Blessed are you when people insult you

Adapted from Tim MacBride, To Aliens and Exiles: Preaching the New Testament as Minority-Group Rhetoric in a Post-Christendom World (Cascade, 2020), 163-67. Used with publisher’s permission. Matthew 5:11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” While Christians in the West can’t… Continue reading Blessed are you when people insult you

Christian giving is a three-way street

Patronage and Philippians 4:10-20 This video (and transcript below) illustrates the importance of cultural background in understanding the New Testament. For more, enrol in the Bible Overview subjects at Morling College, as part of an undergraduate or graduate certificate. We’re looking at a short passage near the end of Philippians (4:10-20). It’s a passage that’s… Continue reading Christian giving is a three-way street

In (partial) defence of the monologue sermon

This article originally appeared on the Morling College blog in July 2020. The monologue sermon gets plenty of negative press in Christian circles these days; some of it deserved. Preachers routinely go longer than their congregation’s attention span, perhaps overestimating their ability to hold interest, or being too busy to invest the extra time it… Continue reading In (partial) defence of the monologue sermon

“I am of Albo” / “I am of Scomo” – Political Tribalism and the Church

Some election-season advice from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. 1 Cor 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in… Continue reading “I am of Albo” / “I am of Scomo” – Political Tribalism and the Church

Beyond Israel Folau: the importance of rhetorical setting

Over the past couple of months there’s been a steady stream of articles by Christian leaders weighing in on the Israel Folau controversy. A common theme has been an affirmation of Folau’s commitment to his faith, while expressing concern about his rhetorical strategy; that is, the way in which he’s spoken about it. We see… Continue reading Beyond Israel Folau: the importance of rhetorical setting