For the remainder of this month, and then again from early-ish September to mid November, I am on study leave, attempting to dig deeper into the topic of "a hermeneutic of mercy", picking up some work long ago begun, much on pause through my time as Bishop of Christchurch.
That is, I am interested in the question of how we interpret the Bible (i.e. "hermeneutic") in a manner which is merciful, with reference, obviously, to some of the challenging questions of our times, questions in which churches have offered various interpretations, often deemed "conservative" or "liberal/progressive", with resulting disputes within those churches and even division and schism breaking up such churches.
In recent years, for instance - and it has been a very public instance - Pope Francis has offered various thoughts ex cathedra [later correction: ok, so not, "ex cathedra" meaning formal Papal Bulls, but definitely meaning, "the Pope, the one who sits in the cathedra of the Bishop of Rome, has spoken, so a much bigger deal than your local bishop or parish priest or favoured Catholic philosopher such as Edward Feser speaking") albeit perhaps standing in a plane, chatting to journalists travelling with him, or otherwise "off the cuff" (or, seemingly so ... he was very skillful re how he communicated!) which opened up a "liberal/progressive" yet Catholic view on matters of the day, with consequential reaction from quarters of the global Catholic church described, at least by journalists, as "conservative". Hence a sigh of relief - for many Catholics - that Pope Leo seems to be walking a more delicate line: no off the cuff remarks; no pushing the boundaries of what might be just within the edges of Catholic doctrine (or might not); and yet, a sense of anxiety - for some Catholics - is a more open-minded Franciscan church to be closed in?
Time will tell, and I do not expect Pope Leo to be influenced by whatever I may end up being able to publish!
In mentioning the much played out in world media of Catholic hermeneutical drama in recent years, I am well aware that other churches can be mentioned: in no particular order of (de)merit, and with no attempt to be comprehensive:
- Russian Orthodox church: "pro Putin" v pro peace
- Southern Baptists: women (not) in leadership in the church
- various churches: Christian nationalism v issues such as approaches to immigration ... funding international aid ... collaboration among nations towards peace between nations
- Anglican Communion: continuing dissonance over same-sex relationships (major) and ordination of women (minor) ... noting that both matters are having a role - it would appear - in who might be the next ABC
- back to the Roman Catholic church: recently a priest in the UK refused to give communion to a (Catholic) MP who voted for the recently passed (n the House of Commons) euthanasia law raising multiple questions re "mercy" in respect of life itself, and at the communion rail (when sin is unrepented of).
Naturally I have no particular confidence in my ability to solve all hermeneutical issues currently bubbling away in the meeting places of Christians, let alon the ones which literally are close to actions in which people are being killed.
Neverthless, what greater topic for Christian study than, What is truth? A hermeneutic of mercy is about checking in that we understand the Christian Scriptures correctly, in this time and in these places of controversy.
