ETERNITY IN THEIR HEARTS

ETERNITY IN THEIR HEARTS (A brief review of the book Eternity in Their Hearts)

by Boyce Mouton

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:2)

Blaise Pascal was a famous French theologian who died in 1662. He said: “There is a God- shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ”. Yes! There is something special about the human heart that only God can fill!

The Scriptures teach that the “heavens declare the glory of God” (Ps. 19:1), but only man was created in God’s image. This is why the heart of man is unique! “Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Gen. 1:26-27).

Augustine had great insights into the heart of man and wrote in his Confessions: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” Yes! God has placed eternity in the hearts of men!

So our study today will focus on the book Eternity in Hearts by Don Richardson. Don was a famous missionary and a recognized authority on missions. He was born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada June 23, 1935. He passed away with brain cancer December 23, 2018. He was 83 years old. Don was a remarkable man and a gifted writer and speaker. He was also a skilled artist who painting scenes of tribal life. This highly intelligent follower of Christ played tournament chess, was an avid runner, and demonstrated his athletic ability by climbing 33 mountains that were all above 14,000 feet. His four children are all involved in missions.

Richardson studied at the Prairie Bible Institute and the Summer Institute of Linguistics. His first claim to fame dates back to 1962 when he and his wife, Carol, and their seven-month-old baby went as missionaries to Dutch New Guinea. Today this country is known as Irian Jaya. They went to evangelize a fierce tribe known as the Sawis. This is one of the few tribes on earth than practiced both cannibalism and headhunting. In their perverse way of thinking they glorified deception. Thus when Don told them the story about Jesus, Judas became their hero as he was the most deceptive. After months of frustration Don discovered that their tradition of a “Peace Child” was the key to helping them understand the Gospel. In their culture when tribal leaders really wanted peace their chiefs exchanged children with their enemies. As long as the “peace child” was alive peace prevailed. To kill the “peace child” was considered the most evil thing imaginable. Since Jesus was the “peace child” sent by God, and mankind killed him, the Sawis finally came to understand the utter sinfulness and depravity of man.

Don’s best selling book, Peace Child, was first published by Regal Books in 1974. Then it was condensed and published by the Reader’s Digest. Then this amazing story was made into a movie.

Fifty years later a short film called “Never the Same” documented the transformation that the Gospel made on the Sawi culture.

As we have said, Don was recognized authority on missions. He wrote at least 15 books. His second book, Lords of the Earth recounted the martyrdom of two missionary co-workers who were cannibalized by the Yali tribe.

His third book Eternity in their Hearts is the one we will briefly summarize in this article. It has become required reading in many mission schools. Virtually all of the following information has been condensed from that book. If you are able, please get a copy of the book and read the whole thing!

ATHENS

The book begins with Paul’s preaching to the philosophers in Athens. Luke informs us that “the city was full of idols.” (Acts 17:16) “Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.” (Acts 17:22-23)

Richardson provides a historical background to the story. He discovered that in the sixth century before Christ there had been a plague in Athens and many people died. The Athenians prayed to hundreds of gods but their prayers were not answered. An oracle named Nicias told them to send to Knossos on the island of Crete and fetch a prophet named Epimenides. When Epimenides arrived in Athens he reasoned that there had to be a god more powerful than all of these other gods. This “unknown god” would be powerful enough to stop the plague. He further reasoned that this “all powerful god” would help them if the were willing to acknowledge their ignorance. To sacrifice to this “unknown god”, Epimenides instructed them to shut up some sheep so they could not eat. Then after the sheep were sufficiently hungry they were to be released on the grassy slopes of Mar’s Hill. Any sheep that began eating was to be ignored, but if a sheep didn’t eat, it was to be sacrificed to the “unknown god” By dawn the next day the plague’s deadly grip on the city had already been loosened. The people of Athens gave the credit for this miracle to this “unknown god” and preserved and revered an altar in his honor.

This altar to the “unknown god” had been in Athens for hundreds of years but they still didn’t know who this god was. Paul boldly explained that he knew this “unknown god” and was going to tell them about him. In fact, this God they did not know, was so powerful he could even raise the dead.

Using this strategy the first ever Athenians were converted to Christ. It is remarkable that any of these elite pagans became Christian after hearing only one sermon! Yet, Luke informs us that “At that, Paul left the Council. A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.” (Acts 17:33-34)

Epimedes became famous in Athens and a statue of him was placed in front of one of their temples. According to Plato, Epimedes refused payment for his services saying: “The only reward I

desire is that we here and now establish a treaty of friendship between Athens and Knossos”. Even more remarkable is that Richardson states that Epimenedes is mentioned in the Bible. He believes that Paul made reference to Epimenedes in his letter to Titus who was ministering on the Island of Crete. Paul wrote: “Even one of their own prophets has said. ‘Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.’ This testimony is true.” (Titus 1:12-13)

The application of this story to modern missions is obvious. Everyone on earth is a descendant of Noah through Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Invariably every people group on earth has some tradition that deals with the True God their ancestors had forgotten.

