I also think a congregation should cultivate more fellowship with other local churches. I think so much more could be done if local churches worked together. I grew up in a city where the churches of the entire city would gather once every couple of months for the sake of fellowship. This was just enough to establish [...]
Week 8 – Two Models for the Future Church – Fuellenbach
I especially agree with the aspect of the Basic Ecclesial Community model which calls for serving the poor and marginalized in society. This is a way in which we can reflect Jesus. Further, this is a way in which we can worhsip Jesus. He said that whatever we did to the least of these, we [...]
Week 8 – Tyranny, Boundary, and Might – Liew (Sugirtharajah)
I personally disagree with Liew’s argument in his article. He portrays Jesus leadership in negative terms as one who commands his disciples as slaves. It seems as though he is comparing Jesus’ authority to earthly authority. However, the kingdom that Jesus is announcing is different. It is based on serving one another and love. Liew does not mention [...]
Week 8 – Mark and Empire – Moore (Sugirtharajah)
I think it is interesting how Moore sees the stories of the widow and the “alabaster jar” woman in the book of Mark. Both women have little yet they give what they have. Moore defines their giving along the same lines as he defines Jesus’ giving of himself on the cross. Their giving is “self-divestment, [...]
Week 8 – Adulteration and the Nation – Lloyd (Castle)
Lloyd suggests that a piece of art should authentically reflect the culture from which it came. It cannot be mere fractions here and there that point to the culture’s different characteristics. The essence of the art must bring about pride in the heart of the fellow national. I’m not so sure that cultural identity is one those [...]
Week 8 – The Literatures of Australia and New Zealand – Crane (Castle)
“In turning away from the center white writers in Australia and Pakeha writers in New Zealand are beginning instead to redefine themselves in relation to the indigenous cultures of their countries” (p. 397). I think it is amazing that those who colonized the lands of Australia and New Zealand are de-centralizing themselves. Not only that, [...]
Week 8 – The Body in the Library – Tifffin (Castle)
I thought the Frankenstein analogy was quite intriguing. In her article, Tiffin compares Frankenstein to the colonized. Frankenstein was the product of a man playing the role of God. Similarly, as the colonizer imposes ideas and new technologies upon the colonilized the attempt is to recreate the colonized; thus, the colonizer plays the role of God. However, this analogy fails to acknowledge the unpredictable behavior [...]
