Posts

The beloved son

God keeps repeating his promise to Abraham that he will have a son and one day, that promise is fulfilled.  Sarah conceives, the pregnancy is successful, a miracle in her old age.  God blesses them with their own son and so remembering how they had laughed previously, they call him “Isaac” (Genesis 21). Then in… Continue reading The beloved son

Hagar

Throughout Genesis, there are little hints that Abraham is getting it. He has put his faith in God and he is learning to trust and obey the promise.  Then Abraham goes and throws a curve ball in.  In Genesis 18, Sarah comes to Abraham with a cunning plan. It is clear that she is infertile,… Continue reading Hagar

On staying in lane (again)

When the COVID pandemic struck, lots of us had opinions and views.  At the time, I remember some discussion about the importance of “staying in lane.”  I think I contributed to that discussion. The point was simple and good.  We were facing a global pandemic, a serious medical crisis and there were politicians, clergy and… Continue reading On staying in lane (again)

Can we describe Hamas’ atrocities as demonic or is that dehumanising?

My friend, Jon Bergdahl often uses social media to campaign against antisemitism.  This week, he made these comments about the Hamas’ attacks in Israel and how they are being reported on and responded to. This drew the following response. Is Dean right? Was Jon’s language dehumanising?  It is also worth noting in this context, especially… Continue reading Can we describe Hamas’ atrocities as demonic or is that dehumanising?

Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology: history, tradition and authority

Tom Underhill writes here about his concerns with Wayne Grudem’s “Systematic Theology.”  I know those concerns are shared among a number of people and Wayne has been called a “Biblicist” for his methodology (where Biblicist is used pejoratively). I agree with Tom and others that there are some challenges both about Grudem’s methodology and specifically… Continue reading Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology: history, tradition and authority

Is modern Israel the fulfilment of Biblical prophecy – and should that affect our view of Israel?

There’s a lot of prophecy that points to an age of prosperity and peace for the people of Israel.  Various Scriptures describe a situation where exiles return to the land, many enemies are defeated, the Temple rebuilt, God’s King reigning and the nations looking to Israel’s King for wisdom, teaching and leadership. Well, there seem… Continue reading Is modern Israel the fulfilment of Biblical prophecy – and should that affect our view of Israel?

Does believers’ baptism exclude children from the covenant?

One of the weirdest arguments for paedobaptism has become quite prominent in recent times.  It goes like this. Credobaptists (those who advocate for believer’s baptism) argue that the Bible doesn’t instruct us to baptise infants, therefore paedobaptists are arguing from silence.  However, this assumes that the burden of proof is on the paedobaptist to prove… Continue reading Does believers’ baptism exclude children from the covenant?

The BBC, Hamas, Terrorism and impartiality

One concern raised over the last few days about the way that the Israel-Hamas conflict has been reported is that broadcast media have at times appeared equivocal in the handling of things.  This, perhaps out of a desire to be impartial has given the appearance at times that guests have been invited onto news programmes… Continue reading The BBC, Hamas, Terrorism and impartiality