Archive for September, 2005
Bishop N.T. Wright talks about cultural engagement in RESPONSE
some articles and transcripts here .. wow the C.S. Lewis for our time?
Does Evangelical Theology Have a Future?
read this years ago during seminary days, interesting how it’s more relevant now in my journey 
ok 2 links enough …
This statement struck in me coming from a young intelligent Malaysian who’s not a Christian in our little interaction on his blog (which I didn’t link just in case …).
“I have no problem with Jesus, its his fan club that freaks me out”"
I’m a little left behind this “ongoing conversation” since it started. Partly because I’m “in transition” in a number of ways I hope to catch up once things are more settled at least at our new place of refuge.
I personally find this “book project” fascinating .. first, in it’s title and topic and second, in the way it’s written with the aid of the medium of blogging.
Check out the following for a sampling of what’s happening and ongoing …
What is Postmodernism? – Bruce Ellis Benson
I’ve been asked this quite a lot lately … Brian’s response is worth checking out here
Spiritual Formation in a Postmodern Context — Brian McLaren
It’s not just about knowing the context, it’s about how we relate this to discipleship and how all this affects or even refocused how we can do “spiritual formation”
Evangelical Faith & (Postmodern) Others — Kenzo Mabiala
This is REALLY good and introduced the idea of “postcolonial” thinking … which has been popping up in this blog as well.
Postmodern Ministry; In Search of A Living Orthodoxy — Ellen Haroutunian
I’ve heard of a generous orthodoxy .. now how does all this translate into a “living orthodoxy”. This is not just word play … it’s allowing words to shapre our reflection. I’m still cautious and concerned when the word “postmodern” may be misused as a “brand” name … but then that’s always the temptation if we are not alert.
Bible, Theology and Postmodernism — Myron B. Penner
Ah! here comes something on the Bible … Phew …
I realize that many have not yet been initiated “carefully” into the subject of modernity and postmodernity in our Malaysian context (as well as what all this means to us) … this is so true after observing and listening to some reaction at a session in the latest youth consultation organized by NECF (more on this important consultation in another post) . It’s still very fuzzy for many and even totally unknown. Hmm ….
after that in hindsight I think Alwyn did a pretty good job trying his best to communicate what he understood as he grappled with the word “postmodern” and all that surrounds it. Here’s some of his powerpoint slides and extra thoughts on Mo vs Pomo?
“… Anyway, I’m pasting two of the slides presented at last weekend’s EMO/Pomo meeting. I find such comparisons helpful, if a little far from exactly ‘reality-depicting’ i.e. it’s only generally true and all thinkers of whatever stripes would have surely some bones to pick with at least some of the pairs.
As I mentioned during the session, the asterisk-ed items are those pomo elements I find particularly helpful/beneficial for church, spirituality, theology, etc. This is not to deny the value and extent of “modernity’s” contribution, only to suggest that maybe in this ‘new world’ we’re in, it may be wise to go beyond them.”
I’m glad that Kevin (a first time new comer for a meeting) gives us a feel of his impressions and feedback from this post My First EMO Meeting!
“So finally I become a participant… Well, still not really a participant! I was more trying to listen and see what I could learn from it rather than sharing my thoughts and views (not that I had much to say anyway, knowing nothing much about philosophy or postmodernism). I’m a little too shy for that! Plus, having all those pastors and seminary students around were quite intimidating for a first timer layman like me! But it was good to finally meet up with some of those bloggers in person! I also learned a few things about modernity and post-modernity, especially on their respective histories and contexts in which they came about.
One thing that really struck me was how the discussion would always be dragged back into our own context and practice as Christians here in Malaysia. Someone would always remind the group, “How do we apply that here?” or “How will that affect us?” I think this is a good way to go about these discussions, because they are always in danger of becoming detached from Christian praxis, or from our own Malaysian context (both of which I have been guilty of countless times in some of the discussions that I’ve been in!). It’s good to see Pastor Sivin and Emergent Malaysia moving towards that direction. I’m looking forward to the discussion on post-colonialism.
(is there something subversive about this picture? *just in case some are wondering … I’ll note the Cross is still central … grin*)
I’m not sure whether I’ll have time to blog about a fruitful feeble attempt we tried last saturday at the emergent Malaysia open (eMo) meeting. so I’ll let one of the presenters Alway share from Henry IV, Leaves & JFK
“I think the EMO session on Saturday was helpful to everyone. Whilst there was maybe some slight discomfort with the postmodern-oriented deliveries and ‘agendas’ (smile) of both Kia Meng and me, I think people generally brought home a richer perspective of post-modernity, its context, its implications, some misunderstandings of it and one or two ways the Church can ‘milk it’ for the kingdom. (Of nice added value was perhaps the fact that our EMO venue was also used as a trading-point for book enthusiasts, a ‘den of wisdom’ as Sivin strategically phrased it, hehe).
Some of the words post-modernity sparked in the participants are worth recalling: “Duh?”, “Huh?” Yes. Very pomo: conceptually vague, but spot-on in ‘embodying’ the favour/mood/spirit of people!
I certainly benefited from Kia Meng’s introduction to the historical events surrounding Descarte’s (the ‘big-time’ philosopher who dominates many an elementary Maths textbook!) thoughts, Henry IV’s preceding reforms and the impact of his conspiracy-soaked death. I confess I’m a nut in matters of medieval European history. Thanks, Kia Meng, for showing its link to “I am thinking, there I exist” (and for correcting the more popular, “I think, therefore I am” – he also noted how D.A. Carson today’s society as one built around, “I shop, therefore I am”!).
