Going on retreat with Wendy Virgo, John Wimber, Marcus Borg, John Crossan, Ralph Martin and Gordon Fee

Yes, it could be an interesting couple of weeks. Not literally going with that lot or even to their speaking engagements, no, just taking their books to the beach, well, the pebbles really, not going far.

It will be interesting reading Wendy Virgo's take on things, I will balance her out with 'The first Paul', just reviewed in the CEN, although not a new book. Gospel and Spirit by Fee I think I'll get on well with. I haven't found him too problematic with his take on the NT, although his response to Deuteronomy has left me puzzled on occasions. Ralph Martin's 'Hungry For God' is quite a classic, I believe, written before I was born. I had to get a second-hand copy and Wimber's 'Power Healing' is something which interests me at the moment for I have much more confidence now in a God who heals. It feels strange to even think I used to be skeptical about it but I was in that place at one time. It might be a result of living with a father who has MS, but I am perhaps realising that whilst God hasn't healed my father, he is keeping him nourished and positive. Now that I have witnessed actual healings, though, and felt the power myself, I find the whole idea of healing ministries very exciting and I am perhaps thinking through again more acutely the whole nature of the double imperative to preach the gospel and heal the sick in Jesus' name.

Anyway I am waffling and I haven't packed yet and I think that the break will do me good, could be the last one I'll be getting in a while! Au revoir.