By definition, paradoxes appear self-contradictory and untrue at first, but in the end can been seen to maintain a logical and practical truth. The Christian faith contains a number of paradoxes. This has prompted some theologians to go to extremes in revelling in paradoxes. For example, Kierkegaard and Bonhoeffer could …
There is much debate in the modern church about what exactly is her mission. Often the answer that is given is not so much wrong as lop-sided, and exaggerated implications and conclusions are drawn from that. There are probably three main views: the Church exists to glorify God; the Church …
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law (Galatians 4:4-5a).
About the year A.D. 525 the abbot Dionysius Exiguus worked out the system of computing history with which we have …
There is surely a peace to be found in knowing what we cannot know. The Bible is the final and complete Word of God, but it does not tell us everything that we often want to know about living as a Christian. That is how God has planned that our …
At first glance it is somewhat surprising – and at second glance rather disconcerting – how often the Bible expects us to know certain things. It will say ‘we know’ as though it can be assumed that we do indeed know, or it will ask ‘do you not know?’ regarding …
Recently I went to visit the exhibition entitled ‘The Mad Square: Modernity in German Art 1910-37’, shown at the Art Gallery of NSW. I never expected to enjoy it; I was more interested in it in terms of social history than art. It must be clear that the decadence of …
There can be no arguing with Mark Dever’s comment that this is an age of ‘commitment-phobia’. Voluntary associations are in sad decline, and people in general feel free to commit or not to commit, as they are inclined. This is even true of marriage. To Dever, church membership is a …
When I was involved in the dispute over the banning of corporal discipline in schools, I was once asked by the Melbourne radio announcer, Derryn Hinch, to be interviewed. I consented, and he rang and launched into his first question: ‘Do you think that Jesus went around Jerusalem bashing children?’ …
Of all the practices in the Christian life, prayer is surely one of the most difficult. If one has thirty minutes at one’s disposal, it is far easier to preach than to pray. John ‘Rabbi’ Duncan was asked on one occasion to lead family worship, and prayed at very great …
Rev Dr Peter Barnes & Mustafa Arja debate: Was Paul the Founder of Christianity? Videos from the debate can be viewed by clicking here. …
