I have been interested in Christian pacifism for quite some time. Jumped on board when I first heard about it, actually. The idea that Christians should be committed to a non-violent way of life because Jesus was non-violent was, and still is, a no-brainer. I suppose what I mean is that I was already a … More Pacifism…s
Isn’t it quite something That something came from nothing? That nothing could do something To make it all appear! But let me tell you something: Nothing can do nothing! We all have come from something – Ain’t that a quaint idea? So lay the heavy burden Of proof upon the person Who in some strange … More Nothing (A poem)
Is it true to say – I hope it’s not rude to say – by which I mean I hope it’s not too over-generalising to say – but is it true to say that the older generation today tends to see the world as it saw its television sets: black and white; I’m sure I’m right … More We see the world through television sets
I’m an evangelical charismatic Christian in a theological tradition that has been termed ‘Relational’ and that broadly sympathises with views both in the Arminian-Wesleyan tradition and in the Open Theist camp. I have a high view of the church. I believe in God-breathed Scripture and read it with a Christocentric hermeneutic. I greatly appreciate the … More On not knowing it all, and resisting labels
I mentioned recently that I’m reading Pat Pattison’s book Writing Better Lyrics. One of the exercises he recommends doing is a 10-minute exercise known as ‘object writing’. You take an object, and ‘dive in’ to its ‘sense-world’ – what are the sights, sounds, smells, feels, physical responses, etc., that are associated with that thing, in particular, … More 10-minute Object Writing Exercise for 25 April
And Jesus said to them, “…whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one…” They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.” (Luke 22:35-38) If Jesus’ affirmation that two swords were enough was meant to be a call to armed resistance now for the … More On Luke 22:35-38 and armed resistance
Poetry has always been the means by which human beings have creatively expressed that which is outside ordinary everyday speech. ‘Poetry’ in this sense encompasses poetry as we know it, but also plays, songs, and even some forms of prose; anything which seeks to use metaphors and similes, symbolism and imagery, hyperbole, creative contrast, rhyme, … More Theology and Poetry
I’ve just finished listening to the latest edition of Unbelievable, on the above subject. Representing the ‘Yes’ campaign, Joseph Cummings. ‘No’, Nabeel Qureshi. This was definitely one of the best recent episodes; the dialogue was respectful and enjoyable. The conversation hovered around the issue of what we would say about Judaism for longer than I liked. (The … More Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God?
I’m reading Pat Pattison’s wonderful book, Writing Better Lyrics. One of the many, many great things about this book is its inclusion of useful exercises to do as you go along. I have devotedly set aside a notebook for the purpose; it lives with this book, getting pig-eared and dog-chewed as I read and re-read … More Lyric writing: A window on a coffee shop
Or, “A helpful guide to the meaning of Bible translation acronyms” If you’re a newcomer to the world of the Bible and in particular are baffled, befuddled or generally bamboozled by the multitudinous proliferation of Bible translations out there (meaning: there are lots and you don’t know what they’re all about), then you’ve come to … More What does “NIV” stand for?
Ben David Trigg 