If you didn't see Dr. Who last Saturday (24th September), you should visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0156hh8/Doctor_Who_Series_6_Closing_Time/ before it's too late. It was a classic story - plenty of thrills, plenty of laughs - and contained one of the best escapes ever.
The Doctor was stuck fast in the grip of a cyberman, and Craig (his companion of the moment) was in the process of being converted into a cyberman. Only one thing could save them, and neither of them knew what it was.
In the end, the most powerful force in the universe was unleashed by a cry of distress from the most helpless person in the entire programme, and it made all the difference. It was as if Craig had read Philippians 2.5!
In case you were wondering, I don't really believe in cybermen. I do, however, believe that Philippians 2.5-8 is one of the most important declarations of the Christian way of life. What do you think?
Monday, 26 September 2011
Monday, 12 September 2011
More a set of guidelines, really.
The quotation is from 'Pirates of the Caribbean', and is the excuse given to Elizabeth Swann by the pirates who refuse to help her rescue her friends. Does the gospel lay moral requirements upon us, which we ignore at our peril, or is it (like the Pirates' Code) 'more a set of guidelines'?
Perhaps another question lies behind this. Is Christian faithfulness motivated by the thought of eternal rewards and punishments, or by the conviction that a Christian life is the best of all possible lives?
Perhaps another question lies behind this. Is Christian faithfulness motivated by the thought of eternal rewards and punishments, or by the conviction that a Christian life is the best of all possible lives?
Sunday, 4 September 2011
Restorative Justice
How should we treat offenders who refuse our attempts at reconciliation? Like pagans and tax collecters, according to Matthew's version of the gospel. How did Matthew understand this? Some Christian communities have practised a fearful regime of 'shunning' those who step out of line, but there is another possibility.
Traditionally, Matthew was himself a tax collecter. Perhaps this part of the gospel that bears his name should be understood as an encouragement to look more generously upon unpopular members of society. Who are today's outcasts? Is our treatment of them in any sense Christ-like?
Traditionally, Matthew was himself a tax collecter. Perhaps this part of the gospel that bears his name should be understood as an encouragement to look more generously upon unpopular members of society. Who are today's outcasts? Is our treatment of them in any sense Christ-like?
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)