Author Archives: Thinus

Grace for suffering

Posted on April 9, 2024 by Thinus

Forgiveness is giving up on the hope of a better past. – Anne Lamott Grace is extending that forgiveness to the present. To people, to circumstances, to moments. It is simply allowing the moment to be what it is. (This … Continue reading →

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A poem – The trees are a reminder

Posted on January 25, 2024 by Thinus

Remember the story I used to tell you when you were a boy about a young prince. A knight, sent by his father, the King of the East, west into Egypt to find a pearl. A pearl from the depths … Continue reading →

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My attempt to get you to watch The Tree of Life

Posted on October 25, 2023 by Thinus

I find it hard to describe how much I like the film The Tree of Life. But it is not an easy watch. It is very slow. Everyone that sees it, has a strong opinion about it. Some couldn’t sit … Continue reading →

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Interpreting the Old Testament

Posted on September 30, 2023 by Thinus

We all know the story of Job. After everything goes wrong for him, his friends arrive. They give him advice, which turns into a debate about God. A very large chunk of the book is this debate. God then appears … Continue reading →

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Grace and forgiveness

Posted on May 8, 2023 by Thinus

Anne Lamott said “forgiveness is letting go of the hope of a better past”. Forgiveness is opening your fist. Letting go of your sense of justice. What forgiveness is to the past, grace is to the present. And the future. … Continue reading →

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Words for my grief

Posted on March 7, 2023 by Thinus

Three weeks ago my father passed away from a heart attack. Two days later I was on the road to be with my mother in the week ahead of the funeral. I live in Cape Town, my mom lives in … Continue reading →

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What you seldom hear about parenthood – Part 1

Posted on March 5, 2023 by Thinus

Let me tell you one of my favourite gross parenting stories to tell at a party. One night I woke up, with my daughter vomiting on me. Which is – in my opinion – the worst way to wake up… … Continue reading →

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A thought on imperfection, grace and the Trinity

Posted on August 2, 2022 by Thinus

I wrote the draft for this post a couple of years ago. But I found it recently and thought to dust it off and publish it. In my new marriage we have found that some of the most valuable experiences … Continue reading →

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Christ Victor

Posted on July 24, 2022 by Thinus

This is a follow up on a previous post dismantling penal substitution, or the idea that God needs a sacrifice. The view I want to discuss comes from one of the great church fathers, Athanasius of Alexandria in his book … Continue reading →

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Dismantling the idea that God has to punish something

Posted on July 24, 2022 by Thinus

“Punitive retribution” also called “penal substitution” is the name for the idea that God is angry at us because of our sin, and He has to punish us for it. Jesus steps in and takes our punishment on Himself. And … Continue reading →

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