50 politically incorrect thoughts for men – 3

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20. Understand alpha and beta.  Alpha traits are things like leadership, dominance, bravery, and disregard for rules and safety.  Beta traits are things like helpfulness, supportiveness, reliability, and ‘being nice’.  Women are attracted to the former (they’re exciting), but appreciate the latter (they’re good to have around).  To be a successful husband, you need to have both traits.

21. Distinguish between ‘good alpha’ and ‘asshole alpha’.  Alpha traits need to be kept in check – driving too fast is alpha, but also dangerous.  …

An ethic of hope

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An ethic of hope pervades the New Testament:-

  1. It is an ethic of pilgrimage: one should see oneself in this world as a stranger traveling home (1 Pet. 2:11; Heb. 11:13).
  2. It is an ethic of purity: everyone who really hopes to be like Jesus when he appears “purifies himself, just as he is pure” (1 John 3:3).
  3. It is an ethic of preparedness: we should be ready to leave this world for a closer relationship with Christ our Lord at any time when the summons comes (2 Cor.
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Let us lament

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“They are grieving as if they have no God!”

These were the words of a pastor, describing the reaction of Christians soon after a hotel fire had killed over seventy people – mostly pastors and lay workers – in Manila.

A wife, standing at the graveside of her recently-deceased husband, is commended for ‘being strong’, because she is not weeping.

A Christian asked for prayer for success in an examination which would qualify her for a certain job.  …

Seven questions for transgender theorists

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Transgender people believe that their gender identity does not match their biological sex.  The spotlight is now very much on the extension of human rights to this group of people.  Recently, the debate in the US has been around whether people be allowed to use the public bathroom of their choice.

As Trevin Wax observes:- ‘the unmooring of “gender identity” from “biological sex” leads to a number of unresolved questions, as well as troubling inconsistencies among advocates of transgender rights.’…

Starting-points for studying Exodus

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What the Exodus story means for us will depend to a large extent on our own point of view.  John Goldingay discusses a number of ‘lenses’ through which Exodus has been, and continues to be, seen.

1. Pietism.  The pietist ‘lens’ is concern with my personal relationship with God.  Biblical stories then become ‘lessons’ or templates for how God deals with us today.  In typical Goldingay fashion, however, there is a reluctance to affirm that the story of Moses and exodus prefigure God’s saving work in Christ.  …

Paul and women’s ministry

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  1. Phoebe a ‘servant’ (deacon?) of the church, Rom 16:1-2.
  2. Women commended by Paul, Rom 16:3-16.
  3. Euodia & Syntyche fellow-workers with Paul, Php 4:2-3.
  4. Prophetesses recognised, 1 Cor 11:5 (cf. Acts 2:17-18 21:9)
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Rom 13:1-7 – Hurrah for politicians and taxes! – sermon notes

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Romans 13:1-7

I wonder how many of us muttered, ‘Thanks be to God’ through gritted teeth after this passage was read?  Thanks be to God for politicians and taxes?  You must be joking!

  • Perhaps Paul didn’t know that modern opinion polls would show that of all professionals, politicians are the least trusted.
  • Maybe he never anticipated the scandal exposed by the Panama Papers, which seem to suggest that the rich and powerful are engaging in tax evasion on an industrial scale.
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Discussion Starters, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26

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1. Which is more important: physical healing, or the forgiveness of sins?  Why?  And why do you think the two are linked together on this occasion?

2. Surely, healing and forgiveness are good things?  So why do you think the Jewish authorities we so resentful of what Jesus did?

3. In what ways can we follow in Jesus’ footsteps by bringing God’s healing and forgiveness to others?…

Discussion Starters, John 2:1-11

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(a) Jesus’ miracles are often referred to in John’s Gospel as ‘signs’.  Why do you think this might be?  If this miracle is a ‘sign’, then what does it point to?

(b) Jesus transforms something ordinary (water) into something special (good wine).  In what ways have you seen, or would you like to see, Jesus’ transforming power in your own life and relationships?

 …

Discussion Starters, Mk 11:1-11; Mt 21:1-11

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The Triumphal Entry

(a) Looking back over Mark’s Gospel, what evidence can you see that Jesus has been expecting for a long time to end up in Jerusalem?

(b) There is something distinctly kingly about our Lord’s ‘triumphal entry’ into Jerusalem. But in what ways is this entry different from what would have been expected of an earthly ruler?

(c) On Palm Sunday, the crowd sang “Hosanna!” Just a few days later, they shouted “Crucify him!”…