The following lines are excerpts from Peter Hocken’s book: ‘The Strategy of the Spirit?’, where he reflects on the meaning of the worldwide renewal and revival being brought about by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit both in the historic churches and in modern movements. I quote from a chapter titled, ‘Mary, Mother of Jesus’.
A popular misconception about faith is that it’s about believing something to be true, even when you know it isn’t true or have no evidence for it. But that’s not what faith is – at least not the Catholic and Christian understanding of faith.
All of us have hopes. Things we dream about and yearn for, with great longing. I have noticed that certain activities, relationships and sources have helped me focus on the good things growing in my life, the lives of others and in our world and nurture hope in me.
In this season, one of the things I’ve become more aware of is expectations – of myself, of others, of life. And how those expectations often stem from a false sense of control, as I seek to fulfill the genuine longings of my heart – for security, for peace, for recognition, for approval, for significance, for a sense of worth and so on…
In his autobiographical work, Augustine of Hippo tells the honest story of the restless searching of his heart for fulfillment in various ways over a long period, which many have identified with their own search for happiness.
The Bible uses various images to describe the church, to help us understand its many facets. When I came across this meme a few years back, it stayed with me, because it helped me better understand the church as a type of ‘spiritual gym’ which I am a part of, because it’s a space where I can receive God and other people’s help, to keep working on my many dysfunctions and become healthier over time. It also helps overcome false images of the church – like the understanding that it is an exclusive club for those who claim to be perfect or morally superior than others.
Through experiencing my wife’s love when I fail /least deserve it, has made me more grateful for our relationship, because it has taken away the fear of being punished /rejected for my failures. I also feel closer to her as a result. And it has helped me to become more merciful myself.
The theme of ‘witnesses’ – people who’ve experienced something – speaks to something that is really distinctive to the Christian faith. Christianity is not a philosophy – though it can incorporate philosophy; it’s not primarily a mysticism – though it can incorporate mysticism; it’s not a religion that comes welling up out of natural experience – though it can accommodate that. Christianity is about something that happened; and there were witnesses of it. Without that, Christianity falls apart.
What is the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead? I want to focus on just one feature that John the Apostle especially draws attention to in his gospel account – namely, the burial cloths left behind in the tomb.
A common question over the centuries, for those who believe in the existence of God and that he is the source of all being and is entirely good, has been: Then why does he allow evil and suffering?
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