Here’s the final talk in the Jesus and the Gospels series.
Category: Bible Study
Romans 4:9-12
If blessing is about forgiveness, then is this restricted to the circumcised, to the Jews? There is an argument for this. First, God had promised blessing to Abraham and then to his descendants. So it could be argued that David is giving us more information about what that blessing is. It is to be forgiven… Continue reading Romans 4:9-12
Romans 4:1-8
Paul is continuing to think through whether or not the Jews through their ethnic identity, having the Law and circumcision had an advantage. So, he goes back to Abraham, the one through whom the promise to Israel was made. It was the covenant with him that they considered themselves to be heirs of. So, what… Continue reading Romans 4:1-8
Romans 3:27-31
One of Paul’s aims in his argument is to exclude human boasting. Our only boast is the Gospel, he has previously expressed this point in the under-stated form, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel.”[1] Boasting is excluded by a form of Law. Paul distinguishes between a Law of Works, what you do or a… Continue reading Romans 3:27-31
Among the gleanings
Recently a visiting preacher at our church picked up on the story of Ruth. He particularly applied the message to those who might identify with Boaz in the story. At our life group, we broadened this out and asked people who they identified with in the story. In fact we discussed who we might want… Continue reading Among the gleanings
Romans 3:21-26
“But now”, these emphatic words suggest a turning point. If the Law is limited then something big, something different needs to happen. Paul says that this “but now” something different is God’s righteousness which has been revealed to us in another place than the Law. A few options for what is meant by God’s righteousness… Continue reading Romans 3:21-26
A hungry and thirsty people
Bitter-Sweet As the people move on from the Red Sea crossing, they search for water but find none in the desert for three days, until they come to a place they name Marah, the name is a play on the Hebrew for bitter. There is something off about the water, it tastes bitter. The people… Continue reading A hungry and thirsty people
Romans 3:9-20
Paul has argued that there are real benefits and privileges to being Jewish and the heritage that brings. However, does that actually benefit the Jews? Paul says “no” because Jews and Greeks, in other words, the representative Gentiles, alike sin (v9). He then cites a number of Scripture passages, primarily from the Psalms to demonstrate… Continue reading Romans 3:9-20
Romans 3:1-8
Paul continues his argument concerning circumcision and Jewishness. It’s important to see this as a central theme to the letter so that chapters 9-11 are not a mere parenthesis between the doctrine and the practice, a little detour but are central to the conclusion of his argument. Paul has said that it is circumcision of… Continue reading Romans 3:1-8
Bible translations, paraphrases, dynamic equivalence and formal equivalence
My friend Alistair Chalmers has written here both extolling the importance of Christians hearing and reading Scripture and opposing the practice of using paraphrases. First of all, I want to offer a hearty amen to his concern for Scripture to be heard and read. One of the strengths of more traditional and liturgical church contexts… Continue reading Bible translations, paraphrases, dynamic equivalence and formal equivalence
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