Our political lives are shoe-horned into a debate between conservative and progressive values and we, individually, are often defined as belonging at a point along a spectrum between the two political extremes. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, makes a claim for a third way, the way of grace. He says we need someone … Continue reading Philippians 3.1-4.1 | Persisting in life
Philippians 2:19-30 | The costs of loving
What does it mean to 'live lives worthy of Christ' (Phil 1:27) or 'let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus' (Phil 2:5). Paul makes sure that his teaching about being a Christian is backed up with living examples in himself, Timothy and Epaphroditus. The thing they have in common is … Continue reading Philippians 2:19-30 | The costs of loving
Philippians 2:1-18 | Humility is reality
Humility gets a mixed press from our thinkers and leaders but servant like humility has shaped our country deeply. It is why we aim for a public service and not a party bureaucracy. It is why we have a department of defence rather than a ministry of war. It is why we get angry when … Continue reading Philippians 2:1-18 | Humility is reality
Philippians 1:12-30 | Living is Christ
While it is true that Christians are the most persecuted group of people on earth today, Paul shows that they are not to respond to these wrongs as victims but as opportunists who boldly live lives worthy of Christ and embrace suffering for Christ as a gift. This is not our contemporary response of outrage … Continue reading Philippians 1:12-30 | Living is Christ
St John’s West Brunswick 