Articles, thoughts, essays, and content from Brian as well as students – our budding theologians.
Managing Monday with John Calvin – Take 3
We continue to look at some of the insights of the hugely influential French theologian, John Calvin (1509-1564). The apostle does not say that Christ was sent to help us obtain righteousness, but to be our righteousness – John Calvin Christ is much more powerful to save than Adam was to destroy – John Calvin We ought to read the Scriptures with the express design of finding Christ in them – John Calvin and why not a bonus quote… The sun is no less bright because men do not perceive its light – John...
read moreThe Listening Life… About conversations in our head
I’ve been reading Adam McHugh’s newish (2015) book The Listening Life. McHugh is well know for his book Introverts in the Church and in this new book, turns his attention to the importance of ’embracing attentiveness in a world of distraction’ – to cite the books sub title. In exploring attentiveness he looks at, amongst other areas, listening to God, to Scripture, Creation, Others, People in Pain and Your Life, before finishing the book with a chapter on The Society of Reverse Listening where he poses the...
read moreWhat makes a sermon bad?
While by instinct I prefer to focus on things that are positive, given that I posted on what makes a sermon good, it is only appropriate that we look at what makes a sermon bad. While it might be tempting to look at the earlier post and say, ‘everything that’s the opposite of the seven good points’, that is just a cop out. So what makes a sermon bad? Here are my thoughts, and as always, feel free to add your own. A bad sermon misinforms about God. It can do that in many ways. It can be unbiblical. It can present a partial...
read moreManaging Monday with John Calvin – Take 2
We continue to look at some insights from prominent French theologian, John Calvin (1509-1564) – after whom Calvinism is named. The whole life of man until he is converted to Christ is a ruinous labyrinth of wanderings – John Calvin Repentance is not merely the start of the Christian life. It is the Christian life – John Calvin The tongue exists to reveal our hearts – John Calvin and why not one more There is not one blade of grass, there is no colour in the world that is not intended to make us rejoice – John...
read moreWhat makes a sermon good?
The last post asked if preaching has a future. I guess many would answer – ‘depends on the preaching. There is no future for shabby preaching, but good preaching, bring it on.’ Fair enough, but what is a ‘good’ sermon? I came up with these seven ideas (I like the ‘one for each day of the week’ concept) – and am interested in others that you would add to the list (perhaps we’ll get to one for each day of the year!) Lest you think, ‘but I am not a preacher, so have nothing to say on...
read moreDoes Preaching have a Future?
What do you feel when the preacher steps up to preach… a surge of enthusiasm? a sense of expectancy? a bit of a sigh and an inner comment ‘hope this doesn’t last too long’? In a twitter age, do 30 minute monologues have a future? I wrote this article in 2013, and it has been published both in Ministry Today and in the book that marked the 50th anniversary of Vose Seminary Vose Seminary at 50: From ‘Preach the Word to ‘Come, Grow’. I’d be interested in your thoughts, and depending on response, I...
read moreManaging Monday with John Calvin
French theologian John Calvin (1509-1564) is one of the most influential theologians of all time, and the key figure in the system of Christian theology known as Calvinism. His thinking continues to fuel numerous theological debates… you can’t really be a theologian without bumping into his views. We will enjoy some pithy insights from him over the next few Mondays… Although the stars do not speak, even in being silent they cry out – John Calvin We should ask God to increase our hope when it is small, awaken it when it...
read morePentecost Sunday: Happy Birthday Church…
Vose student Audrey Francis has contributed to this blog a few times. She wrote this prayer for Pentecost Sunday, which I share with you… A Prayer at Pentecost Lord of the cross and empty tomb, Surround us afresh with the power of your Holy Spirit that we may be bold to risk your way. Surround us afresh with the fire of your Holy Spirit that the desire to communicate your Gospel may burn within us. Surround us afresh with the wind of your Holy Spirit that we may show the abundant and joyful life you have given us....
read moreEvangelism and attentiveness…
On the weekend I led a seminar on evangelism for the good folk at Kingsway Methodist Church. It has been a little while since I have led a seminar on this topic, and I decided to think through some issues in a slightly different way. After reflecting on the importance of pre evangelism, and the many obstacles that prevent people from making a meaningful response to Jesus, I asked those present to think of 5 people they knew who haven’t yet said ‘yes’ to Jesus, and to write their names down. I thought this was important, as...
read moreWhat spurs us into action? Reflections on Lamdin’s book, Finding Your Leadership Style
I’ve recently been grading some student reviews of Keith Lamdin’s 2012 book, Finding Your Leadership Style: A Guide for Ministers. In spite of the sub title (a guide for ministers) I think Lamdin’s work has a wider relevance, and thought it worth highlighting some of his key insights. After defining leadership as ‘one humans capacity to influence another’, Lamdin suggests that three factors are usually at work before we spring into leadership action: discontent, vision and courage. The first ingredient,...
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