Light Through the Shadow
Tom Holland, in his writings of the book, “Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World,’ argued that is a major force behind the shaping of the Western civilization – both in the religious institution and the within the cultural setting as well. He argued that the Western thinking is deeply affected by Christian values. The following are three of his arguments.
- There were no other deities. ‘For us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.’ [1] He claimed Paul’s teaching on human equality before God is the basic influence on human rights.
- Christianity had changed what the Roman Empire deemed weakness and embarrassment to something of dignity, honor and strength. Roman perspective: “That a man who had himself been crucified might be hailed as a god could not help but be seen by people everywhere across the world as scandalous, obscene, and grotesque.” [2]
- Living in any Western society is living in setting where it is overly swap with Christian concepts and practices. Even in secular society or cultures, we can still see footprints of Christianity.[3]
There could be more, these three have seemed clearly in our daily lives – human dignity and equality, the power of the cross and the Christianity’s footprints. For dignity and equality, we have seen advocates that lobbied for the benefits of the not only their countrymen but the migrants among themselves. The power of the cross has caused others to make immeasurable sacrifices, such like serving in missions and being servant leaders. And the footprint of Christianity is seen in the way our community and culture.
In my home country, we like to say that our society is built upon our traditions – that is what we believed to be foundations of our community. This is what we would call our traditional values. That is the basics to the fundamental to our survival. For example, ‘aterenges,’ (immediate family plus extended family), ‘iaeiae-fengen,’ (sharing), and ‘asamol,’ (respect for the elders), are three fundamentals to our island-tradition. This had changed since the introduction of outside way of living – including the introduction of religion.
As my Island nation went through the outside influences, our way of living has been both improved and challenged. Traditionally, we have this, ‘ainangen-samol,’ which means family of higher class; these are the families that mostly control everything. The clan of chiefs. But through Christian, we are taught that everyone is equal. Aside from this, we influence of Christianity is also prevalent. There are growing number of Churches and Christian based Schools, church holidays and gatherings (like Christmas and Easter). Even public laws are influenced by Christian’s teachings.
Last but not the least is the effect of the power of the cross. Since the introduction of the Gospel to our people, many lives have been changed and filled with hope. Though overshadow by imperfections, the light of Christianity shine in our island nation through the Western countries. What would be a leadership takeaway from Holland’s theme?
[1] Holland, Tom. Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World (p. 85). Basic Books. Kindle Edition.
[2] Holland, Dominion,16.
[3] Holland, Dominion,13.
About the Author
Noel Liemam
14 responses to “Light Through the Shadow”
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Hi Noel, I was glad you talked about your culture. I was interested in how Christianity and the West have influenced life on the islands. As a leader in your community, what is a leadership takeaway you have after reading Holland’s book?
Hi, Kari, thank you for your comment and my apologies for the late reply. Both Christianity and the Western cultures have profound impact in my home islands since the German occupation in the Pacific Islands. In fact, when the Christianity was first introduced, it was looked upon as a tradition or belief that would have major effects on our way of life – the tradition of the island. In one of the stories about the arrival of the missionary, a ‘watiwa’ (soothsayer) predicted the arrival of the ‘Anulap’ (the highest holy being) as the schooner was arriving the Island.
To answer your question, I would say that to the older generation (that were raised in the tradition of the past), the arrival of Christianity and the Western way is a threat to them. Today, our current culture is the sum of our tradition plus Christianity and western influence. Therefore, in leadership, it is essential to consider the tradition. Sometimes it is hard or even impossible to reconcile the two. Thank you again, Kari,
Noel,
I believe you talked about the history of missionaries coming to your islands in a previous post. I was wondering what you might say this week about how Christianity has impacted your culture. Thanks for sharing. Have you witnessed people pushing back on some of the changes that Christian influence has brought to your islands, people not wanting to give up tradition?
