by Barney | Feb 25, 2017 | Bible
What are the most fundamental rules for interpreting the Bible? Here are some ways it is often formulated: A passage cannot mean now what it didn’t mean then. We must put a text in its cultural-historical context. The goal is to discover what the biblical author...
by Barney | Feb 18, 2017 | Apologetics, Life
Many have lost their faith, others never had faith, for this reason. It appears as a blatant contradiction at the heart of Christian theology. How can we say that God is good, and that nothing is impossible for him, when so many things happen that no good God would...
by Barney | Feb 1, 2017 | Theology
At a recent church retreat, we were given the topic “The Worthiness of God” and asked to write a short reflection. I decided to write from a philosophical point of view. The Bible reference at the end is Paul quoting a Greek poet. Slowly, slowly I gain...
by Barney | Jan 24, 2017 | TV/Film
Spoiler alert! Do not read this if you want to watch the movie without knowing the ending. Summary of the Plot Christianity has been outlawed in Japan. Unless you deny your faith (‘recant’) you will be tortured and killed. But where the authorities formerly targeted...
by Barney | Oct 15, 2016 | Life, Society
“And when you fast…” – Matt 6:16 If a 1st century Christian could enter a time-machine and jump into the 21st century, what would they think about Western Christians today? What one thing would strike them the most? I suspect that they would be shocked at how...