It has been a long time since I last read the mainstream newspaper, but I decided to buy today’s paper in order to access some news articles on the latest nature conservation issues. As I read the first few pages, I get a sense that the news seem to be catering mainly to the privileged…
Notes on Jewish Vaccines Against Mimetic Desire: René Girard and Jewish Ritual
According to a thesis, Rene Girard’s theory of mimetic desire, rivalry and scapegoating offers a viable alternative to the still-dominant sacrificial theology of the cross of Jesus Christ. The thesis examines three Jewish “vaccines” to the mimetic disease as follows: the Birkhat ha-Banim (“The Blessing of the Children”); the reading of the Book of Esther…
Me, We and Everybody (Notes from Robcast)
The topic of Rob Bell’s podcast message is about how humans grow, develop, mature and evolve. In this episode, the speakers are starting with a very simple and elementary framework or model, before they seek to add more detail and colour in subsequent episodes. I learnt from Rob Bell that his message is ultimately about…
Our death drive: Oppression, exploitation and deforestation
Has the Bible ever mentioned anything about Nature conservation? I have been wondering about it for some time. There seem to be few references on how to treat our natural environment well. Genesis 1 mentions about humans being stewards of the Earth (taking care of it rather than dominating and destroying it). Proverbs 12:10 talks…
Rightly dividing the word of truth: interpreting sin and righteousness in the light of the new covenant
In view of the new covenant, good and evil is defined in terms of faith and unbelief respectively. Before the cross, man defined good and evil in terms of good deeds and bad deeds respectively. After the cross, the gospel of grace proclaims that the man shall live by faith, not by works. If we…
One faith, many expressions: A case for interfaith dialogue
Mention Christianity or Catholicism, and some people will be turned off because of its violent history and baggage. No doubt Christianity or Roman Catholicism has its ignoble past, arising out of ignorance or blindness in the merciless pursuit of power and control over others. The same phenomenon has afflicted most other major religions or belief…
Podcast: Pete Holmes talks about comedy, sex and God
This is an insightful message about the indwelling Christ and reading the Bible with our heart. I have learnt from the podcast that when one adopts a metaphorical approach instead of the literal approach to reading the bible, one would acknowledge that it is about history overlaid with mythology. The speakers recognise that the (Western)…
The narrow way of self-awareness and exorcism leads to life and liberty
I find Peter Rollins’ psychoanalytical approach to Christianity deep and empowering. His allusion to the narrow way in Jesus’ parable is apt because apparently, unlike the majority of people in the world, relatively few will have the courage to walk, in order to face, confront and exorcise the ghosts or demons or death drive in…
From Selfhood to Sainthood (Excerpt from “‘Grace and the Freedom from Self-Help” by Peter Rollins)
According to the gospel of grace and peace, what does salvation really mean? From a philosophical and psychoanalytic perspective, salvation is about being saved from deadlock and death drive (meaning our self-destructiveness), not from a physical place called hell or an external being in the sky called god. In other words, it is salvation from…
