A 29-page letter (pdf document) drafted by 138 prominent Muslim leaders to leaders of the world’s Christian churches has been met with enthusiasm and encouragement. (Steve G. recommends this report: CS Monitor) The historic Muslim document, entitled, “A Common Word Between Us and You,” received a warm embrace from leaders of the Yale Divinity School in the form of a response that has been cosigned by the Harvard and Princeton seminaries…
The lengthy response released yesterday by the Yale scholars, entitled Loving God and Neighbor Together: A Christian Response to A Common Word between Us and You says, “We receive A Common Word as a Muslim hand of conviviality and cooperation extended to Christians worldwide. In this response we extend our own Christian hand in return, so that together with all other human beings we may live in peace and justice as we seek to love God and our neighbors.â€
The United Nations observes that half of all countries that emerge from violent conflict relapse within five years. Violent conflict doesn’t arise without a history. In countries where conflict has engaged the average citizen along religious or ethnic lines, it is a history of prejudice that has been ignited. While long-term peace strategies must involve a range of government and non-government players, the role of civil society in overcoming prejudice cannot be ignored.
Bishops in London and Liverpool are championing a new kind of 40-day fast calling on Britons to cut back on carbon, rather than chocolate or alcohol, for the Christian period of Lent this year.
Nicodemus visits Jesus under the cover of darkness because he knows there is something about this controversial figure. This reflection is written from the point of view of Nicodemus and is a journey of discovery.
I am Nicodemus (pdf)
Rev. Adelene Mills, Penguin TAS
The stories we tell about ourselves and the world have the power to shut out hope and possibility – or to open our eyes to the things that God can do. The reflection on the people of Israel who are thirsty at Rephidim, and the encounter at the well between Jesus and a woman from Samaria shows us how different attitudes can radically change our lives.
Sermon February 24th, 2008 (pdf)
St. David’s UCA, Oakleigh, VIC
Rev. Arnie Wierenga
“Everyday technology has social ramifications,†says Ian Packer, the new Director of Public Theology at Australian Evangelical Alliance, as he explains the importance of face-to-face relationships in communicating how the Gospel transforms the lives of those who are spreading it.
Packer proposes that we give more attention to ‘everyday-technology’, those human-made devices–such as television, mobile phones, computers and the internet–used in our daily life, that often have ‘trade-offs’ of which we are unaware.
“I don’t think most people, including Christians, understand the trade-off that tends to happen when we are involved with a particular technology. Although some Christians might be critical of the amount of television some people watch or the content of certain programs, they tend to see television itself as a neutral medium. They tend not see the inherent problems that come with the introduction of television into our homes along with the benefits.â€
“Ratatouille,” “Bella” and “Amazing Grace” were among the top movies of 2007 named at a recent ceremony honoring films that increase people’s understanding and love of God.
The best 10 movies in the families and mature audiences categories were announced Tuesday at the 16th Annual Faith & Values Awards Gala, held at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Winners were selected by Christian Film & Television Commission, which awards movies based on Biblical principles and positive family values. The event was introduced by the organization in 1992 and has since been likened to the “Christian Oscars.”
What will the Christian church look like in the next 1,000 years?
If a devout Christian from the year 1000 A.D. were to be dropped into a mid-morning service at a 21st century progressive church, the medieval Christian wouuld not recognize the Christian faith, says Kevin Kelly in the latest issue of Willow magazine – a publication of the influential Willow Creek Community Church.
So it’s “reasonable and responsible to expect tremendous change in the Christian church” in the next millennium, he writes.
Besides the end of the world happening in this lifetime, Kelly offers five other scenarios – or plausible stories – for what the church may look like in the year 3,000 A.D.
And he cautions, “If Christians don’t seize the future, then unbelievers will.”
Scenario One
The center of Christianity will continue to shift west. Since the time of Christ, the center of gravity for the global Christian church has steadily moved west from its epicenter in Jerusalem. It has shifted to Armenia, Greece, Rome, then into Europe, and further west into North and South America.
Many reports indicate that the center of Christianity is now in Asia and Africa where the Christian population is booming.
But Kelly says it won’t stop there.
The annual world day of prayer is coming to Oakleigh with a worship celebration on Friday 7th March.
The worship is prepared by Christian Women of Guyana.
All are welcome to attend the two ecumenical worship services on the day.
St. David’s Uniting Church, 154 Drummond St., Oakleigh
1:30 pm Friday March 7th
Speaker: Eileen Ray
Holy Trinity Anglican, cnr Dandenong and Warrigal Rds
7:30 pm Friday March 7th
Speaker: Dr. DeJong
For more information see: World day of prayer Australia
An ecumenical worship on the theme ‘God’s wisdom provides new understanding.’
Prepared by Christian women of Guyana, speaker Eileen Ray, all welcome