I found out something else rather interesting this morning, as I was reading a commentary on 1 Thessalonians by the remarkable and enigmatic Ernest Best. He's absolutely brilliant, although by modern standards, we'd consider him a little archaic in his theological interpretation. I wouldn't personally, but you know what I mean. This chap writes a massive 400 page book on both epistles, but they are thorougly gripping. This morning I was doing some research, in preparation for Sunday, on the historic nature of Pauls mission to Thessalonica. Why did he go there? What was the point in picking that particular place? Best explores this is in great detail, demonstrating that Paul's decisions about where to go were not just random thoughts, but considered strategic spiritually decided places. Thessalonica takes its place as one of the greatest ancient trade hubs - and no wonder - it was hugely important. I didnt know this, but at its very greatest (around the time of Pauls mission) the city w

The desire for the unity of the Christian church played a significant role in the first four centuries. As a plethora of theological interpretations, rituals and Christology’s flowed from a variety of different influences and cultures that surrounded the Christian world, it was important for the Christian church to respond, through its structures, practices and doctrine. The Christian discourse of defining orthodoxy and heresy produced what is now known as Gnosticism. In this essay I am going to assess the importance of Gnosticism for the development of the Christian church and its doctrine through three different responses to it.1 I will firstly look at the response of affirming apostolic succession, then the canonization of the scriptures where the church deliberated on what was scripture and what was not, and then finally, the adoption of faith and creedal statements that would directly address beliefs such as the divinity and nature of Christ. The Affirmation of Apostolic Successi

I've kept diaries for years. There is something ethereal and releasing about writing down on paper what is on your mind. If you ever read one of my diaries, it's likely you would find it something of a jig-saw. Lots of snippets and pieces of thoughts, that require too much knowledge to really seal together. They are a collection of memories, and thoughts, and not just thoughts, but thought-processes, that i go through on a daily basis. And then spend the night reflecting on, pen in hand (a Parker 51 obviously), and enabling my whole self to pour out. A blog online, like this one, is not going to be such a thing. I don't think anyone wants to read my innermost diatribe of delapidated diarnals. So instead, this blog will be used for sharing snippets of preparation, words of wisdom, and theological reflections, as i put together a sermon. Bear in mind though, as you read. If God wants something changed of a Sunday Morning, I have to take Fathers lead and not my own. So welcome to my desk.