I want to suggest that we need to unravel the knitting of Christian, even Judaeo-Christian religion, if not to find truth, at least to be honest about what we claim to believe, to recognise that much, so called, religious belief amounts more to bounded faith statements than often we want to admit. This is nothing new but perhaps I want to go further than most. Protestants have long relied on the foundations of Revelation, Scripture, Tradition and Reason in order to elaborate the structures of faith, of belief. Just how resistant are these to close examination? I would argue that they are not a ..read more

It seemed as if the Lord lived still   It seemed as if the Lord lived still, expressed his will, the lame could walk, and all assumed the blind would see, the silent ones would start to talk! Yet all they saw when looking round, were Galilean fisher folk, a zealot and some other men, some hazarded it was a joke.   So Peter had to put them right, the crucified, the buried dead, the very Christ, their God was raised, yet now they acted in God’s stead. And everywhere the spirit blows the living Christ and God’s own grace is manifest by human means in every later time and space.   P ..read more

See this older post from 2008 Thank you to Alan in Belfast ..read more

An ill found peace disturbed the quiet the room was locked and shuttered.The Christ himself had now appeared, a wind-blown candle guttered. His words, a knife, cut through their fear, anticipation shaken, no more condemned, a word of peace, was quietly, surely spoken.Yet fear and doubt conspired to foil what joy might sweep a nation, such peace as might spread through the world to shatter consternation.And so he breathed those words again, that peace might sign acceptance of those who had denied their Lord and now feared his rejection.The sign he gave, he loved them still, a lasting affirmati ..read more

This is the day of resurrection. In our narrative, just three short days ago, hatred had free reign.  And now, as the sun crept over the horizon on yet another day, change was in the air. Heralded by the sound of a voice, the calling of a name, the offering of peace, the breaking of bread, change was waiting in the wings.   Hatred has had free reign through this year since we celebrated this festival last. And now as the sun creeps over the horizon on yet another day change still pervades the air. Silence and fear mix with the calling of a name, candles are lit, peace is hoped for, b ..read more

Resurrection – copyright AndrewPratt 2024 ..read more

Reflection This event is almost inconceivable for me. You see, I do not believe in a vindictive God who sacrifices his Son. I do trust, through faith, in the incarnation – God being human. Hands that flung stars into space to cruel nails surrendered. A baby in a manger, ‘the Word made flesh’. But if this is our starting point then it is God who hung on a cross on that first ‘good Friday’. I cannot cope with some vast plan of salvation that requires this carnage. What I can understand is a God of love, from whose love we can never be separated (Romans 8, 38) So where does that leave us? For me ..read more

In simple, suffering lovea man looks down, on all the world as empathetic tears drench cheeks that child-like, once had filled with laughter.The shadows lengthen,heighten the beam’s intersection,as muscles, taut with strain crack, as a whip,and feel the course of pain.Finished? Is it finished?But still the thunder grumblesand lightning slashes dark and cloud.A drift of rain disperses yet a diminishing crowd.© Andrew Pratt 2024 ..read more

Later that night – copyright Andrew Pratt 2024 ..read more

Here on the crest of the wave of creationHere on the crest of the wave of creation,roaring and rolling beyond time and place;God is transforming through quiet resurrection,challenging hopelessness, offering grace.Now we will follow the steps that will lead uson through the horrors and hatred of life,on through the angst ridden pain of bereavement,on through the cross to the ending of strife.Here at faith's edge where our peace is beginning,God soaring free through our chaos and pain,here is the meaning of loving and living,here is the place of our rising again.Andrew Pratt (born 1948)Words ..read more