The Beatitudes in Modern Times
Do the Biblical “Beatitudes” Have Meaning in Our Modern Lives?
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A Possible Interpretation of the Biblical Beatitudes in the Modern World
Continuity of Western Culture – still offering beneficial guidance?
080909, 073110
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Western Culture, after the Greeks and Romans, was strongly impacted by two currents of thought and values – Christian ethics and, after some interruption, increasing intellectual clarity – the latter reaching from the ancient Greek thinkers to the Muslim universities of Southern Spain, through the scholastic period, Renaissance, and Enlightenment, into our modern, “scientific” world, including Darwin – postulating that, in nature, not Christian love, but the “fittest shall prevail” – and finally to awakening socialism as an echo to early Christian teaching.
Overemphasis on one philosophy has often led to a strong reaction by another philosophy. In our time of emphasizing science, we see a resurgence of religious fundamentalism in many parts of the world. This may be explained by a closing-of-the-ranks of those who feel seriously threatened in their security by the loss of the foundation of their faith and culture or gain merit by fighting for their faith – and also explained by the defense of hierarchies hanging on to their power.
The resurgence of old theological dogmatism often does not fit well with the needs and thoughts of the modern world, and it may even be counterproductive. We readily point out that Muslim fundamentalism may have done more harm to the Muslim world than any good it basically wanted to contribute. The same, however, must be said about many forms of Christian fundamentalism throughout history, and about other religions as well.
What do we teach our children? What path in life do we ourselves pursue? We want our children to establish a sound economic base to their lives – we need one ourselves – by being fit to “prevail”. Obviously, though, in our human culture (which is based largely on cooperation), we
.
A Possible Interpretation of the Biblical Beatitudes in the Modern World
Continuity of Western Culture – still offering beneficial guidance?
080909, 073110
.
Western Culture, after the Greeks and Romans, was strongly impacted by two currents of thought and values – Christian ethics and, after some interruption, increasing intellectual clarity – the latter reaching from the ancient Greek thinkers to the Muslim universities of Southern Spain, through the scholastic period, Renaissance, and Enlightenment, into our modern, “scientific” world, including Darwin – postulating that, in nature, not Christian love, but the “fittest shall prevail” – and finally to awakening socialism as an echo to early Christian teaching.
Overemphasis on one philosophy has often led to a strong reaction by another philosophy. In our time of emphasizing science, we see a resurgence of religious fundamentalism in many parts of the world. This may be explained by a closing-of-the-ranks of those who feel seriously threatened in their security by the loss of the foundation of their faith and culture or gain merit by fighting for their faith – and also explained by the defense of hierarchies hanging on to their power.
The resurgence of old theological dogmatism often does not fit well with the needs and thoughts of the modern world, and it may even be counterproductive. We readily point out that Muslim fundamentalism may have done more harm to the Muslim world than any good it basically wanted to contribute. The same, however, must be said about many forms of Christian fundamentalism throughout history, and about other religions as well.
What do we teach our children? What path in life do we ourselves pursue? We want our children to establish a sound economic base to their lives – we need one ourselves – by being fit to “prevail”. Obviously, though, in our human culture (which is based largely on cooperation), we