Author: faithrootsdw

Getting the ending right?

Would you leave a church if you disagreed with its position on eschatology, or would you be happy to stay?  Is it okay for a church not even to have an agreed position on eschatology and to allow elders to come to different conclusions? Eschatology is concerned with “the last things” and so doctrinally it’s… Continue reading Getting the ending right?

Does God hear the prayers of unbelievers?

My friend, Steve Kneale, says no.  You can read his reasoning here.  Why does it matter?  Well, it will affect our approach to church life, pastoral ministry and evangelism.  A lot of churches organise their meetings around the assumption that unbelievers will be there.  We invite them to stand and sing with us.  We organise… Continue reading Does God hear the prayers of unbelievers?

Failure

Satan has launched at attack on Eden, seeking to tempt Adam and Eve to disobey God’s one command, he casts doubt on God’s truthfulness and goodness.  How will they respond? Read Genesis 3:5-8 The woman observes three things about the fruit.  It looks good, it is suitable food – suggesting it is likely to taste… Continue reading Failure

Nope, Champing will not save the church

Among the weird and wonderful stories showing up in the so called main stream news this week was this one about champing. “What on earth is that?” I hear you ask.  Well, apparently it’s a new craze, based on the idea of glamping where historic churches (CH amping … get it?)  are opened ip for… Continue reading Nope, Champing will not save the church

Attack

We’ve been introduced to a good and beautiful world with a loving God who creates and cares for his people.  However, we know that this isn’t our experience of the world today.  We live in a world where there is pain, suffering, decay and death. How did that come about? Read Genesis 3:1-5 The serpent… Continue reading Attack

Irresistable grace – the lost sheep revisited

How do you imagine the lost sheep responding when the shepherd arrives to find it?  Perhaps you see it there, hearing it’s master’s voice and running, or hobbling to get close.  Maybe, you picture it docile as the shepherd speaks gently and picks it up into his arms.  Both are possible depending on the sheep’s… Continue reading Irresistable grace – the lost sheep revisited

Abandoned? How do we square the difficult bits of Song of Songs?

I keep coming back to the question that Mike Ovey frequently asked his students at Oak Hill, “Will you let God disagree with you through his word?”   The point he would make was that we can tell the difference between an imaginary friend and a real friend by whether or not the friend disagreed with… Continue reading Abandoned? How do we square the difficult bits of Song of Songs?