Must there be divisions amongst us?

Following a recent debate, my attention was drawn to an intriguing interpretation of 1 Corinthians 11:18-19. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part,[e] 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may… Continue reading Must there be divisions amongst us?

What if anything does the Bible have to say about class?

When I recently posted some articles concerning class, the church and the Gospel, I opened up comments for discussion.  Here is one comment that was posted. “What does the scriptures say about the class system that you are talking about? In which “class” would you put say Peter, Paul, Moses etc. What “class” would you… Continue reading What if anything does the Bible have to say about class?

Who is this man?

This week’s Faithroots Podcast is now on YouTube. Yes, you will have spotted that we are a bit out of order. I managed to miss a whole chunk of Luke 8 last week!

“I will bless you”

There’s something profoundly significant in the statement “From this day on I will bless you” As you read it or hear it, I wonder how you are responding?  I wonder if you are asking whether this statement could apply to you and your church right now?   If from now on God will bless you, then… Continue reading “I will bless you”

Building work: Applying the post exile books  to us today

I believe that a crucial principle when applying God’s word to our lives today is that wherever we are in the Bible, we make the application in and through Christ.  The temptation, especially with Old Testament literature is to take what happens with God’s people, what God says to them and what they do and… Continue reading Building work: Applying the post exile books  to us today

Shaken

How can we find the boldness to persevere, especially when we face disappointments?  This is an important question when there is a temptation to look back nostalgically as believers to  supposed golden eras or glory days from the past whether that’s a period of revival and renewal or specific preachers, pastors or events. Read Haggai… Continue reading Shaken

Post exile Biblical Theology

I suspect that the post exile Bible literature is  up there/ or rather down there with the least attended to of the books of the Bible.  It’s not helped by the fact that out of those books, it’s Nehemiah that is most likely to be chosen for preaching on but then it’s likely to be… Continue reading Post exile Biblical Theology