‘How Great Thou Art’ is ruined for me
Why one of my favourite songs won’t ever be the same Continue Reading
Obadiah Slope
Saying goodbye to a church building
An “Obadiah Slope” Column Ro-manse: There’s been some online reminiscing by Baptists with their former Marrickville manse selling for $3,500,000. Its a nice little house, on a block not far from the railway station in an inner Sydney suburb. I… Continue Reading
How to get a woman senior minister in a Sydney Anglican church
Maybe Obadiah is being fanciful. But just suppose you were in a Sydney Anglican Church that wanted to appoint a woman as senior minister. Impossible, right? Well maybe no longer. Richard Condie the Bishop of Tasmania, and the chair of… Continue Reading
I longed for heaven under the sails of the Opera House
Longing for heaven: My father used to say “ if you listen properly to music you will get what it means.” He was an intensely musical man. I am not. As the least musical member of the family it rarely… Continue Reading
Reconsidering Bill Shorten’s motherhood statement, and why get fussed about mask responses
Flcking through Linked in, Obadiah notices a self-description “graduate from paid employment”. Nice. Being that way inclined at the moment Obadiah gives a wry smile to himself. * * * It turns out that replacing “mother” with “birthing parent” on… Continue Reading
On losing respectability, Hamilton and a shocking stat from Anne Summers
Times have changed: In the instructions for Obadiah’s “Scripture” lesson (volunteer teaching at a local public school), we were told to bring examples of different books along to introduce the idea of books have various purposes (tell a story, travel… Continue Reading
Why prayer might have toppled Boris
Power of prayer: The resignation of England’s former Health Secretary, Sajid Javid from PM Boris Johnson’s cabinet prompted the avalanche of resignations that forced PM Boris Johnson out of office. Javid revealed that it was a sermon at a prayer… Continue Reading
Too good for Church? That is bad news
Not White enough: The census tells us that Australia is now a majority migrant nation.Obadiah can’t help but remember back when he was too Asian to come to Downunder. The white Australia Policy kept my family out because they had… Continue Reading
Why Trump may be right about abortion politics
Your prophet Obadiah might not be the greatest fan of Donald Trump. But the ex-president had something clever to say as the US Supreme court confirmed that it was overturning the Roe V Wade abortion ruling. “The Man Most Responsible… Continue Reading