Rowan Williams: a letter to a six-year-old

The following is a repost from 'Faith and Theology'. It was so good I just had to share it. Many thanks to Ben Myers.


"Speaking of Rowan Williams, I was quite touched by a news story in The Telegraph.

A six-year-old Scottish girl named Lulu wrote a letter to God: “To God, How did you get invented?” Lulu's father, who is not a believer, sent her letter to various church leaders: the Scottish Episcopal Church (no reply), the Presbyterians (no reply), and the Scottish Catholics (who sent a theologically complex reply). He also sent it to the Archbishop of Canterbury, who sent the following letter in reply:

Dear Lulu,

Your dad has sent on your letter and asked if I have any answers. It’s a difficult one! But I think God might reply a bit like this –

‘Dear Lulu – Nobody invented me – but lots of people discovered me and were quite surprised. They discovered me when they looked round at the world and thought it was really beautiful or really mysterious and wondered where it came from. They discovered me when they were very very quiet on their own and felt a sort of peace and love they hadn’t expected. Then they invented ideas about me – some of them sensible and some of them not very sensible. From time to time I sent them some hints – specially in the life of Jesus – to help them get closer to what I’m really like. But there was nothing and nobody around before me to invent me. Rather like somebody who writes a story in a book, I started making up the story of the world and eventually invented human beings like you who could ask me awkward questions!’

And then he’d send you lots of love and sign off. I know he doesn’t usually write letters, so I have to do the best I can on his behalf. Lots of love from me too.

+Archbishop Rowan

Now that's what I call real theology! Isn't this exactly why we need theological specialists: not to make the faith more complicated and obscure, but to help us grasp how simple it really is?"

Till Next Time!

The Pelagian Controversy: In our time

This weeks editions of Radio 4's 'In Our Time' is on Pelagius and the Pelagian Controversy. You can find it on Iplayer here for the next few days. It's nice to hear a balanced discussion about it and the differentiation between the figure and the doctrine.

Till Next Time!

Through It All

Looks like it's going to be a good album. Can't wait for the chords to be released, or for someone to work them out (hint).

Till Next Time!

Rob Bell Comes Clean!!

"I also believe it's best to only discuss books you've actually read." Well said!

Till Next Time!

Easter song - Dynamite Parody

Here is a parody of Taio Cruz's Dynamite which I used in an assembly. I played it on the ukulele as I thought it sounded better then the guitar. Feel free to use it if it's useful. The chords are Dm C F Bb repeated except for the bridge which is Am Dm Bb C. Please find chord diagrams below and bare in mind I use alternative chords! Enjoy.



I’ll tell a tale
Of Jesus Christ in Israel
his last breathe he then exhaled
when up on the cross he was nailed
(yeah, yeah)

His followers were afraid
When in the tomb Jesus was laid
(yeah!)

I now have hope today and evermore
saying ay-oh, risen saviour.
Just wanna celebrate and live my life
saying ay-oh, praise the saviour.

There were 2 ladies
Yea, at the tomb one day
when they saw that he was
not where he was laid

Then a man in white
he said ‘have no strife!
It’s a miracle;
Jesus’ back to life.

They went to the room
“Have they gone mad?" disciples fumed,
but Peter went to the field
where he saw that it was real
(yeah, yeah)

His followers were afraid
When in the tomb Jesus was laid
(yeah!)

We now have hope today and evermore
saying ay-oh, risen saviour.
Just wanna celebrate and live my life
saying ay-oh, praise the saviour .

Poor Thomas
you see he wasn’t there
He did not believe
left in despair

But then Jesus came
showed his hands and side
He fell on the floor
Declared ‘My God and Lord’.

And 2000 years on
millions are still believing
in the resurrection
giving hope to those who trust Him.

Cuz I will remember
for all time
the Easter hope, the Easter hope
the Easter hope, the Easter hope

Do, do, do, do, etc

I now have hope today and evermore
saying ay-oh, risen saviour
Just wanna celebrate and live my life
saying ay-oh, praise the saviour

There were 2 ladies
Yea, at the tomb one day
when they saw that he was
not where he was laid

Then a man in white
he said ‘have no strife!
It’s a miracle;
Jesus’ back to life.




Till Next Time!

Chord Diagrams
Dm: 2210
C: 5433
F: 5553
Bb: 3211
Am: 2453

Out of the Mouths of Babes - An Assembly Tale

This morning I was doing an assembly at Woodmansterne Primary School as I do every Tuesday and as it was the penultimate one before the Easter break I decided to do it on Good Friday. (I took it from the book 'Everyone Matters' by Tricia Williams.) We looked at a cross on a Hot Cross Bun and the different types of crosses and what they mean, then looked at how that can teach us the meaning of Good Friday. An X next to an incorrect sum, X on a valentines card, X on a treasure map, X on a voting card and of course a crucifix. The sum reminds us we all do wrong, the valentines card reminds us that God loves us, the map reminds us that finding God and being his friend is like finding a lost treasure, Jesus died on a cross and we need to say 'yes' to Jesus like on a voting card.

That was what I had planned (and what I did) but just as I was about to finish a 5 year old girl shouted out, "How can we find God?". So taken aback a little I asked the kids and another 5 year old girl put her hand up and said "Follow the treasure map!". "What's the treasure map?" I asked. Hands flung in the air "A book?" said one. "What book?" I said, "The Bible" he said. Then I spoke about the Bible and how Jesus is the perfect guide to God.

I must admit I got a little carried away but it's amazing when kids ask such intelligent questions and give great answers. I hope this sort of response continues.

Praise God!
Till Next Time!

Bell's Hells - On Universalism

If you know who Rob Bell is, and have had access to the internet or a Christian bookshop then you've probably come across his new book 'Love Wins'. The internet is now full of various reviews and most of which go along the lines of 'Rob Bell is a Universalist and therefore a heretic!'

Before we go any further I would just like to note, for my sake and for the sake of those that know me, that I am not a Universalist (and actually not, not like Bell's expression that he's not!).

I think we all, especially those in the Evangelical traditions (of which I am one), need to take a step back for a moment and take a deep breath before we continue along this line. Universalism, (simplistically defined as) the belief that all will be saved, is a view that Bell has propagated in words if not in label. You may be interested in his interview with Martin Bashir if you've not seen it.

I believe that in all aspects of life and debate that we are only cheating ourselves if we build up a straw man to knock down. Universalism, despite not being a mainstream doctrine not a correct one, is still a legitimate belief and not one that removed you from the family of Christ. It is entirely possible to be a Universalist and an orthodox Christian. With that said,Robin Parry, of Paternoster, has written an excellent article for the Baptist Times entitled 'Bell's Hells' which you can read here. Please, if you care about this debate or are chipping in, read this article before you post any more comments or slander Bell.

Till Next Time!

P.S. At present I am chatting to my GF Lizzie who said "Urgh! I don't want to discuss Theology..." Oh the travesty!