thinking honestly about life and faith
After months of silence, I am now writing to share a truly extraordinary experience. It has taken me many weeks to process it, emotionally and spiritually. There was some physical effort as well!It has been my privilege to save another … Read More »
It’s some years now since I reviewed Marion Maddox’s study of the influence of religion and religious values on the second Howard government in Australia. (Marion Maddox, For God and Country: Religious Dynamics in Australian Federal Politics, 2001.) Since then … Read More »
Leadership: reaching for the possible future Last year I heard this definition of leadership and it made a lot of sense to me.Leadership is so much more than management. Managing makes things happen, but within the existing frame of expectations. … Read More »
Laughter: it's the best medicine, as the saying goes. In theology, a small number of works have explored the theme of humour and God. Recently I discovered Robert Darden’s book, Jesus Laughed: the redemptive power of humor, (published by Abingdon, … Read More »
One of the superb insights I found in Marilynne Robinson's latest book Home (London: Virago Press, 2008) concerns the character of a life of faith.I mean here to make a basic distinction between the many activities which are called 'faith' … Read More »
I've just finished reading Marilynne Robinson's recent novel simply called Home.(London: Virago Press, 2008)It's a superbly written exploration of the idea of being at home, both in its ordinary, human sense and the deeper spiritual sense indicated by Augustine in … Read More »
I preached a sermon for Pentecost Sunday: Here are some of the key ideas: The scripture text was Acts 2. 1 – 24. Pentecost is decisive for the life and mission of the church, and is in many ways the … Read More »
Next Sunday is Pentecost. I have a sermon to preach, at an Ecumenical Service. More of that in a later post.I love Pentecost. I love the creativity and dynamic sense of the Spirit with us. One of the rich resources … Read More »
Millions of Christians know a prayer written by Ignatius of Loyola (16th century): I like it very much: but only if we get the sense of it right. Otherwise, it could bring us down!
This week we had a faculty discussion about church membership. Most pastors I know say that the majority of people attending their churches do not wish to be 'members' of the church.What has changed? People are participating in Christian community, … Read More »