Welcome to the Questions page! Here you can view questions that have been asked anonymously and have been answered by myself. You’ll also be able to search the question database and ask your own question! If you would like to see another category added, then please contact me and let me know!
If you had one question to ask God what would it be?
OR
What do you find most difficult to understand about God?
Goodness! They are really good questions… OK, I’ll answer them both. If I could ask God one question (before heaven) I would ask him if he could explain some of the mysteries that bug Christians and Theologians which don’t currently make complete sense to us… for example the fact that God chooses us to be saved, yet we have free will. Or how only Jesus knew what his Father revealed yet he was part of a trinity who is the same God who is omniscient!
And I can’t say THE thing, but ONE thing I find really difficult to understand about God is the concept of the Trinity. Whilst I do believe in the Trinity and have tried to get my head around it, too much thinking about the Trinity raises questions that no one can ultimately answer.
Were you brought up religious (as in, brought up into a religious family) or is it an informed choice you made independently as an adult? :)
I was brought up as an atheist and then became a Christian at around 11/12 years of age. It was an informed choice based on a variety of things. I have to say though that my grandparents on my dad’s side have been Christians for a very long time, and my dad became a Christian a few years after he and my mum had a divorce. But their influence on me was rather limited as I didn’t see my dad or grandparents frequently when growing up. I think I explain a little more about how I became a Christian on my ‘About Me’ page! Thanks for asking a question! :)
(Sorry if you’ve already answered this, I haven’t read every one of your posts) I was just wondering what your position is concerning women being ordained? Especially in the Anglican Church, since you’re wanting to be ordained into it yourself. From what I understand, (correct me if I’m wrong) the Church of Wales was the only Anglican church in the UK to object completely to the ordination of women, and it’s coming up to voting time again…
Women can be Priests in the Church in Wales, I think it’s just Bishops that they haven’t decided on yet. My view on women in church leadership is that they are able to be in leadership and can be ordained. The misinterpretation of the key verses in Timothy and Corinthians has led to people slamming the door shut on women in ministry for a long time. Many people also forget that there is mention of women who were appointed by Paul to preach and teach in the New Testament. Some people say that only women should teach women and children, which I find highly arrogant. Some people say that women shouldn’t teach because they’re not as good as men. A very weak and patronising argument.
In fact, God has used women throughout all of history to preach his word and to explain the Gospel to people. And after doing a massive essay on this particular subject, I had to agree that women have a valuable place in ministry.
That is not to say that I don’t agree that the man is the head of the household and that he should take leadership in spiritual things – that’s entirely Biblical. It also doesn’t mean leadership in an authoratarian way; it means in a servant like attitude. But I don’t have the space to go into all that!
However, in the church, I feel that the best way for a church to be run is in a leadership team system, with a senior Male and Female pastor (for obvious reasons). Yet there are different roles specific to their gender that I feel God has ordained them to do based on their gender. That doesn’t make one less than the other, but it only seems natural that men are better at some things, and women are better at others. Nonetheless, they both have an equally valid role in ministry.
Not just I’ve answered this question as thoroughly and as clearly as I wanted to – but I gave it a try!
I guess you must have a positive reason for wanting to be priested in a mixed denomination which is theologically diverse and where you’ll affirm the priesthood and ministry of some vicars who don’t even believe in the existence of God. What are your positive reasons for choosing the Church of Wales ?
This is an interesting question! You’re right in saying that the Anglican Church is very theologically diverse. Though there are central doctrines which are core to Christian faith in the Anglican church, the belief in the gospel as one of them (though you obviously get rebels!) However, some theologies don’t matter so much if you understand. And you’re right in saying that some vicars will not be Christians. But be aware; whatever church denomination you go into, even into independant churches, there will always be pastors/elders/vicars/ministers who aren’t saved. It is not that I’m ‘affirming’ them as such, just because I belong to the Anglican church. Rather, it is my job to support them and pray for them, and to lead by example when I’m a vicar myself. I don’t really feel that I chose the Church in Wales as such – God called me to the Church in Wales. The Anglican church has given out so much benefit to the worldwide Church, and so rather than focus on the negatives that the Anglican church has, I like to consider the positives more. Yes, there’s a lot wrong with the Anglican church. There are many who don’t believe the Gospel. But God sorts that out one way or another. And I have to say that the liturgy in the church never changes, and the liturgy is full of gospel truth. The Church in Wales is a church of opportunity. We’re better positioned in some ways as opposed to other denominations in that people tend to ‘trust’ us… by that I mean they come to us for weddings and such, all of which are good evangelistic opportunities. Another advantage is that to those churchgoers who aren’t Christians, I have a great opportunity to witness to them and lead them to Christ. Getting through the front door of a church is often the biggest step for some. Seen as some people in the Anglican Church will be churchgoers, I see it as a barrier removed which allows me to focus on ministering to those people and welcoming them to meet Jesus for themselves. I could go on all day, but I hope this has at least in part answered your question!
When were you born?
I was born on April 4th 1991. You can read more information about me @ http://deanroberts.net/about
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