Matthew 13:52 is the only time in the Gospels Jesus says something positive about the scribes.

He acknowledges (some of) their correct focus on the kingdom of God and pronounces, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.” Bringing things old and new has become something of a Christian trope, used to good effect to acknowledge the importance of the old and the necessity of the new. This issue of Stimulus, and perhaps every issue, has the same primary goal: to focus on the kingdom of God and to bring things old and new to the table of public discussion, debate, and consideration as a Stimulus to think thoughts after God and the things he cares about. In this issue, readers are invited to the table of Christian thought to feast on essential topics ranging from the current ecological crises to the nature of Christian research, eternity, and worldview.

Lindsey Fish and Andrew Butcher provide a perceptive and insightful reflection on the nature of Christian research and researchers in Aotearoa New Zealand, working with key themes that emerged from the research hui held at Bethlehem Tertiary Institute in 2022. They highlight the ways in which Christian research is responsive to the contextual issues facing Christians today, emphasizing the way that borders become places of connection rather than boundaries of separation. More than a summary of what has been, Fish and Butcher paint a vivid picture of what the future of Christian research may look like in Aotearoa, engaging us with the importance of bringing things old and new to the forefront of our research.

A second essay by Wendy Taylor examines the ways in which Mark’s narration of the Passover results in a transforming worldview for Christians in his day and ours. The ‘treasures are old and new’ motif is not hard to identify in this essay as we are asked to restore, resymbolize and revitalize the Passover following Jesus’ radical transformation of this Jewish rite, turning it into a sacrament of deep and abiding significance for all Christians. The Eucharistic meal has always been an occasion for repentance, hospitality, and hope, and in this essay, we are invited to reflect on the ways in which it is also an occasion for worldview transformation.

The third essay continues the general theme of the volume when Jonathan Boston challenges Christians to confront the current climate crisis threatening humanity. In the face of dire warnings, the climate crisis is the most significant threat to human existence today. Boston shows how the Gospel opens ways to realistically respond to the situation and how the Gospel of Jesus Christ offers genuine hope for humanity. Rather than being overwhelmed by the crisis we currently face, we are shown how we have new resources within the Christian faith to face these challenges with confession, lament, and repentance, but also with hope and practical actions commensurate with our responsibility as God’s image bearers on the earth. What has been (the old) is not what has to be (the new).

In addition to the new essays discussed above, this volume contains all the (old) favourites Stimulus readers have come to expect; John de Jong’s Hearts and Minds column brings a timely te reo Māori encouragement and challenge, St Imulus is back reflecting on eternity (or something to that effect), Geoff New’s column ‘The Voice’ reflects on 2 Timothy 3:3-14 and leads us into a spirituality of remembrance, and we have our usual set of book reviews. A particular interest in the book reviews section is a critical review essay of Philip Church’s book Never Give Up! The Message of Hebrews. Katie Marcar provides a critical review of the temple in Church’s work, followed by a response from Church to Marcar. With this critical discussion, the volume comes full circle back to illustrating the robustness and graciousness evident in the best Christian research and scholarship that the initial article from Fish and Butcher identified.

We hope you will take up and read these offerings of old and new insights.