When I picked up this short booklet, my interest was piqued. However, I was also somewhat sceptical of how the subject of polyamory or consensual non-monogamy (where “all parties agree that the relationship is not exclusive”) might impact me, my church and the ministry of TFT. By the time I’d finished reading the booklet, it had certainly made me sit up and take note.
An article that looks in particular at understanding biblical teaching
Friendships are an essential part of our daily Christian lives, and yet few of us have a biblical theology of friendship. This article seeks to highlight a few key biblical principles for us to live and evaluate our friendships by.
Being a minority voice on same-sex marriage can be very painful. A number of my colleagues have chosen to adopt a position which, in my view, goes against God's word. It comes with a bit of sadness that a denomination which I love, which I've grown up in, which does so much good in the world, would adopt a position which is at odds with God's ordering of our lives and God's design for his people.
I had recently asked my Barnabas group for advice about how to develop friendships with other women in light of same-sex attraction. So, when my group leader asked me to read and review “No Greater Love”, I eagerly agreed, hopeful to gain some clear insights, as well as a deeper theological understanding of friendship. I was not disappointed.
This new resource from the Evangelical Alliance looks at the importance of having, and being, good friends. It comprises 5 videos of about 10 minutes each, all presented by Phil Knox, who has written a book on the topic. There is also a free downloadable small group resource.
The 5 sessions look at such topics as the biblical basis for friendship, the pressures on friendships today, having close friendships and, finally, the importance of friendship with God.
As someone who neglects reading books, I am so glad that I have read this one. I believe it will be a game-changer in my friendships.
John Wyatt starts with a brief history of friendship and shows us what has happened to it in our generation. We look at the examples of friendship in the Bible and how friendship is lauded in the Book of Proverbs. Clearly, it is an issue that is important to God; amazingly, he invites us to be friends with Him!