This Child Must Die - Anne Ruck

Published by Overseas Missionary Fellowship (IHQ) Ltd: Singapore, 1991.
Based on an Indonesian original.

The subtitle of this book is Cleopas Lumbantobing, Challenger of Demons, Evangelist, Educator and Peacemaker, and is not only a biography of that individual, but also of Ingwar Ludwig Nommensen, a German missionary (and later Bishop) to the Batak Highlands of North Sumatra, Indonesia in the late 19th century. Cleopas was born the third son of a raja (chief) and was prophesied of by the local batu (witch-doctor) as being someone who was destined to overthrow his father's kingdom, "and the very foundations of Batak tradition...He will lead our people astray into a strange new teaching." (prologue) The batu told Cleopas's father to kill him (thus the title of the book), but instead the raja sent his son and first wife away. When Cleopas grew up he became a Christian through Nommensen's teaching, and for the rest of his life served as a missionary to his own people.

Reading this book gives an intriguing glimpse into the difficulties of cross-cultural mission, highlighting the power of the gospel but also how culture can interfere. From our 21st century perspective some of the cultural elements attached to the Christianity introduced to the Batak people seem irrelevant (do they really need a Brass Band? (page 42)) but Nommensen's heart for the Batak people is shown clearly. Other elements that could be interesting to explore are not given much attention, such as the decision for Nommensen's first wife to return home to Germany and live separate from him until her early death. But the overall aim of the book is to highlight moments from the lives of these two men.

Cleopas in particular is a very useful indivdiual. At various times in the book he is able to defuse a hostile situation, or bring understanding and reconciliation between the local rajas and whichever missionary in that moment has inadvertently offended them. He also faces his own cultural fears head on, tearing down 'magic staffs' or cutting down 'sacred trees' in order to convince his people that they hold no power over God. The highs and lows of a life spent serving God are laid bare, and the disappointment felt by Cleopas towards the end of his life is also admitted. But his achievements for the gospel, and for reconciliation and peace among the different villages belonging to his people, remain to this day.

Although at times the book feels like a translation or adaptation (which is it), the story that it tells is an interesting one, and the lives that it highlights are worth learning about.

Completed 24 April 2020.

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