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Category Archives: Reflection
Resolution on non-violent anti-genocide action
At the eighteenth meeting of the Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, Rev. Alex Sangster and I presented a proposal condemning antisemitic acts in Australia, while pointing out that protesting genocide is not antisemitic and encouraging members of the Uniting Church in Victoria and Tasmania to do so. The proposal was passed without amendment. This is the text of that proposal, the rationale for it, and the words of the speech I made presenting it. Continue reading
The Apostles’ Creed
Reflection for North Balwyn Uniting Church Baptism of Jesus, 12th of January, 2025 The Apostles’ Creed In the Ordination Charge that ministers receive one of the things the Uniting Church tells us is: ‘You will receive the Apostles’ and Nicene … Continue reading
Opposing Christian Nationalism: Embracing Jesus’ Reign
The reflection emphasizes the significance of Christ’s reign amidst modern authoritarianism, drawing from biblical teachings to stress that Jesus’ kingship is rooted in love, compassion, and humility rather than power or violence. It calls Christians to embody this kingdom spirit, rejecting coercion and embracing inclusivity, as they navigate contemporary challenges. Continue reading
Reflection: Genocide and the Crucified God
In Jesus we see the God who is willing to serve, to suffer and die for humanity. As we watch innocents suffer and die, as we feel helpless in the face of evil, the one thing of which we can be certain is that the God revealed in Jesus is suffering and dying with them. They are not alone. Continue reading
Sermon: No Christmas in Bethlehem
It is important for us as Christians to do this, because Christianity is so profoundly implicated in the violence in Israel and Palestine. One of the reasons that many Jewish Israelis believe that their state must be a fortress is because of the centuries of Christian antisemitism the culminated in the twentieth century in the Holocaust. And one of the reasons that the United States government provides Israel with weapons is because of the strength of Christian Zionism in the USA. Continue reading
Posted in Reflection
Tagged Bethlehem, Christmas, Gaza, Isaiah 52:7-10, Israel, Luke 2:8-20, Palestine, Year of Mark
2 Comments
Sermon: Behaving so the world will believe
It is terrifying to think that non-Christians judge the credibility of the faith we proclaim by our behaviour, but it happens. People judge the possible truth of Christianity by the lives of Christians. That is not currently going well for us. Continue reading
Why I stand with transgender, gender diverse, and non-binary people
Sadly, Christianity has often promoted ideologies driven by supposed superiority and hatred. It has absolutely never gone well. Churches have had to apologise for being involved in slavery and settler colonialism and Nazism and apartheid. Christianity only truly follows Jesus when everyone is both welcomed and able to welcome others, and when Christians both are the oppressed, and those who stand on the side of the oppressed. Continue reading
Posted in Events, Political Activism, Reflection
Tagged LGBTIQ, marriage equality, Politics, public theology, Solidarity, Trans Day of Visibility, vigil
1 Comment
What is Queer Theology?
Queer theology reminds Christianity that at its core it is, or should be, about love. The God we worship is in God’s very self a community of love, the God whose love spills out in Creation, the God who became human out of love for us, the God who goes willingly into exile with God’s people, the God who remains with us on the margins when the centre rejects us. Continue reading
Sermon: The Uniting Church ‘radicals in politics’
We are involved in these apparently political issues because we believe that this is what the Gospel demands of us. Today we ordain women, we marry gay people, we are in covenant with the First Nations of this land, we celebrate our cultural and linguistic diversity, and we do all this because we are seeking to abide in Jesus and bear fruit. Continue reading
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