Posts

Fighting a pandemic, how have we done so far?

As life begins to return to normal, it is perhaps a good opportunity to look back on the past few months and reflect on how the UK has done so far in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.  I say “so far” because we are still not out of the woods yet. The virus is still… Continue reading Fighting a pandemic, how have we done so far?

Assessing motives (what we can and cannot do)

Jesus is able to assess the heart, we cannot. This means a good rule of thumb when dealing with others in debate is that we should seek to respond to what they are actually saying, not what their motives or intentions are. Indeed,  we should seek to assume the best of others, taking a charitable… Continue reading Assessing motives (what we can and cannot do)

Skin Deep? Trustworthy?

When we bought our house, we took out a mortgage. Like many home owners up and down the country, we were making a promise, a commitment that over the next 25 years, we would pay back the money we had borrowed with interest. How could our Building Society be sure that we would repay the… Continue reading Skin Deep? Trustworthy?

When did lockdown really start (or “Is Matt Hancock re-writing history?”)

When did the lockdown really start? Does it really matter? Well, potentially yes. You see there’s been some heated discussion in the last week or two about whether or not the Government delayed entering lockdown and whether or not this cost lives? There seem to be two potential answers to this. The common answer is… Continue reading When did lockdown really start (or “Is Matt Hancock re-writing history?”)

So what was that really all about? (Further reflections on John MacArthur and defying the law)

In the light of John MacArthur’s decision to go against California state law on the Coronavirus, another prominent church leader in the States, Tom Buck posted this tweet. I don’t think we have ever really argued that everyone should risk their lives in cross cultural mission going to dangerous places. There has always been a… Continue reading So what was that really all about? (Further reflections on John MacArthur and defying the law)

Skin Deep? What if we took Jesus seriously about divorce?

Jesus says: 31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. As you can see, the culture of his day said… Continue reading Skin Deep? What if we took Jesus seriously about divorce?

Skin Deep? Sexual Immorality

Pornography is a poisonous cancer, designed to be addictive, it seeps into minds and emotions. Pornography is a killer, it gives a false, idolatrous view of sex, including often violent relationships that kills passion and intimacy within marriage. Pornography says that infidelity is okay. So, what should you do if addicted to porn? Following Jesus’… Continue reading Skin Deep? Sexual Immorality

Reopening and defying the law -why John McArthur has got this badly wrong

Grace Community Church, Sun Valley is a mega-church in California.  It’s pastor John MacArthur is prominent, particularly from the conservative end of the spectrum with an international teaching ministry. Last week, they decided to re-open their building for public worship in defiance of State rules during Coronavirus. Their argument was that they must obey God… Continue reading Reopening and defying the law -why John McArthur has got this badly wrong