I have always loved to play with words even though I am a Mathematician at heart. And the two words that are exercising my brain cell at the moment are “Orthodox” and Catholic”. The question in my head is whether these are complementary or alternatives.

As we move into the new decade I feel that our Church needs a new glossary of terms. The early Christians were not complimented by the phrase “See how these Christians love one another!” In fact it was probably a taunt.

Some authors of the 20th Century, Terry Pratchett in conjunction with Ian Stewart & Jack Cohen, have hypothesised the notion of extelligence. In this they contrast the idea that intelligence is what allows us as individuals to survive in an hostile world, while extelligence allows groups of individuals to use their shared intelligence to survive – to combat other tribes.

This theory includes the idea of using different words to describe things that are common to other tribes so that you can distinguish your tribe from theirs. It also allows for the idea of additional rules in your community as a way of enforcing tribal attitudes through disciplinary action against those who disobey.

So what do “Orthodox” & “Catholic” mean to you?  Do they unite or divide?

To me “Orthodox” means on the right road – in line with the way that Christ has set out for us and the words “Catholic” and “Inclusive” / “Universal” are broadly interchangeable for me. Why is it that we are seemingly so determined to use them as boundaries? What is it about our culture that we are so scared of opening up to the spirit that we seek to use words to divide?

So my simple suggestion for the next decade is to redefine words to be unifying rather than divisive. Let us reclaim the words that we have lost so that we can positively claim that we are genuinely a universal church which is on the right road. We can celebrate the things that we share and treat those things that divide us with the contempt that they deserve.

So! Are you happy to be Catholic and Orthodox? I will get to grips with evangelical another time!

Tim Hind