Noah, the Movie: a deluge or a wash-out?

As in Genesis, "Noah" the movie starts with judgment and ends in mercy. But while the judgment is God's, the mercy is man's, and that's the fundamental flaw with this latest Hollywood blockbuster from Paramount. But does that mean it has no merit?

"It won't be biblically faithful" I was warned. Well, no, it wasn't. But I never expected it to be. Hollywood is in the business of telling stories, not giving a faithful exegesis of Scripture. This was "art inspired by the Bible"; and the art was great. A strong plot led to unexpected jeopardy, even when we think we know how the story ends. The character development was powerful; the acting pretty good; the special effects every bit as special as expected; and the flood itself, terrifying.

The landscape was barren - caused apparently by men building "industrialised cities" - and only Noah and his family live carefully from the land, just harvesting what they need. As vegetarians, their clothes are woven (no leather) - in varying shades of brown – and yet strangely western. They wouldn't look out of place at a music festival.... continue reading

Fighting the Monday feeling

In that day you will say:
‘I will praise you, Lord.
Although you were angry with me,
your anger has turned away
and you have comforted me.
Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself,
is my strength and my defence;
he has become my salvation.’
With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.

Isaiah 12:1-3

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Seven things I want my toddler to thank his mummy for (in twenty years)

My son is nearly two—he delegated to me the task of buying his mother a Mothers’ Day card and writing a message in it. I’m coaching him to say “Thank you mummy” on Sunday (it will come out, at best, as “Thar Thaw Mummeeeee”).

But what do I hope he will say thank you for, in twenty years, as he looks back on having grown up with a Christian mother? Here’s what I’d love him to say as a 21-year-old, as he gives his mum some Mother’s Day chocolates (chocolates, not flowers, son—chocolates tend to get shared with husbands, flowers just get looked at on mantelpieces):... continue reading

Christianity in the News 27.03.2014

Christian beliefs should be 'accommodated' under law – top judge

Pakistan court sentences Christian man to death for blasphemy

Christian charity resumes opposition to same-sex marriage

Vicar or publican - which jobs make you happy?

Iran’s Oppressed Christians

Noah epic awash in flood of controversy for green agenda and taking liberties with Bible

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A Mother’s Day Challenge

Here’s a challenge for your children this Mothering Sunday. It’s not making a beautiful card with lots of glitter, or boiling the perfect egg for breakfast-in-bed, or arranging daffodils in a vase with panache.

No, the challenge is this:
Can you explain why you love your mother without using the word “me”?

Depending on how old they are, I expect they’ll find it surprisingly hard. I remember my Dad asking me the same thing when I was little. Beyond “she makes me dinner”, “she reads me bedtime stories”, and “she hugs me when I’m upset”, I was stumped. The reason I loved my Mum was because she loved me.... continue reading

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Book review: Romans 1-7 For You by Tim Keller

In my experience, people’s approach to daily Bible reading and prayer is quite a personal thing. Some folk prefer to use daily Bible reading notes, and happily use the same notes year after year. Others chop and change for variety, or to find notes that suit them.

In the mornings, I’ve found the Good Book Company’s new ‘God’s Word for You’ series very helpful. I’ve used all three titles so far - Galatians for You, Judges for You and Romans 1-7 for You and plan to read more as they come out.

The series is triple-barrelled: they are for us to Read, Feed and Lead.

Each chapter of the book of the Bible being studied – in this review, Romans – is covered by one chapter in the study book, and is split into two parts. I’ve found one ‘Part’ an ideal length to read for one day’s Bible reading. Be advised that sometimes Part 1 and Part 2 cover different verses from the set chapter, at other times, each Part considers the whole chapter, but from two different angles.... continue reading