In light of the recent debate over the use of the Australian Flag in Christian funerals, the four short papers gathered here seek to explore ways forward. They come out of an informal seminar on the issue held in May 2007 and approach the issue from different perspectives.
Randall responds to the oft quoted words ‘It's all right to be theological but you have to balance that with pastoral care for the people.’ He says that the problem with this dictum is what it uncritically assumes about both theology and pastoral care. He argues that good theology and faithful pastoral care go hand in hand.
Christian identity is a political formation, which exists in sharp tension with each and every national identity, particularly when that identity is confirmed and expressed through war.’ He concludes that the flags and funerals issue ‘is not, therefore, primarily a liturgical matter, narrowly conceived. It takes us, rather, to fundamental questions of that which shapes human identity, expressed in witness to Jesus Christ.
Lee explores the images within the prologue to the Gospel of John. As these images are developed within the Gospel they take on the character of religious symbol, outlining the contours of John’s theology. Lee then examines two symbolic interpretations of the Prologue in very different form, one visual, the other musical. Unlike more prosaic media, these artistic representations have the potential to draw out the imaginative character of the Johannine prologue and unfold its symbolic meaning.
(peer reviewed)
Handojoseno begins with the premise that ideas, when expressed in words may create a new reality. He examines the eloquence of Martin Luther King Jr.’s and how he made arguments ‘to persuade people, to change worldviews, to initiate action, and to create a new reality’. In particular he studies King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, a major precursor to his most famous speech, “I Have a Dream”. In King’s rhetoric, we find ‘excellent models in using theology to shape a broad and clear vision of the better future, to internalize the core values which then encompass the choice of strategy to fight for the realization of the vision, and to justify the involvement of the faithful in the process of social-cultural-political changes in society.’
Craig asks about the purpose of a Christian funeral. He argues that ‘a specifically Christian funeral has the particular task of drawing our attention to the humanity which is ours in Christ by the grace of God – both now and ‘in the life to come’.’
Peter argues ‘that we live and work in a context that is death denying, and that the church has a responsibility to help people deal with death in the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.’ He seeks to identify briefly traditions and practices of the church that have guided people through the grief and loss that accompanies death.
The author presents reflections on each line within Psalm 13 using a modified Haiku form.
