A study published earlier this month by two theologians resident in New Zealand suggests that Jesus himself was a victim of sexual abuse. Dr Rocio Figueroa Alvear is a Peruvian theologian currently lecturing in systematic theology at Good Shepherd College in Auckland and an external researcher at the Centre for Theology and Public Issues at Otago Read more
For most of my life, scripture has been a part of daily prayer, and yet there is something new every time I read it. This morning, John the Baptizer’s statement about Jesus as “The one who comes after me,” started a long journey of reflection. John, the wild prophet in the wilderness had always known Read more
A previously-unknown 1,500-year-old painting of Jesus’ face has been uncovered at a Byzantine church in Israel’s Negev desert. The discovery in the ancient Byzantine village of Shivta has thrilled archaeologists. Although the painting is fragmented, experts from Israel’s University of Haifa were able to make out the facial outline. The painting, which is believed to Read more
People love him, there’s no doubt about that. The Messiah, some say, while others blaspheme, calling him Son of God. You wouldn’t think him worthy of any title, he looks so ordinary, a man in a simple tunic with a rope belt, an untidy beard. Yet I have seen him heal a child with bones Read more
Christmas. People roll their eyes. The pace in an already over-stimulated society quickens. Everyone is trying to get their jobs, their gigs, their projects, finished by Christmas. Many people bemoan the approach of this festival, complain about its commercialization, wonder why it is still observed in a multicultural, multi-faith country like Australia. But most people Read more
The children were talking in class about the birth of Jesus. What did the angels look like? How many animals were in the stable? The only negative character in the story was the landlord of the inn. “He was mean!” a boy said. Really? I wondered why the world’s most beautiful story had to have Read more
In the ancient world people always told stories about the childhood of famous people. The stories illustrated the direction and qualities of their adult lives, and usually grew with the telling. So it was with Jesus. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke both begin with different stories of his birth that illustrate its significance. Later story Read more
A favourite millennium joke concerns a tableau staged in Heaven to celebrate 2000 years since the birth of Christ Jesus. As I remember it, it goes like this: It was a great celebration. The angels were in fine voice, and Jesus consented to be a baby again. He lay in Mary’s arms while Joseph sat Read more
It is said that God walks behind us, picking up those parts of our life that we choose to discard. The imperfection, failure, shame we try to leave behind in our desire to live “good” lives, is God’s treasure, the true gold of our life story. It is the precisely that part of us, and Read more
Not believing in the devil isn’t a good idea, warns Philadelphia’s Archbishop Charles Chaput. There is a medieval Christian saying, “no devil, no Redeemer,” he says. “The modern world makes it hard to believe in the devil. But it treats Jesus Christ the same way. And that’s the point.” Read more