Selden College: What about the curriculum?

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I’ve already observed that there’s some significant vagueness around aspects of what Selden College will offer students.  What we do know is that it is seeking to offer a Liberal Arts course.  Liberal Arts courses are offered by a few UK Universities and also by a number of US institutions.  The liberal arts tended historically… Continue reading Selden College: What about the curriculum?

A regular reminder: If you want me to be confident about your interpretation of the past, start by leaving me confident about your interpretation of the present

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This is a quote in On Classical Trinitarianism edited by Matthew Barrett and Todd Billings.  “Consider, for instance, the predictably heretical perspective of many evangelicals concerning the Trinity. Evangelical understandings are improving, but a recent poll reported online in Christianity Today found 78 percent of evangelical respondents agreeing with Arius, though they had no idea… Continue reading A regular reminder: If you want me to be confident about your interpretation of the past, start by leaving me confident about your interpretation of the present

More on Selden College – the admissions process

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I recently reported on a new college starting in Oxford claiming a Christian mission and ethos.  As I explained last time, the college has in fact close ties with Douglas Wilson and theso called Federal Vision. I thought it was worth taking more of a deep dive into the curriculum and the assessment process starting… Continue reading More on Selden College – the admissions process

Live or walk in Ephesians 4-5? How much does a word really matter?

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A couple of times, I’ve seen discussion about whether or not we should translate Ephesians 4:1 as “ live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Or “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” The debate is about how we translate the word peripateo. The argument for “walk” is that… Continue reading Live or walk in Ephesians 4-5? How much does a word really matter?

Checking out a new “Christian” higher education college -is it all as it seems?

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I recently read a news article in Evangelicals Now about a unique new college being set up in Oxford with Christian aims and ethos.  Unfortunately, the article left unsaid a lot of crucial things about the college.  I had a closer look at the website and here are some things that should concern you before… Continue reading Checking out a new “Christian” higher education college -is it all as it seems?

Are our views of right and wrong influenced by personality?

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My friend Steve Kneale writes here about how it’s relationships not arguments that win people over.  I think he has a good point here.  It’s not apologetic debating that will lead people to Christ. We may win the argument but not the person. In fact, what you tend to find is that if you prove… Continue reading Are our views of right and wrong influenced by personality?

Are Christians meant to keep the Sabbath?

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This question has divided opinion even amongst reformed evangelicals and the differences go back to the early days of the Reformation.  Whilst there seems to have been a particularly “pro-Sabbatarian amongst the Puritans, reflected in the Westminster Confession, a more continental approach tended towards the view that the Sabbath pointed forwards to our eternal rest… Continue reading Are Christians meant to keep the Sabbath?

When Saturday comes: between death and resurrection

One of the themes we recently picked up on over Easter was that the whole of history is death and resurrection shaped because it is centred on, points to and is shaped by the death and resurrection of Jesus. This means that our lives are death and resurrection shaped too. This is both in the… Continue reading When Saturday comes: between death and resurrection

Scripture Alone or Scripture and Liturgy

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Writing in the book “On Classical Trinitarianism”  Christopher Hall asks and answers: “Exactly what are we saying and doing when we recite the Nicene Creed as members of Christ’s body, the church? We are affirming our trust in the Holy Spirit’s guidance and empowerment of the church as it studied, contemplated, and articulated the meaning… Continue reading Scripture Alone or Scripture and Liturgy

The blessings of the ascension

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The conclusion to Luke’s Gospel helps us answer two important questions.  Where is Jesus? And in response to this, where are we meant to be? Where is Jesus? The simple answer is that he is ascended. He is now in heaven.   It’s that little, overlooked but crucial day in the Church calendar, perhaps because it… Continue reading The blessings of the ascension