Editorial

It appears our country is following the western world trend of evaluating life by extremes. We managed to resist this trend for many years while mainstream maintained some links with the middle ground and, by and large, avoided sensationalism. But it feels like we are now on the trajectory toward opposite sides only being able to communicate aggressively by labelling those who don’t agree with me as evil or bigoted and therefore deserving of dismissal or cancelling. 

The invention of echo chamber algorithms in social media have hastened our journey. The algorithm intentionally bombards us only with information and opinion that reinforces our position and makes us feel justified and right. Who doesn’t love affirmation? Who doesn’t feel righter and more righteous when others affirm their position? 

So, we very quickly end up with people with opposing views feeling absolutely right and therefore vindicated as they take an immovable position and attack and vilify those who have the wrong mindedness to disagree. The ability to have an open civil discussion or debate is the first casualty of this approach and the second is the ability to agree to disagree. 

Jesus stepped into a world like that. The Jews knew the truth and were prepared to take violent action to progress it. The Romans understood they were the rightful rulers of the world and did take strong and violent action to maintain their dominance. There was no civil discourse only life and death politics. 

Jesus’ message was unmistakably one of love. A position that looked foolish in the eyes of both sides. He didn’t resile from his conservative theology, the law, his mission was to complete the law, not remove it. He didn’t modify his theology to accommodate the current worldviews, but he adopted a posture of humility, care and preached love rather than engage in heated argument. OK, the Pharisees did earn some anger, but not for being wrong, for being hard hearted and hardheaded spiritual leaders who refused to consider the truth. 

At Plenty Valley Christian College, we build community on that love and care for all that Jesus preached, while not compromising our beliefs in who God called us to be.  

Research shows that students from Christian schools are more active in voluntary work, social justice organisations and care-giving organisations than students from independent, Catholic or government schools. Our graduates are reflecting God’s love by respecting all people and working to find that middle ground where we, as a society, can have civil discussion and debate about important social issues. 

And as a Christian school principal, I am encouraged by that. 

John Metcalfe

Principal