Western Mind vs. Eastern Mind
Addressing the West 1.Acknowledge We are not in Africa anymore 2.Understand Learn about the Western culture 3.Develop Build a new Evangelism approach
Addressing the West 1.Acknowledge We are not in Africa anymore 2.Understand Learn about the Western culture 3.Develop Build a new Evangelism approach
Punctuality
Queuing on a Line
Noise in a Restaurant
Todays Discussion… Burden of Knowledge
What is the burden of knowledge? Changing Times Multiple Authorities Rational World Changing Cultures Competing Ideologies
Discussion Points Inquisitive Independent History …
Inquisitive Inquisitive = curious, questioning Taught to question Education Work Competing ideologies Simple faith *might* work at first, but questions can follow at later times
Apologetic Issues Bible – Accuracy – Authenticity – Old vs. New Testament – Killing of kids and innocent people – Manuscripts Science – Big Bang Theory – Evolution – Stem cell research – Miracles & science – Extraterrestrial life – Cloning / Genetics History – Religious violence – Corrupt Church – Historical evidence Spiritual – Suffering and evil – Eternal hell – Salvation for others
Inquisitive Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear (1 Pt 3) Always be ready Genuine search for truth will lead to … Truth No need to have all the answers
Doctor vs. Lawyer Doctor looks for reality, searches for the true disease Lawyer defends his client whether guilty or not
Independence
The Boss
Independent Non-conformist Faith not based on authority of others Needs to reach conclusion on his own So he said to them, Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe. (Jn 20:25) Avoid paternalism Emphasis on personal experience & self discovery
History Good, mixed and bad experiences Jehovahs Witnesses & Mormons Judged and rejected When the missionary E. Stanley Jones met with Gandhi he asked him, "Mr. Gandhi, though you quote the words of Christ often, why is that you appear to so adamantly reject becoming his follower?" Gandhi replied, "Oh, I don't reject Christ. I love Christ. It's just that so many of you Christians are so unlike Christ." If Christians would really live according to the teachings of Christ, as found in the Bible, all of India would be Christian today, he added.
History Rejection of traditional Churches Protestant Reformation
History But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. (Mt 23:13) Be cautious – you are likely not their first experience with Christianity Focus on how we have something different to offer
References Fr. Antonios Kaldas Blog Yang Liu – East vs. West Pictures
Telling the Truth
Addressing Conflict
Please watch the video on this link: Why I hate religion, but love Jesus (video) - Official transcription: