I also do not doubt that the positive attributes which King ascribed to Mary are true. I think there is plenty in Scripture to support that Mary was a true example of what it meant to be a follower of Christ – therefore, she is a leader and role model for us today. However, I’m not [...]
Week 10 – Exodus-Toward-Egypt – Fernandez (Sugirtharajah)
Fernandez discusses the current situation of Filipino Americans in light of the Israelite exodus. However, he adds a twist as he describes the Filipino Americans as going from their exodus to Egypt as opposed to the other way around as recorded in the Bible. They have chosen to come to a place where they are “colonialized” [...]
Week 10 – Canonization and Marginalizations: Mary of Magdala – King (Sugirtharajah)
Like King, I have also wondered what happened with Mary after Christ’s ascencion as she is not mentioned in the book of Acts. This is surprising considering her story as a faithful disciple of Jesus. King suggests that Mary is not mentioned due to the “patriarchal powers” in charge of canonization that hoped to discourage such [...]
Week 10 – Cutchery Tamil Versus Pure Tamil – Israel (Sugirtharajah)
This article deals with the controversial translation of the biblical text into the Tamil language. It seems as though this problem has been present in every place in which Christianity was brought through colonialism. Much of the problem seems to be found in the imposing or hijacking of terms on the Christian colonizers’ part. Maybe the [...]
Week 10 – Wednesday
I believe that our faith should be grounded in Scripture as it is applied in our current cultural context. I agree with Dr. Bolger that we must evaluate the things that we as the church oppose due to the “gospel”. Often we avoid being associated with certain aspects of society because of the layers of [...]
Week 10 – How Local Divine Powers Were Supressed – Mbuwayesango (Sugirtharajah)
The practice of Bible translation must be taken with much sensitivity. Good intentions are not enough when it comes to this matter. It takes living within the culture and becoming completely familiar with it. In the situation regarding the Shona people, there is controversy over the use of Mwari as God because Mwari is the same name used for [...]
Week 10 – Monday
I have often heard about Christ’s ministry as “countercultural”, but I like how Dr. Bolger puts more of an emphasis on Christ’s non-conformed ministry within culture. I think this is a subtle yet important distinction to make as we attempt to mimick Christ in our current context. Our goal is not to be countercultural to [...]
Response to Alex Lazo’s blog
I would agree that it is unfortunate in some cases that people are looked down upon for holding certain views. However, I disagree when it revolves around Michael Cleary. I must admit that it is different in his case. I don’t think that being open and accepting to others’ views is appropriate when their views involve [...]
Week 9 – Racial Discourse and Irish History – Gibbons (Castle)
This piece reminded me of how division will always exist. One group of people will always be able to find fault in another in order to prove its own superiority, whether that “fault” is skin color, social status, or cultural difference. This division is ultimately a result of a blindness to God’s inclusive love. As [...]
Week 9 – Inventing Ireland – Kiberd (Castle)
In his concluding remarks about Irish nationalism, Kiberd states that “a nation could only achieve consciousness through exposure to others.” I believe this concept can be simplified to individual experience. As one who was homeschooled for a few years, I can relate to this concept. Unless I am surrounded by other people, I won’t know what [...]
