Articles, thoughts, essays, and content from Brian as well as students – our budding theologians.
Managing Monday with Charles Spurgeon: Take three
This week we conclude our short series of Spurgeon quotes. Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) was known as the “Prince of Preachers, and it’s not hard to understand why when you read through his penetrating sermons. He pastored London’s Metropolitan Tabernacle (formerly the New Park Street Chapel) for 38 years, a megachurch of the time, and indeed, during Spurgeon’s time, the largest congregation in the world. Ponder these Spurgeon insights… I have learned to kiss the wave that slams me into the rock of ages...
read moreEvery Brilliant Thing… Reflections on a movie
On a recent flight back to Perth, I watched a HBO documentary, “Every Brilliant Thing”. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the brief blurb about it said “Adapted from the hit Broadway-show, and balancing sobering loss with cathartic laughter, this deeply poignant film recounts a life lived in the shadow of suicide.” I guess it’s a comment on the other options that I decided to watch, but it turned out to be one of those rare instances where low expectations had to be dramatically recalibrated and I sat...
read moreManaging Monday with Charles Spurgeon: Take two
Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) was known as the “Prince of Preachers, and it’s not hard to understand why when you read through his penetrating sermons. He pastored London’s Metropolitan Tabernacle (formerly the New Park Street Chapel) for 38 years, a megachurch of the time, and indeed, during Spurgeon’s time, the largest congregation in the world. This week we continue to reflect on some of his memorable insights… The Gospel is like a caged lion. It does not need to be defended. It simply needs to be let...
read moreManaging Monday with Charles Spurgeon
Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) was known as the “Prince of Preachers, and it’s not hard to understand why when you read through his penetrating sermons. He pastored London’s Metropolitan Tabernacle (formerly the New Park Street Chapel) for 38 years, a megachurch of the time, and indeed, during Spurgeon’s time, the largest congregation in the world. Here are some memorable Spurgeon quotes… There is nothing in the law of God that will rob you of happiness: it only denies you that which would cost you sorrow...
read moreWhy Grenz matters…
You may or may not know (and may or may not care) that I did my PhD on the theological method of Stanley J Grenz. “Why?” I hear you ask. Without trying to reproduce my PhD (which can be downloaded for free from the University of Auckland’s research site), let me give you a simple explanation for why I think Grenz is an important theologian, and my reasons for arguing that his work continues to be relevant and worthy of study. A committed evangelical, American born but Canadian based Grenz (1950-2005), sensed that the...
read moreManaging Monday with Viktor E. Frankl – take 3
Today we finish our exploration of some insights from Austrian Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist Viktor E. Frankl (1905-1997), who is probably best know for his book Man’s Search for Meaning. He was also the founder of logotherapy – a form of existential analysis that suggests that the greatest existential stress is meaninglessness. Frankl’s own conclusion from the extreme suffering in the concentration camps was that even in the most dehumanizing situations life continues to have potential meaning – and that...
read moreManaging Monday with Viktor E. Frankl – Take 2
Today we continue to explore some insights from Austrian Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist Viktor E. Frankl (1905-1997), who is probably best know for his book Man’s Search for Meaning. He was also the founder of logotherapy – a form of existential analysis that suggests that the greatest existential stress is meaninglessness. Frankl’s own conclusion from the extreme suffering in the concentration camps was that even in the most dehumanizing situations life continues to have potential meaning – and that suffering can...
read moreManaging Monday with Viktor E. Frankl
Austrian Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist Viktor E. Frankl (1905-1997) is probably best know for his book Man’s Search for Meaning. He was also the founder of logotherapy – a form of existential analysis which suggests that the greatest existential stress is meaninglessness. Frankl’s own conclusion from the extreme suffering in the concentration camps was that even in the most dehumanizing situations life continues to have potential meaning – and that suffering can actually contribute to this. His PhD dissertation,...
read moreAbout a holiday…
I recently returned from a wonderful family holiday in Japan. The selection of Japan was based largely on its amazing ski fields (a really important factor for my oldest son Nic) and that it would be culturally enriching while still being a country where you can get by with English – albeit that the occasional misunderstanding occurs. So what are my reflections from this time? First, holidays really matter, and it’s worth scrimping and saving a little during the year to ensure that you can have one. They also need to be long...
read moreManaging Monday with Pope Francis (take 2)
Pope Francis is the 266th and current pope, his papacy having begun on 13 March 2013. He has said many memorable things, often about the importance of care of the poor and of faith being expressed in tangible actions. Last week we noted some of his insights, and this week round them out with a few more… You pray for the hungry. Then you feed them. This is how prayer works – Pope Francis Having faith does not mean having no difficulties, but having the strength to face them, knowing we are not alone – Pope Francis Sometimes...
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