Articles, thoughts, essays, and content from Brian as well as students – our budding theologians.
What makes us human: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Us…
OK, so this is going to be a shameless plug for a short podcast series I’m hosting which explores Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Faith and Humanity, called “Faithfully Forward.” Lest you cheekily ask “And what qualifies you to be an expert on AI?” please note that I am the host of the series, definitely not the expert. But I am excited at the experts we (Dr Aaron Chidgzey and I) have been able to pull together for these podcasts. First up (4 Nov) is Dr Michael Jensen, rector of St Mark’s Church,...
read moreAnd the Fourth Dimension: Time
Ask a physicist what the fourth dimension is and they are likely to reply that it is time. That’s a helpful insight based on Einstein’s theory of relativity which combines our usual three dimensional understanding of place (length, width and height) together with time into a four dimensional framework called spacetime. Behind it is the conviction that you can’t really know what happened unless you can point to the four co-ordinates of where it happened (the precise position of its length, width and height) and when it...
read moreFrom SMART to BAD Goals…
I love throw away comments. They often highlight an important truth with a pithy little statement that needs nuance and unpacking, but has a kernel of truth that must be embraced. Here is one I heard recently. The speaker was lamenting our overly cautious approach to change and innovative projects. And then he said it… just straight out and simply; “I’m not a big fan of SMART goals. Personally I long for BAD goals.” It was an audience that knew what he was talking about and the sentiment was a little mixed – some...
read moreWhen your inner critic works for you…
It’s a generalisation to be sure, but roughly speaking you can divide people into two categories – those whose inner critic is frantically busy, leaving them demotivated, insecure and perpetually dissatisfied, and those who don’t appear to have an inner critic – or if they do, have one who is unobservant and perpetually on holiday, leaving them blissfully unaware of their many flaws or of things they could do far better. It has become popular to be negative about our inner critic, and indeed, if you have a voice in...
read moreThermometer or Thermostat? Dancing between the Two
Are you more commonly a thermometer or a thermostat? Put differently, are you more likely to reflect the temperature in the room, or set it? It’s a question I find challenging, and wonder if you will join me as I think aloud about it. One of the markers of likely success is the trait of agreeableness. It’s one of the big five personality markers in the OCEAN acronym: Openness to experience which is usually accompanied by curiosity, creativity and willingness to give things a go Conscientiousness shown in self discipline and goal...
read moreWhen Every Life Matters: A Reminder from the Homeless
During our holiday we got to spend two nights in Seattle. Our hotel was a short stroll from the truly impressive Seattle Central Library with its extraordinary architecture – a creative mixture of glass, steel, large open spaces and unusual angles. Bibliophile that I am I couldn’t resist a visit and thought I’d get a feel for the libraries priorities by noting what it was advertising on a large “what’s on” board. Centre stage was a notice announcing a remembrance service for three “beloved community...
read moreAirport Time… All Seven Hours of It
Airports are genuinely fascinating. On the one hand they are a business like any other – transporting people or freight from one point to another – better airlines doing so in the notified timeframe and with all people and goods intact. But oh my, the stories behind the trips people are taking are not all the same. There are the seasoned travellers, usually there for business, the flight simply a necessary evil to enable them to do the work they are required to. You spot them straight away – dressed a little more smartly,...
read moreOn waiting: Reflections on a Cruise
Rosemary and I are currently on holiday in the US and Canada, presently on a cruise from Philadelphia to Quebec to be more precise. Our journey started with a few hiccups. A passenger on our flight out of Perth tried to lift his bag into the hold, discovered it was too heavy for him, and as I was seated below, let it drop on my head – I kid you not! Fortunately I’ve a pretty thick skull so there was no harm done that a panadol couldn’t rectify. Then Rosemary, not to be outdone but willing to wait her turn, had a spectacular fall during...
read moreRose, Bud, Thorns – Because Perspective Matters
Roses are beautiful, but the most spectacular ones have thorns. It makes sense. Something as exquisite as a rose needs some protecting, for though lovely, they are delicate and vulnerable, and need some safguarding from grasping hands which might clutch their blooms without thought or heed. I recently led a leadership strategic planning day and instead of the tried and trusted SWOT analysis (strengths/ weaknesses/ opportunities/ threats) was asked to run a similar but not identical Rose/ Buds/ Thorns exercise, where you explore what is deeply...
read moreOn the Death of a Sister: Remembering Sheila
Last week was almost a really good week. So many things had gone right. A work project finished; I’d preached well on Sunday (well that’s what I thought); a lovely lunch with the family; a celebration of a friends 70th birthday (his wife wrote such a funny, lovely poem about him); and lots to look forward to – Rosemary’s birthday this week, and a trip to the US for a holiday the week after. A really lovely week, and then on Sunday night we got the news – my sister Sheila had died. Sheila, my oldest sister, the...
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