Although I missed the 'first-hand' presentation of my church's sermon on Darwin this Sunday, I caught it as a podcast which they've helpfully done - here's the link.
Don't think that I'm pushing a one-sided, biased commentary on you, by the way, since I can faithfully say that its a beautifully mature look at the ongoing debate about science and God, where the speaker is well aware of the dangers of the fundamentalist's point of view, be they a Darwinian fundamentalist or a christian fundamentalist.
Rightly, I think, Phil discusses the significance of both sides' 'a priori' beliefs and their foundational viewpoints. More than anything, I got the sense from his sermon, that we are not expected to 'switch off' our heads in order to understand more about the 'Who' behind this life, but that science will continue to provide answers as to the 'How' of the universe around us.
Showing posts with label christianity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christianity. Show all posts
Monday, February 9
Monday, January 12
Christianity: A History
Just a quick note, in case anyone reading this caught Channel 4's first episode in the series "Christianity: A History" last night.
I watched it, expecting some intelligent examination of the early church and to learn something new about the roots of my faith.
Instead, I felt a bit cheated by Channel 4 as some so-called expert spent an hour blaming christianity for the jews' problems over the last 2000 years. Some of this guy's remarks were just so inaccurate, such as Paul the Apostle having a vested interest in slandering the jews - the guy was jewish himself let us not forget! And as for the assertion that the jews were to be punished for crucifying Jesus, nowhere in the NT does it say this! In contrast, Jesus himself focussed his efforts on Jews first, Gentiles second - after his death, his disciples worked initially only on spreading the word to fellow jews and it wasn't until God told Peter in a vision that they began opening up the message of salvation to the Gentiles.
Basically, what I'm saying is, watching last night's tosh won't give you a clearer understanding of what christianity is, tainted as it was by one man's blatant bias and deliberate ignorance of the facts.
I watched it, expecting some intelligent examination of the early church and to learn something new about the roots of my faith.
Instead, I felt a bit cheated by Channel 4 as some so-called expert spent an hour blaming christianity for the jews' problems over the last 2000 years. Some of this guy's remarks were just so inaccurate, such as Paul the Apostle having a vested interest in slandering the jews - the guy was jewish himself let us not forget! And as for the assertion that the jews were to be punished for crucifying Jesus, nowhere in the NT does it say this! In contrast, Jesus himself focussed his efforts on Jews first, Gentiles second - after his death, his disciples worked initially only on spreading the word to fellow jews and it wasn't until God told Peter in a vision that they began opening up the message of salvation to the Gentiles.
Basically, what I'm saying is, watching last night's tosh won't give you a clearer understanding of what christianity is, tainted as it was by one man's blatant bias and deliberate ignorance of the facts.
Sunday, April 27
Faith
In case anyone reads this, and I appreciate my audience isn't exactly large, I think its important that I share with you the message brought by Pete the pastor at my church today.
Its a very 'New Testament' church I go to: what does that mean? That'd really deserve its own post, but in short, its about following Jesus and sticking closely to the divine word of God as found in your common-or-garden bible (irony intended, of course the bible isn't exactly a common book). So its about being filled with the Spirit of God, aka the Holy Spirit, and about putting complete faith in the Son of Man who died to save us.
Anyway, today's sermon - all about being 'in Christ'. Whilst I had a vague idea what this meant, I was blown away by the fuller meaning behind the words. Pete described it in 3 elements:
i. where he is, so we are also.
In other words, we are located next to God, not so much physically (obviously) but in the more important, eternal way. The reality around us, of a world with bills to pay, kids going hungry, pain, suffering, is not permanent, it will fade away and be no more; however, who of us can completely ignore the physical situation and focus entirely on the eternal, the infinite? Never mind, that is what we should focus on, since as a believer in Christ, we are also in the presence of God, not cut off from him - how should we respond to this? By starting to live like we belong to the eternal kingdom and not bothering to lose sleep over the worries of this world.
ii. his relationship to God becomes our relationship to God.
Galations 3:26-27 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ, for all of you were baptised with Christ and have clothed yourself with Christ.
Wow! How about God being as accessible to us as he is to Jesus!? Wow, yes please!
iii. what he inherits, we inherit.
