Tag: John Dickson

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// BANNED AUTHORS

INSTAGRAM YO

Loved sharing the platform with two banned authors today at the @BibleSocietyAus #MasterClass in #Brisbane!

Solid session from @JohnPaulDickson on The Doubters Guide To The #Bible this morning.

Then I gave a session on Cross-Shaped Leadership: #KeepTheGospelOnRepeat.

Right now #PatriciaWeerakoon, my favourite sexologist, is finishing off the day. I think she is probably one of the most important speakers that young people, regardless of faith need to hear.

#nextgeneration #youthministry #youngleaders #vsco #cityonahillbris #brisbaneanyday #brisbaneyouth

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// DOUBTER’S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE

INSTAGRAM YO

Great day at #cityonahillmelb with @johnpauldickson preaching on how the Bible powerfully answers 3 of the fundamental questions of life:

  1. why the beauty? (God created with beauty, purpose and order)
  2. why the ugly? (Sin and fallenness runs through everything)
  3. where is God? (God is not aloof, but He is compassionate and has entered into the ugliness in the person and work of JESUS – at the cross JESUS takes our fallenness and offers life and forgiveness)

#MelbLyf #melbourne #MelbourneToDo #MelbourneChurch #JohnDickson #Bible #Jesus

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SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIPS, KEVIN RUDD and HOW TO READ THE BIBLE

“Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made an impassioned defence of gay marriage on Q&A last night, after being asked how he could support same-sex unions as a Christian.” See the clip of Rudd in action on the ABC website.

DEE WHY BEACH

ABC News posted this on Facebook this morning:

Have you seen Kevin Rudd’s impassioned defence of gay marriage? It’s proving a hit on social media this morning. Do you agree with what the Prime Minister had to say?
#auspol #ausvotes #election #election2013 #marriageequality

Here is my response:

  1. Kevin is free to defend gay marriage.
  2. However his handling of the bible was weak.
  3. His lack of tolerance for the minister who asked him a question was ironic considering he has only shifted his opinion on this issue in recent months/years.
  4. Kevin said the point of the New Testament is love. He said it was our love for each other. The point of the bible is love… but first and foremost it’s about God’s love for us.
  5. Jesus loves all people. Christians are passionate for the world to understand that Jesus loves them.
  6. This includes heterosexuals, homosexuals, bisexual, polyamorous and any other word people use to describe themselves.
  7. No-one deserves Jesus’ love, because all people have failed to love God and love their neighbour as themselves.
  8. The best way to understand the love of Jesus is to look at the cross. At the cross Jesus – who is innocent of sin – willingly takes upon himself the penalty of sin. He then rose again proving that he had dealt with sin and guarantees life beyond the grave to all who believe.
  9. This is good news and is liberating for all who believe – both now and into eternity.
  10. On behalf of Christians who are sometimes filled with hate on this issue, I’m sorry.
  11. If you’re interested in learning more about Jesus… I recommend the biography written by Mark. It’s the shortest. As you read it, ask 3 questions a) Who is Jesus? b) Why did Jesus come? c) What does it means to follow Jesus? You can read it here: www.bible.com/bible/111/mrk.1.niv

There have been a bunch of people responding to my comments across the day. Let me know what you think!

Last year I put together a resource on with some Christian thoughts on same-sex marriage. You can see all those resources here: davemiers.com/gay-marriage

See below for some more responses to this issue from 3 friends…
Continue reading “SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIPS, KEVIN RUDD and HOW TO READ THE BIBLE”

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#SNIPPETY // How Christians should vote + Syria + Miley Cyrus + Mirror City Timelapse

There isn’t enough time to write all the draft blog posts that circulate through my head. Solution? SNIPPETY. SNIPPETY is an irregular mishmash blog post of news, views and other snippets. Feel free to interact with the mash in the comments.

SNIPPETY dave miers dot com

Mixing Religion and Politics // Federal election in Australia this Saturday. How should Christians approach voting? See John Dickson’s article on how Christians should and shouldn’t approach voting.

Assessing Christian election guides // While thinking through how you should and shouldn’t vote, you may want to check out some of the Christian election guides. Sandy Grant has comprehensively assessed the relative merits of the 4 Christian issues voting guides. Find it on the briefing website.
Continue reading “#SNIPPETY // How Christians should vote + Syria + Miley Cyrus + Mirror City Timelapse”

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Gay Marriage?

Debates are currently raging in Australia about same sex marriage. There are Christians who say really dumb stuff in opposition to the proposed changes to The Marriage Act. The pro same-sex marriage lobby also say some pretty dumb stuff. I have a ‘don’t be a Christian jerk‘ policy in life and online. But if I’ve personally offended you, I’m genuinely sorry if and when my tone and manner has been offensive.

Earlier this week I posted the Australian Christian Lobby animation, I don’t think it says much, and I think that it overemphasises procreation as central to marriage. Typically, I don’t think that ACL are the best political voice for Christians. In the embedded video above (click here if you can’t see it) John Dickson and Simon Smart from Centre for Public Christianity offer a great approach for Christians to engage lovingly on this issue. Watch it. Let me know what you think.

I haven’t yet watched it, but I understand that John Dickson was featured in a good interview on ONE PLUS ONE last Friday. Check it. EDIT: I’ve now watched it. It’s very good. Watch from 10:50 for about 10 minutes. I love the model of Christian discourse with the wider community encouraged by JD.

Here is some more Christian content from the last 18 months worth considering:

NEW LINKS 3 JULY 2012:

I believe that Christians ought to have a voice in this debate to commend a Biblical view on marriage. But ultimately, there is no expectation in the Bible that Christians can legislate how the rest of the world should live.

The most important thing that Christians can do is point people to Jesus. ALL people need to hear the wonderful news of Jesus. Jesus loves you, he died for your sin, he rose again to guarantee eternal life to all who trust in him. Check out these relevant posts for more info about Jesus: The King who Saves; The King Who Rules; Faith 101; The G.O.S.P.E.L.; No More Fear in Death; Responding to the Evidence.