Bridge of Reason

  la conversion den san Pablo - Murillo When Jesus said ‘go into all the world and preach the good news’ (Mark.16:15) lets be honest, perhaps he didn’t know some of the people we would encounter. Let’s face it, there are some we are simply reluctant to speak to for fear, sometimes, of mortal peril. Then there are those we would rather not be associated with because of their reputation. Given a choice, which of us would eagerly witness to the woman of Samaria (John 4), or to Saul the persecutor (Acts 9)? Jesus witnessed to both in a surprising way and with amazing results. When we consider these two conversations we see lessons for us in the way God works. The first lesson is that God is no respecter of persons and doesn’t judge things as we do. Who would have gone to that much trouble to speak to a Samaritan woman, someone who denies the authority of Jerusalem, believes only the Pentateuch, and rejects the temple of the Jews down south? Effectively, she is a member of a Jewish...

  “He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me,” said the Lord, “but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another ( 3 Ne phi 11:29 ). I only ever recall once being told, by Mormon Missionaries, that I had the spirit of contention. I cannot remember exactly what our discussion entailed, but they were not happy with something I said, and so they threw the charge at me. But what do they mean when they say a person has a spirit of contention? A Christ-like attitude Mormons will often say that a person has the spirit of contention, when they feel that their beliefs are in some way being undermined or ridiculed. A Christian challenging them about what they believe can often find themselves labelled as contentious. They may suggest that you are not exhibiting a ‘Christ-like attitude’ in what you are saying or the way you are saying it. Jesus, who is the one allegedly speaking in 3 Nephi 11:29, ...

Jesus' attitude to the lost is summed up perfectly in John 3:17, a verse perhaps not as familiar as the one preceding it: “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.” (NASB) In any and every aspect of the Christian life it has become commonplace to ask, “What would Jesus do?” But how does this text work out and what would Jesus do in relation to the cults? Did Jesus meet and interact with any cults? People usually think of the Pharisees here but, while they certainly did display classic cultic characteristics – such as a strong legalism, judgementalism, controlling leadership, adding to the Law – it is well to remember that the Pharisees were part of the orthodox religion of the day. We see the same in today's church, where a particular group may be a little legalistic, judgemental and disapproving, may make past tradition into a creed for today and so forth. But this does not disqualify such a group...

I had travelled to Cardiff, I was due to meet someone a bit later and as I was strolling by the old market I saw three Jehovah's witnesses, two ladies and an older man  with a book display. It was a nice day, I was feeling relaxed, do I REALLY want to start a conversation? Inevitably  I walked over and started a conversation. I asked them what they believe about the days of creation now. They used to believe that each day was 7000 years old. One JW had previously and recently told me they don't believe that but I pointed out they used to..... he was embarrassed. These ones basically fluffed it and did the 'vague' on me, 'its a long time ' they said. I wasn't trying to trick them I was just trying to find out the current position. I explained I knew what the organisation had previously said. They acted as if there hadn't been a change of belief, they admitted nothing and tbh I could see in their eyes that they were obviously being a bit secretive ab...

A Weekly Bible Reading for Bridge Builders The Richmond Briefing has been a weekly feature of the Reachout web site for five years and is now available on the blog. To find out more and read earlier briefings go here Reading – Great Ones and Little Ones (Matthew 18) There is something so human about the question, you have to smile. Along comes this amazing Jesus who walks on water, heals the sick and raises the dead. He begins to talk about his kingdom and offers you a place in it. It is human nature to wonder, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” The disciples are thinking the way the world thinks, of ambition, endeavour, accomplishment and status. The kingdom Jesus describes is characterised by entirely different principles. 18:2-4 Greatness in this kingdom is realised only by having the faith of a child. It is impossible without total dependence on God as a child depends on a parent. When Jesus called Israel they refused him and stood at a distance in judgeme...

A Weekly Bible Reading for Bridge Builders The Richmond Briefing has been a weekly feature of the Reachout web site for five years and is now available on the blog. To find out more and read earlier briefings go here Reading – Greatness and Servanthood (Mark 9:33-50) During his ministry in Galilee Jesus lived in Capernaum (Mt.4:13), probably in the house belonging to Peter and Andrew (Mk.1:29) and in this passage we witness the small talk and speculations people indulge in on their way home after a busy time. The subject under discussion had been who was the greatest among the disciples. Jesus knew this but still asked the question, “What were you arguing about on the road?” In this way he invited discussion and created a teaching opportunity. How often do we ask questions as we witness? Or do we rush in to tell the other person how we see things? Questions serve to demonstrate our interest and not just our ignorance and can create all sorts of opportunities to discuss the ki...

A weekly Bible reading for Bridge Builders The Richmond Briefing has been a weekly feature of the Reachout web site for five years and is now available on the blog. To find out more and read earlier briefings go here Reading – Citizenship  (Matthew 16:17:14-27) Jesus, Peter, James and John came down from the mountain where kingdom glory had shined so fully and were met with a scene familiar enough to us even today; a dispute over religion. Mark tells us that a large crowd had gathered and the teachers of the law were arguing with the disciples. A possessed young man had been brought to them to be healed and they had failed to do it; a practical problem that ‘religion’ had failed to solve and an ensuing argument about why. How embarrassing and how all-too-typical! “If you have faith...” These words of Jesus can, and often do fill us with guilt for being faithless. When things don’t go well for us, prayers are not answered, answers don’t seem to come we look inward and qu...

