Around 2012, when I was still grieving the loss of my father, I had a conversation with a local evangelical minister about how exhausted I was, searching for God. I told him it felt like a game of hide and seek in which God refused to allow himself to be found. I was tired of … Continue reading Wolves in Ministry
Tag: exvangelical
A Jewish Christmas?
I was invited to a Facebook group called The Virtual Chapel, "A group for spiritual seekers, mystics, contemplatives, and anyone who earnestly wishes to deepen their inner life and relationship with God.", which I joined, and was invited to write on the topic of Christmas, using the following writing prompt: "Christmas is an interesting season. … Continue reading A Jewish Christmas?
Not Anglican Enough
Earlier this summer I applied to study Theology (as an auditor; that is, as a non-accredited student) with a local Anglican seminary. For various reasons I was rejected which both surprised and disappointed me. I realise I am probably leaving it too late to 'appeal' in any way, but it has remained on my mind … Continue reading Not Anglican Enough
Ex-Messianic Elul Re-evaluation
Hi all, How are you doing? Elul always gets me like this, I suppose in a way I am in a perpetual identity crisis as someone with a background in opposing traditions; plus, having lost my faith, but feeling a constant emotional pull back, which I push down for the rest of the year but … Continue reading Ex-Messianic Elul Re-evaluation
Forgiveness and Teshuvah
An old, Messy friend I used to know years ago died recently and it raised a lot of complicated feelings for me. I would not want to step into the territory of gossip or 'lashon hara', but this person had a reputation for behaving in inappropriate and possibly even illegal ways but seemed to be … Continue reading Forgiveness and Teshuvah
Get Rid of the Chametz!
One thing I have always found quite intriguing is the fact that in Judaism, the upcoming festival is known as Weeks (Shavuot), but we count the *days* towards it, whereas in Christianity, the festival is known as 50 (Pentecost), referring to the fact that the festival occurs on the 50th day, but the *weeks* are … Continue reading Get Rid of the Chametz!
“Who Sold This Business to the Gentiles?”
Among the many religious books in my library, I have one entitled "Messianic Jewish Congregations: Who Sold This Business to the Gentiles" - a funny subtitle but actually written as a post-doctoral academic exploration into Messianic congregations in Israel and the US. I say academic, but as far as I can tell, the author is … Continue reading “Who Sold This Business to the Gentiles?”
What is (so) Divine about Divine Law?
This video lecture by Christine Hayes, Sterling Professor of Religious Studies in Classical Judaica at Yale University, was recommended to me, and if you have an hour or so to spare, I second the recommendation. It is a really fascinating analysis of the concepts of Divine Law in both Jewish culture and Greco-Roman and Christian … Continue reading What is (so) Divine about Divine Law?
A Belated Bereshit Funny
I had fully planned to begin posting regularly about the weekly Parsha now we're in a new Jewish year, but we are already several weeks in and I haven't had the time or energy. It's doubtful that I'd be able to catch up if I want to do any kind of in-depth look at each … Continue reading A Belated Bereshit Funny
Hillsong & The Prosperity Gospel: “It’s all about the numbers and money”
The podcast "I was a Teenage Fundamentalist" was recommended to me, and I listened to episode 41 on Prosperity Gospel Then I watched the BBC documentary Storyville on the Hillsong phenomenon: The church I grew up in was an American Mission to the UK. They were fundamentalist Baptists who were cessationists; that is, they believed … Continue reading Hillsong & The Prosperity Gospel: “It’s all about the numbers and money”
Shepherdess: On the Fringe 