faithrootsdw

Worldview Fiction

Gavin Ortlund recently asked on Social media the following question, whilst offering his own answer. Justin Peter’s another prominent American Christian leader responded with this acerbic put down. I want to make a couple of observations about the conversation. First of all, some people have been quick to point out that there are significant portions… Continue reading Worldview Fiction

Telling the whole brutal truth

“And I think love is shown by telling the truth. The whole truth. Sometimes, the brutal truth. Sure, you need to say it respectfully. Sometimes, you need to say it gently. But unless you are prepared to say it how it is, you are misleading someone. Maybe even lying to them. But this is the… Continue reading Telling the whole brutal truth

When to use the H word (on calling brothers and sisters heretics)

Accusations of heresy are thrown around quite liberally at times. This has been seen most pertinently in recent times in the dispute about Eternal Functional Subordination. Some of those on the EFS side have been quick to presume that their interlocuters were slipping into heterodoxy and falling for modalism. However, the louder accusations have come… Continue reading When to use the H word (on calling brothers and sisters heretics)

On the frequency of dreams and visions in the early church

I wanted to pick up on something I saw in a recent article looking at the question of dreams and visions. I’m not going to unpack the whole question of dreams and visions here except to say that I believe that these are available for Christians today. As I’ve mentioned previously, we talk about God… Continue reading On the frequency of dreams and visions in the early church

Breadcrumbs and book recommendations

I recently had a conversation about how we recommend books. The starting point was a request for suggestions about books on the resurrection. I said that I thought NT Wright’s “The resurrection of the Son of God” was worth a look. The other person asked if I would recommend it to anyone or whether I’d… Continue reading Breadcrumbs and book recommendations

Bavinck, The Trinity and EFS

I recently saw some discussion on Facebook about a quote from H Bavinck. The quote is as follows: Nevertheless, this doctrine of the pact of salvation, despite its defective form, is rooted in a scriptural idea. For as Mediator, the Son is subordinate to the Father calls him his God (Ps. 22:2; John 20: 17),… Continue reading Bavinck, The Trinity and EFS

Can’t you just say “they died”?

I recently saw someone complain on social media about Christians using euphemisms for death such as: passed away, gone home to be with the Lord and promoted to glory. “why can’t we just say that they have died?” They asked. Well having both pastored people through bereavement and experienced it myself, I thought I would… Continue reading Can’t you just say “they died”?

Are you ready to vote?

There are likely to be some big elections this year. The US Presidential election will take place in the Autumn and at some point, Rishi Sunak is likely to call a General Election in the United Kingdom. Generally speaking, I don’t like it when pastors and elders attempt to tell people how to vote and… Continue reading Are you ready to vote?

Should a pastor blog?

Sinclair Ferguson doesn’t seem to think so. Recently a clip of an interview with him was circulated where he argued that the time spent writing your blog article could have been spent visiting an elderly lady in the congregation. I have an obvious interest to declare here because I write a blog and have done… Continue reading Should a pastor blog?

Can you be an effective pastor without being a reader?

This was a question shared on Twitter recently as a poll. The originator suggested that by being a “reader”, he meant beyond the bible and commentaries. Responses both in the voting and in comments suggested that most people assumed that wide reading was if not essential at least very important for pastoral ministry. Some people… Continue reading Can you be an effective pastor without being a reader?