This week I’ve introduced a discussion to the blog around sin and desire first in reference to how we approach Romans 7 and secondly by beginning to look at a particular doctrinal controversy around “concupiscence” or desire. Significant to the conversation is what John has to say both in 1 John 1:8-9 and 1 John… Continue reading More on sin, desire and the normal Christian life
Category: Theology
Theological debate is not always binary
I’ve noticed a tendency in terms of contemporary hot potatoes to assume that, or at least act as though, the debate is binary. I’m thinking specifically of the complementarian/egalitarian, EFS and Concupiscence debates. What I mean is this. Often a specific theological position is developed in response to a perceived error, this may not be… Continue reading Theological debate is not always binary
Why paedobaptism cannot count as a mark of the church
It is usually said that the marks of a true church are the preaching of God’s word and the sacraments properly administered. The Church of England’s 39 articles puts it this way: The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men, in which the pure Word of [1]God is preached, and the Sacraments… Continue reading Why paedobaptism cannot count as a mark of the church
Ruined authors to retrain: Clickbait Evangelical scholarship
David and Jonathan Gibson have edited a new book called “Ruined Sinners to reclaim”, it’s part of their series on the Doctrines of Grace and follows on from “From heaven he came and sought us” on Definite Atonement. Paul Smith has reviewed the book in Evangelical Times and notes: This book on total depravity (the… Continue reading Ruined authors to retrain: Clickbait Evangelical scholarship
Romans 7, the normal Christian life and missing the exam question
There are a few debates going on around the question of sin and the believer at the moment. They seem to link back to a current fascination amongst reformed academics about concupiscence. I’m intending to write a little bit more about this over coming months. However, one strand I’ve just picked up on s a… Continue reading Romans 7, the normal Christian life and missing the exam question
Some comments regarding Andrew Bartlett’s response to my article on hierarchies and headship
I don’t know about you but I’m enjoying the opportunity for back and forth conversation with Andrew Bartlett about his book, perhaps even more than the book itself. It’s not an opportunity that you get often, few authors would be so willing to give their time to something like this. I appreciate that this isn’t… Continue reading Some comments regarding Andrew Bartlett’s response to my article on hierarchies and headship
Jesus did not risk everything
There are two moments when our theology tends to go askew, one is at funerals when seeking to comfort the bereaved. The other is at Christmas. Thanks s year, I’ve seen the sound bite going around that “Jesus risked everything.”. This perhaps links to the song “Reckless Love”. It’s problematic because it begins to make… Continue reading Jesus did not risk everything
Perpetual Virginity: We don’t have to pretend that something isn’t ridiculous when it clearly is
The idea that Mary was a perpetual virgin isn’t something I’ve paid much attention to as I’ve not really felt the need before. I have written once on the subject here. I reshared the article recently because the topic had come up on my Facebook timeline but I noticed that I’d assumed when I first… Continue reading Perpetual Virginity: We don’t have to pretend that something isn’t ridiculous when it clearly is
Are we really all credobaptists now?
I joined in an interesting discussion on Facebook recently. Someone was suggesting that the term “credobaptist” was meaningless and inaccurate it didn’t properly describe the Baptist position and didn’t really distinguish so called “credobaptists” from “paedobatpists”. They offered their own alternative. A little, though not completely tongue in cheek, I suggested that they stick with… Continue reading Are we really all credobaptists now?
Herarchies, submission and love (A response from Andrew Bartlett)
Here is a guest post with Andrew Bartlett’s thoughts on my piece titled ‘Hierarchies, submission and love’. [1] HIERARCHY/UNILATERAL AUTHORITY? Since the phrase ‘unilateral authority’, is unfamiliar, it may help if I quote my explanation of it, from page 10 of my book: “By ‘unilateral’, I mean that the authority is one-way only, the husband… Continue reading Herarchies, submission and love (A response from Andrew Bartlett)
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