I’ve been starting to dip my toe into a little theological debate about something called “concupiscence”. I’ve so far focused on highlighting what Scripture has to say about desire and temptation. It’s probably worth saying a little bit more about what the debate seems to be all about. In the new volume, Ruined Sinners to… Continue reading Desire: What is the concupiscence debate all about?
Tag: concupiscence
Jesus, desire and temptation
We cannot talk about desire and temptation without looking at Jesus’ experience of temptation. We can see this exemplified in the temptation he experienced in the wilderness from Satan and secondly in the Garden of Gethsemane. Remember that Jesus’ experience of temptation is different to ours, he was without sin and so his nature was… Continue reading Jesus, desire and temptation
“But I wish you had tap danced”: Why good interpretation of Scripture, historical theology and contemporary conversation partners matters
As noted previously, David and Jonathan Gibson have beef with John Stevens over his book “The fight of your life.” Some of their critique is rather peculiar. They acknowledge that it is a short, pastoral work (in fact it was based on a series of talks” and then complain that rather than engaging at length… Continue reading “But I wish you had tap danced”: Why good interpretation of Scripture, historical theology and contemporary conversation partners matters
Sin, desire and temptation -going a bit further
I’ve recently started to engage with a recent debate/controversy that has been brewing. I think this has primarily been at an academic level, although London Seminary’s Pastor’s Academy seems to be promoting in conferences around the UK. It seems that a significant contribution to the debate is through those seeking to insist that there is… Continue reading Sin, desire and temptation -going a bit further
“Temptation comes from our own desires” What does James have to say about sin, desire and temptation?
James 1:13-14 says: Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire (ESV). The NIV translates epithumia as “evil desires”, although whilst… Continue reading “Temptation comes from our own desires” What does James have to say about sin, desire and temptation?
Is there such a thing as “The Reformed view”?
John Stevens recently drew followers of his Facebook page to a quote from Sinclair Ferguson Within Reformed theology there has always been a diversity of viewpoint on various issues. Being aware of this saves us from naively (but dogmatically!) saying, “The Reformed view is…..” when all we are entitled to say is, “The view held… Continue reading Is there such a thing as “The Reformed view”?
Concupiscence, contraception and pastoral carelessness
In his chapter of Ruined Sinners to Reclaim, Stephen Wedgeworth outlines his understanding of a Protestant doctrine of concupiscence before landing on two areas of application, both are around sex and sexuality. The second is about same sex attraction but the first is about contraception. Whilst he doesn’t go so far as ruling out contraception… Continue reading Concupiscence, contraception and pastoral carelessness
More on sin, desire and the normal Christian life
This week I’ve introduced a discussion to the blog around sin and desire first in reference to how we approach Romans 7 and secondly by beginning to look at a particular doctrinal controversy around “concupiscence” or desire. Significant to the conversation is what John has to say both in 1 John 1:8-9 and 1 John… Continue reading More on sin, desire and the normal Christian life
Theological debate is not always binary
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
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
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