Welcome to my website! There are various sections to the site; this homepage shows you the more recent / popular content in each area. Happy exploring!
Recent Blog Posts
Responding to "How did we get here?": Can you trust the Bible
Having enjoyed episodes 2-10 of the BBC podcast presented by Jonny Dymond (“How did we get here?") on the historical background to the conflicts in Israel-Palestine, I look at the claims in episode 1 (featuring Simon Sebag Montefiore and Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones) that the Bible is not a trusted historical source.
The patient God of 1 and 2 Kings
I’m enjoying reading Peter Leithart’s stimulating commentary (paid link) on 1 and 2 Kings.
He makes the point that, superficially, the book of Kings could reinforce Marcionite assumptions that the God of the Old Testament is harsh and vindictive, while we only meet his love and mercy in the New Testament.
Uncle Screwtape on Christianity and Politics
I’m enjoying C S Lewis’ clever book The Screwtape Letters (paid link) again. I last read this as a teenager, and it's extremely smart, really pastorally insightful, and full of wisdom.
Popular Blog Posts
Using Radix as a Drupal base theme
I recently wrote about my experiences migrating this website from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10. In that post I said that I would write separately about my experiences theming the site. This is that post.
I was broadly happy with the look and feel of the Drupal 7 version of the site, so didn't want something vastly different. At the sametime, I wanted to make sure that I was using the most maintainable underlying code, behind what end-users see.
CS Lewis on the apostle Paul
Here is CS Lewis, talking about why it is that people like to undermine St Paul whilst maintaining that they follow Christ.
Which Parish do I live in?
Are you trying to find out which Church of England Parish you live in? Simply visit the link below and put your postcode into the search tool. Note, they've changed their website. You now have to wait after entering your postcode, and select one of the autocomplete entries served by Google maps; only then can you click the arrow button to begin your search. https://www.achurchnearyou.com/
Recent Sermons
It is increasingly the case that Britain is not an easy country within which to be a Christian. Now, sure, I realise there are far harder countries to be a Christian. I would rather be a Christian in Britain than in North Korea, for example. I’m aware of that. But compare us to some countries where it is the expected thing to do that you would go to church. If you’re anywhere else on a Sunday… Read more
One question that we are used to asking regularly is, “What do I get out of it?” Every shop, large and small, these days seems to have a loyalty card scheme. And as you go into yet another shop and you’re invited to sign up, you’re weighing up in your head: is it worth it to install yet one more app on my phone, or — if you’re old-fashioned and like a credit-card-sized piece of plastic to… Read more
Have you ever had something that you have heard of frequently but never actually seen for yourself, and then one day you get the opportunity to see it?
When I accepted the job to come to this church in Scarborough a little over five years ago, I had never at that point in my life been to Scarborough. My first visit to Scarborough was to come and look at potential houses, and I got the… Read more
Coffee currently on the go
I love my coffee! Hear you can see what I'm drinking at the moment
Current Brew
You'll also find me in a few other places online, such as …
Other Websites
I also maintain a few other websites:
- Trinity Church ScarboroughThe church in North Yorkshire where I'm associate minister / pastor. Visit trinityscarborough.org.uk
- On The TrailThe Bible study notes I produce each term for small group leaders at Trinity Church are available for others to buy and to use. Visit onthetrail.uk
- Mandelbrot ExplorerThis is an easy to use, totally free, fractal explorer — explore the Mandelbrot Set and the Julia Sets, starting with one of 6 inbuilt colour schemes, but with a totally flexible layers-based way to colour your fractals exactly as you wish. There are many other features - visit the website to find out more. Visit mandel.org.uk
- Books by Mary OakleyMy late grandmother compiled 5 little booklets of poems and prayers that helped her at various stages of her life. Visit the website to find out more about these booklets, or to order online. Visit lifetocome.co.uk
Social Media
I use social media more to follow others and to keep in touch than I do to post information of my own. Nevertheless, occasionally I'll post things. Find me on:
