faithrootsdw

Returners of the lost ark

1 Chronicles 15 The Ark returns (1 Chronicles 15) The Ark still matters …. Correction (v1-15) Worship (v 16-28) “And even today, we must wonder whether that kind of expression of devotion which gives little attention to worship -also the formal aspects of worship- has not gone far astray from the mark.”[3] Despised (v29) “The… Continue reading Returners of the lost ark

Abraham’s heirs

Galatians 3 finishes by describing the church, Jews and Gentiles alike as “Abraham’s heirs”. This is an important principle that we find in Romans 9-11 as well. The Jews saw themselves as God’s chosen people because they could trace their ethnic lineage back to Abraham, the recipient of the Covenant. They saw themselves as heirs… Continue reading Abraham’s heirs

Russia Today

Last night Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Wagner (a Russian, private military organisation) announced that he had 25,000 combatants ready to march on Moscow. He claimed that this was not a coup but “a march for justice”, that his target was the heads of the Russian military. He denounced both strategy and tactics in terms… Continue reading Russia Today

What does the Law do?

Paul insists that the Law is unable to make us right with God. He also insists that the original promises to God’s people were about faith and not Law. Does this mean that Law and Faith or Law and Grace are in competition? A look at the text Read Galatians 3:23-29 So, does the Law… Continue reading What does the Law do?

The ideal wife?

Sometimes in discussions about the roles of men and women, especially with regards to the debate about complementarianism and egalitarianism, Proverbs 31 is cited as significant. How relevant exactly is this passage to the debate? That will depend on the purpose of the passage. There are three options. Different commentators have made their case in… Continue reading The ideal wife?

Binding

Crucial to Paul’s argument in Galatians is that God does not change his promises or go back on his word. The idea that Gentiles can be admitted to the covenant is not a novel one or plan B but has always been God’s purpose. A look at the text (read Galatians 3:15-18) Covenants are binding… Continue reading Binding

Penal Substitution: Steve Chalke and the Lost Message of Jesus, 20 years on

In 2023, a little book by a prominent Christian communicator shook the evangelical world. Steve Chalke stated in “The Lost Message of Jesus” that the doctrine of Penal Substitutionary Atonement if true would amount to “cosmic child abuse.”[1] It’s important to be clear about what he wasn’t saying. Chalke did not claim that the atonement… Continue reading Penal Substitution: Steve Chalke and the Lost Message of Jesus, 20 years on

What have I been doing?

This is just a little update for those who have been supporting us by praying and financially. My time is currently divided in half between our local church, a New Frontiers church in North Birmingham where I now serve as part of the eldership team and working to encourage and equip church planting and revitalisation… Continue reading What have I been doing?

The curse

When the people of Israel came out of Egypt, God gave them The Law in the wilderness at Sinai. Then, before they were about to go into Canaan, Moses in effect set before them a choice between curse and blessings. This choice was to be enacted in a covenant ceremony. The people were to pass… Continue reading The curse

Held secure

I chose quite the day for my first ever Test Cricket game. The last time I watched live cricket as opposed to following scores on the BBC and catching snatches of games on the telly was back in the early days of 20/20 when a few of us went to see Kent after work. This… Continue reading Held secure