【明報專訊】金融海嘯席捲全球，香港亦不能倖免，政府除了天天粉飾太平，或猶如雙面先知般一邊預言失業率將會上升，另一邊則推出壓低工資的財政預算案。面對困局，政府只懂小恩小惠式派糖，為七一降溫，又或靠強迫學生驗毒轉移市民視線。金融海嘯的出現是資本高度累積和金融市場瘋狂發展的後果，香港的堅尼系數不斷上升，已是發達國家中數一數二貧富懸殊的地區。面對危機中的經濟體系和資源分配，基督教有何回應？金融海嘯對基督徒的靈性生活，又有何啟示？
提及基督教和經濟制度的關連，很容易想起韋伯的《新教倫理與資本主義精神》。按韋伯的分析，基督新教之所以引發資本主義的出現，是由於信徒不確定自己能否得救，因此透過累積財富以獲取地上成就，讓自己受上帝祝福，使救恩有多一點的確定。相反，當代香港大部分信徒十分確定自己將會得救，不過，與韋伯分析的基督教相同的，是香港社會的信仰個人化傾向，對個人靈魂能否得救的重視，積極地傳狹義的福音，領人歸主，並在大風大浪中自求多福，甚或向上流社會招手以求教會在逆境擴充，遺忘了上帝救贖的普世面向。
舊約財富分配的啟示
在《聖經》舊約古以色列的社會中，就有「禧年」的理想社會構想（《利未記》第25章，《申命記》第14章），解決資源過分集中於某一群人，造成特權階級和貧窮人缺乏基本生存權利的問題。每逢禧年，即每四十九周年之後，為奴者可以得自由和釋放，欠債的得到豁免，賣出的產業可以贖回，土地停耕休養生息，其間自然而生的果實和農作物任何人都可以享用。在古代社會，人們可能因天災人禍而要變賣土地甚至為奴，以換取金錢渡過難關，禧年的設立正好讓他們在終其天年之內，有重獲新生的機會，整體社會的財產分配，結構性地阻截財富無限積聚，既拉近貧富差距，也讓貧窮不會世代延續。
不少現代社會的政府也建立了健全的財富再分配制度，以縮減貧富懸殊和平衡市場分配中的不平等。近年香港卻反其道而行，例如幾年前取消遺產稅，讓富者愈富貧者愈貧，貧與富跨代延續下去；又實行高地價政策，不論自住還是營商，土地是市民最高的開支之一，人們為土地（租金或供樓）勞碌，甚至面對金融海嘯老闆乘機裁員、工作環境日益惡劣的情况下，也只能啞忍。香港經濟起飛至今也快五十年了，如果來一個禧年，人人皆有自己的物業，基本生存所需得以解決，就不會被資本家剝削和奴役，甚至要跨代供樓，青少年一出生便要為上一代的居住權賣身。
窮人為本的福音
耶穌作為基督教的靈魂人物（教內稱之為神的兒子），是窮人運動的推動者。他一出道就宣告福音是為解放貧苦大眾和受壓逼者而設的，「主的靈在我身上，因為他用膏膏我，叫我傳福音給貧窮的人。差遣我報告被擄的得釋放，瞎眼的得看見，叫那受壓制的得自由，報告神悅納人的禧年」（《路加福音》第4章 18至19節）。耶穌叫少年財主變賣家財分給窮人然後跟隨他（《馬太福音》第19章 16至24節），又說貧窮的人有福，因為上帝的國是他們的（《路加福音》第6章 20節）。耶穌出身低下階層，傳道時亦常與社會最底層的大眾在一起，並且挑戰當時宗教及政治領袖對信仰的理解，最經典的例子是耶穌衝擊聖殿，他不滿宗教領袖「教商勾結」，將聖殿變成賊窩（《馬可福音》第11章15至19節）。然而耶穌被膏的時候，似乎不認同門徒賙濟窮人的建議（《馬太福音》第26章 6至13節），耶穌回答「窮人常與你們同在，但你們不常有我」，其實是呼應舊約（《申命記》第15章11節）「原來那地上的窮人永不斷絕」，意思就是賙濟的方法不能從根源上鏟除貧窮。
賙濟的方法並不可取，原因是救濟和慈惠這類模式，並沒有從根源上解決貧富懸殊的結構性問題。香港政府在政策上一方面優惠資本家和投資者，另一方面又缺乏保障勞工和消費者的相關法例，如集體談判權、最低工資最高工時立法和反壟斷/公平競爭法等，小市民、消費者和勞工議價能力相對薄弱。政府並不積極扮演資源再分配的角色，對民間提出的全民退休保障和失業緩助金充耳不聞，安全網就只有被污名化了的綜援。從前遍地機會的香港不再，社會流動漸漸緩慢起來，資本集中於最富有的人手上，窮人再努力工作也不夠餬口。如果不能改變現時社會資源分配的結構，再多的救濟只能暫緩燃眉之急，甚至成為資本家建立形象的手段，而沒有實質幫助窮人脫貧的效果。這樣看來，如果基督再來到香港的話，形象應該與「長毛」相像，而不是那些慈善家。
