Centre for Contemporary Christianity in Ireland

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Welcome to p.s. the fortnightly e-mail and web discussion forum from the Centre for Contemporary Christianity in Ireland.

In line with the Centre's aims, it seeks to "provide informed, credible and practical comment and analysis, rooted in biblical reflection and theological thought" on contemporary matters of broad public concern in Ireland.

We're aiming to engage Christian minds with issues in the public square, to inject new perspectives and provoke discussion.

We hope you find p.s. stimulating and useful and look forward to hearing your responses as we seek together to live out biblical faith for a changing world. Click on the links below to view the latest and previous editions. To comment, or read other comments on p.s. articles, please click here to go to our discussion board.

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Opinions expressed by p.s. contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the Centre for Contemporary Christianity in Ireland. Contributors are invited to freely express their opinions, whatever the issue, in order to encourage robust and respectful discussion.

Pecs-Factor or X-Factor?

'Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord'

Ephesians 5: 18-19

For those of us who like a quiet Saturday night in, the crucial choice is what to watch on TV: the foot-tapping feast of Strictly Come Dancing or the nervous hopefuls of the X-Factor singing for their vote?

In both programmes the contestants are at the mercy of judges who can eliminate egos in seconds. Certainly in the case of the X-Factor, ever since Louis Walsh chose to eliminate the more talented Maria over the Conway sisters, the show has become more a case of the judges flexing their pecs rather than looking for genuine talent. It has become the pecs-factor rather than the X-Factor.

Yet these programmes have undoubtedly affected our culture. Dancing schools have noticed a rise in intake and the X-Factor has become one of many televised singing contests. So why is it that churches still struggle to have hearty congregational singing - to connect faith to voice?
Perhaps it is time to return to Ephesians 5 where Paul commands us not to get drunk on wine but to be Spirit-filled singers to the Lord. A drunk man struggling to find his way home may sing loudly and heartily, but is likely to be completely oblivious to what is going on around him. Spirit-filled people are completely different. They are alert and tuned in. They walk carefully and live carefully.

What's the result of Spirit-filled singing? According to Paul, relationships become transformed: between husbands and wives; children and parents; slaves and masters. Not lording it over another, rather, through Christ, becoming alert to one another's needs. The Jews feared that Jesus had so empowered the marginalised that society would be turned upside down. Yet Jesus did not come to create anarchy but to give a voice to those who had no voice.

What a contrast to the commercial dynamic at work in the X-Factor. Some of us continue to be gripped by this ongoing saga and delight in the judges flexing their pecs, but let's remember there is another way. As Spirit-filled Christians we need to learn to sing a song that makes us attentive to God and to each other: to sing the Lord's song of redemption and freedom in this thirsty land.

Karen Campbell

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The Centre for Contemporary Christianity presents: The Road to Bethlehem, A Candlelit Celebration of Christmas in St. Thomas' Parish Church, Belfast on Friday 2nd December at 7.45pm. Contact the Centre (events@contemporarychristianity.org, 028 90325258) to obtain tickets £10 (£5 students, seniors, unwaged; under 16s free).

Zero28 invites you to a very special event with John O’Donohue. The acclaimed thinker and international bestselling author of ‘Anam Cara: Spiritual Wisdom from the Celtic World’ and ‘Divine Beauty’, is coming to spend time with us in Belfast at the end of November. Zero28 are hosting three separate events on the weekend of 25th-27th November. For further details please visit the Zero28 website.