Christ for the Common Man

In differences, we proclaim the crucified Christ! From the very beginning of the human era, differences in opinions are very well seen and often these differences lead to ideas of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ and, decisions made by those who differentiate, with upholding their own personal right as the only truth! The fact is, many after finding their personal side in a situation with more than one idea, tries to prove what they selected as their option, as true, and seldom try to investigate what the truth is. ‘Prove’ is a key word in the above sentence because it says that the choice one made was not already proven but needs to be proved or investigated. Often, people will go behind the chosen position and try to prove it rather than trying to find what was the best decision to be chosen.


This fact is very common in the Christian history. The millions of denominations and the doctrinal differences all proclaim this simple truth that we fought with a lot of difference in opinions and some instead of investigating the truth went on proving what they have chosen as the truth! In Christianity, every sector has the same nucleus which is Christ, but for many reasons, each claim to be the true Church of God. Understanding Christ as who provides the eternal life, a common man who is struggling to live a decent spiritual life is often confused and many times misguided. The possibility of a common man to investigate, study and find the truth about the Christian Church himself is very low. His options are the teachers and preachers around him, but there are so many claiming they are right and the poor man will get more confused. Each has excellent reasons to prove what they preach also. Therefore, some will stay in the denominations they were born and were raised in, some being over influenced by other denominations migrate, and some being tired of the differences run away too. What are the spiritual needs of a common man? This should be a serious thought to be considered in all the different Christian denominations.

Marriage

Sunday School Grade XII 2010-11 Study Notes


Unit 10
Male and Female
Lesson 30: Marriage

Marriage is a divine institution for the wholeness, happiness and preservation of human life. God created man and woman and united them in love and sacrifice for mutual co-operation. Marriage is holy and dignified.

Man and Woman

Sunday School Grade XII 2010-11


Unit 10
Male and Female
Lesson 27: Man and Woman

Man is a sexual being, and sexual polarity is characteristic of human nature. The masculine and feminine principles can never be isolated, but they interact and complete each other.

Pilgrimage through Time

It was some time ago that this idea came across my mind. I began thinking that “Life is a pilgrimage though time”. Why did I think it as a pilgrimage and not a journey? Is both the same? Pilgrimage is itself a journey, but it is a journey that is made with a religious devotion to a sacred place (dictionary.com). Then is life a journey or a pilgrimage? It more likely starts as a journey, but as life goes on, it is transformed to a pilgrimage. To who is it transformed? Is life dynamic to everyone? Or is it stagnant? Can it just be some journey to nowhere? And can it be a journey to the wrong place? All these are possible facts.

Purpose of Creation

It will be good to explain the Purpose of Creation to understand the donation of Time in a better way. I believe that Purpose of Creation of human being is the Divine Love found in the Holy Trinity, which THEY decided to share with THEIR children (humans), so that the Love and sharing in the Holy Trinity will reach its completeness in all aspects. The purpose of humans is to glorify God, which is very necessary for the survival of us. The glorification of our Lord reaches it maximum when there is a completion in Love, when we truly understand what God’s path is meant and when we truly accept it. This completeness of Love to God has to be attained to Glorify Him purely. As Christians our journey should be towards achieving the completeness of Love towards our Lord.


I think completeness of Love in Humans towards God occurs when there is an equal amount of flow of Love among the Father and the children, or the complete sharing of Love between God and man. Our Lord has given us all the Love, has shown us all the Love and its seen right in front of our eyes. He came to the earth and suffered and died for us and that is the greatest expression of His love towards us. He submitted completely to redeem us. To have the equal amount of Love between us and our God, we should also submit ourselves completely to His will. As Jesus has obeyed His Father completely, we all have the responsibility to obey our Heavenly Father completely. “Be you therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling smell.” (Eph 5: 1, 2)

“Mile Sur Mera Tumara”

Recently, while browsing on ‘youtube’, I came across the famous Indian song ‘Mile Sur Mera Tumara’. The national TV channel of India played this song frequently, and it conveys the message of Unity in Diversity among the Indians. Even with numerous cultures, languages and dialects, the population of India has the sense of unity. The song goes like this: ‘Mile sur mera tumara, sur bene hamara’ meaning ‘your voice and my voice joins together to form our voice.’

The beauty of a garden is its variety. The variety of flowers of different kind, colors and smell creates a garden which is very beautiful. Each and every flower in that garden might be beautiful, but the joy of seeing them together is different. Similar is the case when the beautiful ‘Athapoove’ is made during the Onam season. If it is all one flower, it will not be attractive. But a mixture of many varieties and colors in a beautiful combination makes it marvelous.

Similar is the case in our families, communities, churches, nations and the world. Each and every human being will be different in at least some aspects, but together we form the community. When the members decide to raise the voices together as OUR voice, the community flourishes. When the individual ideas and agendas are sacrificed for the collective decision of the community, unity is found. When each and every person is respected equally, unity is found. This awareness and dedication is needed for every human being. In differences, no matter what it is, we can function together as a family, or a community, or a nation or as a beautiful One World of peace.

