Early Christian values in cultural encounter, Zeus and the Rain, Mammon and modern medicine men

Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Theology
Abstract
The aim of the article is to revitalize traditional Christian values to prevent them from getting lost. For the Judaeo-Christian tradition, the confession to one living God is the cornerstone of the intra-cultural encounter. For Christianity the relative worth of wealth is an essential principle. Mammon is to be used in view of the future good of humanity. The task of interpreting tradition is a common theological one. In taking care of the poor and the weak, in taking responsibility for them, there is a huge demand on the wealthy and the strong. Bearing in mind that in the beginnings of Christianity the poor and the weak were entrusted to the bishop, there is a huge responsibility on church leadership. Reinterpreting Jesus’ eschatological warnings, the long term dignity of humanity is the touchstone for Christian engagement within the world.
Description
CITATION: Breytenbach, C. 2013. Early Christian values in cultural encounter, Zeus and the Rain, Mammon and modern medicine men. Scriptura, 112(1):1-11, doi:10.7833/112-0-70.
The original publication is available at http://scriptura.journals.ac.za
Keywords
Theology of Early Christianity, Creation -- History of doctrines, Christian ethics, Poor -- Biblical teaching, Wealth -- Biblical teaching
Citation
Breytenbach, C. 2013. Early Christian values in cultural encounter, Zeus and the Rain, Mammon and modern medicine men. Scriptura, 112(1):1-11, doi:10.7833/112-0-70.