Most people have difficulty believing that this is scripture, that this is wisdom. When they read this they think "if this is wisdom, I don't want it". It is relenetlessly bleak: you are all going to end up tn the grave, what you do here will not matter, and if you do right you will … Continue reading Enjoy the decline.
Islam
The religion of war.
I finished my workout in the gym and was chatting with a mate. We were talking about minorities and how there are two ways that they can get into difficulty: the first is by being different enough, long enough, and a little bit more successful (although this is not needed, consider Russia and the pogroms) … Continue reading The religion of war.
A centurion, prison and Paul.
The consequences of Paul's commission to the gentiles are that he became a prisoner in Rome. And he knew it: if you refer to Acts he said that in every port he had prophets telling him that if he went to Jerusalem he would end up arrested, and then go to Rome. This was not … Continue reading A centurion, prison and Paul.
Our inheritance is opposition.
This photo was taken yesterday with the cellphone: there are others taken in that hour, on fine winter days, when the world is bathed in golden light. This world is broken and it is under the dominion of the evil one, but there is still beauty, and both are in the image: the obelisk at … Continue reading Our inheritance is opposition.
Against the vegan in us.
I am going to suggest that being vegan is a sign of wealth and corruption. It is a sign of wealth because you have enough money, and access to enough foods, to balance your diet: we are omnivores and having some meat makes balancing your diet much easier. It is corrupt because the people who … Continue reading Against the vegan in us.
Not a metaphor.
One of the core ideas in Islamic theology and philosophy is an absolute sovereignty of God. That God is not bound in any way by anything: that he can choose to make or unmake as he will, and that if his words contradict themselves it is because that God has done so. That if God … Continue reading Not a metaphor.
No commentary would suffice, nor compare.
There are some times that the words of the Lord need no explanation, and to comment feels wrong. The text should stand alone. Moving into the issues of how people are condemned already... is moving into a controversy that is not needed. John 3:16-21 16"For God so loved the world that he gave his only … Continue reading No commentary would suffice, nor compare.
Not self mutilation.
This passage is linked in the lectionary with Paul talking to Ephesians. Stumbling blocks are not merely sensuous or sexual. It is anything that takes people away from Christ. We have to be as careful with our financial situation as we do with our diet, or our fidelity, or chastity. Acts 20:33 I coveted no … Continue reading Not self mutilation.
The cost of discipleship is becoming more obvious.
On Sundays (which was yesterd here) I look at both the daily lectionary and the Sunday readings. I did not put up John 1:1 which was on the list for the day, as it was not the text that was discussed at church, and to keep the post under 2000 words. Perhaps I should have. … Continue reading The cost of discipleship is becoming more obvious.
The role of righteous.
It is the beginning of a new week, and I think around the world we will all be praying for peace, or more peace than last week. Apart from a bunch of Chechnyan bombing a marathon, which is causing anger to rise, and the anger will be terrible to see) there have been floods, earthquakes, … Continue reading The role of righteous.