Yes, with a bit of effort, smart people can indeed fashion a ransom-captive or penal substitution theory from a bit of Hebrews here and a slice of Colossians there. But that really doesn’t mean you have to buy one.
Read MoreKeeping Faith in Ordinary Time - A series introduction
In calling people out “to the other side of the Jordan” (beyond the borders of Israel) and then baptising them back into their own faith, John the Baptist was doing something highly controversial with profound implication for us as people of faith today.
Read MoreAtonement vs Love - "The Bells That Still Can Ring" Session 4
If the whole thing about Jesus dying on the cross for our sins doesn’t chime for you any longer, then you’re really not alone. It doesn’t have to end there though, and if you’d like to think again, jump right into this fourth and final episode of “The bells that still can ring”.
Read MoreSunday 12 December 2021 Brian Ammons
Listen here to Brian’s farewell sermon before he heads back to the US next week. This was the 3rd Sunday of Advent, which ignites the candle of Joy.
Sermon audio from Harbour.
God vs The Divine - "The Bells That Still Can Ring" Session 3
What do we mean when we talk about “God”? Some kind of super being? Or perhaps even “the most” super being? Or do we mean something beyond all that entirely? Listen in for Brendan’s take on “Meta-Theism”!
Read MoreExperience vs Dogma - "The Bells That Still Can Ring" Session 2
Should we really be trying to make our own experience of God submit to codified religion or dogma? Brendan doesn’t think so.
Read MoreThe Bible vs The Writings - "The Bells That Still Can Ring" Session 1
In this session, Brendan calls into question some of our common assumptions about The Bible, and asks instead if we’re willing to embark on a journey of discovery through The Writings.
“In one of his many arresting statements, Jesus advised: “Truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”
Jesus knew what he was talking about; such integrity led him to the cross.
It can also lead us to liberation.
Many dogmas, confessions and articles of faith have stifled creativity, preventing us from owning and embracing our experiences of the Divine.
They need to ‘fall into the earth’.
So too, do the commands, decrees and regulations that have blighted countless lives through centuries.
The culture of Christendom that still pervades Christian thinking needs to be buried.
It is time to die. That we might rise... and bear new fruit.”
The Hospitality of the Gospel
The Church ought to be a custodian of the grace revealed at Calvary. It ought to make space for welcome, drawing people from everywhere to sit, rest and eat.
Read More
Stations of The Cross
On the Friday of Holy Week, we turn our attention to the experiences of Jesus leading up to his execution. Through this story, we might consider how in Jesus we see God standing in solidarity not with the highest religious and political authorities, but rather with those most vulnerable to policies that serve the interests of the wealthy and powerful.
Read MoreCollapsing Social Distance at Jacobs Well
The woman at the well is often misrepresented as some kind of sinful outcast who Jesus takes pity on. Spoiler alert, she’s way more than that - and so are you.
Read MoreThe Bible and "The Word" of God
Christians tend to have a complicated relationship with the bible. On the one hand many Christians claim that the Bible is the literal, authoritative, inerrant, infallible - word of God. On the other hand, the same book sits on many a shelf gathering dust - because we don’t know how to read it.
Read MoreWho is "God" in a multi-faith world?
“God” is not the name of the Christian deity. “God” is actually a placeholder word for that which cannot be named. Only after we drop our graven images of God, can we come into the presence of the One who has no image.
Read MoreChristians in Northern Ireland want Marriage Equality too
So whilst it has been widely reported that many same sex couples will rightly be celebrating their civil and humanist marriages by valentines day next year, I wonder how many of us realise that same sex couples of faith will be relegated to the margins once again - still waiting their turn for equality.
Read MoreCan we talk about "biblical marriage" please?
Read More“Clearly, if the relationships in Genesis are to be held up as “God’s design for marriage”, then it’s not a very good one. Especially if you happen to be female.”
More than sand
“You’ve got to remember, God isn’t just loving. He is also holy, just and righteous.” This solemn pronouncement was recently made to me in support of God’s supposed ordering of genocide and ethnic cleansing in the Old Testament. “But what do you think is holy, just or righteous about killing women and children?” I protested. “It doesn’t matter what I think,” came the confident reply, “my job is just to believe it.”
Read MoreWant to learn about Progressive Christianity?
A four week “Introduction to Progressive Christianity” mini-course at Harbour Faith Community.
Listen. Share. Discuss. Progress.
07 March Session 1 - Putting the Bible in its place
14 March Session 2 - The Cross and Forgiveness
21 March Session 3 - Accepting Sexuality
28 March Session 4 - Living on a Prayer
All sessions start at 19:30 at 8 Governors Place, Carrickfergus. Click for more details.
Read MoreWho we are instead
In a part of the country largely dominated by a more conservative evangelical version of Christianity, we aim to provide a home for those who wish to explore or express their faith in an alternative way. This has become known to many as "Progressive Christianity", which encourages thoughtfulness in faith, is not afraid of doubt, excludes no one and fosters a more optimistic view of our shared future together.
Read MoreWhat exactly is "Progressive Christianity"?
This is the heart of what it should mean to be a Christian of any designation; the desire to continue to move and grow and learn and change, even if those things place us in opposition to the person we once were or the beliefs we once held firmly or the testimony we once gave. As we move through space and time, our faith should be in continual evolution. We should always look back at the previous version of ourselves and realise how much we didn’t know then. We should be able to see how far we’ve come in matters of spirituality.
Read MoreBelief matters, but love really does win
This is intended by Jesus to catch us off guard. Even the characters in the parable itself are surprised by how the final judgement was actually playing out. This, as with many of the parables, is meant as a warning to those of us who think we have it all sewn up.
Read More