Mat 13:19
When any one hears the word of the Kingdom and does not understand it, the evil comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. (NAS)
To 'understand' in the Greek, relates to knowing with the 5 senses - that which is tested, experienced, proven first-hand. The word syniemi (understand) literally means, "to bring together" or "to come together" or perhaps, "to put together". When we can "put things together" in our minds or when the words we've heard "come together" in our heads, we understand what the speaker is trying to say; thus its metaphorical meaning of "to understand". A similar metaphor is "I get it!" Somehow a "light" is turned on in our brains and we understand what is being talked about. (B. Stoffregen)
Julius Nyerere, the 'father of Tanzania', was one of Africa's brightest thinkers, and challenged the continent to become responsible for its own destiny. Far from being a fatalist, he understood the role and nature of real education but sadly failed in its implementation. (For more on this brilliant man click here).
The role of story (oral tradition) in indigenous contexts (beautifully exemplified in Jesus' MO), has largely been disposed of through the introduction of Western methods over the past century or more, sacrificed on the altar of rote learning; the accumulation of data without in-formation.
Ironically, Western thinking is now re-embracing the old, through the novel idea of 'on-the-job' training.
Philip Jenkins asserts that the centre of Christendom is shifting from the West to either Africa or South America. I'm thinking that this issue is a major player in that happening. As Western Christianity rediscovers story (HIS-story), and weaves it back into its teaching methods, people will begin to realize how little they really know, and seek the experience of truth, Truth Himself.
When pre-Christians look at us and say, "You don't know what you're talking about", they actually may be right! Without realizing it, they are really saying, "You don't KNOW who you're talking about!"
Until we know Him of whom we're talking, 'what' we're talking about is of little value.
We are having so much fun rediscovering these realities, realizing that we are as much (if not more) learners as teachers over here. We thought we were missionaries to Africa, but if Jenkins is right, we may well end up missionaries to the West, mentored in turn by our African brothers and sisters.
And we thought WE had it all... well, at least that's the way we understood it!!!
Oops - it's 4:30am ... time to go back to bed!
When any one hears the word of the Kingdom and does not understand it, the evil comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. (NAS)
To 'understand' in the Greek, relates to knowing with the 5 senses - that which is tested, experienced, proven first-hand. The word syniemi (understand) literally means, "to bring together" or "to come together" or perhaps, "to put together". When we can "put things together" in our minds or when the words we've heard "come together" in our heads, we understand what the speaker is trying to say; thus its metaphorical meaning of "to understand". A similar metaphor is "I get it!" Somehow a "light" is turned on in our brains and we understand what is being talked about. (B. Stoffregen)
Julius Nyerere, the 'father of Tanzania', was one of Africa's brightest thinkers, and challenged the continent to become responsible for its own destiny. Far from being a fatalist, he understood the role and nature of real education but sadly failed in its implementation. (For more on this brilliant man click here).
The role of story (oral tradition) in indigenous contexts (beautifully exemplified in Jesus' MO), has largely been disposed of through the introduction of Western methods over the past century or more, sacrificed on the altar of rote learning; the accumulation of data without in-formation.
Ironically, Western thinking is now re-embracing the old, through the novel idea of 'on-the-job' training.
Philip Jenkins asserts that the centre of Christendom is shifting from the West to either Africa or South America. I'm thinking that this issue is a major player in that happening. As Western Christianity rediscovers story (HIS-story), and weaves it back into its teaching methods, people will begin to realize how little they really know, and seek the experience of truth, Truth Himself.
When pre-Christians look at us and say, "You don't know what you're talking about", they actually may be right! Without realizing it, they are really saying, "You don't KNOW who you're talking about!"
Until we know Him of whom we're talking, 'what' we're talking about is of little value.
We are having so much fun rediscovering these realities, realizing that we are as much (if not more) learners as teachers over here. We thought we were missionaries to Africa, but if Jenkins is right, we may well end up missionaries to the West, mentored in turn by our African brothers and sisters.
And we thought WE had it all... well, at least that's the way we understood it!!!
Oops - it's 4:30am ... time to go back to bed!
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