普世救贖Vs.個人化的信仰
德國神學家默茨（Johann Baptist Metz）指出，基督教的救贖不只是個人靈魂的得救，更重要的是整個社會形態的救贖。近代基督教神學將信仰私人化是一大失誤，將宗教看成非政治更是不可能，因為「非政治」本身就是一種政治的立場，讓信徒以為宗教無關政治，不去過問現存政權及社會資源分配不公義的問題，實在是「對上帝的拯救事業一種直接的放棄」。另一名德國神學家莫特曼（Jurgen Moltmann）亦指出，耶穌之死本身就是一政治事件，耶穌被羅馬官處死、跟隨者殉道等，十字架這刑具本身就提醒受壓逼和為奴者的受難意識，而這樣的意識絕對與現世政權有關，激發人們參與政治解放的行動。十字架就成了批判現世政權的危險回憶（dangerous memory）。
對比起財政司司長在本年度財政預算案結語中引用一位德國神學家的話，試圖為他那份不理人民死活的預算案增加認受性，實在是對德國神學界一個極大的侮辱。德國在二次世界大戰時侵略其他國家、國內設集中營及屠殺猶太人，造成神學界中極大的震撼，信徒和神學家們無法不正視這樣的現實。教會在希特勒政權下默不作聲，就等如默許暴力和屠殺。又由於歐洲的殖民擴張及種種不平等的經濟及政治條約，剝削欺壓第三世界人民，讓默茨提出歐洲神學必須是「一種在政治上敏感的悔改神學」。特區政府若真的重視「一個道德社會的最終考驗，端視我們給予下一代一個怎樣的社會」的主張，就請為下一代營造公平、適合生存和有未來有盼望的環境。資本不要再被操控在一小撮人手上，下一代也不需要再為土地和基本生活保障而愁苦和受控制，青年人也不用在金融海嘯的時候遭受月薪四千元的待遇，更毋須活在無盼望無出路的社會，靠賭、毒麻醉自己，然後還要被懲罰。
普世教會合一運動
這些問題早在大公教會的議事日程。為了回應經濟制度上種種的不平等，普世教會協會（World Council of Churches）在1978年舉行名為「政治經濟、倫理與神學﹕當代的挑戰」會議，並成立經濟事務諮詢小組研究相關課題，其後確立社會的經濟制度，應以「公義、參與、可持續」為重要原則。公義即任何經濟或科技發展均以人民的基本需要為首要理由；參與即確認窮人有權參與就業問題的決策，否則將不可能有公義的財富分配制度；可持續就是要顧及環境資源的限制，不無窮無盡地發展經濟，破壞環境後最終財富卻落入少數人手中。
《聖經》中的先知一方面強調社會資源需要公義地分配，貧苦大眾也能獲得生存的基本所需；另一方面為社會提供真實的盼望，靠的就是貼近貧窮人的社會分析、結構性地解決貧窮問題的決心，以及不畏強權和既得利益者的勇氣，並前瞻社會未來應走的路。金融海嘯對靈性生活的啟示，就是重新回憶耶穌被釘十字架的危險記憶，並走在耶穌和先知解放受壓迫者的路上，跟隨耶穌窮人運動的腳蹤，以解放被壓迫者和謀求窮人的福祉為己任；重拾禧年制度的精神，於現世尋求更公義的財富分配制度，一起參與上帝對整個人類社會拯救的事業。
文 劉劍玲（香港基督徒學生運動執行幹事）
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Evangelism and the Kingdom of God
Evangelism and the Kingdom of God
What is meant by evangelism? Converting people into accepting Jesus as their personal saviour??
