Daily Reading: 3 April

(from www.christianaid.org.uk)

Learning from people with different theological viewpoints.

Something to read

Whoever teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness, is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words. From these come envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions, and wrangling among those who are depraved in mind and bereft of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

- 1 Timothy 6: 3 – 5 .

Something to think about

There is nothing I enjoy more than a good theological argument. It’s almost a hobby. Admittedly sometimes it is for argument's sake, but mostly because I am genuinely interested in what we may discover. However, there is so much argument within the Christian church I spend most of my time wincing. It seems impossible for us all to get on.

I am not always convinced that it is our concern that teaching is in accordance with godliness that leads to criticism of others. Too often it seems to be some kind of morbid craving for controversy. Sometimes you can almost see the people salivating as they criticise the apparent apostate or bad thinker.

Is it not possible for us to talk to each other without suspicion? Our faith evolves; in as far as God is so big we learn something everyday. Is it not possible that if we talk to someone we may not share a theological viewpoint with, we may discover something new? It may not be that we come to share their viewpoint but that their thoughts may shine a light on yours in a new way.

Something to pray

God be in my head,
and in my understanding.
God be in my eyes,
and in my looking.
God be in my mouth,
and in my speaking.
God be in my heart,
and in my thinking.
God be at my end,
and at my departing.
(Walford Davies)

Today's daily reading was provided by Charlotte Haines Lyon.