Dialogue: Recent Episodes
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Geor Visser reflects on why Jesus waited 40 days to ascend to heaven after his resurrection how it is to impact our expectation of his return.
Vera Marbach reflects further on our our past Sunday's service. Johan Erasmus spoke on "Why does God allow so much suffering in the world?"
Anna Gouws reflects deeper our past Sunday's service. Marianne van Zyl spoke on "Keeping your kids on God's side".
Anna Gouws reflects on God that wants to speak to you, specifically though reflection on scripture.
Anna Gouws reflects on the living in the tension between the already of the crucifixion and the not yet of the resurrection.
We talk about Spiritual warfare and the role of the church.
"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." - Matthew 16:18
The modern, secular world laughs off the idea of the devil as a relic from a pre-scientific time. “Now we know better” is the mantra of the day. And yet, secular theories that attempt to explain evil seem hopelessly inadequite. For Jesus, there is an invisible but intelligent evil at work in the world, but the strategies of darkness aren't what most of us expect.
This midweek podcast reflects on our sermon series "Unsubscribe". Hanjo Gouws builds on the past week's sermon "Canceling cancel culture".
This midweek podcast reflects on our sermon series "Unsubscribe". Solvin Ndou builds on the past week's sermon "Forget Your Selfie".
This midweek podcast reflects on our sermon series "Unsubscribe". Derik le Roux builds on the past week's sermon "Following trends vs following Jesus".
This midweek podcast reflects on our sermon series "Unsubscribe".
Here is the YouTube link to the sermon on the "Face to Facebook": https://youtu.be/1JtoGBxNZc8
This midweek podcast reflects on our sermon series "Unsubscribe". This week we reflect on Christian community from Romans 12:3-21.
'Come and See' The story of Jesus and the spiritual life start with Philip’s simple invitation to the skeptical Nathaniel to come and see.
This first Sunday service of the year, let us come and see again, and follow.
Christmas 2021: The humility of Christ. We reflect on the virtue of humility and the stories we tell each other with the example set before us in Christ Jesus. Our text Philippians 2:5-11 was traditionally called the "Song of Christ" or the "Carmen Christi" due to its strong poetic qualities.
Exploring the Essentials of the Faith. Disagreeing agreeably. How to major on the major and minor on the minor doctrines with conviction.
Exploring the Essentials of the Faith Paradise Lost, Paradise Found. Tracing the narrative from Eden, to Jesus, to today.
Find also the link to this talk in YouTube with slides from Thorsten Marbach. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HnVtg7YLN5g#dialog
Faith and Reason conference_2021
Constantly complaining seems to be a national pastime for most South Africans. Few things however are as destructive to the soul as incessant grumbling. Join us on Sunday as we attempt to conquer complaining.
How do we get free of not just the pain of the past but the power it has over our lives today?
We begin our "I Quit" series by discussing how and why we should quit comparing ourselves to others.
'Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven' - Matthew 7:21 Unpacking one of Jesus' hardest sayings.
Self-defence & Jesus In Luke 22:36 Jesus bizarrely says 'sell your cloak and buy a sword'. The same Jesus states in Matthew 26:52 that 'those who live by the sword will die by the sword'. How do we make sense of this apparent contradiction? How do we radically love our enemies and defend our loved ones simultaneously?
As the third wave is wreaking havoc across the country many Christians are struggling to make sense of it all. But what if we cannot make sense of it? How do we follow Jesus in the silence? No book in the world deals with this question in more depth and with more honesty than the book of Job
Your truth, my truth and the disconcerting truth-claims of Jesus. We discuss the most counter-cultural and currently unacceptable claim of Jesus: That He is THE way, THE truth and THE life and the ONLY way to the Father. How intolerant!
Dealing with the Hard Sayings of Jesus It's either God-the Money or God-Jesus. Which One?
Barnabas means "Son of encouragement". Join us as we continue Paul's story and see how Barnabas encouraged and helped Paul on his mission.
