It may surprise us, given Scriptures warning about pride, arrogance and boasting that New Testament authors, including Paul as well as James do argue that there is a place for boasting. The surprising twists concern who can boast and the basis of their boast. A look at the text (Read James 1:9-11) James contrasts the… Continue reading Evaluation
Category: Bible Study
Ask and you will receive
Jesus famously said: 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door[a] will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. It’s that theme from the sermon on the mount which James picks up… Continue reading Ask and you will receive
A strange source of joy
It is easy to be happy and contented when things are going well, when there’s good news and obvious hope. How do we respond however, when things are not going so well? A look at the text (read James 1:2-4) James says that we aren’t only to find happiness in the good times. Instead, we… Continue reading A strange source of joy
Greetings to scattered people
Theresa May in her 2016 party conference speech described her opponents as “citizens of nowhere.”[1] She was arguing that those who saw themselves as citizens of the world, especially those who were using this kind of language to attack Brexit supporters as nationalists lack roots. The speech understandably ruffled a few feathers. The reality of… Continue reading Greetings to scattered people
James and Paul: Law, grace and faith
Does James contradict Paul? This is one of the big questions that has been asked of his letter and it is the primary reason why some people have been suspicious of the letter. Paul has been keen in his letters to argue that we are saved by grace alone and justified by faith. In Ephesians… Continue reading James and Paul: Law, grace and faith
Faith at work -introduction to the book of James
The book of James is often treated as the poor man’s relation to Paul’s epistles. Luther infamously described it as an “epistle of straw” and I think many, like him have seen it as troublesome, potentially in conflict with the message of justification by faith and salvation by grace alone that we see in Romans,… Continue reading Faith at work -introduction to the book of James
The chorus of Creation
This week’s Faithroots Podcast on Revelation 4
The beloved son
God keeps repeating his promise to Abraham that he will have a son and one day, that promise is fulfilled. Sarah conceives, the pregnancy is successful, a miracle in her old age. God blesses them with their own son and so remembering how they had laughed previously, they call him “Isaac” (Genesis 21). Then in… Continue reading The beloved son
Hagar
Throughout Genesis, there are little hints that Abraham is getting it. He has put his faith in God and he is learning to trust and obey the promise. Then Abraham goes and throws a curve ball in. In Genesis 18, Sarah comes to Abraham with a cunning plan. It is clear that she is infertile,… Continue reading Hagar
What is it that Abraham has faith for?
In Genesis 15, Abram (he hasn’t been renamed yet) meets with the living God. The LORD tells him not to be afraid, he will be his shield and his reward. In effect God is reiterating his promise to bless Abram. He will protect him and provide for him. Abram’s response is a question, along the… Continue reading What is it that Abraham has faith for?
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