Soundings
Dealing with the subject of evolution
Should Christians subscribe to the theory of evolution? MUCH depends on what one means by evolution. In his Origin of Species (1859), Charles Darwin hypothesised that all organisms are related to a “common ancestry” and arose through a process of mutation and “natural selection”. The latter refers to the process by which organisms arose and persist by the random processes of nature. The […]
Soundings
Can anyone justify war from a Christian perspective?
Should Christians ever go to war? THE Christian response to war has been a broad spectrum, ranging from absolute rejection of war to full participation, with the proclamation of divine blessings and authority. The spectrum includes the following: pacifism, non-resistance, just war, preventive war, and crusade. Each view has several permutations and variations, as well as […]
Soundings
The Bible also speaks of God’s holy wrath
Is conditional immortality (CI) a credible alternative to the traditional doctrine of hell? THE traditional doctrine of hell has recently come under fire even from evangelical theologians. In the past 20 years or so, an increasing number of evangelical theologians have rejected the traditional understanding of hell and eternal punishment and have forwarded a view […]
Soundings
Transsexuals should seek therapy, but much depends on what sort
Should Christians endorse Gender Reassignment Surgery (GRS) as an option for transsexuals? I THINK it is best if we begin with a working definition of transsexuality. A transsexual person is someone who is uncomfortable with the behaviour required for his or her chromosomal gender. In other words, a transsexual is someone who rejects his or her biologically and genetically determined sex, […]
Soundings
Gnosticism and how ChristianGnosticism and how Christianityity
What is Gnosticism? How did the early Christian leaders respond to its teachings? THE phenomenal success of Dan Brown’s controversial novel, The Da Vinci Code, and the recent hype surrounding the discovery of the Gospel of Judas have generated public and media interest in Christian Gnosticism. Scholars have not achieved a consensus on the origin of Gnosticism. Early sources also […]
Soundings
How do we know if this is prophecy?
What is prophecy? And how can we discern if it’s from God? MUCH of the confusion with the practice of prophecy in the contemporary church has to do with a misunderstanding of what the New Testament means by the term. It is not possible to provide a full discussion on prophecy in the limited compass […]
Soundings
Christian faith does not condone euthanasia
Should Christians condone euthanasia? IN THE modern world dying has become a problem! The extraordinary advances in science and technology have not only made it possible for doctors to alleviate pain but also to extend life. The possibility of being maintained on life support for months and sometimes years has resulted in much anxiety in both elderly and non-elderly patients. Patients and their […]
Soundings
Significance of making the sign of the cross
Why do some Christians (Roman Catholics, Orthodox, Lutherans and Anglicans) make the sign of the cross before and after they pray? What is the origin and significance of this act? THE phrase “sign of the cross” refers to various liturgical or devotional acts which trace the two lines intersecting at right angles, indicating symbolically the figure of Jesus’ cross. […]
Soundings
‘End times’ have arrived, but the end itself remains elusive
Is the recent spate of natural disasters “the signs of the end” about which Jesus spoke in Matthew 24? THE recent spate of natural disasters and the serious threat of the avian flu pandemic have led some Christians to think that perhaps we are living in the period when the predictions of Jesus in Matthew […]
Soundings
Should Christians support the death penalty?
Methodist Message is launching a new column, “Now That’s A Good Question” with this month’s issue. Readers are invited to send in their questions on any topic, and we will answer them where possible. Write in to The Editor at this email address: [email protected] CAPITAL punishment is a divisive issue today, even among Christians. Fundamentalist Christians […]
Soundings
The end of the matter
CONCLUDING THE SERIES OF MEDITATIONS ON ‘WISDOM TO LIVE BY: REFLECTIONS ON AN ANCIENT TEXT’ Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 EVERY preacher would know that conclusions to sermons are just as important as introductions, if not even more so. The Preacher has in this book traversed a difficult and treacherous path which demands unconditional honesty on the one hand, […]
Soundings
Remember your Creator
PART 19 OF THE SERIES OF MEDITATIONS ON ‘WISDOM TO LIVE BY: REFLECTIONS ON AN ANCIENT TEXT’ Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:8 AFTER a sustained and at times torturous reflection on the meaning of life, the Preacher finally goes to the heart of the matter, to the One in whom all believers must find their rest and security. […]
Soundings
BREAD ON WATER
PART 18 OF THE SERIES OF MEDITATIONS ON ‘WISDOM TO LIVE BY: REFLECTIONS ON AN ANCIENT TEXT’ Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 WHEN I was in my early teens, the book of Ecclesiastes was for me one of the most baffling books in the Bible (second only to Revelation). Many of the difficulties I faced when reading Ecclesiastes have […]
Soundings
Wisdom and folly in national life
PART 17 OF THE SERIES OF MEDITATIONS ON ‘WISDOM TO LIVE BY: REFLECTIONS ON AN ANCIENT TEXT’ Ecclesiastes 10:16-20 IN THE final verses of chapter 10, the Preacher turns his attention to politics and national life while still reflecting on the theme of wisdom and folly. He has something to say to both people in the […]
