Commentary piece from the Times today by Robert Crompton:
Wrong sighs
I do love a Christmas carol, the tunes, naturally, but also the words, so much more optimistic than the doom-laden death-cult lyrics served up in many hymns the rest of the year. Except the last verse of We Three Kings, an otherwise jaunty number, is always a bit of a downer, especially when sung by some adorable kid with her whole life ahead of her: “Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume/ Breathes of life of gathering gloom/ Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying/ Sealed in a stone-cold tomb.” Crikey, cheers for that.
When is the penny going to drop with Christianity? Death, martyrdom, suffering, pain, loss, blood, these are not concepts with which any brand would want to be identified. If that’s the core of your message, no wonder you’ve got a problem.
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Monday, 9 March 2009
Pastor shot as he preached in US
The Times has the story of the murder of Pastor Fred Winters in America yesterday, shot as he preached, you can read it here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article5872418.ece
Mark Driscoll has given some thought to the lessons we ought to learn from it, though obviously in a US setting over at The Resurgence Blog: http://theresurgence.com/church_shooting
It would be good and right to pray for Pastor Winters young family, his wife and two girls, and the members of First Baptist Church Maryville.
Mark Driscoll has given some thought to the lessons we ought to learn from it, though obviously in a US setting over at The Resurgence Blog: http://theresurgence.com/church_shooting
It would be good and right to pray for Pastor Winters young family, his wife and two girls, and the members of First Baptist Church Maryville.
Monday, 14 January 2008
Already defeated
It saddened me last week to read of a Theological college being taken to court by a former lecturer for unfair dismissal and by the news that the matter will go before an employment tribunal.
It saddened me most because it means we are utterly defeated, why do I say that? Because that is what Paul says to the Corinthians: "The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?"
It saddens me because the name of Christ is done down in the eyes of the world. I don't want to comment on the specifics because we only know what is reported. But how should we respond to those who ask us about this? To those we say it proves Christians are hypocrites?
Firstly I think we want to say what it proves is that all have sinned. It proves that no-one is perfect, and that includes us.
Secondly, it proves that we all need grace, we all need God's forgiveness, God giving us what we don't deserve which he does in Christ.
Thirdly, it proves that knowledge never removes the need for repentance.
Christians are just sinners saved by grace.
It saddened me most because it means we are utterly defeated, why do I say that? Because that is what Paul says to the Corinthians: "The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?"
It saddens me because the name of Christ is done down in the eyes of the world. I don't want to comment on the specifics because we only know what is reported. But how should we respond to those who ask us about this? To those we say it proves Christians are hypocrites?
Firstly I think we want to say what it proves is that all have sinned. It proves that no-one is perfect, and that includes us.
Secondly, it proves that we all need grace, we all need God's forgiveness, God giving us what we don't deserve which he does in Christ.
Thirdly, it proves that knowledge never removes the need for repentance.
Christians are just sinners saved by grace.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)