The other day, I wrote about Mark 5 and the unifying response being Jesus’ response to uncleanness. Now, most of us don’t live in a society that makes such ceremonial distinctions though some of you will live in communities where halal or kosher laws matter. However, I think that the idea of uncleanness has power… Continue reading Who are the unclean today?
Tag: Biblical Studies
Demons, disease and death
What ties together the three events in Mark 5? We have the casting out of a demon, a woman who is healed and a dead girl who is raised. The answer is “uncleanness.” The Klaw distinguished two categories. First there was the category of holy and profane or ordinary. Secondly, there was the category of… Continue reading Demons, disease and death
Romans 4:13-15
God had made a promise to Abraham back in Genesis 12:1-3, the promise was the basis for the covenant and was repeated at various times. Note that whilst in Genesis 12, 15 etc was on the promise of land, Paul extends this inheritance to speak of the whole world, not just Canaan. Paul insists that… Continue reading Romans 4:13-15
Latest training course – Jesus and the Gospels
The full “Jesus and the Gospels” programme is available from the Faithroots Training pages. The course includes a video series to accompany the e-book. In the near future I’m also hoping to add a study guide.
The risen Messiah
Here’s the final talk in the Jesus and the Gospels series.
A hungry and thirsty people
Bitter-Sweet As the people move on from the Red Sea crossing, they search for water but find none in the desert for three days, until they come to a place they name Marah, the name is a play on the Hebrew for bitter. There is something off about the water, it tastes bitter. The people… Continue reading A hungry and thirsty people
Romans 3:9-20
Paul has argued that there are real benefits and privileges to being Jewish and the heritage that brings. However, does that actually benefit the Jews? Paul says “no” because Jews and Greeks, in other words, the representative Gentiles, alike sin (v9). He then cites a number of Scripture passages, primarily from the Psalms to demonstrate… Continue reading Romans 3:9-20
Romans 3:1-8
Paul continues his argument concerning circumcision and Jewishness. It’s important to see this as a central theme to the letter so that chapters 9-11 are not a mere parenthesis between the doctrine and the practice, a little detour but are central to the conclusion of his argument. Paul has said that it is circumcision of… Continue reading Romans 3:1-8
Romans 2:25-29
Paul now argues that law keeping and law breaking are central to your status as Jews (circumcised) or Gentiles (uncircumcised). He states that circumcision is of value for those who observe the Law. However, Circumcision without law-keeping is useless, you are considered uncircumcised (v25). In the same way, those who are uncircumcised but keep the… Continue reading Romans 2:25-29
Romans 2:12-16
There is no escaping death. Sin leads to death. This includes both those who sin but haven’t hot the Law (Torah), they still perish and it also includes those who have heard Torah (Jews) but break it. They are judged under the Law (v12). Is this unfair? No, because judgement is not concerning whether or… Continue reading Romans 2:12-16
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