John Stevens recently shared my article about John Calvin”s views on Concupiscence (desire) via Social Media. Oddly, at the time of writing, I haven’t seen anyone come back either directly to me or via John’s Facebook page to argue that I’ve got the case wrong. instead, a couple of people were very quick to complain… Continue reading “They’re only words”: temptation and confusion in a debate about desire
Category: Theology
More reformed perspectives on sin, temptation and desire
We’ve had a look at what John Calvin has to say about desire (concupiscence). It is worth widening out our look at the Reformed tradition. The Westminister Confession The Westminster Confession’s 6th chapter is all about sin. I note that in the version I’ve got in front of me, the term concupiscence doesn’t appear in… Continue reading More reformed perspectives on sin, temptation and desire
Calvin on sin, desire and temptation
The primary claim of those arguing that concupiscence is sin with the implication that it is sinful to even be tempted is that theirs is the historical position of the church. This will often include a reference to Augustine, although his view doesn’t seem to have been as clear cut. However, the claim is also… Continue reading Calvin on sin, desire and temptation
What is an Evangelical?
It’s over twenty years now since the controversy over Steve Chalke’s book, The Lost Message of Jesus. Central to the controversy was his rejection of Penal Substitution and central to the response was that you can’t deny Penal Substitution and continue to be recognised as an Evangelical. It is worth noting that at the time,… Continue reading What is an Evangelical?
Desire: What is the concupiscence debate all about?
I’ve been starting to dip my toe into a little theological debate about something called “concupiscence”. I’ve so far focused on highlighting what Scripture has to say about desire and temptation. It’s probably worth saying a little bit more about what the debate seems to be all about. In the new volume, Ruined Sinners to… Continue reading Desire: What is the concupiscence debate all about?
Jesus, desire and temptation
We cannot talk about desire and temptation without looking at Jesus’ experience of temptation. We can see this exemplified in the temptation he experienced in the wilderness from Satan and secondly in the Garden of Gethsemane. Remember that Jesus’ experience of temptation is different to ours, he was without sin and so his nature was… Continue reading Jesus, desire and temptation
“But I wish you had tap danced”: Why good interpretation of Scripture, historical theology and contemporary conversation partners matters
As noted previously, David and Jonathan Gibson have beef with John Stevens over his book “The fight of your life.” Some of their critique is rather peculiar. They acknowledge that it is a short, pastoral work (in fact it was based on a series of talks” and then complain that rather than engaging at length… Continue reading “But I wish you had tap danced”: Why good interpretation of Scripture, historical theology and contemporary conversation partners matters
Sin, desire and temptation -going a bit further
I’ve recently started to engage with a recent debate/controversy that has been brewing. I think this has primarily been at an academic level, although London Seminary’s Pastor’s Academy seems to be promoting in conferences around the UK. It seems that a significant contribution to the debate is through those seeking to insist that there is… Continue reading Sin, desire and temptation -going a bit further
“Temptation comes from our own desires” What does James have to say about sin, desire and temptation?
James 1:13-14 says: Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire (ESV). The NIV translates epithumia as “evil desires”, although whilst… Continue reading “Temptation comes from our own desires” What does James have to say about sin, desire and temptation?
Heads, submission and BDAG -my response
Andrew Bartlett has kindly responded with some comments on my most recent article in our conversation series. As I noted then, I sent him an advanced draft copy and I made a couple of amendments prompted by his comments. I left his response as is because I thought it still helped to prompt a few… Continue reading Heads, submission and BDAG -my response
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