THE SANTAL

For example, in 1867 Norwegian missionary Lars Skrefsrud and his Danish colleague Hans Borreson began working among the 2.5 million Santals north of Calcutta, India. While learning the language they came across the name Thakur Jiu. In the Santal language this literally means “the genuine god.” The missionaries inquired and learned that long ago this tribe knew the “genuine god” but had lost all contact with him. That’s why they were worshiping the demon spirits. Consequently, these missionaries wisely did what Paul did and told them about “Thakur-Jiu,” the god they did not know. The results were remarkable! At one point they were baptizing as many as 80 people every day. Skrefsrud himself counted 15,000 baptisms during his ministry in India.

DIFFERENT NAMES FOR GOD

As you know, there are many names for God in the Bible. The primary name for God in the book of Genesis is “Elohim”. When Abram returned from the slaughter of the kings, however, he paid tithes to Melchizedek who was the king of Salem and the priest of “El Elyon’ or “God Most High” (Gen. 14:18). Melchizedek blessed Abram saying: “Blessed be Abram, by God most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High who delivered you enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. (Gen. 14:19-20) This is the first time that God is mentioned in the Bible as “El Elyon” but since there is only one Creator God Abram knew exactly who Melchizedek was talking about.

Yes! The Bible contains many names for our One Creator God. Here are a few:

• El Shaddai (God almighty)
• El Elyon (The Most High God)
• Adonai (Lord, Master)
• Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah)
• Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner)
• Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd)
• Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals)
• Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There)
• Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness)
• Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You)
• El Olam (The Everlasting God)
• Elohim (God)
• Qann (Jealous)
• Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide)
• Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace)
• Jehovah Sabaoth
• (The Lord of Hosts)
• Etc.

But there are also many names for the One True Creator God that are not in the Bible. As you know, everyone alive today is a descendant of Noah through his three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. The record of their children, and where they lived, is recorded in Genesis chapter 10. This chapter is called the “Table of Nations”. It is understandable that with the passing of centuries the oral traditions of these families would be corrupted. Their traditions, however, would be about the flood and also about God.

As proof of this Dr. John Morris has collected over 200 stories from various cultures regarding the world wide flood. He writes: “One of the strongest evidences for the global flood which annihilated all people on Earth except for Noah and his family, has been the ubiquitous presence of flood legends in the folklore of people groups from around the world. And the stories are all so similar. Local geography and cultural aspects may be present but they all seem to be telling the same story.”

Just as these various people groups have traditions of the flood, they also have traditions of the God who caused the flood. Just as they speak different languages they also have different names for the one Creator God.

•

China – According to the Encyclopedia of Religion and ethics the first reference to religion in Chinese history specifies Shang Ti alone as the Creator. Some feel this name for God may be derived from Shaddai which is the Bible name for “Almighty”. Shang Ti was worshiped in China 2,600 years before Christ and 2,000 years before Confusianism or any other structured religion. It is interesting that the Chinese symbol for a boat is a vessel with eight people in it. •

Korea - In Korea the Creator God is known as Hananim.

•

Ethiopia – The Gedeo people of Ethiopia refer to the One Creator God as Magano. Many years ago a Gedeo man named Warrasa Wange had a vision of two white men coming to tell them about Magano, the true God. He was surprised that in this vision the white men built a shelter with a shiny roof. He had never seen anything like this before because all of their dwellings had roofs made of grass. In 1948 two white missionaries came and built a shelter with a roof made out of corrugated metal. These missionaries, Albert Brant and Glen Cain, were accepted as a fulfillment of the vision and in the next 30 years they established 200 churches with an average attendance of 200 in each congregation.

•

Incas – Pachacuti ruled the incredible Inca civilization from A.D. 1438- 1471. They deified Inti (The sun god). But one day Pachacuti saw a cloud blot out the light of the sun and realized that

Inti was not the all powerful Creator. He remembered something almost forgotten in Inca history that there was long ago a god named Viracocha whose shrine was located in the Vilcanota Valley. He therefore concluded that Viracocha was the true Creator and not Inti. •

Central African Republic - Koro is recognized in several Bantu languages as the Creator. Some traditions even held that Koro sent his Son into the world to accomplish something wonderful for all mankind.

•

Etc.

•

The Creator of the universe is not a “white man’s God,” He is everyone’s God! Calling God by the name these tribes are familiar with builds an instant bridge with these people groups.

PEOPLES OF THE LOST BOOK

THE KARENS

In the year 1795, near Rangoon, Burma, a British diplomat was introduced to the Karen tribe. They were the most progressive of Burma’s many tribal people and had refused to be converted by the Buddhists. They worshiped Y’wa whom they believed was the Supreme God who created everything. They believed that some day a white brother would bring them a book which had been lost for centuries. They believe that this book would set them free from all who oppressed them. The diplomat returned to their newly established embassy in Rangoon and reported this strange experience to his superior, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Symes. Symes mentioned this encounter in a history of the embassy which was published in Scotland 32 years later.