Good evening, Mr. Jeff, thank you for your comment. Definitely, there were ‘pushbacks’ during the introduction of Christianity and afterward as well. At first, the islanders looked at Christianity as a competition to their belief and way of life. In some ways, it was looked upon as some outsiders imposing their culture on them. Most of the way we do things today is influenced by Christianity and the Western way of life. Thank you again, Jeff.
Hi Noel! Thank you for bringing us closer to your origins as I continue to learn more. How has the cross shaped the spiritual life of people on the Island?
H, Mr. Daren, thank you for your comment and my apologies for the late reply. I myself am very grateful that the gospel of the cross has reached our Islands. In our community we see many churches not just in the islands, but as we emigrate to the U.S. many island churches were also organized. Church attendance and church activities become part of our tradition. Back in the islands, morning services and evening services are regular – Monday to Sunday.
Before the arrival of Christianity and the missionaries, the way of life was very different. Up to the time of my grandmother’s father, clans and Islands still fight to sort out what island is going to dominate and what clan is to be the ‘soupwel’ (Chief of the land).
Today, we are fortunate that the Power of the Cross has Shine through our Islands not only saving souls, but improve the culture and traditions of our fellow Islanders. Thank you again, Jaime.
Hey Noel,
Thank you for sharing three of Holland’s important arguments. It made me think about your island. When did Christianity first come there, and what was the spiritual or cultural heritage before outside influences arrived? I’m also curious—have issues of hierarchy or power ever created tensions within the Micronesian church community?
Good evening, Elysse, thank you for your comment and my apologies for the late reply. I will try to answer your question to the best of my ability. First, the introduction of Christianity into our islands were by missionaries in the 1900’s (https://www.micsem.org/pubs/articles/religion/frames/christmicrofr.htm). Secondly, and before the arrival of Christianity, I believe their worship was directed toward worshiping gods of nature – like god of the ocean, the god of the land, the god of the storm, and etc. I am not sure, but it looked like whatever that was powerful or they fear, they worship. However, there was one that they call, ‘anulap’ (the supreme god).
And for the last question, I would answer, ‘definetly.’ That is one of the main leadership issues. Some because they are cultural in the line of chiefs seem to believe that they also have saying or power in the church. Thank you again, Elysse.
Hi Noel, thanks for the intriguing post. How do you see Holland’s thinking on dignity and equality shaping leadership practices in Micronesia today?
Thank you, Christy, for your comment. Holland’s thinking on dignity and equality will be a major improvement to the leadership styles of the Micronesian Island leaders. It would be the most essential or fundamental to any leadership styles should be founded upon. By consider the concept of human dignity in which it elevates the lowly, the weak and the marginalized, by basing on the fact that our Jesus died a lowly and humiliating death just to bring us out of being outcast and into His precious possession. Thank you, Christy, this is an important lesson that our leaders need to always be reminded of.
Hi Noel, Thank you for your post that relates Holland’s ideas to your home country. When was Christianity introduced in Micronesia? It is encouraging to know that Christianity brings light and hope to the people of your country. Can you see how your faith impacts your family and work?
Hello, Diane, thank you for your comment. Christianity was making its way into Pacific Islands since the 1800s. and by the 1900s, it was introduced into our Micronesian islands. So, just as Holland said about how Christianity as impacted the Western cultures, Christianity was also impacting our cultures as Western cultures was introduced into our islands. Sometimes I like to think that the western culture was a vehicle of which Christianity arrived at our shores.
And yes, I can say because of God’s grace and mercy, I could be here today and be able to do good things in my family and be able to serve in the capacity that I am in today. Just like, I never thought I would be in a doctoral program… Thank you again, Diane.
Thank you Noel. I wonder where you most directly see the vestiges of Christianity in your church, community, and personal life?
Good evening, Ms. Owen, thank you for your comment. Well, pardon me if I may misunderstand your question, but if you are referring to the disappearing effects of Christianity, it is hard to really see. In the church, as always there are always outside influences such like traditions, politics and powers they tried to infiltrate. And I would say the same with community and personal life as well, however, on different level and settings. Thank you again, Debbie.