Category: Theology

Love and Hate, Sovereignty and Freedom: A Copernican revolution in Romans 9

A lot of people struggle with Romans 9. It isn’t the easiest of Bible passages to follow as Paul delves into some deep and complex reasoning. However I think the primary problem that people have with the passage are the following verses that we might find uncomfortable; not so much difficult to understand as hard… Continue reading Love and Hate, Sovereignty and Freedom: A Copernican revolution in Romans 9

How 2 Timothy 3:16 shows us that Scripture is sufficient

A Roman Catholic will tell you that they too believe in the authority of Scripture.  They believe 2 Timothy 3:16 to be true. It’s also that they believe that when Christ gave the keys to the church, this authority meant that it would be the church or its magisterium a few hundred years later who… Continue reading How 2 Timothy 3:16 shows us that Scripture is sufficient

A different world?

“Could God have created another world?”  It was a classic question set for theological students when I was at Oak Hill.  The question concerned God’s sovereignty and providence.  On the one hand it was argued that this world is exactly the kind of world that you would expect to see, it is fitting to God’s… Continue reading A different world?

Murderers at heart (Genesis 4)

In Genesis 1-2, the origins of humanity are described. Mankind is made in God’s image and so man and woman have the breath of God within them. God blesses them and provides for them. They have meaning and purpose as they are told to fill and subdue the earth. And yet in Geneis 3 we… Continue reading Murderers at heart (Genesis 4)

When atonement is absent

I find Ian McEwan’s novel “Atonement” particularly bleak. It’s the story of a girl who witnesses a crime, Bryony sees her cousin Lola being assaulted and raped. She is convinced the assailant is the family gardener, Robbie and so he is falsely accused, arrested and convicted. Her error combined with her self-importance is the cause… Continue reading When atonement is absent

How can I be free from sin?

One of the greatest blessings and greatest challenges of a Christian is that our conscience is re-awakened. This means that we are even more keenly alert to our own sinfulness.  We become more aware of how ugly and destructive lust, hate, greed, selfishness, pride, anger, gossip and slander are. And yet at the same time… Continue reading How can I be free from sin?

Under new management (Romans 7:1-6)

Near where we live is a restaurant. Whilst we’ve been living here, it has changed names a number of times.  There’s a reason for that. The original restaurant had a bad name for poor quality food and dodgy hygiene. However, I think that on a few occasions, the name change was merely cosmetic.  If you… Continue reading Under new management (Romans 7:1-6)

Do we really believe that God is sovereign?

You know that verse about mission in the hymn “I cannot tell”, do we really believe it?  The words go: I cannot tell how He will win the nations,  How He will claim His earthly heritage,How satisfy the needs and aspirations  Of east and west, of sinner and of sage. We sing it with gusto – or… Continue reading Do we really believe that God is sovereign?

Sanctification Romans 6:15-22

Available to watch here I frequently say that our relationship with God means that we must allow him to disagree with us through his word.  In what ways has God challenged and disagreed with you through his word?  In my case I remember one specific challenge being that as a pastor, my responsibility is not… Continue reading Sanctification Romans 6:15-22