Yes, and no.
This article divides evangelism into 4 aspects.
1. Conversion evangelism
2. Discipling evangelism
3. Justice evangelism
4. Culture evangelism
Go and bring the "good news" to the world!
What is meant by evangelism? Converting people into accepting Jesus as their personal saviour??
Yes, and no.
This article divides evangelism into 4 aspects.
1. Conversion evangelism
2. Discipling evangelism
3. Justice evangelism
4. Culture evangelism
Go and bring the "good news" to the world!
My experience of visiting women who came from China
I have shared about the visit last Sunday on my other blog, since more people read that blog...
http://booksntravel.wordpress.com/2009/07/14/women-from-china-part1/
http://booksntravel.wordpress.com/2009/07/16/women-from-china-part2/
I think these people are the one being despised now, just like tax collectors in Jesus' days maybe??
http://booksntravel.wordpress.
http://booksntravel.wordpress.
I think these people are the one being despised now, just like tax collectors in Jesus' days maybe??
Friday, July 10, 2009
False Dichotomies in Mission
One of the points discussed in this article by Christopher Wright, I think this first point is the most neglected in evangelical churches now...
We have tended to separate the individual from the cosmic and corporate impact of the gospel, and to prioritize the first. That is, we put personal salvation and individual evangelism at the centre of all our efforts, (and of course individual evangelism is an essential part of our commitment.). But Paul’s order of the gospel message in Ephesians, and Colossians 1:15-26, is Creation (all things in heaven and earth, created by Christ, sustained by Christ and redeemed by Christ), then:, church (with Christ as head), and then individual Gentile believers: ‘and you also’. All of this, says Paul, is ‘reconciled through the blood of Christ shed on the cross’. So we are not saved out of creation, but as part of creation that God has redeemed through Christ. The church is not just a container for souls till they get to heaven, but the living demonstration of the unity that is God’s intention for creation, in itself a ‘preaching’ to the principalities and powers because of what God has accomplished and proved in the creation of ‘one new humanity’ in Christ. All this we learn from Ephesians and Colossians, but we still tend to put all our emphasis on getting individuals saved.
We have tended to separate the individual from the cosmic and corporate impact of the gospel, and to prioritize the first. That is, we put personal salvation and individual evangelism at the centre of all our efforts, (and of course individual evangelism is an essential part of our commitment.). But Paul’s order of the gospel message in Ephesians, and Colossians 1:15-26, is Creation (all things in heaven and earth, created by Christ, sustained by Christ and redeemed by Christ), then:, church (with Christ as head), and then individual Gentile believers: ‘and you also’. All of this, says Paul, is ‘reconciled through the blood of Christ shed on the cross’. So we are not saved out of creation, but as part of creation that God has redeemed through Christ. The church is not just a container for souls till they get to heaven, but the living demonstration of the unity that is God’s intention for creation, in itself a ‘preaching’ to the principalities and powers because of what God has accomplished and proved in the creation of ‘one new humanity’ in Christ. All this we learn from Ephesians and Colossians, but we still tend to put all our emphasis on getting individuals saved.
The bad result of this weakened theology is that Christians evangelized by such a truncated version of the biblical gospel have little interest in the world, the public square, God’s plan for society and the nations, and even less understanding of God’s intention for creation itself. The scale of our mission efforts therefore is in danger of being a lot less than the scope of the mission of God.
This second point is important, but I think a significant portion of Christians do realise its importance, even though they may not be able to do it, but for the first point, I don't think many have even realised their problem...
We have tended to separate word and deed, or proclamation and demonstration, and to prioritize the first. But again, both are essential and integral to the presentation of the gospel, and to bringing about the obedience of faith among all nations...
