On the Archbishop's Remarks

I was completely taken by Archbishop Rowan Williams. He spoke as the keynote presenter during the plenary on religious pluralism. He began by constructing a basic Christian identity form which to view the world. As a faith community – who carry the name of Christ – we show, through our lives, the testimony of God’s promise to the world. Our Christian identity provides us a context to discover who we are. WE bear Christ’s name, not to look back at the founder, but rather to look for Christ in the world today. Even more so, we are to be Christ, intimately engaged with God and the entirety of God’s creation.

Archbishop Williams called for bold, prophetic words to come from our lips; for, it is we who bear witness to the Messiah’s continued presence in the world. We are servants to Christ, and we are also Christ. Christ is, therefore, seen in us and through us.

Archbishop Williams said it is not our job to claim an absolute truth to salvation. Instead, by being in our particular place, we are able to be in relationship with God without fear. We can be at peace with ourselves, and in peace with the world. We are able to transform our most deeply hated fears into love. The family of Christ does not hold a map of boundaries or an exclusive key to unlock the Truth. We do, however, exist to share what we see, to live out God’s gift in Christ.

The Christian identity is more than a faith identity, it is a life identity. However, Archbishop Williams clearly asserted the importance of remaining in relationship with those of other faith identities. Our inter-religious brothers and sisters are not in error, while they leave out the most important part of the human experience – Christ. Yet, through the lenses of other faiths, they may be able to bring new light to our own corners of darkness. Those of other religious backgrounds have different perspectives, which are crucially significant to understanding God’s world.

As a part of our calling to faithfulness in Christ, Archbishop Williams stressed the necessity of staying with the “other”. In their faith language, we can see reflections of our own. Our calling to be the engaged Christ alongside our neighbors is at the very core of who we are as Christians.

While the barriers of faith language may at times be problematic and painful to overcome, we must take our relationship beyond seemingly unsurpassable obstacles. We must live our commitment to active faithfulness and go to the place where Christ is to be engaged with God in the world.