I was sitting drinking Rivella (carbonated diluted milk serum.. tastier than it sounds!) on our wee balcony (the sun appeared this weekend!) trying to scribble down a thought i had.. and then read this, which captures the same idea except in a different field of thought entirely..

Theology is always a network; more precisely it is a network of many theological concepts. In this manner, a particular theology is seen as a name given to a particular configuration of these concepts. However, this network is in motion; the network always changes. Even the most systematic theology changes over time. This phenomenon is common in computer networks: Systems dislocate and reorganize: link. This is the same effect in the theological network where concepts move to have the optimal connection. For instance, Luther’s reformation reconfigured theology so that the concept of salvation was detached from any kind of deed—sola fide!

[From the church and postmodern culture: conversation: Theological Networks]

One thing i find fascinating about living in another country is finding out more and more that the little stars in the swiss cultural sky join up into slightly different constellations than they do back in NI / Glasgow.. There’s crazy little societal connections between things (patriotism and the economy, church and state, alp horns and cheese.. ) on so many levels, and just as you think you’ve got your head around the general swing of things here, then another wee factor appears that modifies your oh-so-perfect conceptualisation of how you think the inner workings of the great big cuckoo clock of Switzerland ticks..

which is actually more an Austrian thing..