Has your understanding of the gospel changed?

Do you think you understand more about the good news (= "gospel") at the heart of Christianity than you did five years ago? Is this message shaping more of your life?

Chris Tilling writes about his own previous understanding and some of the questions that have moved him forward (sideways?) since then. They are worth pondering.

Thinking Blogs

Having been tagged by MWW for a "Thinking Blogger Award" (thanks!), I am now meant to nominate five others and pass the link-love back up the chain in this pyramid-scheme meme based on flattery and self-interest. Sure.

The participation rules are simple:

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think,
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme,
3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote (here is an alternative silver version if gold doesn't fit your blog).

Five blogs that make me think:

a. Faith and Theology - already nominated, I know, but if we're really going to make this movement feel elitist, we've got to keep it small...
b. The Blogging Parson
c. Alastair.adversaria - currently on a month long hiatus.
d. On Journeying with those in Exile
e. Chrisendom

If you didn't make the top five, guess it must mean that your blog is thoughtless and shallow - did I mention that this meme also works on fear of exclusion and relief when someone finally nominates you?

End of week links again

If you're a nerdy biblical studies type, then this has to be one of the funniest exchanges I've seen in a while. Read all the comments.

After a round of bookish theological influences (started by Ben here; mine; links to others), and then some novels, Aaron raised the bar, posting on his top 20 theological experiences. Ben followed suit, as did Frank.

Aaron also offers some Kids books for Christmas. Don't forget Billy the Punk - thoroughly recommended and a classic from 1996.

Great post from Ben Witherington on the recent election and Christian political responsibilities. I might get round to posting on this myself soon.

Free things in Sydney
The Other Inconvenient Truth - free screening at Barneys on Monday week (20th Nov; 7 for 7.30 screening). See also here. St Barnabas Church Offices (4/173-179 Broadway; enter from Mountain Street) Bring your own popcorn/snacks. All welcome.

Another great free activity, Sculpture by the Sea is always fun.

Is it still wasting time...

...on the internet if you're sick and 'relaxing' in order to get well?
Some silly & serious links for those short on internet material
• Boxlogies continues some fine insights, criticisms and suggestions about Middle East politics.
• The new CASE magazine came out this week. Had a couple of great reviews...
• Chris fails to self-censor, tries to offend Lutherans and ends up tango uniform. On a less frivolous note, I'm looking forward to the rest of his series on The use of Scripture in Christian Zionism.
• R.I.P. Pluto, unless Rick Warren gets his way... (H/t Alastair and Ben).
• Speaking of Alastair, here's his thoughts on why non-conformist evangelicals often don't like Anglicans (warning: written with the zeal of a convert).
• And speaking of Ben, don't forget that his thoroughly stimulating Theology for Beginners series continues (he's up to #9).
• Phillip Adams has an interesting take on Australian politics, and recognises along the way that neither side of politics has a monopoly on Christianity. I tried to make a similar point back here and generated my highest ever number of responses.