Recent comments
Lionel Windsor on God, the universe and all that: Part 3
Michael L. Johnson on A Vine confabulation
Karen Beilharz on A Vine confabulation
Michael L. Johnson on A Vine confabulation
Lionel Windsor on God, the universe and all that: Part 3
Current discussions
God, the universe and all that: Part 3 (12 comments)
A Vine confabulation (3 comments)
Stark treatment of the Crusades (2 comments)
God, the universe and all that: Part 2 (1 comment)
God, the universe and all that: Part 5 (0 comments)
Recent posts
God, the universe and all that: Part 5 by Lionel Windsor (0 comments). In this fifth and final instalment of his five-part series, Lionel Windsor reveals what the solution to … more
Experiencing God by Karen Beilharz (0 comments). If you've just joined us, in these Saturday posts we've been looking at classics from The Briefing archive … more
God, the universe and all that: Part 4 by Lionel Windsor (0 comments). In the fourth instalment of a five-part series, Lionel Windsor uncovers the answer to the riddle. (Read … more
A Vine confabulation by Ian Carmichael (3 comments). We at Matthias Media have recently made available a free and downloadable discussion guide for Col Marshall and Tony Payne's … more
God, the universe and all that: Part 3 by Lionel Windsor (12 comments). In the third instalment of a five-part series, Lionel Windsor discovers we humans are significant in the … more
Kids@church/Click: Some great material for your children’s Sunday School by Jean Williams (0 comments). I teach Sunday School for children regularly, but I don't always have the time and energy to write my … more
Experiencing confusion by Karen Beilharz (0 comments). I mentioned in my last Saturday post that for the next little while, we would be looking at … more
God, the universe and all that: Part 2 by Lionel Windsor (1 comment). In the second instalment of a five-part series, Lionel Windsor contemplates the extent of our significance in … more
Stark treatment of the Crusades by Peter Bolt (2 comments). Revisionist history is probably as common as it is unethical. There are lessons to learn from the past, but … more
God, the universe and all that: Part 1 by Lionel Windsor (7 comments). In the first instalment of a five-part series, Lionel Windsor ponders what astronomy has to teach us. … more
Tony Payne
Paul is one of the Staff Editors at Matthias Media. He is married to Cathy and has three fantastic kids. He loves student ministry, reading, writing music and playing the saxophone, and is looking forward to meeting Jesus face to face.
Sola Panellists
Some other sites
we like (Why these?)
- Matthias Media
- The Briefing
- 9Marks
- Albert Mohler
- Anglican Church League
- challies
- David Ould
- ENTRUST
- EQUIP book club
- Girl Talk
- Gordon Cheng's Blog
- The Gospel Coalition
- Jean Williams's blog
- Justin Taylor
- Lionel Windsor
- Monergism
- Moore College
- MTS
- Nicole Starling's blog
- Phillip Jensen
- Pyromaniacs
- The Proclamation Trust
- Reformers' Bookshop
- The Simeon Trust
- The Ugley Vicar
Ben,
Good to see a blog that addresses the burning social issue of our times, namely our relationship with australia’s indigenous peoples.
I agree with the perspective that it is the dominant culture (transgressor in your language) that is required to overcome the narrowness of their position to admit to the reality of history, and their hand in it.
Equally so, it is incumbent on the transgressed to show grace and accept an apology. In my experience and frequent dealings with aboriginal people at the grass roots level, they are more than prepared to do this. In a sense, they are “new wine ready for new wineskins”, ready to engage in constructive, collaborative relationship building.
Sadly, this dynamic is not always reflected in the leadership of both sides.
However, hope springs eternal, and the recent Federal Govt apology to the stolen generation is a great start in ‘naming some realities’, rather than ‘blaming the realities’.
Jesus is reported to have said that he came not for the strong, but for the weak. In our times, we need to recognise that we are the strong dominant culture, and indigenous australians have a significantly weaker position in our society. Our challenge is to hear the call of Jesus to respond to this gross power differential.
Keep the social focus coming! It is the work of the Spirit!
Hi Ben,
Wreck-conciliation certainly is not unique to Aussie land.
I have also noticed here in South Africa that apologies are usually pushed back on the victim as you described. “I’m sorry you got hurt” and others.
People are actually sorry that got caught out, and are not really sorry for having done wrong. When people can admit to their sin, like you said, it would be a great step forward.
However, in our culture today, it seems that everybody is a victim and no-one wants to take responsibility for their actions.
Great post!
Commenting rules
If you would like your comment to be considered for publication, please observe the following rules:
Failure to adhere to these rules will result in your comment being quietly deleted.
If you want to give us feedback but don't want your comments to appear on the blog, DON'T use the form below. Instead, please send us an email or click on the button below.
Your Comment
Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.