It is an interesting comment on the changes in society that Ed Balls (the government minister with responsibility for schools) chooses to criticise the Conservative Party's plans to give tax breaks for married couples as "unfair" and amounting to "social engineering".Whatever one thinks about the Conservative Party's plans it is a fascinating snapshot into our... Continue Reading →
IBS STL update
I know many of you have been following this on other blogs but the situation now seems to be as follows: Authentic Music based in Milton Keynes has been bought by Kingsway Communications operating from Eastbourne. Authentic Book Publishing and 8 Wesley Owen Stores (Bath Birmingham, Bristol, Bromley, Coleraine, Derby, Glasgow and York ) have... Continue Reading →
Advent: living patiently in a world of impatience
I sometimes use video clips in preaching; searching for something suitable for advent I came across this by Stanley Hauerwas here. I'm not sure if I could use it, though the idea of sharing Hauerwas with the congregation is attractive.
Is big church good or bad?
Most years I try to watch the main party leaders speeches so this afternoon has seen me watching David Cameron’s speech to the Conservative Party Conference. Leaving aside the contrast from last week, dour liberal Presbyterian to new church leader who hasn’t yet mastered hermeneutics, I found myself wondering….. In many church conversations there... Continue Reading →
Misc musings
The slacker summer pace gives opportunity for catching up with various things and preparing for the autumn; which will include a sermon series based from Proverbs called ‘wisdom for living’. I’ve read the latest instalment of Willow Creek’s reveal series in the last couple of days. ‘Follow me’ follows on from the previous research Willow... Continue Reading →
It’s all in Plato of course…….
"It's all in Plato of course, bless me what do they teach them in those schools" is a quote which has appealed to me for some while (Lord Digory in C S Lewis The Last Battle).So I note with interest that one university plan MA course in Rhetoric (here) though whether the media department have... Continue Reading →
Christian engagement with global finance
It isn't the quickest read (unless you jump to the conclusion at the end) but here is the Pope's recent reflections on questions surrounding the global economic 'crisis'.As Robert Peston of the BBC puts it, "If you're in the mood for reading about how the capitalist system is unjust and needs radical reform, that's where you... Continue Reading →
Science and religion
Interesting piece in the guardian online about science and relegion. (here) My knowledge of scientific history is woeful but my I suspect his basis thesis, that science and Christianity have got along fine, works.
Obama’s speech at Notre Dame
Another interesting piece from Associated Baptist Press in the US. This time looking at aspects of Obama's speech (Here)If you missed the news reports here is the BBC's (Here)
Darwin and the deity
I recognise that the last desperate strategy of the uninspired blogger is to post links to other blogs but this one is worth a read by anyone interested in the debate about Darwin. Here
Distinct Reflections 