Covid-19 royally sucks, but it can teach us many things if we have ears to hear. We have been reminded of the benefits of slowing down, cooking food at home and going for walks. We’ve realised that good hygiene is good not only for slowing the spread of Covid-19, but also many other things we… Continue reading truth, grace and covid-19
Category: ethics
12 spiritual steps – structural overview
Years ago, I was introduced to the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous by a good friend and sober Alcoholic. Having my interest piqued during our frequent conversations, I’ve continued to interact with them, and have become convinced of their value and wisdom for human flourishing in general and Christian discipleship in particular. In this post,… Continue reading 12 spiritual steps – structural overview
God in spite of Sin
“Your sins have separated you from your God, and they have hidden his face from you so that he will not listen to you.” Isaiah 59:2 There are at least two ways to view this verse. One would be to view God as too pure to be around anyone or anything that is sinful, so… Continue reading God in spite of Sin
political participation
In the first century, around the time of Jesus and the early Christian moment, there were at least ‘parties’ representing four types of Jewish response to the occupying presence and rule of the Roman empire. Zealots, Essenes, Sadducees and Pharisees. Zealots and Violent Resistance The Zealots were an expression of angry resistance to Roman rule.… Continue reading political participation
holistic christianity
From my understanding of Scripture, I can discern at least the following seven levels of Christian life. They signal – and invite us into – a rich, holistic way of life. A way of life that seems to apply at all times and in all places. After seven short statements sketching these seven levels, I… Continue reading holistic christianity
varieties of slavery
It is known that slavery has taken various forms at different times and places in human history. Some person-to-person relationships bearing the name ‘slavery’ is more akin to employment, whilst other forms of relating (not always called ‘slavery’) are more comparable with torture. Given the limited helpfulness of using a single word to gather up… Continue reading varieties of slavery
cunning engagement
On the issues where Christians agree with society, engagement is easy. But when there is a difference of opinion, Christians can, it seems, go to two extremes in their engagement. At one extreme, they can stomp, scream and shout about how bad and wrong the world is, telling non-Christians just how un-Christian they are. The… Continue reading cunning engagement
better or worse
As experience and age increases, you can look back on your life and see change. Sometimes, there can be significant difference between the kind of person we are now and the person we used to be. On the one hand, it may be that we are better, that we have learned from mistakes, that we… Continue reading better or worse
sort yourself first
Some expressions of Christian faith need a corrective from a narrow individualistic focus on ‘me and my salvation’ towards a broader vision in which individual salvation is in the context of God’s cosmic work of redemption and new creation. Having said that… The opposite of an individualistic focus also needs correcting. Without a healthy personal… Continue reading sort yourself first
thy will be done
“Thy Will Be Done” The statement “Thy will be done” is the overarching and simple representative statement of submission. With this statement, we acknowledge that God is God and we are not, and that God’s way and God’s will are better than mine. For those who accept, submit to, worship and follow an Ultimate Being… Continue reading thy will be done