the mature person’s ability to hold truth and love together?
Compare Psalm 15; Zechariah 8:15-17; John 8:43-47; Ephesians 4:25
Your thoughts: ________________________________________________________________
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Stigma and secrecy contribute greatly to the HIV and AIDS pandemic. To break the silences
surrounding HIV and AIDS we need to speak out in truth. Truth without love can be cruel! We
are called to speak the truth in love.

6 What does Christian hope mean?

We all need hope when confronting the AIDS pandemic. The early Christians were known as
people who have hope (compare 1 Peter 3:15). Paul calls hope (together with love and faith)
one of the three most important things for a Christian to have (1 Corinthians 13:13). Therefore,

CoH for HIV Pre Training Assignment - Christian Response,

based on a personal devotion developed by CABSA 2007: page - 3 -
to be a Christian is to hope. Where do we find the source of our hope? What is the character of
Christian hope?

What can we learn from the Bible?

One of the best known Bible verses about hope is 1 Peter 1:3. What does this verse tell us
about the hope we have?
Compare Lamentations 3:21-26; Romans 5:1-5; Romans 8:31-39; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3, 6-7
Your thoughts: ________________________________________________________________
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The first letter of Peter was written to Christians in very difficult circumstances. Peter explains
the secret of our hope that is rooted in the works of God in and through Jesus Christ. Therefore
we are people with a living hope.

7 Who is affected by HIV and AIDS?

There are Christians who think that they have to help ‘others’ who live in ‘other’ communities,
not recognizing that the virus permeates every community. Courage and honesty are required to
accept that HIV and AIDS is profoundly part of my own community and not something “out
there”. We also need to understand that what happens to ‘other’ people affects us in far-
reaching ways. We all need help to deal with the pandemic.

What can we learn from the Bible?

In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul argues against various mind-sets that jeopardise the unity among
Christians. What are Paul’s arguments in verses 21 – 26 for caring about members who might
seem unimportant or who might suffer?
Compare 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Acts 9:1-5; Matthew 25:34-46; Romans 12:4-5, 10, 13-16;
Hebrews 13:1-3
Your thoughts: ________________________________________________________________
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The Bible teaches us that “we who are many are one body” and understands the church as the
Body of Christ. We are the Body of Christ. This means that when one person is affected or
living with the virus we are all involved.

8 How should we witness to the Gospel in the HIV and AIDS pandemic?

Witnessing to the Gospel requires more than preaching, teaching and praying, as important as
these actions are. It asks people of faith to be actively involved in bringing about the values that
the Gospel stands for – love, compassion, care, and solidarity with those who suffer.

What can we learn from the Bible?

In 2 Corinthians 5 Paul explains what it means to “walk by faith” and to communicate the
Gospel. What does verse 20 tells you about presenting the Gospel?
Compare 1 Thessalonians 1:4-7, 4:12; Ezekiel 3:14-17; Matthew 7:21-23; 1 Peter 2:12, 3:15-17
CoH for HIV Pre Training Assignment - Christian Response,
based on a personal devotion developed by CABSA 2007: page - 4 -
Your thoughts: ________________________________________________________________
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God sent his Word to us in the person of Jesus. In the same manner we are sent to present the
Gospel in the world. Paul describes his mission to preach the Gospel as the privilege to be an
ambassador for Christ. The process of conveying the Gospel includes what we say (e. g.
preaching, teaching, praying and singing) as well as what we do and who we are.

9 What is the ever-present value in all our relationships?

The HIV and AIDS pandemic raises the question of how we relate to one another across our
differences of ‘race’, tribe, nationality, gender, class, culture and all other expressions of our
human diversity. When we stigmatise or disparage those who are ’other’, that is ‘other’ than we
are, we are acting contrary to the biblical vision for a world in which all people, regardless of our
differences, live together in love and peace. More specifically, gender relations that are
dysfunctional, inappropriate or oppressive contribute to the spread of HIV. Today it is an
accepted fact that patriarchy and sexism fuel the pandemic. In order to turn this around, women
must be accorded equal worth and dignity with men.

What can we learn from the Bible? What do we learn about the value God bestows on human
beings according to Genesis 1:26-28, 31?
Compare Deuteronomy 10:17-19; Psalm 146:6-10; Luke 8:43-48; Galatians 3:26-29
Your thoughts: ________________________________________________________________
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All human beings bear the image of God, thus all have equal worth and dignity and all are made
to be in relationship with God and with one another. This accords all human beings inestimable
value. Our relationships should reflect the relationship that God in Christ has with us – one of
mercy, compassion and love. Jesus’ attitude towards women teaches us a great deal in this
regard. The call to relationship transcends all our prejudices, and our cultural and gender
stereotypes because, quite simply, all human beings have inherent worth and dignity,
including women and girl children.

10 What should we do when we encounter entrenched injustices?

Often people’s vulnerability results from circumstances over which they have very little say. In
the same way HIV-positive people can be prevented from living positively with HIV. Individuals
have very little influence on traditions, cultural practices, laws and policies that determine many
aspects of their lives. Efforts by communities and organisations to respond to the challenges of
the HIV epidemic and develop effective prevention strategies can also be restricted by
authorities, policies and culture. It is therefore necessary to find ways to address entrenched
injustices.

What can we learn from the Bible?

CoH for HIV Pre Training Assignment - Christian Response,

based on a personal devotion developed by CABSA 2007: page - 5 -
One Old Testament example of what justice entails, is the vision in Psalm 72 of how wonderful it
would be if the king reigns according to God’s justice and righteousness. What does verses 12-
14 say about good governance?
Compare Exodus 32:9-14; Jeremiah 35:15; Amos 2:6-8; 1 Timothy 2:1-4
Your thoughts: ________________________________________________________________
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When there are entrenched injustices in our society we are called to stand up against whatever
causes these injustices. We have to stand in the breach for people who suffer and are
vulnerable. We need to stand up for justice. We do this when we intercede in prayer as priests
and when we advocate on behalf of those who suffer as prophets.

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This document has been made

available by:

THE CHRISTIAN AIDS

BUREAU
Compiled by Rev Nelis du Toit
and Prof Denise Ackermann
Tel work: +27 21 873 0028
Email: management@cabsa.co.za
PO Box 16, Wellington. 7654

(The original document was adapted by World Vision in January 2013.)

CoH for HIV Pre Training Assignment - Christian Response,

based on a personal devotion developed by CABSA 2007: page - 6 -