We live in a world, where the post modern thinking influences people in their social,
political and theological thought process. In Wikipedia, we read the following statements
about postmodernism.
Postmodernism is largely a reaction to the assumed certainty of scientific, or objective,
efforts to explain reality. In essence, it stems from a recognition that reality
is not simply mirrored in human understanding of it, but rather, is constructed
as the mind tries to understand its own particular and personal reality. For this
reason, postmodernism is highly skeptical of explanations which claim to be valid
for all groups, cultures, traditions, or races, and instead focuses on the relative
truths of each person. In the postmodern understanding, interpretation is everything;
reality only comes into being through our interpretations of what the world means
to us individually. Postmodernism relies on concrete experience over abstract principles,
knowing always that the outcome of one's own experience will necessarily be fallible
and relative, rather than certain and universal.
Postmodernism is "post" because it denies the existence of any ultimate principles,
and it lacks the optimism of there being a scientific, philosophical, or religious
truth which will explain everything for everybody - a characteristic of the so-called
"modern" mind. The paradox of the postmodern position is that, in placing all principles
under the scrutiny of its skepticism, it must be realized that even its own principles
are not beyond questioning.
From the above statements, we understand that according to the postmodern philosophy,
there is no ultimate definition to anything. This is a thought pattern which transfers
the emphasis from one central point to different local things. It is applicable
in political, social, scientific, religious or anything in relation with human beings
and the universe. All things are dependent on experiences. Understanding of reality
or truth changes according to the changes in the social, cultural, economic situations
and the like.
The postmodern situation is positively asserted for the radical inclusivism that
it promotes and affirms. Everything gets value and importance. The experiences of
human beings get importance and whenever the situations changes the vision about
the ultimate truth also change and develop on the basis of the new experiences of
human lives.
When we think about our faith in the contest of post modernism, we believe, God
is ultimate and infallible. But human understanding of God develops in and through
human experiences. To grow with God and in the understanding of God, we should keep
our minds open to understand more about God and God’s activities in this world and try to co-operate in the reforming and renewing work of God in our life situations.
Our V.B.S. was a blessed one. Conveners Mini John and Susan George, Sunday school office bearers, teachers, volunteers, and parents helped to plan everything in advance
and to conduct the programs in a very beautiful way. Thank you all for the leadership
and financial support to the
V.B.S. Church
picnic was also good. We enjoyed the fellowship and support of almost all the church
members.
In July we will have the Edavaka mission convention in our church and Diocesan family
conference at
Santa
Clara, California
.. Please pray for all these programs.
Wish you all good health and prosperity,
Johnson Philip Achen.