For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.
A key theme for Paul in his letter to the church in Philippi is koinonia, which we translate as sharing, participation, communion. Through the good news of Jesus we share in Christ, in the Holy Spirit and so also each other in the church.
The closing chapters of Esther provide a case study for looking at the question of violence in the Old Testament.
In the comedy of Haman's downfall we see a glimpse of the Gospel where God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, and uses the weak to shame the strong.
Esther provides a model of faith in action when you can't see God.
Vashti says no to being paraded as a trophy wife. The king of kings's ego is bruised. Solution: A Miss Universe contest. The plot thickens.
In a world full of polarisation where people despise their opponents Jesus exposes how contempt comes from pride and how we're all in need of mercy.
Jesus told a story about the prodigal grace of a father for his two lost sons – the one who insolently insisted on having his inheritance now and the other who scandalously disrespected him by refusing to come into the feast. He loved them both.