I don’t believe in shirking the difficult questions. In fact, I get a bit of a kick out of tackling the subjects most preachers prefer to avoid. In my first series, I probably trod on a few toes with my essays on ‘Slain in the Spirit’, ‘Evolution vs Creation’ and ‘Prosperity Doctrine’. May I say that, while I addressed these subjects critically, my deep motivation was love for Jesus, truth and the body of Christ. I don’t think love is keeping quiet. I think love is shown in every attempt at communication.
In this second series I intend to tackle areas of Christianity which many Christians living in this New Age culture have trouble with. They would probably prefer it if these things were never mentioned in the Bible, and, if they had a say in it, would gladly have them removed. They are subjects I myself find troubling in one way or another. Like women preaching in church, or homosexuality, or Old Testament violence.
God is God. Much as we may not understand Him, we are stuck with Him just as He is. No amount of worldly argument or secular wisdom, no number of times we stick our head in the sand, and no amount of wishful thinking, is going to change Him. If any part of Him doesn’t appeal to us, it is ’us’ that will have to change, not Him. We are indeed fortunate that He happens to be good, righteous and loving, and has our best interests at heart.
The Bible is His message to us. It reveals all He wants us to know about Him at this stage.
Basically, it is a proposal of marriage. For eternity.
Just the way a woman meets her ‘perfect man’ and then tries to change him, or a man meets that ‘free spirit’ he has longed for and then puts her in a cage, the churches have tried to change God, to mold Him to our personal preferences. It is the biggest reason for all the division in the Church. It must stop. I believe the right time is now.
To read any one of the essays click on the name of the essay buttons on the top.
Exegesis
An examination of the difficulties encountered in determining the true meaning of the scriptures and the approach Christians should take.
Evil
Are we really so bad, we need salvation?
Viva la difference
The Bible undeniably presents a gender differentiation which sits very uncomfortably in the new age value system. What is the answer to women in leadership positions and in marital relationship?
Homosexuality
With the current debate raging, it is important we know where God stands on this controversial issue.
Old Testament Violence
How can a loving God not only condone the killing of Pagan women and children, but actually instruct His own Chosen People to do His dirty work?
Church
What is Church? How come the manifestation of the Body of Christ here on Earth resembles other religions so closely, especially when Jesus envisaged something stunningly different?
Church Leadership
What example should our leaders set. Who are we to emulate and what leadership style is right for the Church?
Fulfillment
Have we got our priorities right? Is it possible that by having them wrong we end up chasing our tails and never reaching the state of fulfilment God designed us to attain?
Child Discipline
Today’s youth seem out of control. Drugs, sex and rebellion against parental value systems seem to to be the ‘in’ thing. Parents have no rights. Our children are taught they can leave home as young as 13, if they claim they can’t get on with their parents, courtesy of a Government ready to throw money at them without question. So is it wrong to smack a child?
Adultery and Divorce
When does admiration turn into lust? Are our natural pro-creational urges an excuse ? What do you do when testosterone is out of control, the environment is filled with temptation, and Jesus tells us just thinking about it is as bad as doing it?
Abortion
The law doesn’t recognise a baby as a person until it is born. So the issue of abortion is legally considered to be a matter of the mother treating her own body, rather than dealing with another human being. At what point does a fetus become a person in God’s mind?
Pagan Customs in the Church
The need in Man to be ‘religious’ makes him invent gods and make up religions. In the end, all these religions are about him, not about the god worshipped. Lack of originality causes Man to borrow ideas from other religions, particularly the ideas he likes.
Summary of Series 2
A summary of site content so far.
Personal testimony is one of the most powerful witnessing tools available to Christians to spread the Good News. Intellectual persuasion is rarely successful in winning souls for Jesus, because of the preconceptions most people hold onto. In this country (Australia), most of them have had prior negative exposure to the Gospel via the media, schooling, parental and peer influence, or contact with churches that didn't get the message across effectively. Too often the reaction to the Gospel message is, "I've tried that, but it didn't work." If you tell someone something spiritual that happened to you personally, they either have to accept it as truth or think you quite mad. In any witnessing, a touch from God Himself is usually what swings the pendulum to salvation.
In this next series, I'm going to share with you many of the experiences I've had during some 4 decades as a Christian, as well as relate what I have learned from them. I will explain as much as I can, without identifying others if there is any chance of this giving you a negative impression of them. I am quite prepared to be totally open about myself and my shortcomings (of which there are many!), but I reserve the right to protect the privacy and identity of others, even to change their names if that is necessary. Basically this is my life story in brief. There are a thousand other episodes I could tell you about, but these are the most important, relevant because they explain the background that led to my convictions.
The truth is that, no matter what you've been through, spiritual experiences, once they're over, don't make a heck of a lot of sense in the worldly realm. Yet it is usually these very experiences that finally convince you beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus is a real, living Saviour, waiting to share a real-time relationship with you. And the potential spiritual fruits of that relationship are unimaginable. I pray that your walk with Jesus will be enriched by reading these testimonies and inspire you to seek similar intimacy with Him for yourself.
