A narrative is emerging from some quarters of the church that measures to deal with the pandemic represent state and societal hubris, a humanistic confidence in our ability to defeat death. If this was the case, then we would be dealing with idolatry. Of course, as Christians we should not be surprised to see evidenceContinue reading “Why attempting to control COVID is not an idolatrous attempt to conquer death”
Tag Archives: idolatry
When a community has a blind spot
I want to pick up on a brilliant question that was raised by one of our church family on the Zoom discussion last Sunday. We had listened to James preach on Matthew 7:1-6 and then one of the members asked “is it possible for these verses to talk about a whole community, church or institution?”Continue reading “When a community has a blind spot”
Seduced (Proverbs 7)
“You want business?” It was a persistent question walking back to my flat after work. I’d managed to rent a place in one of the less desirably parts of town and along the road I had to walk along was where the local prostitutes operated. I have to say they hadn’t made much of anContinue reading “Seduced (Proverbs 7)”
Adultery and the forbidden woman
There is nothing more devastating than adultery. The discovery that the person you trusted your life to was living a lie, the fear, guilt and shame that it was in fact failure on your part, the destruction that comes as a dad or mum walks out refusing to heed the pitiful cry of their childrenContinue reading “Adultery and the forbidden woman”
The fear of being forgotten (our obsession with statues)
The debate about tearing down statues that has dominated our news headlines this week has been a proxy for a deeper debate about what we value. Behind it has been questions about who we remember and who we forget and what that says about the things we value. So, one of the key arguments forContinue reading “The fear of being forgotten (our obsession with statues)”
Listen very carefully
Here’s today’s Afternoon Tea discussion. As it is Sunday, we have a first look at the Sunday Night topic which this week is “Listen carefully” (Hebrews 2:1-4). Here are the key points: 1. The context is that Jesus is greater than the angels. 2. Although Jesus’ revelation is greater, it does not replace the OTContinue reading “Listen very carefully”
