Western Mind vs. Eastern Mind

Addressing the West

1. Acknowledge‐ ‘We are not in Africa anymore’

2. Understand‐ Learn about the Western culture

3. Develop‐ Build a new Evangelism approach

Addressing the West

1. Acknowledge‐ ‘We are not in Africa anymore’

2. Understand‐ Learn about the Western culture

3. Develop‐ Build a new Evangelism approach

Punctuality

Queuing on a Line

Noise in a Restaurant

Today’s Discussion…

Burden of Knowledge

What is the burden of knowledge?

Changing TimesMultiple Authorities

‘Rational’ World

Changing CulturesCompeting Ideologies

Discussion Points

Inquisitive

Independent

History

…

Inquisitive

Inquisitive = curious, questioning

Taught to question‐ Education

‐ Work

Competing ideologies

Simple faith *might* work at first, but questions can follow at later times

Apologetic Issues

• Bible– Accuracy– Authenticity– Old vs. New Testament– Killing of kids and

‘innocent’ people– Manuscripts

• Science– Big Bang Theory– Evolution– Stem cell research– Miracles & science– Extraterrestrial life– Cloning / Genetics

• History– Religious violence– Corrupt Church– Historical evidence

• Spiritual– Suffering and evil– Eternal hell– Salvation for others

Inquisitive

“Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Pt 3)

Always be readyGenuine search for truth will lead to … TruthNo need to have all the answers

Doctor vs. Lawyer

• Doctor looks for reality, searches for the true disease

• Lawyer defends his client whether guilty or not

Independence

The Boss

Independent

Non-conformist Faith not based on authority of others Needs to reach conclusion on his own

“So he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.’” (Jn 20:25)

Avoid paternalism Emphasis on personal experience & self discovery

History

Good, mixed and bad experiences Jehovah’s Witnesses & Mormons Judged and rejected

When the missionary E. Stanley Jones met with Gandhi he asked him, "Mr. Gandhi, though you quote the words of Christ often, why is that you appear to so adamantly reject becoming his follower?"Gandhi replied, "Oh, I don't reject Christ. I love Christ. It's just that so many of you Christians are so unlike Christ." “If Christians would really live according to the teachings of Christ, as found in the Bible, all of India would be Christian today,” he added.

History

Rejection of traditional Churches Protestant Reformation

History

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.” (Mt 23:13)

Be cautious – you are likely not their first experience with ChristianityFocus on how we have something different to offer

References

• Fr. Antonios Kaldas Blog• Yang Liu – East vs. West Pictures

Telling the Truth

Addressing Conflict

Please watch the video on this link:

Why I hate religion, but love Jesus (video) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY

Official transcription:https://www.box.com/s/z3k53ec3ssbo800ppeld