3 | The Two Tasks by Charles Malik

Does this 46-page essay that I read over a period of two nap-times count as a book if it is bound by itself? This mother of a 6-month-old says, YES! Judge me if you want to.

Last year, Andrew and I read A World Made New: Eleanor Roosevelt and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by Mary Ann Glendon. With all of the ethical issues our country is facing today, I wanted to learn more about this declaration, as it is the starting point for many nations' moral policy. While reading this excellent work (Would read parts again. Would absolutely (and have) recommend to friends. 8/10.), I discovered a previously unknown-to-me figure, Charles Malik

Malik was a Lebanese diplomat, philosopher, and devout Christian. He was concerned with the ways our ideas and words shape what happens in the world. My wonderful husband gave me a couple of his essays, The Two Tasks included, for Christmas, so I have been able to get to know Malik even more!

THE TWO TASKS | CHARLES MALIK



My edition is complete with a immensely helpful preface by Duane Liftin, President of Wheaton College, and a foreword by Billy Graham, whose reputation precedes him. This essay is a transcription of a speech Malik gave in September 1980 for the dedication of the Billy Graham center at Wheaton College.

In his speech, Malik details the two tasks that face every thoughtful Christian today: First, evangelicals must affirm and make use of the fullness of Christian history. By which he means we must not cast off the wisdom of the past simply because it belongs to another tradition. Rather, in the spirit of unity, evangelicals must read and appropriate the wealth of knowledge found in the Catholic and Orthodox tradition. Second, evangelicals must seek academic excellence--not merely in theological understanding, but in all areas of academia. Malik is discouraged at the absence of Christian scholars leading fields such as engineering or biology. Surrendering academia to a humanist worldview, in Malik's view is destructive to the minds and hearts of today and tomorrow.

Malik views these two tasks of the mind as part of the evangelistic "Great Commission" of Jesus in Acts 28. Loving God with our mind, as well as our heart and strength, is vital to the spread of Jesus' Good News! Duane Liftin helpfully summarizes Malik's intent: "Ideas have consequences, and the central claim of the Christian life--Jesus Christ is Lord!--bears the largest consequences of all. These consequences begin with the urgency of global evangelism, and as Ambassador Malik reminds us, they also include the need for Christians to be about the business of thinking deeply for Christ's sake."

I loved reading this text, I only wish it had been longer so that more time could be spent with this faithful thinker. Conclusion:
May read parts again. Would 100% recommend to other Christians. 7/10.