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Nitpickerus: What's all this talk about Christian minds? I thought that faith was a matter of the heart. Isn't it primarily about our passions and emotions? Dionysius: Well, if our Christianity doesn't stir deep feelings in us, then there's something seriously wrong. God displays emotions. Jesus wept,[1] got angry,[2] was...
Nitpickerus: How can a Bible written 2,000 years ago speak to the ethical situations we face in the late 20th century? God Doesn't Change! Dionysius: Because the Bible is God's Word, and God doesn't change.[1] He's the same yesterday, today and forever.[2] Nitpickerus: Yes, but the Bible was written to a...
Different interpretations Nitpickerus: We seem to have reached an impasse Dionysius. We have two Christians who accept the Bible's authority; and have made every effort (at least so they claim) to interpret it correctly. They have been careful to seek out the original meaning of the text and to consider it...
Interpreting the bible Nitpickerus: I accept that church, conscience and prophecy must be tested against the Bible. But isn't the real issue that people simply disagree about what Scripture really says? Isn't the real problem one of interpreting the Bible correctly? Dionysius: I agree it's possible to misinterpret the Bible....
Does God speak through the Church? Nitpickerus: So the Bible is authoritative and sufficient, but not exhaustive. You admit there are things that God doesn't reveal in it. Dionysius: Of course. There are revealed things and secret things.[1] Nitpickerus: Then does he reveal these things elsewhere? For example, can God speak...
Why believe the Bible? Nitpickerus: I'm not at all sure about the Bible Dionysius. Is it really that important to accept its authority? Dionysius: Do you accept the authority of Christ? Nitpickerus: Of course. Dionysius: Well, belief in the authority of the New Testament follows logically from belief in the authority of...
Dionysius' story Nitpickerus: Dionysius, some of our readers are wondering who you are. I believe you're well known for your literary attainments and that your full title is 'Dionysius the Areopagite'. Dionysius: Yes. Areopagus is Greek for Mars' Hill. I was a member of the Civil Council which met there. Nitpickerus:...
The tenth commandment Nitpickerus: What is the tenth commandment? Dionysius: 'You shall not covet.'[1,2] Nitpickerus: That's just Christian jargon to me. What is covetousness? Dionysius: Essentially it's distorted desire: either inappropriately focused (hamad)[1] or selfishly directed (awa).[2] Nitpickerus: So what can't we covet? Dionysius: Our neighbour's house, land, wife, servants, livestock....
Shortfalls and slothfulness Nitpickerus: As I said Dionysius, my problem is not my millions in immobillsed assets, but the size of my overdraft. The average medical student debt on graduation is now £4273! Doesn't the Bible say we should 'owe no one anything'?[1] Dionysius: It does, but both 01d[2] and New[3]...
What is theft? Nitpickerus: 'You shall not steal'[1] That's straight forward enough. What could be easier to understand and obey? Dionysius: You underestimate it. The eighth commandment deals with our whole approach to money and possessions. The attitude we have towards material things demonstrates where our real priorities lie.[2] There...
