I’ve been spending a bit of time looking at the debate about concupiscence. It’s probably about time to engage with the contemporary debate a bit more. So, let’s go back to where we started. In a new book, “Ruined Sinners to Reclaim”, last year, David and Jonathan Gibson accused John Stevens, National Director of the… Continue reading Sin, desire, temptation and the contemporary debate
Author: faithrootsdw
“They’re only words”: temptation and confusion in a debate about desire
John Stevens recently shared my article about John Calvin”s views on Concupiscence (desire) via Social Media. Oddly, at the time of writing, I haven’t seen anyone come back either directly to me or via John’s Facebook page to argue that I’ve got the case wrong. instead, a couple of people were very quick to complain… Continue reading “They’re only words”: temptation and confusion in a debate about desire
More reformed perspectives on sin, temptation and desire
We’ve had a look at what John Calvin has to say about desire (concupiscence). It is worth widening out our look at the Reformed tradition. The Westminister Confession The Westminster Confession’s 6th chapter is all about sin. I note that in the version I’ve got in front of me, the term concupiscence doesn’t appear in… Continue reading More reformed perspectives on sin, temptation and desire
Calvin on sin, desire and temptation
The primary claim of those arguing that concupiscence is sin with the implication that it is sinful to even be tempted is that theirs is the historical position of the church. This will often include a reference to Augustine, although his view doesn’t seem to have been as clear cut. However, the claim is also… Continue reading Calvin on sin, desire and temptation
Draw Closer
What would you do if you won the lottery? Maybe you’re wanting to say to me “but Dave that’s gambling I’d never play it.” I did know of some Christians who used to write down their numbers every week and they would sit in front of the TV to see if they guessed it right,… Continue reading Draw Closer
Is creation care a Gospel issue?
This was a question posed in Evangelicals Now, back in December by John Samuel and Richard Buggs. The question was prompted by a statement in the 2011 Cape Town Commitment from the Lausanne Movement which also found its way into the 2024 Lausanne Congress. It reads: If Jesus is Lord of all the earth, we… Continue reading Is creation care a Gospel issue?
Make it memorable … make it stick
Here’s the latest and final video in my series on Bible communication/preaching and teaching
What is an Evangelical?
It’s over twenty years now since the controversy over Steve Chalke’s book, The Lost Message of Jesus. Central to the controversy was his rejection of Penal Substitution and central to the response was that you can’t deny Penal Substitution and continue to be recognised as an Evangelical. It is worth noting that at the time,… Continue reading What is an Evangelical?
Desire: What is the concupiscence debate all about?
I’ve been starting to dip my toe into a little theological debate about something called “concupiscence”. I’ve so far focused on highlighting what Scripture has to say about desire and temptation. It’s probably worth saying a little bit more about what the debate seems to be all about. In the new volume, Ruined Sinners to… Continue reading Desire: What is the concupiscence debate all about?
Jesus, desire and temptation
We cannot talk about desire and temptation without looking at Jesus’ experience of temptation. We can see this exemplified in the temptation he experienced in the wilderness from Satan and secondly in the Garden of Gethsemane. Remember that Jesus’ experience of temptation is different to ours, he was without sin and so his nature was… Continue reading Jesus, desire and temptation
Faithroots 