Irenaeus, a 2nd-century bishop discipled by Polycarp (himself taught by John), saw “dying to self” not as a one-time act but a lifelong journey. Sharing in Christ’s death and resurrection, believers are healed and made alive step by step through the Spirit.

Hegel warned that “negative freedom”—freedom from all restraints—leads to emptiness. True freedom, he argued, is found in duty: freely binding ourselves to truth, love, and justice. It’s a paradox that echoes Jesus’ words: in losing life for his sake, we find it.

Christians have long called the Holy Spirit the “bond of love.” The Spirit unites Father and Son, binds us to Christ, and makes God’s promises alive in us. Far from abstract, the Spirit’s love is practical—joining us to God, to one another, and to the life of Christ himself.

Eastern Orthodox theology teaches deification: salvation as union with God’s life. Not that we become gods, but that by grace we share in Christ’s nature, are transformed by the Spirit, and reflect his glory. Forgiveness leads to communion — “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Immigration and the Bible is more complex than prooftexts. Israel required assimilation; the New Testament church lived as exiles, practicing radical yet discerning love. Today, Christians must balance compassion with truth, welcoming outsiders while pointing to Christ.

Kaupapa means more than “purpose”—it’s shared principles that give shape and direction to a people. Like Israel in the wilderness and the church today, our calling isn’t just plans or goals, but living together under the gospel of Jesus as our kaupapa.

Erasmus and Luther clashed not only over theology but over tone—civility versus combat. Today, social media echoes the same divide: sharp words spread faster than grace. Yet Scripture calls us to speak truth with love, showing that tone shapes whether truth can truly be heard.

From Luther’s theses to AI, every age has its information revolutions. The printing press broke the church’s monopoly on ideas; today, social media and ChatGPT make faith and theology accessible anywhere, reshaping how conversation about God spreads in our world

Ruth’s story moves from famine and bitterness to blessing and fullness. Yet it’s no simple formula. In Christ, brokenness and blessing are bound together—each day we die and rise with him, sharing in the mystery of life through death and hope beyond loss.

Is your church on a slippery slope? Not every disagreement signals compromise. This article explores how slippery slope arguments work, when they’re valid, and why thoughtful biblical interpretation doesn’t always lead to liberalism or disunity.

What can neuroscience teach the Church? Iain McGilchrist’s work on the brain’s hemispheres offers a powerful metaphor for ministry. A left-brain focus brings clarity, doctrine, and systems—but without right-brain presence, wonder, and worship, the Church risks becoming dry and disenchanted.

Faith in Australia is shifting. Evangelicals are gaining ground, baptisms are rising, and spiritual hunger is growing. From Anglican and Baptist churches to Orthodox and Pentecostal movements, signs of gospel renewal are emerging across the country—and beyond.

Scottie Scheffler has it all—fame, fortune, victories. Yet, like Solomon and the Prodigal Son, he feels the emptiness of success. What if our deepest longings point beyond this world? The gospel offers more than success—it offers home.

The gospel doesn’t change, but people and cultures do. Mission must meet people where they are—like Jesus did. This reflection explores how contextualised mission listens first, speaks wisely, and embodies good news in ways people today can actually hear.

We’ve turned holidays into hustle, forgetting their roots in rest. Once ‘holy days’, they were meant for worship and renewal. This reflection calls us back to Sabbath rhythms—where stopping is trust, rest is worship, and stillness reconnects us with God.

“If you can—do” sounds right. But even Jesus said no, choosing what he was sent to do over every possible good. Faithfulness isn’t doing everything—it’s saying the more faithful yes

When truth divides and unity feels fragile, Christians must refrain drawing tribal doctrinal boundaries over communion. Jesus prayed for oneness, not sameness. The Church’s witness depends on speaking truth in love—boldly, humbly, and always with a heart to build up the body of Christ.

Defence spending can feel like a failure of love—but a biblical view holds the tension. King David wielded the sword with sorrow, not pride. Christians are called to protect the vulnerable and care for the poor. Wise faith embraces realism without surrendering hope.

I visited Hobbiton with my daughter—round doors and rolling hills stirred something deeper. Like the Bible, fantasy awakens us to a world at war. As Paul writes, our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but spiritual forces. Fantasy doesn’t distract—it echoes the epic story Scripture tells.

Spiritual growth begins in the heart. As Jesus and Paul remind us, our loves shape our lives. Christian maturity isn’t just thinking rightly or behaving better—it’s learning to love rightly. Let Christ dwell in your heart, and let His Kingdom become your delight.