Editorial: Prophetic Speaking & Listening
Alwyn Thomson

Comment: Time to Build
David Porter

Should Nations Apologise
Greg Forster

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EDITORIAL
In 1987 ECONI set out to provoke a debate within the Evangelical community. We sought to provide an alternative biblical interpretation of both the context and content of relevant Evangelical witness in N Ireland. But it was a debate not only about words and understanding. It was equally about providing an alternative model for engaging with one another.

Recently we have sought to apply this approach in engaging with the community at large. A process has emerged that can be described as one of prophetic speaking (articulating a biblical perspective) AND prophetic listening (participating in open encounter). This has led us to engage with all strands of church and political opinion.

We have been condemned for participating in a sell out to ecumenism and romanism on the one hand and to terrorism and republicanism on the other. We believe that the path we have chosen is one that God's Word calls us to, not for our comfort, but for the honour and glory of his name in this community.

Those at the heart of ECONI remain convinced Evangelicals. Our simple premise has been to ensure that this Evangelical commitment to biblical authority and loyalty to Christ takes precedence over all other loyalties - to cause, to country, to class and to creed. We see no contradiction in being theologically conservative and socially radical, biblically based and politically relevant, sharing in relationships and presenting the demands of Christ.

Our experience is that this is not an easy place to be. It is a place on the margins, for that is where the deepest hurts and the sharpest questions are to be found. It is equally a place of tension, where it is easy to be misunderstood and misrepresented. That we are prepared to risk, trusting that our fellow Evangelicals will always take time to find out for themselves where the truth of our position lies. Straight questions will always receive straight answers - that also is the way of Christ.

ECONI WELCOMES the submission of unsolicited articles, but does not guarantee publication, and manuscripts cannot be returned. Opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of ECONI. Permission to reprint any original article in Lion & Lamb should be sought from the Editor.

Editor   Derek Poole
Asst Editor   Ruth Hutchinson