Archive for the “Theology” category

Dead Words

by i.burgess on January 20, 2012

When we wonder why the language of traditional Christianity has lost it’s liberating power for nuclear man, we have to realize that most Christian preaching is still based on the presupposition that man sees himself as meaningfully integrated with a history in which God came to us in the past, is living under us in [...]

It’s a bit like this

by i.burgess on January 4, 2012

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may [...]

Wretchedness, Pascal and Grace

by i.burgess on November 11, 2011

If there were no obscurity, man would not be sensible of his corruption; if there were no light, man would not hope for a remedy. Thus, it is not only fair, but advantageous to us, that God be partly hidden and partly revealed; since it is equally dangerous for man to know God without knowing [...]

Intermission: What did you expect?

by i.burgess on October 26, 2011

I’m taking a break from the exposition of Kierkegaard to attempt to address the question I raised in my previous post. What can we expect from Jesus? I ask this as it has become a matter of pressing concern in my reflections on Kierkegaard’s Gospel. Pressing, because in his exposition he defines the character of [...]

The end of the matter

by i.burgess on June 1, 2011

Yesterday I tried to draw out some of the harsh realities of our existence, namely that only this present moment exists. Therefore, any memory of happiness or hope for joy is imaginary, a shadow even. I noticed how we fail to fulfil our innate desire for joy because we believe we have either already been as happy [...]

Kierkegaard on discipleship

by i.burgess on May 17, 2011

…Loftiness is naturally an easy thing, and to feel oneself drawn to it is easy enough. But Christ who from on high draws all men to Himself does not take them out of the world where they live. and therefore to everyone who is drawn unto Him in the heights lowliness and humiliation come as [...]

Wineskins Part 5

by i.burgess on May 10, 2011

This is the final part of a discussion on Church Planting. Go here for part 1 It’s Church, Jim, but not as we know it So said John Wesley who had traveled three hundred years into the future with his close friend, Jim, and walked into the nearest church. Last time I wrote celebrating the [...]

Wineskins Part 4

by i.burgess on May 5, 2011

This is part four of a series discussing church planting, modern church movements and young people. See part 1 here Or, Why I Believe in the Church Historic. Question 62: What is the visible church? Answer: The visible church is a society made up of all such as in all ages and places of the [...]

Wineskins Part 3

by i.burgess on May 4, 2011

This is part three of a lively discussion on church planting. It started when I came out and admitted I don’t believe in church planting. Yesterday a commenter framed this discussion with the terms ‘appointed’ and ‘anointed’ That is to say, the traditional church could be guilty of trusting itself more than the leading of [...]