We investigates the historical evolution and theological significance of holy water, tracing its origins from ancient ritual purifications to its formalisation by the medieval Church around the year 850. While the Roman Catholic tradition views these priestly blessings as sacramentals that provide a tangible sense of divine protection, the author explains how this practice became a point of contention during the Reformation. Reformed Christians eventually rejected the use of holy water, arguing that it lacked biblical authorisation and potentially encouraged superstition or undermined the priesthood of all believers. By contrasting these two perspectives, the source highlights fundamental differences in how various traditions understand divine grace, clerical authority, and the sufficiency of scripture. Ultimately, the overview presents holy water as a window into broader debates regarding the sanctification of material objects and the unique status of baptism.

We discuss a sermon that frames the Protestant alternative to Purgatory as a reliance on a person rather than a place. The source concludes that believers "do not need a purifying fire because we have a purifying Saviour". Preparation for meeting God is achieved "Not by fire, but by grace... Not by delay, but by His own finished work

We offer a theological examination of the classic dilemma regarding how a benevolent deity can coexist with a suffering world. The author argues that human freedom and a developing creation necessitate the existence of pain, rather than portraying it as a sign of divine abandonment. Central to this perspective is the concept of solidarity, where God is viewed not as a distant observer but as a participant in human agony through the symbolism of the cross. Rather than offering a simple intellectual solution, the reflection emphasises that faith allows for honest lament and the hope of future restoration. Ultimately, the source suggests that while the reasons for tragedy remain a mystery, the divine character is defined by a commitment to redeeming and accompanying humanity through its darkest moments.