Simon Says ...

Romans 13. 1-7 ; John 18.33-38a The overarching title of this series, ‘Doing God’ might be taken in some sense to have been building to a talk on politics.   After all, Alastair Campbell when he was Tony Blair’s press secretary once said that ‘We don’t do God’.   Contrary to Campbell, Archbishop Desmond Tutu once famously said that “When people say that the Bible and politics don’t mix, I ask them which Bible they’re reading!”   Tutu is, of course, right – the Bible is full of stories about politics and power.   There is the whole contested nature of the Kingdom of Israel – never really resolved in the Bible.   Jesus speaks primarily about the Kingdom of God, using political language for his teaching.   And, centrally, Jesus is executed by the Roman governor on the very political charge of claiming to be a King.   Politics pervades the Bible. Alongside this, however, are two injunctions that are often said to stand cou...

Romans 8.12-27 There is a story told of a boy who was taken to church by his father.   As the preacher got into the pulpit, the boy was fascinated.   Once he arrived at the top of the steps, the preacher put a Bible onto the desk.   “Daddy, Daddy, what does that mean?” asked the boy.   “Ah, son, that means we’re going to have a good Biblical sermon today.”   From the Bible, the preacher took some papers – his notes for the sermon.   “Daddy, Daddy,” said the boy, “What does that mean?”   “That, my boy, means that the preacher has done his homework, and we’re going to have a well-crafted sermon today.”   Then the preacher took off his watch, and laid it next to the Bible on the desk.   “Daddy, Daddy, what does that mean?”   The father looked his son in the eye and said, “That means absolutely nothing.”   I should warn you I don’t wear a watch! My name is Simon.   I’m the CMD officer for the Diocese,...