In 1 Corinthians 7:29, Paul says “From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none.” What does he mean by this? Well, we know from the rest of the chapter that he cannot mean either that they should separate from and divorce their wives or that they should commit to… Continue reading Free from anxieties
Tag: 1 Corinthians
What does 1 Corinthians 7 actually say about slavery?
In amongst what Paul has to say about singleness, celibacy, abstinence, non-Christian partners and divorce in 1 Corinthians 7, he talks about the situation that slaves find themselves in. Whilst our focus has been understanding the issue of sexual ethics, I want to pause on this particular example because the question of Paul’s attitude to… Continue reading What does 1 Corinthians 7 actually say about slavery?
What does 1 Corinthians 7 actually say about marriage to unbelievers?
I’m continuing my little series of articles looking at what 1 Corinthians 7 actually says about sexual ethics. Remember that the starting point has been a question about abstinence. Is it a good thing for men to abstain from sexual relations with women? It is In this context that a question comes up about situations… Continue reading What does 1 Corinthians 7 actually say about marriage to unbelievers?
What does 1 Corinthians 7 actually say about singleness?
Previously I wrote about what 1 Corinthians 7 has to say about marriage and sexual abstinence. The chapter is a key passage for our understanding of relational and sexual ethics in the light of the Gospel touching on marriage, sex, singleness and divorce. It’s often cited but I’m not sure that it is always fully… Continue reading What does 1 Corinthians 7 actually say about singleness?
Who were the legalists? 1 Corinthians 7 and ascetism
In response to my little series of articles on 1 Corinthians 7 and sexual ethics, I’ve been asked about why I suggest that the Corinthians may have been attempting to take an ascetic route of self denial and abstention which Paul might have had to correct. Surely, the problem in Corinth was the opposite. The… Continue reading Who were the legalists? 1 Corinthians 7 and ascetism
What is communion
This week’s podcast is the first of a two part mini series looking at what communion is, why we take it and how we should approach it.
What does your pastor need to know?
Every so often I see comments about what pastors and church leaders need to have studied, to know and be reading now. At one end of the spectrum is the view that “all we need is the Bible” and we don’t need to make it complicated. At the other end of the spectrum is the… Continue reading What does your pastor need to know?
When one member suffers (lessons from A&E)
The way that the body is connected together has been brought home to me vividly and rather painfully recently. First of all, I suffered a bout of gout a few weeks back. I woke in the morning with a sore toe. I expected to walk off the pain during the day. By evening, I was… Continue reading When one member suffers (lessons from A&E)
God and sinners reconciled (Hark the Herald Angels Sing)
We’re coming to the big hitters now in our Christmas Carol series! 1 Hark! the herald angels sing,“Glory to the newborn King:peace on earth, and mercy mild,God and sinners reconciled!”Joyful, all ye nations, rise,join the triumph of the skies;with th’angelic hosts proclaim,“Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Refrain:Hark! the herald angels sing,“Glory to the newborn King”… Continue reading God and sinners reconciled (Hark the Herald Angels Sing)
The solution to toxic culture? – a meal with Jesus
Has there been anything in history comparable to the horrific things reports of abuse, bullying and toxic culture coming from evangelical churches over the past few years? Well, yes there has. Right back in the first century, the mission of the church could have almost been undone by the antics of the Corinthian church. There… Continue reading The solution to toxic culture? – a meal with Jesus
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