Playing God: redeeming the gift of power

The discovery of power

Part 1. The gift of power: in the beginning it was not so. Exploration: Genesis 1-2 : original power

Power is a gift

Idolatry

Injustice

A note: Evangelism and social action

Icons

Exploration: John 2 : the wedding wine

Part 2. The grip of power: it will not be so among you. Exploration: Exodus 20 : the ten words

The hiddenness of power

Force, coercion and violence

The lure of privilege

Exploration: John 13 : Jesus, power and privilege

Part 3. Institutions and creative power: from generation to generation. The gift of institutions

Principalities, powers and broken institutions

Becoming trustees

Exploration: Philemon : the peculiar institution

Part 4. The end of power: we had to celebrate. Disciplined power

The Sabbath ladder

The end of power

Exploration: Luke 15 : prodigal power.