In Galatians 2, Paul sets out a specific example of how people can distort and even depart from the Gospel. We can safely assume that this is the particular issue that has reared its head again in Galatia. Paul explains that when he went to see the church leaders in Jerusalem that they were in… Continue reading Circumcision, table fellowship and the Gospel
Author: faithrootsdw
What is justification all about?
One of the key themes that seems central to Paul’s argument in Galatians is that we are justified by faith.[1] In recent years, there’s been much discussion and dispute about what justification really means, especially since the emergence of the New Perspective. Whilst the reformed position since Luther and Calvin has been that justification is… Continue reading What is justification all about?
Opening Credits
This week we look at 1 Chronicles 11-12 Anointed (11:1-3) Jerusalem (11: 4-10) Jerusalem is in Benjamin, whereas Hebron = a city of Judah. Jerusalem is a crucial symbol of David uniting the kingdom and replacing Saul’s dynasty Mighty Men (11:10-47) Early followers of David The inner circle – the three and the thirty Note… Continue reading Opening Credits
Distorted Gospels
There are a number of ways that the Gospel can be distorted but we might divide them into three rough categories. First, there are distorted Gospels that completely miss the point of what the Good News is by offering a solution to the wrong problem, they fail to treat the problem of sin. Secondly, there… Continue reading Distorted Gospels
What is the Gospel?
Paul’s big concern for the Galatian church was that they risked being captured by a different Gospel. The other day, I wrote something about this and observed that if we are to avoid falling for different, false Gospels, then we need to know what the true Gospel is. Now, we might assume that the answer… Continue reading What is the Gospel?
The Meaning of Singleness
There’s lots of books, articles, seminars etc about sex, marriage and relationships at the moment. That perhaps has always been the case anyway. On the other hand, there’s very little about singleness. Again, I suspect that’s been the case for a long time. University Christian Unions used to put on such a seminar at their… Continue reading The Meaning of Singleness
Being eulogised by Babylon
Last weekend, New York pastor and author, Timothy Keller, died. Since then, many people have been paying their respects and expressing gratitude for Tim’s life. This has included secular obituaries including In the New York Times. However, as I indicated in my own reflections, there was a significant number of people who found controversy in… Continue reading Being eulogised by Babylon
A different Gospel
You get the impression that Paul is writing in a hurry when he sends his letter to the Galatians. Not for them, a lengthy introduction with prayers of praise and descriptions of what they are doing well. Paul gets straight down to business, identifying the problem in the church. 6 I am astonished that you are so… Continue reading A different Gospel
Let it percolate
I remember a former pastor commenting once that no-one should attempt to write and publish a book before they were 40. He reckoned that there was a good chance that you would have to go back and explain why you’ve changed your mind Tim Keller of course only started writing for a wider audience into… Continue reading Let it percolate
Introducing Galatians
Our church are about to embark on a teaching series on Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Here are some introductory notes. When was the book written? Nowadays it is usually viewed as an early letter, if not the earliest of Paul’s letters. Some reformers including Luther considered it to have been written later though, seeing… Continue reading Introducing Galatians
Faithroots 