Featured This Month: Truth and Secularism
 Partnership in MissionWe invite you to join the conversation on truth and secularism.
Singaporean theologian Mark Chan mines his experience as an Asian believer to help Christians everywhere evangelize those who have been blinded by the fallacies of relativism in his article Sowing Subversion in the Field of Relativism. Selected writers respond:
Also see more on the topic from around the web. Join in the conversation by Adding Your Response. About the Global ConversationHere thoughtful Christians are engaging critical issues relating to world evangelization to better equip the whole Church in taking the whole gospel to the whole world. We believe this is the first online conversation of its kind, and observations and ideas will help shape discussions at Cape Town 2010. Enhancements ComingAn enhanced version of the Lausanne Global Conversation is coming in early 2010. Enter your email below to stay informed:
Sowing Subversion in the Field of Relativismby Mark L. Y. Chan
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Globalization and migration have brought religious pluralism—something
that Asians have lived with for millennia—to the West. Singaporean theologian Mark
Chan mines his experience as an Asian believer to help Christians
everywhere evangelize those who have been blinded by the fallacies of
relativism.
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CD, USA CD, USA - 7 March 2010, 9:32 pm Challenges to the claims, "Jesus is the truth", "no other name" is not something new. Throughout history of Christian movement/mission, these challenges were there. The issue is that Christians like to be respectable and accepted in the pluralistic society/world. We want to tone down a bit about these claims concerning Jesus Christ and Gospel/Evangel.
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Alex Araujo, USA Alex Araujo, USA - 5 March 2010, 12:44 pm Excellent help from Chan And McAllister (I have not yet read the others). McAllister in particular addresses Western trends, and I think we need to look at this a little more deeply. How much of the current reality is Western-initiated and superimposed on the rest of the world? Is it possible that we are projecting on non-Western Christians our own struggles over this issue? If they had initiated the dialogue, would they address it the same way? I understand Chan is Asian, but as an evangelical theologian, he seems to be part of that noble circle of internationals who grapple with issues considered priority to that group of people. Nothing wrong with that, but it may miss some realities that are outside that rather small and specialized circle. I am not saying that pluralism and relativism is only a Western concern. I am asking whether the degree of concern and the approach to the issue are not overly Western, responding to a Western awakening to the issue?
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Jon and Mindy Hirst, USA Jon and Mindy Hirst, USA - 3 March 2010, 9:21 pm Thank you for sharing these thoughts. We are at a key turning point in how we view truth - our truth lens. We have spent much of the last century in a time of great progress but also significant arrogance about truth. In the later part of this century we have seen the move that the author is talking about to world without absolute truth. The key as the author described is a third way - a human context to truth. I call it "the truth we know and the truth we are learning." My wife and I have written a book about this and it has been an amazing journey to see how God is building off a foundation of absolute truth within a community of humble learners. Thanks for bringing this topic front and center!
