Speaking clearly into the public square

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From Luke’s Journal Jan 2023  |  Vol.28 No.1  |  Evolving Professionals

This paper is also published in the current issue of the Christian Journal for Global Health (CJGH) http://journal.cjgh.org/

Some of the contents of this paper were presented by the authors at the 2018 ICMDA World Congress, Hyderabad, India

Introduction

Observing the world around us, evaluating humans and nature, measuring results and understanding present reality are important professional activities for the people of God, both locally and globally. Christians have a significant footprint in responding to human needs, but sometimes fail to measure their impact or assess their own practices in light of a growing base of evidence in the literature. Additionally, their works and wisdom could have significant effects on global health practice if these were more discoverable in the growing body of evidence. To build a greater capacity for research, reflection and publishing for individuals and organisations inspired by the Christian faith, we will start with the essence of evidence gathering, assess motivations, then move to methods, and finish with a call to action.    

Evidence & Research

Evidence is the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid. It is used to support a hypothesis or assertion. Research is using established methods to investigate a problem or question with the aim of generating new knowledge about it. It is based on observations and analyses of the knowable world.

Evidence from a Christian Perspective

It is clear that God made the world knowable, and gave humans a special place to test and steward the earth’s resources. “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings” (Proverb 25:2). There is an expanding body of knowledge in all sectors, disciplines and nations ready to be searched and contributed to. Though the Church is designed to embody the fullness of truth, the Church does not have a monopoly on the truth. There was wisdom in the men of the east in Solomon’s day (1 Kings 4:30) – the Queen of Sheba was thought able to judge the generation of Jesus’ day (Matthew 12:42) – and the Cretan poets were true in their self-assessment of unhealthy practices in Paul’s day (Titus 1:12-13). The creation mandate of Genesis 1:28 was to have thoughtful dominion over the created order (including knowledge stewardship). God extolled King Solomon for asking for wisdom and discernment over riches or long life, and Solomon was granted both (1 Kings 3:11-12). Jesus was the word (logos) who became flesh and embodied the wisdom of God as the light of human beings (John 1), and he invited his disciples to follow the evidence wherever that may have led (Jn 14:11), and to test the spirits to see if they were from God (1 John 4). The Scriptures are the living word, useful for equipping for a great many things (1 Timothy 3:16), and the Holy Spirit confirms collective wisdom (Acts 15:28). The disciples were called by the Apostle Paul to knowledge stewardship: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). We are also called to speak the truth in love in order to grow (Eph 4:15), “that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight . . . so that you may be able to discern what is best” (Philippians 1:6 & 10).

“Evaluating what works and what doesn’t work is applying wisdom to the phenomena of life, in order to actualise best practices.”

Evaluating what works and what doesn’t work is applying wisdom to the phenomena of life, in order to actualise best practices. It’s making the most of every opportunity, because of the pervasive problems of life (Ephesians 5:16). The results promote life and godliness through knowledge stewardship (2 Peter 1:3), and avoiding waste and duplication of efforts. It is to practise contemplative reflection of “whatever is . . . true, noble, excellent, praiseworthy, think about such things . . .” leading to practice and peace (Philippians 4:8). As Paul instructed his protégé, Timothy, “Be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2).

Motivations

Practical Reasons to Research and Publish

There are several practical and professional reasons to engage in research, reflection and writing. It is a way to participate in collective wisdom and scholarly dialogues. It is being a good steward of one’s skills and experiences, refining and improving the quality of one’s work and enhancing the quality of the work of others. It advocates for the people that one serves and highlights one’s organisation. Research and publication can generate further resources and lead to professional development. It also facilitates partnership development by collaborating to achieve shared goals.

Research through observations and analysis of the knowable world accomplishes more than satisfying curiosity. It can move us from knowledge to wisdom when we apply that knowledge for the greater good. When research is applied at the community level, it can move us from information to better practices, data to development and truth to transformation.

