christianity in australia - trying to grow up
Posted on January 26, 2008 by Geoff Matheson
Filed Under Church, Culture
It is a difficult thing to talk about Christianity in Australia. So much of the Christian tradition, structure and even culture in this country has been imported: historically from Britain and Europe and more recently like the rest of the western world from the US of A. It’s a difficult thing to do, therefore, to put your finger about what Christianity in Oz actually looks like.
The problem can’t be a lack of intelligent voices speaking into the local context. Guys like Hirsch and Frost are at the centre of the emerging/missional conversation, at the other end of the spectrum we have guys like Jensen and (dare I say it) George Pell who are at very least opinion leaders even if you happen to disagree with them. Likewise the contribution of Hillsong and Brian Houston. So the people are there, we’ve matured as a nation to the point of being able to participate meaningfully in the wider Christian dialogue, and yet there’s still this feeling that anything or anyone that has come from America must surely be better and brighter than anything home-grown.
But the world is changing. While most Christian conferences would hesitate to proceed without an international guest to bring in the crowds, there is a recognition amongst some that it’s often the local voices that can best speak to what it should mean to be a Christian in the local context.
Because this is a unique place to be a Christian. The challenges of “being religious” (a term which I don’t like but it seems like we’re stuck with from the rest of society) in a nation whose reaction to any significant belief system can often just be pure apathy, need to be discussed. When the message of the Kingdom can’t be heard because calling your messengers “church” or “Christians” brings too much baggage, the methods of advancing God’s Kingdom must therefore be a whole bunch more creative.
There’s hope. As long as people are asking these questions, and as long as there are people trying things, this country has a chance to see God’s kingdom advancing. This post is part of the Christianity In Australia synchroblog which a number of Australian Christians are participating in to celebrate Australia Day. For more on Christianity in Australia see:
About Geoff Matheson
Geoff is a 23 year old database administrator who has birthed amateurtheology.org from some crazy thoughts he had early one Monday morning. Geoff does his best to sound lots smarter than he actually is. He also runs some youth stuff at Yarra Valley Vineyard, and he is married to the very lovely Rebecca.
Geoff's site: http://www.geoffreport.com/wp/
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3 Responses to “christianity in australia - trying to grow up”
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Good points, Geoff. I must say this synchroblog itself is encouraging me, to find fellow Aussie emergentish Christian bloggers. Cheers!
A shameless attempt at linking your way to fame there Geoff. But hopefully some of those guys do actually get involved here. I have subscribed to most of their feeds and I agree with your point about Australia not lacking intelligent Christian comment and content.
Interesting post…I am reflecting on this myself at the moment.