The bad result of this separation is that our evangelistic efforts are sometimes derided by the world, because people discern the hypocrisy of those who talk a lot but whose lives don’t support what they say. Lack of integrity in this area has been identified by various researches as the major obstacle to the acceptance of the message of the gospel.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Reflection on China Trip (May 09)
I have never wanted to go on medical mission trips.
The reason I went on this trip is because I have wanted to explore options on how to serve people in need, especially those who are neglected by most.
That was why I went to visit this leprosy village.
Many of these people were scarred by their disease, not just physically, also psychologically. Many of them were treated badly as they were lepers. I heard a story that one was almost killed by her own parents as a kid after she contracted the disease. Most were isolated in these villages for their whole lives.
They hadn't seen children in years (they were thrilled when some volunteers brought their own kids there to visit them last time), and they were excited when volunteers brought them to a restaurant.
The leader asked if we thought it was worth it, for over 10 of us travelled for 6-7 hours (and spent several hundred dollars) in order to visit a few surviving residents in the village. In my heart, I immediately answered yes, it was definitely worth it.
God never evaluates if a mission is "worth it" by the number or the statistics. It's the people that He values, and God is especially concerned about the poor, the neglected, the oppressed.
While I was in the village, an old man asked me about the pain in his leg. In that moment, I really don't know what to do. I think there may be some infection, I'm not sure. I touched him, that was the only I could think of then. I thought touching him while trying to check out his pain probably could help a bit, not because I could heal by touch like Jesus, but because it showed that I care, and I am not afraid of touching him. However, I don't know what else I can do, and then a preacher who was with us prayed for the old man.
I don't know what I am expected to do here, and I'm still thinking about it. I know if God wants to heal the old man, He can, but I don't know if I'm so brave as to be able to pray for the man like that. What if he did not get well? What would he think? At that moment, I just prayed to God, "Please heal him."
Then the next day, we went to take a look at Leung Fat's home, he was the first Chinese Christian and pastor. I was not used to doing this kind of "sightseeing" or even "shopping" during mission trips because my ex-church pastor would never allow these to happen in mission trips (which is a good thing, I think). However, God used even that sightseeing bit during sharing with staff in the hospital we visited in the afternoon.
I was told to give a talk on the treatment of pain to the staff in the hospital, actually this was kind of outside my expertise. I know a bit, but not a lot. Then to my surprise (and shock), someone asked a question!! On the management of a "real life case"!!! When he started talking about the case, and when I talked to the patient, I started to recall stuff I should have forgotten and then offered to seek answers for him after I come back to HK from others. That was when I realised God really uses you in places where you're not good at, and it's His power that accomplish things. Where you are weak, He is strong.
The reason I went on this trip is because I have wanted to explore options on how to serve people in need, especially those who are neglected by most.
That was why I went to visit this leprosy village.
Many of these people were scarred by their disease, not just physically, also psychologically. Many of them were treated badly as they were lepers. I heard a story that one was almost killed by her own parents as a kid after she contracted the disease. Most were isolated in these villages for their whole lives.
They hadn't seen children in years (they were thrilled when some volunteers brought their own kids there to visit them last time), and they were excited when volunteers brought them to a restaurant.
The leader asked if we thought it was worth it, for over 10 of us travelled for 6-7 hours (and spent several hundred dollars) in order to visit a few surviving residents in the village. In my heart, I immediately answered yes, it was definitely worth it.
God never evaluates if a mission is "worth it" by the number or the statistics. It's the people that He values, and God is especially concerned about the poor, the neglected, the oppressed.
While I was in the village, an old man asked me about the pain in his leg. In that moment, I really don't know what to do. I think there may be some infection, I'm not sure. I touched him, that was the only I could think of then. I thought touching him while trying to check out his pain probably could help a bit, not because I could heal by touch like Jesus, but because it showed that I care, and I am not afraid of touching him. However, I don't know what else I can do, and then a preacher who was with us prayed for the old man.
I don't know what I am expected to do here, and I'm still thinking about it. I know if God wants to heal the old man, He can, but I don't know if I'm so brave as to be able to pray for the man like that. What if he did not get well? What would he think? At that moment, I just prayed to God, "Please heal him."
