What a great little video and marvellous insights from a heroic pastor and theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. "‘Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice. One may protest against evil; it can be exposed and, if need be, prevented by use of force. Evil always carries within itself the germ of its own... Continue Reading →
Terror Darkness Waste Murder
"Like a tragedy, [the life and crucifixion of Jesus] stirs up pity and terror in us. Like a tragedy it requires us to contemplate the world’s darkness. Like a tragedy, it draws attention to waste. It shows us a life that need not have been extinguished being extinguished, without particular malice, by the normal processes... Continue Reading →
The End of Fear
Though the whole heaven be one eyed with the moon, Though the dead landscape seem a thing possessed, As one that singeth through the flowers of June. Yet I go singing through a land oppressed. * No more, with forrest-fingers crawling free O'er dark flint wall that seems a wall of eyes, Shall evil break... Continue Reading →
What does it mean for us to take evil seriously?
A few years ago, Rev Dr Stephen Cherry led a retreat on Julian of Norwich. Last week I visited Norwich and visited the cell attached to a small church from where she ministered, prayed, wrote and spoke. It was an amazing experience. In commenting on evil, Rev Cherry said the following, which I think speaks... Continue Reading →
That’s Not Right!
Sermon: September 6, 2020 watch here. “That’s Not Right” Luke 13:1-5 (and 12:54-56; 13:6-9) My first two years of Secondary School were at a Boys Boarding School. It was also in the days when kids had milk at school. We had those 1/3 pint bottles. But sometimes the bottles arrived early and so were left... Continue Reading →
Pt 6: Response to C.S. Lewis’s “The Problem of Pain”
Guest post by theologian Dr Rob Knowles on The Problem of Pain by C. S. Lewis: Part 6: Response to Chapter 10. Heaven. Turning now to Lewis’s final chapter, on heaven, then I agree with his point that the issue of the existence of heaven precedes any discussion of whether or not belief in heaven’s... Continue Reading →
Pt 5. Response to C.S. Lewis’s “The Problem of Pain”
Guest post by theologian Dr Rob Knowles on The Problem of Pain by C. S. Lewis: Part 5: Chapter 9. Animal Pain. Lewis’s chapter on animal pain is very interesting. Since Lewis acknowledges that he is just speculating when it comes to this matter, then we should be gracious in our responses to what he... Continue Reading →
Pt 4: Response to C.S. Lewis’s “The Problem of Pain”
Guest post by theologian Dr Rob Knowles on The Problem of Pain by C. S. Lewis: Part 4: Chapter 8 - Hell In his chapter on hell, Lewis takes the three notions of “destruction”, “eternal torment”, and “privation” and then works them into a systematic unity. This leads to two difficulties. First, Thiselton points out:... Continue Reading →
Pt 3: Response to C.S. Lewis’s “The Problem of Pain”
Guest post by theologian Dr Rob Knowles on The Problem of Pain by C. S. Lewis: Part 3: Response to Chapter 6 & 7 - Human Pain/Appendix by R. Havard (a Doctor) I agree with most of what Lewis says in Chapter 6. Lewis rightly stresses three forms of remedial pain: (a) retributive punishment... Continue Reading →
Pt 2: Response to C.S. Lewis’s “The Problem of Pain”
Guest post by theologian Dr Rob Knowles on The Problem of Pain by C. S. Lewis: Part 2: Chapter 4 - Human Wickedness Chapter 5 - The Fall of Man(kind) Response to Chapter 4. Human Wickedness Lewis is entirely correct to emphasize the unhappy truth that we habitually deny our sin, or at least... Continue Reading →
Gralefrit Theology 