Covid19 and interpersonal abuse

Domestic abuse and family violence are bound to increase because of the new laws and policies that have been put in place. Many victims of abuse are stuck at home with their abusers because of lockdowns of non-essential services, people being urged to work from home, and people being ordered or choosing to self-isolate in… Continue reading Covid19 and interpersonal abuse

Jesus on Violence

Many are puzzled by Jesus' different approaches to the subject of violence. 'turn the other cheek' 'the meek shall inherit the earth' whipping the bankers and merchants out of the Temple telling the apostles to get swords for themselves before going into the Garden of Gethsemane rebuking Peter for slicing off the ear of a… Continue reading Jesus on Violence

Logic and Authority in the Church

We have expressions and sayings in our language that contain rare wisdom otherwise known as Common Sense. “Too many chiefs and not enough indians”, in explanation of why the project fell apart (assuming it ever got started) is one. “Too many cooks spoil the broth” is another – it expresses the failure of a project… Continue reading Logic and Authority in the Church

Biblical meekness is not weakness

Biblical meekness is not weakness that lacks courage or resolution. It is a condition of mind and heart which demonstrates gentleness not in weakness but in power; a balance born in strength of character. It is strength that gets angry at the right time, in the right measure, and for the right reason. In modern English the… Continue reading Biblical meekness is not weakness

Christians are jumping on the bandwagon to ‘help the abused’. James has something to say about that.

If a brother or a sister is without proper clothing, or destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, Depart in peace; may God send you warmth and food – and notwithstanding, you do not give them those things that are needful to the body, what help is it? Pure devotion, and… Continue reading Christians are jumping on the bandwagon to ‘help the abused’. James has something to say about that.

Wise as Serpents: The Church’s Other Mission Field (Part 19 of sermon series)

Really we just have one mission field; but this is an aspect of the Christian's calling which is very important and sorely neglected. It is a mission field that evil detests. To the degree that evil is dominating — wicked unregenerate people parading as Christians, parading as the church —  this mission field will inevitably be ignored. And it turns… Continue reading Wise as Serpents: The Church’s Other Mission Field (Part 19 of sermon series)

A Scripture Often Used Against Abuse Victims — “Count it all joy when you meet trials” James 1:2-4

UPDATE Sept 2021: I have come to believe that Jeff Crippen does not practise what he preaches. He vilely persecuted an abuse victim and spiritually abused many other people in the Tillamook congregation. Go here to read the evidence. Jeff has not gone to the people that he spiritually and emotionally abused. He has not apologised to them,… Continue reading A Scripture Often Used Against Abuse Victims — “Count it all joy when you meet trials” James 1:2-4