About

disclaimer

The thoughts here are my own. And not representative of the thoughts of my God, wife, daughter, pets, clients, denomination, college, or church. They will occasionally be wrong, occasionally be right, occasionally be rich, occasionally be anemic – but will always be offered in the hope that you’ll engage with them. You can read more about that in the “Disclaimer” page, and read about how to take part in the conversation, or a conversation, on this site in the comments policy.

 COPYRIGHT

From time to time I’m asked if stuff I write here can be reproduced in print by churches or other sites. My answer is always yes. I have strong beliefs about copyright. Anything I write here that is good is good because of whatever gifts God has given me. Who am I to get precious or pretentious about that sort of thing. While I write to process my own thinking, I am aware that people read and I hope to be writing out of love for people, I hope that sometimes this means what I say is helpful.

It does encourage me when people tell me this, but it also feeds my ego, so don’t feel obliged. If you use something you are free to edit it, if you use stuff I’ve written acknowledging this might save embarrassment for one, or both, of us. If you adapt or add stuff, noting that you’ve done so would be appreciated.

About St Eutychus

Eutychus was a young man who fell to his death because the Apostle Paul preached for too long (Acts 20).

I’ve decided to canonise Eutychus and make him the patron saint of both my dalliances around the Internet, and clear and non-boring communication. Look. I don’t think Paul was boring – quite the reverse. But the story is funny, and it’s funny that Eutychus will forever be remembered as the guy who fell asleep while arguably the second most influential preacher of all time was speaking.

How this all works

This blog works using the following combinations of awesomeness…

Hosting
Dreamhost. You can donate to my hosting if you like.
Donate towards my web hosting bill!
Platform
WordPress

Support the blog

This all costs me money. Not just time. But actual money. About $40 a month.

  • I am an Amazon affiliate – when I post links to Amazon products I get a small cut if you buy them. I will either link to products that I find humourous, or products I actually endorse. I will make it clear when I am personally endorsing a product. You can just enter Amazon via this link and earn money for me via whatever you purchase. There is a permanent Amazon box advertising the Kindle in my sidebar – because I love the Kindle platform. I also have a Perpetual Kid affiliate account – but since their products are unavailable to people in Australia (99% of my readership) this is less than useful information.
  • I have a similar deal with the Book Depository – which is a better option for books, unless you have a Kindle (like I do).
  • You can buy an hilarious t-shirt (with more possibly to come) from my Cafe Press store. You can also get mugs, bags, and all sorts of other wonders.

Comments

Richard Chapman says:

Thank you for being. Not that you can take credit for that, but you have had a say in allowing yourself to be hammered into a shape that can bring glory to God. Your words are like a breath of mountain air after stepping out of this world’s slums. Or like a well deserved kick in the butt. Or both, simultaneously.

Treena says:

Wow. Truly wow. I thought I was unshockable, but I am gobsmacked!
And not a shred of irony either!
Your a minister.
You have studied theology.
You lead a church which is really very disturbing.
And such free flowing judgments whilst holding yourself as a spokesperson for Jesus. What a shame you lack total self awareness. You are a dangerous person many more I’ll informed opinions than any bogan I have ever encountered. It’s people like yourself that make me despair for the human race. Shame in you. Just disgusting.

Nathan Campbell says:

Hi Treena,

Umm. Thanks for the feedback. I’m just not sure which posts in particular you’re referring to since you’ve made this comment on my About Page. Care to shoot me a link to the offensive post(s)?

Treena says:

Well good Christian, that would be your charming article entitled “Pondering the self identity of Bogans”. Sounds like a charming all inclusive church you run up there by the way. What do say to me?
Oh, In Christ. Hhmmmm.

Treena says:

And apologies for being all bogan-like and posting on the wrong page.
Per shame.

Nathan says:

Hi Treena,

Thanks for calling me out on that one. I’ve just read it again, I’d completely forgotten about that one. It’s unloving and judgmental, and I will post something on top of it that says as much. To be fair, it was written before I was a pastor and part of the point of a theological education is to grow up, and be more aware of the cost of one’s words, perhaps especially words written or spoken for the sake of humour at somebody else’s expense.

Nathan Campbell says:

Here’s the apology I’ve posted on the top of the self-identity of bogans post:

“In 2016 a commenter, Treena, pointed out that this post is pretty judgmental and unloving. She’s right. I don’t, as a general rule, delete or edit my mistakes. I want to own them. But having read this post again, I regret the way that I spoke about other people. Strangers. My neighbours. This post is unloving, ungracious, a bit superior, and, to be frank, it is poorly written. And I trust that you’ll forgive me for all of that. I hope would certainly not write a post like this now, one of the interesting things about blogging over such a period is that there’s not much in my archives that represents where I am now in terms of my thinking, writing, or maturity, but it is interesting, and perhaps encouraging, for me to look back on old posts and be able to see where I’ve come from, for good or for ill. So thanks again to Treena for being so bold as to call me out, and I apologise for this post. I recommend not reading it, and certainly wouldn’t recommend thinking it speaks for me, or should speak for you. “

Donald McLean says:

Would appreciate the opportunity for contact with you.
Presbyterian Church minister, 1949-77
Uniting Church minister, 1977-89
Hospital Chaplaincy 1979-84

Nina Rau says:

Thank you for your response to the ABC report on domestic violence and the church. I love the well meaning men in my life enough to challenge them when they take Andrew Bolt at his word without reading the original article or research and then post it on FB. I hope you don’t mind but I’ve posted the link to your article along with some other research and articles as a rebuttal to their lack of research.
Cheers,
Nina.

Stephen Gabbott says:

Nathan, like may others, I am grateful for your contributions for your “public square” contributions to gospel discussions and also like others I would like to be able to print out what God has given you to share with the rest of us. I am not a Facebooker – your “two tables” piece was brought to my attention by my wife, Marion, who is, but neither of us know how to get your piece into a form where I can print it – we are both 77 years of age – help!

Rav says:

Dear Nathan,

Recently read your article about Kanye West. Thank you for taking time to write about ‘ordinary people’ who are touched by God…. whether it be ‘a celebrity’ or ‘an athlete’ it just happens that they are rich (a blessing from God).
It feels that there is a hint of religious arrogance in your article. Just to quote –
”It’s also a bad idea because Jesus doesn’t need celebrity to be compelling”, ………………………………………………….. In fact for me and true believers, this only displays the amazing grace of our Lord Jesus Christ who in His mercy bring ‘His life and truth’ to anyone who seeks Him. Instead of glorifying God you have only try to act smugly moralistic in your editorial, which sadly goes against all that the Lord has given in His gospel.

The reason why God will use (anyone He wills) celebrities like Kanye to ‘lift His name’ is because the ‘theologists’ are either too busy behind the pulpits or writing online columns and not “preaching the Gospel” of Kingdom.

God Bless you in lifting the name of Jesus!
Shalom Aleichem.

James says:

Hi Nathan,
I’ve been enjoying your blog. Could you make a quick change? I just followed the link to venntheology.com, by clicking the words “serious theology (and college stuff)” and it took me to a porn site.
Best regards,
James

James says:

Sorry, I should mention that the link is on this “about” page.

Nathan Campbell says:

Thanks and sorry. This is what happens when domains lapse and about pages are 7 years (and two children and a couple of dead pet turtles) out of date.

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