Then the next day, we went to take a look at Leung Fat's home, he was the first Chinese Christian and pastor. I was not used to doing this kind of "sightseeing" or even "shopping" during mission trips because my ex-church pastor would never allow these to happen in mission trips (which is a good thing, I think). However, God used even that sightseeing bit during sharing with staff in the hospital we visited in the afternoon.
I was told to give a talk on the treatment of pain to the staff in the hospital, actually this was kind of outside my expertise. I know a bit, but not a lot. Then to my surprise (and shock), someone asked a question!! On the management of a "real life case"!!! When he started talking about the case, and when I talked to the patient, I started to recall stuff I should have forgotten and then offered to seek answers for him after I come back to HK from others. That was when I realised God really uses you in places where you're not good at, and it's His power that accomplish things. Where you are weak, He is strong.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
M & J Conference (1 May)
After my trip to Peru, I started seriously thinking what I can do to "help".
That's why I have attended the M & J Conference earlier this month.
Apart from the keynote speech, conclusion and discussion, each of us can attend two workshops.
I have chosen the following two workshops.
> Planning and preparing for relief work overseas
> Strawberry growing in Afghanistan - doing community development in war-ravaged countries
M & J stand for Mercy and Justice, which is quoted from the most frequently quoted verse from Micah (6:8). =P
Integral Mission is one of the concepts introduced to me. When we talked about mission, it's most often about evangelisation, saving the "soul" but integral mission is about body AND soul!
The Keynote Speech is delivered by Rev. Kennedy Dhanabalan. The title is Reflecting God's character in our lives.
God's throne is founded on righteousness and justice.
Psalms 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of thy throne;
steadfast love and faithfulness go before thee.
Old Testament World is the same as what we see in the modern world.
Amos 2:6-8 Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment; because they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes -- they that trample the head of the poor into the dust of the
earth, and turn aside the way of the afflicted; a man and his father go in to the same maiden, so that my holy name is profaned; they lay themselves down beside every altar upon garments taken in pledge; and in the house of their God they drink the wine of those who have been fined.
Amos 2:6-8 "I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and cereal offerings, I will not accept them, and the peace offerings of your fatted beasts I will not look upon. Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Micah 6:6-8 "With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?"
He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
God is righteous and just, He revealed His Holiness in His commitment to justice and righteousness. If we want to be Holy, we need to reflect God's righteousness and justice.
In his ending speech, he mentioned the purpose of our mission is being like Christ. However, what is meant by being like Christ?
During Christmas, we sing lullabies to put baby Jesus to sleep, in Easter, we raise him from dead and send him up to heaven. We want our Jesus to be either asleep or high in heaven???!!!
In the first chapter of Mark, Malachi 3:1 was quoted."Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." What is the context of this??
We need to check the previous verse, Malachi 2:17. You have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet you say, "How have we wearied him?" By saying, "Every one who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delights in them." Or by asking, "Where is the God of justice?"
The answer to the question: where is the God of Justice? The answer is in the verse quoted by Mark.
How did Jesus do justice?
Rev. Kennedy Dhanabalan divided what Jesus did into 2 aspects.
1. Justice in the social arena (Status of women/Samaritans, the poor and the marginalised)
2. Justice in the economic arena (Caring for the poor)
I like his quote from a Latin American Jesuit priest (I forgot who said this), "if I give food, they called me a Saint; if I ask why they do not give food, they called me a Communist." I guess this is partly why Jesus got crucified.
Check this out, it's interesting, I have also posted this on the right hand column, see how rich you are, and think about what kind of good you can do.
That's why I have attended the M & J Conference earlier this month.
Apart from the keynote speech, conclusion and discussion, each of us can attend two workshops.
I have chosen the following two workshops.
> Planning and preparing for relief work overseas
> Strawberry growing in Afghanistan - doing community development in war-ravaged countries
M & J stand for Mercy and Justice, which is quoted from the most frequently quoted verse from Micah (6:8). =P
Integral Mission is one of the concepts introduced to me. When we talked about mission, it's most often about evangelisation, saving the "soul" but integral mission is about body AND soul!
The Keynote Speech is delivered by Rev. Kennedy Dhanabalan. The title is Reflecting God's character in our lives.
God's throne is founded on righteousness and justice.