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octavio del callar, Philippines octavio del callar, Philippines - 2 March 2010, 3:57 am I do agree that Aisian pluralism is a defitnetly a good and the best means in seeking the word of the Lord Almighty. All Christian and non-Chrstian religions such as Islam, Hindi and Buddism have truly the same basis, a belief in a Lord who is Almighty. As I understand it, the Holy Bible and the Koran contain the same basic teachings of what is good and what is bad. Personally, I admit it was only lately when I became of age (now 79) that I have been reading the Bible. In my youth, I remember in our religion that private Bible readings and studies were prohibited. I say this for a fact that my preparatory, secondary and college schooling were achived in private Catholic Schools. My eyes have been opened with these readings from this Lausane movement. Keep it up. My eyes have thus been opened with what I read in the
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octavio del callar, Philippines octavio del callar, Philippines - 2 March 2010, 3:57 am I do agree that Aisian pluralism is a defitnetly a good and the best means in seeking the word of the Lord Almighty. All Christian and non-Chrstian religions such as Islam, Hindi and Buddism have truly the same basis, a belief in a Lord who is Almighty. As I understand it, the Holy Bible and the Koran contain the same basic teachings of what is good and what is bad. Personally, I admit it was only lately when I became of age (now 79) that I have been reading the Bible. In my youth, I remember in our religion that private Bible readings and studies were prohibited. I say this for a fact that my preparatory, secondary and college schooling were achived in private Catholic Schools. My eyes have been opened with these readings from this Lausane movement. Keep it up. My eyes have thus been opened with what I read in the
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octavio del callar, Philippines octavio del callar, Philippines - 2 March 2010, 3:57 am I do agree that Aisian pluralism is a defitnetly a good and the best means in seeking the word of the Lord Almighty. All Christian and non-Chrstian religions such as Islam, Hindi and Buddism have truly the same basis, a belief in a Lord who is Almighty. As I understand it, the Holy Bible and the Koran contain the same basic teachings of what is good and what is bad. Personally, I admit it was only lately when I became of age (now 79) that I have been reading the Bible. In my youth, I remember in our religion that private Bible readings and studies were prohibited. I say this for a fact that my preparatory, secondary and college schooling were achived in private Catholic Schools. My eyes have been opened with these readings from this Lausane movement. Keep it up. My eyes have thus been opened with what I read in the
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octavio del callar, Philippines octavio del callar, Philippines - 2 March 2010, 3:57 am I do agree that Aisian pluralism is a defitnetly a good and the best means in seeking the word of the Lord Almighty. All Christian and non-Chrstian religions such as Islam, Hindi and Buddism have truly the same basis, a belief in a Lord who is Almighty. As I understand it, the Holy Bible and the Koran contain the same basic teachings of what is good and what is bad. Personally, I admit it was only lately when I became of age (now 79) that I have been reading the Bible. In my youth, I remember in our religion that private Bible readings and studies were prohibited. I say this for a fact that my preparatory, secondary and college schooling were achived in private Catholic Schools. My eyes have been opened with these readings from this Lausane movement. Keep it up. My eyes have thus been opened with what I read in the
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Brian E. Wakeman, UK Brian E. Wakeman, UK - 27 February 2010, 11:12 am Thank you for your faith-building paper! River Out of Eden Are we ‘nothing but’ survival machines Robot vehicles blindly programmed To preserve the selfish molecules known as genes? Do we animals exist for their preservation? Richard Dawkins speaks without reservation: “We are nothing more than throw away Survival machines. The world of the gene let me say Is one of savage competition Deceit and ruthless exploitation”. Does this inexorably lead humanity to fall Into the devil’s doctrine, ‘the weakest should go to the wall? A polluted stream with the misdeeds of atheism Rather than the so-called ‘memes’ of theism. It’s only one step into the swirling current of materialism To the murky water of Hitler, Pol Pot, and Stalinism. Thank God for Nietzsche’s ‘one great curse…intrinsic depravity’ Christ’s example and teaching, and its universality!
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Brian E. Wakman, UK Brian E. Wakman, UK - 27 February 2010, 11:00 am I am wondering whether the distinction is sufficiently clearly made between the richness and benefits of cultural pluralism in a descriptive sense and epistemological pluralism?
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benedict kay, india benedict kay, india - 27 February 2010, 1:37 am the world is changing. thinking is changing. The Church has to find new ways to sustain faith. People, especially the youngsters, seem anxious and bored at the same time. So the search for alternatives; and mushrooing spiritual shops and new age gurus. The Scientologists are on a rampage in the media. Relativism is something which is going to catch up, as the search for truth continue.........!
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Christine Dillon, Australian in Taiwan Christine Dillon, Australian in Taiwan - 26 February 2010, 7:48 pm Thank-you for all your thoughful articles and responses. One encouragement of LC is to 'meet' the many who are my brothers and sisters throughout the world. Very encouraging. I spend my days in southern Taiwan telling Bible stories to people who are not really seekers. Most of them are content with their own religion although many have never questioned. Instead, they just accept 'what their parents believe'. They have no intention of becoming followers of Christ and in fact think it is a "western religion!" and that "all religions are the same." I usually do not respond to these things early on but start telling them the salvation story from Genesis. This helps them begin to question their ideas. Things that attract them are the story itself (the greatest of all stories) but also that someone would listen to them and spend time with them. That someone would not rush or push them. What a privilege to see God working in them.