The Pursuit of Evidence in the World and in the Word

Evidence can be pursued in the knowable material world (cosmos): “Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge” (Psalm 19:1-6). It is discerned in the science of biomedicine which assesses and cares for the biosphere. It looks at historical trends and taps into the existing body of collective knowledge – the literature. It assesses associations vs. cause-and-effect, and pursues testable realities across cultures and across sectors. It considers (and critiques) international standards of practice, pursuing the best practices in local contexts.¹ It is utilised to understand social or spiritual determinants of health and to deal with complex systems challenges.

Evidence is also used in following the precepts in the word of God: “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul” (Psalm 19:7-14); “Come let us reason together. . .” (Isaiah 1:18). It is encouraged by an invitation to see the wounded hands and the empty tomb. It is an affirmation of life and abundance (John 10:10), and a manifestation of God’s presence and activity (shalom). Paul encouraged the Ephesians to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), eschewing fruitlessness and exposing it (Ephesians 5:11). He regularly used reason and persuasion for a diverse audience in Corinth (Acts 18:4). Christians are called to exegete properly the Scriptures, the universe and humans toward the higher purposes of God.

Accountability and Transparency

Part of social responsibility and truth-telling is to give an account. It is one of the four aspects of a faith-based approach of measuring, evaluating, accountability and learning (MEAL) in development,² and a part of guided excellence in evidence for faith groups.³ Christian accountability is in three directions:

1. To give an account to God. The Omniscient One asks for honest reporting from the beginning – Adam was asked in the garden, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9). The response of the righteous leader is, “Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind” (Psalm 26:2). No one can escape the purview of God, as Job realised, “that you examine them every morning and test them every moment?” (Job 7:17-18). The Hebrew writer reiterates this reporting responsibility, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrew 4:13). Therefore, our research must be done with integrity as God, knower of all, is the ultimate reviewer of our work.
2. To give an account to others. Mutual confession and prayer for healing were hallmarks of the early church (James 5:16). Paul encouraged the Corinthians to “examine yourselves . . . test yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5). The goal in a community of grace is to have honest appraisals, and to then collaborate in order to bear each other’s burdens by forgiving shortcomings in order to improve (Col 3:13). Paul instructed Titus to build into emerging leaders through integrity and capacity-building, “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us” (Titus 2:7-8).  The goal of mutual transparency is to remain above reproach, and this principle can be applied to collaborative research pursuits in pluralistic contexts.
3. To give an account to the world. Christoffer Grundmann highlighted the Christian call to give a credible account of the “corporeality of salvation” in their respective witness to the world, “which will be credible not in what it claims but on what it actually brings about tangibly”.⁴ This should be life, life in abundance (John 10:10) – true human flourishing. Actions are louder than (empty) words (James 2:14-23). The international community is asking for more evidence from faith-based organisations, not high-minded ideals, or pious speculations, but measurable life-giving outcomes. Will we search out the evidence in our work and publish it to uncover the light that is there, so that others may recognise the goodness of God (Mathew 5:16)?

Displaying Christian Distinctions

What are the marks of the Christian community that might set them apart from others in research and evidence-gathering for global health and professional healthcare? 

• The imago Dei concept of human dignity at all levels of development and dependency, and fostering moral responsibility instead of just claiming human rights.
• Real humility instead of false humility, such as learning from others and being willing to report even poor results.
• Prioritising those populations in greatest need through self-sacrificial service and attention – the poor, the oppressed, the foreigner, the vulnerable (Isaiah 1:17, Zechariah 7:10).
• Longsuffering service in areas of deprivation in the slow progress towards community transformation.
• Localisation of aid at the community level, ethical integrity, and mobilisation of existing local resources for sustainable development.⁵
• Whole-person care in all dimensions of life – physical, social, emotional, cognitive, spiritual, economic and ecological.
• Maintaining hopefulness that a better world can be realised, with patient expectation of the fullness of transformation through an eschatological long view.

Research, reflection, and writing become essential elements in an authentic and persuasive global Christian witness.

Methods

Areas of Inquiry

Credibility is enhanced, and authority is granted to those using the scientific method to discern truth from un-truth, real news from fake news. Christians and Christian agencies can contribute to health research in all areas of inquiry. However, some specific areas that Christians are well positioned to research include clinical care and public health assessments amongst the marginalised, value-based leadership, the role of religion/spirituality in health, analysis of social determinants, ecological considerations, theological scholarship applied to health, and health-related mission studies.

