On not seeing the blindingly obvious

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Ned Block is professor of philosophy, psychology and neural science at New York University.  His work on consciousness has highlighted how prone people are to miss what is right in front of their eyes.  He discusses this on a Philosophy Bites podcast.

Professor Block mentions that examples can be found on YouTube.  Here’s one.

The particular reason for missing the obvious mentioned by Block, and demonstrated in the video, is that the observer’s attention is distracted.…

Every sermon needs a ‘ministry statement’

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So says Peter Adam, in his book Speaking God’s Words (p131).

A ministry sentence is a summary of the sermon, its main point.  It summarises my ministry to the congregation, is expressed in terms of the expected response, and includes an element of appeal or challenge.  It is characteristically expressed in terms of doing, rather than just knowing.  If my sermon is on 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, for instance, I do not just want people to know that sexual immorality is wrong. …

Why are Protestants keeping quiet about Clerical Abuse?

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Sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy is hitting the news on a daily basis just at the moment.  The apparent scale the abuse itself, together with alleged cover-ups implicating even the present Pope himself, is doing the reputation of the Catholic church immense harm.

The secular media is full of it.  Anti-religionists such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens are having a field day.  But why are Protestant spokespersons saying so little about it?

Martin Marty, veteran US religious commentator, offers the following reasons:-

1. …

Models of the relationship between science and theology

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Colin Russell sets out four possible approaches:-

1.  Independence.  The idea that science and theology are totally independent of one another eliminates the various problems that otherwise might be thought to occur.  It also eliminates the possibility of positive interaction.  In fact, ‘such a zero-interaction model is irreconcilable with historical evidence, which points to a continuous series of strong interactions over many centuries.’

2.  Conflict.  While it cannot be denied that science and theology (better, some scientists and some theologians) have found themselves in conflict from time to time. …

My Favourite Christian Writers

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My list of favourite Christian authors would look something like this (in roughly chronological order, not order of merit):-

  1. John Calvin – commentaries, Institutes
  2. Thomas Watson – Body of Divinity, Beatitudes, Lord’s Prayer, Ten Commmandments
  3. William Gurnall – Christian in Complete Armour
  4. Matthew Henry – Commentary
  5. C.H. Spurgeon – The Treasury of David, Lectures to my Students, An All-Round Ministry, Commenting and Commentaries (plus, of course, his many printed sermons)
  6. J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, Holiness, Knots Untied, Old Paths, Practical Religion, Christian Leaders of the 18th Century
  7. J.
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Seven Synoptic ‘Problems’

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Writing on the Historical Reliability of the Gospels in Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels (IVP), Craig Blomberg discusses seven areas of apparent disagreement between the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke).  For each, Blomberg indicates how the apparent difficulty might be resolved:-

(1) The theologies of the Evangelists may seem to conflict. Mark portrays the disciples as without understanding following Jesus’ walking on the water (Mk 6:52); Matthew has them worship him as the Son of God (Mt 14:33).…

Paul’s view of the Cross

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By God’s marvelous grace Paul had come to view [the] cross as:

a. The Mirror, and this not only of his own unworthiness but also of God’s resplendent attributes, that is, of such “excellencies” as God’s righteousness which must receive its due (Rom 8:3-4); God’s power and wisdom (1 Cor 1:24); and his love, mercy, and grace (2 Cor 5:19-21; Gal 2:20); all of these in sublime harmony with each other (Psa 85:10).

b. The Means of Redemption in its most comprehensive sense (Justification, Sanctification, Glorification).…

Quotes on Providence

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God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
(William Cowper)

The longer I live, the more faith I have in providence, and the less faith in my interpretation of providence.  (Jeremiah Day)

God’s providences often seem to contradict his purposes, even when they are serving them.  (Matthew Henry)

Everything that happens to me can help me along in my Christian life.  (E.…

A word of warning

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As a young Christian, I was very struck by some words of J.C. Ryle, the ‘Evangelical Bishop’.  I think that his passionate call to ‘fight valiantly’ still needs to be heeded today:-

I fear much for many professing Christians.  I see no sign of fighting in them, much less of victory.  They never strike one stroke on the side of Christ.  They are at peace with his enemies.  They have no quarrel with sin. – I warn you, this is not Christianity. …

Puritans on Providence

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What is Providence?

There are three things in providence: God’s foreknowing, Gods determining, and God’s directing all things to their periods and events.  (Thomas Watson)

Providence is the perpetuity and continuance of creation. (Richard Sibbes)

Tell me, if God had never a creature to look to in all the world but thee, wouldst thou believe that He would regard thy heart. and words, and ways, or not? If He would, why not now as well as then!

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