Psalms 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of thy throne;
steadfast love and faithfulness go before thee.
Old Testament World is the same as what we see in the modern world.
Amos 2:6-8 Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment; because they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes -- they that trample the head of the poor into the dust of the
earth, and turn aside the way of the afflicted; a man and his father go in to the same maiden, so that my holy name is profaned; they lay themselves down beside every altar upon garments taken in pledge; and in the house of their God they drink the wine of those who have been fined.
Amos 2:6-8 "I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and cereal offerings, I will not accept them, and the peace offerings of your fatted beasts I will not look upon. Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Micah 6:6-8 "With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?"
He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
God is righteous and just, He revealed His Holiness in His commitment to justice and righteousness. If we want to be Holy, we need to reflect God's righteousness and justice.
In his ending speech, he mentioned the purpose of our mission is being like Christ. However, what is meant by being like Christ?
During Christmas, we sing lullabies to put baby Jesus to sleep, in Easter, we raise him from dead and send him up to heaven. We want our Jesus to be either asleep or high in heaven???!!!
In the first chapter of Mark, Malachi 3:1 was quoted."Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." What is the context of this??
We need to check the previous verse, Malachi 2:17. You have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet you say, "How have we wearied him?" By saying, "Every one who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delights in them." Or by asking, "Where is the God of justice?"
The answer to the question: where is the God of Justice? The answer is in the verse quoted by Mark.
How did Jesus do justice?
Rev. Kennedy Dhanabalan divided what Jesus did into 2 aspects.
1. Justice in the social arena (Status of women/Samaritans, the poor and the marginalised)
2. Justice in the economic arena (Caring for the poor)
I like his quote from a Latin American Jesuit priest (I forgot who said this), "if I give food, they called me a Saint; if I ask why they do not give food, they called me a Communist." I guess this is partly why Jesus got crucified.
Check this out, it's interesting, I have also posted this on the right hand column, see how rich you are, and think about what kind of good you can do.
I'm the 31,849,353 richest person on earth! Discover how rich you are! >> |
Monday, May 25, 2009
Reflections on Peru Trip
I have been back for more than 2 months, but still haven't really write this up...
That was the first time I have ever been to South America. It was a very precious experience, Latin America is really unlike any of the places I have visited. I went there to see Machu Picchu, Amazon and various different touristy places, but then I also ended up experiencing a culture that is very different from what I have ever seen before.
Latin America Christianity is very different from "Christianity" that I know of.
I thought I could accept different kinds of Christianity, I can accept icons, statues, rituals we commonly seen in Orthodox or Catholic Christianity, but the Catholicism in Latin America seems to be beyond my limit of acceptance. Some of these people here act no different from those in Wong Tai Sin Temple...
I was shocked when I first saw Virgin Mary pictures hanging in mirrors in cars, some even with bells, (I could only take this picture, since it was difficult to get a good pic in moving cars). I don't know exactly why they put the pic up, I don't think it's there to remind them to pray. =P It's like those we see in taxis in Hong Kong or China... just that the picture is different with a different idol...
You can also see these everywhere, this picture is taken in a restaurant. I don't think these look any different from idol worshipping we see in Hong Kong or China...
Take a look at the dress of Virgin Mary. It was deliberately made into the shape of a mountain, so that the people can worship the mountain when they worship the Virgin Mary...
The Jesuit church we visited in Arequipa, The various symbols used like suns, seashells are all from the Incan culture. Where's the limit here? In merging local culture with Christianity to gain acceptance of local people?
Our Christianity is already influenced a lot by various culture, we may not even realize it, for example, Jesus' birthday- Christmas is the birthday of Apollos. What if this merging makes it easier for local people to accept it? What should we choose? Preserving our version (which may not even be the original version of Christianity), or introducing local people to a form of Christianity that is easier for them to accept?
I've been reading about Christianity in Latin America since I came back, I don't think there is any answer for this. Different people have different concepts regarding what "Christianity" really is. Even older people in our churches don't worship Jesus the way we do, they have their own preconceptions about Jesus from their previous religions.
How do we define if something is "acceptable" and not??
