The 18th century Revival undeniably successfully transformed England. Further to that, Bishop Rev Dr. Hwa Yong cited the Christian movements in South America and Eastern Europe where depressed Christians came up to reform the society.
"It was the commitment to gospel, to God, that drove the reform movements," Bishop said.
"What is of significance is God-driven commitment towards transforming society. Number (of committed people) is rather unimportant," Bishop reiterated.
If John Wesley and the revival laid the foundations of social-political transformation, what does that have to teach us?
"It simply tells us that national transformation is a possibility," Bishop made it very clear to the audience.
Bishop Rev Dr. Hwa Yong quoted Cf. Robert Bellah, a Berkely sociologist, saying," I think we should not underestimate the significance of the small number of people who have a new vision of a just and gentle world. In Japan a small minority of Protestant Christians introduced ethics into politics, and had an impact beyond all proportion to their numbers. They were central in beginning the women's movement, labor unions, socialist parties, and virtually every reform movement. The quality of a culture can be changed when two percent of its people have a new vision."
"It was the commitment to gospel, to God, that drove the reform movements," Bishop said.
"What is of significance is God-driven commitment towards transforming society. Number (of committed people) is rather unimportant," Bishop reiterated.
If John Wesley and the revival laid the foundations of social-political transformation, what does that have to teach us?
"It simply tells us that national transformation is a possibility," Bishop made it very clear to the audience.
Bishop Rev Dr. Hwa Yong quoted Cf. Robert Bellah, a Berkely sociologist, saying," I think we should not underestimate the significance of the small number of people who have a new vision of a just and gentle world. In Japan a small minority of Protestant Christians introduced ethics into politics, and had an impact beyond all proportion to their numbers. They were central in beginning the women's movement, labor unions, socialist parties, and virtually every reform movement. The quality of a culture can be changed when two percent of its people have a new vision."
The picture shows the pipe organ in The Masland Methodist Church. This is one of the more outstanding features of the extended church. Photo: http://www.dr-david-ling.blogspot.com/ (Thank you, Brother David, for the use.)
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2 comments:
WELCOME! :)
David, you took nice photos. I may use more of your shots of The Masland Methodist Church for my posts on Bishop's talk.
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