Greenflame

Jottings on science, religion, technology, pop culture, photography and faith from the Aotearoa New Zealand

Thinking ecologically

September 20, 2003

A couple of links for people thinking about the integration of faith and ecology (including the socio-economic issues that go with that).

Creation Care Study Program: “CCSP readily awaits adventure seeking, Biblically minded students, who want to take on the challenge of learning how to care for God’s earth and all its creatures – both human and non-human.” (Current Asia-Pacific directors are Kiwis and the South Pacific programme includes time in Samoa, Great Barrier Island and the South Island.)

Also the “Certificate in Science and Spirituality” offered by Union I&U and the Oxford Institute includes a travel course on “Wilderness and Imagination” based in the South Island. More details at: Union I&U – Certificate in Science and Spirituality – Course 676. (I have no knowledge about the overall programme – just interested in seeing NZ appear in a course like this).

The journal Pacifica (Volume 13 Number 2 June 2000) also contains papers from the NZATS conference on ecotheology. Abstracts here.
Anno Domini

September 18, 2003

Had a brief discussion yesterday about theology and art and contemporary culture. This virtual exhibition put on by the Virtual Museum of Canada is an excellent introduction into difference ways Jesus Christ has been portrayed in (Western) art during the last 2000 years. A selection of pictures with supporting notes provides a good starting place at examining the various themes linked to Christ within the Christian faith.

Anno Domini
Virtual prayer candles

September 18, 2003

Looking for somewhere to light a candle and post a prayer in the midst of the rush. Check out:

.:::rejesus – spirituality – post a prayer:::.

Not as good as taking some time out from the rush of everything and finding some soul space but still helpful.
Just browsing, thanks.

September 16, 2003

During my everyday Internet use there are a few of web logs (blogs) I check up on reasonably often just to see if there’s anything interesting there (and there normally is). A couple of these are from the alternative/postmodern worship scene. I’ve enjoyed Jonny Baker’s writings (blog, books and articles) & music over the past few years and Steve Taylor’s weblog is interesting because it talks about things local (NZ and here in Auckland in particular).

Have a look and see what you think.

Jonny Baker’s blog
Steve Taylor’s blog
Virtual Stunt Actors

September 15, 2003

An recent article on the blurring of real and virtual actors and stunt people, and the quest to make them more human. And the possible loss of work for the current stunt people.

newsobserver.com – A new risk in world of film stunts: computers
Christian History

September 7, 2003

I’m always interested in church history and knowing how we came to do and belief the Christian faith we have today. Check out the useful links below from Christianity Today’s church history section.

Top Ten Reasons to Read Christian History gives a succint list of reasons why it’s a really good idea to understand where your beliefs came from and how issues you’re facing now have been faced in the past.

Top Ten Entry Points to Christian History provides overviews of the different types of materials that can help you get a grip on church history.

Top Ten ‘Starter Books’ gives a list of ten originals (in translation) that expose you to some of the writing within the Christian faith over the last 2000 years.
Genetics

September 7, 2003

I was looking for information on stem cells today for some lectures on Christian anthropology (including bioethics) and found that Guardian Unlimited had the following special section on this and other things running today.

Guardian Unlimited Special report: ethics of genetics

Damaris International also has a brief study guide for a house group type discussion using the film Gattaca at Study Guide for Gattaca.
Small Group Resources

September 5, 2003

If you’re interested in small group studies on Christian interaction with issues of social justice, fair trade and aid/development work the following links may be useful to you.

Christian Aid has a whole lot of useful material on their web site at http://www.christian-aid.org.uk including:

Christian Aid campaigns
Act Justly booklet

Also check out
Global Rich List
Sojourners: A World At Odds – Conscience in a Time of Terror
Sojourners: Table Talk

why web journals suck: an essay

September 4, 2003

I found this today while surfing around. There are some very good points in here for both new and established bloggers. A lot of it is insightful for people who are publishing anything on the net too.

why web journals suck: an essay

Stardome Observatory

September 1, 2003

Spent a very enjoyable afternoon at the Stardome Observatory in Auckland yesterday. We went to their Family Fun Day and the kids loved the two presentations in the planetarium – a show for 3-6 year olds and one on “Are we alone?”.

Great value and fun for all. They have a cool web site too.