faithrootsdw

Is lying ever the better moral option?

This question comes up from time to time. What should you do if telling the truth would put you or others in harms way? Is it okay to tell a lie in such situations. Some people have argued that we are under no moral obligation to give the truth to someone who is morally evil.… Continue reading Is lying ever the better moral option?

No U-Turn

In the musical, The Phantom of the Opera, towards the end, the Phantom makes his move to bring Christine fully under his power. He commits murders and then she removes his mask on stage exposing him. He sings “Past the point of no return” arguing that there is now no going back, they are fully… Continue reading No U-Turn

Does it matter who I eat with?

The other day, a group of us were talking about what a meal with Jesus would be like. We were asked two things The answer to the second question tells us a lot about ourselves. I went with Alexander the Great and Judas. Alexander because he makes an interesting juxtaposition with Jesus, another renowned historical… Continue reading Does it matter who I eat with?

Face to face

Would you draw a connection between who you had round for dinner and whether or not you really believed the Gospel? Paul did. A look at the text: Read Galatians 2:11-14 When Paul had visited Jerusalem, he had found himself in agreement with Peter but at a later date, Peter had reason to visit the… Continue reading Face to face

Complementarianism, Egalitarianism and the messiness of arguing from history/tradition

This is kind of a long footnote to what I wrote the other day about the supposed novelty of complementarianism. In some respects, you could sum up my response as “it’s more complicated than that.” More complicated than the claim by some (not all) egalitarians that complementarianism is the novel usurper. It isn’t for the… Continue reading Complementarianism, Egalitarianism and the messiness of arguing from history/tradition

Is Complementarianism novel?

This question crops up from time to time on my social media feed. It’s there at the moment I presume because the Southern Baptist Convention is meeting and in the light of developments at Saddleback Church where it’s former pastor, Rick Warren has now reversed his position and apologised to women, the topic is a… Continue reading Is Complementarianism novel?

What about the smallprint?

I frequently receive offers that look too good to be true and the usually are. I’m told that if I sign up to this or that offer then it will be totally free. Of course at some point the free trial runs out and the hope of the organisation making the offer is that by… Continue reading What about the smallprint?

One Gospel only

Here are my notes from a sermon I preached a few years back on Galatians 1:6-2:10. I think it may have been for Nueva Vida. Introduction Nakhi Wells –footballer offered better deal at rival club –seen as a traitor How do we know that a better religious offer is not out there? Christian faith may… Continue reading One Gospel only

Don’t give power away

Now I’ve got your attention! From time to time, I see advice given about how to lead well as pastors, especially senior pastors. The advice is “give power away.” In other words, delegate and empower others. It sounds really good at first but I’m not that sure. I don’t think that we should be delegating,… Continue reading Don’t give power away

Invited to dinner

Overview of Galatians 2 In chapter 2:1-9, Paul continues to emphasise that he independently and directly received the Gospel but also that it was confirmed and affirmed by the other apostles. Importantly, there was agreement on the status of Gentile believers like Titus who were welcomed and offered fellowship without any additional obligations such as… Continue reading Invited to dinner