Author: faithrootsdw

On the balance of probabilities: Evaluating evidence and making your mind up about disputed claims

This week, in the middle of the Israel-Hamas conflict, an explosion was reported at the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza city.  This was initially reported, all around the world as an Israeli missile strike causing 500 deaths, Many got the impression that the hospital had been destroyed or severely damaged.  The hospital is run by the… Continue reading On the balance of probabilities: Evaluating evidence and making your mind up about disputed claims

More paedobaptism questions: Is it possible to be externally within the covenant people of God whilst not saved?

The other week I wrote about the differences between paedobaptism and credobaptism and argued that credobaptism doesn’t exclude children from covenant relationship as part of God’s people.  One response which has come back is that we need to distinguish between an external and visible covenant versus an internal or invisible covenant. In effect, this would… Continue reading More paedobaptism questions: Is it possible to be externally within the covenant people of God whilst not saved?

Is war a crime?

Scott McKnight writes: “Why do more Christians not recognize what war experts know, namely, that “we fight war crimes but have forgotten the crime of war”?” https://scotmcknight.substack.com/p/sponges-and-war-immoral-word-choices?r=1nrx1&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post I must admit I’m not too sure who these “war experts” are or what it is that makes someone a “war expert.”  However, I am not convinced by… Continue reading Is war a crime?

The beloved son

God keeps repeating his promise to Abraham that he will have a son and one day, that promise is fulfilled.  Sarah conceives, the pregnancy is successful, a miracle in her old age.  God blesses them with their own son and so remembering how they had laughed previously, they call him “Isaac” (Genesis 21). Then in… Continue reading The beloved son

Hagar

Throughout Genesis, there are little hints that Abraham is getting it. He has put his faith in God and he is learning to trust and obey the promise.  Then Abraham goes and throws a curve ball in.  In Genesis 18, Sarah comes to Abraham with a cunning plan. It is clear that she is infertile,… Continue reading Hagar

On staying in lane (again)

When the COVID pandemic struck, lots of us had opinions and views.  At the time, I remember some discussion about the importance of “staying in lane.”  I think I contributed to that discussion. The point was simple and good.  We were facing a global pandemic, a serious medical crisis and there were politicians, clergy and… Continue reading On staying in lane (again)

Can we describe Hamas’ atrocities as demonic or is that dehumanising?

My friend, Jon Bergdahl often uses social media to campaign against antisemitism.  This week, he made these comments about the Hamas’ attacks in Israel and how they are being reported on and responded to. This drew the following response. Is Dean right? Was Jon’s language dehumanising?  It is also worth noting in this context, especially… Continue reading Can we describe Hamas’ atrocities as demonic or is that dehumanising?

Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology: history, tradition and authority

Tom Underhill writes here about his concerns with Wayne Grudem’s “Systematic Theology.”  I know those concerns are shared among a number of people and Wayne has been called a “Biblicist” for his methodology (where Biblicist is used pejoratively). I agree with Tom and others that there are some challenges both about Grudem’s methodology and specifically… Continue reading Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology: history, tradition and authority