Comments on: more random thoughts and memories of singapore

By: Chris Rao

Chris Rao — Fri, 15 Jul 2005 03:24:11 +0000

There has been this ‘marriage’ between the East and West, “for better or for worst.” When I visited UK a couple of years ago, some English people looked at me with this ‘apologetic’ look. It was as if they were saying, ‘I am sorry that we ruled over you and for destroying the culture.’ While, that might be true to a certain extend, I am indebted much to the West for bring the gospel to this land. Otherwise, I, for one would not be a believer. So for the record, let me say, how grateful I am for our brothers and sisters in the West for bring the gospel!
I have been a Christian for about 25 years now. Initially, after receiving Christ, to my shame I wanted to have nothing to do with my old religion and culture. (I think this might be a natural tendency due to our own insecurity). But now, I think I am able to revisit my past and begin to filter between the good and bad from my own culture and background. (Don Richards in his book ‘Peace Child’ writes about how God works in every culture to provide links to the gospel)
I think to a certain sense we cannot run away from this marriage but we need to work through some of these critical issues. The challenge for the churches in the East are: to think through what we download from the west and secondly, to share the gospel with those who are in the West.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 14 Jul 2005 07:16:24 +0000

The whole hair being flat, is a rare occurance that won’t be seen again for a while. Much like Spock only mates every seven years, or like in the movie Brigadoon where the enchanted village in the Scottish Moors materializes from the mists of time every 100 years for a single day – my hair shall not be seen flat and on the side again until some long-away future date.

By: Sivin

Sivin — Wed, 13 Jul 2005 17:19:28 +0000

Hi Marko … Chris Rao has some interesting responses to the recent conference in Singapore and some reflections.
http://pastorpher.blogspot.com/2005/07/impressions-from-ys-post-modern-conf.html
http://pastorpher.blogspot.com/2005/07/contextualization.html

so if the conference provided some space for people to ask questions and re-think stuff here in Asia .. I think it has achieved it’s goal beyond possibly what was intended :-)

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 13 Jul 2005 05:19:02 +0000

This post made me laugh out loud. Too funny…
Howdy???

By: Sivin

Sivin — Wed, 13 Jul 2005 01:46:59 +0000

through Wilson I got linked to another response from Singapore (it’s always interesting to see what is “perceived” by the audience – this is Reader Response theory for conference presenters huh? *grin*) http://mr-incredible.blogspot.com/2005/07/postmodern-youth-ministry-conference.html

I think stuff written by Scott McKnight would very likely bridge the gap for further discussion
http://jesuscreed.blogspot.com/ he’s been really at work with his posts on “Posts” and I like his twist on “Pros”

By: Sivin

Sivin — Wed, 13 Jul 2005 01:36:49 +0000

Wilson did a pretty summary of his impressions and it does help me see how some one from “Singapore” perceives the conference and its implications.

interesting to know he did something on postmodernism during his college days. some students in Malaysia too are being more exposed to postmodern philosophers but that’s still a minority. MOst are into business studies, law, engineering, computer science, etc. The humanities departments in Malaysia to me seem less developed (and definately less popular – “what job can you get after a degree in philosophy?” someone would ask …)

as you could see .. the “impression of the speakers” is as important as the “content” in which the speakers convey … in many ways, the participants (perhaps behind their minds) are unconsciously asking – “how do these guys live out what they believe?” – so in a less cognitive way – I read Wilson’s reflection as a cry in congruence with what Tony was trying to get at during one segment about … “practical knowledge” (which assumes a Michael Polanyi kind of “personal knowledge” IMHO).. so here in Asia there’s already an implicit “buy in” into what Tony is presenting .. what is lacking perhaps is some “lingo” or “languange” to articulate that our clearer so it won’t turn or be tempted into “pragmatism” in life and ministry.

On a lighter note, if you are the “fun” one .. then I vote you genuinely live out what you believe! :-) I personally experienced that! Thanks for the link to Wilson

By: Daniel Greeson

Daniel Greeson — Tue, 12 Jul 2005 18:29:47 +0000

i want to see that picture!!

By: John Musick

John Musick — Tue, 12 Jul 2005 18:27:47 +0000

Well in light of Luke 7:37-39, being the ‘ho’ isn’t always bad.

For more: See the “Song of the Harlot” by the Violet Burning.