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19 Jan, 2011 11:21 AM
Previously St Laurence School Bradford on Avon wrote:
For some people, their God-given ability to reason and think rationally prevents them from believeing in God, so why does he give them this ability?
Thanks. But is it 'reason' or 'rationality' that prevents people from believing in God, or are there other factors? I think there are many others, such as circumstances in the family, social context, people's character, the mess the Church has sometimes made etc. Yes, God does give us minds to think through things, but faith is at the heart of a relationship with God.
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Fourth live discussion Wed 19 January 2011, St Laurence School, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire
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Bishop Graham
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19 Jan, 2011 11:07 AM
Previously St Laurence School Bradford on Avon wrote:
Previously Bishop Graham wrote:
I am greatly looking forward to our fourth live discussion this coming Wednesday 19 January 2011 at the usual time of 11.00-11.30am. This week it will be with sixth formers at St Laurence School, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire.
If despite people worshipping God, natural evil such as earthquakes and hurricanes occur, then what is the point of praying for help?
Thanks. Prayer puts us in touch with God. It is about this relationship: so even when prayer seems not be answered, it really is still worth persisting in prayer which keep us in touch with God. For the question of natural evil, see my answer in the Gillingham school thread.
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Fourth live discussion Wed 19 January 2011, St Laurence School, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire
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Bishop Graham
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19 Jan, 2011 11:24 AM
Previously St Laurence School Bradford on Avon wrote:
If God has a plan for our lives, and is all knowing and all powerful, do we really have free will? i.e. If God knows what we are going to choose, do we have a choice?
Thanks. This is a mystery and your question is well put. I deeply believe that these three things do exist, and the gift of free will is essential to humanity - otherwise we would be mere puppets. God is not a puppet-master. Only a free will allows a response of love to love, which is longed for by God. He does not force, but guides and leads and encourages and waits for a response in love.
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Fourth live discussion Wed 19 January 2011, St Laurence School, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire
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Fifth live discussion Wed 26 Jan 2011, Queen Elizabeth School, Wimborne Minster, Dorset
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Bishop Graham
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02 Feb, 2011 11:28 AM
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02 Feb, 2011 11:25 AM
Previously Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne wrote:
Previously Bishop Graham wrote:
Previously Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne wrote:
What are your views on fertility treatment?
Thanks. God reveals the way he has designed the universe and people to scientists through their research. I don't see a problem with couples who sadly have difficulty having babies seeking fertility treatment and now some profound christians who have had children through IVF.
Ok, but do you think there are some exceptions to this eg an age limit?
Thanks. It does sometimes seem strange to me for women well beyond the usual age for having children to have fertility treatment eg in their mid 50s.
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Fifth live discussion Wed 26 Jan 2011, Queen Elizabeth School, Wimborne Minster, Dorset
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Bishop Graham
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02 Feb, 2011 11:28 AM
Previously Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne wrote:
Previously Bishop Graham wrote:
Previously Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne wrote:
Good morning Bishop, Its James, Steph, laura and Beth here, what are your veiws on the euthyphro dilemma?
Hi James, Steph, laura and Beth. Wow! I think this is to do with Plato's question whether things are good because God commands them or are good in themselves. Great question. God is utterly good and knows what is good for the universe and for people. He doesn't command things which aren't good. Maybe not much help, but all I can do in a crowded cafe at the moment...
So if commands only goodness, why is it that evil happens?
Thanks. This takes us back to the discussion earlier about the gift of free will given to us by God to respond to the good or not.
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Fifth live discussion Wed 26 Jan 2011, Queen Elizabeth School, Wimborne Minster, Dorset
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Bishop Graham
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02 Feb, 2011 11:21 AM
Previously Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne wrote:
What makes the bible right when it is written by men, not God?
Thanks. I think it was written by people and inspired by God's Holy Spirit. I agree that if written only by people, it would not be clear that it is worth taking seriously throughout the world, through various centuries. However, it is the best selling book, has transformed the lives of millions of people for years and speaks to people of all cultures when it is translated into their mother tongue.
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Fifth live discussion Wed 26 Jan 2011, Queen Elizabeth School, Wimborne Minster, Dorset
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Bishop Graham
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26 Jan, 2011 09:24 AM
Previously Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne wrote:
Do you think a sexually active gay man can make a good priest and if not, should their ordination be disallowed?
Thanks. I personally think the Bishops Guidelines in the Church of England, 'Issues in Human Sexuality', form a good and balanced reference point. These state that those who are gay in their sexual orientation and wish to be vicars are welcome to be vicars but should be celibate. They do not say the same about lay people in the church ie that they have to be celibate. In all professions, leaders are held to be more accountable than others: judges and police have to have a higher standard of law keeping than others; teachers have to have a higher standard of behaviour with young people than others; similarly acccountants concerning financial integrity. So, the above distinction between vicars and lay people seems to make sense to me. It is also worth looking at Paul's First Letter to Timothy chapter 3, where he says leaders should be the husband of one wife ie there were clearly people with more than one wife in the congregation, but those could not be leaders.
Oliver O'Donovan has written a fine book, 'A Conversation Waiting to Begin: The Churches and the Gay Controversy' (SCM Press, 2009)
http://www.scmpress.co.uk/bookdetails.asp?ISBN=9780334042105
This is a book of his online essays which may be seen here
http://www.fulcrum-anglican.org.uk/page.cfm?ID=130
Again, a huge subject. Hope this helps.
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Fifth live discussion Wed 26 Jan 2011, Queen Elizabeth School, Wimborne Minster, Dorset
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Bishop Graham
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26 Jan, 2011 09:28 AM
Previously Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne wrote:
Hello Jaz and Katherine here,
What do you think are the main roles of men and women. Do you think women should be submissive to their husbands or are we equal in today's society?
Hi Jaz and Katherine, I may need to consult my wife ...not phone a friend but phone a wife! Main role of both men and women is to reflect God's glory back to God and out to people in love. I am very much for the equality of men and women in society and the church - HM the Queen is a good example of both. Husbands and wives should be mutually and interdependently - that word again - submissive as they both follow Christ.
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Fifth live discussion Wed 26 Jan 2011, Queen Elizabeth School, Wimborne Minster, Dorset
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Bishop Graham
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26 Jan, 2011 09:08 AM
Previously Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne wrote:
Good morning Bishop this is Ben, James and Darren.
If God is all powerful, surely he could create anything, and if he can create anything then he should be able to create a rock he couldn't lift. If this rock then exists then God is no longer omnipotent and therefore the concept of omnipotency is flawed. Do you agree?
Hi Ben, James and Darren.
Great question. Anyone one like that is 'Is brown square?'. These two questions show what is called a 'category mistake'. Brown is abut colour and square is about shape - so it is a wonderful nonsense question which can't be answered. Similarly, God does not lift rocks like a human being. God is spirit and who knows the weight of spirit...So no, I don't think the concept of omnipotency is flawed but it needs to be more subtly explained.
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Fifth live discussion Wed 26 Jan 2011, Queen Elizabeth School, Wimborne Minster, Dorset
