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‘Let no one who is not eager for truth and peace enter here’ (Plato)

Articles on this site express varying points of view, to encourage mature thinking on serious issues. The assumption is that you will want to study a controversial topic from various angles before you arrive at a conclusion, rather than simply believe what someone told you when you were impressionable! (So some stuff here is ‘hot’. Proceed at your own risk!). See the Statement of Faith for John Mark Ministries' theological stance.

BLACKBURN BAPTIST CHURCH: fond memories…

By and others ⋅ September 15, 2014 ⋅ Post a comment

CROSSWAY’S 60th (14th September 2014): Some notes in preparation (with four other senior pastors of this church throughout its history) for an interview this Sunday, based on two questions: [1] What was the church’s focus at that time? [2] What do you believe God was doing in the church? Update: (A day later: Monday September 15, […]

Organized Religion

By and others ⋅ September 12, 2014 ⋅ Post a comment

Drift Away by MARTIN E. MARTY Monday | Sept 8 2014 Smart-crack responses will not get one very far. Thus, when asked, “Are you a member of the organized church?” I can look at the chaos of polities and answer, “No, I am a Lutheran.” Then: “Do you believe in institutional religion?” I can answer, […]

South Korean Catholic and other churches

By and others ⋅ September 5, 2014 ⋅ Post a comment

South Korea’s Catholic Church: Poster Child for a Fresh Pontificate by TIMOTHY S. LEE Thursday | Sept 4 2014 When Pope Francis visited South Korea in mid-August, he participated in the Sixth Asian Youth Day, consoled parents of teenagers who had perished in a capsized ferry, expressed solidarity with women who had been forced into sexual […]

From a critic of the Church: Taking a leap of faith? Then take the blinkers off

By and others ⋅ September 3, 2014 ⋅ Post a comment

Date August 25, 2014 Wendy Squires Last year one of my closest girlfriends had a baby. I was excited and honoured when she asked if I would be its godmother. But still, I declined. You see, to formally accept my role, I would have had to stand up in a Catholic church and declare I […]

Child sexual abuses: the Catholic Church is more concerned for its reputation

By and others ⋅ September 1, 2014 ⋅ Post a comment

Obstacles on the path to justice for abuse victims Author: Judy Courtin – Judy Courtin is a lawyer and a doctoral researcher at Monash University’s law faculty, doing research into sexual assault and the Catholic Church. Date: 25/08/2014 Publication: The Age The evidence suggests the church is more concerned for its reputation than for its […]

U.S. Christianity: ‘How a faithful nation gets Jesus wrong.’

By and others ⋅ August 27, 2014 ⋅ One comment

Bill McKibben: “The Christian paradox: How a faithful nation gets Jesus wrong.” The following article came to my attention while viewing Bill Moyer’s interview with New York Times conservative columnist, Ross Douthat. http://billmoyers.com/segment/ross-douthat-on-modern-christian-heretics/ *** Excerpt:  “Therein is the paradox. America is simultaneously the most professedly Christian of the developed nations and the least Christian in its behavior.” […]

Sex Abuse – worse among Evangelicals/Fundamentalists than Catholics?

By and others ⋅ July 31, 2014 ⋅ Post a comment

GRACE against sex abuse by MARTIN E. MARTY Monday | July 28 2014 GRACE acronates “Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment.” Its story is well told in Kathryn Joyce’s “By Grace Alone,” an article in American Prospect (May/June; see “Sources,” below). Please read it, since it offers background and details vital to the questions of “abuse.” […]

A teacher’s famous email…

By and others ⋅ July 26, 2014 ⋅ Post a comment

(NOMINATED for — BEST E-MAIL OF THE YEAR) After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospective teacher said: “Let me see if I’ve got this right.  You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behaviour, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt […]

Vatican: Most Catholics reject teaching on contraception, sex

By and others ⋅ July 1, 2014 ⋅ Post a comment

  A typical headline calling attention to the forthcoming (October) Vatican conference of bishops reads: “Vatican: Most Catholics reject our teachings on contraception, sex.” The bishops are convening to deal with these often-rejected teachings. Some supporters of the Church’s teachings soften the edge on the rejection theme. Thus the LifeSiteNews headline: “Most Catholics don’t know […]

Politics & Religion (Stanley Hauerwas)

By and others ⋅ June 27, 2014 ⋅ Post a comment

Can Democracy be Christian? Reflections on How To (Not) Be a Political Theologian Stanley Hauerwas ABC RELIGION AND ETHICS 24 JUN 2014 DEMOCRATIC CULTURE IS CHARACTERISED BY THE LOSS OF ELEGANT SPEECH. WELL-FORMED SERMONS MAY BE THE MOST IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION CHRISTIANS CAN MAKE TO A POLITICS THAT HAS SOME AMBITION TO BE TRUTHFUL.CREDIT: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM SEE ALSO Related […]

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