Dealing with the Hard Sayings of Jesus The Unpardonable sin: Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
The outpouring of God's Spirit was long expected among the Jews, but when it eventually happened - it was wildly unexpected! Tongues of fire, different languages, a rushing wind - what is it all about?
Too often we read the Ascension as the moment when Jesus “went away,” when he left us on our own and went off to heaven, where we hope some day to join him. But the Ascension is not about Jesus going away at all; it is Jesus assuming his position as leader of the church.
Dealing with the Hard Sayings of Jesus It's either God-the Money or God-Jesus. Which One?
Many sceptics say it is merely what you do, Douglas Adams says the answer is 42 and the Bible says it is not about you.
'Freedom just around the corner for you, but with the truth so far off, what good will it do? - Bob Dylan Freedom has always been a buzzword, but people are radically divided on what it really means. As our country gears up for Freedom Day, we have a look at genuine freedom vs false freedom.
How did the crowds go from “Crown him!” on Palm Sunday to “Crucify him!” on Good Friday? Join us as we look at the events that took place in the last week before the crucifixion – all the way from a triumphant “Save us, Son of David!” to a mocking “Save yourself, oh great Messiah!”
These Bible stories captured our young imaginations - often ones with animals or super powers, but what do they teach us a few decades on?
Just a few years ago we were very uncomfortable with the 'dated' and 'pessimistic' notion of sin. Today we find it hard not to acknowledge brokenness at the heart of humans and society. Christians however have always claimed that you have to come to terms with your sin, especially if you want to make sense of the Easter events.
Dating is a relatively new cultural phenomenon and it is one that leaves Christians genuinely seeking righteousness quite confused, hurt or ashamed. This Sunday we will delve into scripture in search of some guidance for dating Christians.
These Bible stories captured our young imaginations - often ones with animals or super powers, but what do they teach us a few decades on?
These Bible stories captured our young imaginations - often ones with animals or super powers, but what do they teach us a few decades on?
'Marriage is the chief cause of divorce.' - Groucho Marx If more than half of all marriages end in divorce, why risk it?
These Bible stories captured our young imaginations - often ones with animals or super powers, but what do they teach us a few decades on?
Woody Allen once said: “I don't know the question, but sex is definitely the answer”. Join us this Sunday for an intimate talk as we bring this topic to a climax (PG 16)
We are fascinated by stories, but there is one particular story we especially resonate with; the story of love. Join us this Sunday morning as we reflect on why this story is so important and how to write your own story well.
A Biblical reflection on family and fatherlessness Sibusiso is a father, pastor and husband who lives and serves in Mamelodi.
These Bible stories captured our young imaginations - often ones with animals or super powers, but what do they teach us a few decades on?
Much of what we commonly assume about singleness―that it is primarily about the absence of good things like intimacy, family, or meaningful ministry―is either flat-out untrue or, at the very least, shouldn’t be true. To be single, we often think, is to be alone and spiritually hindered. But the Bible paints a very different picture of singleness.
These Bible stories captured our young imaginations - often ones with animals or super powers, but what do they teach us a few decades on?
In 2020 the most prominent emotions among South Africans were annoyance and boredom. In 2021, as the reality of the virus has finally sunk in, these emotions have been replaced with fear. As one might expect, the most searched Bible verse is currently Isaiah 41:10 : "so do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God." On Sunday we'll discuss the Bible's repeated encouragement not to be afraid, and how we can overcome our fears of sickness, loss and death.
These Bible stories captured our young imaginations - often ones with animals or super powers, but what do they teach us a few decades on?
The recent news implicating Ravi Zacharias in a sex scandal has left many disillusioned and hurt. It also came on the back of a year in which other high profile Christians were found guilty of similar misconduct. Join us as we try to process this through a Biblical lens.
These Bible stories captured our young imaginations - often ones with animals or super powers, but what do they teach us a few decades on?
