The problem with Judeo-Christian values

By Rod Benson Is there such a thing as Judeo-Christian valuesโ€? The term โ€œJudeo-Christianโ€ is a relatively modern expression. Judaism and Christianity are distinct religious traditions, and political appeals to โ€œJudeo-Christian valuesโ€ may obscure their differences or distinguish supposedly authentic members of Western society from outsiders. Yet it does not follow that Judaism and Christianity …

The vocation and mission of Jesus

The Hebrew Bible contains hints, types, allusions and prophecies relating to Jesus, but the New Testament is filled with references to Jesus, stories told by Jesus, wonders performed by him, and summaries of his teaching. The New Testament identifies Jesus as a carpenter and a teacher. He was raised in a poor Jewish home and, …

Who was Arthur Stace? Part 1

A diminutive figure crouches on the pavement in pre-dawn darkness, his right arm moving in rhythmic jerks. He stands, looks around, and moves on. Dressed in a black lounge suit and tie, with an overcoat over his left arm, his hat all but obscures a face like a character from a gritty Graham Greene novel. …

Vocation and the way of Jesus

Jorge Cocco, "Go and do likewise (the Good Samaritan)." Oil on canvas. In my last post, I discussed the universality of vocation and suggested thatย vocation is โ€œthe place where your deepest gladness meets the worldโ€™s deepest need.โ€[1]ย Here, I want to focus on โ€œChristianโ€ vocation and the thought of theologian Jรผrgen Moltmann. Those who follow the …

Why am I here? Thoughts on vocation

Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church, discussing his book, The Purpose Driven Life. I work at the Donald Robinson Library, the centrepiece of Sydneyโ€™s Moore Theological College. Near the front doors to the Library is a glass-wrapped display case that often shows rare items from the Samuel Marsden Archives, another hidden jewel of the Anglican …