Introduction

I like to begin by giving two answers to the question, why does this conference exist? Or, more personally, why do i consider it a grace and a privilege to be here? First, when bernard of clarvaux wrote those words, that song a thousand years ago he was expressing a universal human xperience. Human language does not suffice as an adequate expression of the greatest realities in the universe. I will borrow the language of singing. The same conference exists because the realities of the christian faith are so glorious, so great, so beautiful, so valuable, they must be sung. That's my first explanation for why the conference exists and why iam honoured to be