| abstract |
To achieve this, this study examined the practice of "common good" and the
"Tong (通) Bible" as essential tools for helping Karen churches within the Bethlehem
Provincial council with the outside world. The "Tong (通) Bible", developed by Cho
Byung-ho, presents a comprehensive approach to understanding the Bible through an
integrated reading method. This approach is particularly necessary for pastors in the
Bethlehem Provincial council, who have traditionally read and preached the Bible in
isolated sections rather than as a unified whole. By introducing the "Tong (通) Bible",
this study aims to demonstrate that an integrated approach to the Scriptures is the most
effective method for pastors to communicate the Bible to their congregations.
Over the past five years, I have traveled to five churches within the Bethlehem
Provincial council, delivering itinerant sermons. In the first five years, I attempted to teach and study the entire Bible together with the Pwo karen church members, but these
efforts were unsuccessful, leading to continuous challenges and struggles. However, over
the past year, seminars and worship services incorporating the "Tong (通) Bible" have
significantly influenced pastors and believers in their understanding of the Scriptures.
Additionally, the churches have begun to shift their focus beyond their immediate
communities, taking the first steps toward engaging with the broader society.
Through this study, I hope that starting with these five churches in the Bethlehem
Provincial council, churches will recover their public role and live according to the
teachings of the Bible.
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