Here’s our #AfternoonTea discussion on protests. Key points include There is a long tradition of marching and demonstrating as a means of making our voices heard. There are democratic freedoms allowing us to do this and benefits include that it gives a sense of action and participation beyond simply marking a cross at the ballot… Continue reading Protest
Posts
Return of the King – How to read and teach Revelation
So we’ve learnt lots about the book of Revelation in terms of its genre, authorship, date and all the different approaches to interpreting it. This is all well and good but could leave us with just an interesting intellectual exercise. “16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true… Continue reading Return of the King – How to read and teach Revelation
We need to talk about privilege, pride and prejudice
I want to reflect a little further on the issues of prejudice, racism and classism and why these matter to the church. In so doing, I want to interact with an article that Garry Williams wrote on the matter for the Pastors Academy. I want to highlight four things he raised The problem of racism… Continue reading We need to talk about privilege, pride and prejudice
Hardening my heart to my own testimony
The theme of Hebrews 3 is that Jesus is greater than Moses. The argument building up through Hebrews is that Jesus fulfils and therefore is greater than all of the Old Testament. He is greater than the prophets, greater than angels, greater than Moses and the Law. In Hebrews 3, we see that Jesus is… Continue reading Hardening my heart to my own testimony
On tearing down statues
On the 9th April 2003, Iraqis gathered in Firdos Square following the Coalition invasion and tore down a statue of Saddam Hussein. The world watched on and cheered as this event symbolised the freedom of the Iraqi people from slavery and tyranny. This week we have seen further attempts to tear down statues, some successful,… Continue reading On tearing down statues
Return of The King – Interpreting Revelation
Revelation has proved one of the most controversial books in the New Testament. One reason for this is that different people have taken different approaches to interpreting i Different Approaches Kistemaker helpfully lists the following different approaches. Preterist “that which has gone past”[1] to do with the time it was written -focusing on the events… Continue reading Return of The King – Interpreting Revelation
Return of the King – Dating Revelation
There are two main options -an early date pre AD70 under Emperor Nero or a later date around about AD90- AD95 under Emperor Domitian. JAT Robinson favours an early date -his book “Redating the New Testament” he strongly argues that the whole of the New Testament must be understood as written prior to the fall… Continue reading Return of the King – Dating Revelation
A Second Blessing? (Sealed With the Holy Spirit part 8)
There have been various movements throughout history seeking to enable Christians to discover a higher life or greater experience of the Holy Spirit. These include: 1. The Holiness movement including aspects of Methodism and the early history of the Keswick Convention 2. The beginning of Pentecostalism at the turn of the 20th Century 3. The… Continue reading A Second Blessing? (Sealed With the Holy Spirit part 8)
Return of the King – What is the book of Revelation?
It is self-identified as “prophecy”[1] in other words, it reveals what God has to say to his people. We may also expect it to include predictions about the future as well as a verdict on what God’s people are doing at a specific time. The genre is usually described as “apocalyptic literature.”[2] This is a… Continue reading Return of the King – What is the book of Revelation?
Private Prayer in a place of Public Worship is an oxymoron
The UK Government has said that it aims to see places of public worship opening from the 4th July at the earliest. That’s promising. However, before you get too excited, check the detail. Comments from those involved in consultations suggest that we will not be opening for public worship, rather church buildings will be allowed… Continue reading Private Prayer in a place of Public Worship is an oxymoron
Faithroots 