Pastor's Circle - Mark Durie

Dr. Mark Durie is the vicar of St. Mary's Anglican Church in Caulfield, Victoria, Australia. He came on The Matt Friedeman Show to discuss the spiritual impact of what we allow into our lives. Here are the "CliffsNotes" of his interview.

In your church, what kind of things do you encourage that promote a deeper spirituality?

One of the things I've found to be truly important is to be cleaned up. We come into church with all this baggage.

Obviously we need to repent, but how do we take that a step further? The process of cleaning up our lives is very important.

What are some influences that you've helped people deal with?

I've met some people who have a lot of trouble with gambling and things like that. A lot of times they had an experience when they were younger, and the imprint stayed on their lives.

I pray for them that God would not only take away the current problem, but also take away the imprint of that experience on their lives.

How do you "un-imprint"?

I think it's owning your own decisions, the things that you've bought into. Part of the key is things that you've come to believe that are false.

It's not just about rejecting the sin, it's rejecting the lies that Satan has brought into your life through the sin. Part of it is just a decision, but also a careful process of cutting off is very important.

What are some positive experiences that imprint on our lives?

Sometimes we encounter God unexpectedly and miraculously. Those experiences are important, and should be honored and treasured.

Peter's whole experience of realizing his own sin, and also God's grace and mercy had a huge impact on him. When we experience God's grace, we need to allow those experiences to shape us.

Are there any regular habits that leave an imprint?

I think it's to do with the way truth works. You can believe that something's true and know that it's right, but for that to really permeate your life, it's not enough just to have that one insight.

You have to nurture that in your life. We can claim what's good and healthy in our lives through meditating on what's true.

Pastor's Circle - Mark Durie

Dr. Mark Durie, theologian, human rights activist and vicar of St. Mary's Anglican church in Caulfield, Victoria, Australia, came on The Matt Friedeman Show to discuss the persecuted Church. Here are the "CliffsNotes" of his interview.


Why should we be concerned about the persecution of the Church?

It's a very biblical concern. Persecution is one of the major focuses of the New Testament.

I've known a lot of Christians who come from countries that experience persecution.

In my church, we strongly encourage prayer for the persecuted Church.

In the 50 countries in the world where persecution is active, about 40 of them are Muslim, so that's a connection for me.

What about Christianity is so troublesome to Muslims?

Islam is based on the example of Muhammad, and when people stood in his way, he didn't do well.

He commanded Muslims to assume a position of dominance with their faith.

It's a case of the faith shaping the way society works. It's a very deep, difficult issue that goes back 1400 years. That's the heart of it.

At its heart, is it really about the difference between Jesus and Muhammad?

Interestingly, both Jesus and Muhammad suffered a lot of rejection, were opposed and vilified and slandered.

Jesus responded to that in a very interesting way, not trying to revenge himself, but praying for his persecutors.

Muhammad responded with bitterness, and a desire for retribution.

The heart of our faith is the cross. We aren't called to use power to face our rejections.

What can we do to help?

Prayer is very important, and many miracles have happened through prayer.

You need to remember, too, that persecution is not a mistake. If you follow Christ, you need to expect persecution. It's part of the Christian life.

Don't be dismayed, discouraged, intimidated by persecution. Don't give up. It might seem very difficult, but hold your ground.