For my edification, I am reading Stephen S Hall, Wisdom: from philosophy to neuroscience.(University of Queensland Press, 2010). As a science writer, the author is particularly keen to explore potential new insights provided by the emerging neurosciences without jettisoning more conventional understandings of wisdom. In fact, he conjectures, wisdom is a phenomenon that cannot really be graspedContinue reading “Wondering about Wisdom”
Category Archives: theology
Unanswered prayers
Not a terribly good week so far. Two people within our circle of concern have died following debilitating illness, both leaving young families. Another’s grandson has received a long prison sentence. Some are wondering about the effect of long and sustained prayers for these individuals and their families. Where is God in all this andContinue reading “Unanswered prayers”
“Creation” – a human face for Charles Darwin
The publication of Charles Darwin’s “The Origin of the Species” became a lightning rod for conflict between theists and non-theists alike that lasts to this day. Both are treated sympathetically in this exploratory dramatisation of Darwin’s home life and the struggle that surrounded his work. Against a background of the harshness of polarised positions, oneContinue reading ““Creation” – a human face for Charles Darwin”
Riding the Atheist Bus
There’s a little bit of a storm in the Old Dart over the British Humanist Association advertising campaign that has a fleet of London buses carrying the slogan “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” See BBC news story here. This has sparked off a blog war (based on responses such as here and here)Continue reading “Riding the Atheist Bus”
‘Tis the Season to be Fasting…
… fa lalala la, lala la la! I usually feel like King Canute at this time of the year – raising my arms, seeking to hold back the relentless tide of Christmas festivities washing tsunami like over the beaches of Advent – the “little Lent” – the season of preparation, reflection and fasting. MyContinue reading “‘Tis the Season to be Fasting…”
Does green have a dark side?
I occasionally post “sustainable energy” news clips to the PeaceChurch mailing list, particularly where the church in Australia is adding something to the debate. Responses are inevitably mixed – no less earlier this week when I posted the following: Some 40 religious leaders (including Churches of Christ, as well as leaders from Muslim, Jewish, Hindu,Continue reading “Does green have a dark side?”
Book Review – The Shack
Author: William P Young, Windblown Media, 2007 After more than thirty years of trying to come to grips with an adequate articulation of an intellectual understanding of the Trinity, this book has finally convinced me that it can’t be done! No wonder the biblical writers avoided anything like the “T” word with its propensity forContinue reading “Book Review – The Shack”
"Increase Our Faith!" – a realistic demand?
A Church Anniversary Sermon Luke 17: 5-10 Some are saying the monks of Myanmar are no more. The saffron revolution is over. The dream of these peace-loving clerics was that they might act as a conciliatory go-between for the impoverished population and the brutal military junta that has reigned for over a decade. Today monasteriesContinue reading “"Increase Our Faith!" – a realistic demand?”
Sunday Morning Harangue
Luke 16:19-31 The Rich Man & Lazarus A green-thumb I am not, but my attention has been drawn to what will be familiar to some of you gardeners – leaf miners! A few clicks of the mouse button led me to discover that leaf miners are insect larvae that live within leaf tissue. They feedContinue reading “Sunday Morning Harangue”
Some challenges of mere discipleship
<!–[if gte vml 1]> <![endif]–><!–[if !vml]–><!–[endif]–>We’ve been workshopping the first three chapters of Lee Camp’s Mere Discipleship (Baker, 2003). In summary, Camp lays out in winsome fashion a very clear distinction between what some would call “institutional Christianity” and radical (ie grassroots) Christian faith. Cultural myopia makes it very difficult for many to seeContinue reading “Some challenges of mere discipleship”
Wondering Pilgrim 