My journey...
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Kingdom sense
Have you heard, he was born in a manger? Son of a carpenter? Look at his clothes. He does not even have a home. Let alone a palace. He cannot be the messiah. He cannot be the promised King. He is not even a warrior. Such a disgrace. How can it be?
They did not believe that Jesus was the Promised Messiah. He does not resemble a King nor was he a picture of grandeur. Messianic beliefs or theories generally relate to an improvement of the state of humanity or the world. To their human understanding, Christ certainly was no good representation of that. They interpreted the work of God through human eyes. Some are still waiting till today.
Sometimes what makes sense may not be “kingdom sense”. May this Christmas season be a good reminder to us that we need to see things God’s way and work closely with Him who has the master plan. Let us not rely solely on our own logic or worldview but trust in His prompting and guidance. Isaiah 55:9 says “For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts”.
They did not believe that Jesus was the Promised Messiah. He does not resemble a King nor was he a picture of grandeur. Messianic beliefs or theories generally relate to an improvement of the state of humanity or the world. To their human understanding, Christ certainly was no good representation of that. They interpreted the work of God through human eyes. Some are still waiting till today.
Sometimes what makes sense may not be “kingdom sense”. May this Christmas season be a good reminder to us that we need to see things God’s way and work closely with Him who has the master plan. Let us not rely solely on our own logic or worldview but trust in His prompting and guidance. Isaiah 55:9 says “For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts”.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Contextualisation?
I was at the "Islamic Arts Museum" the other day and they were exhibiting artifacts from China and showed how the "muslim arts" in China looked like. The Chinese actually adapted the Jawi and wrote it with broad strokes like they would their Chinese characters. The mosque in China looks very Chinese as well. Chinese looking building with the curved roofs. If I google churches in China, guess what. Most of it looks like church buildings you will find in the west. No wonder Asian says that Christianity is a "western" religion. We tend to copy the culture of the west. Even to the church building. The preachers come in suit and tie.
When or how do we learn to adapt the different cultures to our faith? God is not limited to just one culture but he is the creator of them. How would worship look like if we worship him in our different cultures and styles? I always do appreciate the different ways people worship in the different countries. Perhaps we should be more aware especially when we are in the context of a different culture not to impose our own worldview to them. Just a thought.
When or how do we learn to adapt the different cultures to our faith? God is not limited to just one culture but he is the creator of them. How would worship look like if we worship him in our different cultures and styles? I always do appreciate the different ways people worship in the different countries. Perhaps we should be more aware especially when we are in the context of a different culture not to impose our own worldview to them. Just a thought.
