MODULE 4: CHRISTIAN AND TEACHINGS IN THE MODERN WORLD

LOVE

-a commitment to care for somebody

-feeling of affection towards someone

DIFFERENT TYPES /KINDS OF LOVE

*Agape-unconditional

*Eros-intimacy

*Storge-parents

*Philos-siblings

DISCUSS THE CHRISTIAN TEACHINGS ABOUT LOVE

Love is the foundation of Christian life and all relationships : Christians are to
love one another as God /Christ loved them eg feeding the hungry, clothing the
naked and visiting the sick

Benefits

-improves social relations

-social acceptance

However

-dependency syndrome

-not possible to show love to everybody

Love is the base of men’s salvation-through love people can experience eternal
life

Benefits

-sense of security due to reconciliation

-enhances peace

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However

-some Christians may pretend to have changed by repenting yet they have not but
just doing it for social acceptance

-may not be easy to undo the harm caused

HOW DID JESUS DEMONSTRATE LOVE THROUGH HIS LIFE

Crucifixion-Jesus Christ died on the cross for the remission of people’s sins. Thus
he laid his life for humanity and this was unconditional love as his blood was a
ransom for all despite race, origin among others. Those who believe in him will
abide by the Ten Commandments to have their sins blotted away.

Benefits

-Reunited God with humanity

-moral uprightness

Flipside

-some Heretics believe that Simon of Cyrene died on behalf of Jesus

-some Judaic groups eg Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes among others believe that
Jesus died for his blasphemous acts

Accommodative nature-he accepted the lame, sick, outcasts and marginalized and
also raised the dead.

Benefits

-to break all social barriers to ensure equality and respect for all despite all
challenges

However

-social construct made it difficult for Jesus’ acts to be accepted according to Judaic
tradition

HOW JESUS DEMONSTRATED LOVE THROUGH HIS TEACHINGS

Parables-parable of the prodigal Son; message love is forgiving. God’s love to

humanity is unconditional

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Benefits

-mutual trust

-improved interpersonal relations

However

-according to the Judaic religion punishment must be proportional to the offence

committed hence love does not apply

-not easy to forgo the Judaic teaching; love friends and hate enemies

Teaching on love through the Beatitudes-expectation is for people to care for the
less privileged and the vulnerable

Benefits

-loyalty to God

-interdependence/enhances social relations

However

-dependency syndrome

-conflicts within families due to lack of consultation

WAYS IN WHICH LOVE IS EXPRESSED IN MODERN SOCIETY

Charity works-Christian denominations do charity works to the community

members for example Seventh Day Adventist Church, Roman Catholic Church,
United Congregational Church of Southern Africa, Zion Christian Church

*mention the services-building of houses for the homeless, donation of food,

clothes, money among others

Benefits

-reduction of criminal activities

-harmonious living due to enhanced social relations thus improving people’s

wellbeing

-dignity and self worth restored

-protection from harsh weather conditions

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NB: relevance of people’s rights being taken into consideration and the effect in
reaching their full potential

However

-acts of charity may result in conflicts and misunderstandings in some Christian

families due to lack of consultation

-motive for charity might be bad: recognition, status, financial benefits or selfish
interests

Offering counseling to people with problems- Some Christian denominations

have counseling centres for example Seventh Day Adventist Church, Roman
Catholic Church

Benefits

-provide psycho-social support

-possible reduction of gender based violence and abuse

However

-not easy to at times due to social construct

-such services are not readily available more especially in rural areas

LOYALTY IN SOCIETY

-refers to being committed, obedient, faithful, truthful to God to oneself and fellow
human beings, ideas or symbols.

WAYS IN WHICH CHRISTIANS SHOW LOYALTY TO GOD

Abiding by the Ten Commandments-it is a religious duty for Christians to abide

by the Decalogue/Ten Commandments. These are instructional guidelines to
human beings regarding their relationship with God.

Benefits

-upon abiding by these principles humanity will be blessed yielding good fortune,
healing , excellence at work and in education

-moral consciousness

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However

-abiding by the Ten Commandments does not guarantee that one would live a
trouble free life. Challenges will always be there hence people may question God’s
authority ; the story of Job

-strict obedience to the Ten Commandments may make people anti social (unable
to relate well with others)

-limits people’s freedom and may encourage stereotypic thinking

Practicing baptism-through baptism Christians are reborn in the newness of life.

By immersion, the old self dies and old habits such as stealing, adultery, gossiping
betrayal (all ills) are buried in water. It is a symbolic representation of admission of
guilt and wish to embrace a new life in Jesus Christ

Benefits

-one’s relationship with God will be restored thus resulting in moral uprightness
which in turn fortifies or strengthens human relationships

-benefits of forgoing the mentioned ills

However

-baptism as a assign of loyalty may not completely change one’s behavior as old
habits die hard or may not be easy to forgo certain kinds of behavior eg stealing as
that might have been a way of earning a living

- one may be baptized for social acceptance

-can be a risky exercise more especially those who baptize in rivers ,water pools
and dams

WAYS IN WHICH CHRISTIANS SHOW LOYALTY TO FELLOW

MEN/HUMAN BEINGS

Visiting the sick

Caring for the needy

CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING OF LOYALTY IN SOCIETY

Loyalty to one’s nation-praying for the sicknesses or diseases eg HIV/AIDS,

Cancer, rain, COVID -19
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Benefits

-rain; increased farm produce, reduction of poverty and dependence

-healthy nation; increased productivity hence improvement of people’s lives

However

-afflictions will always be there despite loyalty to God

-opposing forces will always be there; unfaithful or non believers

-natural disasters eg floods may lead to outbreak of diseases

Loyalty to rulers

IMPORTANCE OF LOYALTY

-strengthens relationships

-strengthens one’s faith

-promotes peace and harmony in the society

-brings people together

AUTHORITY

-having the power and the ability to control serve, influence, command, enforce
laws that exact obedience, determine and judge.

BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION OF AUTHORITY

Authority’s purpose is to serve people -community leaders eg church

leaders ,kgosi among others should serve their community selflessly by meeting
their needs(material, financial, spiritual and emotional) .

Benefits

-reduction of poverty

-settle disputes thereby enhancing social harmony

-reduction of crime

However

-members of the society may exploit leaders eg financially and materially

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-dependency syndrome

-family problems

Authority’s purpose is to make people free and not enslave them-family

depicts authority. Rules instituted within families ought to allow children to freely
express their opinions and never oppress them, to be flexible, wives and children
must not be stigmatized

Benefits

-respect

-mutual understanding

-unity

However

-families may have bad role model

-relaxed laws may lead to misdemeanor

IMPORTANCE OF AUTHORITY

Enforce rules and laws- Christian church leaders or government officials are to
enforce the law or rules as spelled out in the Penal Code and the Bible. Failure to
observe laws or rules may result in different forms of punishment be either
correctional or punitive. NB: give examples of rules or laws that people are to
abide by.

Benefits

-maintain peace and harmony

-maintain order and stability in the society

-reduce social ills

-ensure justice for all

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However

-enforcement of the law may result in oppression of people or denial of people’s

rights

-some church leaders may excommunicate or exclude any member who disagrees
with them and that may deny the church member freedom of expression

Settle disputes and reconcile people-Christian church leaders and dikgosi among
others settle disputes and reconcile people marriage problems, financial problems
and other life challenges

Benefits

-reconciliation may result in forgiveness which eventually leads to good relations

among societal members

-once disputes are settled cordial and harmonious existence will prevail resulting in
care and concern for each other

-unity and solidarity will reign hence leading to tolerance

Even though

-some may expose secrets

-some leaders may be biased in an attempt to solve problems

QUALITIES OF A GOOD LEADER

-respect other people

-sufficient intelligence ; good interpersonal skills (stress management skills, anger

management skills, good communication skills, good listening skills),broad
minded and visionary

-tolerant

-empathetic

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SALVATION

*freedom from the bondage of sin

*being delivered from one’s sins

BIBLICAL TEACHINGS ON SALVATION

Repentance-salvation comes through repentance. People who wish to be saved

will feel sorry for their actions or deeds and will repent just like Zacchaeous the tax
collector.

Benefits

-sense of security due to reconciliation

-enhance social relations

--moral uprightness

However

-some Christians may pretend to have changed whilst they are not but just doing it
for social acceptance

-may not be easy to undo the harm caused

-might not be easy to forgive and forget

Sanctification-those who wish to be saved will be sanctified through faith in Jesus

Christ. Thus he makes them clean.

Benefits

-behavioral change forgo stealing, adultery, prostitution among others

-rebirth eg Nicodemus abandon old life and embrace newness of life in Jesus
Christ

However

CHRISTIAN BELIEFS ABOUT ETERNAL LIFE

Resurrection-belief in resurrection implies that death is not permanent. Thus the

resurrection of Jesus heralds resurrection of all to everlasting life provided they
had lived a righteous life.

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Benefits

-give hope of a better life despite suffering

-encourage moral uprightness

However

-no guarantee that resurrection is real

Judgement-Christians believe that there will be judgement for all depending on

their actions; eternal life for those who led righteous life and condemnation for evil
doers.

Benefits

-social relations will be enhanced

-people will show concern and care for the less privileged

However

-judgement may instill fear and deny Christians freewill or freedom of choice

RELEVANCE OF SALVATION IN MORDERN SOCIETY

-promotes good relationships

-helps one to respond to the needs of others eg helping the poor, taking care of
orphans, clothing the naked.

JUSTICE AND PEACE

Justice-treating people equally and fairly by making provisions of conditions

adequate for each person’s development

 Means the right or the equal treatment of people

Peace-when there is harmony among people e.g. absence of hostility, armed

conflict, violence or war in the society. (contennons means dispute /strong
disagreement/ quarrels)

BIBLICAL TEACHINGS ON ISSUES OF JUSTICE AND PEACE

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-Justice and peace bring about acceptable human relationships (ISAIAH 58:1-12)-
feeding the needy, clothing the naked, accommodating the homeless, letting the
oppressed go free

-Fairness at work (Deuteronomy 24:1-28)

-Harmonious living (Psalm 23)

INJUSTICES THAT NEGATE PEACE

-exploitation of workers

-oppression of the poor

-taking bribes in administration of justice

CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANITY TO JUSTICE AND PEACE TO

SOCIETY

-Care for the sick, orphans, poor and underprivileged

-provide counseling

-praying for the sick

CHAMPIONS OF JUSTICE IN CHRISTIANITY

Desmond Tutu

-campaigned for equality against apartheid in SA

-used nonviolence

He condemned acts of corruption, poverty xenophobia violence

He advocated for the need of forgiveness

Peace does not come from an armed population, but it comes from a just
population

Martin Luther

He was against the oppression of other people

He taught people that Nonviolence movements seeks justice

He preached from the bible (that do not pay evil with evil)
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Jesse Jackson

He campaigned for equal rights between the whites and the blacks in America

Spoke against apartheid in SA

He advocated for gay marriages (LEGABIBO)

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