An Irish personal evangelistic site. I'm not representing a particular church, but it's broadly evangelical in tone. My aim is to cover topics I've encountered in discussions I've had over the years, mainly here in Ireland..
Although, by 1985, I’d become more traditional and conservative in my outlook, I still fondly remembered the newer choruses that I’d been introduced to in the first few years of my Christian life. In early 1985, someone asked me to speak at the Christian Union in Ashton Comprehensive school in Cork. During my talk, I … Continue reading Hymns: 1985 Memories
All hymns point to God, and thinking about God is always going to bring some element of joy, but here I’m thinking particularly of songs with joyful melodies, sometimes associated with Jewish folk music. Way back in the 1970s, Stuart Dauermann wrote Trees of the Field (You Shall Go Out with Joy) for the Liberated … Continue reading Hymn Themes: Joyful Melodies
In September 1983, I returned to Ireland (from London) and settled back into Cork Baptist Church. I started teacher training in Limerick, but I returned home to Cork every weekend. In London, I had met Christians from all sorts of backgrounds, visited various types of churches, and engaged in all sorts of theological debates. Some … Continue reading Hymns: 1984 Memories
Some of my favourite hymns are on the theme of majesty. In common language we use the word for royals or in sarcastic comments – Here’s your crown your majesty or Here you go your majesty (Simpsons)😀. But when used for God, it’s altogether different. The word “majesty,” when used in relation to God, conveys … Continue reading Hymn Themes: Majesty
Welcome to Hibernia Gospel! Why Hibernia? Well, I just wanted to think up a domain name that no one else had used – and quickly 😀. Hibernia is the Latin name for Ireland (I am Irish), which was used by Roman historian Tacitus back in 98 AD. Incidentally, Tacitus also gives us one of the … Continue reading Introduction
I left for London in September 1982 to spend a year as a voluntary evangelist (VE) with London City Mission. In today’s terms, it could be described as a gap year program. Most were approaching their 20s or in their 20s. The 23 or so other VEs came from all parts of the UK. I … Continue reading Hymns: 1983 Memories
There are many different religions and philosophies in the world. Jesus never pointed people to any of them. He said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 Whatever your background, it’s at least worth a look. And, if Jesus is correct in … Continue reading Gospel in a Nutshell
Over the years, in addition to reading, I’ve enjoyed listening to the Bible in audio format and to various sermons, talks, and audiobooks. Way back in 1981, I ordered a Christian teaching tape from the UK to rent, 😀 and it was stopped by Cork customs on some technicality. Nowadays, the web is full of … Continue reading Recommended Audio Resources
In January 1982, I went to my first concert since I became a Christian. U2 were playing in the City Hall, and a friend persuaded me to go along. They opened with Gloria, which was one of my favourites. I felt a little strange being back in the ‘worldly’ concert scene. I also felt a … Continue reading Hymns: 1982 Memories
Sometimes, when someone from an Irish evangelical church talks of when they became a Christian, people are puzzled. Isn’t everyone in Ireland a Christian by default? Such a question doesn’t make much sense in modern Ireland. Firstly, there is much more religious diversity than there was when I was asked that question frequently 45 years … Continue reading Isn’t Everyone a Christian?
Hibernia Gospel 