http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICHovRHJAYY Tom Wirght talks about the gospel. I have doing some research on inculturation. One of the main confusions people have - be they Roman Catholics or Protestants - is whether the 'gospel' interacts with 'culture' or actually the church, the Christian faith or Christ Himself does so. Of course I have my own conclusion … Continue reading What is the Gospel?
N. T. Wright explores the question, “What is the gospel?”
I cannot help but share this. Also do note how many times Wright refers to some sort of contextualisation in this video:
The Pope who Stunned the World
There is a post at the Read the Spirit site entitled 'Rediscover John XXIII, a Pope who stunned the world!' Many have thought that the new pope, Francis I, brings a refreshing aura with him into the office. So it would be natural for one to look back curiously for past popes with similar 'aura of … Continue reading The Pope who Stunned the World
Understand the Context to Better Understand the Message
In the end, most of us would agree that life is not all that easy to understand, that the messages we receive from within and from others and from God are not always clear. As the Apostle Paul famously said; ‘Now we see in a mirror dimly (one translation has ‘in a riddle’)’, always remembering … Continue reading Understand the Context to Better Understand the Message
Could the Increase of Interest in Spirituality erode the Church?
I wrote about the challenge of the church in the postmodern age. One of the key changes in the postmodern age is the increase of interest in spirituality and the reluctance to be limited by organised religion. Other reports have confirmed this: Over one-third of churchgoers attend services in more than one church. One in … Continue reading Could the Increase of Interest in Spirituality erode the Church?
An Atheist Church?
An Atheist Church - Atheistic Culture Coming of Age I heard about this new Atheist Church in Britain a few days ago and wondered how would a Christian feel when attending the assembly. My questions are answered by this post, which is an actual account of a person experiencing it on one Sunday. There are … Continue reading An Atheist Church?
Inculturation Explained
The standard explanation for the meaning of inculturation is from the REDEMPTORIS MISSIO: Incarnating the Gospel in Peoples' Culture 52. As she carries out missionary activity among the nations, the Church encounters different cultures and becomes involved in the process of inculturation. The need for such involvement has marked the Church's pilgrimage throughout her history, … Continue reading Inculturation Explained
Is ‘Allah’ a Translation?
I have finally come to understand why some Muslim in Malaysia are so against the use of 'Allah' by other religions, especially the Christians. One of the reasons, of course, has to do with theology. The Islamic faith has no notion of incarnation and hence, no idea of contextualisation or inculturation. The expansion of the … Continue reading Is ‘Allah’ a Translation?
China and the Christian Impact
Excerpt from 'A Conflict of Cultures', the Review of: China and the Christian Impact: A Conflict of Cultures Jacques Gernet - Cambridge University Press, 1985, by J.S. Cummins: Translating and closely analysing contemporary Chinese material, Gernet show that it was not merely clerical squabbles, doctrines, rituals or customs which separated missionary and potential convert. The … Continue reading China and the Christian Impact
Private Truth = No Truth At All
'A private truth for a limited circle of believers is no truth at all. Even the most devout faith will sooner or later falter and fail unless those who hold it are willing to bring it into public debate and to test it against experience in every area of life. If the Christian faith about … Continue reading Private Truth = No Truth At All
Cultural Clash ‘for everyone’!
We do not normally say that we are experiencing 'cultural clash'. The term has always been associated with 'bigger issues' such as the dispute on minaret in Switzerland or the issue of Islamophobia in America after 911 - which not all of us would be involved on a regular basis. Also, in such cases there exists … Continue reading Cultural Clash ‘for everyone’!
