Opinion

Evangelicals, like others, do not have a single method for interpreting scripture; however, despite the diversity within evangelicalism concerning specific methods of biblical interpretation, features remain which still enable one to classify certain approaches and people as “evangelical”. The defining features of an evangelical interpretation of scripture are found in its presuppositions, that is, those basic beliefs which shape one’s ...

Unexpected disasters are type cast – in two ways, the natural and the human. In 1974 Cyclone “Tracy" blew away Darwin. Brisbane was seriously flooded. Recently, a tidal wave so powerful as to destroy from Indonesia to Sri Lanka. Hurricane "Katrina" moved through three states – wreckage from New Orleans to Houston. An earthquake hit Pakistan (with effects in India ...

Rev Woodley is responding to the article Sensitive Multicultural Conversation. I have watched the debate about Resolution 84 of the 2003 Assembly over the past two plus years but have refrained from commenting publicly, apart from answering a question from a journalist some time ago which, at the time, prompted a clarification in Journey. However, I cannot let the report ...

Not normally a fan of Synod meetings, I have often approached them with a certain degree of caution and cynicism however, I found myself surprised and encouraged by the 25th Synod meetings at Carrara last month. A sensitive Convocation of Ministers at Ashmore on the first day of the Synod meeting set a remarkable standard of community and established the ...

I’ve been reflecting over recent weeks on biblical images consistent with commencing another new phase in my life and ministry, and have found myself returning once again to one of my favourite Old Testament stories. In Joshua Chapter 3, we see the Israelites, the people of God, at a critical point in their history, as they prepare to cross over ...

 It’s the journey, not the passport. Saying’ Jesus is Lord’ is more than a passport, it is a journey. The notion that ‘Christians are better than…’ or those songs that go ‘You made me whole…’ seem to miss the point of our humanity. Weare a work in progress. Jesus tells of the worker that had been working all day and ...

I guess subtle thinking is not much in vogue at present. Quick grabs and slogans are the order of the day. At worst, we resort to stereotyping or labelling those we disagree with, or those we presume may be in a different faction. Sometimes, we even misuse Scripture as a weapon. I think Christ’s church deserves better. I hope that ...

Now that the Queensland Synod has passed resolutions asking the Assembly to consider amending how matters of vital importance are brought before the whole church and to clarify how we determine doctrinal matters, it seems appropriate to address some important matters raised in the debate about the nature of the church and how the church should work and to get ...

I have to “fess up” that I have racist tendencies. Well, if not racist then at least a xenophobic predisposition. I think deep down, many of us do. It’s not something we are proud of or even like to admit but there is a comfort in the familiar and a discomfort with the stranger. Recently however, I have been increasingly ...

I come from a Taiwanese family and when I was a teenager, my family decided to immigrate to Australia. I was excited when we arrived as everything was new: new country, new neighbours, new houses, new friends… and new schools. I started attending a high school near home hoping to make more new friends but things do not always go ...