You may notice that the previous series have comprised 12 essays plus an introduction and a summary. The reason I’m leaving this series at ten, is that the story isn’t over. I’m expecting big things to happen, and I’m leaving room for them!
Salvation
It was late 1969. I was close to turning 22 and still had not found anything that made sense of this world we live in. But that was about to change.
Faith
It was 1970, when the Lord had me take those first tentative steps to learn to trust Him implicitly.
The Lord’s Prayer
1970. Outreach to people involved in drugs in Sydney’s King’s Cross held some wonderful learning experiences.
Years of turmoil
1971-1981. When you are as passionate as I am about something you believe in, you find it very difficult to compromise. I needed someone to listen to me, but there was no one.
Hearing from God
1981. Many have claimed to hear the audible voice of God. This is the closest I have ever come. And it was a life-changing experience.
Writing a Christian Novel
1974 - 2002. When there is no one to listen to what is burning in your heart, you have to write it down, instead.
Not Talking to God
1983. Out on the wide river of life, or up the creek without a paddle, God is always faithful, even if we aren’t.
Years in the Wilderness
1982 - 1990. It should have taken the Israelites 11 days to get from Egypt to the land flowing with milk and honey. It took them 40 years. Many of us also spend years looking for the Promised Land, often in the wrong places, and sometimes disappointment brings us close to giving up.
Leukemia
It was 1990, when the Lord had me look death in the face. All of life’s problems and confusion suddenly didn’t matter anymore.
A New Beginning
1991 and on. Having recovered from what should have been a fatal illness, made all my values change. Important things now look trivial. Am I more careful now? No, I would say I am more of a risk taker than before. This is a testimony about change; changes God wants to make in me.
If you have got this far through my essays, you know you are dealing with someone who is prepared to take a stand for what he believes. I don't claim to have all the answers. All I know is that Jesus deserves better than what we have been prepared to give Him. The whole of creation is here for only one reason - to provide a bride for Jesus, a bride without spot or wrinkle, one that the Father will approve of as a suitable partner for His Son for eternity. There is no other reason for us being here. And nothing in this universe surpasses that calling to make life meaningful.
The trend of the church of today is to focus on its constituents rather than on the eternal purpose. That very dangerous trend presents our own fulfilment, success, prosperity and happiness as the main aim and purpose of Christianity. In that context, it espouses wonderful Christian values (nothing wrong with that), but it overlooks the Big Picture. If I achieve nothing else in my life other than to get just a few of the next generation to question and reassess their priorities in that respect, I will die a happy man.
I already know that no breakthrough is possible while we continue to wear masks. Once we recognise that and start confessing our sins to one another, rather than pretending to be something we are not, pride will remain a huge obstacle to the flourishing of agape love. Only when we become open about who we really are, can we be loved for who we really are. And that is the first step in preparing to change who we are, (just as acknowledgement of an illness is the first step in being cured). Sometimes such changes require the condition to worsen before it can be fully addressed (one step forward, two steps back), just like my diseased, but still functional, bone marrow had to be destroyed before the new could thrive.
I already know that the way today’s Church functions, so similar to a secular organisation, is an obstacle to the emergence of true Christianity rather than a facilitator. But I have only a few ideas about what should take its place. I already know that we all have a responsibility to seek personal revelation of the true meaning of the scriptures, so that no leader can lead us astray. Enrichment of our individual intimacy with Jesus, our husband-to-be, must be the very first step. I already know that our forgiveness of all wrong done to us is absolutely essential. And I know that the New Covenant and the New Commandment will be vital keystones of the end-time church.
I have addressed in broad strokes, over the first three series of essays, 1) what the true Gospel is all about, 2) how we would prefer God to be different from what He really is, and 3) I have shared some of my life experiences that have led to my present stand. Through it I have reached a place where I believe that my created being, whilst loved by God with all its imperfections, is not suitable for entry into eternity. I need to change. God, as the Potter, wants to make some crucial changes in me, to mould me into someone ready for that role, being part of His eternal bride. So here, in series 4, I want to address more esoteric and philosophical subjects, exploring, amongst probably many other things, the concepts of true honesty, honour, love, giving and courage, and most importantly passion, within a framework of Biblically supported Christian life. As my main aim, I want to find out how to achieve these qualities and make them real and demonstrable values in my life and that of other Christians.
I am sure that there are many out there who have already had revelation of some of the answers I am seeking, and if you wish to share them with me, you are more than welcome. There is also a never-ending supply of Christian literature out there, and I am sure that many answers are to be found therein, as well as a lot of red herrings. It is impossible for me to read it all, but we could all read some of it, and share with each other when we come across something really good. But I have given Him an undertaking to seek His will and mind constantly, and I will embark on that journey hoping that some of you will be similarly inspired.
