Practical Christianity 1: What comes first, chicken or egg, practicality or spirituality?

The way it works

The socio-political model of biblical Israel, passed through two main phases. There was a time when judges intervened, although they didn’t rule per se, and another time when kings ruled.

Undoubtedly, the latter was worse. Even at their best, the kings were imperfect and they ultimately led the nation to ruin and exile. God warned it would be so.

The upshot of the king model was that it rejected God.

First things first - the priorities of global society must exceed points scoring

What a mixed up world of confused agendas and misplaced priorities.

Brazilian President da Silva wants to ban spanking. How extensively he wants to apply the new rule, who knows? Hasn't the Brazilian gvernment got bigger fish to fry? Is this really such an issue for such an otherwise progressive and ordered society, given so many more serious issues.

I have friends who have taught in British public schools who report that the withdrawal of discipline has so seriously distorted normative behaviour that if a child swears at or threatens a teacher, benefits of doubt in any hearing will default to the child.

Root out the ants

The persistence of ants and the way they communicate with each other to target and attack food resources, is a good illustration of the persistent process that continually undermines our families and those we love. It will take concerted resistance and a sound strategy to push back those threats, but it always involves the mediation of prayer.

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