Author: Silvia Purdie

An Epiphany sermon by Silvia Purdie How did the Wise Men find the baby Jesus? What sources of truth did they use, and how might this inform our own discipleship? January 2023 Readings: Matthew 2: 1-12 Proverbs 8: 1-10 The

by Silvia Purdie Humans share with other animals a set of instant responses which protect us from threat. Our brains trigger our bodies to flight, fight or freeze before we have time to think. But when we get stuck in

by Silvia Purdie.  Anxiety feels dreadful, and it can make us less intelligent and capable of solving problems. There’s plenty to be stressed about in 2022, but what is the alternative to chronic anxiety? Minister and counsellor Silvia Purdie identifies

“We are rooted in where we have come from but we are unfolding something new. This is a powerful idea for what needs to be happening within schools. There will be, I think, problems for many schools as they try

Petrus Simons Petrus has written a paper for the Catholic Lutheran Dialogue, outlining the reality of climate warming, biblical and theological responses, and concluding with a checklist expressing human responsibility. View full paper here. The blog image of the burning

A biblical overview about animals, for the Christian Fellowship at Lincoln University August 2022                   Rev. Silvia Purdie, NZCIS Administrator Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutouKororia ki te Atua kaha rawa, te kaihanga o nga mea katoa, Matua o nga mea katoa.First,

A talk given to Lincoln Christian Fellowship in August 2022.  Humans are animals. We can be in no doubt. Not only are humans animals but we bear the unmistakable fingerprint in our DNA of being related, by ancestry, to animals. So

“As a Christian I hold to the view that there is more to life than what we see in the physical realm. Truth is not confined to physical reality but reaches deep into the unseen from which we derive moral

Graeme Finlay‘s new book, Evolution & Eschatology: Genetic Science and the Goodness of God  (Eugene, Oregon: Cascade Books, 2022) Review by Stephen Pattemore I need to say at the outset that Graeme is a very particular personal friend, with whom I

Eliala Fihaki recently moved with her family to Auckland. She works with Tearfund New Zealand as Senior Programme Specialist.[i] Eliala is also doing a PhD through the University of the South Pacific. NZCIS Administrator, Silvia Purdie, interviewed Eliala as part of the

Selwyn Yeoman talks about his new book on ‘Dominion’, subtitled “A Christological Evaluation of the Idea of Human Dominion over Creation“ Purchase for $30.00/book plus $6.00 p and p, for one OR two copies; orders direct to Selwyn at <selwyn.yeoman@xtra.co.nz>

Insights for individuals and the church, by Maureen Miner Bridges For the last fifty years Christians have been exposed to relational theology. Yet our understanding of Christians in relationship with God has scarcely benefited from psychological and neuroscientific advances in

Sarah Beattie reflects on the first episode of Brian Cox’s series Universe(Sky TV, BBC Earth)This episode, entitled ‘The Sun: God Star’, appears to give some validation to the possibility that physicists may be the new psalmists proclaiming the wonders of

Three book reviews by Philip Pattemore: Faith perspectives on theories of origins. Philip reviews: ‘Understanding Scientific Theories of Origins: Cosmology, Geology, and Biology in Christian Perspective’, ‘In Quest of the Historical Adam: A Biblical and Scientific Exploration’, and ‘Baby Dinosaurs

Professor Stephen Chambers (Companion of the NZ Order of Merit) is one of NZ’s leading teachers on infectious diseases. Semi-retired from University of Otago’s medical school he has been advising Government through the Covid pandemic. Stephen is an active member

Rev Dr Graham Redding What does the Christmas story have to do with the climate crisis? The biblical character of John the Baptiser holds the key, and the insights of desert spirituality. December is the month where Christmas pageants and

By Rev Scott Thomson With reaction growing among the ‘un-jabbed’, especially from some smaller or conservative Christian groups and individuals, how might we articulate a faith perspective on immunization? Where might we find Jesus in our current situation? Jesus Jesus

Andrew Saunders Notes for NZCIS Winter Lecture 2021Firstly, some clarifications. I see anxiety as resulting from concerns about the future and what will happen; whereas I think depression is struggling with what has happened in the past …To me faith,