The Leader of the Faithworks Movement, Revd Malcolm Duncan, has just published his first book, Building a Better World . In this, the third of a series of extracts and thoughts from the book, he explores just what it is in the Christian faith that spurs us on to build a better world...
"The Christian principle is simple, yet profound. We cannot create a fair and caring world by engaging in activities or harbouring attitudes that militate against fairness and compassion. To do so is to continue the cycle. The moment we choose to be merciful, however, we break a link in the chain and thus weaken the chain itself. In other words, we break the chain, a link at a time."Page 68
In today's society, Christianity has become more known for what it opposes than for what it supports. Whether it's opposition to the proposed new Sexual Orientation Regulations, taking a stance against divorce and euthanasia, or protesting against shows on television that we find offensive (none of which I will explore here), it can seem as though it is never out of the headlines. Somehow the vibrant, positive and hopeful nature of Christian faith and its attendant spirituality have been translated into reactionary and negative voices against the world.
Of course I believe that it is important to protest at those things that seem so wrong in the world. But you cannot build a better world simply by criticising the one that exists. We will only change the world if we have an idea of what it needs to become, and how it can change.
If Christian faith provides a foundation for a better world, it is vitally important that we work out what things this faith believes in, not just what it stands against. There is a Christian charter for change, that has the power to transform us, our communities and the world: it is widely known as the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew, 5-7).
The Sermon on the Mount remembers the forgotten, lifts the downtrodden, gives hope to the despairing, and worth to those who have been devalued. It is in this moving discourse that we find a number of principles that can guide our actions, our attitudes and our intentions.
In particular, the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount contains just a few dazzling statements where Jesus sets out a way of life that has the power to transform the world. These are known as the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-10). There are many more principles that could be pulled from there, and from the life and example of Jesus. Reflection, dependence on God, generosity, graciousness and forgiveness are just a few.
But I believe the Beatitudes challenge us that perhaps some of the attitudes we hold might actually serve to strengthen the chains of injustice and oppression. The question is this: how can we move the principles of the Sermon on the Mount beyond mere principles that we agree to, to actually seeing these things as the principles by which we live?
I'd love to hear your thoughts. You can discuss the issues on www.buildingabetterworld.typepad.com
Rev Malcolm Duncan
Leader Faithworks
