Orlando and Singing: Insights from other blogs…
You have heard enough of my voice in recent posts, so I thought I would do a cut and paste from two other blogs to vary the diet. The first is a brief response to the Orlando tragedy, the second asks why people aren’t singing in church anymore (and do you agree with that sentiment? Are people singing at your church?) Hope you find them helpful. On the Orlando Massacre (Jesus Creed) From Archbishop Justin Welby: In the wake of the appalling attack in Orlando, I’ve released this joint statement with the Archbishop of York John Sentamu: “After Sunday’s attack in Orlando, as Christians we must...
Read MoreGender Dysphoria: Tentative Theological Reflections on the Transgender Question
A few weeks ago I was the theological consultant on a panel looking at gender dysphoria at a conference in Canberra. It was a helpful gathering and I think we all learnt a lot. I am presently working on an article on the topic and will post on it in more detail at a later stage but thought I would make a tentative start in this post. Your comments and pushback will help me to clarify some of my own thinking. What theological tools can we draw upon to guide us when we consider the issue of gender dysphoria? First we need to be sure what we are talking about. Gender is usually defined as the...
Read MoreManaging Monday with Nelson Mandela…
Nelson Mandela’s legacy continues to inspire. It is not only the events of his life, but the wisdom he imparted as he reflected upon that life that moves and motivates us. For the next few Mondays we will savour some of his insights. “There is no passion to be found in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” – Nelson Mandela. “There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.” – Nelson Mandela “One cannot be prepared for something while...
Read MoreIt’s out! When Faith Turns Ugly…
After a few hiccups at the publisher (the book was due out in April) my latest book When Faith Turns Ugly: Understanding Toxic Faith and How to Avoid It is now available – well the Kindle version at any rate. I am assured that the paperback version is just days away. If you enjoy reading on Kindle (and I have long been a convert) here is the link to Amazon Australia and this is the link for those outside Australia. So what do the people who reviewed the book prior to publication say about it? Scot McKnight, Julius R. Mantey Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary generously...
Read MoreFaith, Forgetting and Fruitfulness: Reflections on Genesis 41
I was preaching on Genesis 41 yesterday. As I don’t expect you to be able to rattle off what that chapter is about, let me refresh your memory. Genesis 37 tells us that a 17 year old Joseph had a dream in which he saw his brothers bowing down to him. Offended by the arrogance of this dream, and by Joseph’s status as his father Jacob’s favourite son, his brothers have him sold into slavery in Egypt. Purchased By Potiphar, he impresses in his new status and is left in charge of Potiphar’s household. For a while things turn out not too badly for Joseph, but then...
Read MoreManaging Monday with John Calvin – Take 4
For the last few weeks the Managing Monday post has explored some of the wisdom of French theologian John Calvin (1509-1564). Calvin’s influence is almost impossible to overstate – so we will probably return to him in the future, but for now here are a few concluding insights as revealed in these memorable quotes… Unbelief is the mother of anxiety – John Calvin Whatever a person may be like, we must still love them because we love God – John Calvin Men are undoubtedly more in danger from prosperity than from adversity. For when matters go smoothly, they flatter...
Read MoreThe Numbers Game…
It’s that time of the year. The budget for the next financial year is being finalised, marking is getting done and I’m monitoring student enrolments for semester 2. My life for the last few weeks has revolved around numbers. Astonishing how a small number can make a large difference. An extra zero added at the end of a donation and the year’s budget can be met! In my role as moderator I have to visit the scripts of all borderline students. A decision to add a mark or shave a few off makes the difference between euphoria and despair. In fairness to students I try to remember to moderate...
Read MoreA second and third Reformation…
Just over a decade ago Rick Warren called for a second Reformation. Making a stirring plea at both the Baptist World Alliance Conference and the Willowcreek Leadership Summit, he suggested that whereas the first Reformation was of doctrine, the second needs to be a Reformation of deeds. It was challenging stuff, and a decade later we can see its prophetic power. As we approach the 500th anniversary of Luther’s Reformation (usually dated as 1517), it seems appropriate to join the growing tide of conversations about needed reformations. Not that Warren’s plea was really heeded...
Read MoreManaging 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 Calvin
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 intriguing question of what might happen if instead of...
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