Church and State

I came a across an interesting article in yesterdays Guardian regarding Steve Chalke and much of the work that he is involved in. It continues the very current debate about how intertwined church and state should be. I have a vested interest as the first Oasis Academy will open in enfield in september.

I also have a long standing interest as I have any friends still working for Oasis and have spend 3 years with them in different capacities myself.

There is a statement here which should also be read as it corrects some mistakes in the original article.

Steve is an amazingly driven guy which I think came across to the journalist writing the article. He has his critics but I for one have never failed to be inspired by him when I have spoken with him or have heard him speak at events/college.

Theology for stupid people

I have always enjoyed theology to a certain degree. I did seem to always find myself during my time at college head scratching and thinking that there should be a new class of which i would be president, 'Theology for Stupid People'. Whilst away it was good to catch up with Jeremy my tutor at Oasis. As i sat in his lecture on 'God's Mission' those feelings started to re-emerge.

I got the chance to grab him afterwards and asks for some wisdom into my current (well the last year or so) thinking and exploration into that cheery subject of hell. Although i don't find this a particualrly enthralling way to use my headspace it seems to be continually prodding at me. My thoughts are that the way we 'do evangelism' is very often so caught of with our thoguhts around this subject. I have done a bit of reading around this but have been avoiding doing anymore research as i know the affect it has on me, and it's not always positive. Speaking with Jeremy who offered a few insights made me think that it was time to do a bit more picking. I have just grabbed my copy of 'Four Views on Hell' off of the shelf (i bought this when i previously went through one of these phases but have never dared enter in).



I ask that God may gives me some understanding that settles my heart and soul within my human lack of ability to comprehend such matters and the fact that i am in the 'Theology for Stupid People Class'

Non-Violence

"turn swords into ploughshares"

Pacifism and non-violence are subjects that have been on my radar for a few years now since my days under the tutoring of Jeremy Thomson the theology lecturer at Oasis. A few other menonites's have crossed my path as well all of which have influenced my thinking around this issues although i do not claim to have completely worked through answers.

There is an interesting story here that shows some of the stuff the menonite's are up to in terms of non-violent recruitment.

I also think back to my days in Custom House where we had the arms fair on our door step and think back to the protests and silent peace vigils that we held.

A good book on these issues is "What would you do?" by John Howard Yoder (does anyone have my copy? I can't find it)