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
Category: Apologetics
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”?
God’s Word is sufficient for apologetics
This week’s podcast
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
Sorry … a centre for what?
The Gospel Coalition have announced the inauguration of The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics. The centre will bring together a number of prominent names in the world of apologetics as fellows with the aim of enabling collaboration in research and then to provide training for Christians. I want to be clear at the outset that… Continue reading Sorry … a centre for what?
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