Monthly Archives: August 2017

Many inside the church have responded to the decline in attendance by attempting to “remarket” Christianity by updating worship services and unwittingly playing into consumerist biases, presenting themselves as one more product in the spiritual marketplace. By and large, these tactics have backfired. There may be noble intentions at work, but the collective impression is that these Christians are trying too hard to be “cool.” No wonder “authenticity” has become such a buzzword. Young people are not finding it at…..

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This continues my comments on Jude v 1. The reason for Jude’s self-description as a slave rests on two premises: the first being the status of a slave. Slaves suffered from institutional limitations on their freedom of action and initiative. Slaves had no freedom at all, nor did they have any entitlements. A slave was his master’s possession, with exactly the same legal status as the master’s other property, such as his house or horse. The slave’s entire existence was…..

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This continues my comments on Jude v 1. It has been argued that “servant” is an appropriate term because Jesus regarded himself as a servant (Matthew 20:28). However, the Greek in that verse uses the verb diakonēsai for serving (i.e., being a servant), not for being a slave. In any event, it is not the role of Jesus that is under scrutiny but the relationship of the believer to the Lord. Similarly, “bond-servant” is favoured by those who argue that…..

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In v 1 of his letter, Jude calls himself a slave of Jesus Christ. He mentions Jesus by name three times in his letter. On each occasion, it is “Jesus Christ”: i.e., Jesus the Messiah, the Anointed One. “Christ” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew “Messiah.” Throughout the NT, there are references to both “Jesus Christ” and “Christ Jesus,” but Jude prefers the former style. As with Paul, Peter, and James, Jude calls himself “a slave (doulos) of Christ.”…..

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“There is a time to be silent and a time to speak.” (Ecclesiastes 3:7) The Bible shows that God invariably speaks before he acts.  When differences arise, consultation is better than confrontation.  Many of us know this, even if our behaviour suggests otherwise!  Consultation means a discussion between rational people, which we are (Genesis 1:27).  This means that God can talk to us in a rational manner and we have the capacity to listen and respond to him.  Much of…..

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Our society is currently awash with commentary about the rights and wrongs of same-sex marriage.  There is no doubt from Romans 1:26-27 (see below) that the God of the Bible condemns such behaviour. Same-sex marriage ought to be opposed because of its damage to Australian society in general.  The breadth of its effect on a nation demands that the issue be taken very seriously.  Opposition to this possible change to our law ought to be resisted fiercely with strong arguments…..

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Those wonderful Church Bulletins! These sentences (with all the BLOOPERS) actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services: The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals. ————————— The sermon this morning: Jesus Walks on the Water. The sermon tonight: Searching for Jesus. ————————– Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands. ————————– Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our…..

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Submission in a Christian context is a personal choice to act in a particular way. It should not be forced on a person. The compelling reason for Christlike submission by Christians to others is obedience to Scripture and love of God. In the context of this book, the submission of women to men in families and in the Church is a free choice to obey what God requires for relationships to be as fulfilling as he intended. In Ephesians 5:21,…..

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On 6 June the Scottish Episcopal Church voted to allow clergy to solemnise marriage between same-sex couples. The Letter of Jude reacts strongly against a decision such as this and describes this behaviour as “ungodly” (v 4). The Greek word for ungodliness (asebeis) occurs seventeen times in the NT, six of which are in Jude’s short letter. In the Greek of the first century AD, it had the particular connotation of sensual (and especially sexual) immorality. In verse 15, Jude…..

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