5ICM Blog

Legalism

Derek Thompson — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 03:09:27 +0000

Have you ever thought of someone’s behaviour as being legalistic? What did you mean? The dictionary meaning is exalting the law, usually with the purpose of applying the law in a way not intended by the law makers, and using the law for selfish ends. Jesus was harshly critical of the Pharisees for being legalistic. …

A Bible Reading Plan

Derek Thompson — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:56:00 +0000

Reading the Bible from beginning to end is hard going. The various books that make up the Bible are not arranged to be read in that order. They are grouped together in various literary categories, e.g. history, psalms, prophets, gospels, letters of Paul, etc. and the books within some of these categories are arranged in …

Water Under the Bridge

Derek Thompson — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:41:37 +0000

How long are offences offensive? Does the passage of time make it inappropriate to be offended by something in the distant past? Does there come a point in any conflict between people where we just have to say “it is all water under the bridge now” and require no admission of guilt, no apology, and …

Respect has to be earned, it can’t just be given.

Derek Thompson — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 23:48:38 +0000

The other day I was watching an episode of Star Trek where Counsellor Troy said, “Respect has to be earned, it can’t just be given.” This didn’t sound right to me. On Googling the phrase I found that many people have commented on this phrase. I found that younger people, thinking of bosses, teachers, and …

Atonement Theories and Violence

Derek Thompson — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 06:42:27 +0000

Atonement and Violence is an essay addressing the question: “Can the violence of the cross be seen in a way that avoids the implication that God is vindictive?”