Issue 90
Editorial
I'm consistently amazed by what people think about when left to their own devices. It would never to occur to me, for example, to spend the afternoon considering what God thinks about aliens, or whether there are any similarities between God and a pint of Guinness. However, Christis is, among other things, a showcase for the weird and wonderful things that our contributors find themselves contemplating in between (and sometimes in the middle of) their lectures and essays. In this issue, you can discover how to be a decadent Christian; two opposing views of pacifism; and why Chris Charlton thinks that social action isn't always the great and venerable thing that we're led to believe.
For myself, I've spent the last weeks thinking about coursework and finals. In the rush to get things done, I've been sadly neglecting my spiritual life. This was brought home to me sharply when, sitting at the top of Central Hall, I opened an exam paper, realised I could do it, and offered up a quick prayer of thanks. To my shame, I realised that this was the first time in weeks that I'd prayed at all. Later, discussing my equally remiss Bible reading with a friend, it occurred to me that, when I do pick up a Bible, I find it very difficult to stop myself flicking to the Psalms and staying there, enjoying the poetry. It seems I've got myself caught in the trap, to which Chris draws attention, of contenting myself with 'social action', and forgetting the need for prayer and Bible reading.
Last Tuesday, I started the first of my Open Papers. When I got home after picking up my paper, there was a letter waiting for me, from my best friend Diana. As well as a picture of two men in leiderhosen enjoying a fondue which bears a startling resemblance to magnolia emulsion (to remind me of a holiday in Switzerland, our fondness for 'experimental' cookery and a summer job painting and decorating), she'd included a list of Bible passages designed to soothe the frazzled nerves of an examridden finalist. Apart from a brief foray into Proverbs, every single one of the passages was from the Psalms.
Diana knows me very well - we were born a month apart and have known each other all our lives - but I don't think I've ever discussed my enthusiasm for Psalms with her. I can only surmise that, despite my recent poor performance as a Christian, God knew exactly what would encourage me. A card full of love and silly jokes, and a gentle prod to point me back to my Bible, starting with the bits that I love.
If you're also suffering from exam stress, or feeling generally fed up, I'd like to pass on the words of comfort that Diana gave to me:
The Lord is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult (Psalm 46:1-3).
In times of stress, I often forget that while God will not make it all go away, through him we have access to a profound sense of peace, which will see us through anything and everything, including finals. I thank God that I have friends who remind me of this.