세계화 사회에서 진리의 전달자로서의 신자의 역할

A Study of the Role of Christians as Truth-Communicators in Global Society

Every Christian recognizes that the contemporary Christian church is confronted with the most difficult situation in history. Churches following the orthodox-reformed tradition face at least twofold plights, internally and externally. Internally they cannot cleave by themselves to peculiarities and values of the orthodox-reformed faith they inherited historically, and externally they are no longer attractive to postmodern people due to their unreasonable doctrines and old-fashioned way of life. For postmodernism as the ideological background of globalization refuses the objective truth or abiding norm for life which has consistent values in the universe, while accepting the subjective egocentrism and self-realization of human individual as the ultimate value in their lives. Pointing out that we have many exciting changes in our evangelistic environment either positively or negatively, I call for attention to the situation which has two aspects, i.e crises and opportunities regarding to Gospel ministry. Since man is losing the meaning of his life and does not know the purpose of life, which makes him uneasier and lonelier, we do not have to lose our hope in this situation of postmodernism. By taking advantage of pluralistic character in the spirit of postmodernism, that is, accepting others based on the relativity of value, today's crisis can be a good opportunity for evangelism. In such a historical context, Christian ministry must focus on two emphases. As for Church, one is to hold on the content of divine truths in which they believe, and the other is to proclaim the truth to the unbelieving generation. Churches should recover, therefore, the present experience and conviction of the Gospel. Every believer must be a Christian thinker who knows exactly what he believes in. They must live on possessing the well-systemized knowledge. Then they can be remained as truth communicators in the reformed faith showing the holy character of God through the life dedicated to the Gospel. For this, above all, the Gospel must be preached in the type of single structure in which kerygma is unified with didache together. Christian life and evangelical ministry especially including preaching are essentially the spiritual warfare. So the powerful work of the Holy Spirit must be expected in preaching the truth as well as in preparing the sermon. This is why we must pray fervently instead of being disappointed in or compromised with the situation of postmodernism. May God empower all His churches in His Word and the Spirit!