Yes, it’s a weird title but just come along with me for a few minutes… One thing I’m noticing as I read through Matthew in my personal devotions is the way that Jesus uses stark juxtapositions. What I mean is this. He says something quite jarring and confronting, and then He says something which at [...]
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The 80s classic (yes, classic!) but unfortunately named film “Working Girl” has a magnificent theme song from Carly Simon. “Let the River Run“. Can’t help but love that – brilliant music with a well-deserved Oscar and Golden Globe. Until, of course, you start to consider what message is being propagated. Simon’s New Jerusalem is something [...]
View PostThe Christian Institute are very keen to let us know that John Cleese has fearlessly dived into the field of theology and prounounced, Some of the fundamentalist Christians, seem to be performing or practising a kind of Christianity that I don't think would be recognised by Christ. I don't think Christ said a lot about [...]
View PostThe chief priests and elders are determined to convict Jesus of blasphemy for claiming to be the Christ. They muster numerous false witnesses to their cause, but all are unnecessary – they simply needed to accept the evidence already in front of them; Jesus Himself, His words and His actions.
View PostTomorrow morning I preach on the trial of Jesus in Matthew's gospel. The event is, of course, laden with irony. Here's one that I can't see in any commentary but seems quite striking. Pilate was renowned for being corrupt and having the innocent put to death. But when Jesus stands before him he is both [...]
View PostWho wants to be an actor? (picture above from State Library of NSW archives on flickr. h/t Dave Miers). I had a fascinating conversation this weekend about what it means to live the Christian life. My conversation partner came from a religious background that put the emphasis on what we need to do to please [...]
View PostThere's been an ongoing debate in the smh about Jesus and homosexual behaviour, generated by the story of a Christian school and a self-identifying gay student. As always, good points are made but the usual cliché, “Jesus said nothing about homosexuality”, was aired a few times. Here's my published response, Interpreting the Gospel truth There [...]
View PostI think possibly the most frustrating thing about current discussions within the church on various theological matters is the utter chutzpah that revisionists have when talking about how they “read” the Bible. Now, maybe I belong to an arcane era of education but when I was growing up reading was about comprehension – ie understanding [...]
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