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Continue reading →: Bible heroes weren’t all moral modelsThe 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…
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Continue reading →: Two Women, Two Stories: The Challenge of Jesus to Jewish Purity CultureMany 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…
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Continue reading →: A prayer for Australia DayPrayer 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…
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Continue reading →: From the Eastern Mountains: A Poem by Godfrey ThringFrom the eastern mountains by 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…
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Continue reading →: Calling the quarters for AdventHills 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…
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Continue reading →: Let’s Talk About Power: Domination Verses EmpowermentChristians, 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…
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Continue reading →: A prayer for living the gospelFrom 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…
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Continue reading →: Divinity and Gender in ChristianityI’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…
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Continue reading →: Sick of Political Correctness?I find myself disturbed when my efforts to exercise discipline over how I speak to others, and about others, is casually dismissed as “political correctness”. The brother of Jesus did after all urge us to tame our tongues. He wrote, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and…
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