with Rev Dr Chris Walker
International Year of Light
2015 has been designated the International Year of Light and Light based technologies by the United Nations. It is an initiative to raise awareness of how optical technologies promote sustainable development and provide solutions to worldwide challenges in energy, education, agriculture, communications and health. It will promote improved public and political understanding of the central role of light in the modern world. Noteworthy anniversaries will be celebrated from the first study of optics 1,000 years ago to discoveries in optical communications that power the Internet today. The opening ceremonies will be held in Paris on 19-20 January.
While the International Year of Light focuses on technology, light is a metaphor that is used by the major religions. Light is contrasted with darkness. Enlightenment is spoken about in relation to gaining an understanding of the true nature of life and how to live. For Christians Jesus is affirmed to be “the light of the world”. In John’s gospel Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
As we reflect on 2014 and begin 2015, we recognise that there is a great deal of darkness and evil in the world, most starkly evidenced in the activities of terrorist groups such as Islamic State. As its name and activities imply, it has more to do with political than religious motivation. Islamic leaders have distanced themselves from IS saying the group does not represent the true nature of their religion which they say promotes peace not violence and war. Ruthless self-interest on the part of IS has led to inflicting terrible suffering on any people who are in the way of their political agenda to set up an Islamic State in what is now parts of Syria and Iraq. They are only one group with many others also inflicting suffering on innocent people including children.
The world has enough to contend with in terms of natural disasters, diseases and unfortunate tragedies such as airplane crashes. The worst darkness comes from the evil of those who deliberately inflict pain and death on others. It is here that religion can help – though we need to recognise that religion has often been complicit with the forces of evil and death out of self-interest and mistaken understandings of theology. Christianity and the Church have to admit it has a dark side exposed recently in child abuse cases perpetrated by religious leaders in institutions intended to protect and help vulnerable children. Sin, evil and darkness unfortunately can affect even those people and institutions meant to overcome suffering, practice good and shed the light of truth and justice.
Nevertheless, religion has the power to motivate people and this can lead to lives of admirable selfless service and care for others. While we can be appalled at the way some religious people speak and act, I would suggest they do so misrepresenting their faith. The best exemplars of the faith are the ones I admire. Christianity has had people such as Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and countless faithful followers of Jesus often serving in difficult situations for the sake of the people. For Christians Jesus himself is the one to look to and is the exemplar ‘par excellence’ of what Christianity is meant to be about.
Jesus is the light of the world for he brings an understanding of God and life that is true and life giving. He reveals that God is characterised by love and justice and desires reconciliation and peace. Jesus showed the way of compassion in his dealings with people which included all people especially those regarded as unworthy by others. He practiced non-violence and refused to turn to the way of violence even when he knew his enemies were plotting to do away with him. Some of his disciples would have gladly taken up arms but Jesus refused. He died on a cruel cross absorbing the hatred of others and continuing to respond with love and forgiveness. God raised Jesus from the death thus vindicating what he stood for and to show that love is stronger than hatred, light is stronger than darkness and life is stronger than death.
What is needed in 2015 is not only effective technologies and greater understanding but also the power to do what is right and just, rather than acting out of sinful selfishness, greed and a desire for domination. The Christian faith says that God’s Spirit is available to enable people to overcome sin and live according to mutual well-being rather than self-interest. In order to appropriate God’s Spirit and access God’s forgiveness and reconciliation, we have to be willing to let go of our self-will, admit our sinfulness and let God and God’s will become central to our lives. Paradoxically as we are prepared to surrender our lives we in fact find them. This hard truth is at the heart of the Christian faith. “Those who lose their life for my sake will find it”(Matthew 10:39) said Jesus. Following the way of Jesus means letting him be the controlling influence in our lives and seeking his way, the way of God’s kingdom.
As we look to 2015 my hope and prayer is that it will be a year of light in which we do celebrate light technologies and learn how to use them for benefit of people in a range of spheres including energy, education, health, agriculture and communications. May the technologies not be used for greed and destructive activities but to assist human flourishing, including the flourishing of other species and for the sake of the whole planet. May we also gain enlightenment to enable us to discern how to use technologies appropriately and to obtain a greater insight into how we can live together in peace on this one earth. God’s guidance and Spirit are available for us to move towards his will for a world in which poverty is overcome, all people are treated with dignity and the creation itself is cared for. Let us co-operate with God in pursuing this goal.
Chris Walker
(National Consultant Christian Unity, Doctrine & Worship)