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Lonnie Hinkle, USA Lonnie Hinkle, USA - 24 February 2010, 10:14 am I was very impressed by the article that Mark Chan had written about. We are in a time when there is a lot of confusion about the right and wrong path to follow, but as a Christian, I know the only way to the Kingdom is through Christ. The Gospel needs to be preached with love and conviction aimed at the heart of the person, so they see what they are doing and believing may not align with God's Words. Even Paul admitted that he did not know sin except through the laws. I live in a small community, and I see the trend toward mixed faith hearing "my god would or wouldn't do this or that". Let's love not tolerate.
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Carol Ghattas, USA Carol Ghattas, USA - 21 February 2010, 6:16 pm I was very impressed with Mark Chan's article on relativism. He is right on target when he says "Christians are called to love rather than tolerate people, and in so doing to mirro God's love for all people." Helping others to focus on the person is crucial to addressing the world as Christ demands. While those of us who live or have lived in countries outside of the USA are perhaps able to grasp the importance of this article, I believe that this is an issue the American church is barely beginning if even to understand and embrace.
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M. J. Mvula, Malawi M. J. Mvula, Malawi - 15 February 2010, 2:23 pm It took me quite some time to realize that it is God who is in the business of building his kingdom. The concept of missio Dei spells it clearly. Once upon a time, we were classified as a dark continent as if God was absent from it. Far from the truth, God was and still is at work building His Kingdom which is stronger and reaching out everywhere. The centre of mission is no longer in the West. It is everywhere. We need to open up to dialogue with other faiths. the lion defends itself and the truth we embrace will defend itself. Globalization has brought these faiths on our doorsteps. What an opportune time to proclaim the true Gospel and not a caricature of it.
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John , USA John , USA - 13 February 2010, 2:30 pm Interestingly, the following from a news article on the opening of a new Hindu temple in Indianapolis illustrates well what the author is saying: "Tours and an introduction to Hinduism have been offered since the temple opened, and they have attracted students from elementary schools to colleges. Most reactions have been, 'Wow, because they understand that what we believe is not necessarily different from what they believe,' Vasudevan said. 'Hindus are taught from the very beginning that all forms of worship, sincerely offered, lead us to God, that every religion is a valid path to God. And I think there is a great deal of openness to that attitude now.'
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ronnie magpayo, Philippines ronnie magpayo, Philippines - 13 February 2010, 3:40 am "In commending truth in the face of relativism, we are dealing with people, not just cold ideas." This is a very important point that Mark Chan pointed out in his article. People of this world, coming from different faith traditions are all seekers of truth. Humanity, and not ideologies is a fundamental reason why different forms of dialogue are necessary to understand "truth" in a post-modern context. It is exerting effort for people to find common ground to be able to find our contribution in God's kingdom building. The truth is that God is in the process of bringing his kingdom in this world. The question we need to answer is, are we part of this kingdom building. This can be answered in many ways and we, as Christians, cannot simply play the role of a final arbiter. Instead, as we continue to engage the World through a serious and honest reflection of the Word, we may have a better chance to be able to contribute in this kingdom building.
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Tsheboko, South Africa Tsheboko, South Africa - 12 February 2010, 2:40 am This article is one that encourages christians not to comform to the the standards or the customs of this world but to rather continue telling the world that Jesus Christ is Lord no matter the cost of telling this truth. As christians we need not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus for it is the power of God that brings about slavation to all mankind despite race, one's home/official language, birth palce/country or any other thing that the world's system may regard as a disadvantage to another person. All we need to do as the children of the most high is to show the world the love that God showed us through which we where saved from our since.