In Pucara, a stop on the way from to Puno to Cusco. I saw this elderly lady wearing really shabby clothes, since she was the only beggar, we decided to give her 2 soles (equivalent to HKD 5), she looked so grateful to us, bowing and thanking us (even though we didn't know what she was saying). I think she must have really needed that money. The money we splurge on this trip may be equivalent to 10 years of income for people living here, for this old lady, maybe what she can't earn even in her whole life.
I saw so many beggars, some are sick, apparently with no money to get treated.
What can we do to help?
That was the first time I have ever been to South America. It was a very precious experience, Latin America is really unlike any of the places I have visited. I went there to see Machu Picchu, Amazon and various different touristy places, but then I also ended up experiencing a culture that is very different from what I have ever seen before.
Latin America Christianity is very different from "Christianity" that I know of.
I thought I could accept different kinds of Christianity, I can accept icons, statues, rituals we commonly seen in Orthodox or Catholic Christianity, but the Catholicism in Latin America seems to be beyond my limit of acceptance. Some of these people here act no different from those in Wong Tai Sin Temple...
I was shocked when I first saw Virgin Mary pictures hanging in mirrors in cars, some even with bells, (I could only take this picture, since it was difficult to get a good pic in moving cars). I don't know exactly why they put the pic up, I don't think it's there to remind them to pray. =P It's like those we see in taxis in Hong Kong or China... just that the picture is different with a different idol...
You can also see these everywhere, this picture is taken in a restaurant. I don't think these look any different from idol worshipping we see in Hong Kong or China...
Take a look at the dress of Virgin Mary. It was deliberately made into the shape of a mountain, so that the people can worship the mountain when they worship the Virgin Mary...
The Jesuit church we visited in Arequipa, The various symbols used like suns, seashells are all from the Incan culture. Where's the limit here? In merging local culture with Christianity to gain acceptance of local people?
Our Christianity is already influenced a lot by various culture, we may not even realize it, for example, Jesus' birthday- Christmas is the birthday of Apollos. What if this merging makes it easier for local people to accept it? What should we choose? Preserving our version (which may not even be the original version of Christianity), or introducing local people to a form of Christianity that is easier for them to accept?
I've been reading about Christianity in Latin America since I came back, I don't think there is any answer for this. Different people have different concepts regarding what "Christianity" really is. Even older people in our churches don't worship Jesus the way we do, they have their own preconceptions about Jesus from their previous religions.
How do we define if something is "acceptable" and not??
In Pucara, a stop on the way from to Puno to Cusco. I saw this elderly lady wearing really shabby clothes, since she was the only beggar, we decided to give her 2 soles (equivalent to HKD 5), she looked so grateful to us, bowing and thanking us (even though we didn't know what she was saying). I think she must have really needed that money. The money we splurge on this trip may be equivalent to 10 years of income for people living here, for this old lady, maybe what she can't earn even in her whole life.
I saw so many beggars, some are sick, apparently with no money to get treated.
What can we do to help?
Saturday, May 23, 2009
I Offer My Life
I learnt this song in the M & J Conference I attended earlier this month. I love this song, especially the highlighted parts of the lyrics. God can use all my pain, all my regrets, and everything I have been through...
(Verse 1)
All that I am, all that I have
I lay them down before you, oh Lord
All my regrets, all my acclaims
The joy and the pain, I'm making them yours
(Chorus)
Lord, I offer my life to you
Everything I've been through
Use it for your glory
Lord I offer my days to you
Lifting my praise to you
As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord I offer you my life
(Verse 2)
Things in the past, things yet unseen
Wishes and dreams that are yet to come true
All of my heart, alll of my praise
My heart and my hands are lifted to you
(Chorus)
Lord, I offer my life to you
Everything I've been through
Use it for your glory
Lord I offer my days to you
Lifting my praise to you
As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord I offer you my life
(Bridge)
What can we give
That you have not given?
And what do we have
That is not already yours?
