COMMUNICATING THE WORD OF GOD IN A POST-MODERN CONTEXT: INSIGHTS FROM THE POST-SYNODAL APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION VERBUM DOMINI

Abstract

Right from when the Church was born at Pentecost, the Word of God has always been the wellspring of constant renewal. The Word of God is at the heart of the Christian life. It is not surprising that the Synod Fathers called Christianity 'the religion of the word of God'. This paper focuses on Pope Benedict XVI's Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Verbum Domini (Word of God), with significant attention given to the third part of the document. While there are several articles on the Word of God, this paper distinguishes itself by discussing the Word of God in the light of Verbum Domini. It explores dimensions such as the Cosmic aspect of the Word, the Word of God and the Church, the practical application of the Word of God to relationship with the neighbour, justice, reconciliation, suffering, culture, dialogue, violence against women and the environment. For this research, the qualitative approach will be employed. The paper submits that the Word of God is a veritable source of Christian inspiration and witnessing.