On March 13 one of the RCL O.T. Readings (Lent 2) is Genesis 15. CSBV Research Associate Ashley Hibbard invites us to read on to Genesis 16 and to consider the place of Ishmael in the O.T. story and beyond. The character of
The Blessing of Ishmael
King Saul & Moral Injury
Research Associate Peter King suggests that we might look at King Saul in a new light, finding new insights in his story for preaching and pastoral care. What comes to mind when you hear the story of King Saul ?
Can the message of God as an avenger comfort us?
The Book of Nahum presents both a God of love and a God of vengeance. In this guest post, Professor Dr Klaas Spronk of the Protestant Theological University in Amsterdam raises the question “Can the message of God as an avenger comfort us
A woman of valour?
On September 19, one of the RCL OT Readings (Proper 20, Pentecost 17) is Proverbs 31: 10 – 31. CSBV Research Associate Ashley Hibbard invites us to a new way of reading this text. It’s a bit of a joke
King David’s toxic masculinity
For the next two Sundays (Propers 12 and 13, Pentecost 9 and 10) the RCL Old Testament readings cover the story of David and Bathsheba and its aftermath (2 Samuel 11:1-15 & 26 – 12:15). CSBV Research Associate Ceri Webb invites us
Uzzah and the Ark
The Old Testament story of Uzzah, apparently killed by God for steadying the Ark of the Covenant in transit, is one of the set readings in the RCL for this Sunday (Pentecost 7; Proper 10). We have two posts on this
Arming Wall Builders with Swords
I recently preached on Nehemiah 4:13-23 at my church, St Nics Durham (CoE), as part of a sermon series on the book of Nehemiah. The series covers the major parts of the book rather than a verse-by-verse approach which can
Power from on high …
If there’s one word we all associate with God it’s the word “power”. Week by week, hymns and prayers and liturgies remind us that God is a God of power. One search engine suggests that there are over 20,000 hymns
One Greater than Solomon is Here: a sermon for ascension day
By CSBV director Helen Paynter The writer of the book of Kings gives us a glimpse of what you would have seen if you had been present in Jerusalem on a particular day in 970 BC. You would have heard
“Greater love … ?”
A few weeks ago in the UK there was an understandable outcry when the former chief schools inspector appeared to suggest that teachers should be prepared to sacrifice their lives in face of the Covid pandemic: “They’ve [health workers] gone