CHRISTIAN VIEWPOINT: Deep division over Charles' coronation prompts reflection on style of King Jesus

This weekend's coronation, its symbolism drawing on centuries of tradition, is at heart a Christian ceremony. Its central feature, the ‘anointing’ of the King, is inspired by the Bible’s account of the coronation of King Solomon.

‘King’ is one of the metaphors Christians use to describe Jesus’s role. But what does the word mean to us?

Tyrant? Fairytale ruler? Solomon-like monarch?

The Church of England’s Daily Prayers for the Coronation encourages us ‘to reflect on Jesus the Servant King who has been crowned in glory but who came to serve’. A greater than Solomon, then.

In recent weeks people with republican sentiments have proclaimed of Charles III ‘not my king’, advocating that the UK should have an elected head of state rather than a hereditary monarchy.

What deep concerns lie behind this stance? Some, perhaps, feel alienated by the King’s faith and the religious nature of the coronation. For them, it might not be enough for Charles to echo the late Queen’s view that the monarch’s role is to defend all faiths. Not enough that the values of love, justice and goodness taught by Christ are shared by people of all faiths and none.

READ ALSO: Dingwall deputy thanked by King's representative for 'steadfast support'

Some oppose the monarchy because it seems to represent wealth, entitlement and privilege in our manifestly unequal society. Some, because it’s a reminder of Britain’s imperial past when whatever good resulted was outweighed by the harm done in enriching the empire at the expense of indigenous peoples. Some simply feel that the monarch is ‘not one of us’ and understands little of everyday life.

There is truth in this, and it contrasts with King Jesus’s style of monarch. He identifies with the poor, and speaks out against those who oppress them. He does not enslave or exploit, but liberates us inwardly. He knows fully what it is to live and love and suffer as a human being.

But the ‘king’ metaphor stumbles and fails as we see the immensity of Jesus, who is the energy (another metaphor!) giving life to all things, sustaining the universe, inspiring love and goodness and nurturing it wherever it is found. To this loving Immensity we owe everything.

It seems illogical to me to ‘anoint’ Charles III in a symbol of God’s sustaining gift of grace and wisdom, and then put this deep, troubled, questioning soul in the impossible position of having to keep silent about the insights he may receive.

Yet so many of us are happy to pay lip-service to the idea of Christ as king, while not listening to what he says. And so our lives are seen to proclaim: ‘Not my king!’ But each morning we wake to the possibility of new coronation as we pray: ‘Be my king, today!’

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.