What Is Christianity?

In one of the recent diocesan bulletins a Catholic  University professor of theology gives the readers a brief definition of the word Christianity. Hearing how other cultures look upon issues are always a way of expanding our vision and understanding.

There are many branches of Christianity, Catholicism is one of many. Koreans call Catholicism: 천주교회(literally translated the Lord of Heaven Church). Often we hear 성당 (Holy Place) or 구교 (Old Teaching). Catholic is defined as : universal, common, open to all. 

The word '천주교' has come down to us from the 16th century. The word for Christianity in Korean is 기독교 (基督敎), there is a wide spread perception that 기독 is Protestantism and Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity are separate religions. This is obviously wrong. We all fit under the word 기독교.

What is Christianity? 

1) From the time of the infant church the best definition: Staying away from idols and through Jesus serve God. "Idols" is an attitude that considers what is not God as God. The extreme belief in one's own capabilities, attachment to money and material things, at times science and technology take the place of God. Staying away from idols was the first step. This is not unconditionally looking down or denying their value but to consider them 'all powerful' is the problem.

2) Through Jesus- the most important content. Jesus is the center of Christianity. Our faith as the name implies is a faith through Christ, in Christ and with Christ making us complete. Christ is the beginning, center and end.

 3) It is serving God- Christianity is knowing God through Jesus. We follow the one God. "Listen Israel: Yahweh our God is the one Yahweh. You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength"(Deut. 6:4). This is valid for all of us as it was for Israel.

Christianity gives answers to the first questions of humanity: life and death, meaning and purpose of life: through Christ, in Christ and with Christ searching for the answers and receiving the eternal life of faith which begins now.

In the first Chapter of John's Gospel we are told that Jesus is the word, (Logos) who is to give us life. Truly this word Logos that humans share with one another is dialogue.  God and humans share fellowship and dialogue and we humans share fellowship among ourselves.Through the word Logos of Christianity we are drawn to an intimate relationship with God. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life by which we are brought to God. This belief is Christianity.

 

How To Face Old Age and Death?

 

The Catholic Times: In the Theology of Reading the World column, the priest director of a Culture and Theology Research Center gives readers some thoughts on life.

 

Another year goes by. "The priest classmate in the next room has been fighting a terrible disease for a long time and without promise. He also feels lonely and is growing older. The coming new year is not very welcoming to either of them. Rather than a time of hope for a fresh start, it comes as a time to endure. He also knows this feeling of heart is not healthy. He tries to reconcile these thoughts with his life of faith, to live by grace, peace, and joy. 

 

The coronavirus has been around for too long. There is still no clear prospect for the end. Many things in our daily life have been limited and changed. Of course, humans are adaptive animals able to live in any environment. But little by little, the internal wounds pile up invisibly. It is difficult to predict how this unconscious repression and wounds will change us and the world. We live in an era of uncertainty. 

 

How does one endure aging and death? He doesn't want to live to tremble and in vain but live life resolutely. Nevertheless, the topic of aging and death makes an appearance. 

 

When good books about old age and death come out, he is interested. Many have always wondered how the sages and scholars of the world endure and reflect on life. Pascal Bruckner, a novelist, and philosopher recounts beautifully and persuasively his insights and wisdom of old age. "It is not life expectancy that science and technology have increased, but old age." "Rather than dreaming of a change in life, I want to be with the good things that already exist for a long time." "You can enrich your consciousness in old age by maintaining a spirit of inquiry and observation." "All we have is the present fleeting moment of eternity. As long as we love, and create, we are immortal." These few sentences were enough. However, there is still a gap between sympathizing and agreeing with the author's thoughts and emotions, and feelings. Empathy and consent provide comfort and strength, but it is entirely up to him to live that way in the reality of daily life. Everyone endures their aging and earthly death in their own way. 

 

Sometimes, the honest despair and cold realization of the meaning of life that atheists show can be refreshing. He re-read John Gray's "Cat Philosophy". He still speaks of the tragic nature of consciousness and the weakness and helplessness of the human mind. He believes that the instinct of human consciousness to seek meaning and happiness is the only thing that leads humans to anxiety and despair. His core assertion is repeated over and over again that "the good life consists in navigating through tragic contingencies, and the spiritual life is not a life in search of meaning, but a life in meaning." "The meaning of life is nothing more than a touch and a scent that comes by chance and disappears before you know what it is." He tells us not to pursue happiness and meaning, but just to live as a selfless selfish person. "Cats are selfish in that they care only about themselves and the things they love. Cats are selfless in that they have no self-image that they strive to preserve and extend. Cats do not live selfishly, they live on their own.” (「Cat Philosophy」) John Gray speaks out about the beauty of living as oneself without greed and selflessly

 

 ■ The Quest for Wisdom – The Wisdom of Faith

 

The worldly sages depend on the wisdom of life to endure the fate of extinction. Wisdom comes from inquiry and learning. Are worldly wisdom and religious wisdom different? "Wisdom is a kindly spirit" (Wisdom 1:6) and "All wisdom comes from the Lord" (Sirach 1:1). In what direction does it take place? In a world where "everything is vanity and a chasing after the wind" (Ecclesiastes 1:14), what would it look like to trust in God, live a life like Jesus, and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit? " Wisdom makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her, and graciously appears to them in the ways, and meets them with all solicitude" (Wisdom 6:16).

 

Wisdom is with us in every path of life. But, how do we who live today find and discover true wisdom? Reorganize your mind about studying the faith and studying the world. Perhaps research and study are one of the stepping-stones that help us to endure aging and fear of death and cross over to eternity?