Centre for Contemporary Christianity in Ireland

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Welcome to p.s. the fortnightly e-mail and web discussion forum from the Centre for Contemporary Christianity in Ireland.

In line with the Centre's aims, it seeks to "provide informed, credible and practical comment and analysis, rooted in biblical reflection and theological thought" on contemporary matters of broad public concern in Ireland.

We're aiming to engage Christian minds with issues in the public square, to inject new perspectives and provoke discussion.

We hope you find p.s. stimulating and useful and look forward to hearing your responses as we seek together to live out biblical faith for a changing world. Click on the links below to view the latest and previous editions. To comment, or read other comments on p.s. articles, please click here to go to our discussion board.

Why I wouldn't care if they took Jesus out of Christmas (20/12/07)

Film 2007 (12/12/07)

Cocooned Faith? (4/12/07)

Is Climate Change a Weapon of Mass Destruction? (14/11/07)

Opinions expressed by p.s. contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the Centre for Contemporary Christianity in Ireland. Contributors are invited to freely express their opinions, whatever the issue, in order to encourage robust and respectful discussion.

Discerning the Signs

"He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.’

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, ‘As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.’

They asked him, ‘Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?’ And he said, ‘Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and, “The time is near!” Do not go after them.

‘When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

‘But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls."

Luke 21.1-19

One of my favourite songs of all time is U2's October. Since my teens, it has haunted my autumns with the lyrics: "October and the trees are stripped bare of all they wear. What do I care? October, and kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall, but you go on…and on."

Decommissioning. Falling leaves. Two small coins. Signs for our times?

Jesus has just pointed out to the disciples the wonderful faith, hope and love of the widow who adds her tiny coins to the glistening coffers. He has just told them that her gift is worth most of all, because she gave all she had, whereas others have merely given a portion of their abundance. So why do they go back to admiring the stonework and the lavish gifts in the temple? Why? Because it was impressive. Beautiful. Designed to demand attention and attract admiration. And to evoke eternity.

They just can't get excited about those two small coins. But that stonework. Those memorial plaques and murals. The stained glass windows… (perhaps not in those days, but you get the idea…) and hallowed memories of faithful forefathers.

Since the mystery of grace doesn't impress them, Jesus turns to the scare tactics. These walls are going to be torn down. Don't put too much emotional energy into the temple building as such, because it isn't going to be here for long. Terrible things are going to happen, and you guys need to know what's important. You need to be ready for betrayal, for persecutions, for opposition. Be ready for change and conflict. You need to be prepared not to panic. I don't expect you to have worked out what you're going to say, but prepare yourself to have to trust me to give you the right words at the time.

Jesus doesn't dismiss the beautiful décor in the temple or its history as a waste of money and effort. This isn't a call for bare walls or none at all. But he reminds us of the temporariness of the institutions, our denominational and political structures as well as our buildings. It's a challenge not to be too attached to one style of worship, or even one constitutional status quo or aspiration. Kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall… Scare tactics? Or the reality we need to face.

Some of us, in our determination to be contemporary and progressive, may fall into the opposite trap - of dismissing the real faith, hope and love of those using the old structures. There were plenty for whom the temple was an opportunity for social climbing and ostentation, but the widow still brought her coins.

Some who are working away imperfectly and with small means may be dismissed (insignificant) or criticised (for not doing it the right way) but if we are unable to discern their faith, hope and love, our own best efforts (at worship, at peace-building, at integrity, at empowerment, at generosity) will "profit us nothing" à la 1 Corinthians 13. Enough gongs have crashed already. October is coming. Faith, hope, love, these three remain…

Cheryl Meban

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Singing the Lord’s Song in a Strange Land is the title of the Centre’s Conference 2005, taking place on Saturday 5th November. Stuart and Sian Murray Williams will be exploring the theme of social and cultural change and its impact upon the witness of the church. For more information and to book online, click here.

The Centre's latest resource, Power and Providence: Studies on the Book of Esther is now available online (click here) or by contacting Anna Rankin.

We are pleased to recommend "Christianity: the encounter with modern culture", a six week course by Prof. David Livingstone and Prof. Stephen Williams beginning in September at the Institute for Christian Training. For further details go to http://www.union.ac.uk/ctnet/culture.html