Category: Theology

Competing kingdoms (Romans 5:12-20)

You can also watch a recorded version of this here. So far we have discovered that we are without excuse, exception or escape in the face of God’s righteous judgement. God has clearly revealed to us who he is and we have responded by suppressing that truth. All have sinned and so all are under… Continue reading Competing kingdoms (Romans 5:12-20)

When are we justified – and does it matter?

In my talks on Romans 4 and 5 I mentioned something called The New Perspective on Paul, an approach to Pauline studies associated with EP Sanders, Tom Wright and James Dunn.  The NPP argues that we’ve misunderstood the Jewishness of Paul’s Gospel and therefore going right back to the reformers have misunderstood Paul’s teaching and… Continue reading When are we justified – and does it matter?

This is how much God loves us (Romans 5:6-11)

What is the thing that we perhaps find hardest to believe during trials and suffering?  Well, it’s the very thing we need to know the most. We need to know how much God loves us. We left off last time with that wonderful declaration of God’s love for us. This is the first mention of… Continue reading This is how much God loves us (Romans 5:6-11)

How did we get here?

We’re coming to the end of our Faithroots Live series on the doctrine of creation. You can watch back the online lectures/seminars via the Faithroots Urban facebook page.  I’ve also been serialising the content again on faithroot.com. If you want all the content together in one place where you can download it and read it… Continue reading How did we get here?

Creation and the environment

If this creation is made by God and we are placed in it to look after it, to rule over it, subdue it and to fill it, to keep it and till it, then what implications does this have for our approach to the environment and ecology? Care for Creation as worship Chris Wright notes… Continue reading Creation and the environment

Creation and work

Thinking about the Doctrine of Creation is particularly helpful as we seek to apply the Bible to the whole of our life because Creation points us both to the goodness and challenges of work. The Bible is, from the start a book for all 7 days of the week, not just one. Whilst we are… Continue reading Creation and work

Creation, evangelism and apologetics

I want to say a few words now about how our Doctrine of Creation and the Fall affects our approach to Apologetics.  Creation reveals God and leaves us without excuse This theme is picked up particularly by the Apostle Paul in Acts 14, Acts 17 and Romans 1. In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas pray… Continue reading Creation, evangelism and apologetics

How God builds hope in our lives (Romans 5:1-5)

Would you consider yourself an optimist or a pessimist? How do you respond when you go through periods of struggle and suffering?   Are you ever tempted to doubt God’s love, forgiveness and acceptance of you? Paul’s teaching on justification is crucial as we seek to persevere in our faith. A Look at the text V1… Continue reading How God builds hope in our lives (Romans 5:1-5)

Creation, Mission and worship

Because we live in a good world which a good and purposeful God has made, this helps us to understand a little bit more about why we are here and what God has made us for.  The Shorter Catechism of the Westminster Confession of Faith asks the question “What is the Chief end of Man?”… Continue reading Creation, Mission and worship