Opinion

In her book, Making Room, Christine Pohl said something that is immutably true about the relationship between Christianity and the practice of hospitality. “Hospitality,” she wrote nearly 20 years ago, “is a way of life fundamental to Christian identity. Its mysteries, riches and difficulties are revealed most fully as it is practiced.” Anyone who wishes […]

Not yet a teenager but holding a pride of scholars, Pharisees and Sadducees spellbound in the temple in Jerusalem—men of letters and good standing who prized their scholarship above all. How could he at twelve engage them, greybeards admired for erudition, in learned discourse bringing profundity, knowledge and insight into issues seminal to life, creation, […]

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14, NIV) ETAC’s theme for the quadrennium is “Renew, Revive, Reorganise and […]

Storytellers have long used anthropomorphic animals as characters in morality tales. Anthropomorphising helps children to identify with what they are reading on a metaphorical level, encourages imagination, and interweaves morals into fantastical plotlines that might not otherwise make sense if the characters were human. And of course, bears are cute. Dr V Gilbert Beers, the […]

In the third volume of his Systematic Theology, Methodist theologian Thomas Oden maintains that despite the diversity of its members, the Church remains united in Christ: “in its own forms in specific times and places, living in particular cultures, the [C]hurch always appears sociologically diverse, yet remains in its essential unity (unita essentialis) when viewed […]

While liturgical worship received a boost from interdenominational exchanges during the late 20th century, another shift in worship culture occurred in the opposite direction. The modern “seeker-friendly”, “contemporary” movements downplay the former’s more formal structured style, prolong singing and ministry time, and give prominence to the congregation’s “felt needs”. The Rev Dr Jeffrey A. Truscott […]

“It’s just a meaningless ritual!” Among Christians, the word “ritual” is often perceived negatively because of associations with activities considered irrational, “pagan” or outdated. Some people give more importance to the inner attitudes “of the heart” than to outward, ritual actions. Liturgical scholar Frank C. Senn defines ritual as “a pattern of behaviour that expresses […]

Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord… He will abundantly pardon… “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And […]

For many evangelical Christians today, the liturgy smacks of mindless rituals that stifle the spontaneity of the Holy Spirit and suffocate the Christian life. They argue that if the Spirit of God is indeed present in the church, then Christians should not resort to wooden props of repetitive words and actions in worship. This attitude […]

Jesus commanded us to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19). To do so, we must first become disciples ourselves. After all, Jesus did not call us believers, nor did He call us Christians—instead, He called us disciples. “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.” (John 8:31) The mission of Disciple […]

In their book, As Iron Sharpens Iron,1 Howard and William Hendricks emphasise the importance of spiritual mentoring before the idea became fashionable in evangelicalism. Stressing the cruciality of this work of spiritual direction in the Church, they state emphatically that mentoring is not an option “but an essential”. They write, “At their best, mentors nurture […]

Good News for Bruised Reeds derives its title from Isaiah 42:3—“a bruised reed he will not break”. It seeks to encourage friends and family of those with same-sex attraction (SSA) who are seeking God and have likely faced more prejudice and rejection—and burdens of guilt—than most.  At the same time, the book aims to “challenge […]