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The Culture of the Kingdom 

On 7th February it will be the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens. Two or three weeks ago we went to visit the special exhibition ‘Dickens and London’ at the Museum of London. It was our first visit to the Museum and to our surprise by the entrance doors is a bronze memorial Methodist Flame and plaque (1981) commemorating John Wesley's conversion experience on this site on May 24, 1738.

Wesley described his conversion in his journal:

In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while the leader was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.

The great expansion of Methodism in the 19th century and the popularity of Charles Dickens took place at the same time. Although there seems to have been little or no interaction between Methodism and Charles Dickens both were passionate about changing people’s lives.

Methodism started as a movement; a movement that, in obedience to God, wanted to make a difference in the world within communities and the lives of individuals, a movement of people passionate about sharing God’s love. This message of love, hope and inclusion was preached to poor working people up and down the country – mill workers, miners, fishermen people who previously, because of their lowly status, had been largely excluded from the church.

Dickens approach was different. He woke 19th century Britain to the impact of the Poor law, workhouses, debtors prisons and the desperation of poor mothers and destitute orphaned children. The stories he told changed British culture and stirred the Victorian philanthropists and eventually politicians into action. Dickens achieved enormous fame through the novels he wrote, widely acclaimed as we celebrate his 200th anniversary as the best British story teller ever. His great skill as a story teller was based on his capacity to observe life, to memorise the details of people’s lives and his observation of character. Dickens too knew something of what it was like to be poor. His father was feckless, constantly in debt and so although there were happy times in Dickens childhood he had also suffered from being removed from school when the fees weren’t paid, sent to work in a blacking factory and the humiliation of his family being sent to live in the debtors prison, the Marchelsea, life at the Marchelsea being described so poignantly in Little Dorrit. Surveys and reports could have been written about poverty in 19th century London but Dickens focused on individual people and the impact of poverty on the lives of real people and children.

Besides writing novels also took direct action. As a young man he had been a juror in court when a house maid was tried for the murder of her new born baby. The house maid had been working in the kitchen when she felt labour pains but the bell rang and she was called upstairs to perform some duty and the child was born under her skirts as she was working. According to the poor, desparate maid the baby was born dead but her unsympathetic employers had her sentenced. No one even seems to ask who her seducer might have been. Dickens never forgot the fear and desperation of this poor young woman who seemed to have no family and not a friend in the world just work and now on trial for her life. This was just the sort of experience that fed his stories and when he became relatively wealthy enabled him to take direct action. He opened a home for ‘fallen women’, the very first women’s refuge and great care was taken of each individual woman who was admitted.

In their different ways Methodism and Charles Dickens changed the culture of Britain. They turned the country into a more compassionate one with a tradition of caring and accepting responsibility for those in need. Previously a fatalistic attitude had prevailed but Methodism and Charles Dickens demonstrated that no matter how big the problem was something could always be done. The small actions of individuals can change the whole culture.

In our gospel story, after leaving the synagogue, Jesus is invited to the house of Simon and Andrew. When they arrive at the house Jesus is told that Simon’s mother in law is in bed with a fever. Jesus immediately goes to her takes her by the hand and she is healed and able to get up. The gospel writers tell of Jesus compassion and his healing ministry through his impact on the lives of individuals. We are not told her name but she was just an elderly woman some might say, and Jesus doesn’t hesitate in his response. Jesus heals Simon’s mother in law, one small action, the story of one individual person but next the whole city are knocking at the door. Jesus actions challenge the way people think about the love of God and their way of life. In the kingdom of God love reigns and that love is expressed through compassion and concern, through prayer and practical action for those in need. Jesus changed the culture.

What is the culture of our country today, its thinking and actions and response to those in need? What stories of hardship and neglect would Charles Dickens recount if he was observing life in our city today? This last week the Welfare Reform Bill came back to the House of Commons. It had suffered a record seventh defeat in the House of Lords but this was largely ignored. There has been a massive weight of opinion against the Welfare Reform Bill from parliamentarians of all parties, charities, churches, medical professionals, people living with disability and poverty, children's advocates, academics, researchers, community organisations, faith groups, public figures and many thousands of constituents who have been lobbying their MPs. These groups have asked the government to pause their welfare legislation in order to take on board proper research, better proposals and the experience of those who use and need the benefits system.