Honesty
What does it mean to be truly ‘honest’. Is it just telling no lies? Who are we to be honest with? And what is the impact true honesty can have on the Church itself? Is taking off our masks the key to the end-time church?
Passion
Can true passion stay silent? Jesus was willing to die for His passion - the eternal divine purpose. And it was His dear wish that His followers down the generations would feel as strongly as He did.
Courage
The fire within. Faith inspires courage and doubt inspires fear. Where do we find the courage to make a 100% commitment to Jesus?
Crucifixion
What did Jesus have to go through to save us? Why did He sweat drops like blood in agony before His arrest? And what does it mean to be crucified with Him?
Created in His Image
What does it mean to be created in the image of an infinite supernatural and spiritual being?
The Mind of Christ
What is it like to think like Jesus? And to what extent should we think like Him? Was He really a fanatic?
The Fruits of the Spirit
How can we appropriate the fruits of the Spirit in our daily lives? Are the fruits the same as the gifts of the Spirit? And what does it all mean? This essay explains why there is a cost.
The Armour of God
We are in a spiritual battle, and the Bible makes recommendations on how to win. These pieces of armour are metaphors for conscious adjustments we make in our daily life to make sure God is always in control.
In His Name
There are many names for God. And there is power in them. This essay examines the names and looks at their importance. It also looks at reasons for limiting the names we use. And how His name is abused.
Honour
What is this thing called honour and why should Christians have more than their fair share?
Humility
Jesus called Himself humble. I have never thought of Him as that. He knew exactly what He was about, was very assertive in making His point and gave His life for it. Our understanding of ‘humble’ and His are probably are quite different.
The Bride
So you want to be married? Guess what? So does our God, Yahweh. He has been courting His creation from day one. But who does He want to be married to?
Final Summary
So what is it all about, this Gospel message? Is it really so hard to come to grips with? Or are we subconsciously avoiding the Truth? What is really standing in the way of it coming to fruition?
This series of Essays will be dealing with teachings poorly founded on misinformation, or ones that have long been misunderstood owing to dubious interpretation of the Bible. Sometimes this involves delving into subjects where no clear conclusion is available, yet where Christian organizations have adopted various, but totally dogmatic positions. Alternatively, they will be subjects avoided by mainstream churches frightened to stray onto controversial ground.
May I say that rarely are the conclusions of any of my essays what I expect them to be when I start writing. Usually, as I start researching and praying for His guidance, my perspective changes from what my preconceptions were. “Climate Change” and “Science” are typical and it is exciting to realise that having an open mind can give greater insight. “Unconditional Love” had been sitting on my hard-drive for at least eight months, while I was hoping for some loophole to become obvious, proving me wrong! “Rapture” has also been a work in progress for some time, and the amount of learning that has resulted from writing it, and the personal growth that stemmed from that, has been enormous.
I trust that my readers can approach these subjects with an open mind as well, and be blessed accordingly.
Climate Change
The amount of misinformation published, and scare tactics employed, to serve the agendas of just a few is enormous. What is the truth about global warming, and how does the Christian perspective fit into the scheme of things? What should be our response?
Science
For too long we have been led to believe that some things are ‘scientific’ and ‘fact’, when really they qualify as neither. Much of the ‘information’ brought to us by the media, the schools of learning, and the political arenas is there to serve hidden agendas. Am I paranoid? Am I a conspiracy theorist? Judge for yourself.
Rapture
There are so many different perspectives on when this event will take place, the mind boggles. This is a journey through the Bible prophecies relating to that event, trying to make as much sense as possible out of the texts, viewpoints and conclusions drawn by others.
Unconditional Love
We have been told that God loves us unconditionally. We believe when we marry that we should love our partner unconditionally. We know we love our kids unconditionally. Is any of this true? Or have we been brainwashed by idealistic dreams, influenced by the wishful thinking of parents, pastors and peers?
The Hard Bits in the Bible
The God of the Old Testament is very difficult to reconcile with the loving Creator and Saviour we know personally and have fellowship with on a daily basis. The principles taught by Jesus, of loving our enemies, I can’t find in the O.T. Does that mean God has changed somewhere along the way? Sure, we were to love our neighbor under the Old Covenant, but ‘our neighbor’ didn’t seem to include idol worshipers and those who stood in His way, in those days of old. I was determined to find answers, re-read the entire Bible and summarised it in 36 pages. Here it is, 9 months work. We can’t change God, but I am now more at peace with the all-sovereign, all-knowing, all-powerful God He is, and has always been.
Truth
I watch and read everything I possibly can that supports views opposing mine, including the plethora of programs promoting Darwinian evolution, neo-Darwinism, nature documentaries, science programs, genetic discoveries, religious web sites, as well as sermons and philosophical expositions. I am sure I have not even begun to touch so much as 1% of the information available, let alone fully grasped what their authors are trying to say. In the end, having witnessed human behaviour up close for six decades on this earth, like everyone else, I am forced into the position of drawing conclusions as to what is TRUTH from the severely limited data at my personal disposal.