Some thoughtful words for the sake of those who go a little overboard on claiming Australia’s Christian pedigree: The Great South Land – Synchroblog | RodneyOlsen.net. Christians have a role to play in what is essentially a secular nation – but it’s one based on service rather than some notion of a divine right toContinue reading “Another reflection on Australia Day”
Category Archives: theology
The question of the year
When my friend and colleague Denis returned from interviewing survivors of the Christchurch earthquake one year on, he noted that a common question was “Where is God in all this?” Denis reflected that perhaps the more pertinent question is “Where am I in all this?” It neatly swings us to a fresh line of questing,Continue reading “The question of the year”
Keeping the Startle in Christmas
Silverfish! One of the biggest challenges for those of us charged with narrating the Nativity each year is to allow the essence of the story to emerge through the sentiment and tinsel and, yes, the celebratory drudgery that many deem it their annual obligation to tolerate. A few Christmases ago, we ordered a heavy dutyContinue reading “Keeping the Startle in Christmas”
Advent Reflection: Joy, anticipated and celebrated
Ever have some odd quirky thing from years ago that sticks in your mind that you can’t get rid of, no matter how hard you try? One of mine is a segment from a Rem and Stimpy cartoon – inevitably triggered when I hear the word “joy”. Perhaps because I have been in so manyContinue reading “Advent Reflection: Joy, anticipated and celebrated”
Advent Reflection: Hope, not optimism
Pollyanna gets a bit of stick these days. The name of the main character from Eleanor H Porter’s work of classical children’s fiction has become an epithet for anyone deemed to be unrealistically optimistic. In the novel made even more well known by Walt Disney’s cinema version in 1960, Pollyanna invents “the glad game.” NoContinue reading “Advent Reflection: Hope, not optimism”
A benchmark for the ‘new’ atheism
Recent discourse between theist and non-theist positions has been strident – not the least because the platform has been the very wide educational one, both public and private. Government funding of chaplains, indeed the existence of chaplains, teaching of scripture, the saying of prayers, adding faith specific verses to the national anthem – all haveContinue reading “A benchmark for the ‘new’ atheism”
Peter picked a permanent positive pistuous posture
A variant on Peter picked a pepper? No – just some leftovers from this morning’s ruminations on the Gospel of Matthew’s account of Peter walking on the water and sinking. I would never dare use such a pretentious alliterative phrase anywhere else but here. I reiterate the view, however, that Peter was not being typicallyContinue reading “Peter picked a permanent positive pistuous posture”
Holy skulduggery
By the end of Genesis, one could be forgiven for thinking that the Divine only favors scoundrels. Jacob, already a fugitive from the consequences of fraudulent behaviour in impersonating his brother, Esau, is outdone by his prospective father-in-law, Laban, who passes the less desirable daughter, Leah, off as the promised bride, Rachel. Ultimately, Jacob scoresContinue reading “Holy skulduggery”
Accessing the Good Book
Bibledex – Expert videos about every book in the Bible. A colleague just posted a link to this fascinating site that offers a quick video intro to each book of the bible that is intelligent and non-condescending. Produced by the University of Nottingham, the series succinctly surveys the theme of eachContinue reading “Accessing the Good Book”
Climate change rallies around Oz today
News feeds are starting to come in as Australian state capitals host “Say yes” rallies in support of the government’s proposed carbon emissions tax. Here’s one feed featuring a speech by World Vision CEO Tim Costello: Australia ‘seen as climate freeloader’. The timing of the rallies clashed with this morning’s church services, but we finished givingContinue reading “Climate change rallies around Oz today”
Wondering Pilgrim 