"When man is no longer able to look beyond his own death and relate himself to what extends beyond the time and space of his life, he loses his desire to create and the excitement of being human." (pg. 13)
Nouwen is talking about what he calls the "nuclear man". Essentially he is talking about the post-modern generation (he wrote this in '72 before our language of post-modernity was widely used). He says that the plight of the post-modern individual is caused by a Historical Dislocation, a Fragmented Ideology, and a Search for New Immortality. What I love about Nouwen's approach is that he doesn't attack Post-Modernity but acknowledges it as just another philosophy that will one day be replaced by something else; it's just what we've got to work with for now.So, according to him, when we cease to seek immortality we cease to be fully human (ie. created in God's image).
There's a thought. What do you think?
He says that mankind's desire to extend himself beyond his own life is part of what it means to be made in God's image.
To create is to emulate the creator.
So please "create" some comments and discussion.
