A common argument by atheists is that most people are in some way atheist because they don’t believe in the many thousands of gods that have been part of human religion through time. Most believe only in one god and are therefore “atheist” with respect to all the other gods. Therefore, they argue, how do…
It seems to me that the bluebells in St James Park are more numerous and vibrant this year. There under the mature linden trees (also called “common lime tree”) they are the very picture of serene beauty. And they represent something of an old-world charm. We can be grateful at the beauty of God’s creation…
A few weeks ago someone asked me why I think that the world is so evil these days. I suggested that it was the way of a sinful world, that the troubles besetting the world seem to come in waves. Yes, there is a lot wrong in the world at the moment, but I’m not sure that this is the worst time…
If you spend any time on the internet or read motivational magazines, you will soon notice inspirational messages that tell you that the future will be far better than the past, that the best is still to come. It shouldn’t surprise us that those messages are often also promoted by prosperity preachers. After all, they stand to gain something from people’s drive…
On Wednesday afternoon Harmans Lawyers joined the Fellowship Group to talk about enduring powers of attorney and wills. The lawyers did say that those are valuable for people of any age and need to be regularly reviewed as circumstances change. And while powers of attorney might never actually be used, having a will makes it so much easier for those left behind,…
Recently I was at the Carboard Cathedral for several services. As I was walking up to the Cathedral I could not help but notice the stadium towering behind it. The Carboard Cathedral looks tiny in comparison with the stadium. In a sense this picture of the stadium overshadowing the Cathedral perfectly represents our time. People have long been involved in competitive physical…
Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches.” Luke 13:18–19 From small beginnings something profound can grow that affects everything around it. That…
For hundreds of years it was more women than men that actually attended church and this difference was particularly pronounced in the 19th and 20th centuries. Some scholars even regarded this as a universal of religion. However, in recent years in many Western countries there has been a definite trend that shows more young men than women now participate in church life.…
In Switzerland I encountered a few interesting church practices, which I thought I’d share. That doesn’t mean that I’ll advocate for those to happen at St Paul’s or in Christchurch. But it’s always good to see what others are doing. One of the annual church events in Switzerland is the “Long night of the churches”.…
Since 2007 I have been involved in archaeological excavations at Tell Halif in Israel. This is the site of a small town, probably Biblical Rimmon (Joshua 15:32; Joshua 19:7, 1 Chronicles 4:32; Nehemiah 11:29). I have also restored much of the pottery found there, practically many 3D puzzles mixed together, some with hundreds of pieces,…