Category Archives: Grace

Does liberal theology undermine Christian morality?

Posted on July 26, 2014 by TheEvangelicalLiberal

I’m currently working my way through Susan Howatch’s ‘Starbridge’ series of novels – a 20th-century Barchester Towers about the inner workings of the Church of England and its motley clergy in high places. The novels (starting with Glittering Images) won’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Evangelicalism, Grace, Liberalism, Sin | Tagged , , , , | 52 Comments

Sin II – the inner struggle

Posted on July 8, 2014 by TheEvangelicalLiberal

So as I started to say last time, there seems to be an essential, elemental struggle within us between what we want to do and who we want to be; between our good aspirations and our innate and often unhelpful … Continue reading →

Posted in Evil, Grace, Psychology, Sin | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The first of Spring

Posted on March 1, 2014 by TheEvangelicalLiberal

Well, here in the northern hemisphere it’s the first day of Spring – meteorologically speaking, if not astronomically. (If you’re interested in the ins and outs of the technical definitions, here’s a blog post I wrote for work a few years … Continue reading →

Posted in Grace, Love of God, Poems, Seasons, Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

On shutting out the light

Posted on February 11, 2014 by TheEvangelicalLiberal

I am the great sun, but you do not see me, I am your husband, but you turn away… (Charles Causley) Last time I was asking how we’d respond if the worst were to happen. Would we hate God forever? … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger at God, Dark night of the soul, Grace, Hell, Love of God, Salvation, Suffering, Tragedy, Universalism | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

An experience of grace

Posted on January 30, 2014 by TheEvangelicalLiberal

I’ll confess that my life isn’t always characterised by the Deep Joy and Peace of the Lord™. I’m sure it will come as a surprise to hear that I don’t float around on a Christian cloud, enjoying unbroken fellowship with … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Grace, Love of God, Prayer, Spirituality | Tagged , , | 18 Comments

The reality gap revisited – banning ‘should’ and ‘ought’

Posted on December 4, 2013 by TheEvangelicalLiberal

I’m not generally in favour of banning anything. Nonetheless, in my view ‘should’ should be removed from the dictionary, and ‘ought’ ought to be banned. 😉 We’ve probably all heard countless well-meaning Christian talks telling us what we ‘should’ (or … Continue reading →

Posted in Emerging, Evangelicalism, Grace, Mental health, Psychology | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The reality gap

Posted on September 4, 2013 by TheEvangelicalLiberal

So, good brothers and sisters in our Lord, we’re Christians saved by grace, Amen? We’ve been filled with God’s Spirit to develop in Christ’s character, love each other with Christ’s love, lead victorious lives of prayer and righteousness and good … Continue reading →

Posted in Emerging, Evangelicalism, Grace, Psychology, The faith journey | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments

Evangelical Truth vs Liberal Love?

Posted on July 1, 2013 by TheEvangelicalLiberal

So last time I was appealing for courtesy and kindness in our dealings with those who we disagree with, even those we see as our ‘enemies’. Even when nothing short of God’s Truth is at stake, we need to speak … Continue reading →

Posted in Evangelicalism, Grace, Liberalism, Love of God, Orthodoxy, Truth | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

The offence of the gospel, or just being offensive?

Posted on June 26, 2013 by TheEvangelicalLiberal

…Or, an appeal to be courteous in our dealings wherever possible. It’s a sad truism that Christians are not always known for their love, kindness and acceptance, but rather for their intolerance, bigotry, narrow-mindedness and even hate. One reason for … Continue reading →

Posted in Controversies, Emerging, Evangelicalism, Grace, Love of God | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments