How Aussie is the Sydney Opera House, Mate?

Taking credit for something that we didn't do

Thu 2 Nov 2023

Sam Chan

Topics

Jesus' Life and Work

Forgiveness

Art, beauty and creativity

The Sydney Opera House turns 50. We Aussies love the Sydney Opera House—it's a world-famous 20th century architectural beauty, on our harbour!

But here's the thing: sure, we might've built the Opera House, but the architect who designed it, Jørn Utzon, was Danish. And we got rid of him!

And sure the the Sydney Harbour is gorgeous. But we didn't design the harbour. Mother Nature (or God, depending on how you want to explain it) handed this to us.

That means we're taking credit for something we didn't do.

But that's okay—it's not only Aussie, but very Christian!

The guts of the Christian faith is that God gives us credit for what Jesus does on our behalf.

His sinless life, His victory over death, His beauty and splendour! But we get the credit.

So, the next time we admire the Sydney Opera House, make sure we also admire Jesus and what He's done for us!

With

Sam Chan

Dr. Sam Chan is one of Third Space's national communicators. He is a cultural analyst, theologian, public speaker, author, medical doctor, and karaoke buddy. Sam was born in Hong Kong, grew up and lives in Australia, studied medicine at the University of Sydney, and did his PhD in Chicago, USA. He is a published author of five books.