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Cassandra Nixon, Australia Cassandra Nixon, Australia - 11 February 2010, 8:13 am The combination of Chan's article and Satyavrata's commentary on it together make a thoughtful, helpful, challenging manifesto!
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Cassie, United States Cassie, United States - 10 February 2010, 8:35 pm EXCELLENT ARTICLE! Apologetics is needed, especially among the Youth; Christian Churches should take on the responsibility to teach the principles of 1 Peter 3:15 and so equip the next generation.
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fundamentalist, USA fundamentalist, USA - 9 February 2010, 12:36 pm "This is because people have an irrepressible yearning for God and a longing for the truth." In an otherwise excellent article, this quote is just plain unscriptural. Paul quoted Isaiah as saying that no one seeks God. This may seem petty, but our attitude toward unbelievers has a major impact on our strategies for evangelism. If we think that people yearn for God, we will think the job of evangelism is easy. However, if we realize that no one seeks for God, but God seeks them and a few respond, we will realize that God has to do most of the work. As in farming, all we can do is plant and harvest; growth of the seed is up to God.
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Mark Patterson, Northern Ireland Mark Patterson, Northern Ireland - 9 February 2010, 4:13 am I believe that Chan presents a timely and prophetic message. You can see this most evidently when thinking of how relativism ultimately blurs into cultural obscurity. It is a time in global Christianity to expose the futility of buzz words and groundless notions that many involved in evangelism nuture as a means of being relative in a pluralistic society. Yes Christianity must remain relative in a pluralistic context but as Chan implies our relativism must absolutely belong to Christ's love message of truth, salvation and process of sanctification.
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mike ross, usa mike ross, usa - 8 February 2010, 9:17 pm As Galen and Charlene noted, the American 'do-it-yourself' mentality and the 'inherited ecclesiastical structures of the "reformation" ', are a major part of the problem. In america, one has to be just 'called' (even according to one's own inclinations....usually pride..), to become a 'pastor' or a 'minister'. The Ancient ...One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church has a literal 'hands on' line of Apostolic succession. Of course, if you come from a Slavic Country, in which the National Church is Orthodox, you will be beset upon by those in America who will show you the 'right' path...and that usually the wannabe reformationists.
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Luis E C, Argentina Luis E C, Argentina - 8 February 2010, 2:24 pm I congratulate the author, not only helps us to be tolerant, but also to continue preaching of Jesus, there is no other name given among men whereby we must be saved.
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Galen, USA Galen, USA - 8 February 2010, 11:32 am Tolerance for disparate or antithetical ideas marks a transitional phase between absolute or exclusivist ideologies. Thus, a highly tolerant population stands poised to plunge into a new or renewed ideology that promises to bring prevalent meaning and social cohesion to a society in flux. New or renewed ideologies normally enter social consciousness through either an elite wielding absolute power who foment ideas, or by a seditious popular movement with absolute values and highly replicable messages and affinity structures. Since ecclesial structures inherited from the Reformation can neither provide powerful leaders nor stimulate popular movements, we have yet to learn what forms and which Christian faith may thrive through the present century.
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Carlene, United States Carlene, United States - 7 February 2010, 7:27 pm Within 2 miles of my suburban home, there are businesses and restaurants catering to 15 immigrant nationalities -- not to mention Chinese and Korean Christian churches, plus a huge temple to a popular Hindu god. Even friends raised in Christian homes are drawn to "do-it-yourself" spiritualities that pick elements from unfamiliar faiths without confronting their less appealing realities. Mark Chan's perspective is straight from scripture: no gift of prophecy, teaching, or evangelism, is any more than a clanging cymbal without love.
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"Moruti" Lutz, South Africa "Moruti" Lutz, South Africa - 7 February 2010, 2:19 pm I can testify from my life: Jesus is the way to the Father. But: the only way - that's a different storry alltogether! It seems to be not an easy issue to chew on, if I look at some of the responses here. An excellent book on this is Paul Knitter's "No other name?"; I think, his analysis of the problem and a portrait of various attempts of solving it is really brilliant - though I may not fully share his conclusions.