How to Research

It starts with a research question, derived from practical experience or imagination, which leads to a hypothesis. A search of the literature allows the researcher to either answer the question, or to show that the question is novel and that the research will seek to fill gaps in collective knowledge. Collecting a research team, procuring funding if needed, identifying the appropriate research methods to be used, and if needed the sample population to study. Research ethics are paramount and need to be formally addressed up front, or the research risks being unethical and most likely unpublishable.

Data is then collected, then the results are analysed and interpreted. Claims to truth are made based on the results, and not beyond the results. Results are then applied to relevant contexts and conclusions synthesised based on the findings in light of the existing literature. Finally, the research limitations are then expressed followed by possible suggestions for further studies.

How to Publish

Truth claims that are completed through research and reflections must be communicated and this can be done via pulpit, patient, population or pen – speaking up and into the world’s literature and conversations. It means sharing the evidence in consultations, churches and other forums, government health systems, conferences, books, posts, and journals. Taking the extra time to move these insights into concise written communication is worth every moment. The work or research and reflection can then be submitted for publication, preferably in peer-reviewed reputable and discoverable journals to as wide and strategic an audience as possible.⁶ The process of publishing is an exercise in clarifying and proclaiming, like the Apostle Paul who meticulously wrote what he had observed and reflected on, and asked the Colossians to “pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should” (Colossians 4:4). 

The goal is to fill gaps in knowledge, propose keen insights, or challenge existing paradigms. It could be an honest appraisal of your organisation’s results (positive or negative), which leads others to better practices in their own contexts. It utilises numbers and narratives, images and words, tables and figures, all to convey a single overriding communication objective (SOCO). It takes time, intentionality, and courage to publish in the scientific and theological literature – but it is time well spent. It is not to boast, but to be a blessing, and to reflect the light you can shed in the darkness and chaos of the world.

We acknowledge that the whole research, reflecting, and writing process can be daunting. Both authors are editors of the CJGH (Christian Journal for Global Health), an open-access, scholarly, multi-disciplinary, international journal.⁷ CJGH is unique in that instead of rejecting research offhand, we work with the corresponding authors to guide them through the demanding and sometimes overwhelming process of telling their story clearly, using the best evidence and making this available to researchers everywhere.

“CJGH is unique in that instead of rejecting research offhand, we work with the corresponding authors to guide them through the demanding and sometimes overwhelming process of telling their story clearly.”

Conclusion and Call to Action

We invite you to consider publishing your research in the CJGH. We must not hold our experiences and the truths we embrace to ourselves, but creatively and intelligently share them in order that our collective and unique voices may be clarified and magnified.

In line with the ancient texts, “We also believe, therefore we speak”(2 Corinthians 4:13). The process of research, reflection and writing, is both an ancient and a modern way to derive and share truth in the knowable world. When we engage in such intelligent processes, we enhance credible witnesses and can more effectively persuade our supporters and our critics. Collective wisdom is enhanced and capacity is built for global health.

When the Divine element is included in the analysis and reporting, it becomes an exercise in ascribing to the Lord glory, and strength for the healing of all nations (1 Chronicles 16:28). The world is clamouring for evidence. When we are reflecting God’s wisdom and ways in our truth-searching and evidence production, then we speak clearly into the public square and bring more substantial healing to the nations.

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References:

1. https://bpghm.org/
2. https://jliflc.com/meal/
3. https://jliflc.com/guide-to-excellence-in-evidence-for-faith-groups/
4. Christopher H. Grundmann, Sent To Heal! Emergence and Development of Medical Missions. (Maryland: University Press of America, 2005), 203, 221.
5. Australian Government. Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Localisation and the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) 2019-20. April 2021. https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/files/localisation-and-the-ancp-2019-20.pdf
6. O’Neill, D. W. (2018). The Lancet Global Health Academic Writing Workshop: Navigating and Getting Noticed in the Scholarly Publishing World. Christian Journal for Global Health, 5(2), 52-56. https://doi.org/10.15566/cjgh.v5i2.237
7. https://journal.cjgh.org