Category: Theology

The New Testament on Sex, marriage and intimacy

In recent weeks, I’ve been engaging with Josh Butler’s book “Beautiful Union” which seems to try and set out a kind of theology of sex.  I’ve argued that whilst Butler’s aims might be lofty and whilst some of the criticism of him may be unfair, that he ends up falling seriously short and in a… Continue reading The New Testament on Sex, marriage and intimacy

What the Old Testament teaches us about marriage, sex and relationships

This is part two, following on from my attempt to set out the framework of Biblical and Systematic Theology.  I said in that post, that to talk properly and pastorally about marriage, sex and relationships that we would need to dig into a little more detail.  So, here goes, an attempt at a summary of… Continue reading What the Old Testament teaches us about marriage, sex and relationships

How might we talk about sex?  – A Biblical Theology of Marriage and Relationships

In recent posts, I talked about where evangelicals have gone wrong in attempting to talk about sex, particularly in attempts to create a theology of sex. My argument was that talking pastorally about sex and relationships requires a Biblical Theology not of sexual intercourse itself, anatomised from its proper context but of marriage.  In this… Continue reading How might we talk about sex?  – A Biblical Theology of Marriage and Relationships

Can we talk about sex? Is a theology of sex possible?

I’ve recently engaged significantly with 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”, culminating with this review.  The title of Butler’s book suggests that it wasn’t aimed so much at being a pastoral book on relationships -though some pastoral… Continue reading Can we talk about sex? Is a theology of sex possible?

Jesus through the son lens

The other day, I wrote about how a Muslim asked me to read the Gospels through what he called “the prophet lens”. He thought this would make better sense than a Christian hermeneutic. I was happy to do this because the Bible points to Jesus as Prophet, Priest and King. So the  prophet lens will… Continue reading Jesus through the son lens

Perpetual Virginity – Making theology unnecessarily complicated

Roman Catholics place a strong emphasis on Mary as worthy of homage and devotion.  They refer to her as The Virgin Mary, believing that she was a perpetual virgin. This goes beyond the idea of a virgin conception or virgin birth to a permanent, celibate life. I want to have a look at this in… Continue reading Perpetual Virginity – Making theology unnecessarily complicated

Why does Open Theism matter?

I’ve been spending a few days talking about Open Theism. Why have I given so much attention to what on the surface looks like an obscure theological viewpoint which is not widely known.  I want to suggest that there are significant things at stake, not just theologically but pastorally as well.  You see, whilst there… Continue reading Why does Open Theism matter?

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