Leaving Munster

The term goes back to Henry Drummond, a 19th century evangelical lecturer, from his Lowell Lectures on the Ascent of Man. He chastises those Christians who point to the things that science can not yet explain – "gaps which they will fill up with God" – and urges them to embrace all nature as God's, as the work of "... an immanent God, which is the God of Evolution, is infinitely grander than the occasional wonder-worker, who is the God of an old theology." [source]

Such reasoning seems to be less popular nowadays (as we run out of gaps!), but it still exists. However, what is not so rare is a "devil of the gaps" belief. I've heard Christians claim that both David Blaine and Derren Brown were using Satanic power. Why? Well, how else do they do it?! (It seems to me that there is something inherently arrogant about such claims. What it boils down to is the assumption that if I can't explain it then there cannot be any earthly explanation.)

Anyway, that's all a precursor to saying that on Sunday night, I saw a 5-year old boy focus his mind and manage to make himself too heavy for two grown men to lift.

How do you explain that?

I think the answer lies in an understanding of God's presence in the world, a robust Creation theology, appreciating the ability to co-ordinate body and mind, the importance of good balance and breathing - and possibily even employing the Orthodox notion of God's "energies."

But the short-hand for that is "Ki".

Serenity with tenacity is the heart of anabaptist spiritual devotion. It unites the passive "not my will but yours with the active "Thy will be done on earth." (P. 88.)

Chapter 3 of David Augsburger's Dissident Discipleship has to be one of the simplest. Yet, it may have been the chapter more than any other (apart from the intro) that had me umming and arring in agreement all the way through. On re-reads, I found it to be even more profound - especially in its implications - than I had originally thougt. Read more...

Everywhere I turn it's the same. It doesn't matter if I'm with Ruth or Mary, or even Paul - it's all I can think about! Read more...

At some point, I'd like to get round to posting more about the philisophy of Aikido and how it sits in harmony with the teachings of Jesus, but for now I thought I'd quote my good friend Solly: Read more...

Apparently, some people have been mightilly offended that I asked those of you who could spare it if you would gladly donate £1 towards my fund to buy a new lap-top. (To see how that's going, click "Practice Generosity" at the top of the left-hand column.) Aside from my shameless begging, I believe that we need to be talking more, not less, about money. Especially because of the crap that is sometimes spouted from folks who should be giving instead of receiving, we need to be preaching the liberating message of Jubilee more often, more clearly, more radically.

So, if you give to someone, or are aiming to, or if you support a particular charity, or would like to encourage others to, etc., please let us know. I'll then consider adding them to the list of "opportunities for generosity" that people might want to look at.

Anyway, somewhere in my files I found the following. I'm not even sure if I wrote it , or if it's a quote from somewhere else! Either way, it didn't make the cut to my manuscript last year: Read more...

Now, I find it very difficult to take it seriously. You may as well ask me if I believe that God is blonde or brunette! Why do we have this tendency to frame our questions and/or discussions in such a way that only 1 or 2 answers are possible?

Yes or No? Determinism or Free-will? Heaven or Hell? Gay or Straight?

Do we really think that we can capture the wonder of God with the toss of a coin?

LwC Keywords: Limited Atonement, Calvinism, Unlimited Atonement

Technorati Tags: Limited Atonement, Calvinism, UnlimitedAtonement

Feel free to check it out. If I can be completely honest, I'm always slightly relieved when folk like this label me a heretic!

We found out this afternoon that our local Anglican "Vicar" is quitting! Read more...

I was reading on Bene Diction Blogs On - having found it via Richard - about the tragic case of Seth Paddock, a 4-year old boy who recently died of suffocation.

A few years ago, Lynn Paddock sought Christian advice on how to discipline her growing brood of adopted children.

Paddock -- a Johnston County mother accused of murdering Sean, her 4-year-old adopted son, and beating two other adopted children -- surfed the Internet, said her attorney, Michael Reece. She found literature by an evangelical minister and his wife who recommended using plumbing supply lines to spank misbehaving children.

Read more...