To declare that Jesus wasn’t a Christian is not just a familiar truism – Christ couldn’t be a follower of Christ. But I want to challenge another oft-repeated truism. People say, with apparent wisdom, that Jesus didn’t found the church. I disagree – and Bethany is part of my reasoning. Most Christians believe that the … Continue reading A church like Bethany
Author: derrickjohnphillips
An ordinary bloke. More than that - an ordinary Christian bloke.
That counts. It means that I live in hope. Not the wishful-thinking kind of hope, but an active hope built on faith and fueled by experience. Becoming old just takes time but, my years have been full of challenges overcome, joys experienced, trials that became valuable lessons, and constant contact with God. When I was young I had a future; now I'm older, I have a past; but I still have a future to look forward to, and there's no end to it.
My career is now in the past. I was once a member of a nationally known Christian rock group and my music hasn't quite gone away (I still play acoustic guitar) but it's no longer at the core of my life. Writing and prayer are now my main occupations - and being a grandfather. The primary passions that are reflected in my writing are Church, Bible, and Prayer.
5 Questions about the Transfiguration
If this isn’t the strangest story in the gospels, it must come close. Apart from the unusual setting, the limited audience, the peculiar light, and the mysterious appearance of two long-dead men, Jesus capped the mystery by telling his companions not to tell anyone what they’d seen. In the face of such an extraordinary story the shortage of apostolic references to it is surprising and provokes several questions.
Fundamental relief
Fundamentalism is a risky strategy for maintaining faith in the Bible because one tiny hole in a rigid belief system could deflate the entire balloon.
The volume of silence
The year was 1967, the location was Westminster Central Hall in London, the 2500 strong audience were mostly teenagers, and the event was a Sound Vision concert, featuring the best-known Christian bands of the period. Five bands had already played, when the compere announced, “not only the best, but also the loudest Christian group – … Continue reading The volume of silence
The Comradeship Agenda
People talk about ‘battling in prayer’ – but who are they fighting? – we’re definitely not fighting God! We’re fighting evil powers. That’s a daunting prospect. In fact, it’s an impossible challenge.
The greatest whodunnit ever told
A book that’s still sells well 65 years after the author’s death must be good – and it is. Frank Morison’s best-selling ‘whodunnit’, Who Moved the Stone? first appeared in 1930 – and it’s still a page-turner. ...Who really dunnit? Who did move the stone? Morison’s book proposes a remarkable solution...
Dear Church . I am struggling with porn. Will you help me ?
Source: Dear Church . I am struggling with porn. Will you help me ? This is a brave article about a serious issue. Read the blog, pray about it, and support Claire in her campaign to put the problem on the church's agenda.
Intercessors wanted
INTERCESSORS WANTED Hours of Work: Unlimited Remuneration and Benefits: None Age and Experience: No limits References: Not required Must care, must listen, must observe. Who’d be an intercessor? It’s not a role that brings recognition or reward. It doesn’t come with an official title or office. The work is carried out in private – in … Continue reading Intercessors wanted
Gospel truth
The Christian faith is built on history, so we need to be sure that its history is true. It matters that Christians can trust the four Gospels. But can we? It’s not the kind of question we can brush aside with glib, fundamentalist answers – not if we want the world to take us seriously. … Continue reading Gospel truth
Life on a pinhead
A car slows to join the back of a line of traffic as the column speeds up, slows again, then begins merging with other vehicles at a junction. The junction clears, and the driver accelerates. Crash! He assumed that the car in front would keep moving, but... A commonplace accident like that usually results in … Continue reading Life on a pinhead
