William Tyndale gave us the word, “likeminded”, but what gives us the reality? On the internet it’s easy to find “people like us”. No matter how specialist our interests might be, the online world is so large, any subgroup at all can find “likeminded” members. But what about in the local church? What about in […]
In his wonderful book on Ephesians, Watchman Nee observes that the letter can be divided into three movements: “Sit, Walk, Stand.” We are seated in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6) We then walk worthy of our calling in Christ. (Ephesians 4:1) And we stand against the assaults of the evil one. (Ephesians […]
Just a note to say… Don’t worry, the King’s English will continue in 2012. If you’ve come late to the party, never mind, we’ll do it all again next year. I will be reposting these thoughts daily which means you can get your daily dose by subscribing via RSS or via email (when I can figure […]
What is the message of Christianity for the world? If you could boil it down, what is the proclamation of the church? Paul has a wonderful summary in Ephesians 3:8. John Wycliffe translated it: “the vnserchable richessis of Crist”. William Tyndale put it as: “the unsearchable ryches of Christ.” And, in that tradition, the King […]
The saying is instantly recognisable as religious. Even if few people know where it comes from, most will assume it’s biblical. And they’ll assume that they know what it means. It’s about cause and effect right? It’s saying: ‘What goes around, comes around.’ ‘If you play with fire, you’re going to get burned.’ ‘Everyone gets […]
Travel through the Bible, phrase by phrase, with this daily devotional from the King’s English. The first quarter takes in Genesis to Ruth – “In the beginning” to “Shelter under his wings.” Each day there is a suggested reading and then thoughts from Glen Scrivener. Day by day you’ll be drawn to the centre of the Scriptures […]
What is beyond the pale? What behaviour or what belief is out of bounds? How does a group or individual prove themselves to be completely unacceptable? In this context we might say that so and so or such and such is “anathema.” It might be as trivial as the way a Mac user considers PCs. It […]
Difficult people, chronic illness, vocal opposition, disability, bureaucrats in your way – all sorts of long-term problems might be called “a thorn in your flesh.” Ever since the curse was pronounced in Eden, thorns have tormented us: “Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of […]
“He didn’t suffer fools gladly” reads the obituary… “Cantankerous old grouch” we imagine… Or at least I do. I might be wrong in the particulars, but that’s how I read the phrase in general. No-one ever does suffer fools gladly. We are only told when someone definitely does not. And since, generally, no-one seems to […]
— The fat-cat who exploits every tax loop-hole imaginable… — The hospital which lets pedantic box-ticking get in the way of patient-care… — The cricketer whose legal ploy is nonetheless “not cricket” (New Zealanders know what I’m talking about)… In all these cases we’d say they obeyed the letter of the law but not the […]
