I’ve noticed a tendency in terms of contemporary hot potatoes to assume that, or at least act as though, the debate is binary. I’m thinking specifically of the complementarian/egalitarian, EFS and Concupiscence debates. What I mean is this. Often a specific theological position is developed in response to a perceived error, this may not be… Continue reading Theological debate is not always binary
Posts
Coming up this year
This is a little bit of a news update on what I’ve got planned for Faithroots this year. Whilst one aspect of the site is a blog which enables me to offer commentary from a Christian perspective on current events and from a reformed, charismatic perspective on issues within The Church, that is in fact… Continue reading Coming up this year
Why paedobaptism cannot count as a mark of the church
It is usually said that the marks of a true church are the preaching of God’s word and the sacraments properly administered. The Church of England’s 39 articles puts it this way: The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men, in which the pure Word of [1]God is preached, and the Sacraments… Continue reading Why paedobaptism cannot count as a mark of the church
In defence of the Reformed Charismatics
At the back end of last year I offered a brief response to an article in Evangelical Times called “Why I escaped the so called Calvinistic charismatics”. The article seemed primarily to be focused on New Frontiers, the family of churches which our church is part of. I wrote to the newspaper asking for permission… Continue reading In defence of the Reformed Charismatics
Do you need to repent of your desires?
I recently mentioned a controversy that has been brewing primarily within reformed academic circles about a doctrine known as concupiscence. The word refers to strong desire and is often explicitly lined with sexual desire. I’ve not really commented much on this yet but thought it was worth sharing some preliminary comments here. Late in the… Continue reading Do you need to repent of your desires?
Ruined authors to retrain: Clickbait Evangelical scholarship
David and Jonathan Gibson have edited a new book called “Ruined Sinners to reclaim”, it’s part of their series on the Doctrines of Grace and follows on from “From heaven he came and sought us” on Definite Atonement. Paul Smith has reviewed the book in Evangelical Times and notes: This book on total depravity (the… Continue reading Ruined authors to retrain: Clickbait Evangelical scholarship
Romans 7, the normal Christian life and missing the exam question
There are a few debates going on around the question of sin and the believer at the moment. They seem to link back to a current fascination amongst reformed academics about concupiscence. I’m intending to write a little bit more about this over coming months. However, one strand I’ve just picked up on s a… Continue reading Romans 7, the normal Christian life and missing the exam question
Some comments regarding Andrew Bartlett’s response to my article on hierarchies and headship
I don’t know about you but I’m enjoying the opportunity for back and forth conversation with Andrew Bartlett about his book, perhaps even more than the book itself. It’s not an opportunity that you get often, few authors would be so willing to give their time to something like this. I appreciate that this isn’t… Continue reading Some comments regarding Andrew Bartlett’s response to my article on hierarchies and headship
The troubling of Herod
This weekend is often associated with the feast of Epiphany, the culmination of Christmas and the wisemen’s journey to Bethlehem. We spend so much time these days pointing out that they were not kings and we don’t know if there were three of them that we can miss out on the things the text in… Continue reading The troubling of Herod
Why we should be speaking up for Bradford … And similar places
I wrote the other day in defence of my home city following some deeply unpleasant comments about the city and its recognition as City of Culture 2025. Now, obviously, a big part of my motivation was indignation at an attack on my home town. However I hope that I would have reacted similarly if it… Continue reading Why we should be speaking up for Bradford … And similar places
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