faithrootsdw

Is having children the best long term strategy for church growth?

Ian Paul writes that “the best long-term strategy for church growth” .. is child birth. Now, as John Stevens has said when commenting on the article, yes, encouraging people to get married and have children is a good thing to be doing and very counter cultural. However, it is not by any stretch, a strategy… Continue reading Is having children the best long term strategy for church growth?

Is God’s wrath eternal?

Linked to the recent conversation about God, emotions, passions and affections, someone asked about whether or not God is eternally wrathful. Will he continue to have wrath/righteous anger after Satan has been thrown into the lake of fire. Interestingly, those who identify with classical theism have been the strongest in insisting that God is not… Continue reading Is God’s wrath eternal?

“I have seen the Lord” What difference does Easter make? (John 20)

On Friday the tomb was closed and sealed. We left the disciples deserted, despairing, denying, and doubting. Then came the dawn of that Sunday morning . Some women arrive at the tomb and see angels before heading off to tell the other disciples back at Bethany. On the way, they meet Jesus. Mary Magdalene seems… Continue reading “I have seen the Lord” What difference does Easter make? (John 20)

What difference does Easter make?

Here’s my story of the difference that Easter/The Resurrection has made in my life. In fact, today marks a double celebration. As well as it being Easter Sunday, it’s also the 45th anniversary of when I put my trust in Jesus. Here are some thoughts on how to preach the difference the resurrection makes

The Challenge of Islam by Tim Dieppe (book review)

I’ve just finished reading Tim Dieppe’s book “The Challenge of Islam “. It would be helpful at the start to clarify what the book is and isn’t. If you are expecting a book that sets out to describe Islam and then develop a critique of the religion then you are going to be extremely disappointed.… Continue reading The Challenge of Islam by Tim Dieppe (book review)

Sunday is coming …but we don’t need to wait in uncertainty

I’ve written before about two things, one is about the tendency to use a meme about Friday being about darkness, tragedy and defeat but “Sunday is coming.” I’ve highlighted this as an example of how not to preach at Easter in this video. The other thing I’ve picked up on from time to time is… Continue reading Sunday is coming …but we don’t need to wait in uncertainty

Don’t fall into the “Sunday’s Coming” meme trap

An annual reminder! Here’s part two on preaching the resurrection. Some approaches give the impression that Friday was a tragic defeat and so we need to wait for God’s victory with Easter Sunday correcting the damage done. This is to over divide Jesus’ death and resurrection. He won the victory on the Cross. He was… Continue reading Don’t fall into the “Sunday’s Coming” meme trap

Beneath the Cross of Jesus

Here’s a Faithroots Podcast Walk and Talk for Good Friday

Islamisation? It’s not really about them and that

I am coming back to my response to Aaron Edwards’ articles where he talks about Islamisation of Britian. Previously I wrote about the need to engage properly with the reality of Islam on the ground and that means listening to Christians who regularly engage with Muslims because they live, worship and witness among them. However,… Continue reading Islamisation? It’s not really about them and that

Ask me in 40 years

I must admit to being rather baffled by an article I’ve just read in Evangelicals Now. Church historial Michale Haykin describes how he has spent the last 40 years researching and writing about the Particular Baptists of the 1800s. Her suggests that it has taken him this long to get to properly know his subject… Continue reading Ask me in 40 years