April 6, 2010

KAIROS MINISTRIES INDIA






                KAIROS MINISTRIES INDIA

"Kairos" is an ancient Greek word meaning the “right or opportune moment”. It is now used in theology to describe the qualitative form of time. In rhetoric kairos is “a passing instant when an opening appears which must be driven through with force if success is to be achieved”. (E.C. White, Kaironomia p.13) in theology.

In the New Testament kairos means ‘the appointed time in the purpose of God’ the time when God acts (E.g. Mark 1:15) the kairos is fulfilled’. It differs from the more usual word for time which is chronos (kronos).

In the interpretation of History, Lutheran theologian Paul Tillich made prominent use of the term. For him, the kairoi are those crises in history which create an opportunity for, and indeed demand, an existential decision by the human subject- the coming of Christ being the prime example.

Jesus also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, “It is going to rain “, and so it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time (the kairos)?”Luke.12:54, 56

And what dose the Lord requires of you? But to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God’.Micah.6:8.Rooting our hope in God and confessing our temptation to despair, we dare to speak boldly because we believe that kairos demands it.

War, hunger, poverty and ecological degradation- when we pick up the newspaper and read the signs of the times, it is a perplexing and sobering experience. In this complex world interpreting the present time without confusion or despair is an immense challenge. And as people of faith, not only Are we to see and judge, but to dare to act for justice—a task ever more urgent and yet ever more risky and demanding. It we are to discern wisely, speak boldly, and act decisively, where we find our hope and strength?

Who will be our companions?

Hope comes as “God’s gift to us as we envision, seek, work, embody and pray for justice in a broken world”. As an Ester people who believe in Christ resurrected, despair, and even death can ever be considered the last word. In each moment of discernment and choice, there is opportunity as well as crisis, optimism as well as despair, life as well as death.

When we respond to kairos, God’s special moment of grace, truth and decision—with wise and faithful action for justice, we find our place with “friend of God, and prophets”(Wisdom.7:27). Each word of truth, each act of solidarity and each step of justice, reinforces hope and nurtures the movement of people that will make ‘another world possible’. Kairos the word is an invitation to action. May God bless you all thank you.

In His Field
Pastor. Philip. Dadala
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