-
Continue reading →: Priesthood as an outward orientationWhat is your understanding of priesthood? The other day I was reading “Did the First Christians Worship Jesus?” by James D.G. Dunn when I was stuck by this simple yet profound statement: “Paul describes his own ministry in characteristically priestly terms (Rom. 15.16), but by doing so he probably was not…
-
Continue reading →: Limits to war in the Old Testament“When you march up to attack a city, make its people an offer of peace … This is how you are to treat all the cities that are at a distance from you and do not belong to the nations nearby. However, in the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving…
-
Continue reading →: The Indian Art of Jamini RoyJesus Christ is crucified” by Jamini Roy Jamini Roy (1887-1972) was an influential (non-Christian) Indian artist who forged a style that was both Indian and avant garde, taking crude Kalighat Pat styles as his sources of inspiration. Although I find his art eye catching I can’t help but notice that, as with many…
-
Continue reading →: Why do Tea Party Christians idolize Ayn Rand?Wicasta Lovelace’s painting of the “The Crucifixion of Ayn Rand” juxtaposes Rand’s philosophy of selfishness with Christ’s act of selflessness. Could there be a greater contraction? Why yes, in real life. But while the intentional juxtaposition in this painting is something I can appreciate, how Tea Party Christians can idolize this…
-
Continue reading →: How Sovereign Are Our Emotions?Just because something feels right, does that make it right? How sovereign are our emotions? There are so many situations in which our culture urges us, “If it feels right, it probably is. So just go with it”. But is this always wise? Proverbs warns us, “For the lips of…
-
Continue reading →: The Alienated Church: This is for the Giger fans!To honour the passing of H. R. Giger, the artist who dreamed up the xenomorph from the Alien movies (amongst a host of other nasties) here are some Giger inspired church gargoyles. The first is from Paisley Abbey, Scotland. This church was built in the early 14th century. Many of…
-
Continue reading →: What Do Muslims Believe About Jesus?I recently asked a group of Muslims: “What do Muslims believe about Jesus?” The response I received was fascinating: “They believe he was born of the Virgin Mary, that he is a prophet of God, that he facilitated miracles, that he was not crucified, that he ascended to Heaven, that…
-
Continue reading →: Kufi CrossKufic or Kufi is one of the oldest calligraphic forms of Arabic script. You may have seen it in Muslim art. This cross, by Lebanese Christian Arabic calligrapher named Istfén, is made in the geometic kufi style. Dated 1995.
-
Continue reading →: Can we understand power in a more Christlike way?I don’t think we should define God according to how we understand power. I think we should define power according to how we understand God. If God is understood as an enforcer – as an enraged tyrant or dispassionate observer – this leads to one understanding of power. If God is…
-
Continue reading →: What is the Best English Translation of the Quran?I recent asked the following question of some Muslims, “What is the best English language translation of the Quran for the non-Muslim to begin with and why?” The recommendations I received were multiple, but almost always they included the translation by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, for the stated reason that his…
Curious Christian
Exploring life, art, spirituality, and the way of Jesus
Art Atheist Australian Bible Books Buddhist Celtic Christian Christmas Church Contextualisation Diversity Faith Gatherings God Hindu Jesus Justice Leaders Love Magic Meditation Mission Money Movies Muslim Mystery Nature Pagan Peace Poetry Politics Prayer Psychology Revelation Salvation Seasons Sexuality Sin Symbols Technology Violence War Women Worship
Curious Christian 