WALKING WITH JOHN HULL
A response prepared by the Theological Reading Group
I. INTRODUCTION
O
ur Theological Reading group was started by the Revd Adam Hood and met most Wednesdays in term time in the Samuel Warneford room during the lunch break. It was made up of ministerial and research students from the Queen’s Foundation with one or two outside guests. A different book was studied each term and members of the group would take it in terms to introduce a section. One term John Hull memorably introduced the first section of a course on Paul Tillich’s “The Shaking of the Foundations”. After Adam left the group continued to meet and in the summer of 2015 it was studying John Hull’s book “Towards the Prophetic Church” when news came of his unexpected death. This was the more poignant for us because we had been looking forward to debating the ideas of his book with John at the end of our course. Because of the great influence his character and teaching had had on us we decided that our personal recollections and impressions of him should be recorded and collected, since they would help define what we were about as a group and show how we have encountered his ideas.
Our recollections are to be found in greater detail in the sections below. During a brief sharing the following points were made: his ideas on the education of children and especially on the contribution made by Religious Education to the school curriculum provoked thought and discussion; his book What prevents Christian Adults from Learning? was recalled with appreciation; listening to him was always stimulating, but one became aware of some less than enthusiastic responses. As well as these professional influences, we were aware of the poignant personal testimony, those works where John Hull explored the perspectives opened up as he responded to the experience of being blind: the book Touching the Rock, radio interviews and a recent film.
Our memories of John Hull, when put together, seem to define what he stood for and demanded that we think about what he would wish to see done. Direct experience of his company and talk had uncovered certain areas which were of concern to him, some of which are sketched above. Most striking of all was his insistence that the churches should be seen to be actively engaged in mission. We recall his criticism that a ‘mission-shaped church’ threatens too often to result in ‘church-shaped mission’. Certainly much energy which should go into engaging with society at large has been diverted into managerial tasks within a church organisation. Social responsibility is expressed in fellowship and meeting for worship when it should go wider. Instead of leaving thought with a view to action to think tanks, groups within local churches could nurture the talents latent in their membership, develop a range of interests and organise for action.
Our group thought that it needed to pause to take stock and consider: what sort of group did it consider itself to be? What did we, its members, aspire to achieve, and how much of this did we expect to attain? Some of us have been and are still active, whether professionally or in our spare time (especially in retirement). One or two of us see ourselves as admirers or even followers of John Hull, which means he is more than a name to us collectively. We thought that we should make an effort to collect our impressions and reflections at this time, and that they should in some form be presented to Queen’s Foundation as at least a tribute and possibly a stimulus to others in their further faith and action. The following contributions have been put together by a group of like-minded people who, coming from their different lives and avocations, have chosen to study theological texts and discuss their implications. It happens that this group was formed within the Queen’s Foundation, and while the members are largely drawn from outside that institution we continue to meet there. A treasured part of our past history is the hour spent listening to Dr John Hull give an introduction to one of our chosen books, Walter Brueggemann’s The Prophetic Imagination.
It occurred to us, therefore, that after John Hull’s death almost a year ago it would be appropriate to set down some of our views on his latest book Towards the Prophetic Church, partly as a tribute to his memory and influence but also with a view to sharing our thoughts and reflections as part of his ongoing influence. This book was after all, among other things, a call to action. John Hull’s pedagogy included a demand that practical activity be a part of education and, particularly, of specifically theological training. The fact that some of us had memories of past contact with John and experience of his personal impact gave another dimension to our study and discussion, as well as another strand to share with others. Perhaps this project of ours could also be seen as a contribution to the life of Queen’s Foundation, to which John Hull gave so much.
While the project was taking shape in our discussion and in the process of looking back at the book, some of us were struck by the author’s mention of ‘walking’ as a metaphor for study and discipleship. Awareness of the Greek verb peripatein and its recurrence in the Gospels and other New Testament texts added a further resonance to this. At the beginning of this collection, therefore, some thoughts tracing the implications of walking with Dr Hull may form a suitable introduction to the various contributions.
As opposed to marching, which demands that all keep step with one another, walking allows each one to choose a pace and a companion. True, the group as a whole proceeds in the same direction, but there is freedom to choose where to join and when to leave the others. Solitary walking has its pleasure and purpose, but the effort and fatigue seem less when sharing with others. In contrast, those who choose to run for the sake of health often notice that the monotony and extreme effort demanded leaves little time and less desire to exchange thoughts. Finally, the prefix peri- in the Greek verb suggests a walking around and about rather than a linear progression: perhaps a review of familiar sights, a turn around well-known places.
This image of walking with such a guide as Dr John Hull, whether as a listener to a lecture of his or a reader of his books and articles, demands that we take such companionship seriously. There is a demand that we commit to the walk and keep up the pace. Some may have found the invitation irresistible while realising that the demands are considerable. Certainly, in the context of Church life and discipleship, the call to social awareness and political action needs to be taken seriously, as do the consequent exposure and possible tensions which may follow taking up a position. Not everybody feels equal to this. But within our churches there are spaces and times set apart for companionship and reflection, and a potential for support where those who choose to remain seated can at least offer encouragement and maybe consolation.
