I got asked this the other day in response to my articles on Sabbath observance. The person concerned had picked up on focus on the bit about “on the seventh day you shall rest” that we miss the bit about “six days shall you labour….” “Have we forgotten the first part of the commandment?” he… Continue reading When Saturday comes – is a two day weekend sinful?
Posts
What is peace? (Ephesians 2:1-14 and Matthew 8:23-27)
A few years back I was thinking about the nature of church life. I came up with a brilliant phrase to describe it “Messy Church.” “Brilliant,” I thought, “I’ve even got a potential best-selling book title there!” There was just one problem -someone had already coined the phrase to describe midweek children’s and families outreach. … Continue reading What is peace? (Ephesians 2:1-14 and Matthew 8:23-27)
No longer Lord?
Premier Christianity have included this article in their latest issue arguing that we may need to drop words like Lord from our Bibles and spiritual vocabulary as their meaning has changed over the years. In the case of “Lord” it’s main association is apparently with fictional bad guys like “Lord Voldermort and The Lord of… Continue reading No longer Lord?
Didn’t we expect Coronavirus cases to rise?
Concern has been raised at the recent rise of Coronavirus cases. However, why are we surprised that it is happening? It is worth remembering two important things. First of all, that the original purpose of social distancing and lockdown measures was not in the belief that this would end the pandemic but rather with the… Continue reading Didn’t we expect Coronavirus cases to rise?
Does forgiveness need to be expressed to the other person?
RT Kendall’s book used to be considered the classic textbook for Christians on forgiveness. One of his main arguments was that forgiveness was primarily about the heart attitude of the offended. One of his key bits of advice was that if someone had offended you and you had truly forgiven them then you would not… Continue reading Does forgiveness need to be expressed to the other person?
Specifically Wrong
Today asked about the Government’s Brexit policy, a minister, Brandon Lewis stated that yes the Government would break international law … in a specific way. You heard that right. A minister acknowledged intention to break a law. Not only that, the slightly weird defence was introduced that it was only in a specific way. That… Continue reading Specifically Wrong
Dog whistle racism is still racism
In the early hours of Sunday morning a major incident unfolded in Birmingham city centre. A man stabbed a number of people resulting in several critical injuries and one death. A manhunt followed and police circulated CCTV footage of him. He was caught and arrested. As is not unusual the suspect has not yet been… Continue reading Dog whistle racism is still racism
Curiosity and coronavirus
I have argued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic that two gaps in our skill set as a society have been identified. The first is an understanding of how statistics work as figures have been thrown around without much understanding of what they tell us. The second has been that we have show a lack of curiosity.… Continue reading Curiosity and coronavirus
Forgiveness and reconciliation may not always mean a return to normal
A boyfriend completely forgets his girlfriend’s birthday and goes out with his mates for a drink instead. It’s not the first time he has let her down. She decides to break off with him. At the time he expresses sorrow, buys her flowers, chocolates and concert tickets but she sees through the remorse, this isn’t… Continue reading Forgiveness and reconciliation may not always mean a return to normal
Do pastors need their own sabbath?
Many pastors have something in their contracts to the effect that they should take one complete day off each week. Funnily it often sounds like this is an obligation on them rather than what it is in fact which is provision for them! It is sometimes suggested that this is to be their sabbath. Now,… Continue reading Do pastors need their own sabbath?
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