Aboriginal Culture. What the early colonial settlers failed to discern!

Few Christians would be unfamiliar with the story of the "Peace Child", where an American missionary used the local native custom - of offering opponents a child from their own tribe as a gesture of peace - to convey the message of the Gospel. He realised that the Gospel "concept" of humans making peace with God through Christ's atoning offering was already part and parcel of the local aboriginal culture. This discovery led to changed attitudes and an enduring reconciliation between the native tribes.

This is also largely true of the Australian aborigines. Had the colonial settlers taken time to understand the aboriginal culture they would have discerned an underlying framework for the sharing of the Gospel message. Not only did the aboriginals have a Creation story that shared common elements with the Biblical event, but there were many other shared elements. Such common ground would have provided a fertile foundation for cross cultural understanding and communication, and therefore early reconciliation.

Aboriginal artist and Pastor Bill Lennon of Port Augusta, South Australia, has captured this aboriginal contextualisation of the Gospel in a painting titled "Hope For the People". The painting, seen above, represents a modem expression of the universal Gospel at work in the aboriginal community.

The small circles in the painting depict people in local community church fellowships. The larger circle represents those who get together for fellowship with brothers and sisters in the Lord for special meetings such as aboriginal state conventions. The footsteps are people from these local church fellowships and state conventions who walk together to the big national meeting in Canberra.

The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is central to the whole picture . The central circle also represents the Spirit-filled Church where people come together as one because the Lord Jesus Christ is recognised as Lord and King of Kings.
The spear (Kultu or Tjilturru) represents the sword of the Word of God (Bible). The spear can be thrown and can pierce its target. The spear can be thrown by hand but with the woomera or spear thrower (Mirru or Lankurru) the spear flies swiftly and straight to its target. In the same way, the Word of God with the power of the Holy Spirit pierces a person's heart, they die to the world and sin loses its control. The boomerang represents the Word of God. As the preaching goes out and returns, it will not come back empty but will do what the Lord wants it to do, reaching the people who are prepared to listen.
The shield (Kurtitji) representing the shield of faith, is for protection. Secure in the knowledge that God will protect you as you do His work. The shield is also used as a carrier for the young on a long walk. The different colours in the background show the landscape as it is seen from the air; red sandy deserts, brown rocky places, grey salt pans, lush green grass, blue bushes and shrubs of the mountains around Canberra.

The tracks around the border are of the emu (Kalaya) and the kangaroo (Malu). They now represent Australia and stand on Parliament House as our national emblem. Emus and kangaroos are the main meat (Kuka) or staple food of the tribe. The dog tracks represent the dog (Papa) who is a faithful companion and friend who protects you in danger and provides warmth on, a cold night out in the bush. God is such a companion and provider.

In the comer there are witchety grubs, honey ants and yams. These are the little delicacies you can get if you are prepared to search and dig for them. It's the same with God's Word. You will find His special promises and encouragements when you search for them and are prepared to take that extra time to study the Bible.

The clear message is that the impact of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has not hindered, but rather further enhanced and enriched aboriginal culture, as is true of all cultures. The Gospel brings a fuller understanding of life's meaning and purpose, and a standard of justice and righteousness that exceeds relative human values.

Aboriginal Christians are active in every area of contemporary life, be it sport, business, art, law, politics, government, tourism, the environment, and the fashion industry, which is now featuring as an event in the Federal Parliamentary building itself. Christian community leaders are not only active in preserving and promoting aboriginal culture, but also active in the reconciliation process, between aboriginals, between all Australians, and between God and humanity.