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Esther Collier, Canada Esther Collier, Canada - 6 February 2010, 9:48 pm Can Jesus be the only way (as a bridge can be the only way to an Island) and be accessed without having to acknowledge belief in the bridge? Isn't it the attraction to the Father and his kingdom that is the only thing necessary for salvation (to walk across the bridge)? Won't it be okay if it isn't until after death that we recognize that we could only achieve that state because of Christ? What is absolutely necessary is a heart that hungers for righteousness - this thought was also suggested by C.S. Lewis The Last Battle.
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OLAF RAASCH, New Zealand OLAF RAASCH, New Zealand - 6 February 2010, 9:33 pm Many will come and mislead many. These are the words from our Saviour. Satan is alive and well and he is working hard to blind peoples mind. Everything is alright to him except the claim that Jesus my Lord is the only way This claim is hated and is precipitated by murder, hatred, persecution of every kind in many lands like Islam, and Communism,. Let you Kingdom come Lord. Your Church is waiting.
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Cheryl, United States Cheryl, United States - 6 February 2010, 4:54 pm If Jesus is not the only way to the Father then His death on the cross was nothing more than a murder as opposed to a sacrifice. We born again Christians have an internal witness that solidifies our belief in what our Jesus said, and that is He gave up His life so that we could experience the Father, and He did that because He knew it was the only way. "No one can come to the Father but by Me." End of discussion!!!
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Wayne WILSON, USA Wayne WILSON, USA - 6 February 2010, 6:35 am NO ONE YET HAS POINTED OUT THAT JESUS DIED A HORRABLE DEATH TO PAY OUR DEBT TO GOD FOR OUR SINS. THEN AFTER THREE DAYS ROSE, FROM THE DEAD TO PROVE ONLY HE HAS THE POWER OVER LIFE AND DEATH. THAT IS WHAT IS "TRUTH" IN THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRISTIANITY! THOUGH YOU ARE DEAD YET YOU SHALL LIVE.
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Ian Webster, South Africa Ian Webster, South Africa - 6 February 2010, 6:23 am With respect to Gregory G. Rose, those who have died without knowing Christ are not central to this argument. They are God's business, not ours. It is those who are still alive and do not know Christ (either because they have no faith, or another faith, or they have a relativist or pluralist view) that must concern us. And the central them here is what was picked up in the sub title: "More important than winning the argument against relativism is winning the relativist for Christ." And that is true whether one is facing an athiest, agnostic, abortionist or whomever. Can I believe it? Will I dare live it, and love as Christ did?
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Gregory G. Rose, Japan Gregory G. Rose, Japan - 5 February 2010, 10:13 pm Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. Yet many have died without knowing this. What happens to them? This is a theological problem, which is at the center of this discussion of religious pluralism and etc. Indeed to talk about all these other things without talking about this one, seems a trifle dishonest.
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Steve North, USA Steve North, USA - 5 February 2010, 9:51 pm I agree with your perspective here. As Lesslie Newbigin has said, “the only hermeneutic of the gospel” is “a congregation of men and women who believe it and live by it.” Such a community “has at its heart the remembering and rehearsing,” through word and sacrament, of the “words and deeds” of Jesus. “Insofar as it is true to its calling” the participants in the community “find that the gospel gives them the framework of understanding, the ‘lenses’ through which they are able to understand and cope with the world.” (Henry Knight, A Future for Truth: Evangelical theology in a Postmodern World) The apologetics of hope of which you speak is delivered via the incarnation of the gospel through the church. The unbelieving world has rejected the disembodied voice of propositions not evidenced in the lives of those who propose them, no matter how true they are, but when the truth is demonstrated through a living body...
