-
Apr 29 2023 
Stop Promoting Gendered Hierarchy!
Reading Time: 16 minutesOne of the more detrimental teachings that I believe has defined the church throughout her history and which continues to exert influence today is the idea that God established some kind of hierarchy of men over women at creation. Hierarchy, it’s claimed, was, one; either part of God’s original plan for humanity, established from the beginning or, two; God’s prescriptive punishment (primarily upon the woman), because of sin.
(Not a reader? Take a listen instead ⇓)
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
This article… -
Feb 22 2023 
Judging // Discerning
Reading Time: 9 minutesIt seems to me that it has become increasingly difficult to speak into many issues or situations that the church faces today; not because the Bible is silent, not because the church doesn’t have or hasn’t held a historical position on a matter, and not because we, as Christians, don’t know what we ought to be doing. Rather, we are feeling pressed into silence, in many instances, simply on the basis of one little verse…
-
Nov 02 2022 
Religion // Cruciformity
Reading Time: 8 minutesThere is no standard scholarly agreement on what exactly is meant by the word religion, so defining religion (from the Latin religiō) can be a bit tricky. In fact, prior to the 16th and 17th centuries, the concept of religion, as a distinct set of beliefs or doctrines, didn’t really exist.
Today, we would probably summarise religion as a unifying social-cultural system of beliefs and practices relating to sacred, supernatural, or spiritual elements. We may tend to… -
Jul 30 2022 
Dual Citizens
Reading Time: 7 minutesI was born and raised in New Zealand, the land of the long white cloud and a ratio of nearly six sheep for every one person. I often remember as a child watching the sun in summer sink below the horizon late at night, and, in winter, layering up as warmly as possible through the short, dark, freezing days of relentless rain and oftentimes snow.
My husband and I moved from New Zealand in 2008, the… -
Feb 24 2022 
John Writes A Letter
Reading Time: 8 minutes“God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day – our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a…
-
Feb 10 2022 
The Faith | Works ‘Conundrum’
Reading Time: 12 minutesThe simple truth that we find acceptance with God by grace through faith alone is the Bible’s most beautiful theme. Grace began long ago when God set in motion the means for humanity to find their way back to Him, to find their way home. He promised Adam and Eve that a redeemer would come who would save humanity from the consequences of their sin. That redeemer would be His very own Son, born for…
-
Aug 02 2021 
In The Shadow Of The Empire
Reading Time: 9 minutesChristianity in the first century was a spiritual explosion, fueled by the reality of the resurrection of Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Unlike the Jewish community, who lived and worshipped largely by themselves, Christians were active evangelists, eager to share the good news about Jesus with all who would listen. They preached Jesus everywhere, not just as the long-awaited Jewish Messiah, but as Lord, Saviour, and King; over and above Caesar.
Initially planted… -
Apr 06 2021 
David’s Story: God Sees The Heart Of Us
Reading Time: 4 minutesDavid, the shepherd boy-turned-king and famous author of the Psalms, is perhaps one of the most complex characters in the Bible. At times, he displays examples of great faith, leadership and spirituality. Yet, these admirable qualities are often starkly contrasted against the deplorable choices and wicked actions for which he was responsible.
How can God have cause to say of him “I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, who… -
Mar 30 2021 
The Night Before Tomorrow | Communion
Reading Time: 5 minutesJesus looked around the table at the closest of his disciples gathered with him, their faces reflected in the warmth of the candlelight. It was early spring, and the nights were still cool; the disciple whom he loved leaned in a little closer, although as much for affection as for warmth.
The room was filled with the pungent aroma of bitter herbs, the freshly baked scent of Matzah, the rich meaty smell of roasted lamb, and… -
Nov 03 2020 
Walking With God
Reading Time: 7 minutes“He has told you, O human, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” | Micah 6:8 NAS 1977
Knowing And Being Known
At the heart of us all is a deep desire to be known; to be so intimately connected with another person that it’s as if we are no longer two people but one – ‘a single soul…
- 1
- 2