Romans 2:25-29

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Paul now argues that law keeping and law breaking are central to your status as Jews (circumcised) or Gentiles (uncircumcised).  He states that circumcision is of value for those who observe the Law. However, Circumcision without law-keeping is useless, you are considered uncircumcised (v25).   In the same way, those who are uncircumcised but keep the… Continue reading Romans 2:25-29

Crossing over

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A long cut The quickest route out of Egypt would have been directly out of Goshen and then the coast route around the edge of the Mediterranean but that would have taken the people through Philistine territory.  God recognises that this will bring them into open conflict early on and at this stage the people… Continue reading Crossing over

Magicians and Miracles

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Why were the Egyptian magicians seemingly able to replicate the miracles that Moses performed?  There are a few possibilities.  It could be that they were dependent on demonic power.  Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians that there is real demonic power that sits behind idolatry.   Alternatively, it may have been that they were tricksters, their… Continue reading Magicians and Miracles

Exodus and Easter

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Our church have been enjoying a series working through Exodus.  We’ve actually taken a break from it for ster. However, the Exodus story is intrinsically connected to Easter.  The account of Jesus’ death and resurrection echoes the Exodus narrative. Here are a few ways in which it does. Jesus is betrayed, beaten, mocked, oppressed, identifying… Continue reading Exodus and Easter

Romans 2:12-16

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There is no escaping death.  Sin leads to death.  This includes both those who sin but haven’t hot the Law (Torah), they still perish and it also includes those who have heard Torah (Jews) but break it. They are judged under the Law (v12). Is this unfair?  No, because judgement is not concerning whether or… Continue reading Romans 2:12-16

Romans, Jews, Gentiles, Paul and antisemitism

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I’ve been gradually working through the book of Romans whilst at the same time, antisemitism has been rearing it’s ugly head again.  Often, antisemitism within Christianity is associated with interpretations of Paul and the Gospels, especially where they are seen to specifically blame Jews for the death of Jesus or to teach the idea of… Continue reading Romans, Jews, Gentiles, Paul and antisemitism

The significance of the Firstborn and Egypt’s plagues

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De-creation finishes with the death of the firstborns.  Recreation can be seen as the fruit of the true and better firstborn’s coming.  It is significant that God chooses to strike down the firstborn sons. Israel is referred to as YHWH’s Son by the prophet Hosea.[1]  Pharoah seeks to destroy God’s first-born so God kills the… Continue reading The significance of the Firstborn and Egypt’s plagues

De-creation and the Egyptian plagues

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In Genesis 6-9, we see that God’s judgement on a sinful and wicked world is also an act of de-creation.  Where the creation of Genesis 1-2 had seen forming and structure so that light was divided from darkness and sea from land and sky, we see a descent into chaos as the form and structure… Continue reading De-creation and the Egyptian plagues