- Faith is present in every society whether or not the people of the society is Christian or not; faith can refer to a belief, confidence, or trust in a particular person or idea as well as belief in God or in the doctrines of his words. Therefore I think we can assume that people around the world all relate to faith, and as Christians are able to introduce God to those who don’t know Him, they are able to connect their own faith to the Faith that God urges us to have. Therefore Don Richardson was able to make connections with ideas in Christianity with those in the Sawi culture to gain trust from the Sawi towards God. Don Richardson primarily relates to Faith by his Christian mindset gained since he was young, when he was in college. He definitely has Faith in God in all his pursuits and actions, and is faithful that God will help him convert the Sawi to true Christians.
The Sawi, who initially were unaware of Christianity, generally had faith in different ways from Don Richardson, as they had faith in their ordinary traditions and customs, such as the waness bind, the custom of gefam ason, and of course, the concept of the Peace Child. They primarily regarded treachery and head-hunting as usual occurrences and ideas to be practiced to become prominent or powerful, which almost is the opposite of what Christianity teaches. Don Richardson connects the idea of Jesus being the Peace Child for any conflicts in the Sawi World, as he states that Myao Kodon is God. Because the Sawi believe that abiding to the concept of Peace Child is mandatory in any circumstance, they gradually trust Jesus and Myao Kodon as their savior, dismissing all other spirits they have believed before. While the Sawi first had faith in their own spirits and traditions, they now have Faith in God and Christianity after Don Richardson introduces them to the religion.
I usually relate to Faith both in Christian and non-Christian terms; when I believe or trust that good things will happen, I relate to a non-Christian faith that allows me to have confidence. However, when I bring God into any type of belief or trust, I relate Faith in Christian ways. Sometimes, though, the Faith I have can be both in Christian and non-Christian aspects.
3 comments:
Dennis you have answered the question well. Faith should never be stagnant but rather grows, changes and reflects who we are and how we relate to the world. Your systematic thoughts are clear and presented well. Do check your grammar. Mrs.Mc
January 31, 2007 9:50 AM
deneese, i am impressed by your logical and reasonable ideas. yes i do agree that all people around the world may relate to faith. it seems that you are able to relate christianity to most aspects of the book and faith among the general population. you had an interesting point of view in that as christians are able to introduce the relition to those who do not believe, they are able to connect their own faith to the faith that god urges one to have. this implies that you are a pretty strong christian yourself and believe in the words and faith God has provided. though i still question whether or not the actions of Don Richardson's were correct, i highly respect your points of view and was very impressed by your stand as a christian.
yay for you deneeeeeese!!!!!:P
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