16/08/2016
In his opening lecture at the ETF, (cfs2016.org), dr. Patrick Nullens expressed hope for the future of our societies.
There are signs of hope to be seen in our societies: racism is being recognized as evil, people have unprecedented access to schooling and healthcare, hunger and poverty are decreasing.
A hopeful disposition alone gives a spur to the faculties and keeps all the working energies in good working order (J.S. Mill).
An ethics of hope goes further than an ethics of responsibility for future generations as the last is based on an ethics of fear and tends to maintain the status quo (Moltmann). We become active in so far as we hope. We hope in so far we can see into the sphere of future possibilities (in philospophy, theology, law, political sciences, education, etc.)
We'll have to overcome our private interests, transcend our sectarian commitments.
The Institute of Leadership and Social Ethics at the ETF has as source for its inspiration of serving our socities in the public domain, the appeal by the evangelical John Stott in his book Issues facing Christians Today, to deal with issues such as unemployment, human rights, poverty, pacifism and sexual ethics.
Philip Jenkins wrote about a pathway of hope for a New Christianity: thanks to the faith of the South (African, Latin-American and Asian Christians) the future of the church is a more conservative, evangelical, biblical based Pentecostal Christianity.
Yet we have to be aware of false sources of hope, calles idols; The Gospel is a a power of God, it is not our power. False gods make false people, and the other way around. Our logos is about God himself, the only true God and our shortest confession proclaims Jesus as our only God.
Quest for a new type of public theology
Nullens: Righteousness and justice are the foundation of God's throne and mercy and love are his messengers of hope to our societies;
What is required is a renewed theology for the common good that is more biblically inspired, self-critical and open for the transformational power of the gospel. And a faith that contributes to human flourishing.
The ultimate source of hope however is the Throne of God himself!