For the next 175 years no one paid much attention to this curious account of Karen tradition. The Karen’s, however, never lost hope in believing that a white brother would some day come with the lost book. The hymns they sang to Y’wa were remarkably accurate in acknowledging God. They sang that Y’wa created everything and was eternal. They sang that Y’wa sat in the heavens and saw everything happening on earth. They even sang about a wicked one who deceived two people and tricked them into eating forbidden fruit. Author, Alonzo Bunker, who lived with the Karens for 30 years, said that 800,000 people from the tribe were eagerly awaiting the first white missionary who would bring them a book from God!

THE KACHIN

In the far north of Burma are a half million tribal people known as Kachins. They also believed in a creator God but called him Karai Kasang. The worshiped him as “the Glorious One” and “the One Who Knows”. Dr. Herman Tegenfeldt, Ph.D. lived among the Kachin for 20 years. He wrote: “Kachin animists do not offer sacrifice to Karai Kasang for they said: ‘Why should we? He never did is any harm.” They also believed that there was a lost book that would tell them about Karai Kasang.

THE LAHU

There are also about 250,000 Lahu people who also live in Burma. Their name for the Creator God is Gui’Sha. The Lahu people recite this story about their Creator: “If a man had ten armloads of walking sticks and walked until every walking stick was worn to a stub, he would still not find Gui’Sha. But when the right time comes, Gui’Sha will send to us a white brother with a white book containing

the white laws of Gui’Sha – the words lost by our forefathers long ago! That white brother will bring the lost book to our very hearths!

THE WA

Scattered in the mountains between the Kachin and the Lahu live another 100,000 headhunting tribesmen called the Wa. Their name for the one true Creator God is Siyeh. One of their teachers, named Pu Chan, persuaded several thousand men to abandon head hunting and spirit worship on the grounds that such actions do not please Siyeh. Further, he insisted, that Siyeh was about to send a white brother with a precious copy of the lost book.

One morning Pu Chan saddled a Wa pony and said to his disciples: “Siyeh told me last night that the white brother has finally come near! Siyeh will cause this pony to lead you to him. When you find the white brother, let him mount this pony. We would be an ungrateful people if we made him walk the last part of his journey toward us.”

The pony led those disciples over 200 miles of mountain trails to the city of Kengtung. He then entered the gate of a mission compound and headed straight for a well that was just being dug. Richardson then reports: “Nelda Widlund, daughter of Vincent Young and granddaughter of William Marcus Young, told me in person what happened next. For she was raised on that very mission compound, and drank often from that very well. The details which follow form a treasured memory of the entire Young lan: The Wa tribesmen heard sounds in the well. They looked inside it and saw no water, but only two blue eyes looking up to them out of a friendly bearded face.”

“Hello strangers!” The voice – speaking in the Shan language – echoed out of the well. “May I help you?” William Marcus Young climbed out of the well, which was not in use (he was still in the process of digging it) As he brushed the dust from h is hands and faced them, the Wa messengers asked, “Have you brought a book from God?” Young nodded. The Wa men overcome with emotion, fell at his feet and blurted out the message from Pu Chan. They they added: “This pony is saddled especially for you. Our people are all waiting. Fetch the book! We must be on our way.”

CHAPTER FOUR – SCHOLARS WITH STRANGE THEORIES

In 1871 Edward B. Tylor wrote a two volume study on the origin of religion. He believed in the theory of evolution and assumed that primitive man in various places dreamed up a great many gods. As man progressed, however, he reasoned that many gods were eliminated until ultimately there was only one god. His favorite student was a Scotsman named Andrew Lang.

Lang began doing research on his own. When he read a missionary report indicating that the natives believed in a creator god before the missionaries arrived, he assumed that the missionary had made a mistake. Further research, however, convinced Lang that, as the Bible teaches, mankind originally believed in one god. As Paul wrote to the Romans - “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.” (Romans 1:21-23)

Lang had evidence that Tyler was wrong ane published his evidence in 1898 in his book The Making of Religion. True believers do not fear the facts and the Bible has been consistently right while the “scholars with strange theories” have been proved wrong!

BE LIKE THE NOBLE BEREANS

When the Apostle Paul spoke in Berea, Luke reported: “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11)

Johann Gutenberg did not invent the printing press until around A.D. 1440. Even today there are millions of people who do not have a Bible. Certainly the Bereans did not own their own personal Bible. They had to go to the synagogue in order to read the Bible. This was a lot of trouble. They probably had to wait in line and share the Bible with other of their Jewish brethren. Neither was it easy to find the references made by Paul for the Bible was not divided into chapters until A.D. 1205 and was not divided into verses A.D. 1555. It was not easy to check on Paul’s teaching, but they did it just the same.

Don Richardson is one of my favorite authors. When he spoke in our area I went to hear him speak and sat on the front row. After his message it was my good fortune to have lunch with him and have him autograph my copy of his excellent book Secrets of the Koran. I consider him a true Christian and do not know of any doctrinal error he ever believed or taught.

Yet, if it was right to check on the teachings of the Apostle Paul, certainly we must do the same for Don Richardson and everyone else.

I hope this brief article about his book Eternity in Their Hearts will inspire you to read the entire book, and check it by the Scriptures to see if the things which he writes about are so!

Yes! “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:2)