The 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger contains the iconic line “No, mister Bond, I expect you do die.” In the scene, James Bond has been captured by the villain Goldfinger, and is set up to be killed by a laser slicing him in half. Bond is trying to stall for time, but Goldfinger isn’t interested. The line has been voted the most iconic moment in the James Bond franchise. It has also parodied several times, including on The Simpsons, and xkcd.

Goldfinger’s expectation is foiled (unlink Hank Scopio’s), as Bond manages to escape the death trap set up for him. But if God pronounces someone’s death—and it doesn’t come to pass—then that is a far more concerning outcome. If it is the will of the Almighty, surely it must happen?

But “failed” predictions by God, and the person of Jesus, might point to something far more profound. Read more …

I am fortunate to be a father of two small children in a time where we have Bluey Read more …

Ricky Gervais is a British comedian and actor, famous for his stand-up comedy, his acting in shows such as The Office (UK version), and for roasting Hollywood Read more …

Like many others, the question “what is a Christian” is intuitively much simpler to answer than giving a concrete, analytical answer. Read more …

Paradoxes amuse us, yet can leave us unsettled. For the person who has a spirit open to wonder, a paradox speaks to how there are things we cannot know or understand. To an analytical mind, this is anathema: a paradox is only useful in proving or disproving some postulate, but otherwise just idle nonsense. Investigating paradoxes have driven us to deeper understanding of the world and philosophy for millennia, starting with ancients such as Zeno of Elea, Protagoras of Abdera, and Epimenides of Crete1. Read more …

It is a cliché for a student at the University of Stellenbosch—which is nestled in the centre of a world famous wine region—to fall in with a group of friends who are (or become) wine connoisseurs. Read more …

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a period of acute stress for many people. Pastors and Christian congregants—who are to set their minds “on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth” (Colossians 3:2)—have not been exempt. Community, fellowship, the coming together of people, and sharing together in one another’s lives are important in Christian living. Many Christians took (and still take) exception to governments enacting restrictions on gatherings and preventing them from meeting together for worship. This, in turn, has led to divisions within churches. Read more …