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

The enemy

When Esther goes to King Ahasuerus to plead for her people, he asks who is responsible for the planned atrocity against them.  He will of course know about Haman’s law but perhaps hasn’t yet connected Esther with the Jews.  Esther explains that the one responsible is:  An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!”[1] Earlier we… Continue reading The enemy

A still small voice?  Learning the wrong lessons from Elijah’s encounter

In 1 Kings 19, Elijah has fled for his life from Ahab and Jezebel.  God meets with him, gives him rest and food, then he tells him to go and stand in his presence, to prepare for the covenant Lord, Yahweh to pass by.  We are then told: “Then a great and powerful wind tore the… Continue reading A still small voice?  Learning the wrong lessons from Elijah’s encounter

Is Jesus “the true and better Tim Keller”?

Sam Allbery spoke at Tim Keller’s memorial service and made this remark. “Jesus is the truer and better Tim Keller.” It’s one of those immediately quotable and therefore tweetable phrases and so of course people have been tweeting it and reacting to it. Now, there’s a risk of reacting to something out of context and… Continue reading Is Jesus “the true and better Tim Keller”?

Foundational reading for urban ministry … The most important book

This should perhaps be obvious and go without saying but the most important book you need to be reading if you are going to engage in urban pastoral ministry is the Bible. Still, it is worth repeating because sometimes although we know that in theory, we become too focused on the other tools we think… Continue reading Foundational reading for urban ministry … The most important book

Foundational reading for urban ministry

One of the main aims of Faithroots is to help train and equip urban pastors and church planters. You will find a growing set of teaching resources here aimed at those who want to serve, in whatever capacity in urban church contexts but for all kinds of reasons will not be able to access theological… Continue reading Foundational reading for urban ministry