Category: Theology

Divine Love and the case for Open Theism

The crucial question when making a decision about Open Theism is whether or not it faithfully points us to the God of the Bible.  As I mentioned in my previous article, a key starting point for Open Theism is 1 John 4:8 where the apostle says: 8 But anyone who does not love does not know… Continue reading Divine Love and the case for Open Theism

Beautiful Union?

I recently wrote in response to an article that appeared on The Gospel Coalition website. The article was an extract from Josh Butler’s new book “Beautiful Union: How God’s Vision for Sex Points Us to the Good, Unlocks the True, and (Sort of) Explains Everything”  The extract provoked a great deal of controversy, hence the… Continue reading Beautiful Union?

Jesus and Gender revisited

One question that sometimes gets asked is how Jesus as a man could represent women in his death and resurrection, bringing salvation to all.  Amy Peeler, has offered this solution to the perceived problem. All orthodox Christians who affirm the virginal conception would affirm that he—in a way unique to the human race—embraces female and… Continue reading Jesus and Gender revisited

There is a hope

Throughout Isaiah, among all the warnings of judgement and desolation are scattered promises of salvation and restoration for God’s people. In the early parts of the book, the theme of judgement is the one that dominates but there is light in the darkness with the calling of a messenger, glimpses of God’s glory and the… Continue reading There is a hope

Where did we get the whole idea of Atonement from?  – A response to Matthew Parris

Matthew Parris has written in the Spectator arguing that: Christians should face up to this: the whole atonement thing is a terrible muddle, a tangle of primitive and modern thinking, a proselytising salesman’s wheeze, a mess. Trying to make sense of it is a waste of time. Blame Paul. But don’t blame Jesus: it was… Continue reading Where did we get the whole idea of Atonement from?  – A response to Matthew Parris

What the hope of resurrection doesn’t encourage us to do -and why that’s good news

Something struck me over the past few months, particularly as our family have been through a period of grief having seen Sarah’s dad and my mum die in a very short space of time.  One of the emotions that we go through in grief is that strong sense of missing a person and wishing that… Continue reading What the hope of resurrection doesn’t encourage us to do -and why that’s good news

It’s about more than preaching

Yesterday, I argued that If we wanted churches that are theologically rich and culturally engaged (and I believe we need that), then rich preaching has a big part to play.  However, even if we do the things that I argued for then I still think there’s a lot we need to do. We can’t expect… Continue reading It’s about more than preaching

Why Biblically rich cultural engagement may not be happening in our churches as much as we would like

I’m picking up on a theme from two sources.  First, there is my friend Tim Suffield’s tweet that prompted my little survey the other day. Then there’s a recent book that has been generating a lot of excitement among conservative evangelicals “Biblical Critical Theory” by Christopher Watkins.  The book, according to some of the most… Continue reading Why Biblically rich cultural engagement may not be happening in our churches as much as we would like

How well are we eating?

Not physical food but spiritual food. The question was prompted by these comments from my friend Tim Suffield. They link to an article he wrote, arguing that we need more parachurch institutions not less, especially when it comes to theological education and training. As it happens I disagree with Tim’s particular solution here but I… Continue reading How well are we eating?