The Centre for Public Christianity
The Centre for Public Christianity
Paul stands on the Athenian Areopagus (market place) and dialogues with the elders and smart young ones quoting from their own poets and idol inscriptions and moves to discuss the Lord of creation.
The post-Pentecost Christians gossipped Christ in homes, synagogues and temple forecourts (religious markets). There is little doubt this is where the good news of this Jesus best takes hold of unbelieving hearts — our neighbours, our families and our networks.
One by-product of the Reformation and the Enlightenment has been an over-focus on the individual to the cost of community and mores. Many an Englishman will say that their faith is a matter of their personal choice. But in the New Testament it is personal choice plus: plus community and above all plus God.
The Centre for Public Christianity is an independent research and media organisation seeking to promote the public understanding of the Christian faith in Australia and beyond, employing the best of scholarship via the best of media. It gets Christianity back into the public arena.
I understand it is funded by a major non-Anglican mission to get Christian values, views and discussion out in the market place (where it belongs.
Established by Dr John Dickson and Dr Greg Clarke the Centre:
- seeks to be a benchmark for Christian thinking and communication in Australia and beyond
- offers free vodcast/podcast comment, lectures and interviews, and other web-based resources
- produces a range of popular and academic works exploring the relevance of the Christian faith
- is a one-stop shop for media outlets in search of informed and independent Christian comment
- runs events and short courses for the curious and sceptical alike
- supports a network of Christian scholars and research projects across the disciplines
- serves as a speakers bureau and training facility for Christian thinkers and communicators.
Current topics include Tim Winton’s latest book Breath (I loved it. Jan I am not sure she even finished it.), a happiness conference, Jews, stem cell research etc. You can blog, see video, or if an oldie like me, read text.
I recommend a look at Centre for Public Christianity
Lindsay Stoddart