This weeks column in Christian Today – for the original click here – The Religious Thought Police Are Here The Saudi religious police, like their Iranian equivalents, have a duty of Hisbah, enjoining good and preventing wrong. To many Western eyes it seems, and is, an authoritarian attempt to enforce doctrine and practice. It could never happen here – or could it? Last week I was … Continue reading The Religious Thought Police are Here
A couple of weeks ago we had our ‘Decades in Dundee’ event…Over the next few weeks I will post up the interviews we had during that. We begin with the wonderful Jim Spence – BBC sports reporter – to me the essence of Dundee. He has some fascinating insights…. Enjoy… From Dundee to Down-Under Continue reading Decades in Dundee – Part 1 – Jim Spence Talks about Football, Dundee and Faith
This week’s Quantum marks a change in how we do things. We will continue to look at what is going on in the world; the good, the bad and the ugly – but there is a danger that just pointing things out can leave one with a sense of despair and turn into a kind of rant about how we are all doomed! I don’t … Continue reading Quantum of Hope 42 – An Apology and a Change; Entertainment; Politics; Religious Freedom; Christian Humanism; Education; Poverty; Leonard Cohen
This is a panel discussion led by William Edgar and with yours truely and Wayne Grudem. It was entitled “As Christians How Do We Respond to the Gay Marriage Debate?” It took place at the FOCL in Poland. I hope you find it helpful… Why Is Secularism Becoming More Aggressive? The Tatchell Debate on Same Sex Marriage Continue reading How Should Christians Respond to the Same Sex Marriage Debate? With Wayne Grudem and William Edgar
Book – The Lost Message of Paul – Steve Chalke I have just finished a review copy of this book. I will be writing an article and a fuller review later on. Suffice it to say that if I had any hope that Steve Chalke would reverse his turning away from Christianity – they have been dashed. This is a better-written work than his previous…but … Continue reading Saturday Review 14 – The Lost Message of Paul; Owen Vol 10: Letters that Changed the World; Silly Wizard; Line of Duty; Castlehill Restaurant
Book – Pensees – Pascal – 9/10 What can one say about this classic book? This is so good I am tempted to learn French just to read the author in his original language! For those who don’t know this is a collection of philosophical fragments, note and essays. It is personal and deep and profoundly biblical and Christian – although very grounded in the … Continue reading Saturday Review 13 ; Pascal; Nine Marks of a Healthy Church; Romans 12; Nick Robinson; Love Over Gold; The Flame Tree Cafe
Book – Milton Complete English Poems – 10/10 This is my favourite book of poetry. The Everyman edition is itself a work of beauty, fit for such beautiful poetry. Milton is a key writer in the development of English. His style, breadth of knowledge, intelligence, beauty and biblical grasp combine to make deep, beautiful and profound works of art. There are a variety of poems, … Continue reading Saturday Review 12 – John Milton; Titania McGarth; Marilynne Robinson; Melvyn Bragg on Tyndale; Quillette; Tim Shipman; The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind; Australia with Julia Bradbury; Runrig
After writing about my hopes of going to Australia Transported to Australia – Article in Evangelicals Now I was sent this link about Mark Driscoll speaking to the Australians in Sydney on the subject of evangelism in 2008. It is a fascinating document because I think it is a great lesson in how NOT to speak prophetically into a situation you do not know. As it … Continue reading Deconstructing Driscoll – Lessons for American, Australian and UK Church Cultures.
Last week I was not able to do the review – mainly because I was in hospital. This week I have a few books that I have just finished. Book – Can We Trust the Gospels? – 7/10 This is a much-needed book from Peter J Williams, the principal of Tyndale House. It is short (140 ages) and somewhat detailed and technical for some. However … Continue reading Saturday Review 10 – Can We Trust the Gospels? Killing Fields, Living Fields; Daily Readings – the Early Church Fathers; Romans 11 – To God’s Glory; Coffee House Shots; The Towering Inferno; The Ghost of Tom Joad
Rather than the Saturday review I am putting up this article which has just been published on Premier Christianity. I am doing this because it is of direct relevance to yesterdays Quantum where all three cases are mentioned and because for me this is an even more important issue than Brexit. Also by the time you read this I will be in hospital, hopefully recovering … Continue reading Jordan Peterson, Caroline Farrow, Jayne Ozanne and the death of free speech
