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Bishop Graham
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last modified
05 Oct, 2011 10:30 AM
Previously Gryphon School wrote:
If one takes the view that God designed the evolution process, surely all animals must go to heaven? Or how would we know humans are developed enough to enter?
I do believe God creates animals and humans through evolution. I don't believe animals can 'sin' as humans can, so in the whole recreation of the universe I would not be suprised to see renewed animals. This is often part of the prophets vision of God's renewed world - the lion laying down with the lamb, as in Isaiah.
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Eleventh live discussion Wed 28 September 2011, Gryphon School, Sherborne, Dorset.
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Bishop Graham
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last modified
05 Oct, 2011 10:33 AM
Previously Gryphon School wrote:
Is it more important to lead a good life or to believe in God?
Thanks. Both are really important. When Jesus was asked about which was the greatest commandment, he replied with a double commandment: love God with your heart, soul, mind and strength and your neighbour as yourself. That echoes your question, it seems to me.
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Eleventh live discussion Wed 28 September 2011, Gryphon School, Sherborne, Dorset.
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Bishop Graham
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last modified
05 Oct, 2011 10:38 AM
Previously Gryphon School wrote:
Should politics be secular?
Thanks. If the whole world is God's, as I believe, then can anything actually be secular? Sure, some constitutions are written as secular eg India to avoid religious conflict, but India is profoundly religious at all levels. God is interested in the whole of life - and that includes politics. Have a look at the edition of the New Statesman edited by the Archbishop of Canterbury earlier this year:
http://www.newstatesman.com/uk-politics/2011/06/long-term-government-democracy
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Eleventh live discussion Wed 28 September 2011, Gryphon School, Sherborne, Dorset.
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Bishop Graham
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last modified
06 Oct, 2011 01:12 PM
Previously Gryphon School wrote:
Do you believe that jesus' miracles could be misinterpreted? i.e did Jesus walk on water, or just a sandbank?
Thanks. They could be, but I believe they really happened. I don't think Jesus was a con artist. If God can raise Jesus from the dead, walking on water is not really a problem, is it? I've walked on Sandbanks, near Poole, but can't walk on water...
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Eleventh live discussion Wed 28 September 2011, Gryphon School, Sherborne, Dorset.
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Bishop Graham
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last modified
05 Oct, 2011 11:01 AM
Previously Gryphon School wrote:
If Jesus was to return, surely, to prove himself he would have to tempt the Lord?
Thanks. I believe that God will bring the whole universe to a stunning conclusion at some point. No idea when. Nor has anyone. Jesus will be part of that consummation, I believe, and that will be clear to all. I don't think he would have to tempt the Lord at all, but be part of his plan. Tom Wright's book 'Surprised by Hope' is well worth reading:
http://books.google.com/books/about/Surprised_by_hope.html?id=XBCLiQ8-qXkC
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Eleventh live discussion Wed 28 September 2011, Gryphon School, Sherborne, Dorset.
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Bishop Graham
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last modified
06 Oct, 2011 01:42 PM
Previously Gryphon School wrote:
What is your view on whether women should be Bishops in the Church of England?
thanks. Yes, I think they should and long for the day that the first woman bishop is consecrated.
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Eleventh live discussion Wed 28 September 2011, Gryphon School, Sherborne, Dorset.
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Bishop Graham
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last modified
06 Oct, 2011 01:52 PM
Previously Gryphon School wrote:
Do we need to sin to learn? Through sinning we experience God's forgiveness and this brings us closer to God therefore we should all sin. Do you agree?
Thanks. Great question - which was anticipated by St Paul is his letter to the Romans, chapter 6. 'Shall we sin so that grace may abound?' and answers it: 'God forbid.' We do indeed learn from our mistakes and our sins, but that should not lead to a deliberate strategy to make mistakes - certainly not in A levels...
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Eleventh live discussion Wed 28 September 2011, Gryphon School, Sherborne, Dorset.
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Bishop Graham
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last modified
06 Oct, 2011 02:05 PM
Previously Gryphon School wrote:
Why do you think so many people are athiest today? Could it be linked with natural disasters and suffering?
Thanks. Taking the whole world in view, most people in the world pray and aren't atheists. It may seem to us that there are so many atheists, but on a world-wide scale, there aren't. If people become atheists - and I don't reckon you are born an atheist - it is indeed often because of the awful problem of innocent suffering.
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Eleventh live discussion Wed 28 September 2011, Gryphon School, Sherborne, Dorset.
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Bishop Graham
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last modified
05 Oct, 2011 11:04 AM
Previously Gryphon School wrote:
What is the solely most important thing you have learnt from Christianity?
Thanks. That Jesus of Nazareth is alive. From that follows many, many wonderful things eg life is much bigger, wider and more exciting that I ever imagined; we can relate to God deeply and personally; the beauty and delight of the universe begins to make sense; the pain of people in different parts of the world need understanding and helping etc
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Eleventh live discussion Wed 28 September 2011, Gryphon School, Sherborne, Dorset.
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by
Bishop Graham
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last modified
06 Oct, 2011 01:48 PM
Previously Gryphon School wrote:
Why is it that most people who have a faith are old and closer to death? Do you think its right that when people are closer to death they turn to Christianity to get to heaven?
Thanks. In England that may be the impression (!), but throughout the world there are millions of young Christians - and in many churches in England there are enormous numbers of young people who believe. Some people may be 'cramming for their finals', as a friend once wryly descibed it to me, but wisdom also comes with maturer years and the greatest wisdom is found in Christ. When approaching death - in an accident or as a soldier or as an older person - things do get focussed.
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Eleventh live discussion Wed 28 September 2011, Gryphon School, Sherborne, Dorset.
