Phil Jack is the chaplain at Canford School, an independent school with a long Christian heritage, serving around 900 students, half of whom are boarders. A few moths ago they invited me to speak at their “Lent Addresses” leading up to Easter, which included a Sunday chapel service for 450 boarders and staff. The format was interview-style, with questions to be discussed throughout the week.
Three evening talks were conducted:
1.Have You Ever Wondered Why suffering and evil feel so wrong?
2. Have You Ever Wondered If God Could Forgive Hitler? This question emerged from a student during a confirmation class. It cuts to the heart of the gospel! If you believe you’re going to heaven while Hitler isn’t because of your good deeds, that’s problematic, as the gospel isn’t about good deeds. Conversely, if you think you’ll get to heaven while Hitler won’t because you’ve done fewer bad things, that’s also an issue. This question drives the conversation towards the very essence of the gospel. However, it’s crucial to note that there is no evidence of repentance in Hitler’s life, so we’re not suggesting he will be in heaven. This serves as a thought-experiment to engage deeper gospel issues. The session was electrifying and attracted the largest crowd of the series, with great questions indicating that students grasped the scandal of God’s grace.
3. Have You Ever Wondered If Your Life Is Worthwhile?
Another highlight was my participation in various lessons, not as a teacher, but to interact with students and teachers, fostering relationships. Then I spoke at the whole school chapel service on Thursday morning, using an interview format to explore whether life is worthwhile, a theme set up by the evening talk. I introduced the famous Lawrence Krauss quote: “You are a 1% bit of pollution in the universe,” challenging staff and students. If you claim to be a consistent atheist, then Krauss is correct! However, if you question that statement, you should lean into it and ask more questions about God.
Phil and I organized various events with the school houses, encouraging students to bring their questions. Any query about Christianity, God, life, the universe, and everything was welcomed, and in return, we offered toasted sandwiches. We served over 120 sandwiches! While some questions seemed motivated by the desire for food, many were profound, and most students stayed to engage further.
In an educational context, one must be cautious in how questions are addressed compared to a worship service. However, when a young person directly asks a question, such as, “Do you think all religions lead to God?” it’s reasonable for a Christian speaker to respond directly. In lessons, one must be more careful, often framing responses as, “Christians would believe that…”
Overall, it was a privilege to support Phil Jack, the chaplain at Canford School, in what I believe was a stimulating and enjoyable series of “Lent Addresses,” contributing significantly to the spiritual life of the school.
