“Growth in grace as a control belief for theological method,” paper presented to the Commission on Christian Ethics, Baptist World Alliance, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, 2 Jul 2013. “Challenges and opportunities facing Australian voters at the 2013 federal election,” keynote address to Christian Democratic Party National Conference, Merroo NSW, 11 Aug 2012. “Bioethics and Scripture in …
How to be like God
Ephesians 4:32-5:2 New Year’s resolutions: one of those things that always looks better in prospect than in hindsight, like over-indulgent desserts, or mothers-in-law. How many of you made resolutions this New Year’s Eve? Last year? Did you keep them? I am reminded of a woman concerned about her weight: Five years ago: I will get …
Ten words at Christmas
Yesterday was Christmas Day and I thought I'd go to a church service close to where I'm holidaying in Brisbane, Australia. Responding to a text message from my 16-year-old son giving me the start time, I turned up to Unnamed Baptist Church on time, alone, in a car emblazoned with bright yellow interstate number plates, …
The heart of Christian ethics
Galatians 5:1-6 One of the temptations I face is that of reading fascinating blog posts, often work-related, at the expense of other important intellectual tasks. Last year I limited my blog browsing, but one blog I continue to find very rewarding and challenging is by Scott Higgins, a fellow Baptist minister and Director of Community …
People should live in tents
Tonight someone (who shall remain nameless) asked me to argue the case that all people should live in tents. I won't go into what prompted the request, but I thought you'd like to hear my answer. Here it is: 1. It's for good reason that many ancient societies preferred tents to permanent dwellings. They allowed …
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