Minor tension arose around Kia Meng’s expressed rejection of the Basic Life program. But I think we can hold together both the value of a Western program transplated/imported to the East its occasionally uncritical use by over-enthusiastic (but no less God-loving) practitioners.
General principles are probably indispensable in our world and Church, but caution is needed to avoid blanking out completely the differences and individual uniqueness among and of particulars.
I’m glad Kia Meng highlighted this as it was then easier for me to explain Nietzsche’s gripe with thinking during his time. The concept of a ‘leaf’ violates all leaves. And if our Basel professor had a problem with that, imagine his quarrel with the categorisation and ‘grouping together’ of ideas like God, Man, Society, Knowledge, etc.
My session was a blur to me (as it usually is whenever I ‘evaluate’ my own presentations). Most people looked as if they understood(!), but I didn’t get many questions and I had to leave early so I couldn’t quite gauge how most people felt.
I hope, at least, the books I put on the slide were helpful. Maybe I’ll try to get an outline out soon. (Those interested to see the outline of my Hell talk can find it here).
Lots of work needed, surely, to reap spiritual fruit from these exchanges. The main issue is whether or not we live in a substantially ‘new’ world from that mainly characterized by modernity, what this new world considers important, worthy of attention, how this new world thinks, lives, feels, etc. and whether our former approaches need to be rethought and even replaced. Sivin and Yew Khuen’s responses cum rejoinders to me and Kia Meng focused, if I’m not wrong, on the need to reconsider how and why we do what we do, in light of the whole pomo debate, whilst giving full credit to the contributions modernity has bestowed (and continue to bestow) on us.
Looking at my students, my church, my community (even in 2nd-world Kuala Lumpur), I certainly think the time is ripe for a new paradigm of truth and life (sorry if this sounds corny, summaries always do, don’t they?!).
And if you’re STILL wondering what the JFK pic is doing there, well, watch the movie and ask yourself: Is it a ‘motion picture’ or a documentary or what? Is it truth or fiction or some kind of hybrid? And, most importantly, do these distinctions matter?
Okay. There’s a multi-player Half Life session going on around me. Time to party (grin).”
A new comer college student Doulos had these interesting to say from pomo which has an insightful twist at the last sentance …
“Went to BLC today to listen to a discussion organized by the Emergent conversation of Malaysia headed by Ps.Sivin Kit. The topic was on Modernity, Postmodernity and what it means in Malaysia. More than two hours of hard stuff I must say. Understanding history and culture is important and I must say I got out of the session much more enlightened. Postmodernism is a very engaging topic. Introduced to this word in the beginning of the year and it continues to grab my interest. The only problem is that I have not fully understood what is modernity. So I will turn backwards a bit. hehe”
more when I can sqeeze some time … I’m off to Genting at 12noon .. very little time.
Under the Spell of Good Intentions
I think it’s good to read something from Mr. S.K. on Saturday evening!
Franke’s Character of Theology 1, -2-, -3-, -4-, -5-
I’m following Scott’s summaries and feedback with interest and hope to get the book when it arrives!
Toward a Proper Christian Response to Postmodernity -1-preface, -2-mapping, -3-local, -4-MetaNarrative, -5-Reason, -6-Reality
Here’s another series I want to start checking out … wow! I’m REALLY catching up with these guys who write in series!
the 4 Spiritual Truths
we mentioned the 4 spiritual laws in our eMo meeting for an illustration … I thought having a look at a anabaptist version would be helpful.
“unhomed”!
This caught my attention (something we alluded to at the eMo meeting as well) – the reflections based on the excerpt here from Lois Tyson’s Critical Theory Today is facinating…
“Postcolonial theorists often describe the colonial subject as having a double consciousness or double vision, in other words, a consciousness or a way of perceiving the world that is divided between two antagonistic cultures: that of the colonizer and that of the indigenous community. …
This feeling of being caught between cultures, of being to neither rather than to both, of finding oneself arrested in a psychological limbo that results not merely from some individual psychological disorder but from the trauma of the cultural displacement within which one lives, is referred to by Homi Bhabha and others as unhomeliness. Being “unhomed” is not the same as being homeless. To be unhomed is to feel not at home even in your own home because you are not at home in yourself: your cultural identity crisis has made you a psychological refugee, so to speak.
Double consciousness and unhomeliness persist in de-colonized nations today. So among the tasks formerly colonized peoples face is the rejection of colonialist ideology, which defined them as inferior, and the reclamation of their pre-colonial past. (368)
Packing and unpacking this will occupy our minds for a while …
Moving is always a hassle and gives us substantial headaches… but it has been very much part of my own life especially for my childhood – Malaysia –> Forlong – UK –> London – Brighton – Leicester – Malaysia –> Taman Forlong – UK–> Leicester – Malaysia –> Taman Forlong (P.Ramlee) – Kampung Pasir – Taman Maluri – Shah Alam – Ampang – Wangsa Maju – PJ –> ?
Gareth wasn’t born yet when we moved here this home in PJ 5 years ago … He’s going to be Three in October. I recall my first “move” was slightly after three on a plane to the UK to reunite with my Dad. Life has never been the same or “still” ever since.
Elysia responds quickly to her Dad’s voice. I noticed she responds even faster to her mum’s smell. she’s been growing exponentially when it comes to her interaction with us lately … she’s experimentating with a variety of expressions – e.g. bright oh-you-are-here look, frustrated-pick-me-up yell (or yells), I’m-REALLY-having-fun giggles, tata-ta conversations, etc.
packing our stuff this last week has made me more aware of the immediate moments right before my eyes.
May Chin showed me an old photo of us probably just after form 5 (high school) … wow! I was REALLY skinny! She’s ever pretty …