This is my 369th post for 2012 and here are the top ten in terms of views.
But wait, before the big reveal... Here's the blog's new Facebook page. LIKE ME!
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10. Jonathan and Charlotte – a Parable of the Kingdom
Here are some other responses to cultural phenomena:
What Jimmy Savile, Jeremy Forrest and Lance Armstrong teach us…
Living beyond the end of the world (a reflection on the Mayan apocalypse)
Bert le Clos's "Behold My Son!"
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9. What is sin? Falling short? Rebellion? Something else?
This was probably my favourite post of the year. I had a pop at some other evangelical shibboleth's in these:
It’s not about rules it’s about Working Hard at My Relationship With God…
Grace is not a cheese sandwich
Memorialist Communion (in church and in marriage)
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8. Five minutes on the bible and slavery
Here were the others in that series:
Five minutes on the bible’s sexual ethic
Five minutes on the conquest of Canaan
Five minutes on the bible and gender equality
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7. 321 – The Story of God, the World and You
Exciting things happening with 321, I'm looking forward to developing them in 2013. Here's some of the philosophy behind it:
The importance of explaining Trinity and original sin and "union with Christ" in evangelism
321 and the Gospel Events: Creation, Fall, Redemption and Repentance (part one, part two)
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6. The Road to Emmaus – Sermon on Luke 24:13-35
On the subject of preaching, here are posts on my three favourite preachers
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5. Legal recognition of marriage and the way of Jesus – by Paul Blackham
Paul wrote some other excellent guest posts for me this year:
Translating “Son of God” – Paul Blackham
The Insider Movement (a series of 4 posts) – Paul Blackham
Paul Blackham: A Sermon on Fear
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4. Bible Read-Through in 120 Days – wanna join?
This read-through was very popular and Matthias also organised a Greek audio bible too. Download it for free:
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3. A Trinity Sunday / Jubilee Sermon
Other more thematic sermons of mine:
Does God exist? How does He fit with Science?
Why is there so much suffering?
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2. Stephen Fry offers good advice on depression – by ditching his atheism
This was a provocative post looking at the interaction between pastoral care and evangelism. If your "gospel" can't help you deal with life it's no gospel. And if you have to borrow Christian convictions in order to care for people, that might point you to the good sense of Christianity.
On the theme of pastoral theology, here are some posts that were close to my heart.
Jesus is Utterly, Horrendously, Maddeningly Infuriating
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1. Fear and Faith: Derren Brown undone in 60 seconds by his own subject
I'm a big fan of Derren Brown but his claim to have shown God as the ultimate placebo was just silly. Here are some more posts about atheism:
Not the God story, the Hero story
An introduction to humanism – transcript and comment
“A universe with a god would look very different to a universe without one.”
Beginnings and Before Beginnings
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There you have it. Thanks for making blogging so enjoyable. And don't forget to LIKE ME, LIKE ME, LIKE ME!
I like you, Glen. Be affirmed, take hold of your self esteem. I like you. What more do you need?
Seriously though. Well played this year. See u at Eccentrics
Rich
Hey Glen. Thank you so much for another wonderful year of fruitful service. May God bless you and Emma through your wonderful ministry to us.
It's been great to discover your blog, meet you, and participate here. May 2013 prove to be a season in which many can richly share in the great light of His saving love.
Thanks Rich, Gav and Howard - pleasure knowing you in 2012, looking forward to 2013! I might just change my address though... stay tuned.
Really enjoyed reading your blog this year Glen, and was particularly struck by the more theological ones, i.e. all the ones under 9. and 7. Profound stuff!
Interesting that loads of the most popular posts seem to be the cultural criticism ones, by the way!
hey Michael, thanks. Yes if it's 'current' it gets shared. I should probably take more advantage of that phenomenon but hey ho. Is this your final year?
Sorry for the late reply!
Yes it is my final year, still praying through the options for next year. Any ideas do let me know! :P