Key Sydney Anglican thinkers Greg Clarke and John Dickson are preparing to open up a new front in Australia's war of ideas " without raising a lather.
"I can't think of a time when religious discussion was higher on the public agenda and people’s understanding of Christianity was actually so low," says Dr Clarke.
Dr Dickson agrees, underlining the point that now is the time to take action.
"I think that unbelief has never been more vocal," agrees Dr Dickson. "And there has never been a time that people have believed there are so many good reasons not to believe."
The increasing volume of unbelief has spurred these acclaimed writers to establish a new centre for the public understanding of Christianity.
The association will be funded by Mission Australia and private donors with the goal of inserting the Christian mindset into debates generally directed by secular media but in a way that demonstrates the grace of the faith, rather than reflecting the antagonism of its opponents.
"We are looking forward to growing networks of scholars and communicators to bring the best of Christian thinking into the public square, where it is sometimes rejected but more often simply not heard," says Dr Clarke.
"The centre will be a one-stop-shop for Australian media outlets interested in well-thought-out Christian responses to ethical, social and spiritual concerns of the day," adds Dr Dickson.
More ideas than "attitude'
But they won't be responding with the same fiery verbiage employed by more militant opponents of Christianity like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens.
"When you read Dawkins or Hitchens their arguments are so bombastic you would be forgiven for thinking you only had half a brain if you believed in Christianity," says Dr Dickson, referring to the opposition's denigration tactics.
"When you run short of arguments you turn up the volume."
"We have a lot of persuading to do to show that Christianity is more gracious, more loving and has more to offer than the distortions of it that are floating around in the media," says Dr Clarke.
No Ivory Tower
"Greg and I have discussed at length that we must not become a think-tank," says Dr Dickson. "We have to be a combination of first-class thinking with cutting edge communication.
The centre aims to develop a speaker's bureau, a media arm, an events program, a publishing project, a major online presence and a training forum for Christian thinkers and communicators.
Far from being an ivory-tower, Dr Clarke says the centre will concentrate on arming Christians with the sort of thinking that will prove most useful in the trenches.
"John and I are both as happy on the street as we are in the classroom and we feel like ideas are only worthwhile if they’re making a difference in the world," he says.
Basing this centre for the public understanding of Christianity in Sydney's CBD is part of its grass-roots philosophy.
And they are eager to share the platform with as many thinkers who can get behind their goal.
"This is not just "John and Greg Inc.' but a project that will encourage other people who have things to offer to get involved," Dr Clarke says.
Centre links current ministries
Dr Dickson, an associate of Macquarie University's History Department, and the author of 12 best-selling Christian books will leave his position as a writer in residence for Youthworks to work for the centre.
Dr Clarke, also a popular author with a PhD in Literature has resigned from the Centre for Apologetic Scholarship and Education (CASE) at New College where he was the director for the past four years.
He will divide his time between the centre and his new position as the director of the Macquarie Christian Studies Institute.
CASE will continue under the directorship of the Master of New College, Professor Trevor Cairney with the support of a new editorial committee.
