ANDREW FURLONG,
Sir, - The changeover by 300 million people to the euro currency provides me with an illustration to help me continue to try to get my main point across.
Every religion at its beginning (Christianity included) was expressed in the thought forms of the period concerned: a specific "theological currency" was used. The thought forms of the early centuries of Christianity's development belong to a world in which divinities abounded (Roman emperors called themselves gods and required sacrifices from their citizens, and Greek mythology with all its gods, goddesses, and demi-gods filled the Mediterranean mind).
There were miracle workers galore, the gods were constantly intervening in the affairs of the world, and animal sacrifice in worship was prevalent. It was no wonder that Jesus was presented as a "divinity" and that his death was given a sacrificial interpretation.
What I am trying to say is that if we want to "do business today in religion", we need to use a "theological currency" expressing the very different thought forms of the 21st century. Without such a fresh and relevant "currency" we will not be equipped to explore for authentic spiritualities for our day: a search for who we are and who we are meant to be as human beings; and for some of us a search for metaphors, symbols and images to "describe the indescribable", the mystery of God.
So, to use the illustration, we need a "theological bureau de change" where we could exchange our old creeds, shaped by an out-of-date currency, for a supply of 21st-century theological currency to enable us, as part of an evolving Christian tradition, to explore for meaning and purpose, for an ethical code and religious vision which might then be expressed in a modern credo. There would be many of these, and such diversity and multiplicity could be seen as an enrichment - a deep resource of contemporary expressions of human spirituality as shaped by the innovative and imaginative minds of those who know that today's "currency" will not last for ever either.
For what it is worth, here (in 110 words, the same number of words as for the Apostles' Creed) is my modern Credo expressing where I am now on my journey, which is part of the risky adventure of life whose destiny (in my belief) lies far over the horizon in eternity:
"As individual and social beings, we are challenged to ascend to the heights of our humanity, avoid sinking to the depths of our depravity. In beliefs expect diversity, mine evolve. Religions are motorways needing widening. All life is gift; human life is of eternal worth, found loveable by God, who is hidden, active, committed to us for better, for worse. Religious symbols: wedding ring, journey, tree, person, fire, light, darkness, horizon, sun, cloud, ocean, wave. The destiny of this risky adventure of life lies over the horizon, in eternity; the meaning of life continues to grow. Let life be developed and used, be open-minded, courageous, and humorous, seek to adore."
I would be interested in other people's Credos (perhaps too in not more that 110 words). - Yours, etc.,
Very Rev
ANDREW FURLONG,
Dean of Clonmacnoise,
Trim,
Co Meath.