Dialogue

Hannah and the Importance of Private Prayer

Hannah is a relatively unknown Old Testament figure we encounter in the early chapters of 1 Samuel. Her experience of agony and desperation, however is well known to anyone who's lived long enough in a broken world. It is because of this shared experience and Hannah's approach to it, that us moderns can learn a great deal from this woman.

This talk was given by Johan Erasmus.

The Sexual Revolution

Roedolf Botha talks about the Sexual Revolution.

Esther: The Silent Presence of God

Schemes, Beauty Pageants, Politics, Genocide, Sex & Alcohol... The Old Testament book of Esther has it all. As a matter of fact it reads like a Game of Thrones style soap opera, full of morally questionable figures. Even the so called 'good guys' aren't very kosher (Pun intended)! Yet through the mess and without being mentioned - the silent hand of God is at work. Not through plagues or sea openings, but in the everyday stuff. 

'n Omgekeerde Koninkryk

Stel jouself voor jy kom by die werk en jou werkgewer vertel hy het reeds jou werk vir die maand gedoen en jou salaris op dei 1ste van die maand inbetaal.  Stel jouself voor die president van die land slaap op straat sodat iemand sonder 'n huis in sy bed kan slaap.  Verbeel jou die koningin van England moet wagstaan by die hek sodat haar wagte veilig kan slaap in Buckingham Palace.  Wat kan ons leer by Jesus van leierskap?

Pluralisme: Verskillende paaie na dieselfde God?

Lei verskillende paaie na dieselfde God? Dien Moslem, Christen, Jood en Hindoe nie maar eintlik dieselfde God nie?  Dit laat 'n mens nogal wonder, glo ek nie maar net oor dit wat my ouers my geleer het nie? 

Is die Bybel histories betroubaar?

God en Wetenskap

The Sound of Silence: Abortion in South Africa

Abortion is a highly controversial and emotive subject in many places, but in South Africa, it seems to elicit very little conversation. Andre and Marianne van Zyl take on this thorny but important issue from a Christian perspective in a talk entitled The sound of silence: Abortion in South Africa.

Christianity is a Joke: God and the Power of Humour

This talk was given by Johan Erasmus.

It is the test of a good religion whether you can joke about it... Perhaps that is why angels can fly because they take themselves lightly. - GK Chesterton

A key indication to whether you 'caught' a joke is to laugh at the appropriate time. Your laughter indicates your comprehension. Perhaps one can argue that if you have never laughed during prayer, bible study or worship that you didn't 'get it'. Maybe it is our religious fear of blasphemy that prevents us from laughing? Yet it would seem that humour is a powerful tool in the hand of God, which is why it permeates the Bible. It not only helps to understand ourselves better - it also makes God more accessible. Many will tell you that Christianity is serious and therefore no laughing matter. I would like to suggest that because it is serious, laughing matters! It is funny, because it is true...

A Christian Response to Islamic Terrorism

(Apologies for the poor quality of the recording.)

The recent attacks across Europe, means that many people need to figure out how they deal with the threat of Islamic Extremism. Al-Shabaab, Boko Haram and others are the African version of the same threat.

Secular Europe is at odds with itself and clutching at straws in their attempt to engage with this explosive issue. Christians however have the benefit of reflecting on the Scriptures to navigate this ethical dilemma, but a dilemma it remains.

How should Christians respond when Isis behead innocent people in the Middle East? What does it look like when the cross comes across radical Islamic terrorism?