Why Believe? In the End, Christianity Rises or Falls on These Two Things
Some days I wonder why I’m a Christian. In a secular age, it isn’t great for your career; in some countries, following Jesus can sign your death sentence. With so many spiritual alternatives, why believe? I got thinking about this recently. A memory of a close call in the Dominican Republic helped bring my reasons
There’s Not a Lot That’s Stable Right Now. Here’s How to Stay Strong (Video)
Almost daily we hear another reason to be alarmed at the state of our world—from war, famine and terror, to our own personal storms. In troubling times like these, some of the world’s greatest leaders have gained strength from one famous speech: the Sermon on the Mount. In this video filmed in Melbourne, I explore
The Day Jesus Messed Up His Nice-Guy Image
In his famous painting ’The Light of the World’, Holman Hunt depicted Jesus in a white robe holding a lantern, knocking gently on a door that represents our heart. With blond beard, flowing hair and serene face, the Saviour is presented as a meek, mild soother of souls. Nice image—but the Holy Week of Easter
Is Spock a Christ Figure? After 50 Years of Star Trek, Some Think So
It was fifty years ago this week when the sci-fi pop culture phenomenon Star Trek, first hit TV screens. While it's mostly largely secular humanist in outlook, that hasn't stopped religious themes slipping into Star Trek's storylines, sometimes quite overtly. In fact, its most beloved character has done some very Christ-like things.
In a World of Ideas, How Can We Find the Authentic God?
As any psychologist can tell you, our understanding of God is vitally important. Many are held captive by an imaginary deity shaped by fear, pain, past, or our own desires. These humanly-inspired gods always fail us, or forever holding us in torment. So the question is, what is God really like? How can we spot
The Resilient Audiobook
How can you stay strong when the storms of life hit? To find out, plug in your headphones, and take a 90-day AUDIO journey with me through Jesus' Sermon On the Mount. Yes friends, after weeks of recording and editing, the 'Resilient' audiobook is here—an unabridged recording of my devotional that will recalibrate your callings,
055 What ‘Turn the Other Cheek’ Means (and Doesn’t) in an Age of Terrorism
The stories come almost every day: terror groups like ISIS destroying lives and using every form of intimidation to get implement their radical vision for the world. How should we respond? I believe Jesus has something powerful to say to the problem, but his words need to be carefully understood before being applied.
This Christmas Child
'Watch him. Watch this child, who grows into a boy, who grows into a man, and is found to be so much more. Watch as he is born—with angelic visitations and bright lights in the sky. Watch as he grows—in favour and stature, and pursues his calling from heaven.' As 2014 ends, I wish you
036 The Problem with Kitsch Jesus
You’ll find him in Christian bookstores, on ‘Christian art’ sites and all over Facebook. He may hang on your friend's lounge room wall, or even on your own. He is kitsch Jesus. But while he may remind us of how sweet and gentle he is, kitsch Jesus has a problem. Here he is in pictorial
004 Why Does God Hide? [Podcast]
Why is God invisible? Why doesn't he 'appear' in front of us? Even when he does appear, he comes disguised as a pillar of cloud, a whisper, or a burning bush, and even Jesus - God in human form - wasn't instantly recognisable after his resurrection. So why does God so love to hide? In