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The strategy of God
Doing good: The shape of the Christian life (Part 1): Why we don’t
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Scott Tubman on "We are poorly dressed" - Part 2 (20/08/2008).
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Scott Tubman on "We are poorly dressed" - Part 2 (19/08/2008).
Scott Tubman on "We are poorly dressed" - Part 2 (19/08/2008).
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Nicole Starling on "We are poorly dressed" - Part 2 (19/08/2008).
Recent posts
An interview with Mark Thompson by Sandy Grant (1 comment). Today we interview Mark Thompson... Mark, how did you come to Christ? I first heard the gospel … more
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The indivisibility of truth by Tony Payne (4 comments). This Saturday’s classic Briefing extract is about the indivisibility of truth. It’s from Briefing #8, August 1, 1988: If … more
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A freebie for you: Jonah in the ESV by Gordon Cheng (10 comments). Here at Matthias Media, we read and recommend the English Standard Version Bible, the ESV, as a superior … more
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Tony Payne
Tony is the Publishing Director at Matthias Media; editor of The Briefing; author of Islam in our Backyard, Fatherhood and numerous other Matthias Media resources; husband to Ali; father of five teenagers; and an avid consumer of books and almost any televised sport.
Sola Panellists
- Tony Payne (convenor)
- Peter Bolt
- Gordon Cheng
- Sandy Grant
- Gavin Perkins
- Ben Pfahlert
- Archie Poulos
- Nicole Starling
- Mark Thompson
- Jean Williams
- Lionel Windsor
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!
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