It’s very plain and has been for many years that churches in New Zealand are theologically influenced by viewpoints that originate from the USA. Whilst these ideas may be mainstream with the overall culture of society in America, they begin to look rather odd when imported into another country where cultural values are very different.… Continue reading US Theological Influences On NZ Churches [1]
Category: Theology
Anti-vaxxers Polarise NZ Christian Community
We all have heard the arguments against the Coronavirus response worldwide, including vaccines. Much of the opposition to this is coming from within churches, from particular groups of Christians, almost all of whom follow obscure and rather extreme theological viewpoints, generally ones which, like many of the anti-arguments, have been bulk-imported from the USA. Unfortunately… Continue reading Anti-vaxxers Polarise NZ Christian Community
Church Structure & Governance [1]: Intro
Right now a lot is coming out of this blog. It’s a time when a lot of productive output is coming back into our ministry and the fruit is being seen in various different ways. Today we want to write the introduction to a new series about church governance and structure. This is a controversial… Continue reading Church Structure & Governance [1]: Intro
Conservativism vs Humanitarianism In Church Theology [3] : Compromise vs Courage
Between 2016 and 2020, the US presidency of Donald Trump divided the Church like no president ever before. Trump proved to be more willing to step over an unconscionable line than any of his wiser Republican predecessors, all of whom (as well as all Democrats) professed at least a nominal level of adherence to the… Continue reading Conservativism vs Humanitarianism In Church Theology [3] : Compromise vs Courage
Conservativism vs Humanitarianism In Church Theology [2] : Narrow & Broad Churches
The narrow church / broad church paradigm fits pretty well with the conservative/humanitarian theological split. Conservatives tend to prefer working within their own limited sphere of similar theologies within the Church as a whole, whilst humanitarians are generally more disposed to outreach and working with people from across a range of different denominational and theological… Continue reading Conservativism vs Humanitarianism In Church Theology [2] : Narrow & Broad Churches
Conservativism vs Humanitarianism In Church Theology [1]
For decades, perhaps centuries, it was taken for granted that the wealthy and powerful of society were aligned with conservative political interests. This expectation has been largely captured in old-school political parties like the Tories in the UK, Republicans in the US, and in New Zealand, the National Party and latterly New Conservatives. However, recent… Continue reading Conservativism vs Humanitarianism In Church Theology [1]
Conspiracy Theories and Christian Nationalism Contrarian To Church Growth [5]
This is the longest series of posts ever written on this blog, but that’s not been intentional. It just seems this theme keeps on going with new events and insight, and so a new part is added. The annual Southern Baptist Convention is being held this weekend in Nashville, TN, and will have to address… Continue reading Conspiracy Theories and Christian Nationalism Contrarian To Church Growth [5]
Conspiracy Theories and Christian Nationalism Contrarian To Church Growth [4]
The most important aspect of this discussion is to realise that US dispensationalist theology that points to present and future theocracy, as seen now in the country’s strong support for the present day State of Israel and its expectations of millenial rule as claimed by dispensationalists from the Book of Revelation, is inherently flawed, and… Continue reading Conspiracy Theories and Christian Nationalism Contrarian To Church Growth [4]
Russell Moore Resignation Draws Attention to Southern Baptist Coverup of Racism and Abuse
It seems since this blog has formed a lot has been written about events in the United States. The intention of this blog is to focus on topical issues across the entire Christian church. America ends up getting more focus than anywhere else because there is more theological controversy there than anywhere else, regrettably. News… Continue reading Russell Moore Resignation Draws Attention to Southern Baptist Coverup of Racism and Abuse
Conspiracy Theories and Christian Nationalism Contrarian To Church Growth [3]
Continuing on this theme, the key political alignment for Christians in the US is with the Republican Party, and this is despite the failure of Christians to see much commitment from Republican presidents. Voters in the last term got possibly more from Trump than from a good many of his conservative predecessors, but it is… Continue reading Conspiracy Theories and Christian Nationalism Contrarian To Church Growth [3]