Author: otsgef
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Word Matters #6 — “Holy Catholic Church”: Why I Don’t Say “Holy Universal Church”
Early in ministry I thought replacing “catholic” with “universal” in the creed was pastoral genius. Years later, I’m convinced the swap creates more confusion than it solves. “Catholic” is the older, clearer, safer word — once you explain it. This piece explores why the historic term guards the gospel better than its modern substitute, and…
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Word Matters #5 — The P-Word: Priest, Presbyter, and “The Rev on the Railway”
On the railway my nickname is “The Rev” — short for “Reverend”, because I’m an Anglican priest. But the P-word is complicated: OT priests, NT priests, presbyters, English drift, Sydney’s “presbyter” fix. This post untangles why the labels matter without messing with the gospel.
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Word Matters #4 — Metanoia: the Spirit-driven U-turn
A fresh look at metanoia — the New Testament’s repentance word — and how a small Greek verb helped overturn a medieval system, reshape the Reformation, and still calls believers today into a Spirit-driven U-turn of life.
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Word Matters #3 — Was Jesus “Moved with Compassion” or “Indignant”?
A fascinating little variant in Mark 1:41 — why do some Bibles say Jesus was “moved with compassion” while others say he was “indignant”? A gentle guide for ordinary Christians.
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Word Matters #2 — When Textual Criticism Makes You Cry in the Dorm
A second-year theology student unravels, a neighbour cries, and textual criticism suddenly feels like the death of faith. Here’s how the wobble happens — and why it doesn’t win.
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Word Matters #1 — Why Words Matter
Starting a series on language, Scripture, and confidence for ordinary Christians.
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Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness
Gentleness isn’t weakness, softness, or avoiding hard truths. In Galatians 5 it’s the surprising strength of a life carried by the Spirit — the steadiness that flows from belonging to Christ rather than performing for him. This talk presses into what gentleness really is: not how we get into the kingdom, not how we stay…
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Psalm 90:12: Teach us to number our days
Sermon on Psalm 90:12: The verse that inspired The 9012 Project