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The Insect and the Buffalo

By andrewshamy, on February 9th, 2010%

We have written a book. The Insect and the Buffalo: How the story of the Bible changes everything, is a short introduction to the story of scripture written to help people re-read, re-think and re-engage with the Bible.

Here’s how we describe it in the blurb:

When we read the Bible, it’s easy to feel like God wrote . . . → Read More: The Insect and the Buffalo

The Shack – a review – part 3

By andrewshamy, on June 26th, 2009%

Are you my God?

For all its controversy, in the end, The Shack isn’t controversial enough.

My deep suspicion as I read through Young’s book, is that if our culture was going to create a god it felt comfortable with, she/he would look a lot like the God of The Shack: God the gentle therapist, infinitely concerned with . . . → Read More: The Shack – a review – part 3

The Shack – Review – Part 2

By andrewshamy, on June 22nd, 2009%

If read well, The Shack is worth reading. As far as endorsements go, mine is perhaps less ringing than Eugene Peterson’s, but it goes beyond Mark Driscoll’s encouragement not to read The Shack at all.

So what do I mean?

Those most negative of The Shack draw out in fine detail its points of theological inadequacy, of which . . . → Read More: The Shack – Review – Part 2

The Shack – Review – part 1

By andrewshamy, on June 18th, 2009%

Who would have thought that a book about a guy having a conversation with God in a rundown shack would be such a phenomenon. But that’s exactly what William P. Young’s The Shack is, a phenomenon – 55 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List, over three million copies sold and all this from a . . . → Read More: The Shack – Review – part 1

The economic crisis made easy(ier)

By andrewshamy, on May 25th, 2009%

Struggling to get your head around the global economic crisis? You’re not alone. I, at the very least, am with you. Luckily, there is help at hand. The following site collates great resources from around the globe, looking at the why, the so what, and the what should be done now, of the crisis. Check it . . . → Read More: The economic crisis made easy(ier)

Upcoming Event

By andrewshamy, on April 9th, 2009%

Are you a lawyer or studying law? Then you should go to Just Law: Minds Wide Open.

Minds Wide Open is a one day conference for law studens and young legal practitoners designed to explore how law, conepts of justice and community action fit together.

The conference will have some impressive speakers, including Hon. Chris Finlayson, the Attorney . . . → Read More: Upcoming Event

Two films, one ending

By andrewshamy, on April 6th, 2009%

It’s taken me a while, but I have finally watched two of last year’s most critically acclaimed movies, and that’s what l thought: Two films, one ending—and it’s not pretty.

Paul Anderson’s There Will Be Blood and the Coen brother’s No Country for Old Men are both powerful films; dark, brooding and brutal. Stunningly shot, directed and . . . → Read More: Two films, one ending

Pausing for scorpions

By andrewshamy, on March 30th, 2009%

Poetry is meant to give us pause. This was the belief of an English lecturer I studied under while at University. I thought of his words again recently when I read the strange little poem “Iskandariya” by Brigit Kelly. It gave me pause. It made me think about the strangeness of God’s gifts and the need to listen . . . → Read More: Pausing for scorpions

Lilly Allen, 'The Fear'

By andrewshamy, on March 17th, 2009%

I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I really like Lilly Allen’s new song “The Fear”. In my defence, it’s a very clever song. The video too.

In the song, Lilly takes aim at the celebrity and consumption obsessed culture of today. Her opening verses are thick with irony:

I want to be rich and I want lots of . . . → Read More: Lilly Allen, 'The Fear'

Designer Babies; or, are babies the new chihuahuas?

By andrewshamy, on March 10th, 2009%

“Designer babies,” the future must-have accessory of the rich and famous?

It’s not out of the question.

Recently, a fertility clinic in the US has caused controversy by offering parents the option of selecting the traits they want in their new baby. Genetic testing has reached such a level that embryos can now be screened for desirable characteristics . . . → Read More: Designer Babies; or, are babies the new chihuahuas?