II. A PERSONAL RECOLLECTION by Gareth L Davies
Although not personally acquainted with John Hull, I can recall hearing him speak over several decades. The first was in 1973 at a conference in Swanwick organised by the recently formed United Reformed Church, where there was a difference of opinion regarding the historical Jesus. Some of the theologians in attendance held that Jesus had expected the kingdom to come as an event at the end of the world, and that this had not come to pass. John did not accept this and argued passionately for a different view, remarking “You mean he was simply deluded, just plain wrong?” Later I attended a talk he gave at a meeting of the Birmingham Council of Christian Churches (BC3), ostensibly about Piaget’s account of how a moral sense develops in the child, but memorable to me for an aside about the Hebrew prophets as dissenting voices in the religious establishment of their day. Recently I found that pondering his book Towards the Prophetic Church in our reading group at Queens resumed some of those remarks in greater detail and that John’s voice was indeed a dissenting voice articulating a moral conscience.
Later, in response to a notice in Carrs Lane, I made some recordings for John, at one time reading a complete book about Plato’s thought. This was as part of a scheme organised to help him in his work as his eyesight had made reading impossible. As was his practice he sent an introductory cassette introducing himself and describing his routine, a personal touch that made that task less of a chore. As a representative on SACRE for some years I came to know and value his publications on RE in schools and occasionally hearing him speak, always with benefit. It has to be said that when his name came up in church discussions it invariably sparked debate, some participants taking exception to what he had to say, while others enthusiastically expressed their appreciation.
Following these peripheral contacts, it is with a sense of privilege that I recall John’s presence at a meeting of our reading group a year or two ago, when he introduced Walter Brueggemann’s The Prophetic Imagination, giving an overview of the subject, complete with footnotes and bibliographical information, from memory.
These memories are slight and peripheral, but when recalled they reveal themselves as a series of nudges which suggested a lead to follow or a change of view. I am grateful that they came not only as an authorial voice but also as part of a remembered conversation and a valued presence.
III SOME THOUGHTS ON JOHN HULL by Theresa Jones
I entered Queen’s in September 2004 to train for ordination. I think it was at that time that John also started there as an honorary tutor. It was always a delight to talk to John, often over lunch, and it was impressive to find how quickly he learned students’ names and remembered you and greeted you with warmth next time you spoke. I was privileged to be in some of his groups and particularly remember the sessions he offered on disability.
When I returned to Queens in September 2007 to follow an MA course I asked John to be my supervisor and to my joy he agreed. My supervisory meetings were always so informative and relaxed and involved plenty of helpful discussion and many laughs. I always felt that no matter what aspect of theology I wanted to talk about John had always been there before and was able to give his own critical analysis. I knew, though, that John had a lot of work going on, especially on the book he was writing at that time and I felt a deep gratitude in having the benefit of his input to help with my work.
John occasionally attended our Queen’s Reading Group which is led by John Nightingale; how I remember John’s introduction to Paul Tillich’s book of sermons: The Shaking of the Foundations. The book made a deep impression on me, especially when John spoke of his own personal experience and the impact on his life of Chapter 19: ‘You are Accepted’.
Working through John’s book Towards the Prophetic Church with the Reading Group I found great blessing as I prepared and presented the chapter on ‘Jesus Christ as Prophet’. John’s approach brought a new and fresh vision to me on the humanity of the person of Jesus. I was particularly helped by John’s views on the Holiness Code and his comment that even the temple architecture suggested separation, the subject of separation being part of my current research.
I recall one particular day as I was in the new building in Queen’s. The door to a classroom was open and John was teaching a group about the Trinity. I remember that the little I heard made me long to be in that room and involved in that session. I also remember one day I turned to the back page of the Church Times only to find that John was the subject of that week’s interview. At one point in the interview John said: “I live without regrets”. That has to be remarkable.
John was a wonderful teacher and a great friend to so many and I’m thankful that I was one of those people who had the honour and privilege of getting to know him.
IV TOWARDS THE PROPHETIC CHURCH by Phyllis Eaton
I first met John Hull in 1988, on an away weekend with the West Midlands training course. If memory is to be trusted our theme was adult education but what sticks in my mind is preaching my first sermon with little less than 24 hours notice to prepare in the middle of very thing else (the only time I ever had an all age congregation of over 300 people). Meantime John spoke about blindness and understanding the feelings and sensations of blind people in church and out.
We never met again but I have come across Keith Hebden (see back cover of Towards the Prophetic Church) who was placed in the congregation where I held an NSM Licence. For six months before his ordination we received activist sermons and activities working with an ageing congregation about 30 strong.
Meantime my own model of Christian ministry with mission engagement was as a worker priest, getting support and encouragement through CHRISM the national organisation for ministers in secular employment. There was prophecy in action.
…..and so to the book we have been reading. I appreciated the analysis and history of prophecy, especially the chapter ‘Jesus Christ as prophet’. The history which followed was just that, history now but with plenty to teach on how others before us have become introverted and numbed. Yes, we do have to get challenge of world and church structures back into our very psyche. Yes, John Hull is right to tell us that Church and society now (2014) need emancipation. It is the practicalities of how to address the world while living in it that I find less convincing. The thought isn’t radical enough for me.