The Courier and other newspapers have recently run main articles on the continuing decline of the Church of Scotland. For example this one about the possible closure of Brechin cathedral – where the attendances are dreadful. Today’s Courier has another report in the same vein. With some suggested solutions from Life and Work. The media are reporting the situation correctly – the Church of Scotland … Continue reading Re-branding the Church of Scotland
Cycling home last night I received a phone call from a journalist who wanted to ask my views on a story he was covering. When he told me the story I had to stop before I fell off my bike. Could you repeat that? He did. This is the story. HIDE YOUR CROSSES AND BIBLES Watchdog’s warning that Christian symbols on display at funerals could … Continue reading Hide Your Crosses and Bibles – How Equality leads to the removal of public Christianity.
This is an interview I did with The Australian Church Record – you can get the original by clicking here I learned a great deal when in Sydney and I hope that some of this is helpful to the church – wherever you are! The ACR was privileged to hear from David Robertson, author of The Dawkins Letters and blogger at TheWeeFlea.com, on his recent visit to … Continue reading Reflections on Sydney Anglicanism – An Interview with the Australian Church Record
One of my ambitions has been achieved….I finally have an article published in my favourite magazine – The Spectator – or at least I have one published in the online Australian edition. I wrote this on the plane back from Sydney. Please do feel free to click on the link and add to the discussion if you wish. From a home of the enlightenment to one … Continue reading The Future of the West – Final Ozzie Observations – Article in the Australian Spectator
Brothers and Sisters, As you may be aware Vicky Beeching is currently doing the circuit in the UK and the US promoting her book Undivided. (See my review here) Undivided – An Open Letter to Vicky Beeching Many in the church and in the wider culture are lauding her. For example the blurb on her book cover includes this hyperbole from The Guardian. “Beeching is arguably the … Continue reading An Open Letter to the Evangelical Church about Vicky Beeching and ‘Gay Christianity’
One of the great things about going to Brisbane and Queensland Theological College was meeting one of the lecturers Mark Baddeley – he is a stimulating and fascinating person with a great deal to teach. I loved his interview technique and his ability to push back. Here is a short video they made of a discussion we had. Enjoy… Ozzie Observations – Week 9 – … Continue reading Evangelism in Todays Culture – Interview with Mark Baddeley
This weeks Ecclesiastes article on Christian Today One rotten apple spoils the barrel. One badly behaved child can disrupt a whole class. One abusive clergyman can harm a whole church. One dead fly ruins perfume. Solomon having told us about the necessity of wisdom then goes on to explain how a little foolishness can harm life. (Ecclesiastes 10:1-11). Pixabay A Little Folly — verse 2. The heart of … Continue reading Ecclesiastes 10: The Stench of Folly and the Perfume of Christ
John Calvin argued that of all the gifts God has given us – music is the most powerful. Churches have spent a great deal of time discussing the role of music in public praise. However when we discuss the more general role of music in society, it is often in a condemnatory way. Is there such a thing as Christian music? What does secular music … Continue reading Persuasive Music
When it became clear that the death warrant for hundreds of thousands of Irish babies was about to be signed, it broke my heart. When I saw the grotesque pictures of people dancing in the streets in celebration it was like a scene out of Dante’s Inferno. My article yesterday Ireland Regresses; Sunday, Bloody Sunday has been widely circulated and got the predictable response – although with … Continue reading The Irish Referendum – the Repercussions
Before I go on to share the article I wrote for Christian Today I have to share from a really heavy heart. This has turned out to be far more significant than I thought. I listened to a man who denies the Gospel, preach a Gospel that was no gospel at all and wrote an article about it. As a result I received a barrage … Continue reading The Wedding, the Sermon and the Reaction – Article on Christian Today
