Tag: gnosticism

The true and better story (Luke 11:14-54)

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Here’s my outline for a sermon this Sunday. Look out for some articles with additional comment. You can listen to the full talk here introduction Two stories When the stories get muddled …. Which story are we living by? What did Jesus’ opponents think he was doing? (v15) What does Jesus say is happening? (v22)… Continue reading The true and better story (Luke 11:14-54)

Two ways to live, two stories to live by

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The tagline of this website is “What we believe affects how we live.”. A few years ago, a popular Gospel method was based on the idea that there are two ways to live.  If both points are true then we might say that there is also two ways to believe. In fact, through history we… Continue reading Two ways to live, two stories to live by

Embodied or virtual?

 I would like to return to one of the big questions from the pandemic.  What is embodied worship and does it really matter?  As I wrote recently, there seemed to be an assumption in debates that there were those who cared passionately about Scripture’s injunctions to gather or assemble for worship, who believed that this… Continue reading Embodied or virtual?

It’s the future not the past: The problem with Preterism

In a previous article I argued that eschatology does matter because it can affect other aspects of belief and practice in the church.  In so doing, I mentioned a few specific examples of eschatological positions.  One I mentioned was Preterism. This is the view that most, if not all prophecies concerning the Parousia or appearing/second… Continue reading It’s the future not the past: The problem with Preterism

The Gnostic presuppositions of The Crown

I understand that for some, The Crown is compulsive and essential viewing.  Netflix’s big budget drama tells the story of Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family starting back with the death of George VI and over several seasons aiming presumably to bring things right up to date.  The show has proved both popular and controversial… Continue reading The Gnostic presuppositions of The Crown

Did the Gnostics have the truth about Jesus? 

Did the Gnostics[1] have the truth about Jesus?  Their second century opponent Irenaeus would say that they did not.[2] However over the last century a debate has opened up suggesting that the Gnostics provide a source of truth that is at least equal to the New Testament.[3] This question is of great importance when you… Continue reading Did the Gnostics have the truth about Jesus? 

Postscript to my correspondence with Premier Christianity

A little update to the issue I raised with Premier Christianity about serious concerns a number of us have had about their editorial approach. You can read the letter I sent to Premier here. Today, I received this response. Dear Dave, Thank you for taking the time to email. As you quite rightly state below,… Continue reading Postscript to my correspondence with Premier Christianity

Was Jesus married?

This is the question posed by Premier Christianity in a recent article.  Not only that but their editor Sam Hailes lays credence to the claim in this tweet. It is concerning that the editors of a mainstream, Christian publication which was traditionally considered at least broadly evangelical could even consider such a piece worthy of… Continue reading Was Jesus married?

The biggest lie of all

I’ve been interacting with the big dark world of conspiracy theories in recent blogs and YouTube videos.  One of my main arguments is that we don’t deal with “conspiracy theories” so much as “Conspiracy.” That in effect there is one viral lie that sheds into individual beliefs, communities’ religious groupings and political movements. The lie… Continue reading The biggest lie of all