Contemporary civilizational divisions in the Church and it's effect
Samuel Huntington identifies six major contemporary civilizations
1. Western - Europe and North America
2. Sinic - Chinese
3. Japanese
4. Hindu
5. Islamic
6. Orthodox - Russia and eastern Europe.
Samuel Huntington says that clashes between civilizations are the greatest threat to world peace.
"Culture differences breed mutual suspicion and misunderstanding." - Vinoth Ramachandra
In a globalised world, the expected acceptance of one civilization and culture by another has not yet taken place. There is pride and prejudice based on stereotypes. Media is feeding and shaping the prejudice and hatred unintentionally.
I was in Ukraine for two full years and I can tell you there is lot of distrust , xenophobia, prejudice, stereotyping and lack of an effort to understand the other person and the cultures and values which have shaped people . It is the same in India. It is the same in with Americans, Africans and Arabs I met. There is no mutual trust and acceptance starting from the grassroots level, though the diplomatic posturing at the political level may make us believe otherwise.
My concern is that this frame of mind has invaded the church and is strongly established in the Church. I saw it in Churches in Ukriane and I see it in Churches in India. There is distrust and prejudice among people groups within the family of God.
We should learn from Paul, the Apostle , who in Philippians 3 says,
If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9
Though the Paul had a different reason for quoting this, our immediate concern of cultural and civilizational pride is addressed here. If we do not consider this sin and consider is garbage, this form of group pride will be our defeat at the hands of Satan. Under the influence of racial pride and cultural superiority, we will only be used by the devil to fulfil his agenda, to hurt the family of God and destroy the work of the Church. It will, if unchecked take it's toll on the Church and will affect the mission of the Church to the world.
Dearly beloved , where do you stand? Can you consider your cultural , civilizational , racial and national identities as dung and garbage ,so that we can accomplish the mission of God or are you going to play into the hands of the devil?
May God help us.
1. Western - Europe and North America
2. Sinic - Chinese
3. Japanese
4. Hindu
5. Islamic
6. Orthodox - Russia and eastern Europe.
Samuel Huntington says that clashes between civilizations are the greatest threat to world peace.
"Culture differences breed mutual suspicion and misunderstanding." - Vinoth Ramachandra
In a globalised world, the expected acceptance of one civilization and culture by another has not yet taken place. There is pride and prejudice based on stereotypes. Media is feeding and shaping the prejudice and hatred unintentionally.
I was in Ukraine for two full years and I can tell you there is lot of distrust , xenophobia, prejudice, stereotyping and lack of an effort to understand the other person and the cultures and values which have shaped people . It is the same in India. It is the same in with Americans, Africans and Arabs I met. There is no mutual trust and acceptance starting from the grassroots level, though the diplomatic posturing at the political level may make us believe otherwise.
My concern is that this frame of mind has invaded the church and is strongly established in the Church. I saw it in Churches in Ukriane and I see it in Churches in India. There is distrust and prejudice among people groups within the family of God.
We should learn from Paul, the Apostle , who in Philippians 3 says,
If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9
Though the Paul had a different reason for quoting this, our immediate concern of cultural and civilizational pride is addressed here. If we do not consider this sin and consider is garbage, this form of group pride will be our defeat at the hands of Satan. Under the influence of racial pride and cultural superiority, we will only be used by the devil to fulfil his agenda, to hurt the family of God and destroy the work of the Church. It will, if unchecked take it's toll on the Church and will affect the mission of the Church to the world.
Dearly beloved , where do you stand? Can you consider your cultural , civilizational , racial and national identities as dung and garbage ,so that we can accomplish the mission of God or are you going to play into the hands of the devil?
May God help us.
Comments
Post a Comment