Category Archives: Faith

The importance of being a miserable sinner! Part 3: The call to live up to a standard Society’s current difficulties partly arise because of the identity politics movements’ insistence that it is the categories of type of person that count rather than individual attributes of the person. So, against a historical backdrop of women, blackContinue reading “The importance of being a miserable sinner! Part 3”

The importance of being a miserable sinner! Part 2: The modern refusal to accept any criticism The modern ideology embraced by many people is very different. The emphasis seems to be on an assertion that I am completely alright as I am. Whatever I happen to be, then that is how I am meant toContinue reading “The importance of being a miserable sinner! Part 2”

The importance of being a miserable sinner! This week brings some theological reflection comparing the Christian view that we are sinners, loved by God, with the modern view that we must be considered absolutely right just as we are. 5 parts to come. (Note: when I say “miserable sinner” I mean it in the humorousContinue reading “The importance of being a miserable sinner! Part 1”

The goodness, truth, and love of the Christian life Part 4 I am struggling towards an understanding whereby it is not laughable to describe ourselves as perfect, or even reaching for perfection. However, we must acknowledge the reality of human nature with all it’s potential for glory and for shame. Nor are we trying toContinue reading “The goodness, truth, and love of the Christian life. Part 4”

The goodness, truth, and love of the Christian life Part 3 However, the desire for righteousness remains a true aim, but we rely on grace to attain it. Counter-intuitively, by not focussing on being righteous, but instead trusting in the grace of God shown to us in Jesus, the quality of relationship with God thatContinue reading “The goodness, truth, and love of the Christian life. Part 3”

The goodness, truth, and love of the Christian life Part 1 (An article in 4 parts this week exploring the Christian life. Alongside each part is a poem reflecting on some key aspects) Christian faith draws a life of goodness, truth and love within our reach. A life containing nothing tawdry, selfish, substandard or unworthy.Continue reading “The goodness, truth and love of the Christian life. Part 1”

Sin and freedom Part 2 If you don’t like the word “obey” then I agree with you; I don’t like it either, but after many years of trying to avoid this conclusion, I think obedience has to be accepted. The idea of “following” God, or “living in tune with him” seems entirely positive to me,Continue reading “Sin and freedom. Part 2”

Sin and freedom Part 1 Sin is inescapably tied up with freedom, for until we find a way to deal with sin we are not free, but if we can, then we will be truly free. Modern society exalts freedom as perhaps its highest aim, yet I don’t think it truly understands how freedom works,Continue reading “Sin and freedom. Part 1”

It’s time to talk about sin Part 2 “Sin” has a root meaning of “falling short” or “missing the target” as when an arrow misses the bullseye. So, a focus on sin also means that we have a goal of achieving a life that is true to our principles, and it’s these goals that areContinue reading “It’s time to talk about sin. Part 2”

(This week’s article is about Sin and Freedom – coming in 4 parts) It’s time to talk about sin Part 1 Secular critics bemoan the way Christians are “obsessed” with sin. “It’s so negative, so pessimistic, so based on guilt”, they say, “time to leave it all behind”. However, my only interest in sin isContinue reading “It’s time to talk about sin. Part 1”