God had made a promise to Abraham back in Genesis 12:1-3, the promise was the basis for the covenant and was repeated at various times. Note that whilst in Genesis 12, 15 etc was on the promise of land, Paul extends this inheritance to speak of the whole world, not just Canaan. Paul insists that… Continue reading Romans 4:13-15
Category: Bible Study
Is the story of Ruth sexist?
I recently heard the suggestion that the story of Ruth presents us with a sexist worldview because in the story, women are victims and men are either failed, potential or actual rescuers. Ruth needs Boaz to step in and rescue her. Now, on one level, we might argue that these are simply the historical facts,… Continue reading Is the story of Ruth sexist?
Ruth and an example of narrative preaching
I thought I’d use a walk and talk to have a go at narrative preaching through Ruth. As well as hopefully being helpful for engaging people, especially those who struggle with lots of reading or are new to the Biblical narrative, it can also stretch us as it forces us to learn and fully know… Continue reading Ruth and an example of narrative preaching
The risen Messiah
Here’s the final talk in the Jesus and the Gospels series.
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
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