In a recent comment, someone referred to Christian vestments as “playing dress up”. As is so often the case with digital comments, I cannot judge the tone of this comment, nor the attitude of it’s author. But comments like that are often made with a tone of denigration. As if dressing up is somehow wrong.
Christians disagree. About lots of things. We disagree about war, and when it is just to fight in war. We disagree about evolution and science. We disagree about divorce. We disagree about the place of women in church leadership. This post is not debating particular disagreements – this is looking at “the next layer up”,
When Christians Disagree Read More »
NIV, First-Century Study Bible, Hardcover: Explore Scripture in Its Jewish and Early Christian Context by Kent Dobson 1888 pages Zondervan (2014) This Bible is beautifully presented. The images are attractive; the tables are easy to understand and clear. This is, as it says, a study Bible that focuses explaining the original cultural context of what
NIV First-Century Study Bible Read More »
Let us pray (in silence) [that we are drawn closer to God’s goodness] pause Look graciously on your whanau [or household], we implore you, O God, [or Almighty God] that by your great goodness we may be governed in body and, through your protection, kept safe in mind and heart; through our Saviour Jesus Christ,
Many will be preparing for Holy Week and Easter. Can you point to resources that are helpful for Holy Week and Easter? Please put them in the comments. Palm Sunday service Palm Sunday collect (remember Palm Sunday is Passion Sunday) Holy Week collect/opening prayer reflection Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday) collect/opening prayer reflection Easter collect/opening prayer
Preparing for Holy Week and Easter Read More »
[Update 21 March 2016: extensive discussions have resulted in my retracting the core of the following post. Those interested should read the discussion at An Improved Way Forward?] I think there is a significant issue with the NZ Anglican proposal to bless committed same-sex couples. I also think that if as a church we want
Blessing Same-Sex Couples – A Way Forward? Read More »
One of the strange experiences of being online is that you spend hours putting together a very thoughtful piece and a few people read it. Then you stick up a joke (a few seconds’ effort) and tens of thousands of people read it, like it, and share it. I’ve had over a million views on
All the Bible is True – Some of it Happened Read More »
Let us pray (in silence) [that as Christ was restrained for our sake, we may be set free for his] pause Forgive, O God, the offences of your people, that through your goodness we may be freed from the bonds of the sins which in our frailty we have committed; through our Saviour Jesus Christ,
