No, the cause for this foray at the moment is because a new think tank has chosen Theos as its name. Its intention is to research issues that relate faith, particularly the Christian faith, to public square concerns. And a couple of weeks ago Theos went public and in so doing raised a great deal of interest in the media. As Christians we should be glad it did.
The Director of Theos is Paul Woolley a man with a clear mind and a committed and dynamic faith. He tells us
In the 1980s and 1990s think tanks challenged the status quo and helped change the climate of opinion in society. Theos is a new public theology think tank. It aims to provide alternative perspectives to the orthodoxies of secular culture and impact public opinion about the role faith and belief in society.
The launch of Theos took place at Millbank Tower on 7 November. It began with commuters receiving free bottles of water labelled Theos - perhaps symbolising the concern to refresh parts of society that other world views can't reach! Later on there was a public debate chaired by Ed Sturton. The panellists included Guardian columnist Madeleine Bunting, Dame Shirley Williams, Frank Field MP and Nick Spencer. A lively time was had by all, and not just the panellists! There were many significant journalists and media people there as well as theologians, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. He, together with Archbishop Cormac Murphy-O' Connor, have strongly endorsed Theos.
Issues of belief and faith, of how human beings perceive the world, have rarely been so important in society, or so badly misunderstood ... Together, we look forward to the contribution that Theos will make to future debates.
It was however, Nick Spencer who had produced the first report, "Doing God" - A future for faith in the public square. The title is taken from a comment by Alistair Campbell, claiming that as the government 'We don't do God'. Nick's argument is that
It is difficult to think of a time when faith has been so important or misunderstood. The report examines the reasons why faith will play an increasingly significant role in public life, identifying three major trends: the return of civil society, the pursuit of happiness and the politics of identity.
Theos, then is a voice which is challenging the view of secular society that God and ordinary life don't and should not mix. Christians should be profoundly grateful for all that Theos stands for. Among other things it will be striving to keep the public square open for Christians to express their views, by providing excellent examples of the contributions and insights which Christians can bring. It will also, through it research and publications be constantly reminding us all that Christian faith is not simply a private matter of belief but has implications which affect the 'real world'. Both of these are important for us as ordinary Christians when it comes to giving an explanation for that hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15). Over time, Theos will be altering the climate in which we seek to express our faith. It should generate a more sympathetic and open community, which is eager to listen to us, as well as a more informed one about the rich benefits that Christians bring to our society.
Theos will be working to resist the encroachment of secularism into every aspect of our lives, with its tendencies to want to silence Christian views as political incorrect or socially disruptive. Rather Theos will be exploring intelligently, analytically and factually the vital contribution which the Christian faith and Christian people make to our society through their participation in politics, involvement in a huge range of charities as well as providing more of the general 'glue' which enables society to function as we seek to live honourable and stable lives, working hard and developing trust. In short it will be exposing how Christians are 'salt and light' and reminding most people of what they have forgotten, that without a vibrant and caring Christian population our country cannot really survive.
