Category: Apologetics

Jesus through the son lens

The other day, I wrote about how a Muslim asked me to read the Gospels through what he called “the prophet lens”. He thought this would make better sense than a Christian hermeneutic. I was happy to do this because the Bible points to Jesus as Prophet, Priest and King. So the  prophet lens will… Continue reading Jesus through the son lens

Perpetual Virginity – Making theology unnecessarily complicated

Roman Catholics place a strong emphasis on Mary as worthy of homage and devotion.  They refer to her as The Virgin Mary, believing that she was a perpetual virgin. This goes beyond the idea of a virgin conception or virgin birth to a permanent, celibate life. I want to have a look at this in… Continue reading Perpetual Virginity – Making theology unnecessarily complicated

Looking at Jesus through “the prophet lens”

The other day I got stopped by a Muslim evangelist in town offering me a copy of the Quran.  I politely said no thanks and explained that I had a copy but also that I knew Jesus as Lord and Saviour.  He then sought to engage me in conversation.   There were some fascinating observations I… Continue reading Looking at Jesus through “the prophet lens”

Where did we get the whole idea of Atonement from?  – A response to Matthew Parris

Matthew Parris has written in the Spectator arguing that: Christians should face up to this: the whole atonement thing is a terrible muddle, a tangle of primitive and modern thinking, a proselytising salesman’s wheeze, a mess. Trying to make sense of it is a waste of time. Blame Paul. But don’t blame Jesus: it was… Continue reading Where did we get the whole idea of Atonement from?  – A response to Matthew Parris

What the hope of resurrection doesn’t encourage us to do -and why that’s good news

Something struck me over the past few months, particularly as our family have been through a period of grief having seen Sarah’s dad and my mum die in a very short space of time.  One of the emotions that we go through in grief is that strong sense of missing a person and wishing that… Continue reading What the hope of resurrection doesn’t encourage us to do -and why that’s good news

It’s about more than preaching

Yesterday, I argued that If we wanted churches that are theologically rich and culturally engaged (and I believe we need that), then rich preaching has a big part to play.  However, even if we do the things that I argued for then I still think there’s a lot we need to do. We can’t expect… Continue reading It’s about more than preaching

Why Biblically rich cultural engagement may not be happening in our churches as much as we would like

I’m picking up on a theme from two sources.  First, there is my friend Tim Suffield’s tweet that prompted my little survey the other day. Then there’s a recent book that has been generating a lot of excitement among conservative evangelicals “Biblical Critical Theory” by Christopher Watkins.  The book, according to some of the most… Continue reading Why Biblically rich cultural engagement may not be happening in our churches as much as we would like

Does God “give and take away”?

This question got asked by a thoughtful person the other day.  Are we right to sing “You give and take away” in the song “Blessed be the name of the Lord?”   The line of course is drawn from Job’s response to his suffering (Job 1:21).  But was Job right in his assessment.  We know that… Continue reading Does God “give and take away”?

How not to do evangelism at the coronation

We are getting close to the coronation of King Charles III and there’s some discussion going on about whether or not, and how, this might create evangelistic opportunities.  Some churches are planning events and some people have been producing resources to use. Whatever your views on monarchy or republicanism and whatever your views on whether… Continue reading How not to do evangelism at the coronation