Words are never just words. They are suffused with meaning, with value; words are loaded and defining. Precision matters when employing words, because a lack of it can muddy the waters, or say something other than what is intended or more than what is intended – which can be intentional…
Read MoreI mentioned the value and the necessity of reading scripture in its context. In other words, an individual verse primarily belongs to the unifying and explanatory context it is found in, as is the case with all writing. Whilst this seems obvious, the way we read scripture regularly makes it anything but. We lift verses out of context in large measure due to a promissory interpretative view of God’s word – scripture is seen as a treasury of personal promises instead of the salvation narrative/record - past, present, and future - that it is. It is the story of God.
Read MoreDuring the reign of Emperor Tiberius, crucifixion was a common form of capital punishment. It was a particularly brutal form, meted out to the enemies of Rome, and there were plenty of those in Palestine as the Jews, in the main, hated the Romans.
Read MoreHaving happily lived in the Pentecostal/Charismatic tradition for the entirety of my Christian experience, I am used to people saying God said to them. I don’t doubt most people’s sincerity, and they rarely say anything heretical, but I must admit it does seem like the Almighty chats a lot, and that I am clearly a dullard because it isn’t my experience that God is talking to me as much as these people say he does to them.
Read MoreIf anyone had the gift of prescience it was C.S.Lewis; nowhere better seen than in the third instalment of his science fiction trilogy - That Hideous Strength. He mythically, graphically, with foresight shows the results of the amoral search for knowledge at all costs, along with its hideous consequences…
Read More“It is not right that we should neglect the word of God … we will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.” Acts 6.2,4 NRSV
In the first recorded dispute among the believers in Jerusalem, the apostles provided a solution, appointing deacons, and in so doing resolving among themselves to not neglect their prime duty to prayer and scripture.
Read MoreThe right to abortion is part of a wider agenda of self-determination for women. Women want to be able to self-determine in regards, amongst other things, their education and careers, their domestic circumstances, their sexuality, and their reproductive rights. And it is an unwise or naïve person who would deny them the basic right of self-determination; that battle is long over, even if not fully realised for all women.
Read MoreIn world history Moses stands a herculean figure; he has few rivals, less eclipse him. His impact still reverberates in the Western world: in our jurisprudence, our literature, and in our moral code. Even if the moral law is being questioned and jettisoned those that do so still hope that people have a moral code, and a just legal system is still to be found. We repudiate Moses, but we still hope his influence underscores human behaviour and responsibility.
Read MoreThe reading of scripture, therefore the understanding of scripture, changes as one ages, or as one matures in the faith; hopefully the two are synonymous.
When a new reader approaches scripture it is often with a focus on individual texts.
Read MoreAI is not a species, a sentient being, a self-conscious entity; humans are, computer programs aren’t. AI is artificial intelligence – it is not a living intelligence, that is the domain of people. Any ‘so-called’ intelligence that is accrued by AI is due to the intelligence of people. And yet we talk as though AI were a person, a being. How? By referring to ourselves as human as though we were somehow a separate species, alongside AI.
Read MoreIt is not hard to argue that at the core of all ministries is the heartbeat of the shepherd, the pastor. These were the words, sage words, of my first pastor – who was himself primarily an evangelist, as well as being a good pastor.
Read MoreTo tell you the truth I don’t know, and nor does anyone else. It is equally likely that there is no other sentient being/life form (comparable to ours) in the vast tracts of the universe as there is. We just don’t know. Anything else is speculation, or hope, or … but it isn’t science. The chances are as unlikely as some say they are likely.
Read More“And let people learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet urgent needs, so that they may not be unproductive.” NRSV
The notion, even the mere mention, of good works causes a nervous theological tic in many Protestants. They are instantly suspicious works are being imported into a grace only theology of salvation.
Read MoreContrary to the proverb, crime does pay - otherwise it wouldn’t be so lucrative or prevalent. Some people make enormous sums of money from crime; they are often hidden behind walls of impunity, rarely prosecuted. They may not sleep well but they do tend to live well. Their consciences may be troubled but not, it seems, enough. Their children rarely know what it is dad does, and what they don’t know isn’t hurting them. For their wives/partners ignorance is bliss as well a life of ease and luxury.
Read MoreWho is the greatest asked the disciples, with themselves in view no doubt!? I say this because the young are driven by the toxic combo of comparison and competition. Their metrics are fame, numbers, and finances. The disciples are indicative of any group of young men, particularly if they are in some position of privilege/advantage. For instance, in the case of sports, music, fresh out of university, corporate ladders – anywhere younger people jostle for prominence; the need to be noticed and do better than the competition. It’s very human, and in some circles, it is encouraged. All very Darwinian, except that we are not animals, despite our behaviour.
Read MoreMatthew paints a picture for us in Matt 21 that points to the inevitable confrontation Jesus had with the chief priests and elders. If he had been hesitant, or felt the time to have been previously unpropitious, that time was over; he now speaks and acts unequivocally.
Read MoreThe theme of this book had been percolating with me for some time: it is the growing disquiet in regards to the models of leadership the Western church sees as normative, even preferred, that appears to run contrary to what makes a good leader from a biblical perspective.
Read MoreI urge you to view the movie, Jesus Revolution; you will not be disappointed. It certainly gives pause for, do it again Lord. Jesus Revolution captures the essence of the 60’s – both in what happened and to whom and through whom it happened - with no glitz nor glamour.
Read MoreIt is not uncommon to hear people talk about how the universe speaks to them and brings things together for their betterment. For instance: “Dreams are the messages that the Universe sends us.” “The Universe Speaks, Are You Listening? 111 High-Vibrational Oracle Messages on Love, Healing, and Existence to Unlock Your Inner Light.” And so forth.
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