As a seminarian in a former life, I was cautioned against being “a quivering mass of availability” (a phrase from American theologian Stanley Hauerwas); but in a congregation, this seemed to be what was most desired from the pastor. Many Christians receive comfort and encouragement from their pastors; but what Read more…
For some time I’ve been thinking a lot about how to reach sixth formers with the Christian faith. We are talking about 17 and 18 year olds who dislike ‘religion’. I am reflecting on what I learned when I taught Religious Education (RE) and Philosophy A level in a high Read more…
Sumo wrestling is a Japanese form of wrestling that challenges many aspects of Christian discipleship. Here are some of the reasons why I could never become a rikishi (sumo wrestler). Firstly I am not fat enough. Good friends tell me that I am potbellied but you have to be gargantuan Read more…
I am currently working on a course for RealityBites on how slavery and trafficking can help us in both evangelism and discipleship so I wanted to blog about ‘Tarzan’. In a debate with atheists I once met an American entrepreneur who told me that Tarzan is a rational guy who Read more…
If we are to engage in credible and intelligent mission we have to understand worldviews. Let’s examine the dandy mindset. Beau Brummel (1778-1840) was an English dandy who was obsessed with beauty, fashion and the cult of self-worship. He would spend five hours on his ‘toilette’ every day; he was Read more…
On 4 and 11 June, Richard will be delivering a 2-part webinar series as part of the All of Life Redeemed initiative. Bruce Wearne gives a personal reflection on the article addressed by this webinar. “The Secularization of Science” is a lecture given by Herman Dooyeweerd in 1953. It offers a remarkably insightful Read more…
Trying to redeem the humble ‘tract’: saying something important in just 400 words. How do you Make Sense of Evil and Suffering? I’m sure you’ve noticed all the evil and suffering in the world. Ponder the wars, rapes and murders that we hear about on a daily basis. It’s probably Read more…
Delighted that the Baptist Times has published my article on Serving God in schools and on the streets. I am trying hard to get people thinking about a worldview-infused way of doing mission and discipleship. Please write to the Baptist Times and join the discussion.
I was incredibly encouraged by the feedback and response I received yesterday. Here is the feedback of two students. “Mark Roques visited my sixth form to give a philosophical lecture about the Mafia and the concept of evil. The afternoon was thoroughly engaging and gripped the whole of my year, Read more…
Recently I wrote about my impression of a predominance of religious worldviews and practices among the most celebrated mathematicians. I concluded by indicating that I wouldn’t be surprised if religious worldviews were more conducive to great advances in maths and other disciplines, because of the way that faith and imagination are involved Read more…