The Religions of Mankind

Sunday School Grade XII 2009 - 10

Unit 7
The Whole World is our Concern
Lesson 18: The Religions of Mankind

1. Is religion and optional subject?
No, every man has religion. Even the atheist has his own object of ultimate concern.

2. Are all religions of equal value?
No, there are inferior and superior religions. Human Sacrifice, animal sacrifices etc shall be considered inferior. The major religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Jainism, Zoroastrianism and Christianity are of superior nature.

3. Is Christianity unique?
All religions are seeking God. But the final revelation of God is Jesus Christ. God’s answer for all seekers is Jesus Christ.

4. Would all non-Christians go to hell?
Neither the Bible nor the Church teaches so. Three truths to remember: a) Jesus Christ is the only Way, Truth and Life (Jn 14: 6), b) Those who never received the law or the Gospel will be judged according to their conscience (Ro 2: 12-16, 25-29, 1 Tim 2: 5), c) Life on earth is decisive for choosing our destiny (2 Cor 5: 10, Mt 16:27), but there may be a few who repent beyond the grave also (1 Pet 3: 18-20, 4:6).

Islam and Hinduism
1. Islam:
Founder: Mohammed, born in Mecca A.D.570, died in Medina A.D.632. Prophetic call was received at his 40th year. Mohammed was a great reformer, statesman, warrior, organizer, consolidator and leader. He was influenced by Judaism and Christianity, but was unable to understand the doctrine of Trinity and hence created the creed, “There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet.” Trinity is regarded as the greatest of heresies by the Muslims.
Foundations:
A) The Quran
B) The Sunnah: Sacred traditions sorted out from the orally transmitted sayings of Mohammed.
C) The Ijma: Unanimous ruling of Muslim doctors of theology.
D) Quiyas: analogical reasoning based on the other three foundations.
Five pillars of Islamic Religious preaching are:
A) Recitation of the creed
B) Set prayers five times a day
C) Fasting during the month of Ramsan
D) Almsgiving of 1/40 of one’s income to slaves, priests, debtors and those engaged in holy war.
E) Pilgrimage to Mecca(Hajj)
Major sects of Islam:
A) Sunni: Following traditions
B) Shiah: Following Ali, the son-in-law of Mohammed

What can we do? Teach them intelligently that we are not tritheists. Trinity is the fullness of God-head as eternal love.

2. Hinduism:
Has no single founder. Is one of the oldest religions in the world.
Scriptures: The four Vedas: Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Adharva Veda; the Upanishads; and the Bhagavat Gita.
What do they believe: Karma and Transmigration or rebirth. Kama or desire causes Karma. Karma causes Karma Phala (result of action) and Karma phala is exhausted in rebirths. Those whose Karma Phala are exhausted in numerous rebirths are liberated from the ocean of cyclic births and enter Moksha. Gita teaches the doctrine of avatara. Whenever injustice and evil become stronger than justice and goodness, God takes various forms to destroy the wicked and save the righteous. In Christianity, Jesus Christ is the absolute revelation of God for all people and all ages.

3. Buddhism and Jainism:
Reform movements from Hinduism. Both are anti-Brahmanic and anti-idolatrous. Non-violence is the cardinal doctrine. Buddhism founded by Gautama Buddha and Jainism by Vardhamana Mahavira.

Mankind is One

Sunday School Grade XII 2010 - 11

Unit 7
The Whole World is our Concern
Lesson 17: Mankind is One

1. Creation in the image of God: Humanity shares God’s image. Gen 1: 27
God created one human family, one race, one language. The unfallen human race was one and without quarrels. Cain hated his brother when he felt rejected by God. One who is in tune with God will also be in tune with his brother. God found everything he created Good. Unity is an aspect of goodness. Sin caused jealousy, murder of brother by brother and flight from God’s presence.

God as Creative Community of Love

Sunday School Grade XII 2010-11

Unit 1 Lesson 3
God as Creative Community of Love

God is essentially and eternally LOVE. God is understood through the understanding that God is Love.
God is Love in action.

God’s Love and the Doctrine of Trinity
We understand God as Love. He did not grow to the stage of being Love, but was Love and is Love. Humans try to grow to a stage that is full of love. The creation, including the angels and the humans, were created by God to share the Love in God.
Love is not perfect when taken and given mutually. Love is perfect only when it is shared together. The love of a married couple will not be perfect without a child.
In a Monad, love is impossible.
In a duality love is possible, but it is imperfect.
In a Trinity, love is possible and perfect.
In a quadranity, the perfect love does not become more perfect.

Three in One: Love in Community

Sunday School Grade XII 2010-11

Unit I Lesson 2
Three in One: Love in Community

The existence of God is known to us by the revelation of God to the human beings through centuries. “The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.”(Heb 1: 3). Jesus Christ who died for our sins is the ‘Radiance of God’s glory’ and ‘exact representation of His being’. Through Christ, God is revealed to us all.