Trinity: making some sense of a wonderful mystery

25 May

I thought it worth sharing again this post about the experience of God as trinity:   Tomorrow is Trinity Sunday—a time to reflect on this dimension of the life of faith as we engage with this especially challenging and enriching … Read More »

Living reality on canvas: Albert Anker

20 May

I’ve not known of Anker’s paintings for long, but here I show one of them, and another of the same genre, with wonderful insight into the reality of human life and relationship. Albert Anker (1831 – 1910) was considered the … Read More »

Some Pentecostal thoughts

13 May

I will be preaching this coming Sunday for a group of churches who will meet on Pentecost Sunday. I thought to share a few thoughts which will form some of the basis for my sermon. The principal text is the … Read More »

What theology can do for people

6 May

In the last few weeks I have encountered again a view of God and of life in general which I can only call oppressive. I attended the funeral of a person whose family of origin belonged to a quite exclusive … Read More »

Reading Genesis: the wisdom of Marilynne Robinson

1 May

I am really enjoying Marilynne Robinson’s latest book Reading Genesis. Many of us have loved her novels, especially the Gilead series, filled with rich insight into human life, themes of family, love, home, and the quest for a faith that … Read More »

Gleanings (6) Struggle is life

24 Apr

I am writing out a sense of sadness, as well as gratitude and I hope an appropriate perspective. This post concerns life and death. We’ve attended a funeral in each of the last three weeks—all older men, who had lived … Read More »

What did Thomas want? An Easter challenge

1 Apr

The Apostle Thomas is surely one of the most unfairly maligned characters in the Christian stories. I have been reflecting upon his part in the Gospel narratives in preparation for this coming Sunday. Thomas has always been a hero of … Read More »

Gleanings (4) There shall be dancing!

26 Mar

I have long been enriched by the poetry of T S Eliot. Here is a section from ‘East Coker’, from the Four Quartets. It seems particularly apt for this week, especially for those Christians who find it hard to stay … Read More »

Gleanings (3) The invitation to Sophia’s party

7 Mar

I’ve greatly appreciated the work of Elizabeth Johnson, Catholic feminist theologian, from whom this provocative quotation comes: In his brief ministry, Jesus appears as a prophet and child of Sophia sent to announce God as the God of all-inclusive love, … Read More »