I do not envy the Prime Minister one bit. As a public, committed Christian he was required to preach a 'sermon' at a 'service' that invited along everyone but God.

Even though the National Day of Mourning Service on Sunday gave space to some of the many and varied religions of Australia, the pluralistic tone drowned out any clear divine message.

So, how did Rudd seize this opportunity? What message did he preach, knowing that his own convictions needed to find their place in the smorgasbord of world views and religions?

In the end, he chose a passionate and inspirational message, full of optimism and hope in the human spirit. It was a fine and eloquent message. But, sadly, empty of any real hope.

However, it did contain a spread of Biblical imagery. As I listened to him speak, I found myself in a game of ‘biblical bingo’, waiting earnestly for the next Christian allusion.

As the fire-fighters stood before the inferno they said "Here I stand, I can do no other" (Martin Luther"”BINGO!)  And there was the reference to "standing firm lest we fall" (1 Corinthians 10-BINGO), not to mention the repeated mention of the gates of Hell (BINGO!), and so forth.

For Christian hearers, the message had a strange feeling of familiarity. The smattering of allusions made it feel like we were present before Reverend Rudd, in the Rod Laver Cathedral.

But, sadly, the message lacked any real substance. It was the epitome of a post-Christian message to a post-Christian congregation.

So, what should Rudd have done? It's very easy from the cheap seats to offer advice and wisdom. But there must be an alternative for Kevin O'Heaven to use next time he preaches to the masses.

What about something like this:

"Over the past two weeks I have found great comfort from the words of the God I worship, in the Scriptures he wrote. I was reminded of the hope in eternal life that I find in Jesus Christ. At a time like this, we will be wise to reflect upon our own mortality and the life that I believe is to come. And as I prayed this week for those who have suffered, I asked that God would give them comfort, and that he would lead the affected to trust in his goodness and kindness, demonstrated in the death of Jesus."

The benefit of this kind of subjectivity is that it fits perfectly in our pluralistic world. There's nothing wrong with a blatant display of personal faith, provided one does not make any claims of exclusivity, or demonstrate any appearance of judgementalism.

Can you think of a way that you might use this evangelistic strategy as you speak in this pluralistic world? Or is this just a pluralistic cop-out?