Wrap Up to week 2 ...
Coming off the heels of our 2nd class, we have established the profound significance of the time we are living in. Given the post-modern culture that we live in, there has never been as great an openness as there is right now to spirituality. Knowing how to communicate Jesus in such a spiritually charged environment is the challenge and privilege that we face in our day and age.
One of the points we ended with in terms of what such a post-modern culture is looking for is a new defining story. The story told by the modern world that our technologies and increase in knowledge can change our lives and bring the kind of world we've always dreamed of has not come true. In fact, in many ways the opposite has happened. We've seen other problems arise. The story promised is not the story our culture has experienced.
I want you to think about how we as a Christian culture of people who aim to live through a biblical focus can offer a defining story to the present post-modern culture that communicates a sense of hope and security for the future. How can we communicate the biblical story so that it not only competes with other stories that are out there but actually is a viable option to people seeking a new defining story.
More ....
If you want to delve a bit deeper into this subject you can check out the web documentary series called "The Century of the Self" to see how the modern obession of the needs of human beings was manipulated and exploited through Freud's theories of the human psyche.
We talked about the "Elegant Universe" documentary from the PBS Nova special on what astrophysicists are projecting in terms of a theory that explains everything else in the universe. The search for that one equation that makes sense of everything is what is preoccupying these scientists. To view these episodes, you can access them at the following link: PBS Special - The Elegant Universe
Contribute....
If you know of any other material that would be of benefit to contribute to this then please add the information to this blog through the comment feature.
Powerpoint ...
For the powerpoint from last class click on: The Word Become Flesh and Why the Time is Ripe to Share Jesus
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Luc mentioned Christ as the creator in class something I do not think we talk about enough. This is something I have been studying for the last 30 years on my own. Basically any scientific discovery that supports a Creator. I have a number of documentaries on this subject. One by Crossroads done back in the mid 80's that is still excellent. I also have one from a few years ago called Expelled. If anyone would like to borrow any of these or the others I have let me know by email or after class and I would be happy to lend them to you.
ReplyDeleteThe discussion of the history (1300's - present) in class makes me think about James Burke and his documentaries - Connections (1, 2 &3) and The Day the Universe Changed etc. Have any of you seen those? If not they are quite excellent as well. James Burke takes a number of inventions or technologies and goes through the history of "connections" that saw them developed. In doing so Burke discusses the geography, social and political systems of the period he is exploring. These documenters of course are not from a Christian perspective, however Burke does talk about the prevailing Church view at the time and the impact the various changes he is exploring has on the Church of the day. I have all of these series as well!
ReplyDeleteOk I am on a roll the first 3 comments on the blog! Thanks Luc for creating this interactive site.
ReplyDeleteAnyway I have been encouraging Luc to see the movie currently in theatres - The Book of Eli. So I thought I would encourage everyone in class to also see this film. Countless times in class I am reminded of scenes from this film. I do not want to give too much away - basically from the trailer: The movie is a post-apocalyptic tale, in which a lone man fights his way across America in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankind. The main character is played by Denzel Washington.
Warning: There are gruesome old testament graphic violent scenes in the movie - however they are not many and they are pivotal to the plot.
Anyway I am not mentioning this merely to plug some movie. think this film while not perfect, does present many themes from class that are relevant to the discussion in an entertaining way.