Over the last few years, I’ve noticed two particular trends at Easter and I suspect they are linked. The first, that seemed to start earlier was that some Christians began to start making a bigger deal of the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Comments include that we shouldn’t be in a rush to… Continue reading The Harrowing of Hell and the filling of silence
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How consistent are modern views of a spiritual resurrection of Jesus with the evidence of the gospels?
Originally posted on Faithroots:
One of the major fault lines within Christian Theology in recent times has been over the statement “I believe in the resurrection.”? What does it mean to claim this?[1] Many Christians would insist that this means that Jesus rose physically from the dead.? However, a number of theologians have argued that…
A virgin birth and “a conjuring trick with bones”?
Originally posted on Faithroots:
A Christmas and Easter tradition on social media seems to be to refer back to the infamous Bishop of Durham, Rev Dr David Jenkins who in the 1980s allegedly denied the virgin birth and the resurrection of Jesus.? I say allegedly because I note that there have been significant attempts to…
In sure and certain hope of the resurrection
I’ve led or taken part in quite a few funerals. Recently we said goodbye to my mum and laid to rest her mortal remains. At the graveside, as the coffin is lowered, it is normal to read out these words or similar. “In that the Lord has chosen to take [name] to himself, we now… Continue reading In sure and certain hope of the resurrection
How do we take communion?
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Eschatology and Isaiah
Isaiah frequently employs imagery that looks back to Eden to envisage an ideal world where there is peace and harmony not just between humans but also between creatures. A classic and well known example of this would be 11:6-9 where famously, lions, wolves, leopards, lambs and calves can live side by side and small children… Continue reading Eschatology and Isaiah
I have lived in the goodness of God
There’s a fantastic line in the song “Goodness of God.” The first verse talks about God’s faithfulness and mercy. Then in the second verse we are taken to the darkest night of trial and suffering. It’s there that we have this line: “And I have lived in the goodness of God.” Two things strike me… Continue reading I have lived in the goodness of God
Is “My Song is Love Unknown” antisemitic?
Originally posted on Faithroots:
I’ve written a few times about the growing resurgence in antisemitism. I talk in terms of resurgence because this is a historic problem and whilst we think primarily of Nazi Germany, neither Britain nor the church has a good record here. Testimony to our failure include the writings of Martin Luther…
The New Heavens and New Earth
What is your experience of living in “the now and the not yet” between Jesus first coming and second coming? Are you looking forward to his return, excited about eternity? Do you ever become despondent and ask “How long?” Does it ever feel as though God is distant and silent? Read Isaiah 65 -66 Yahweh’s… Continue reading The New Heavens and New Earth
Atonement in Isaiah
At the heart of Isaiah’s message is the promise that God will deal with the problem of evil, sin, rebellion and idolatry in a way that enables him to be reconciled to his people, to bring about new life and indeed a new creation. Exile can be seen as a form of death, so that… Continue reading Atonement in Isaiah
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