Archives: life
The servant’s paradox: Part I
Life
A paradox is where two things seem to be opposite, but you know they are both true. It’s a tension, a contradiction, an antimony (according to my thesaurus), a mystery. It’s the fact that too many cooks spoil the broth, but at the same time, many hands make light work. It’s the truth that he who hesitates is lost, but only a fool wouldn’t look before he leaps.
Godly grief
Life
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. (2 Cor 7:10)
Two kings
Opening and closing the door on grief
Life
When does life begin? The archbishop’s fiat
Life
We have recently witnessed the interesting spectacle of someone trying to justify a moral position purely on the basis of science, without reference to ethics or religion. Finding ‘viability’ to be a dubious basis for defining human life, Kristina Kerscher Keneally attempts a moral critique of embryonic stem-cell research, but without standing on traditional moral platforms:
When are we human? The dilemma of embryonic stem cell research
Life
Christian voices have been prominent in recent months over the issue of whether to allow scientific research to take place on stem cells. Megan Best, a doctor trained in bioethics, explains what is at stake.
Self-esteem and God’s esteem
Life
Why is a woman’s self-esteem often so low? How does knowing God help with this issue?
On her bestselling CD, Kasey Chambers sings: “Am I not pretty enough? Is my heart too broken? Do I cry too much? Am I too outspoken?” From the song’s popularity, she seems to have struck a chord with most women (probably a few men, too). We spend our whole lives thinking, “Am I acceptable? Why do people look right through me?”
Making Jews jealous: another look at Romans 9-11
Life
In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he says that he is not “ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile” (Rom 1:16). In what sense is the gospel “first for the Jew”? What does this mean for Christians today?
This present age: Our struggle not to covet
Life
Last month, Carmelina Read asked whether Christians were in any way distinct from the great Australian materialistic dream. In this article, Phillip Jensen challenges us to think this through in some particular areas of life: gambling, schooling and paying our clergy.
Dear Briefing: Bible translations
Life
In your Bible Brief notes, you recommend some unusual Bible translations. Why is this?
In an age of so many choices, what recommends one translation over another? And how do I work out whether the additional material offered by publishers (study notes, cross-references, maps, concordances, CD-ROMs, and so on) is a help or a hindrance to my understanding of God’s word?
Whatever happened to sacrifice?
Life
Not within cloistered walls,
Not in the peaceful glade,
Not in the sheltered home
‘Neath the trees’ spreading shade.
But on the mountain side,
Wind swept;
Crossing the desert bare,
Sun scorched;
Braving the torrent stream.
Flooded;
Out on the battlefield,
Bloody;
Unsheathed His sword.
Here I find my Lord.
Ten tips for frustrated servants
Life
One of the most common experiences in the life of Christian service is not love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, or any other fruit of the Spirit; it’s frustration. Sometimes this arises from ungodliness in the servant; sometimes it is a genuine response to a situation that makes you feel like crying out, “God, what are you doing here?”
The Travel Bug
Interchange, Life
Emma Thornett’s short piece on the pleasures and pitfalls of travel generated much discussion about how, whether and why Christians travel. Read responses from
Dear Briefing: Should Christians have children?
Life
Twenty years ago, many people got married and had kids, if not, got married to have kids, but these days people seem to shack up and have dogs. Should a Christian couple’s plans include children?
Why I hate pornography
Life
I hate pornography!
I hate it for all the sorts of reasons that you might have guessed. I hate the exploitation of women and the cheapening of sexuality. I hate the cheap label it places on love. I hate it because I love women—I have a mum and a sister; I have dear female friends and sisters in Christ; and if I can one day convince someone to marry an old sinner like me (25, single, good-looking, likes walking and romantic dinners), I will have a wife.