Browsing by Author "Sikuku, Emmanuel Likoko"

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    Qoheleth and Modern Christianity Facing the Challenges to Our Faith
    (Tangaza University College, 2006) Sikuku, Emmanuel Likoko
    The social world we live in today is dramatically different from the social world of a few years ago, leave alone two thousand, three hundred years ago when the book of Qoheleth was written. Startling political events, technological breakthroughs, and an increasing awareness of global ecology in recent years serve to remind us of the rapid changes in the social order. This dynamism presents us with new challenges and problems'. To understand change, even as we experience it, is undoubtedly difficult. Making sense of society, especially life has never been easy and it has become increasingly difficult in today's world. Religion, Sacred books or Traditions no longer provide answers. For instance, during the Old Testament times when someone wondered where the rain came from, it could easily be answered that God was watering the world. Qoheleth raised so many questions regarding the meaning of life. His questions are still our questions today. But, how can we distinguish between what is trivial and what is significant? How can we make a sense out of wholeness in a world that appears to be increasingly fragmented and disjointed? These questions while seemingly rhetorical, are very urgent and intimate to humanity today. People, especially the young (youth) are searching for understanding and meaning in life. However, this "task is lost most of their moral authority" 2 . As a consequence individualism has been raised to the status of a civil religion. The idea of society as a shaper of consciousness has received less attention than it deserves. Due to liberal viewpoints today, especially in the West, enhanced by what the Americans would call "a free society", scientific revolution and capitalism have created an individualistic society that allows very minimal dialogue (if any) between various disciplines. Religion has been caught in this web of a fast moving society and it seems only the elderly people can keep hold to their faith. The young are simply blown by the wind of "modern culture" of "I do what pleases me". This attitude have put nations at loggerheads, divided the society and bombed almost to extinction cultural values of our fathers. One particular aspect of human life that has suffered most under this religion. The new culture of "free society" has encouraged the human person to narrow his focus to him/herself. The modem man and woman have stopped thinking about the "other", but the "self'. Making money, making oneself comfortable, getting a good job, travelling the world, etc, have become a priority. All these are good things but they come with a price, for we do not live in a perfect society. The question is: How is the modem Christian managing in this environment?