This is the final post from guest writer Chris Chamberlain. See the whole series list here. We must be careful how we read Scripture What I would call a āZionistā reading of Scripture seems to take a verse with no regard for its context, and apply it to the modern State of Israel. This is […]
On the Thursday night of the first Easter week, an unnamed woman had a dream about Jesus: While Pilate was sitting in the judgment hall, his wife sent him a message: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, because in a dream last night, I suffered much on account of him.” Matthew 27:19 […]
This is an all-in-one post for Week 6 of our Lent with Kids plan. To fill in some background,Ā start here. You can also see theĀ series index here. Charles Dickens could have been writing about Palm Sunday: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of […]
On New Year’s Eve, 2013, my little family made a pilgrimage to Cape Reinga, Te Rerenga Wairua, the northern tip of New Zealand, where the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea ‘say hello’ as SBJ will tell you, with a dramatic clap of his hands. They clash with a set of white-topped breakers out in […]
This is a post about crisis pregnancy that is aimed mainly at those in a position to support an unborn baby and its family. If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy yourself, you may prefer to read this accompanying post dealing directly with such a situation.Ā Inspired by Germany In the United States it’s […]
Many thanks to Dr Tim Bulkeley who today wraps up his series based on his book,Ā Not Only A Father, looking at gendered language for God. For more on Timās background, seeĀ the first post. Theology is only real when we live it. So chapter 6 of Not Only a Father tries to suggest ways we can […]
Welcome back to our guest poster Dr Tim Bulkeley, and welcome, readers,Ā to perhapsĀ the most controversial bit of this series (see the debate on today’s subject in the comments on the previous post)! I’ve argued that we need to talk about God as motherly if we are to speak in pictures about God at all, and […]
Sadly, I’m not at the Service of the Shadows at West Baptist tonight. Sitting in a dark church, lit by seven candles sitting on a rough wooden cross, every Maundy Thursday,Ā people at WestĀ listen to the dark story of what Jesus experienced in his last hours, in seven parts. My contribution to the ever-growing tradition at […]
A new year might be an arbitrary piece of mathematical jiggery-pokery, but itās also a handy opportunity to let the enthusiasm of millions energise our own inclination for change or renewal. I thought I’d introduce you to the wonderful Joyce RuppĀ today, through this collection of blessings, using imagery from the Bible (thanks, JK, the Ideas […]