This session covered aspects of Julian’s positive and pastoral theology.
“I saw Everlasting certainty powerfully sustained without any fear… at peace and rest… then my mind turned and I was disgusted with myself. I could go on in faith, hope and charity, but feel them so little.”
“God keeps us safe in sorrow and joy. . . and sin is not always the cause . . . but both came from one love.”
Disturb us, Lord, when
We are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.
This is a short introduction by Professor Anthony Thiselton to his book ‘Doubt, Faith & Certainty’ taken from EerdWord, the official blog of Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
The exquisite word ‘bumptiousness‘ makes a rare but welcome appearance!
Middle England Jesus
If Jesus were born in England
He’d be I think lower middle class
Beloved of grass roots politicians
But still some crisp sophistication
And know when to use a white wine glass
Here are just some of the great resources I’ve found over the years, and here they are in no particular order (compiling this short list here does not necessarily mean I wholly subscribe to all the associated groups or persons’ theology, just that they have some very important things to say that are nevertheless, worthwhile and valuable):
John Lennox, Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University, is an internationally renowned speaker on the interface of science, philosophy and religion. He regularly teaches at many academic institutions including the Said Business School, Wycliffe Hall and the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, as well as also being a Senior Fellow with the Trinity Forum. He has written a series of books exploring the relationship between science and Christianity and he has also participated in a number of televised debates with some of the world?s leading atheist thinkers.
Kim Fabricius has been a genuine theological treat since I discovered his work a couple of years ago via the excellent Ben Myers blog Faith and Theology. Today, via a Tweet by British Baptist Andy Goodliff I discovered that Kim had unexpectedly died over the weekend, aged a mere 69, and despite the current UK heatwave, I went cold with the news!
I cannot begin to tell you the sheer joy a theological realist can give. Kim had a gift that I think was quite unique, one of those people who would definitely be on those Dinner Party Guest Lists that we knock up every know and then. His love for God and the centrality of Christ was totally inspiring. He knew in Whom he believed and it inspired genuine faith in so many others.
It was suggested that where Julian is positive about curiosity, Thomas Aquinas wasn’t (I think this thought does not ring true and needs a lot more work on it to justify it). If one can’t see the Summa as an exercise in curiosity from one of the greatest minds ever to exist in the universe, then I don’t know what to say!
Julian: “Fullness of joy is to see God in everything.”
