God has made human beings to have agency. We were made for agency, to make choices, then act, in ways that make a difference in the world. We can see this from the first chapter of the Bible. 26 Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may … Continue reading Healthy agency
Tag: god
Making the case for Christianity: simplest possible case or convergent net?
The story of one of Wikipedia's founders becoming a Christian (https://larrysanger.org/2025/02/how-a-skeptical-philosopher-becomes-a-christian/ ) is fascinating and encouraging because someone has worked through the philosophical evidence, read the Bible and trusted Jesus for eternal life. But he also highlights something interesting about arguments for God. In the stage before reading the Bible, he found the "proofs for … Continue reading Making the case for Christianity: simplest possible case or convergent net?
The Old makes the New Clear
There are many debates about the meaning of words and events in the New Testament. What does the cross of Christ achieve, and is substitutionary and penal? Is it helpful to speak of sin as rebellion against God? What exactly is grace? And many other debates. In 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe', the … Continue reading The Old makes the New Clear
Catholic vs Protestant, though the lens of Tolkien and Lewis
If you want to understand the difference between Catholicism and Protestantism, you could do worse than look at the creation myths of two Oxford friends, Tolkien and Lewis. Tolkien was a devout Catholic. And although his arguments were a key part of Lewis becoming a Christian, Lewis was a Protestant Anglican. Both Oxford academics, they … Continue reading Catholic vs Protestant, though the lens of Tolkien and Lewis
Faith Seeking Understanding 2- the confessional goal, and overcoming mindless parroting of words
This is the second in a series on Anselm's faith seeking understanding approach. https://jotsandscribbles.blog/2024/10/18/faith-seeking-understanding-1-evangelical-suspicion-of-anselms-faith-seeking-understanding/ The lack of Bible in the arguments for Christian faith in Anselm’s “Faith seeking Understanding” seems troubling (see previous post). But it is worth understanding that the goal Anselm is aiming for is not set by a free ranging logic. He … Continue reading Faith Seeking Understanding 2- the confessional goal, and overcoming mindless parroting of words
Feeling doubts yet strong in faith
(This blog post is an exploration of an issue- I'd welcome feedback, and may end up changing my mind later on.) Different pastors have different personalities. That comes across in preaching style and in pastoral care. It is helpful for there to be a range of personalities and styles, as each may be particularly helpful … Continue reading Feeling doubts yet strong in faith
Is there such a thing as “Christian music” if there are no words?
A recent conversation has got me thinking- does it make sense to speak of "Christian music" without words being sung? My starting point in thinking about this is Colossians 3:16 "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from … Continue reading Is there such a thing as “Christian music” if there are no words?
Why McGilchrist is wrong on the reformation
(The outline of McGilchrist’s thesis is here: https://jotsandscribbles.blog/2023/11/07/introduction-to-the-master-and-his-emissary/) For McGilchrist, the reformation is the first step towards unbalanced left hemisphere dominance, a step towards the enlightenment. It’s easy to see why he should think this. The focus on the word of God above the visual arts in church looks like a loss of right hemisphere insights. … Continue reading Why McGilchrist is wrong on the reformation
You are not your own by Alan Noble
Belonging to God in an inhuman world I found this book helpful in articulating why our “choose your own way” modern world feels so crushing, unreal and inhuman. It starts with something most people agree on- the modern world is hard. There is a sense of alienation and inhumanity, which means despite our wealth we … Continue reading You are not your own by Alan Noble
Jots and Scribbles 