The words “fulfil all righteousness” ring in my ears. I wonder. Is the baptism of Jesus more than a commissioning, more than a shot fired to say the race has begun? I wonder if it’s an enactment of
Words never spoken before or since the Baptism of Jesus Read More »
The more I read the Gospels, the more I believe that I – and most Christians I know – fail to read them correctly.
From Wonder to Witness: The Gospel’s Call in John 1:1-18 Read More »
Dominion is, therefore, not a license for autonomous control, but a charge to exercise God-like, responsible rulership—the kind that protects, fosters life, and orders chaos for the benefit of the whole creation community.
A Reflection on Genesis 2:15’s call to “serve and keep” Read More »
By Claire Khoo As a Christian cancer survivor I truly honour personal testimonies and lived experiences. However, over the course of 12 years post cancer, I’ve seen too many Christians who are eager to turn their healing into an opportunity to campaign freely to the world about how Jesus heals… note that the success of
Responsible witness: Honouring God in the midst of pain Read More »
Christians who live in Muslim-majority Malaysia, filled with ethno-religious rhetoric, especially in the era of the Gaza conflict, must reflect on Israel. Are churches the new Israel? If they are …
Churches as Outposts of Heaven: Is the New Israel Fulfilling its Mission? Read More »
In the Bible, the church is called the Bride of Christ. Today, churches around the world bear much reproach. When people share stories about churches, they choose stories of exploitation and greed. Or stories of promises of personal peace and abundance, affluence. Not of mercy, honour, protection. What can you and I do to change the narrative?
Fourth Sunday of Advent: Can we “Joseph” the Church? Read More »
Matthew also tells us Jesus pointedly added that John had less honour than “the least in the kingdom of heaven.” Why did Jesus say that? Why did Matthew write that Jesus said that?
Are You the One? Reflections on Matthew 11:2-11 Read More »
This week, I was reading Matthew 4 in Greek which then led to the following insights. The setting: two scenes from the Gospel according to Matthew, framed by the same Greek phrase: ὀπίσω μου (opiso mou), meaning “behind me.” The changing of a single word at the front reveals the profound and painful tension on
John had a blunt message for Israelites who thought they were safe because they were descendants of Abraham, to whom God had promised the land. He said Israel was like a tree which failed to bear fruit. He said the tree’s owner had raised an axe to chop it down.[8] Until John, baptism was reserved for proselytes, non-Israelites who wanted to join Israel. But John said …
Preparing the Way: Reflections on the Second Sunday of Advent Read More »
Last Sunday, some of our congregation stayed back in our worship hall to decorate it for Christmas … to create a joyful, festive atmosphere … Joyful. So, why does the first gospel reading in the church calendar, in the build-up to Christmas, begin with judgment? … How can that be joyful?
Why Advent Begins with the End: A Lesson from Matthew Read More »
