A Belated Introduction

Heya stranger,

It's odd that I'm writing an introduction having already written my first blog post, but if anything you will have learned something about me - I'm unconventional.

Those of you know me know that I have recently completed my studies. Now if you are like my parents or grandparents you will probably be unsure of what I've actually studied. Well that would be understandable anyway, as I've changed institutions and majors like they've been going out of fashion. I started studying Law and Arts, majoring in Psychology and Politics to ending up completing a BA in Psychology and Sociology and a Diploma in Applied Theology. For many this sounds like an odd route to take, and for some in my family this has been a disappointing endpoint. This unconventional route could also have been shortened by a year had I completed my theological studies at Auckland (as a conjoint degree), instead of at Carey. Being at one institution indeed would have been easier, so you have to wonder why am I such a sucker for punishment? And why would I rack up a student loan for areas (psychology, sociology, and theology) that require specialising?

Well, it only gets stranger thinking about next year. You see I applied and was accepted into a Graduate Diploma in Teaching next year. You see I could have undertaken further study into Psychology or, perhaps, Sociology. But, instead, I will be studying a Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) in Theology, and what's more I'll be studying down south at the University of Otago. And not only that, but I'll be moving down with Jaala, my fiance (then wife), without any jobs being confirmed. You may be thinking what could bring about such a move? The only satisfactory answer is God.

Throughout this year God has been saying whacky things! Fortunately though he's been saying them to the two of us. God has called us on a walk on the wild side, or as I'm calling it (check the blogs url) - a walk on the south side. It takes something pretty radical for two individuals who love their city, their neighbourhoods, and their networks to uproot. We know in our bones though that God is guiding us through this venture, and that Dunedin is only the beginning. It has been a hard slog working through my last year of undergrad studies. It has been humbling to hear God tell us to speed up our plans of getting married (I've had to eat my words). It has been disheartening too having to contemplate leaving my tutoring families, our friends, and our respective families, including our local church family. However, it has been a small miracle that I have been accepted into a PG Dip after only completing a Diploma. It has been wonderful hearing prophetic words from others telling us we're on the right path. But, most of all, it has been fantastic having the full backing of Jaala from the beginning (thank you babe!).

Some of you have wondered why I'm going to Dunedin. I'm going down to study public theology (as Otago has the only public theology department in NZ). Check out this link if you want to find out more about public theology: www.otago.ac.nz/ctpi/what/. Theology, the holistic pursuit of God, I believe calls us to serve the public. Theology in the academy should do this not only because of their responsibility to the tax payer and the university, but also because theology has a decisive voice on all issues. There are incredible riches in the breadth of Christian tradition and thought. This diversity and comprehensiveness puts Christian theology in good stead to dialogue with different partners and disciplines. It is with this interdisciplinary approach in mind that I have called my online forum, Theology @ the Crossroads.

I hope to offer my own contribution to public theology through crafting a citizen theology, which brings into the picture the church as God's kingdom citizens, but also their other forms of citizenship: locally, nationally, transnationally, and globally. I believe this concept of dual citizenship can remind the church of its ultimate ties to God's kingdom and his people and of our social responsibility to be good citizens in this world. Fortunately, my papers (i.e. "Roots of Public Theology" and "Public Theology and Social Justice") next year will all be good resources to inform, grow, and hone these ideas.

During the course of our time in Dunedin I am planning to use this blog as a way of both informing you about life on the south side and interact with you all through doing theology at the crossroads. If this sounds like your cup of tea (or, if you're a non-tea drinker, your beverage of choice), then please subscribe to my blog.