Jesus has been declared as inheriting all the world - God has already given it to his Son. As co-heirs of God, we will also inherit the 'remade' creation and will take our places alongside Jesus. Flippin' heck! When this 'shadow' of a world has gone, we will be 'remade' in glory and set alongside Jesus.
Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will open - God is there, if you want to find him, you will.
Its a very 'New Testament' church I go to: what does that mean? That'd really deserve its own post, but in short, its about following Jesus and sticking closely to the divine word of God as found in your common-or-garden bible (irony intended, of course the bible isn't exactly a common book). So its about being filled with the Spirit of God, aka the Holy Spirit, and about putting complete faith in the Son of Man who died to save us.
Anyway, today's sermon - all about being 'in Christ'. Whilst I had a vague idea what this meant, I was blown away by the fuller meaning behind the words. Pete described it in 3 elements:
i. where he is, so we are also.
In other words, we are located next to God, not so much physically (obviously) but in the more important, eternal way. The reality around us, of a world with bills to pay, kids going hungry, pain, suffering, is not permanent, it will fade away and be no more; however, who of us can completely ignore the physical situation and focus entirely on the eternal, the infinite? Never mind, that is what we should focus on, since as a believer in Christ, we are also in the presence of God, not cut off from him - how should we respond to this? By starting to live like we belong to the eternal kingdom and not bothering to lose sleep over the worries of this world.
ii. his relationship to God becomes our relationship to God.
Galations 3:26-27 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ, for all of you were baptised with Christ and have clothed yourself with Christ.
Wow! How about God being as accessible to us as he is to Jesus!? Wow, yes please!
iii. what he inherits, we inherit.
Jesus has been declared as inheriting all the world - God has already given it to his Son. As co-heirs of God, we will also inherit the 'remade' creation and will take our places alongside Jesus. Flippin' heck! When this 'shadow' of a world has gone, we will be 'remade' in glory and set alongside Jesus.
Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will open - God is there, if you want to find him, you will.
Sunday, October 28
Believe
Not a lot of belief around these days, so the institutions would have us think. That's belief in the religious sense, not 'self belief' or 'political belief': no I'm thinking about the really important kind of belief that we're told is missing.
Apparently approx 50% of New Zealanders count themselves as christians, according to Gareth Newman who was speaking at Kings Church today. But of the overall Kiwi population only 1% would see themselves as falling into the evangelical or charismatic camp! I thought the number would be low, but THAT low???
Ok, so perhaps 50% of Kiwis won't be completely shut off from God come the day of reckoning, but maybe they also won't be inside the Pearly Gates either...
More to the point, I'm of the opinion that knowing the Holy Spirit before you pass away is a pretty cool thing, which is what's happening for me thank God. Its funny how most people just think religion is some dead past-time for those who can't cope or haven't the nouse to think for themselves - well that's total bollox, I'm pleased to say!
After a point on the christian road, you either accept the signs, experiences and messages that have taken place and apply to you and you alone, or you reject them and keep Jesus outside in the cold. Let each man make up his own mind - hey you've probably got a pretty good grip on things already eh?
Bet you've no idea what most of it means though, have you?
Apparently approx 50% of New Zealanders count themselves as christians, according to Gareth Newman who was speaking at Kings Church today. But of the overall Kiwi population only 1% would see themselves as falling into the evangelical or charismatic camp! I thought the number would be low, but THAT low???
Ok, so perhaps 50% of Kiwis won't be completely shut off from God come the day of reckoning, but maybe they also won't be inside the Pearly Gates either...
More to the point, I'm of the opinion that knowing the Holy Spirit before you pass away is a pretty cool thing, which is what's happening for me thank God. Its funny how most people just think religion is some dead past-time for those who can't cope or haven't the nouse to think for themselves - well that's total bollox, I'm pleased to say!
After a point on the christian road, you either accept the signs, experiences and messages that have taken place and apply to you and you alone, or you reject them and keep Jesus outside in the cold. Let each man make up his own mind - hey you've probably got a pretty good grip on things already eh?
Bet you've no idea what most of it means though, have you?
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