There's not much that's new...
Illustration
There's not much that's "new" about New College, Oxford; it was founded in 1379. One day several years ago, a college official noticed that the great oak beams holding up the roof of the dining hall were in bad shape. Upon closer investigation, it was learned that the culprit was an insect pest, known as the deathwatch beetle. Architects were called in, and they delivered their verdict: it was too late. The damage was irreversible. There was nothing to do but replace the huge oak beams.
Unfortunately, this was easier said than done, because oak trees large enough to provide such beams were no longer common in England. The trustees of the college began to make inquiries, with no success -- until they happened to mention the problem to the college's own forester, who was responsible for maintaining the trees on the college grounds.
"I've been wondering when you would be asking," the forester replied. Then he told them a story: a very old story. In 1379, when the college was founded, a grove of oak trees had been planted. This had been done by the college's founders, in anticipation of the day when some disaster would strike, and new beams would be needed for the great hall. The purpose of this particular stand of oak trees had been passed on as oral tradition from one college forester to another, for centuries. Now, at long last, the day for which these trees had been planted had arrived. The college officials discovered, to their amazement, that the oak trees they needed were already growing on their own property.
"For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received." Those are Paul's words, in First Corinthians. What he's referring to is the good news of Christianity: the basic and essential proclamation that stands at the very heart of the faith.
Unfortunately, this was easier said than done, because oak trees large enough to provide such beams were no longer common in England. The trustees of the college began to make inquiries, with no success -- until they happened to mention the problem to the college's own forester, who was responsible for maintaining the trees on the college grounds.
"I've been wondering when you would be asking," the forester replied. Then he told them a story: a very old story. In 1379, when the college was founded, a grove of oak trees had been planted. This had been done by the college's founders, in anticipation of the day when some disaster would strike, and new beams would be needed for the great hall. The purpose of this particular stand of oak trees had been passed on as oral tradition from one college forester to another, for centuries. Now, at long last, the day for which these trees had been planted had arrived. The college officials discovered, to their amazement, that the oak trees they needed were already growing on their own property.
"For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received." Those are Paul's words, in First Corinthians. What he's referring to is the good news of Christianity: the basic and essential proclamation that stands at the very heart of the faith.
