Monthly Archives

Real Hope: 1 Corinthians 15

Thu, 30/06/2016 - 11:42 -- James Oakley

One of the most glorious truths is the real hope that God offers his people. It's a real, substantial hope of a future on a renewed earth, with renewed bodies, free of suffering, with God himself living among us.

But many Christians are brought up to believe that when we die we "go to heaven".

Sometimes, the language of "heaven" is a short-hand for this earth-bound future that God promises. But other times, people picture something far more ethereal, and the language is "heaven" is actually quite unhelpful - it sells us short.

Blog Category: 
Corinthians

The Day After the Referendum

Fri, 24/06/2016 - 13:05 -- James Oakley

Yesterday, the citizens of the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union.

In no particular order, here are a few thoughts on where we go from here.

1. Rebuilding Trust

I was appalled at the campaigns run by both the "Remain" and the "Leave" camps. Both were largely ad-hominem attacks on proponents of the opposing viewpoint, saying whatever would be likely to swing a vote rather than encouraging us to engage intelligently with the real issues.

Blog Category: 
Current Affairs

Who does the Spirit "lead into all the truth"?

Mon, 20/06/2016 - 11:48 -- James Oakley

A few weeks ago (Trinity Sunday as it happened - this was the lectionary gospel reading this year), I preached on John 16:12-15. That passage includes this sentence concerning the Spirit:

"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth."

The question is, who is "you"? Who, exactly, does the Sprit promise to lead into all truth?

Blog Category: 
John
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