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The conference audio is now available from the “A Fresh Look at Mission” conference. It was held last Friday in the Sydney CBD. A really useful day and with some great content. I look forward to continuing to engage in thinking through how to reach Sydney and the World with the good news of Jesus.
I was particularly encouraged by John Dickson’s vision in the final talk.
Find out more about the conference // Download the sermon audio
A bunch of Aussie Christians have responded to the Aussie Muslims’ billboard about Jesus with their own billboard. I think it’s an intelligent, thoughtful and respectful response to the MyPeace campaign. Religious dialogue can be courteous! www.aussiechristians.com.au
See below for a video that shows some of the key differences with a Muslim understanding of Jesus. John Dickson from CPX interviews Diaa Mohamed (the founder of the MyPeace campaign). Worth a watch:
This is an illustration from a book by John Dickson. I’m storing it here for later reference. Others might find it useful too. Peaceout.
In the USA some time ago, three lads hopped onto their local bus for a ride. They were in a fairly ‘vigorous’ mood, so when they noticed a man alone up the back of the bus dressed rather casually in a track-suit and beanie, they thought they’d see how far they could push him.
At first they just made a few light jokes about him. The stranger didn’t respond. They turned up the heat and started to insult him directly. The stranger still didn’t respond. They continued this for some time trying to get the man to fight back. After all, there were three of them and just one of him.
Eventually the bus arrived at the stranger’s stop. He stood up. The lads then realised that he was much, much bigger than they had estimated. He looked down at the young men, reached into his pocket, and pulled out his business card. He handed it to one of them and then silently walked off the buss and on his way.
The three boys huddle around the card to see who this stranger was and what he did for a living. The card read:
JOE Louis
Professional Boxer
Check out this short video about the crucifixion of Jesus. It’s taken from the Life of Jesus documentary featuring author and historian Dr John Dickson from CPX.
If you’ve got questions about Jesus – check out your local church this weekend.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) Sometimes I think we complicate things by focusing on the wrong things when it comes to reading the rest of Genesis 1. I don’t think the purpose of Genesis 1 is to describe the mechanics of how God created the heavens and the earth. God could have created in 6 literal 24 hour days, but I think to make that the centre of my gospel is to miss the point of Genesis 1 and the point of the gospel! I think that’s reading Genesis contrary to its historical context.
I recently read a brilliant paper by John Dickson, The Genesis of Everything: An historical account of the Bible’s opening chapter, where he deals with this very issue.
Check out the Abstract:
The paper seeks to plot a path through the controversy surrounding the Bible’s opening chapter by examining Genesis 1 in historical context. The author assumes and endorses no particular view of human origins but argues for a literal interpretation of the text, as opposed to what may be called ‘literalistic’. The former reading gives due weight to both the literary genre of Genesis 1 and the cultural milieu of the original writer, whereas the latter gives sufficient attention to neither.
Various pre-scientific interpretations of Genesis 1 are described, including those of the first century Jewish intellectual Philo and the great Christian theologian Augustine. In particular, comparisons are drawn with the Babylonian creation epic, Enuma Elish, and it is suggested that Genesis 1 is a piece of ‘subversive theology’, making significant theological points in the light of contemporaneous creation ideas. The questions raised (and answered) by the Bible’s opening chapter concern the nature of the Creator, the value of creation and the place of humanity within the creational scheme. Modern questions concerning the mechanics and chronology of creation may not be appropriately put to the ancient text.
John Dickson has written a great article for ABC Unleashed arguing for a more nuanced discussion about homosexuality. It’s reasonable, intelligent and well-argued.
I think this is an important issue to be discussing and appreciate Dickson’s input. Christians have to work hard at not being jerks in how we speak.
Here’s another recent article from Michael Jensen on the issue.
EDIT: Here’s a great quote from Dickson:
There is a failure of ethical imagination here, an inability to utilise two mental muscles at the same time: the muscle of strong conviction and the muscle of compassion for all. Jesus was the master of this ethical exploit. Open the Gospel of Luke at chapter 13 and you’ll hear him condemning certain behaviour and warning of coming judgment. Continue through to chapter 15 and you’ll find him wining and dining with ‘sinners’ – those you might have thought were first in line for judgment – and illustrating the point with a parable about a father’s love for his prodigal son. Keep reading to the end of the story and the point is made with disturbing clarity: so seriously did Jesus take sin that he thought he had to die for it; so seriously did he love sinners, a category in which he placed us all, that he thought he had to die for them. He was able to be morally exacting and deeply compassionate toward the same people at the same time – though it is a sad and undeniable fact that many in the church since have had difficulty emulating the feat.
In this video, John Dickson and Mark Driscoll talk about God; religion; justice; Richard Dawkins; the cross; blood; sacrifice and the heart of Christianity, Jesus. Check it.