Well, no-one said that preaching on Genesis 22 would be easy – YHWH tests Abraham’s faith by calling on him to sacrifice his son Isaac then stops him mid-strike of the knife. The story contains all the things that shock and offend modern sensibility. We find it almost impossible to get beyond the ancient patriarchy,Continue reading “Fallout from today’s harangue”
Author Archives: wonderingpilgrim
God sanctioned infanticide?
Genesis 22:1-14 is one of the texts up for tomorrow. Although I’d rather spend time on Matthew 10:40-42, the call of YHWH on Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice is the one that will have everyone asking questions. “What sort of a God would ask this of a parent?” we ask. TheContinue reading “God sanctioned infanticide?”
Super 8 – a movie review
Not my normal pick – sci-fi with a lot of teenage angst thrown in. But it’s the late 70s and there’s enough nostalgia for the technology of the era to catch a baby-boomer’s attention. Directed by J J Abrams, it seems to have been inspired by the “coming of age” flicks of the era. IContinue reading “Super 8 – a movie review”
Toiling against the spin…
There is an unsound mythology surrounding Australia-bound asylum seekers that is taking a few hits this week. Tonight SBS will screen the final episode of its three part series, Go back to where you came from. There has been much conversation around my neck of the woods as folk from all walks of life have beenContinue reading “Toiling against the spin…”
Grim statistics
CSIRO scientists have established a raw data page to counter accusations that their work is “not real science” – see it at aptly named Cape Grim Data. I guess it is very difficult to communicate objective, uninterpreted information when the population is caught up in an emotive and political ideological storm surrounding the proposed carbon emissionsContinue reading “Grim statistics”
Going back to “where they came from”…
This looks like a “must see” for all who have minds made up about “fake asylum seekers”, “queue jumpers” and “economic refugees.’ Six Aussies take the reverse journey, starting with a leaky boat, transiting through refugee staging areas to lands of origin, in order to see for themselves…
Pacifism: things they never taught me…
Ken is a very thorough theologian and historian in our congregation. He is also notching up a few years as an octogenarian and is carefully archiving his records for posterity. He has maintained a strong interest in pacifism throughout his life. This morning he presented me with a tattered copy of a pamphlet, The NewContinue reading “Pacifism: things they never taught me…”
Asylum seeker smoke and mirrors coming undone
Maybe the checks and balances in our current political machinery will eventually prevent the execution of this heinous scheme. Hope springs eternal, for I don’t see how UNHCR guidelines can support what our government has in mind. Asylum-seeker swap deal must have UNHCR approval: Doug Cameron | The Australian.
Of Gods and Men (2010) – a review
See synopsis at Of Gods and Men (2010) – IMDb. Having written earlier this week of “receptive ecumenism” and new cross-cultural invitations to work together, this film reminds us, in its beginnings, that this is an ancient idea. We see a small Christian monastic community living harmoniously and symbiotically within a small Islamic village. Medicine, hospitalityContinue reading “Of Gods and Men (2010) – a review”
Reflections on a funeral
Until two years ago, it had been over forty years since I had seen Gay. Back then we ran with the Albert Park mob, a loose collection of teenagers linked through church youth clubs in the western suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia. Yesterday I presided over her funeral service, held in the open air atContinue reading “Reflections on a funeral”
Wondering Pilgrim 