8. Struggling with God Genesis 32
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- Written by: Dale
- Category: Genesis 2011
{podcast id=183}
8. Struggling with God Genesis 32.22-32
Sermon preached at Christ the King Willetton on 31 July 2011
Jacob struggling with God. Fear and anxiety and the Lord who strives for Jacob
Disciple not Christian? 31 Jul 11
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- Written by: Dale
- Category: Weekly Reflections
Disciple not Christian?
Nicholas has summarised some of the latest thinking on how churches can express themselves in ways that will help them grow and function as real churches. Last week he mentioned the idea of discipleship, and wrote, “The words ‘Christian’ and “Disciple’ are synonymous in the Bible.”
Of course. But not now. Back then ‘disciple’ was the original term. They only started to use the term ‘Christian’ after it had been coined as a kind of nick-name. The only Christians were disciples. Nowadays ‘Christian’ can refer to almost anything. Even in the church.
‘Disciple’ is a good word to use. It is much more definitive. ‘Apprentice’ is probably a reasonable equivalent for us. ‘Disciple’ means ‘learner’ but in a certain sense. Not in the sense of someone who studies books, listens to lectures and passes exams, but in terms of someone who is taught how as well as what and why. A person apprenticed to Jesus.
7. Abraham: A new Beginning Gen 12-15
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- Written by: Dale
- Category: Genesis 2011
{podcast id=182}
7. Abraham: A new Beginning - Gen 12-15
Sermon preached at Christ the King Willetton on 3 July 2011
Bible Readings: Genesis 12.1-3; Psalm 105.1-15; Galatians 3.1-14; John 8.39-59
Abraham summoned and promised and believes and obeys. For whom is the Land, Descendants and Blessing of Abraham?
An Anglican History Part 2. The Church in the West before Augustine 3 July 11
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- Written by: Dale
- Category: Weekly Reflections
An Anglican History Part 2. The Church in the West before Augustine
[A fuller version of this article can be found here.]
In 312 Constantine adopted Christianity and in 324 became sole Emperor of the Roman empire.
Arianism and the Trinity
A dispute in Alexandria soon drew in the Emperor. A teacher in Alexandria called Arius said that the supreme God is one and that therefore Christ could not be eternal in the same way as God. His saying was, “There was when he was not.” Christ was not equal to the Father and had been created by the Father out of nothing, even though he was the highest of all God’s creatures.
Many in Alexandria supported him, but not the bishop. A council of bishops in Egypt condemned his teaching. The Emperor Constantine tried to stop this debate dividing the church and so causing trouble in the empire The Emperor called a Council at which he would preside – at Nicea
Read more: An Anglican History Part 2. The Church in the West before Augustine 3 July 11
6. Babel Genesis 11
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- Written by: Dale
- Category: Genesis 2011
{podcast id=181}
6. Babel Genesis 11
Sermon preached at Christ the King Willetton on 26 June 2011
(apologies for the audio)
Bible readings: Genesis 11.1-9; Psalm 2; Acts 2.5-12; John 10.14-18
Human plans for identity and security rather than God's plans and care. Sequel in Acts 2 and Acts 8
An Anglican History: Part 1. The Church in Britain before Augustine 26 June 11
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- Written by: Dale
- Category: Weekly Reflections
An Anglican History: Part 1. The Church in Britain before Augustine
Christians came to Britain from as early as 200AD. Some were traders and others were Roman soldiers. The first British martyr was Alban. He was a soldier who was converted after caring for a priest who was being persecuted. He later allowed the priest to escape and was killed himself. The traditional date of his death was thought to be about 304AD, in the time of the persecution under Diocletian, but recent research puts the date at 209 in the time of the Emperor Severus.
Although Augustine was the first Archbishop of Canterbury, a Celtic church had been in existence before Augustine arrived, and bishops from the church in Britain were present at the Council of Arles in 314.
In Ireland, especially, a strong intellectual life had been developing in monasteries.
Read more: An Anglican History: Part 1. The Church in Britain before Augustine 26 June 11
The Spirit in Indonesia 19 June 11
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- Written by: Dale
- Category: Weekly Reflections
The Spirit in Indonesia
Last weekend I was in Jakarta and met informally with some Indonesian church leaders. One described the difficulties of finding land and being able to build a centre for meetings and worship. Part of the difficulty was the high cost of land, part the difficulty of finding a location where the local residents would not object to the building. This particular church has been meeting for many years in a series of rented or borrowed buildings, moving from one to another and losing members each time they moved.
Another leader spoke about the peacefulness of the location of a theological college. Although set in the middle of a community of the majority faith, it nevertheless had good relations with its neighbours and continued its very valuable work unharmed so far.
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