The other week I wrote about the differences between paedobaptism and credobaptism and argued that credobaptism doesn’t exclude children from covenant relationship as part of God’s people. One response which has come back is that we need to distinguish between an external and visible covenant versus an internal or invisible covenant. In effect, this would… Continue reading More paedobaptism questions: Is it possible to be externally within the covenant people of God whilst not saved?
Category: Theology
Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology: history, tradition and authority
Tom Underhill writes here about his concerns with Wayne Grudem’s “Systematic Theology.” I know those concerns are shared among a number of people and Wayne has been called a “Biblicist” for his methodology (where Biblicist is used pejoratively). I agree with Tom and others that there are some challenges both about Grudem’s methodology and specifically… Continue reading Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology: history, tradition and authority
Does God have emotions?
In September’s Evangelical Times, Psychiatrist Alan Thomas argues that God does have emotions. He does not believe that this contradicts the Doctrine of impassibility, that God is without passions. However, he argues against the concept of an emotionless God. Guy Davies has responded by arguing that God does not have emotions and that this would… Continue reading Does God have emotions?
Israel, conflict and end times prophecy
A few times over the weekend I’ve seen/heard people ask whether the events in Israel over the past few days are pointing to the last days? Will it lead to Armageddon? As I’m also doing some teaching on Revelation for the Faithroots Podcast at the moment, I thought it was worth taking a bit of… Continue reading Israel, conflict and end times prophecy
A wrong turn on route to evangelical renewal
Tim Suffield has written recently about “The evangelical intellectual ecosystem.” Tim has been raising questions about how we encourage theological thinking in the church, especially in the newer/charismatic churches and how we teach and train people theologically. There is perhaps some overlap between the kinds of questions that Tim is asking and the kind of… Continue reading A wrong turn on route to evangelical renewal
Return of the King: Why read Revelation?
I was originally going to dive straight into 2 Chronicles for the Faithroots podcast but have decided instead to take a look at another slightly neglected book, this time from the New Testament. So, join us here for an adventure in the Book of Revelation. Audio
Practical Cessationists?
Over the years, I’ve heard quite a few people describe themselves as “practical cessationists”. I first heard the term when I was finishing theological college and going into pastoral ministry. It’s an interesting term and leaves you wondering what is meant by it. Cessationists are those who hold to the view that the Gifts of… Continue reading Practical Cessationists?
Have we got waiting on God all wrong?
Sometimes I think that the big dividing lines between Christians are not primarily about doctrine but about temperament and how we mentally process things. Take for example the recent debate about whether pastor’s have jobs, whether their vocation is about leisure or work. It strikes me that some of the arguments against work came from… Continue reading Have we got waiting on God all wrong?
How should you make best use of your Theological training?
Australian pastor, Rory Shiner has responded to a variation of this question. He’s specifically given his views on how to spend your last year at theological college. There’s some stuff I agree with in Rory’s comments but there are a few areas I would differ from him on. Perhaps that reflects my starting point which… Continue reading How should you make best use of your Theological training?
Summer is still to come
Autumn is nearly upon us and the school holidays are almost over. Teachers will be returning for training days shortly followed by pupils. Students will be returning or heading off to university for the same time. For some, the sense that the nights are drawing in and the loss of day light will hit particularly… Continue reading Summer is still to come
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