I am sitting in a place that I never thought I would be: rooms in a college in Oxford. And the place grieves me. I walk past eight hundred years of faith. I have been driven past the pub where Tolkien and Lewis drank. I have seen the closed churches. (At Merton, where I am … Continue reading In Merton, grieving. [Acts 8]
Month: June 2015
The first martyr will not be the last [Acts 7]
Stephen has been blunt already when discussing the history of Israel. He then turns this up. He accuses the council of denying the work of the Holy Spirit. And he dies for this. This is the first martyr and first persecution of the church, but it will not be the last. Although Stephen was accused … Continue reading The first martyr will not be the last [Acts 7]
Salvation is by faith (in transit, Sunday). [Rom 4]
I am sitting in Paddington St Station Starbucks (for the iced coffee and the internet) after about 26 hours in a plane. On the flight I watched a movie for the explosions (KIngsmen: in part because the green fanatic is the villain). But within the movie they paraphrase Hemingway: a man is not noble because … Continue reading Salvation is by faith (in transit, Sunday). [Rom 4]
Post for transit I: Jobs for the disfavoured.
In this time when the church is being shredded and all justice and decency is being removed, one has to consider how to advise young men. Young men, particularly young Christian men, are the last group you can discriminate against: they are hated by the churchian and the secularist alike. And no one gives them … Continue reading Post for transit I: Jobs for the disfavoured.
The Bible will break NZ communications principles. [Acts 7]
I read this yesterday and it chilled me. I live in a small country, where everyone knows everyone else, and here I try to shut down trolls (though they do provide free entertainment) and defend the right to say what you think. It is a balance, and it is one that is fairly self regulated. … Continue reading The Bible will break NZ communications principles. [Acts 7]
You will be sifted. Do not shift your faith.
I used to play guitar in church. For years. Don't do it any more: there is no need for a fifth guitarist where I am. Instead I play viola in the local community orchestras. But I still have my guitars. And I wonder, often, if in our worship we are like Peter. We are claiming … Continue reading You will be sifted. Do not shift your faith.
Essays and stats stuff.
I am enjoying a series of essays from John C Wright, which are published by Castilia House. Each essay is fairly thought provoking. And yes, I am using a Kindle app to read them. Another convert to Papism from Atheism, God bless him. For he understands why Tolkien is important, and how badly Sir Peter … Continue reading Essays and stats stuff.
The temptation of status [Luke 22]
It's Thursday. On Saturday I travel. To Rhodes House, Oxford: there is a seminar held there. The house was bought for those who obtain a Rhodes Scholarship to attend the that place. Which I have never visited. I live in the Antipodes: although I am a reasonable scholar and my university is a place with … Continue reading The temptation of status [Luke 22]
Consider well who pays for the care for the needy [Acts 6]
The issues that the apostles faced as the church grew related in part to providing for those who could not provide for themselves. There is an assumption in the text -- that there is a "daily distribution" to primarily the widows in the region. Widows in this time had no ability to pay or support … Continue reading Consider well who pays for the care for the needy [Acts 6]
Broken internet we have.
This morning's lectionary post has disappeared into the internet when trying to save a draft: I'm not sure if the problem is with the site itself or with the local internet (we had a backbone go down yesterday: it is very cold in NZ at present: unseasonably so even for winter( It is worth noting … Continue reading Broken internet we have.