culture
The contemporary equivalents to the “altar with an inscription” (Acts 17.23) and “some of your own poets” (Acts 17.28) has always been a fascination to me. The Apostle Paul was flexible enough to commence his preaching from ‘texts’ in his culture — and then he was creative enough to move from there to Jesus.…
READ MOREI’ve never really been a podcast person — until I was introduced to The Rest is History by my friend, Mark. Barby and I no longer drive those long distances, but when we did, I would download a few episodes and we would partake — from the signature tune, to the sparkling rapport between the hosts…
READ MOREExactly forty years ago, I did not fully appreciate what was up ahead of me… I had been accepted for MDiv studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS), near Chicago. All I really knew was that it would start with ‘Suicide Greek’ — learning the language over six days a week for six weeks, under…
READ MOREFifteen years ago, on one summery afternoon in the staff room at Carey Baptist College, Mike Crudge suggested to me that I should start writing a blog. And so it started … with a post entitled, Opening Our Own Document (15 February 2006). And 700 posts later, I guess that is exactly what I’ve continued…
READ MOREWith the training of preachers as my vocation, and in seeking a more personal way in which to engage with Black Lives Matter, I decided to turn to the African-American preaching tradition in order to listen and learn – again. Martin Luther King Jr, Henry Mitchell and Robert C. Smith Jr have all featured in my…
READ MORE20/20 has always been associated with a clarity of vision, one that enables a certainty of purpose and a strength of step. But when 2020 finally arrived among us, it has brought confusion, uncertainty – and sickness. The irony is that those of us who have trumpeted our ‘wisdom, wealth and power’ down the decades,…
READ MOREThe name ‘E. Stanley Jones’ will not mean much to most of the people reading this post. But hang in with me here, OK?! You’ll enjoy this one, I promise. E. Stanley Jones was a key figure in the church in India in the early twentieth century. My father’s own heart was drawn to giving his…
READ MOREWith a seminar to take in Delhi last Saturday, I decided on a (very) early Friday morning flight so that the afternoon could open up for a wander through Old Delhi. After dropping off my bag in Chhatarpur in the far south, I headed for the incomparable Yellow Line on the Metro and made my way…
READ MOREIsn’t it great when a vision comes together? For a few weeks I’ve had my eye on framing these two photos and then keeping them near each other. On Sunday, the deed was done. I am a happy chappy. May I tell you about them? Like the stereotypical preacher, I’ll use a few few words…
READ MORE‘An explosion of protest, a howl of rage’ was the headline catching my eye this week, especially when in concert with this photo. The Guardian, through word and image, was capturing what is happening in the world today. Hong Kong may well have been the ignition, but the protests have been spreading to Iraq and…
READ MOREAbout Me
the art of unpacking
After a childhood in India, a theological training in the USA and a pastoral ministry in Southland (New Zealand), I spent twenty years in theological education in New Zealand — first at Laidlaw College and then at Carey Baptist College, where I served as principal. In 2009 I began working with Langham Partnership and since 2013 I have been the Programme Director (Langham Preaching). Through it all I've cherished the experience of the 'gracious hand of God upon me' and I've relished the opportunity to 'unpack', or exegete, all that I encounter in my walk through life with Jesus.