A brighter dawn is breaking Percy Dearmer (1867-1936) A brighter dawn is breaking,and earth with praise is waking;for thou, O King most highest,the power of death defiest; And thou hast come victorious,with risen body glorious,who now for ever livest,and life abundant givest. O free the world from blindness,and fill the world with kindness,give sinners resurrection,bring … Continue reading An old hymn for Resurrection Sunday
A most Motherly Father
Although YHWH is never directly addressed as Mother in the Bible, YHWH is certainly presented as a most MOTHERLY Father on quite a few occasions (e.g. Isa 42:14, Isa 49:14–15, and Isa 66:12–13). We should never be misled into thinking God has anything less than the full complement of feminine and masculine attributes. After all, … Continue reading A most Motherly Father
Disempowered by dualistic thinking
I don’t think it’s helpful to view opponents (dare I say enemies?) in dualistic terms. Framing conflicts in terms of good people versus bad people is disempowering in many ways. It downplays the possibility that your opponents can change. It also downplays the probability that you’re not as different to them as you’d like to … Continue reading Disempowered by dualistic thinking
How to accommodate racism
How to accommodate racism within Christianity? It can be accomplished by adding things to scripture, sure, but it’s much more effectively accomplished by taking things away. People don’t notice that as much. Rather than twisting the story of the curse of Ham into a justification for enslaving blacks, as more open racists are inclined towards, … Continue reading How to accommodate racism
Bible heroes weren’t all moral models
The problem with using the Old Testament stories as morality tales is that even the best of the patriarchs, judges, and kings had serious character flaws. The most obvious example is King David, who, despite his outstanding faith amongst the kings, nevertheless committed rape and murder. If anything these stories show us the pervasiveness of … Continue reading Bible heroes weren’t all moral models
Two women in need
Many of the gospel stories have subtexts that will remain hidden to the reader without proper attention to Jewish symbolism. A good example is found in the threefold account of the two women in need from Mark 5:21-43. It begins with a father, Jarius, seeking help from Jesus for his dying daughter. Jesus sets out … Continue reading Two women in need
A prayer for Australia Day
Prayer for January 26th written by Rev Katherine Rainger Before you our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, We remember that we stand on holy ground We acknowledge the stories of this land We acknowledge the peoples of this land We acknowledge the lore of this land We acknowledge the languages of this land We acknowledge that … Continue reading A prayer for Australia Day
Journeying with the Magi
From the eastern mountains Godfrey Thring (1823-1903) From the eastern mountainspressing on they come,wise men in their wisdom,to his humble home;stirred by deep devotion,hasting from afar,ever journeying onward,guided by a star. There their Lord and Saviourmeek and lowly lay,wondrous light that led themonward on their way,ever now to lightennations from afar,as they journey homewardby that … Continue reading Journeying with the Magi
Calling the quarters for Advent
Hills of the North, Rejoice Charles Ernest Oakley (1832-1865) Hills of the North, rejoice,river and mountain-spring,hark to the advent voice;valley and lowland, sing.Christ comes in righteousness and love,he brings salvation from above. Isles of the Southern seas,sing to the listening earth,carry on every breezehope of a world's new birth:In Christ shall all be made anew,his … Continue reading Calling the quarters for Advent
Let’s talk about power
Christians, I think we need to have a talk about power, and in particular, the important distinction between domination and empowerment. Domination is power-taking, it works by crushing others down. The image that comes to mind is a black hole sun, that sucks up everything in its orbit. The second type is power-giving, especially to … Continue reading Let’s talk about power
A prayer for living the gospel
From the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council God of yesterday, today and tomorrow, we call to mind your presence within us and around us. Open our ears that we may hear your Word.Open our hearts that we may understand your Word.Open our mouths that we may speak your World. Inspire us with the Gospel message,that … Continue reading A prayer for living the gospel
Divinity and Gender in Christianity
I'd just like to float a few thoughts here related to divinity and gender in Christianity. Whilst I would affirm that God transcends gender, and assert such a view is completely biblical, based on texts like Genesis 1:27 and others, there's no denying that the bible uses masculine metaphors for God more often than feminine … Continue reading Divinity and Gender in Christianity
