Category: Theology


Giant waves, judgement, Jesus and Jensen

Filed Under: Letters to The Editor, Media, Sydney Anglican Diocese, Theology by Jodie — Leave a comment
5 January, 2005

Here’s a letter I submitted to the SMH for today’s paper but was not published, concerning the meaning behind the Tsunami tragedy:

“When a falling building killed eighteen people in the first century, Jesus denied that it occurred because the victims were worse sinners than the general public. Yet, he offered this important warning: “But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:5) When Philip Jensen says of God that “disasters are part of His warning that judgement is coming” (‘God’s will comments horrible, says dean’, January 3), he is only repeating Jesus’ sentiments. If The Reverend Tim Delaney believes this teaching is “insensitive, inhumane and ungodly” (SMH Letters, January 4) then his problem is with Jesus as much as Jensen.”

You can read the original article here: http://www.smh.com.au/news/Asia-Tsunami/Gods-will-comments-horrible-says-dean/2005/01/02/1104601246571.html and the page that contains the letter I disagreed with here: http://www.smh.com.au/news/Letters/Religious-theories-fail-to-explain-this-natural-disaster/2005/01/03/1104601295769.html

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The shame of abortion

Filed Under: Ethics, Theology by Jodie — Leave a comment
4 November, 2004

I predict that by the end of this century our society will hang its head in shame at the slaughter of our unborn children from abortion. Like slavery and genocide, our children’s children will struggle to comprehend how a civilised society such as ours could have allowed such a crime against humanity.

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Unity in the body of Christ

Filed Under: Sermons, Theology by Jodie — Leave a comment
21 September, 2004

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of speaking at the Hurstville Chinese Baptist Church. It was my first ever translated sermon! I spoke one phrase in English, and my interpreter translated it into Cantonese.

It made me understand many things about the body of Christ. It showed me that language and culture may make fellowship difficult at times, but it doesn’t change our unity in Christ. I saw this clearly as we celebrated the Lord’s Supper together. This enacted word brought our diverse backgrounds together in a profound way, having already heard the Lord speak to us through his word.

It was wonderful to enjoy the fellowship and love of doing on earth what we are already doing as gathered disciples in heaven. Thanks to my brothers and sisters at HCBC… see you again soon!

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Go and see ‘In America’

Filed Under: Movies, Theology by Jodie — Leave a comment
27 May, 2004

If you’re looking for a great DVD, go and borrow ‘In America’ (http://www2.foxsearchlight.com/inamerica/).

This beautiful tale of an Irish family who moved to America deals with the issues of grief and spirituality in a profoundly emotional, yet non-manipulative fashion.

Amidst the laughter and the tears, the issue of life-after-death often arises. The bereaved family members are confident that their child has gone to heaven, and some even continue to speak and make requests to the little boy.

As the credits rolled I felt sad that the hope these people shared had no basis in the truth… that only those in Christ Jesus Christ will rise with him to new life after death. Sadly, the world is full of people who are sincere in their faith, but are sincerely wrong.

In what can we truly hope? “In God’s great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never spoil or fade–kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time”. 1 Peter 1:3-5 (NIV)

Buy or borrow the movie… it really is a wonderful story. But trust in the only one who has conquered death, giving us a living hope!

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Email problems!

Filed Under: Internet, Theology by Jodie — Leave a comment
8 February, 2004

This week seemed to be a milestone in email frustration. On a personal level, my email server crashed, giving me 24 hours without email. If you sent me an email on Wednesday, then you now know why it bounced.

Yet this was not all. My outbound emails were bounced back due to some servers blocking certain Optusnet mail servers. But since Optusnet block Port 25, I can’t use another SMTP server to send my mail and avoid the problem. I’d be interested to hear what the ACCC would say about an ISP forbidding use of a competitor’s mail server… mmm…

Clearly we have become very dependent on email. For me, this is really my primary form of electronic communication. I typically receive up to 40 emails a day, not to mention the 70 odd SPAM that also clog my system. I’ve been able to get on top of the SPAM problem by using a clever filter (thanks to Chris at Trend Micro).

But there is a hidden cost to SPAM. Speaking to Hamish, the Sys Admin at the Anglican Diocese of Sydney, the unwanted emails generate enormous amounts of extra bandwidth… which costs money. Some spineless spammer mightn’t care how much it costs others, as long as he or she gets a couple of orders of Viagra. Yet it costs others!

This is a classic example of our sin. We think that it won’t effect anyone else if we disobey God. Yet, when we serve ourselves, it is inevitable that others pay the cost.

Bill Gates has boldly claimed to have the solution to Spam. He says that by 2006 we will have rid the world of this problem. Like many others, I am sceptical. It is impossible to create a world without sin, even if it is in cyberspace. Humans will always work out a way to be selfish and unlawful.

The answer to sin is to deal with the root problem. Only Jesus’ death can deal with sin. Yet, fortunately, the cost is borne by him, not us. There is a new world which will be free from SPAM… but it won’t be ruled by Bill, it will be ruled by Jesus.

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