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Bishop Graham
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26 Jan, 2011 09:03 AM
Previously Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne wrote:
Hello Bishop, this is Sophie, Danni, Sophie and Sammi
How do we know if God is male or female?
Hi Sophie, Danni, Sophie and Sammi, I'm in Beaton's cafe in Tisbury and have just had a great breakfast, ready for a train later. God is neither male nor female - they are human categories. He is God. We call him 'Father' because that was Jesus's favourite way of addressing him. I've used 'she' for the Holy Spirit - following an early Syrian theologian, Ephrem - here .
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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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23 Jan, 2011 08:17 AM
I am greatly looking forward to our fifth live discussion this coming Wednesday 26 January 2011 with sixth formers from Queen Elizabeth School , Wimborne Minster, Dorset. Note that the time is earlier than usual and is from 9.00am-9.30am. This is because I have to catch a train to London after that for a meeting. Answering Grill a Bishop questions from the train - though possible - is not easy because trains on that line move in and out of internet connections.
I enjoyed the prize giving evening at Queen Elizabeth School before Christmas and also our Q&A face to face session with sixthformers on 12 January recently, with the BBC Radio 4 Today programme recorded and broadcast last Thursday 20 January at 7.43am. Click here .
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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 09:11 AM
Previously Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne wrote:
What would you say to someone who says that miracles do not exist becasue they violate the laws of nature?
Thanks. I'd say 'Who created the laws of nature?' I believe God did. The resurrection of the Son of God does not violate these laws, but is part of the creation and recreation of them. An intriguing way of looking at miracles is to see them as part of recreation.
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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 09:05 AM
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.
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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 09:22 AM
Previously Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne wrote:
Why is there so much evil in the world? Did God intentionally create this?
Thanks. Because of human beings mostly - but I realise that there is also 'natural' evil in terms of earthquakes etc. Huge subject. Evil is the absence of good and God does not and did not intentionally create it. He gave humans free will to respond in love to him and to others.
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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 09:20 AM
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...
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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 09:32 AM
Previously Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne wrote:
The prime mover is what causes everything like a domino effect. some christians believe that god is the prime mover so he therefore causes everything including that what is bad and evil. do you agree with this?
Thanks. No. The God and Father of Jesus Christ is much more personal and involved in the world and our lives than Aristotle's Prime Mover. He created and still creates. He is deeply involved and concerned with his world, but since he gives us free will, then not everything that happens is in line with his will. As I said when I came to QE a couple of weeks ago - and was used in the Today programme clip - God is totally against rape, racism and apartheid., They happen and he counteracts them through people who seek the good.
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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 09:34 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. Because people too often go against his commands of good of their own God-given free will. He doesn't force people. A longer answer on natural evil I have attempted on the Gillingham thread - first discussion. Have a look..
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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 09:16 AM
Previously Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne wrote:
Hello it's Frankie and Lily,
Why do you think it is important to preserve the unity of the Anglican church?
Hi Frankie and Lily, because Jesus says in John 17 that how christians relate together in unity affects the way others think about God and his good news. A split communion, or a split church in the local context, is not very attractive. In the Anglican Communion we are interdependent rather than independent churches. If we split into factions, that interdependence is lost. I am passionate about the good news of the unity of the Communion for places like Sudan, and Pakistan etc. Have a look at this article written in 2002.
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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 07:51 AM
Previously Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne wrote:
What do think on the existence of other religions?
Thanks. I think they are a complex form of people seeking to worship God is varying ways. From my perspective as a Christian, some aspects are true eg that there is only one God (Judaism and Islam as well as Christianity); a desire for mediation and peace of mind (various faiths); others are not true eg that Jesus was no more than a prophet (Islam). I believe God has revealed himself fully in Jesus of Nazareth but has not left himself without witness in other faiths. If you wish to follow this up more, have a look here and here .
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Fifth live discussion Wed 26 Jan 2011, Queen Elizabeth School, Wimborne Minster, Dorset
