Hymn Themes: Future

As Christians, our lives in this world can end in two ways. Either we die and go to heaven or else we’ll be around when Jesus comes back and takes all his people to be with himself. Here the apostle Paul anticipates his death: Phil 1:21-2421 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is … Continue reading Hymn Themes: Future

Hymn Themes: Joyful Melodies

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

Hymn Themes: Majesty

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)πŸ˜€. But when used for God, it’s altogether different. The word “majesty,” when used in relation to God, conveys … Continue reading Hymn Themes: Majesty

Hymns: Childhood Memories

In this series, I’m remembering hymns from different eras of my life, starting with childhood. I was a Roman Catholic up to 1980, when I turned 18. In this post, I’ll look back at hymns that we sang at Mass, back in the 1960s and 70s, and some I was familiar with outside of church. … Continue reading Hymns: Childhood Memories

What about Adam and Eve?

As a young Catholic child, I remember hearing about the creation story and Adam and Eve. But shortly after, even as a very young child, I was told in school that it wasn’t literally true. What was important was the spiritual lessons based on it. I was aware that some older people were sceptical of … Continue reading What about Adam and Eve?

Why do you emphasize the Bible so much?

For some, the Bible is associated with Protestantism and particularly with evangelicals. Many mainstream Protestants have lost faith in the Bible. It’s seen as a mishmash of legends. Evangelicals, by contrast, see it all as inspired by the Holy Spirit, even down to the very words. In my experience as a Catholic, the Bible always … Continue reading Why do you emphasize the Bible so much?

Why don’t you practice confession?

Confession, as practiced in the Catholic church, is something that developed over centuries. Evangelicals don’t follow the Catholic pattern. But the New Testament does speak of confession in more general terms. For example, we should confess our sins to God.In the Lord’s prayer, we say “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass … Continue reading Why don’t you practice confession?

Why do evangelicals say that they’re sure of going to heaven?

When I first met evangelicals, I used to take them to task on this issue. From a Catholic point of view, it just sounds too good to be true. In fact, I first heard this notion in history class in school. Martin Luther said that we’re saved by faith alone. If this is so, from … Continue reading Why do evangelicals say that they’re sure of going to heaven?

Didn’t Jesus make Peter the first pope?

Well, as a Catholic, I was always told that the Catholic church was the official church. Jesus told Peter that he was the rock on which he would build his church. Peter was the first pope, and all the Catholic bishops were the successors of the apostles, and bishops of Rome were the successors of … Continue reading Didn’t Jesus make Peter the first pope?