All we possess
Are these lives we're living
That's what we give to you, Lord
(Chorus)
Lord, I offer my life to you
Everything I've been through
Use it for your glory
Lord I offer my days to you
Lifting my praise to you
As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord I offer you my life
(Chorus)
Lord, I offer my life to you
Everything I've been through
Use it for your glory
Lord I offer my days to you
Lifting my praise to you
As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord I offer you my life
Lord I offer you my life
(Verse 1)
All that I am, all that I have
I lay them down before you, oh Lord
All my regrets, all my acclaims
The joy and the pain, I'm making them yours
(Chorus)
Lord, I offer my life to you
Everything I've been through
Use it for your glory
Lord I offer my days to you
Lifting my praise to you
As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord I offer you my life
(Verse 2)
Things in the past, things yet unseen
Wishes and dreams that are yet to come true
All of my heart, alll of my praise
My heart and my hands are lifted to you
(Chorus)
Lord, I offer my life to you
Everything I've been through
Use it for your glory
Lord I offer my days to you
Lifting my praise to you
As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord I offer you my life
(Bridge)
What can we give
That you have not given?
And what do we have
That is not already yours?
All we possess
Are these lives we're living
That's what we give to you, Lord
(Chorus)
Lord, I offer my life to you
Everything I've been through
Use it for your glory
Lord I offer my days to you
Lifting my praise to you
As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord I offer you my life
(Chorus)
Lord, I offer my life to you
Everything I've been through
Use it for your glory
Lord I offer my days to you
Lifting my praise to you
As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord I offer you my life
Lord I offer you my life
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Weakness in Christians, fellowship in ppl over 30
Read these two articles recently.
iMonk 101: When I Am Weak: Why we must embrace our brokenness and never be good Christians
I hear of those who are depressed. Where do they turn for help? How do they admit their hurt? It seems so “unChristian” to admit depression, yet it is a reality for millions and millions of human beings. Porn addiction. Food addiction. Rage addiction. Obsessive needs for control. Chronic lying and dishonesty. How many pastors and Christian leaders live with these human frailties and flaws, and never seek help because they can’t admit what we all know is true about all of us? They speak of salvation, love and Jesus, but inside they feel like the damned.
...
有時覺得，三十過後的教會團契生活，內容總離不開一種治療性(therapeutic)的訴苦禮儀：你一言，我一語，你說說你的工作壓力，我講講我的子女 負擔，並在互相認同當中得著安撫與麻醉，每週重複上演。其中的互相關懷卻缺乏了基督裡的自由與能力，是可悲的、蒼白的、頹廢的。
iMonk 101: When I Am Weak: Why we must embrace our brokenness and never be good Christians
I hear of those who are depressed. Where do they turn for help? How do they admit their hurt? It seems so “unChristian” to admit depression, yet it is a reality for millions and millions of human beings. Porn addiction. Food addiction. Rage addiction. Obsessive needs for control. Chronic lying and dishonesty. How many pastors and Christian leaders live with these human frailties and flaws, and never seek help because they can’t admit what we all know is true about all of us? They speak of salvation, love and Jesus, but inside they feel like the damned.
...
Lutheran writer Herman Sasse, in a meditation on Luther’s last words, “We are beggars. This is true,” puts it perfectly:
「大鑊」之年買「大」「小」Luther asserted the very opposite: “Christ dwells only with sinners.” For the sinner and for the sinner alone is His table set. There we receive His true body and His true blood “for the forgiveness of sins” and this holds true even if forgiveness has already been received in Absolution. That here Scripture is completely on the side of Luther needs no further demonstration. Every page of the New Testament is indeed testimony of the Christ whose proper office it is “to save sinners”, “to seek and to save the lost”. And the entire saving work of Jesus, from the days when He was in Galilee and, to the amazement and alarm of the Pharisees, ate with tax collectors and sinners; to the moment when he, in contradiction with the principles of every rational morality, promised paradise to the thief on the cross, yes, His entire life on earth, from the cradle to the Cross, is one, unique grand demonstration of a wonder beyond all reason: The miracle of divine forgiveness, of the justification of the sinner. “Christ dwells only in sinners.”
有時覺得，三十過後的教會團契生活，內容總離不開一種治療性(therapeutic)的訴苦禮儀：你一言，我一語，你說說你的工作壓力，我講講我的子女 負擔，並在互相認同當中得著安撫與麻醉，每週重複上演。其中的互相關懷卻缺乏了基督裡的自由與能力，是可悲的、蒼白的、頹廢的。
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)