We usually leap into the story of Abram in Genesis 12, however, he’s introduced in Genesis 11:27-32. There, at the end of the list of descendants of Shem, following the scattering at Babel, we are introduced to Terah, the almost Patriarch. Terah has three children, Abram, Nahor and Haran, mirroring Noah’s three sons and Cain,… Continue reading Journey interrupted
Tag: Abraham
Why study the life of Abraham?
In the Spring, our church did a series on Galatians. Later in the Autumn, we will be working through the book of James. It’s important to read something like James alongside Galatians to help us deepen our understanding of what true faith looks like. Galatians shows us that we are not saved by works, it’s… Continue reading Why study the life of Abraham?
Typical? When our old testament heroes prove flawed
The other day I wrote responding to an article arguing that Abraham didn’t really lie when he passed Sarah off as just his sister. The reality is that when we read through the lives of people in Scripture we discover lots of things that would leave us deeply uncomfortable, horrified even about their behaviour. Our… Continue reading Typical? When our old testament heroes prove flawed
Assurance and Security
One of the blessings that we become heirs of in Christ is assurance. Assurance is the certain confidence that you have been forgiven of your sin and have eternal life. Combine that with security and we have the idea that a believer can know both that their sins are forgiven and that they will never… Continue reading Assurance and Security
What does the Law do?
Paul insists that the Law is unable to make us right with God. He also insists that the original promises to God’s people were about faith and not Law. Does this mean that Law and Faith or Law and Grace are in competition? A look at the text Read Galatians 3:23-29 So, does the Law… Continue reading What does the Law do?
Binding
Crucial to Paul’s argument in Galatians is that God does not change his promises or go back on his word. The idea that Gentiles can be admitted to the covenant is not a novel one or plan B but has always been God’s purpose. A look at the text (read Galatians 3:15-18) Covenants are binding… Continue reading Binding
Father Abraham had many sons
In Galatians 3:6, Paul has taken us back to the example of Abraham, the ancestor of God’s people, to whom, through whom and in whom God’s covenant with his people was made. He has demonstrated, as he will again when he writes to the Christians in Rome that Abraham was justified by faith. In other… Continue reading Father Abraham had many sons
Terms and conditions
Paul reminds the Galatians in chapter 3 of what they’ve seen, heard and received, They’ve seen the Gospel clearly presented, that Christ was crucified for them. They’ve received the Spirit. They know that their new life in the Spirit is founded entirely on Christ’s crucifixion and has been received by faith. So how can they… Continue reading Terms and conditions
Noah’s type
One of the ways in which we see those echoes reverberating through Scripture is through something called Typology. This is about seeing how people, places, objects and events point forwards from themselves to people, places, objects and events in the future. We use the term particularly to speak about Old Testament things that point forward… Continue reading Noah’s type
The missing verse of Christmas
I wonder what the preacher will preach on today at the Christmas Day service. There’s a good likelihood that he will pick up on the account in Luke 2. If they do, I suspect that the reading will focus on v1-20. We’ll hear about the census, the journey to Bethlehem. We may well hear quite… Continue reading The missing verse of Christmas
Faithroots 