Author: joshmont2017

I am a child of God through Jesus' sacrifice and victory. Husband to Karuna, father to four children, staff elder at Emmanuel Church Northstowe, and Course Director for Training for East Anglia Ministry. All views here my own and do not necessarily represent the views of organisations I work for.

How Frozen illustrates different approaches to sin

The Disney film Frozen was huge hit back in 2013. So this hardly cutting edge cultural analysis! Elsa is not exactly the heroine, but the whole story focuses on her magical powers to make ice and snow (and clothes and living snowmen!). This power causes harm to those around her at various points in the … Continue reading How Frozen illustrates different approaches to sin →

Random thoughts halfway through Xenophon’s Anabasis

So I'm halfway through this book. The title of course caught your attention and drew you in: Anabasis by Xenophon. And my assumption is that most people won't bother to read this book so I'm going to be free with spoilers. Anabasis sounds like fiction, but is historical, and the author is an eyewitness who … Continue reading Random thoughts halfway through Xenophon’s Anabasis →

Charitable giving in the UK?

I was shocked to read that gift aid to charities in the last tax year only came to £1.6bn. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-charity-tax-relief-statistics/uk-charity-tax-relief-statistics-commentary Multiplying by 4, that suggests giving to charities on which gift aid could be claimed back was only £6.4bn. Now some of you may respond that £6.4bn is a lot of money! It is- I'm … Continue reading Charitable giving in the UK? →

What is wrong with us as a country part 2

https://jotsandscribbles.blog/2024/02/20/what-is-wrong-with-us-as-a-country/ In a previous blogpost (part 1 of this discussion), I suggested that we had a cultural problem in the UK with not realising how rich we are by world and historical standards. This time, I want to suggest that we also have a problem because we think we are richer than we really are. … Continue reading What is wrong with us as a country part 2 →

Book Review: Fred Sanders’ “The Holy Spirit: An Introduction”

This book is part of a new series from Crossway, "short Studies in Systematic Theology". They are intended to help someone who has a basic understanding of Christianity to get a deeper understanding of one doctrine. This one by Fred Sanders is the first in the series and it does an excellent job. It does … Continue reading Book Review: Fred Sanders’ “The Holy Spirit: An Introduction” →