Author: faithrootsdw

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

Is modern Israel the fulfilment of Biblical prophecy – and should that affect our view of Israel?

There’s a lot of prophecy that points to an age of prosperity and peace for the people of Israel.  Various Scriptures describe a situation where exiles return to the land, many enemies are defeated, the Temple rebuilt, God’s King reigning and the nations looking to Israel’s King for wisdom, teaching and leadership. Well, there seem… Continue reading Is modern Israel the fulfilment of Biblical prophecy – and should that affect our view of Israel?

Does believers’ baptism exclude children from the covenant?

One of the weirdest arguments for paedobaptism has become quite prominent in recent times.  It goes like this. Credobaptists (those who advocate for believer’s baptism) argue that the Bible doesn’t instruct us to baptise infants, therefore paedobaptists are arguing from silence.  However, this assumes that the burden of proof is on the paedobaptist to prove… Continue reading Does believers’ baptism exclude children from the covenant?

The BBC, Hamas, Terrorism and impartiality

One concern raised over the last few days about the way that the Israel-Hamas conflict has been reported is that broadcast media have at times appeared equivocal in the handling of things.  This, perhaps out of a desire to be impartial has given the appearance at times that guests have been invited onto news programmes… Continue reading The BBC, Hamas, Terrorism and impartiality

What’s the point of evangelical intellectualism?

Following on from Tim Suffield’s article, which I responded to here, Rhys Laverty has followed on with a further attempt to make the same case, that we need evangelical intellectuals and that the way we should go about making this happen is for churches to support these intellectuals.  Now, I think both articles suffer from… Continue reading What’s the point of evangelical intellectualism?

Does God have emotions?

In September’s Evangelical Times, Psychiatrist Alan Thomas argues that God does have emotions.  He does not believe that this contradicts the Doctrine of impassibility, that God is without passions.  However, he argues against the concept of an emotionless God.  Guy Davies has responded by arguing that God does not have emotions and that this would… Continue reading Does God have emotions?

Rescuing Lot

Lot has headed off to live near Sodom and Gomorrah.  He quickly becomes entwined in the life and politics of Sodom and when an enemy raiding party attack the city, he is caught up with the captives (Genesis 14:1-12).  This is reported back to Abram  and I guess it would have been easy for him… Continue reading Rescuing Lot