A weekly Bible reading for Bridge Builders The Richmond Briefing has been a weekly feature of the Reachout web site for five years and is now available on the blog. To find out more and read earlier briefings go here Reading – Confessing Christ (Luke 9:1-22) People don’t believe in miracles, not because they haven’t witnessed a miracle but because their world view will not allow them to accept that miracles are possible. Even though someone they respect and venerate should relate an account of a miracle many will not believe it but will reconsider the esteem in which they hold their friend. Showing them a miracle will not guarantee their conversion because they may make every effort to explain it away and we have seen this. So it was with the people who saw the miracles of Jesus and his disciples who drove out demons, healed the sick and preached the kingdom message. They saw Jesus feed five thousand and ate of this bounty but this did not guarantee their becoming aware of whom Jesus ...

A weekly Bible reading for Bridge Builders The Richmond Briefing has been a weekly feature of the Reachout web site for five years and is now available on the blog. To find out more and read earlier briefings go here Reading – Consider How you Listen (Luke 8:4-56) We often in our witnessing talk about planting a seed of truth in a person’s heart, expressing our trust and hope that that person will respond and be saved. In the parable of the sower Jesus shows how planting seeds is no guarantee of a positive response but that the sower nevertheless continues to sow and pray for a good crop. It is our responsibility to sow but there is also a responsibility placed on the person in whose heart we sow to listen and respond and, as we have often said, it is possible to want it for them more than they want it for themselves. Jesus had spoken plainly enough in his ministry and had amply demonstrated his authority; seeds had been sown. However, there comes a time when a failure to resp...

A weekly Bible reading for Bridge Builders The Richmond Briefing has been a weekly feature of the Reachout web site for five years and is now available on the blog. To find out more and read earlier briefings go here Reading – As With the Priest (Luke 7:24-35) The Old Testament prophet Hosea ministered in the eighth century BC at a time when Israel was guilty of great sin and God, through the prophet, brought his charges against his rebellious people. They were guilty of spiritual adultery, of turning to idols and false gods, of using shrine prostitutes, of sacrificing to pagan deities, of rejecting the knowledge of God. The priests excused themselves by insisting that they were ministering Israel’s religion and the people justified themselves by insisting they were following the priests but God made clear that the priests were simply going through the motions while worshipping foreign gods and the people were not guiltless but would be held to account and their religion would...

Do you keep up with the news to know at least what is happening to churches in Britain, if not wider afield? If you do you must, like me be concerned at how Christianity is being treated by many of those in authorities? Here is the latest example: Male nurse of 40 years is sacked after urging 'patient' to go to church (in a training session) Andrea Minichiello Williams, Director of Christian Legal Centre commented: "How is it possible that a nurse who has served the public for 40 years should find himself dismissed because in a training exercise he advised someone to go to Church? To seek to censor and suppress this kind of language and belief is the first fruits of a closed society". As I always ask in these situations, "What would have happened if the Muslim had suggested they got to the Mosque?" Is not the church an established part of Society? Should not folks be given the opportunity to find out if such actions could help? The Very Rev John Hall, the...

Is it not time for Christians to make their voice heard. Britain seems to be 'hell-bent' (literally and figuratively) on sidelining Christianity but accepting every other belief as ok. Has anyone stopped to ask why? Has anyone bothered to check out the beliefs of Christianity as compared with other religions? Do they really have the same to offer as Christianity? These are the questions I would like to ask the various council, hospital and school authorities. They are taking away the right of free speech but even worse they are taking away the right to eternal life. What do you think about the following? Christian foster mother struck off after Muslim girl converts Would a Muslim be struck off if a Christian child converted? Surely they are seeking to take away the fundamental right of freedom of religion to a girl who is seen in the eyes of the law to be an adult? NHS staff face sack if they discuss religion Just what does constitute preaching? Showing total care for...

(This article first appeared in Southern Baptist Theological Journal , Summer 2005) . Christians are supposed to defend the faith (Jude 3), preserve the Gospel’s purity (Gal. 1:6-9; 1 Peter 3:15), test all things (1 Thess. 5:21), and correct those who have doctrinally erred (2 Tim. 4:2). Equally relevant scriptures include Eph. 4:15, which mentions speaking the truth “in love,” and 2 Tim. 2:24-26, which says to correct using “gentleness and respect.” Unfortunately, these latter two passages often take a backseat to what becomes the overriding aim of witnessing—that is, make sure that someone realizes he is wrong. But this unbiblical approach never results in a person falling to his knees, repenting, and shouting appreciation for being shown the error of his doctrinal ways. Instead, emotional walls go up defensive arguments are launched (no matter how baseless or illogical they may be), and a golden opportunity to show Christ’s love is lost. Sharing Your Faith With Mormons « “PoP cuLT...

The Barna Group is a Christian organisation founded by George Barna in 1984 which, among other things, provides important primary research, especially in service of the Christian Church and is described on their web site: “The Barna Group provides primary research (through The Barna Research Group); printed resources (through BarnaBooks, an imprint of Tyndale); leadership development; spiritual training; and church facilitation and enhancement. We seek to use our strengths in partnership with Christian ministries and individuals to be a catalyst in moral and spiritual transformation in the United States. We accomplish these outcomes by providing vision, information, strategy, evaluation and resources.” They have just produced some very interesting research examining the faith of Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses, comparing them with each other and both with Evangelical Christianity. The full report can be read here . After looking at each respective group’s attitude to God, Jesus, Satan,...