Category Archives: Uncategorized

Urban Bible: Storybook or Manual

Posted on September 18, 2013 by 1urcher

I have just spent a happy couple of hours with a couple of clergy, diocesan officers and a PhD student at Chester Diocesan Church House discussing how the Bible can be used in urban areas. I have become a fan … Continue reading →

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Bookless Bible

Posted on September 17, 2013 by 1urcher

Bookless Bibles[1] I wonder whether one of the ways that we can reintroduce the biblical narrative to people on urban estates is by taking seriously a method called Remembering the Bible.[2] Janet Lees opens her book with the following words: … Continue reading →

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Broken Lives, Healing Stories (Draft 2 – still a beginning)

Posted on September 16, 2013 by 1urcher

Broken Lives, Healing Stories: Encounters with Bible in Urban Situations People have asked me where I got my love for reading, and in particular wrestling with the Scriptures from. Often the question is asked because of the working class background … Continue reading →

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Broken Lives, Healing Stories

Posted on September 16, 2013 by 1urcher

This is a beginning, very tentative. Comments are very welcome. It will be turned into a bigger manuscript…..possibly book…. So over to you. People have asked me where I got my love for reading, and in particular wrestling with the … Continue reading →

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Hope is not a dangerous thing

Posted on August 24, 2013 by 1urcher

“Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.” Red to Andy in the classic (I think) film The Shawshank Redemption. The clip can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDGNsbLayJw Since my sabbatical … Continue reading →

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Sabbatical Musings 9: Stories that shape us

Posted on August 20, 2013 by 1urcher

In the past couple of days, I have watched two films. A Song for Marion and Grow Your Own. They were both moving. I think they were well acted. One is about coming to terms with loss, and the other … Continue reading →

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Sabbatical Musings 8: Chaos in the midst of sanitised order

Posted on August 17, 2013 by 1urcher

I have always had a thing about chaos. I am not a good person to be with if you want life compartmentalised or indeed if you need things tidy. I do not necessarily think that this is a problem. Some … Continue reading →

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Sabbatical Musings 7: Orienteering around the Bible

Posted on August 17, 2013 by 1urcher

I referred recently to the fact that the Bible should not be seen as some sort of divine satnav, but rather as a means of orientating one’s life. This is a big claim for a multitude of reasons. Many Christians do … Continue reading →

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Sabbatical Musings 6: Where do we find beauty?

Posted on August 14, 2013 by 1urcher

I am an urbanite. I have lived in the following places: Sheffield, London (Bermondsey, then Earlsfield), Newcastle, Gateshead, Manchester, London (North Kensington, Pinner, Shepherd’s Bush), Cheltenham, Birmingham, Gloucester, Maryport and Birmingham. Apart from Maryport, which was still urban, all have … Continue reading →

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Sabbatical Musings: Sanitising God

Posted on August 14, 2013 by 1urcher

It has been a privilege to listen to Radio 4 this week after The World at One (1:45pm), where for 15 minutes there has been an examination of one of the prophets. Monday was Jonah, Tuesday Isaiah and today (Wednesday … Continue reading →

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