May 21
Monday

What's so special about Wesley's chair?

chairThe chair in orbit around the world is my tribute to Methodist founder John Wesley who said "The world is my parish,"  when he started preaching in the open air. He used this very chair (among others) to stand on when he preached and I was delighted to become part-owner of it when it was auctioned in Auckland a few years ago.

I also try to follow John Wesley's openness to the gifts of non-Christian people, which he spelled out in his sermon on bigotry. So when I say "Atheists are welcome," I'm just following his example.                          David Hines

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READER COMMENTS

"As an ex-Christian, I have gone through a lot of pain in deconverting ... you are the very first Christian who doesn't make me feel like God (the God I think I don't believe in) hates me. May you and yours be richly blessed ..."
"Nothing is more welcome on Darwin's birthday than a reminder that we can differ and still be one humanity."

(From an atheist) "I just stumbled across your 'Friendly to Atheists?' page, and I wanted to tell you - I'm really impressed, and if more Christians (and atheists) were like you, the world would be a better place."

"How refreshing this is. Keep it up."
CHRISTIANS AND ATHEISTS, WELCOME
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We aim to publish a sermon every week, based on Bible readings from the Revised Standard Lectionary, used by many churches worldwide. A number of preachers and youth groups also use this material, so we aim to get it published a week or two in advance, so they have time to adapt it to their own use.

We also aim to make it friendly to atheists as well (see article below). We believe the Bible doesn't have infallible answers, and it needs to be judged against other viewpoints.
 

Could a universe arise out of nothing? // Confessions of a Christian Humanist // Questions about Noah's ark

For May 20, 2012, I reviewed the latest book on the origin of the universe. It claims the universe just created itself out of Nothing. It's by Lawrence Krauss and I recommend it.

For May 6, 2012, I ask: should loyal Christians criticise the Bible? Should loyal supporters of a political party always support their leaders? These two issues have come up on the church agenda in the same week. I call it "Hecklers are welcome", and the Bible passage that deals with this is John 15.1-8

For February 26 I went public with some: Confessions of a Christian Humanist. That was the topic of a talk I gave to the New Zealand Association of Humanists and Rationalists in Auckland. I was pretty scared about the kind of reception I'd get from the humanists, and also from my church friends once they found it. To my relief, the talk to the NZARH was very well received. They gave me a very open-minded hearing, and stayed around  to discuss it for another hour and a half! I'm hoping that my church friends will prove to be as openminded as these other humanists were.

Also for February 26 I asked about: Noah's flood; did it happen? Could a worldwide extinction happen again? Is there something we could do about it? My answers are No, yes, and yes. But you may disagree.
 

WHY CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE FRIENDLY TO ATHEISTS

I hope this site may help to increase goodwill between Christians and atheists. Many people jump to the conclusion that Christianity and atheism are opposites, but it ain't necessarily so. For my full statement, click here. This short article has attracted more visitors than any other. So far it has received 8166 clicks. It gets more clicks each week than my latest sermon (must improve those sermons).

ATHEISM IN CHURCH!

On August 14, Pitt St Methodist Church accepted my suggestion of having an atheist speak in church on the theme "Atheist Spirituality". It was a discussion with me, David Hines, and it went very well ... according to some ... not so well according to others.

The fans included liberal Christians who welcomed some of the ideas shown by atheist leader Dr Bill Cooke, and welcomed his courtesy to church people. One church member said it strengthened her faith. One atheist visitor said it helped her feel welcomed by the congregation.

The group of people who opposed the discussion said it could have been upsetting for younger Christians. The church leaders' meeting discussed the complaints the following Sunday and suggested that a group of church leaders should make a report about it. We await the result in another meeting, on September 11.

A report of the discussion has been published in the September issue of Touchstone, the magazine of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches in New Zealand.

NOW ON SALE: "Jesus was a psychologist" by David Hines

My latest book, Jesus was a psychologist, brings together psychology and Bible research in an exciting cocktail.
I was studying both topics eight years ago and was surprised to discover that a number of the characters described in the parables of Jesus were very similar to those studied in cognitive therapy. The people Jesus was talking about all needed therapy!
So it seems to me that Jesus was telling these stories to discuss human emotions, rather than the usual interpretation: that he was talking about God, or the kingdom of God.

The book comes with a supportive foreword by Lloyd Geering, an associate member of the Jesus Seminar.

To buy a copy:

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