Musings on The Secret History of Oxford
The history and information in Paul Sullivan’s The Secret History of Oxford is vast and detailed and after reading through it I found I could only retain a few facts. However, it will be a great book to have on hand when visiting Oxford.
Fact vs History
Speaking of facts, the history of Oxford is not built on facts alone, for, as the author says, “Over the years, there have been various theories, some comical, some plausible, all appropriately enough without foundation.”[1] I appreciate the author’s acknowledgment that some of the stories that have given shape to this university are probably just that, story, but that story can also hold truth.
Many of the stories in the bible may not be factually true and yet they certainly have shaped the way Christians have tried to live their lives. They hold truth even if they are not factually true. The same goes for the many other stories we tell that give shape and influence to our lives and apparently, our academic institutions.
Violence and Wars
In the case of the history of Oxford I found many of the stories told to be full of violence, often in the name of “Christianity.” From the time of the Romans all the way through World War 2, Oxford was shaped by violence and wars over who had control. This was not such a surprise and really not much different from our current times but a good reminder of how we’ve so terribly and consistently misconstrued Jesus’ good news.
History is Long
One of the things that struck me in this book and in the YouTube video, The Secrets of Oxford’s Streets | And What Lies Beneath the University, was how many people have lived before me! I know, I know, OF COURSE many people have lived before me but when you stop to ponder the many, many, years of people and how far they have come, it can be quite awe inspiring. It’s like that meme I recently saw with a picture of our universe and an arrow pointing to a tiny dot with the caption, “That’s me, crying in the shower because I have to go to work tomorrow.” It’s supposed to be funny, and it is, but it also reminds me of how very small my life is in the grand scope of the universe – and, in the history of Oxford.
It also reminded me that I am not cut out for a time when people literally died from a lice epidemic![2] When my kids were young all the boys in our neighborhood passed lice around for a straight 6 months and that just about killed me.
Leadership
Besides the lengthy history, the interesting facts (I get to actually see the lamp post that inspired C.S. Lewis’ Chronicals of Narnia!)[3] I have gleaned some interesting tid-bits for my leadership toolbox. When leading an institution, in my case, the church, it is important to know where you came from, what accomplishments have been made, how your traditions shape who you are now, in what direction your history points you for the future.
Oxford has been built on great leaders who have accomplished much in their time. From kings and queens to literary authors to astronomer and everything in between, Oxford has a rich history of bringing our world further along. What can I learn from these leaders? How might their leadership affect my own? What might I let go of because it no longer serves the institution, the community or the world?
In reading through this book I was also reminded of how the stories passed down shape the people who are here today. In leadership it is important to know the stories, often even respect the stories that have shaped the community, to sometimes even use the stories to help the people you are leading reflect and build upon and to create new stories.
One of the things I wondered about while reading this history was what voices and stories were left out of the history? Who was not given a voice to help shape the institution and yet was present in history? How might learning about their stories redirect the future of the insititution.
We were told to “Let Oxford be Oxford”[4] and while there is wisdom in that saying, I also have to wonder how Oxford might better reflect the kin-dom of God if those unheard voices could be lifted up.
[1] Paul Sullivan, The Secret History of Oxford (Stroud, Gloucestershire: The History Press, 2013), Scribd edition, [https://www.scribd.com/read/318629757/Secret-History-of-Oxford], [8].
[2] Paul Sullivan, The Secret History of Oxford (Stroud, Gloucestershire: The History Press, 2013), Scribd edition, [https://www.scribd.com/read/318629757/Secret-History-of-Oxford], [27].
[3]History Hit, “The Secrets of Oxford’s Streets | And What Lies Beneath the University,” YouTube video, 11:19, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jck5VOnNL0s.
[4] Jason Swan-Clark, during a Zoom meeting.
About the Author
Kally Elliott
Mom of four. Wanna-be Broadway star. PC(USA) pastor. Wife. Friend. Sometimes a hot mess. Sometimes somewhat together. Is this supposed to be a professional bio?One response to “Musings on The Secret History of Oxford”
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Kally,
You lifted the voices of the unheard when you prompted our thinking and reminded us all, “I was also reminded of how the stories passed down shape the people who are here today. In leadership, it is important to know the stories, often even respect the stories that have shaped the community, to sometimes even use the stories to help the people you are leading reflect and build upon and to create new stories.” We all carry so many stories that shape who we are, how we lead, who we lead and the impact on the future.