A theology of travel: summary so far

So far in our theology of travel:

• We’ve experienced the thrills and joys of travel being declared “good” by God
• We’ve felt the fallen-ness of travel in the loneliness and fragility of it all
• And we’ve now countered the claim that travel should help us restore our faith in the goodness of humanity
• We’ve painted a picture that we’re made for more than just travel in this world and seen that the New Heavens and New earth that we’re made for is an even sweeter song to our ears than the current one
• And we’ve just gone out and got some top practical tips for travel, as the Bible is not a travel handbook!  Photos can be found largely under the “Cork” category on the sidebar or by searching for “Ireland”.

But in every theology of travel, it should not only be guided by God’s revelation of Himself (primarily in the Scriptures), but it should be cross-shaped and cross-centred, for that is exactly what the Christian message revolves around.

I was sent Francis and Lisa Chan’s book on marriage by a friend recently (recommended for people even like me, who don’t have marriage on the horizon any time soon).  I came across this:

“’Christians’ have come up with clever ways to explain why the followers of a suffering servant should live like Kings.”

What does a travelling suffering servant look like?

Well, as we attempt to submit not only our answers/experiences to the scriptures, but also to let the scriptures shape our questions, over the coming months we may take a look at some of this:

• Travel in the Old Testament
  • Being fruitful and multiplying: the start of travel
  • Moving east of Eden
  • Unwanted travel: camping in the desert
  • A glimpse of a better land: moving to the promised land
  • An Israeli well crawl: On the hunt for a Godly date
  • Hungry migrants on the move: the story of Ruth
  • The raiding parties: travel as divine justice
  • gods who are away travelling (1 Kings 18:27)
  • “Any more of that and I’ll send you travelling”: the exile
  • The singing travellers: the Psalms of Ascent
  • A long way for wisdom: when royalty travel
  • Escaping God: travel! (part 1 and 2)
• Travel in the New Testament
  • Wise men travel
  • Christ on the road
  • The road gets packed: 72 on their way
  • Roman roads: good news to the world
  • Community, glory and travelling (from Ephesians)
  • Longing to be with you: travelling to support
  • Journeying to life: the Christian metaphor
• Travel as a Christian today
  • Justice
  • Environment
  • Disability
  • Intentionality
  • Rest
  • A human right
  • Bucket List Travel
  • Abortion
• Travel in other worldviews
  • Secular travel (the dream, the reality behind the dream, and in simple)
  • Insights to Islam from travel
  • Travelling to find yourself (or God)
• Conclusion

All a grand auld plan, if it weren’t for the fact that I’m back on the road for most of my working term.  In the meantime, if you know of anything good to read on the topic, do get in touch.  And if you really don’t think it matters, check out this!

Lichfield, England 04/01/17

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