Bridge of Reason

  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 In January 1736, John Wesley set sail to the Americas. His purpose, as recorded in his diary, was threefold. Firstly, he intended to serve as a pastor to the colonists. Secondly, he wanted to preach to the, yet unreached, Indians. Finally, and interestingly, he wanted to ‘save his soul’. Wesley was clearly a sincere, and serious God-fearing man but, at this point in his life, was he truly saved? He recalls another episode in his diary that made him consider his position before a holy God. On board his ship was a group of Moravian immigrants from Germany. A severe storm developed at sea, and they were in danger of being shipwrecked. Wesley, fearing for his life, noticed that the Moravians were singing and praising God, they were all at peace amidst the tumult. Wesley recorded the event in his diary saying, “In the midst o...

  Doomsday cults like the Jehovah’s Witnesses are at the height of their power when things are going wrong in the world. The news on February 24 th , 2022, that Russia was invading Ukraine, must have had Watchtower leaders rubbing their hands in glee. Not because they take any pleasure in warfare and bloodshed, but rather because it gives them the chance to again convince the faithful that Biblical prophecy is coming true, and the long-awaited Armageddon is at the door. JW.org wasted no time in posting an article with the question: How might this military conflict affect the world? [1] They continue by quoting the secretary-general of the United Nations, António Guterres: “The price in human suffering, destruction and damage to European and global security is too high to contemplate.” It is remarkable, though commonplace, to find The Watchtower quoting, as a supporting source, a group they would usually denounce. They believe that the United Nations is the scarlet-coloure...

I don’t want to spoil anyone’s Christmas and, certainly, I do wish everyone a very blessed and peaceful season but...well, it was never going to be easy bringing peace to the earth. I recently heard an  excellent sermon reminding us that the babe in the manger was destined to die a brutal and ignominious death on the Cross; you can’t have Christmas without the Cross. Of course, we often get so sentimental about Christmas – “it’s all about the children isn’t it”; or cynical about it all – “I don’t see much peace on earth.” But the Christ who made the sacrifice that might bring peace also challenges us to choose peace. It has always been this way since the beginning. Adam and Eve could choose obedience or rebellion (Gen.2:16); Israel was challenged before entering the Promised Land to choose between the gods of Egypt or the Living God who saved them (Josh.24:15); when Paul preached in Athens he declared: “ The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everyw...