FAITH
Proclaiming
The Year of Jubilee
By Ben Self
A
s many friends of Christian Appalachian Project will know, we are celebrating our organization’s 50th year of service to the people of Appalachia. In the process, we are also launching a “Moving Mountains” campaign to expand and energize our poverty relief efforts in the region. This context provides the perfect opportunity to explore the ancient Biblical notion of the “year of jubilee”. The word “jubilee” is often used to refer simply to major anniversary celebrations. For example, the Queen of England recently celebrated her “Diamond Jubilee”, marking the 60th year of her reign. She has previously celebrated a “Silver Jubilee” (25 years) and “Golden Jubilee”
(50 years), and may someday even celebrate a “Platinum Jubilee” (70/75 years). As on each of Elizabeth II’s jubilee years, we too feel like Christian Appalachian Project’s 50th anniversary provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all that has been accomplished since our founding by Rev. Ralph Beiting in 1964.
Imagine what a celebration such a year would have been for the poor! What an astonishing reversal of fortunes! Yet, as some readers will recall, the word “jubilee” also has a more profound Biblical meaning—beyond simply “celebration”—a meaning which gives it important symbolic and historical relevance for both Jews and Christians. It is this Biblical meaning that particularly relates to Christian Appalachian Project’s 50th anniversary “Moving Mountains” campaign, which you might even call our “year of jubilee” campaign.
The Original Meaning of “Jubilee” Primary scriptural references to the “year of jubilee” are found in the book of Leviticus, the third of the five books of Moses (collectively known as the “Torah” or “Pentateuch”) in the Hebrew Bible. These books contain what is known as the Law of Moses, given by God for the people of Israel and revealed to Moses on Mt. Sinai following his people’s escape from bondage in Egypt. 6
THE MOUNTAIN SPIRIT | 50th Anniversary Commemorative Issue Volume 1
