Author Archives: Keith

Perspectives on Education

Posted on 25 October 2012 by Keith

The Downing Humanist Society invited me to visit them for a discussion about education. I gave this talk, which describes what I see as the strengths of a Christian view of education, looking at some of the Christian history of education in this country. I suggested that there is a problem today in that we no longer have this kind of shared moral framework for understanding the goodness of education, and are falling back on an emphasis on its financial value. I suggested that the Humanists might like to discuss what they saw as their vision for education, and that we could see how much common ground we shared. That led to a fascinating conversation which continued for over two hours, and it was a very enjoyable evening. Continue reading →

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Announcement and introduction

Posted on 16 August 2012 by Keith

Downing students may remember that I presented a series of talks in 2011 called The Shape of Reality, taken from the book I have been writing.

The book provides a tour through diverse areas of knowledge and human experience which are usually considered to be separate. Successive chapters explore themes such as beauty, wonder, rationality, science, evolution, consciousness, goodness, evil, love, the meaning of life and the purpose of the cosmos. It shows how a belief in God can make sense of all these aspects of reality together, seeing a big picture which atheism or science on its own will always miss.

I have continued to work on the book and am now seeking to get it published with the help of a literary agent. I will update this page when there is any news! Continue reading →

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7 The religions of the world

Posted on 19 March 2012 by Keith

The final talk gives a quick overview of the major religions of the world, and then discusses ways in which faiths today may relate to each other. Continue reading →

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6 Debates in the Church today, including same-sex relationships and the ordination of women

Posted on 7 March 2012 by Keith

This talk looks at the debates in the Church today about the ordination of women and about same-sex relationships. It explores how and why Christians interpret the Bible in different ways. Continue reading →

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5 Church History

Posted on 28 February 2012 by Keith

This talk looks through 2000 years of Christian history, discussing the various different denominations and their beliefs. Continue reading →

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4 Death, judgement, Hell and the Kingdom of Heaven

Posted on 21 February 2012 by Keith

This talk discusses Christian beliefs about judgement, eternal life, heaven, hell, purgatory and the Kingdom of God. Continue reading →

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3 The Holy Spirit and the Christian experience of God

Posted on 14 February 2012 by Keith

This talk explores a range of important questions about how Christians understand the ways we can experience God now. That includes looking at views of charismatic and pentecostal Christians about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, comparing high-church and low-church understandings of the sacraments and the nature of the church, and looking at different perspectives on how the Spirit transforms and guides people. Continue reading →

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2 What is God like and how could we ever know?

Posted on 8 February 2012 by Keith

This talk explores the Christian belief that God has become a human being in order to make it possible for us to know him and to enjoy a relationship with him. I look at the personal and paradoxical aspects of this portrayal of God, at the nature of the Bible, and at the meaning of Jesus’ teaching, crucifixion and resurrection. Continue reading →

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1 What is Theology?

Posted on 1 February 2012 by Keith

Richard Dawkins claims that theology isn’t really a subject at all. I respond with a discussion of the relationship between science and theology, claiming that theology has been very beneficial to our intellectual development and that it has the potential to place all other areas of thought in their true context. Continue reading →

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Work and the Kingdom of God

Posted on 13 March 2011 by Keith

This sermon on Work and the Kingdom of God was preached three days after the final Shape of Reality talk, which was on the Hope of Glory. Continue reading →

Posted in Lent 2011, Sermons | Leave a comment