Phillip Jensen teases out the true nature of Christian freedom. There are two kinds of freedom. Christian freedom is the freedom to be a servant of others (Gal 5:13)—the freedom to do what I don't like. But the freedom that allows me to do whatever I want is not Christian
The word ‘Torah’ (which is what the Jews call the first five books of the Bible) means ‘instruction, regulation or law’. It occurs throughout key passages in Leviticus (e.g. Lev 6:14, 25; 7:1, 7, 11, 37). Leviticus follows Exodus 40, where Moses sets up the tabernacle according to God's instructions
Church government, with its talk of elders, deacons, overseers and offices, can be bewildering. But as Steve Cree argues, perhaps that’s because we’ve lost sight of the mission of Christ. Have you ever noticed the defining factor in most denominational names—Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Congregational, Pentecostal, Independent? It’s a particular understanding
Guan’s story so far in four sentences: Guan likes self-deprecation, but isn’t very good at it. He is ever so slightly obsessive about his iTunes collection, he is married to M,1 and at the time of writing (2008), he has just started ministry training (MTS) at the University of New
I am one of the few who doesn't regularly follow the worldwide hit show 24. My days are certainly not as action-packed as Jack Bauer's. But I know that Bauer's work isn't as important as what I've been involved in over the last 24 hours of my life. Here are
“Did you want to ask any questions?” It’s mid-afternoon and I am sitting with Jason[1. Not his real name.] in the visitors’ courtyard of Villawood Detention Centre, Sydney, Australia. Boxes of Thai food grow cold on the table. Behind us, two Africans share a cigarette by the play equipment; beyond
Oblivious I learned to pray mnemonically. From repetition, songs and games, I learned to speak about God with big words and concepts. At a young age, I memorized almost the entire script of the Roman Catholic Mass—even the priest’s words. My friends and I played ‘pretend church’, and took turns
I want to be frank with you, so I'm just going to say it. I don't want any argument, okay? There is nothing—repeat, nothing—more boring on television or radio than shows about gardening. If you disagree with me, then I'm sorry, but you just need to be corrected.There is only
I have a friend who has an adolescent daughter. Surprisingly, there are moments when the relationship is more rocky road than dairy milk, if you follow me. As he described his current set of frustrations, it suddenly occurred to me that adolescence is the new black. Here are the two
Most of us evangelicals know that we’re not brought into God’s presence by singing songs over and over again until our eyes roll into the backs of our heads. And we know we’re not brought into God’s presence by sitting in a stone building with colourful windows. Instead, most of