"To be a Christian is to believe we are commanded and authorised to say certain things to the world; to say things that will make disciples of all nations"

Rowan D. Williams explores the nature of Christian identity as intrinsically bound to proclamation and responsibility. Believing, for him, does not rest solely in private conviction or inner spirituality but is fundamentally linked to communicating a message entrusted by Christ. Christians are not merely encouraged, but commanded and given authority to speak, suggesting an imperative that comes from beyond personal preference. This obligation involves a boldness; it is not a matter of arrogantly imposing beliefs, but rather faithfully carrying out an entrusted task.

To speak “certain things” is not simply a matter of repeating creeds or defending dogmas, but bearing witness to truths that are transformational. What is to be said is that which “makes disciples of all nations”, a distinct message centered on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and the profound call to a new way of life in relationship with God and neighbor. Inherent in this is the idea that Christianity is outward-facing, missionary in nature. The community of faith exists not for its own sake but as a conduit through which the world hears the good news.

Furthermore, Williams’ wording suggests that Christians act with both humility and confidence. They speak what they have “received,” not what they invent, yet with the authority given by Christ’s command. The goal is not coercion or domination, but a transformative invitation that crosses cultural boundaries and offers a new identity in the company of Jesus’ followers. The task of “making disciples” is relational and holistic, it involves more than gaining adherents, focusing instead on the deepening of lives shaped by love, forgiveness, and justice.

Therefore, being a Christian is inseparable from participation in God’s mission to the world, echoing the conviction that faith genuinely lived will seek to communicate itself for the flourishing of others, relying on the conviction that the message entrusted is both true and life-giving.