Gender, Divorce, and Jesus
The recent set Sunday readings included a lot about gender, marriage, and divorce. Sidestepping these would have been a copout. Here are some reflections.
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Original Sin
The Western Christian understanding of “Original Sin” is, in large part, due to a mistranslation of a verse written by St Paul. Much of Protestantism doubles down on this mistranslation, teaching that humans are “totally depraved”.
Resources Sunday 13 October 2024 – Ordinary 28
O God,
we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us,
that we may continually be given to good works;
through Jesus Christ
who is alive with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
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Male and Female?
Mistranslation and misunderstanding can turn the Bible from being an encouragement to being yet another weapon against the vulnerable. Gender is more complicated than quoting a Bible verse.
Resources Sunday 6 October 2024 – Ordinary 27
Ever-living God,
you are always more ready to hear than we to pray,
and to give more than we desire or deserve;
pour upon us the abundance of your mercy,
forgiving us those things
of which our conscience is afraid,
and giving us those things
for which our prayer dares not ask;
through Jesus Christ
who is alive with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
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God Loves Us by Hating Jesus?
There is a terrible theology that God can only love and accept us by hating and abandoning Jesus. I find this a scary mocking of the God who is love.
God Loves Us by Hating Jesus? Read More »
Resources Sunday 29 September 2024 – Ordinary 26
O God,
you declare your almighty power
above all by showing mercy and compassion;
grant us the fullness of your grace,
that we, who are running to obtain your promises,
may be partakers of your heavenly treasure;
through Jesus Christ
who is alive with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
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Do Churches Really Want More People?
There are simple things we can do to be hospitable and welcoming to visitors and newcomers. But do we really want to?
Do Churches Really Want More People? Read More »