"Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"
Nathaniel was sceptical of Jesus not because of His teaching, His claims to be God or even His healings. It was because of where He came from.
Surely we've moved on and got over this kind of petty attitude in the 21st-century Church? I'm not so sure...
This week I've been enjoying listening to Melvyn Bragg's wonderful Radio 4 series The Matter Of The North. In it, Bragg takes us on a tour of the history, culture, politics and faith of the north of England.
For US readers who haven't visited the UK, the north of England is roughly similar to the American south. Its people are friendly, it has a distinct culture and history and it is far away from the seat of power – London. This means people in the north often feel looked down on by the south and ignored by the political and cultural elite.
What Bragg's series did so well was to highlight not only the history and achievements of the north (the cradle of the Industrial Revolution which changed the world, the birthplace of radical democratic movements such as the Independent Labour Party, Chartism and the Suffragettes, home to towering cultural work from Wordsworth to Morrissey). It also celebrated the profound spiritual heritage that the north has bequeathed to the rest of England, and indeed Britain.
Monastic communities which came from Ireland and Iona found a home on Holy Island – Lindisfarne. From there we heard of the pioneering historical work of the Venerable Bede – the only Englishman recognised as a 'Doctor of the Church'. The astonishing Lindisfarne Gospels, the pivotal Synod of Whitby which changed Christian faith forever, the Pilgrimage of Grace and the doughty resistance to Henry VIII's vandalism and destruction of monasteries were all highlighted.
Moving into the modern era, we heard of the powerful influence of Nonconformity in Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Northumbria and beyond. Not only were they an inspiration for much social transformation, Methodism, Quakerism and other sects led the way in renewing the British view of faith as something not merely to be practised by clergy on a Sunday. Instead it was to be an all-consuming, whole life of discipleship.
I really hope some of my Christian friends in the south were listening.
I was born, raised, educated and worked in Lancashire until work brought me to London nearly a decade ago. In that time I've met many wonderful people, been part of great churches and am proud to be a small part of the renaissance of the Church in the capital. I love London.
Yet there is a worrying trend among Christians here. Instead of being counter-cultural as we are called to be, I've noticed a sense in which some of my fellow Christians here in the south east slavishly follow the culture of the rest of society. They far too easily dismiss the north of England as "backward", "grim", or even "inferior". They may not use those words, but the feelings can be obvious.
Otherwise educated and informed people will proudly proclaim their ignorance when it comes to the north. "Oh," they say with an odd air of pride, "I've never been north of Watford (they mean Watford Gap)" – as if it's some kind of badge of honour. In which other field would people feel free to comment on something of which they've just proclaimed their ignorance? Yet proclaim they do. "Ooh, listen to your accent." "Doesn't it rain all the time up there?" "Oh, I could never live up there – I need to be in London."
How depressing.
The Church in London is in decent health. Elsewhere in the country, though of course not everywhere, it is struggling. When he was Bishop of Durham, Tom Wright told me that he despaired of the discrepancy in applications to clergy posts between his diocese and those down south. While a post in the south may attract 20-odd applications, he was often struggling to find candidates.
This is a big problem for the Church. If we believe all are equal before God, then there aren't certain parts of the country we should esteem higher than others. Sure, much of the southern commentary on the north is done jokingly, but many a true word is said in jest. There is a real socio-economic north/south divide in this country and we as Christians shouldn't buy into it. In fact, we should be actively opposing it. If Jesus sought out the more marginalised places, then so should we. If the Church was founded in an unlikely backwater of the Roman Empire, then why wouldn't the next big move of God in the UK come from the north of England?
There are, of course, many wonderful churches in the north. Exciting things are happening in our great northern cities, towns and villages. They don't need condescending sympathy. Yet they might need you to go and join in. Those from the south might be surprised at the breathtaking beauty of the north, the wonderful culinary delights (I'll have a Butter Pie, followed by a Manchester Tart since you're asking), and yes, the warmth of the people.
Of course, not all Christians in the south are prejudiced. Some love the north, while others have good reasons for being committed to their lives and ministry in London.
Others, though, would do well to remember what Philip said to Nathaniel once he had asked, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"
His reply: "Come and see."
Follow Andy Walton on Twitter @waltonandy
