Author: faithrootsdw

Desire and Rule – handling a difficult and controversial text

Aimee Byrd, author of Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood has caused some further controversy with the release of her latest book “Sexual Reformation.” As with her previous book, at least part of the focus is on challenging some of the presuppositions behind the Biblical manhood movement.  Her most recent target is how Genesis 3:16… Continue reading Desire and Rule – handling a difficult and controversial text

Tales of the Kingdom -new publication

My introduction to teaching and preaching on Mark’s Gospel is now available on the Publications page. Tales of the Kingdom – Teaching and Preaching Mark’s Gospel Mark’s Gospel is foundational to our understanding of what the good news is about Jesus, his life, death and resurrection. This is in many respects a stripped back account… Continue reading Tales of the Kingdom -new publication

Why I’m in no rush to get back to the big events

I grew up attending one of the prominent Christian convention/holiday weeks of that time. It was an annual highlight until the event closed in the late 1980s.  Then on and off I (later we) booked in a holiday at another of the big-name events. Sarah had also spent much of her teens at one of… Continue reading Why I’m in no rush to get back to the big events

Is it burnout?

I’ve seen a few articles talking about burnout among those in church leadership over the past few weeks. These seem to be particularly in response to the experience of leaders through the COVID-19 pandemic which has in many ways amplified many of the challenges of Gospel ministry. One helpful contribution to the discussion was this… Continue reading Is it burnout?

Keep within the lines

Remember when you learnt to colour in as a child? The priority was not to be an amazing artist on day one or to demonstrate your creativity. You had one job. Keep within the lines.  The rule rule applies to theology too, especially when talking about the Trinity. There are a few new books coming… Continue reading Keep within the lines

Single Minded

If you haven;’t caught up with this week’s podcast, it’s well worth a listen. I had the privilege of interviewing Dr Danielle Treweek on what it means to have a theology of singleness and how single people can be welcomed, encouraged and flourish in the local church.

The Cost of Living: Comfort and contentment

This is not the whole answer to the Cost of Living crisis because what I’m about to say does not apply to many Christians at the moment and will not apply over the next few years. There are many Christians for whom the cost of living crisis will exacerbate existing hardship and poverty or draw… Continue reading The Cost of Living: Comfort and contentment

It may appear to come from your side but it’s not friendly fire

You may be familiar with the term “friendly fire”. It refers to when a military assault on the enemy ends up taking out members of the same side as well as or instead of the enemy positions. This can be caused by those people being in close proximity to the enemy at the time or… Continue reading It may appear to come from your side but it’s not friendly fire

What are your culture wars leading you to say?

Have a look at this tweet.  Now think it through carefully. Is there any bit of it that we might consider true? The answer is “no.”  If a young person in your church said it, you’d pull them to one side and chat with them about the risk of attempting to put out provocative messages… Continue reading What are your culture wars leading you to say?