Wrong questions and answers

The reason why many people give the wrong answers to questions about the cross, and even ask the wrong questions, is that they have carefully considered neither the seriousness of sin, nor the majesty of God. John Stott, The Cross of Christ

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Categorized as Ponderings

The Cross and our shame

It is impossible for us to face Christ’s cross with integrity and not to feel ashamed of ourselves. Apathy, selfishness and complacency blossom everywhere in the world except at the cross. There these noxious weeds shrivel and die. They are seen for the tatty, poisonous things they are. For if there was no way by…… Continue reading The Cross and our shame

Like the Jewish leaders , we too want to get rid of Christ

[Jesus] is still, as C.S. Lewis called him, ‘a transcendental interferer.’ We resent his intrusions into our privacy, his demand for our homage, his expectation for our obedience. Why can’t he mind his own business, we ask petulantly, and leave us alone? To which he instantly replies that we are his business and that he will never leave us alone. So…… Continue reading Like the Jewish leaders , we too want to get rid of Christ

Can we condemn Pilate (… in all honesty)?

It is easy to condemn Pilate and overlook our own equally devious behaviour.  Anxious to avoid the pain of a whole-hearted commitment to Christ, we too search for convenient subterfuges.  We either leave the decision to somebody else, or opt out for a half-hearted compromise, or seek to honour Jesus for the wrong reason (e.g.…… Continue reading Can we condemn Pilate (… in all honesty)?

The lonely barber

It was time for a haircut.  I’ve been to this barber before and was impressed by his old-style professionalism.  His wealth of local knowledge was another drawcard. The narrow alley to his shop was almost void of any pedestrian traffic, and as I walked into his shop I found the old man sitting on an…… Continue reading The lonely barber

We just want to pray

Is it just in Australia where people just pray?  Or does it happen in other countries and in other languages too? I am referring to the the use of the word just. It is not uncommon to hear this little word used just repeated ad nausea in a prayers.  “We just come to You …”  “We just…… Continue reading We just want to pray

The beauty and the beast

“In the ninth century, when the Latin Mass began to be enforced, I’m confident the same discussions took place. Some, I would expect, argued that the Latin Mass carried with it a gravity that communicated the glory of God, a certain sense of mystery and timelessness. Others, I’m quite sure, pointed out that the people…… Continue reading The beauty and the beast