faithrootsdw

Precursors (Faithroots Podcast)

Here’s the next in our Jesus in the Gospels:

Useful Idiots? Social Justice, critical theory and the evangelical church

In a podcast for Evangelical Times, Sharon James discusses Critical Theory with Mike Judge, The blurb suggests that: Dr Sharon James says Critical Theory and the ideas of the Social Justice movement are the single biggest moral threat to our society. She says church leaders should not act as “useful idiots” by embracing its language… Continue reading Useful Idiots? Social Justice, critical theory and the evangelical church

The problem with the “appeal to authority” fallacy

When I wrote in response to the recent letter from lawyers and former judges about Israel and Gaza, I highlight that one problem with it was that it encouraged a form of logical fallacy which is known as “appeal to authority”, or if you want to posh term “ad verecundiam.” Fascinatingly, the problem with this… Continue reading The problem with the “appeal to authority” fallacy

Israel, red lines and the arms trade: How do we know if a red line is crossed?

I recently wrote about a letter from lawyers concerning the ICJ’s interim ruling on whether Israel were in breach of the Genocide Convention. In the discussion around that article, someone asked me: “what ‘red line’ Israel would need to cross before we should stop arming them?” My response was to note first that before we… Continue reading Israel, red lines and the arms trade: How do we know if a red line is crossed?

Sealed in the Spirit

This Sunday our church begins a new teaching series going through the book of Ephesians. A key theme of the book is the work of the Spirit. We learn early on that we are sealed with the Spirit and so, we are to be filled with the Spirit which becomes the launchpad for the closing… Continue reading Sealed in the Spirit

“That’s interesting” Does theology belong in academia?

This was the question posed on Twitter by Jonathan Dowie (who has recently written a book on multi-lingual church which I hope to review soon). Jonathan then went on to highlight the problem with academic writing, in short, he said “it sucks.” His big issue was the tendency for academics to be verbose, hiding behind… Continue reading “That’s interesting” Does theology belong in academia?

A big bug bear

I wrote recently in response to Sinclair Ferguson’s comments about blogging. My friend Steve Kneale has written more directly with his response here. I share Steve’s sentiments. I think Steve is right to suggest that such comments portray a lack of insight into the nature of Gospel ministry. On a side note, one of the… Continue reading A big bug bear

The Gospel does not depend on our ropey apologetics

I was reading this article the other day which touches on how Paul appears to use a creedal form in 1 Corinthians 15:3-7 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and… Continue reading The Gospel does not depend on our ropey apologetics

What is Ephesians all about?

Yesterday, I gave an overview of Ephesians based on five key phrases from the book. We can however get a little bit tighter as we seek to sum up what the main message of the book is. Whenever I prepare a sermon, I try to sum up the core message in one or two sentences. … Continue reading What is Ephesians all about?

Ephesians in 5 short statements

Whenever I’m involved in a teaching series, I find it helpful to get a sense of the whole shape of the book so I can be clear about its purpose, message to the church and where the bits I will preach fit in. Our church are just starting a preaching series on Ephesians. So, I… Continue reading Ephesians in 5 short statements