I recently referred to the book “The body keeps the score” which talks about how mental health issues and in particular trauma related health is not just in the mind. The physical brain, nervous system and the body are affected by trauma, respond to it and keep score of the damage inflicted. So, I’ve begunContinue reading “The (church) body keeps the score”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Finding the right hill to die on in practical pastoral leadership
I’ve been enjoying reading Gavin Ortlund’s “Finding the right hill to die on” about theological triage. The concept of Theological Triage was coined by Al Mohler to describe how Christians go about distinguishing first, second and third order issues. In other words, there are theological issues that are central to the Gospel itself, it isContinue reading “Finding the right hill to die on in practical pastoral leadership”
Rivals for Creation (2) Evolution
We’ve looked at some of the ancient myths about the origin of the Universe. Now it’s time to come to the contemporary rival for creation: evolution. Note that there have been significant attempts to harmonise the evolution narrative with the Biblical one, just as there have been serious attempts among scholars to harmonise ancient mythsContinue reading “Rivals for Creation (2) Evolution”
Cancelled?
Sometimes a story can become about something completely different, it takes a sudden twist and turn. We thought that the story at the start of the week was about Meghan and Harry. Depending upon your overall sympathies, you thought that it was either about an unfair and inappropriate interview and the negative impact on theContinue reading “Cancelled?”
Why I’m in favour of COVID Passports (with one essential provision)
The big debate over the past few days has been as to whether or not the Government should allow COVID-19 vaccine passports. In other words, should people be required to supply proof that they have received a vaccine before participating in certain activities. There have been three arguments made against this. The first is aContinue reading “Why I’m in favour of COVID Passports (with one essential provision)”
What (if anything) have we learnt about God’s Sovereignty during lockdown?
One of the charges laid against those who are seen as most enthusiastic about lockdowns and vaccines is that they have forgotten about God’s Sovereignty over life and death and so are doing everything they can to cheat death. Furthermore, the argument is that belief we can control the virus is “hubris.” I’ve argued inContinue reading “What (if anything) have we learnt about God’s Sovereignty during lockdown?”
Trusting God with our Tears (1) Happiness when unhappy
“We Can Trust God with our Tears” This was the application that Pete Scamman (Christ Church Fulwood, Sheffield) gave to a talk on Psalm 126 on Sunday 31st January 2020.[1] For anyone who has been through extreme suffering, physical or emotional, anyone who has found themselves in the depths of depression and despair, for anyoneContinue reading “Trusting God with our Tears (1) Happiness when unhappy”
Censorship, criticism and editing
Well, that’s twice in a row now! On two separate occasions I’ve been accused of trying to get someone censored. The first was when I challenged David Robertson’s Premier Christianity article about Donald Trump’s twitter account being suspended. The second follows my suggestions for a bit of editing to an article by John Benton forContinue reading “Censorship, criticism and editing”
Are ethnic minorities to blame for COVID-19? (Panel discussion)
Yesterday, I took part in a panel discussion with Jose Galindes, pastor of Nueva Vida Con Cristo, the Spanish speaking church we helped plant a few years back. The starting question was “Are BAME communities to blame for the spread of COVID-19) in the UK? Jose also invited along some local councillors in Sandwell andContinue reading “Are ethnic minorities to blame for COVID-19? (Panel discussion)”
Blessing and curse enacted (Deuteronomy 32:48- 34:12)
We have come to the end of Deuteronomy. The people are ready to enter the land. There is joy but there is a little bitter sting. Moses will not be going into the land with the people. This will vividly reinforce the point to Israel, no-one is immune, entry to the land is not somethingContinue reading “Blessing and curse enacted (Deuteronomy 32:48- 34:12)”
