Multicultural Ministry Matters

Well, judging by P. Z. Myer's response , we're not going to get anywhere by asking militant atheists to be kind. Apparently "[i]t's silly to demand that we respectfully engage the clownish buffoons of religion", because "the goofiness of religion is a wonderful target for humor". After all, "their bliss-ninny belief system is an unsalvageable stew of raw sewage spiced with smug ignorance." Why the invective? It's because "[w]e know that millions of good people cherish their delusions. We don't care; that a lie makes people feel good doesn't make it a truth." There it is in black & white. They don't care! I just don't get it. How can these militant atheists insist that they are morally superior, and behave in such an obviously relationship-denying, trust-destroying, character-damaging manner? To have a harmonious community - be it a family, a local suburb, a city, nation, or world - we need people who b...

Chris Mulherin , an Anglican minister and PhD candidate, has written a 10-point summary of beliefs shared by theists (at least Christian theists) and atheists. It might serve as a basis for dialogue with open-minded atheists. Note the comments & discussion. Two questions: What do you think of the basic idea that Christians and atheists can actually share common beliefs? If you agree with (1) above: what do you think of Chris Mulherin's ten points?

The 2010 global atheists convention was in Melbourne last week. It could well turn out to be the best thing for theism that happens this year. Moderate, fair-minded commentators couldn't fail to notice how the convention was full of arrogance and insults, and light on content. Here's some links: No faith in their hatred - Andrew Bolt, Herald Sun, March 17 Dawkins preaches to the deluded against the divine - Melanie Phillips, The Australian, March 16 The barbarian of our Age - Andrew Bolt, Herald Sun, march 16 Atheists’ ridicule won’t win friends and influence people - Barney Zwartz, The Age, March 16 Barbarian savages Christians - Andrew Bolt, Herald Sun, March 15 Dawkins delivers the sermon they came to hear - Barney Zwartz, The Age, March 15 Melanie Phillips says: For someone who has made a career out of telling everyone how much more tolerant the world would be if only religion were obliterated from the human psyche, Dawkins manages to appear remarkably intolerant tow...

A coupla weeks ago, I happened to finish reading two things at the same time: a summary in the CASE Magazine by Linden Fooks of the book by Croatian -American theologian Miroslav Volf : Exclusion and Embrace ; and a novel by Sri Lankan author Nihal De Silva : The Far Spent Day . What's interesting about them is: Volf's book is all about forgiveness; De Silva's novel is about revenge. Both authors come from countries torn by ethnic violence - Croatia with the Serbo-Croatian war of 1991-95; Sri Lanka with its thirty-year civil war. Fooks summarises Volf as saying that: "... forgiveness is the only way out of the endless cycle of violence and the pay-back of violence. Revenge... is annulled at the cross, wherein we see the greatest example of forgiveness. Forgiveness, however, does not override justice. Forgiveness, by its very nature, implies an obligation, a debt owed to God and others. It tacitly recognises the presence of a just claim." CASE 21 (2009) , p14. S...

This ends my series on the Gospel of Matthew. ***** Matthew 28:11-20 A tale of two missions There are two missions in this world: one mission of lies, which seeks to suppress the resurrection; another of the truth that the risen Christ has all authority in heaven and earth. As members of the second mission, we must make disciples of all nations.

Still more sermon ideas for feedback. ***** Matthew 27:62-28:10 Resurrection - new life from death Jesus' resurrection shows that his words are true (26:63), and that he is more powerful than death itself. Therefore we can live without fear (27:5, 10).

Still more sermon ideas for feedback. ***** Matthew 27:27-44 The Mock-King The soldiers, the chief priests and passers-by all mock Jesus. They do so because they think he's fake - a mock king. In so doing, they ironically point to his true identity - the king, who rules by dying for the rebels. Jesus' isn't a mock king, he's the real king, who bears the rejection so he can forgive us.

More sermon ideas for feedback pls. ***** Matthew 27:11-26 God on trial When people were able to choose between a murderer and God incarnate, they chose a murderer. This shows what we think of God. In the process, Jesus, the innocent one, took the place and punishment of the guilty murderer. This shows what God thinks of us.