The Lebanese Revolution: Lessons for the Church
Lebanon’s history, both recent and ancient, has been marked by conquest and war. This shouldn’t be the only thing this beautiful and biblical country is known for, but to deny the history would be untrue.
Not far from Beirut, along the sides of a small hill, one can find engraved into the rock a history of Lebanon’s conquerors. Dating back to the 13th century BCE, you can find commemorative plaques from Rameses II, Nebuchadnezzar, and Napoleon marking the rule and spread of their empire.
In the 5,000 continually-inhabited years of Beirut, the city has been destroyed to rubble seven times. From earthquakes to wars, this urban phoenix has risen from the ashes time and time again. Now, the city of Beirut is in a state of revolution, demanding a new beginning through a true democracy.
There isn’t enough time to explain the current political and economic situation, but the amount of systemic corruption since the end of Lebanon's fifteen-year civil war may have brought more damage to this country than the war itself.
After months of increasing taxes on basic goods, fuel shortages, unemployment, and restricted access to money, a $6/month tax on the communication app WhatsApp was the straw that broke the camel’s back. It was estimated that 3 million people (of a population of 6 million) began to publicly protest.
As a pastor of a recently-planted church in the heart of the city, this revolution has certainly been an interesting time to be here. My wife and I weren’t ignorant of the things that could happen when we moved to this volatile region; in fact, one of the reasons we moved here was because of that reality. We prayed about situations like this, about what we would do, and what the church would do.
There’s a hopeful expectation that the church becomes a beacon of light in dark times like these—and she should. But that doesn’t mean that the church has nothing to learn.
My wife and I weren’t ignorant of the things that could happen when we moved to this volatile region; in fact, one of the reasons we moved here was because of that reality.
What the Church Can Learn
Protests and demonstrations aren’t new for Lebanon. The size and scope of the current revolution is something to take note of, yes. But the beautiful mark of this revolution is that the millions of people standing together are showing a unity that has never been seen before—and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Lebanon recognizes 18 religious groups and over 50 political parties, and often the Lebanese people are divided by these sects. Yet since October 17th, there has only been one flag raised: the Lebanese flag.
Videos have circulated showing Sunni, Shia, Orthodox, Druze, and Catholic leaders standing together. The poor and the rich are holding hands. Groups that would never mix are riding together on scooters to get to the demonstrations. All chanting the anthem of the revolution, all calling politicians to step down.
In the second week of the revolution, a human chain was created spanning from Tyre to Tripoli to display the unity among all Lebanese. This may sound like a simple and fun exercise, but for many, it was incredibly hard for them to stand next to people from a different faith or political party.
After this largely peaceful revolution began to escalate and turn violent, Lebanon witnessed one of the most moving events thus far. On day 40 of the revolution, the “Mother’s March” brought together mothers from all over Lebanon to march across the Green Line, which separated East and West Beirut during the Civil War. Lifelong enemies put aside the hate and hurt they’ve held onto for decades to march together, hand-in-hand, calling for a new Lebanon. Many have said this was the day the Civil War finally ended.
The things that separated these people have been overshadowed by a greater cause that has united them. Unity. Reconciliation. Love of one’s enemies. These are to be the marks of the Bride of Christ.
The church has been given the command to love one another with the aim that the watching world would know that we are Christ’s disciples. Jesus himself prayed for this kind of unity as his great desire for his disciples.
This isn’t a call to disregard the convictions in our local churches and “tribes” that may distinguish us from one another; but the togetherness of the Lebanese people has led me to wonder how we can be more active in pursuing unity within the bride of Christ. There’s a strange temptation for us to emphasize the ways we’re different from one another; whether in doctrine or practice. Is this as fruitful as we’ve convinced ourselves it is? Isn’t this actively working against Jesus’ great desire for us?
In what ways can we direct our efforts, resources, and prayers to remember and labor with Christians all around the world?
Another thing that has been beautiful to see is the global cooperation of the Lebanese people during this revolution. Over 100,000 Lebanese have protested in solidarity in over 30 global cities. Many have traveled back to labor and suffer alongside their fellow people.
I wonder if we, as the global church, can learn from the Lebanese people in this way, as well. In what ways can we direct our efforts, resources, and prayers to remember and labor with Christians all around the world?
What the Church Must Teach
I hope and pray that this moment in Lebanon’s history marks a change in its politics, its economy, and its public services. But the greatest hopes for this revolution just aren’t revolutionary enough.
As a resident and citizen of Lebanon, I’d love to see better public education, efficient transportation, clean air, and honest public servants. But even if Lebanon becomes everything we want it to be, what would it profit a person to live in the greatest country in the world, and yet lose their soul?
The church needs to display true light in this dark and broken world. The church must point to the One who alone can give a true and lasting hope.
One way we reflect Jesus is by having peace in chaotic times. Every single thing in Lebanon is uncertain right now, but as believers, we have peace in what is certain—in Him who is unchanging.
As those who believe in the sovereignty of God, we are prompted to pray fervently and expectantly. Our church has tried to show the priority of prayer by taking time during our gathering to pray, as well as calling the church to pray at other times.
I’m not sure we can (or should) stand with the protesters in every way, but in the ways we can stand with the people without compromising the gospel, we should. And when we do, we recognize that there should be something distinct about us, as we are those who are in the world but not of the world. As a church, we’ve sought to support the people of Beirut by going on prayer walks, engaging with people on the streets, and coming together to pick up trash in the mornings.
Every single thing in Lebanon is uncertain right now, but as believers, we have peace in what is certain—in Him who is unchanging.
Lastly, the message of the gospel doesn’t change based on a country’s situation; and yet it can be rightly applied to show the relevance and power of the gospel.
The church has the only message that truly addresses the greatest need in this world, and we must declare it from our lips and our lives. The church mustn’t get distracted by temporary things and forget the eternal hope and purpose that we have.
Its people must know that the greatest hope for any village or city or country are the gospel of Jesus Christ and the disciples who have been renewed by it.
May this be our anthem in times of peace and in times of revolution.
About the Author
Marwan Aboul-Zelof is the planting pastor of City Bible Church in Beirut, Lebanon. He served in a two-year church plant residency at Redeemer Church of Dubai before moving to Beirut. Marwan and his wife, Marci, have been married since 2010 and have two young sons. He is pursuing his M.Div at SBTS.
Twitter & Instagram: @theUrbanArab