Genesis 5 opens with the second occurrence of the statement “These are the generations…” We are now opening up a new section, act 2 if you like, in Genesis. We begin to trace “what became of Adam and his family?” Notice that, Cain’s line has been dealt with separately in the previous chapter. So, Adam’s… Continue reading Walking with God
Posts
Millenium?
There are three main views about how things will unfold towards the end of time. Pre-millennialism This is the belief that Christ will return and reign on earth for a thousand years prior to the final battle against evil and judgement day. There are a few variations on the theme. First, we might distinguish historic-pre-millennialism,… Continue reading Millenium?
“I’m saying this in love”
It’s the phrase that I suspect most Christians dread to hear but it’s one that I suspect is most used among believers too. Tim Wilson recently asked on twitter which particular Christian cliches irritate us the most and the phrase “I’m saying this in love” and presumably variants on that theme came up. Why does… Continue reading “I’m saying this in love”
Grace
Despite the judgement on Cain, once again, God is not done with mankind. Cain and his wife have children and they in turn have children. Read Genesis 4:17-26 Common Grace First, we see through Cain’s line how God blesses humanity as promised, enabling and equipping them to carry out the work of filling and subduing. … Continue reading Grace
On Jews counting -another look at the problem of antisemitism in British politics
I wanted to revisit the issue of antisemitism here in the UK. I wrote a little bit more about this recently in the light of the Stephen Sizer case and this article builds a little on this one which looked at how someone who would not consider themselves, nor be considered by others as hating… Continue reading On Jews counting -another look at the problem of antisemitism in British politics
Stephen Sizer and when church discipline doesn’t seem possible
The Stephen Sizer tribunal reached its verdict a few weeks back and concluded that he had engaged in antisemitic behaviour on at least one occasion whilst also causing offense to Jewish people and that “the Respondent’s conduct was unbecoming or inappropriate to the office and work of a clerk in Holy Orders”[1] The Bishop of… Continue reading Stephen Sizer and when church discipline doesn’t seem possible
Bloodshed
How do you respond when others seem to be favoured over and above you? Are you happy for them? Does it spur you on to do better or does it cause resentment and jealousy? God has accepted Abel’s sacrifice, the younger brother preferred to the older being a theme that will develop throughout the Old… Continue reading Bloodshed
A little more meditation
On Sunday, I wrote about the phrase “place me like a seal over your heart” (Song of Songs 8:6) and suggested an approach to meditation where we take time to chew over a verse or even a short phrase. It is possible to work through a longer passage, especially a Psalm or a series of… Continue reading A little more meditation
Do we gather to worship?
Robert Strivens has reviewed William Taylor’s book “Revolutionary Worship” here. Taylor, following Vaughan Roberts and David Peterson argues that for the believer, worship language in Scripture is primarily about our everyday lives. Taylor’s primary aim seems to be to encourage people to think of their day to day activities in the home, workplace, school or… Continue reading Do we gather to worship?
Worship, faith and offering
Genesis 3 describes the fall of humanity into sin. Judgement comes, God had warned that death would be the consequence but at the same time, God has not done with his creation or with humanity. The story continues and we will continue to see both God’s grace at work and evidence of the deepening depravity… Continue reading Worship, faith and offering
