At the recent Christian Schools National Policy Forum we asked a number of speakers from different contexts and across Australia, and indeed across the Anglosphere, to address the challenges of being Christ in an increasingly polarised culture. One of those we invited to speak was Dr Gordon Preece, Director of Ethos: Evangelical Alliance Centre for Christianity & Society.
Dr Preece took us back to look at Paul in Act 17 and challenged us to look at the three Cs - Contextualization, Connection, Correction in our public discourse.
Truth on Trial: Seeking a Second Hearing in Athens and Australia
Contextualization
Through Acts Paul changes his messages, not in fundamental meaning or purpose, but to fit the context of the conversation. He shifts from his “home ground”, arguing Scripturally in Jewish Synagogues of Thessalonica, Beroea and Athens to play at an “away ground” in the marketplace (agora). His approach shifts from arguing Scripturally to arguing/dialoguing with Epicurean (sensual - friends and food) and Stoic (rationalist and naturalist) philosophers in the language and tone of their context.
“A peaceful, welcoming posture, tone or ethos is critical in Christian communication, especially public communication.”
Connection
In Athens they seek to test Paul to make sure that he is not seeking to corrupt or endanger the youth.
“When we speak publicly we need pathos, ethos, and logos for true and complete communication, particularly to break through the icy isolation that logos/reason suffers under weight of political power, party politics and money.”
Paul connects with the most religious in the Areopagus, speaking of their ‘Unknown God’, citing their poets and philosophers who he had obviously studied.
In our modern context, as Dr Preece notes, pathos is powerful in building connection, far more powerful than mere rational arguments. Stories from our experience and the experience of others in our ambit can powerfully bridge gaps to those we area seeking to connect with.
Correction
As Paul concluded in the Areopagus he talked of both judgement and resurrection. We read that some sneered, but others wanted to hear more.
“We are caught in a pincer movement between the Resurrection and the Judgement, requiring repentance – ‘turning’ or in Covid-language, pivoting to God. Not in human power, but the power of the resurrection and the only power that brings final, complete Justice, and not just for us.”
At the end of the day we don’t simply have ‘a’ truth or ‘my’ truth we have, if proclaiming Scripture correctly, ‘The Truth’.
Our Challenge
As a representative of Christian schools in the public square, I am very conscious of the posture and tone adopted. It is often hard in a world of contested ideas and ideology to faithfully and firmly reflect the Truth in love.
As Christian school leaders relating to the local community and community leaders, you face the same challenge. As educators equipping future generations are we preparing them for this contested world of the modern day Athens?
The full text of Dr Preece’s address is available for download, below. Akos Balogh, another of our keynote speakers regularly blogs on issues facing our society, as does Stephen McAlpine.
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