Posts

On preachers borrowing from others -responding to John Benton and the evening service debate

John Benton has written on the London Seminary blog about why pastors should continue to fight for the Sunday evening service.  I don’t want to rehearse all the arguments relating to this now.  First because Steve Kneale has already done an excellent job here and secondly because I’ve engaged with the arguments previously.  Like Steve,… Continue reading On preachers borrowing from others -responding to John Benton and the evening service debate

Can you be an unhappy Christian?

Dane Ortlund, author of Gently and Lowly recently tweeted this quote from Dr Martyn Lloyd Jones. This has ironically left quite a few people unhappy. There is a risk with this kind of statement, especially without nuance and separated from context that it can give the impression that Christians are meant to walk around with… Continue reading Can you be an unhappy Christian?

purification

Reading through the early chapters of Isaiah, it becomes clear that the coming “Day of the Lord” when judgement and punishment will be visited on Israel is not just about punishment, not just about the destruction of wickedness but rather it is about purification and restoration. The aim is that through this refining experience that… Continue reading purification

chaotic folly

What does judgement look like?  What would judgement on a church, a community, a nation? Read Isaiah chapter 3:1-4:1 Judgement for Israel and Judah involves the stripping away of all of their resources and means of support including food supplies.  It then leads to the removal of leaders and protectors.  The wise, experienced and strong… Continue reading chaotic folly

On polemic and polemical theology

The other day, a friend asked for recommendations on The Trinity and I mentioned in my preferences that I would not recommend Matthew Barrett’s book “Simply Trinity.”  If you want to know why, you can read my review and additional comment article here.  This prompted some discussion about whether or not Barret’s book was intended… Continue reading On polemic and polemical theology

Compromised

We now find out why it is that God must act to restore and renew his holy city through refining judgement and why God’s people need to learn again what it means to walk in the light of God. Read Isaiah 2:6-22 The people’s rejection of Yahweh is seen in the way that they have… Continue reading Compromised

Suspended Tolerance?

I’ve just had time to look a little bit more at this story that emerged over the weekend.  On social media, the story has been presented focusing on one severely autistic boy being suspended and then receiving death threats due to a Quran being scuffed/damaged.  A local councillor defended the school for suspending the boy… Continue reading Suspended Tolerance?

The toxic danger of gossip for both men and women

I recently engaged with an article that described gossip and slander as “the curse of women.” The article has since been withdrawn, I suspect one if those articles written in haste and frustration at specific circumstances. However, the association of women specifically with gossip is a common misconception. I found that phrasing unhelpful because I don’t… Continue reading The toxic danger of gossip for both men and women

Come let us walk

Take a moment to pause and mediate on these words   come, let us walk  in the light of the Lord. Isaiah 2:5 This is an invitation to the people of Israel and comes in the light of God’s promise that he will re-establish Zion as the place where he reigns “with justice and peace.  It is also an… Continue reading Come let us walk