No one disputes that reform is needed to welfare in this country but this, the biggest restructuring of welfare for 60 years, it is argued is being rushed through. And it is changing the culture. The British tradition of caring for the less well off, the needy, the sick, children living in poverty, those with disability is in danger of being destroyed. We are in a time of austerity when cut backs have to be made but the cut backs are being forced upon those at the bottom of society, the poorest and most in need. Disabled people, their carers and families face a double whammy. One disabled campaigner said: ‘Cuts by the government to vital disability allowances makes it impossible for us to exist, let alone have a life. Cuts to local services mean we become virtual prisoners in our own homes. Any income we should receive as a result of long term illness or disability the government is taking away. They tell us we must work which, for so many, is totally beyond our capability. For far too long we have had to put up with the media labelling us as 'scroungers' and 'cheats'. Nothing is further from the truth: through no fault of our own we have to live our lives trapped in broken bodies and minds that cannot function as society and the government dictates."

Every system will bring evidence of abuse but that must not be a reason for changing the culture to pre Methodism and Charles Dickens. The Welfare Reform Bill is accused of being an attack on the poor and it is changing the culture of our society. The presentation of this bill has implied that everyone needing support, be they homeless, receiving housing benefit or suffering from a disability are a load of scroungers. Wheelchair users are being made to feel as if they are scroungers, feeling that when they are out people are looking at them resentfully and accusingly – ‘Here’s another one taking our money’. And I heard this just a few days ago from one of our own congregation in a wheelchair. He feels that the culture of our country is changing and that from a society that cared and supported those with disability we are becoming one that accuses them of being scroungers. 3% of people in this country are not able and will never be able to work. How each of us responds to those in need builds the society, the culture in which we live. Welfare does need reforming in Britain. There is no doubt about that. But it needs reforming with, not against, the vulnerable. And it needs doing on the basis of strengthening communities and households so that they can survive, flourish and find a fulfilling place in society. Trying to solve the debt crisis by making those who are least able to pay suffer is wrong in principle as well as practice. The Methodist Church, the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the United Reformed Church and the Quakers in Britain have called for Parliament to hold to the humane principles of the welfare state.

The Rev Leo Osborn, President of the Methodist Conference, said: “We regret much of the tone of the debate around welfare reform especially where it has encouraged people to blame the workless poor for their struggles. Rising unemployment, the deficit and flat economic performance are not the fault of the poor, nor will capping benefits solve these problems or realise any significant savings for HM Treasury.”

The culture of our country is becoming further and further removed from the culture of love and compassion of the kingdom of God. But it doesn’t have to be like this. Some friends visited Denmark last summer to stay with Danish friends. One of the first things their Danish friends told them was that there is no child poverty in Denmark - this was said with real pride. Our friends also talked to some older members of the Danish family who proudly told them that the Danes believe in looking after their elderly - and respecting them for what they have previously contributed. They were also quick to say that they are happy to pay taxes if they are used wisely to care for the less fortunate. Now, I am quite sure that life in Denmark is not perfect but there is clearly a culture of compassionate caring which we in this country are in danger of losing. One of our problems is that the more there is a media message that Britain is full of scroungers; the less people are likely to be receptive to the idea of paying taxes. We need to change the culture - we need to engender a sense of pride in building a society where the fortunate are proud to support the less fortunate - and where people are judged by their contribution to society rather than the size of their bank balance, house or car!

In this last year we have seen the culture of the Middle East change. The Arab Spring began a year ago and although changes on the ground might be hard to quantify the culture has changed. People have woken up and mobilised, young people have recognised their power, modern technology – facebook, twitter has put people in touch as never before and empowered ordinary individuals to speak out and take action for a better, more just world. Whatever happens in the Middle East the people are no longer going to accept corrupt dictatorships. The culture has changed.

In Britain through Charles Dickens, through Methodism, the Quakers and later through the Salvation Army we have developed a proud tradition of universal welfare. As a society we accepted the culture that the better off help those in need. Paul tells us in his letter to the Corinthians that all that matters is serving Christ. We don’t look for status or privilege but simply to serve. When Jesus healed Simon’s mother in law she got up and served them. The culture of the kingdom of God is one of loving compassionate service following the way of Jesus.

Gracious God, we thank you that Jesus came to change our world. He did not see the migrant or the settled, the housed or the homeless, the employed or the unemployed, the able or the disabled; he saw and loved the person establishing through his life of love, service and sacrifice the kingdom of God on earth. We pray that we will all play our part in changing our world today from a culture of bonuses to a culture of service; help us show love to all without constraint. Help us, your church, to build communities of acceptance, a culture of love and compassion where all are valued because all are made in your image. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Rev'd Barbara Calvert  February 2012