Everything was going so well it seemed until we all disagreed about everything. (Must have been social media…) But everything was not well before that anyway. All people are bound as slaves to sin, a terrible condition that we must take seriously. This means that when we unite together, our evil is generally multiplied (unlessContinue reading “Lessons from big towers -Modern lack of agreement”
Category Archives: Culture
The Burning Bush of Individualism
The modern Western anthem of expressive individualism could be summed up in the words, “I am who I am.” To be an individual, and to express your individuality, is to be self-determining, and as far as possible, independent. The scary thing is, or should be, that this motto is how God is described in Ex.Continue reading “The Burning Bush of Individualism”
News Consumption (revisited)
Once upon a time I wrote this (https://bigvaiandshiphrah.com/2021/01/07/no-news-is-good-news/), which I am proud of. It’s a fun read (unbiased and fact-checked statement). But I thought I’d revisit the subject. Because… I’ve relapsed. Into ignorance. And I love it. Take that, Dad! First. Yes, we should care about truth. And yes, news media (of a variety ofContinue reading “News Consumption (revisited)”
The Bondage of Self-determination
As I sat down to write this, the Indian immigrant chef at my café, who serves me coffee every week, came over and asked what I was writing (side note: it is worthwhile going the same place for the same thing, to become familiar and even have the smallest of conversations). We got talking aboutContinue reading “The Bondage of Self-determination”
Formational Hustle
Hustle lifestyle reinforces itself into your being. Enacting the cultural worldview of value in busyness instead of the kingdom worldview of rhythms and Sabbath rest, will lead you to become a kind of person – a hustler. As Christians, it is easy for us to think that formation happens exclusively through the mind. That weContinue reading “Formational Hustle”
Individualism and the burden of learning
No doubt, you know the experience of feeling constantly bombarded by a plethora of sources, opinions, facts, and fictions. I suggest we feel the burden of information more acutely due to our tendency to be individualistic. The weight of responsibility is more keenly placed on our minds because the responsibility is less diffused for theContinue reading “Individualism and the burden of learning”
Horizon: Zero Dawn – Reflection on Themes, Narrative, and Hero.
Modernity retrofitted into a postapocalyptic (premodern) tribal world. A reflection on the themes of tribalism, impossible heroes, the view from nowhere and its subversive fulfilment in a Hero who actually did come from outside our world.
The Almighty(‘s) Government
In a dark world there are many clouds. Concerns about China loom on the horizon. The storm clouds of climate change are always present in the newsfeed. There have been stifling government restrictions brought about by covid-19. There is a general cultural failing at upholding women with dignity, but particularly so in our Parliament. SoContinue reading “The Almighty(‘s) Government”
On Noble Bereans
How do we know what’s true about God and about Jesus? Google? Smart people? Parents? University Lecturers? Robbie and I recently finished preparing a kids spot for our church on Acts 17:10-15, where the gospel goes to the city of Berea. It can be viewed online via the Marrickville Road Church’s livestream for 24 October,Continue reading “On Noble Bereans”
Video Games – The Level 50 Quest for Moderation.
In the last two posts, we have thought about video games and how they are not (strictly speaking) inherently wrong as a medium – they can be a joy and a pleasure as we explore the mind’s creations come to virtual life. But hopefully we all know video games are also a bane on theContinue reading “Video Games – The Level 50 Quest for Moderation.”
Bigvai and Shiphrah 