Regular readers will have observed that from time to time I include guest posts here on Faithroots. That might include where I’ve simply wanted to give someone a platform or to share something that I thought was worth wider reading. It might also include occasions where I thought it was fair to offer a right… Continue reading If not here, then where?
Tag: debate
Why I don’t tend to answer those “tell me now ‘yes or no’? ” questions
In my engagement with Robert Gagnon about Christian perspectives on US politics, we had the following interaction. The reason for my response was that Gagnon ‘s question really amounted to an assertion which he was trying to get me to affirm or deny. It felt rather like one of those trick/trap questions intended to skewer… Continue reading Why I don’t tend to answer those “tell me now ‘yes or no’? ” questions
“Tending towards…” – why I’m not about to become a Leeds United fan!
I’m a Bradford City supporter. Our nearest and greatest rivals are Leeds United. Imagine if someone were to say that because I supported Bradford and that is near Leeds and that I don’t support Manchester United, then I am dangerously tending towards being a Leeds fan. You would recognise that for the nonsense it is.… Continue reading “Tending towards…” – why I’m not about to become a Leeds United fan!
Disagreeing well or badly
At the end of their article debating sin, desire and temptation in Evangelicals Now, John Stevens and Matthew Roberts suggest that they’ve tried to model disagreeing well. Do they achieve this?
“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
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”?
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
The problem with the “appeal to authority” fallacy
When I wrote in response to the recent letter from lawyers and former judges about Israel and Gaza, I highlight that one problem with it was that it encouraged a form of logical fallacy which is known as “appeal to authority”, or if you want to posh term “ad verecundiam.” Fascinatingly, the problem with this… Continue reading The problem with the “appeal to authority” fallacy
How we talk about the pastor’s role matters
Last week, I engaged with Tim Suffield on whether pastors have jobs or not. Someone who engaged more supportively with Tim was John Barach. He tweeted: My response was that this is all sounds very pleasant but isn’t how Scripture describes the call to pastoral ministry. He responded by saying: In our conversation he developed… Continue reading How we talk about the pastor’s role matters
The pointless dig
Last week, I spent a bit of time unpacking a quote from Sam Allberry’s sermon at Tim Keller’s memorial service. The quote was “Jesus is the true and better Tim Keller.” The reason I wrote about this is that there were a few people having a dig about the quote. Comments included “Wow” (I don’t… Continue reading The pointless dig
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