Dr. Chris Hewer, who began the Conference, gave a very clear exposition of the Muslim understanding of God and all creation. We were enlightened about the differences in our beliefs as well as the similarities - all helpful in our acceptance of each other. With one million Muslims living in London alone how can we think that this will not make a difference? Many chaplains now have experience of working with Muslims on the campus. A lively discussion followed.
An experiment with timetabling, requested by many from the last conference, meant that there was plenty of time for chatting, sharing and discussing in a more leisurely manner afterwards.
The contribution of Professor Erik Borgman was truly significant on the Tuesday as Jordan James, Portsmouth indicates:
“On the second day of the conference, we had two excellent presentations by Dr Erik Borgman, a Dutch lay Dominican who currently teaches systematic theology at the University of Tilbingen in the Netherlands.
The subject of his presentations was an invitation to reconsider the interrelationships between God, the Church and the world. Taking an ecclesiology drawn from the Second Vatican Council, especially from the documents Gaudium et Spes, and Lumen Gentium, understanding the Church itself as a ‘sacrament’ in and for the world, he proposed a positive partnership between world and Church, since Christ has sanctified both. In this sense there would be dialogue and exchange between the two.
He suggested that such a perspective was potentially much more fruitful today, drawing on the contemporary postmodern climate which is not necessarily purely relativistic, but is also open to the search for meaning. Against this he suggested that previous theological models which insisted upon linear, non-dialectical relationships i.e that the Church has nothing to receive from the world, but exists solely to change the world, were no longer able to engage positively with contemporary society and culture. We only have to consider church communities whose numbers are dropping, whose main focus of activity are intramural concerns and whose primary sense of mission is that ‘outsiders’ should come and ‘join us’, to see the truth of this.
There was lively discussion and plenty of questions after both presentations. His subject was certainly relevant to chaplains in HE. I felt challenged and excited by the possibilities that could flow from this different perception. It also made sense of the situation in which I find myself, being a ‘Christ bearer’ in my work context, but also being one who wishes to identify signs of the Kingdom already present, and draw people to them. Judging by the responses of others, I think Erik’s contribution to the conference was a significant one. Thank you, Erik!”
On Wednesday morning we had two very lively sessions from Rev. Dr.
Nadim Nassar, co-founder of the Trinity Foundation for Christianity and Culture. For information on the Foundation visit: www.tfccinternational.com The vision of this foundation is to equip Christians around the world to live amongst religious difference and diversity, countering the conflicts that are fuelled by prejudice, born of ignorance. Informed discipleship prepares us to live in a world in which religious commitment, free from fanaticism, can exist happily alongside the diversities of faith and culture. Through ‘Awareness’ courses the aim is to replace insecurity and ignorance with awareness so that the current cycle of fear and hostility can be turned into one of understanding and meaningful dialogue.
Bishop Peter was chief celebrant at the closing Eucharistic Liturgy on the Wednesday evening and the Conference Dinner which followed was an enjoyable and relaxed event.
The concluding liturgy on the Thursday morning included space for looking back and looking forward as we gathered the concerns of all present into prayer before departure.