C.S. Lewis: is pain really God’s megaphone to us?
David Shaw
Let’s attempt two risky things in one article: first, we’re going to delve into the detail of the book of Revelation and, second, we’re going to disagree with C.S. Lewis.
Lewis famously said: ‘God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.’ There is some truth in that, of course. Suffering screams at us and it might be a big part of how you came to faith.
All Greek to me?
David Shaw
David Shaw explains the value of learning the original languages for Christian ministry
I suppose there must come a time in the life of every German fan of Shakespeare when they want to try him in the original Elizabethan English. To savour the rhythms and wordplays and images that transport us to Verona or Denmark or a wild Scottish heath. It would be a natural ambition, ‘a consummation devoutly to be wished’, as the Bard might say.
Faithful ministry: enduring suffering not dishing it out
Paul’s letter to the Galatians might not be the first place we turn to for a model of pastoral ministry. It might even be the last place we’d think to go, given its dense theological arguments and Paul’s exasperated tone. And yet in many ways it is a shining example and defence of authentic ministry.
You can see that best in the final passage – Galatians 6:11-18. In those climactic verses, much of the letter’s argument is brought to bear on the question of how true gospel ministry can be distinguished from false and fleshly ministry.