The reason for the hope that we have
Two contrasting events this week have inspired me to write this blog. In the Chaplaincy we have been hosting the Christian Union events week. The Chaplaincy functions as the morning meeting and planning place, tables for lunch preparation and spaces to relax and pray. The Christian Union’s intention is to explain the Gospel to fellow students on campus. They advertise their events with fliers, event cards handed out, waffles on the Parade and a large question and answer board. They run lunchtime and evening meetings with highly organised teams. Their themes include truth, the tension between science and God, spiritual and physical aspects of faith, understanding suffering, how to feel you belong and life and death.
The second event is the news of President Trump’s attempt to solve the war in Ukraine. He has astounded the world by rewriting history, courting the Russian President Putin and blaming Ukraine for starting the war saying Zelensky is a dictator.
It is difficult to cope with that international news. An understanding of the Christian faith does however counter this with hope.
So how do we explain the reason for the hope that we have? Students are adult learners with their own personal narratives behind the scenes. Explaining faith is much more a question of dialogue than monologue. Adults switch off if they feel they are being patronised or talked at.
Peter gives us a useful verse. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience… (1 Peter 3: 15)
There are three aspects to draw from this verse. The first is that the information is given in response to a request. It underlines the importance of living out the faith we hope to explain. It is said that life skills are ‘caught and not taught’. Linking the two thoughts behind this week’s blog it is perhaps how we cope with the international news that we hear (and about which we can do nothing) that may prompt others to ask for the reason for the hope that we seem to have.
The second guidance is to ‘do this with gentleness and respect’. There is no room for the harangue or rant. Gentleness and respect mean that we try and put ourselves in the shoes of the person we are talking to. We try and understand what makes them tick, perhaps to discern why they have asked the question in the first place.
The third guidance is the phrase ‘keeping a clear conscience’. This reminds us of the relationship between our personal faith journey with God in Christ’s name, and our outward facing interaction with others. The two must go hand in hand. We must be seen to live out the faith we proclaim.
And hope is the essential requirement for life.
Revd Nigel Rawlinson
University Chaplain
20-2-25
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