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Rev. Christopher Meesaalu, India Rev. Christopher Meesaalu, India - 5 February 2010, 9:27 pm Mark L. Y. Chan's article on "Sowing Subversion in the Field of Relativism" While going through the article written by Chan, I can agree, how he dealt the subject carefully. We live in a world where, more emphasis is made on Pluralism and Relativisim. Reasons for not reaching the world with the Gospel of Crucified and Risen Lord Jesus Christ is that we spend lot of our time and energy on "Pluralistic thinking and Relativism" to the present context which I believe is not necessary. We need to remember two basic commandments of our Lord jesus Christ. 1. Love your neighbour as yourself and love your Lord 2. Go and preach the Gospel to the end of the world. We are not doing these two things, hence the Pluralism and Relativism has occupied our minds more effectively.
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JM, UAE JM, UAE - 5 February 2010, 9:07 pm "Do not attach yourself to any particular creed exclusively, so that you may disbelieve all the rest; otherwise you will lose much good, nay, you will fail to recognize the real truth of the matter. God, the omnipresent and omnipotent, is not limited by any one creed, for, he says, "Wheresoever ye turn, there is the face of Allah." Everyone praises what he believes; his god is his own creature, and in praising it he praises himself. Consequently he blames the beliefs of others, which he would not do if he were just, but his dislike is based on ignorance." - Ibn al-Arabi (13th cent)
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cmaglaughlin, USA cmaglaughlin, USA - 5 February 2010, 6:36 pm The following headline is true and proves where relativism has taken us---"An atheist preacher has been allowed to stay in office by the Protestant Church of the Netherlands." Nuff said!
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Jeff, United States Jeff, United States - 5 February 2010, 5:27 pm But as for certain truth, no man has known it, Nor will he know it; neither of the gods, Nor yet of all the things of which I speak. And even if by chance he were to utter The final truth, he would himself not know it: For all is but a woven web of guesses. Xenophanes (Hardly a Postmodern) : )
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Peter, United States Peter, United States - 5 February 2010, 3:06 pm One thing I have found in this conversation-ender of absolute truth is that we evangelicals often pick and choose our absolutes absolutely. We are as guilty of cultural and interpretive relativism as anyone. Do you suppose that if Calvin or Luther were to land in today's Christian market place with its consumerist mindset that they'd recognize it? Do you think the Super Bowl, played on the Sabbath, would pass muster in Calvin's Geneva? Look how easily Christians dismiss the O.T. injunctions that we find inconvenient, and yet glom on to those that we find politically expedient. It's all something of an exegetical circus.
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"Moruti" Lutz, South Africa "Moruti" Lutz, South Africa - 5 February 2010, 12:38 am Concerning Stuart McAllister's comment on the "end of apologetics": maybe one has to differenciate and say: "the end of apologetis as we know it". In a postmodern culture we will have to learn, how to spell out the gospel of Jesus in a way that can be understood. Maybe the "Finding Faith" books of Brian McLaren could give an indication, what effective apologetics in our postmodern times could look like ("A Search For What Makes Sense" and "A Search for What is Real")?
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"Moruti" Lutz, South Africa "Moruti" Lutz, South Africa - 4 February 2010, 6:53 am PART TWO After all, we are called to do so, and the "historic accident" that you and I were born in the present times, i.e. in post-modernity (or whatever other label you prefere) to me is an indication that it is our job to spell out the good news of God's love and grace into the parlance of - post-modernity! But how? My tentative sugestion: can we talk of "that which makes sense". After all, truth (as long as it existed) never mattered as long as it remaind some abstract metaphysical thought "out there"; it had to make sense, otherwise it remains irreleveant. I admit, it may be a bit disappointing to replace the traditional "truth" with "something that make sense to me", but at least it would capture an important aspect.
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"Moruti" Lutz, South Africa "Moruti" Lutz, South Africa - 4 February 2010, 6:53 am PART ONE When reading Chan's article I can only agree on the analysis he gives: that apparently in our postmodern world an absolute truth does not count any longer. Truth has beeb tribalized, as he said. I wonder, though, if it is not possible to turn this threat into an oportunity, with a bit of creative thinking. If we have to admitt that the world we live in does no longer accept "truth" as a valid category or concept, is there a way how we could continue proclaiming the gospel of the Jesus Christ who says: I am the truth!