Advent is when we reflect upon the arrival of our Savior who came to ransom his people. But neither a savior nor a ransom is needed if we are 'basically fine' spiritually. On Sunday we'll look at a parable Jesus told about recognizing our captivity and preparing our hearts for the coming King
At the heart of our faith lies a paradox: The prayer of the faithful will be rewarded and yet the righteous should expect trials and persecution
James, the little brother of Jesus, does not see this tension as awkward, but rather central to the life of faith.
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory... he will separate the sheep from the goats.” The Jews of his day thought they were the ultimate sheep – obedient and without blemish, but Jesus’ criteria seemed to differ from theirs. How are we faring on Jesus’ criteria? discover what these are from Matthew 25:31-46
Forgotten biblical virtues in a politically correct world. Dr. Roedolf Botha Roedolf is a pastor, academic and a bit of a screen junky. He loves exploring the connection between faith and culture and will look at some of the spiritual themes in the hit series, Downton Abbey.
Join us as we continue on the journey through the book of James. Straightforward, Uncomplicated and Incredibly Hard.
James 3:13-18
Jesus once told a super weird parable, that can be badly summarized as follows: The good news is that you will get bags of gold, the bad news is, if you don't do anything with it, you'll be killed. The good news though, is that if you do use it, you get to become a mayor of a city. The bad news however, is that if you have little, that will also be taken from you. If you are confused, we hope to see you Sunday evening at Dialoog.
The purpose of the book of James is to show us the difference between a mere profession and a real possession of faith. Yet James also sees a link between our speech and who we truly are. The effects of your speech ultimately can direct your life and change the lives others.
Jesus' life on earth was one big campaign for the Kingdom of Heaven. Not only was there to be a change of regime, but the borders of the Kingdom were also to be radically expanded. As it goes, Jesus was the one to break the news to the powers that be. His strategy? Eating, storytelling and miracle-working. Join us as we delve into the Parable of the Tenants – a story that brings Jesus closer to the cross and us closer to the resurrection
Apparently 80% of South Africans claim to be Christians.
That statistic doesn't account for 'cultural Christianity' though. This is a type of unintentional Christianity, where you identify as 'Christian' the same way you might identify as South African or Indian. It doesn't really demand anything from you, except perhaps that you get married in a church and occasionally wear a cross as an accessory.
The reality however is that although Jesus loves you enough to accept you as you are, He loves you too much to let you stay the way you are.
Real Christianity disrupts and demands everything.
It’s been used to rebuke the rich, defend salvation by poverty, teach about the afterlife and even condemn slavery. Jesus’s story about the Rich Man and Lazarus certainly raises a series of questions. Can heaven be seen from hell? Does wealth make the difference between the two? Are those in heaven aware of (and indifferent to) the suffering of those in hell? Is this a parable or a true story? And the list goes on... Jesus' stories often leave us with more questions than answers, nevertheless, we are called to reflect, interpret and change
We chat to Petrus Grove, a Free State farmer and Reformed pastor about farm murders and what an appropriate response would look like. Learn more about the farming initiative Petrus is involved with at www.mdfoundation.co.za or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqAwG9jg398&t=1s
'Tell all the truth, but tell it slant, with explanation kind. The truth must dazzle gradually or every man be blind." - Emily Dickinson
An intriguing aspect of the early church as far as outsiders were concerned was how they drew their faith from stories. Jesus was the great storyteller and according to Him, you cannot be a part of His new Kingdom without listening carefully. Join us as we listen to the stories of Jesus
With the current racial tension here in South Africa and globally, Miroslav Volf's magnus opus is more relevant today than ever before. It is however a tough read, which is why we want to wrestle through it in community.
Everyone likes to hear good news, even more so if it is personal, but the good news of Jesus does not sit well with all human sensibilities. Is the gospel fool's talk? How does God choose to showcase his power? This Sunday evening, Pastor Sibusiso will explore where and how our security in God should be sought?
Jesus is the most forgiving and gracious man ever walked the earth, yet he didn't hold back a single punch when it came to the religious folk of the day. How should we as a church live this out?