Don’t be afraid of doubt. OK, it may feel like a threat, but you can also treat it as a tool to help you dig down to the solid ground of your real faith. I'm avoiding the adjective “true”, because it’s so often used in a negative way. “True Faith” (note the capitals) implies a set of beliefs that we have and they don’t. My real faith consists of the things I believe deep down, and those beliefs have been tested again and again – by doubt.
Category: Bible
Prejudiced? What me?
Prejudice is part of being human. We each have a point of view. We come from somewhere. We’re formed by our experiences. And we prejudge things. That’s what prejudice is.
Chronicles Conundrum
Why are the books of Chronicles included in the Bible? Who wants to read those boring lists of names? You don’t have to like the lists of names in Chronicles, but they belong where they are. The Bible is a book for the whole world.
What about the Pharisees?
Pharisees figure prominently in the New Testament and Jesus hardly had a good word for them. He called them a brood of snakes, blind guides, hypocrites; he accused them of honouring their traditions more than God’s commandments; he said their worship was a farce; he accused them of giving alms just to be noticed; he … Continue reading What about the Pharisees?
Footprints
As we grow older, consider this – it’s OK to leave footprints that people may choose to follow, but it's not OK to leave holes that people will feel obliged to fill. That’s the difference between management and leadership. It’s the difference between commanding and inspiring. It’s the difference between taking and giving.
The Prodigal Run
The Prodigal Son's father as viewed by the Son. What does it FEEL like to be forgiven when you know you've really messed up?
Casting bread
“Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days”.(Ecclesiastes 11:1 KJV) Have you tried throwing bread into a river or lake? Did it come back? I doubt it! It’s more likely that a duck snapped it up[1] or that it drifted away and out of sight. So, what are we to take away … Continue reading Casting bread
We walk
“walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work”[1] Walking. It’s a human thing. On the day we start walking we stop being defined as babies. As a species we are unique in the way we walk. We stand tall, looking forward, looking far and near, and noticing things. We … Continue reading We walk
The Sky Voice
These three occasions, when a voice spoke to Jesus from the sky, mark stages in the Gospel story when Jesus understood and accepted the destination of his ministry. He wasn’t was born knowing the full script for his life. He was born as a normal, human baby lying helpless in a cattle trough – then he learned his destiny by stages.
More thoughts on the Transfiguration
Years ago, I was taught that the Transfiguration was the fulfilment of Jesus' promise that some disciples would see him "coming into his kingdom". I felt dissatisfied with that explanation - but now I see the point.