how we acquire a worldview...

I just came across this great quote while reading for an essay on the impact of globalization on the nature of Christian mission (really far too interesting, I don't have the time for getting interested in my subject I need to be getting on...) Anyhow here it is:

We acquire our theology consciously through proposition statements. Our worldview, however is acquired subconsciously, in small and imperceptible parts. Note, for instance, the consumerist lifestyle and dependency among conservative evangelicals in the West. Their theology is faultless, yet they practice daily surrender to a worldview that rationalizes and excuses consumption excesses. CS Lewis describes this process by placing in the mouth of Screwtape the following words:
We know that we have introduced a change of direction in his course which is already carrying him out of his orbit around the Enemy [God]; he must be made to imagine that all the choices which have effected this change of course are trivial and revocable. He must not be allowed to suspect that he is now, however slowly, heading right away from the sun on a line that will carry him into the cold and dark of utmost space.
For this reason, I am almost glad to hear that he is still a churchgoer and a communicant. I know there are dangers in this; but anything is better than that he should realise the break he has made.

more food for thought... what adjustments to our faith do we make that make us more comfortable, yet less faithful?

Owning 'the' truth...

To rehash a theme I've touched on before, I've been thinking about the road that lies before me and the responsibilities that entails, and whether I'm willing to accept them... for being a clergyperson is to in some way to be an authority, a guide, a wise one, some one to imitate - whether or not that is what you feel you can be. With this on the horizon, I continuously feel challenged by the idea that I need to commit myself, however cautiously, to what I think the truth is; which in many areas of my thinking does not come naturally - I like to 'keep an open mind' which, depending on how honest I'm being, is either because 'I know my own frailty of understanding' or because 'I don't like getting into arguments/disagreeing with people' and yet I begin to perceive that this cannot be a permanent outlook since I will say nothing, direct nothing, help no-one to move forward if this is the case...

is this just a girl thing? I was discussing this with a friend yesterday and she was saying that she thinks that boys are much happier going 'all out' for a particular position on something and take it much less personally if they need to defend that position by getting into an argument about it...

food for thought...

New Year's Day...

walking with the hOME crew... oh yes...

first of all there's the planning...

and then there's the dancing...









and of course some walking...

A few Christmas photies

Below is my lovely Mum and Dad... looking a bit nervous as I take my first picture with their Christmas present! On the right is my brother David with his lovely new wife Monica and her sister Carol. We had a really good Christmas this year - a full house and lots and lots of laughs:)