Understanding atonement Lent 2024 - Part 1 Moral Example This Lent, I am reflecting on the profound significance of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection. As I explore the various atonement theories embraced or historically cherished by Christian churches, I realise this journey reveals a rich tapestry of beliefs and interpretations. There is more than one …
Continue reading Jesus as Mentor: Lessons in Atonement and Compassion
John had a unique opportunity to showcase his remarkable background. Priesthood ran through his veins, with his father, Zechariah, serving as a respected priest. Instead of the traditional path in the Jerusalem temple, he embraced his adventurous spirit by engaging with people in the wilderness, inspiring those beyond the country's boundary.
Who is Jesus? part 19 How do you see a voice? The esteemed priests and Levites from Jerusalem, the most distinguished among them, were eager to meet John the Baptist. They were on a quest for a remarkable figure, the Messiah, or perhaps the prophetic voice of Elijah, or the great Prophet foretold by Moses. …
Continue reading In the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord.
Who is Jesus? part 17 Before we leave the opening song to John's Gospel, it's good to look at the whole thing for context. Although we are looking at poetry, and although the form is chiascic, like most of the Psalms, this is a narrative song and has a clear begining and ending. (Chiasm is …
Grace literally means free. Grace is a beautiful gift of love. We simply receive grace without having to earn it. God, in His infinite grace, generously showers us with blessings even when we least expect them.
We are being given more grace, but it is a different and better grace than the grace already given.
Which star are you following? Advent 2025 The NASA website is amazing, especially the stunning images from the Hubble and Webb space telescopes. The Triangulum galaxy is particularly fascinating as it harbours the largest region of new star formation in our Local Group of galaxies, showcasing the incredible wonders of the universe! Stars die and …
Who is Jesus? part 12 After a break for Advent, we're back to John's Gospel. We are still in the opening song, Chapter 1 verses 1 to 18. For Christmas day I talked about verse 14, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the …
Continue reading What is all this ‘Born Again’ stuff about anyway?
You see, that they are going to fail is good news. That we fail is good news. The reason is that no matter if we fail, no matter if we give up on God, no matter how big our failure is, God will never fail. God will never give up on us.
First a note about the giver of the gifts. That is the Father. The glory of the Father is the wrapping the present is wrapped in. When John says, "We have seen his glory," he means it. He's one of the actual witnesses to a true event. But what good is seeing a wrapped present if we only look at the wrapping?
Making an ass of myself 