In Depth:  Tim Vasby-Burnie

All topics
Facing 2025 with strength

Facing 2025 with strength
Tim Vasby-Burnie
Tim Vasby-Burnie

Did you start 2025 with a sense of fragility?

No, not the 'feeling fragile' that people experience on New Year’s Day when far too much alcohol was consumed on New Year’s Eve. Rather, the sense of fragility that comes from living as 'God’s elect, exiles scattered' (1 Peter 1:1).

What treasures are you really chasing?

What treasures are you really chasing?
Tim Vasby-Burnie
Tim Vasby-Burnie

Life as 'foreigners and exiles' may involve oppression from our surrounding culture — it may also involve temptation, as our hearts are drawn to the treasures of this passing age.

In some contexts it can be easy to rail against the moral collapse in our nation rather than the love of mammon that ensnares the hearts of many Christians in good, Bible-believing churches.

The danger of an 'everything is fine' faith

The danger of an 'everything is fine' faith
Tim Vasby-Burnie
Tim Vasby-Burnie

There is a false version of faith that lurks around our churches. Let us call it the 'Everything is fine' version. 'Everything is fine' faith puts the pressure on people to be happy and ignore the hurting; it suggests that tears and trust cannot go together. 'Everything is fine' faith is horrible.

Like the worst of lies, it contains elements of truth. The bereaved widow is told that Jesus has won the victory over death (TRUE) and therefore grieving is a lack of faith (FALSE). The young man with chronic pain is told that our 'light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all' (TRUE) so he should not struggle with his suffering (FALSE).

Your inheritance awaits: hope for exiles

Your inheritance awaits: hope for exiles
Tim Vasby-Burnie
Tim Vasby-Burnie

If you are in exile, scattered to a place you do not really call ‘home’, what security do you have? What is there to cause you to praise? What will the future hold? These could be the sorts of questions being asked by those to whom the apostle Peter wrote his first letter.

Similarly, we might feel insecure today. If more institutions become hostile to Christian truths, career plans and thoughts of job security start to fade away. What security is there for ministers and congregations in declining denominations?

Not a stingy God, a God of abundance

Not a stingy God, a God of abundance
Tim Vasby-Burnie
Tim Vasby-Burnie

Now and again I will give a recitation of 1 Peter from memory and I know when the first smiles will cross the faces of those listening: when I reach the end of chapter 1 verse 2: 'Grace and peace be yours in abundance'.

'Grace and peace be yours' – this is standard fare for an epistle. 'In abundance' adds a new dimension.

Have we forgotten the joy of obeying Christ?

Have we forgotten the joy of obeying Christ?
Tim Vasby-Burnie
Tim Vasby-Burnie

We've all had the experience of ticking 'Yes I have read and agree to the Terms and Conditions' as we install new software, take out some insurance or sign up for a new social media platform. Sometimes we are even forced to scroll through the small print before we can click 'Yes' - but do we ever actually read the text?

I did once, when agreeing to a cash-back offer that came with a new phone - I wanted to know exactly when I needed to send the company copies of my bill. It was a hassle, but worth it for the savings.

Am I in the right place?

Am I in the right place?
Tim Vasby-Burnie
Tim Vasby-Burnie

'What am I doing here?' 'Are we in the right place?' These could be the questions of a Christian in the public sector, trying to tread delicately but truthfully during Pride month. Or the Christian minister in a church that is resistant to Biblical truth. Or Christians in a village in India actively hostile to the precariously small Christian community.

Peter’s first letter is addressed to 'God’s elect, exiles scattered'. It seems almost a contradiction. To be God’s elect may bring to your mind associations with honour, glory, status, privilege. Exile has associations with shame, suffering, being overlooked or looked down upon. Peter brings both together throughout the letter, right the way to 5:15 where greetings are sent from 'she who is in Babylon, chosen together with you'. Exiled in Babylon, yet chosen, elect.

Registered Charity No. 296794. All content Evangelicals Now