Who is Jesus? Engaging with the so called “Quest for the historical Jesus”

Based on El Greco

In the 19th and 20th century the perception grew and became common place that we could say very little for certain about Jesus, the historical person.  This perception was particularly shaped by the belief that the Gospels were written much later than the lifetime of Jesus and his earliest followers, that the earliest written sources… Continue reading Who is Jesus? Engaging with the so called “Quest for the historical Jesus”

Romans 7, the normal Christian life and missing the exam question

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There are a few debates going on around the question of sin and the believer at the moment.  They seem to link back to a current fascination amongst reformed academics about concupiscence.  I’m intending to write a little bit more about this over coming months.  However, one strand I’ve just picked up on s a… Continue reading Romans 7, the normal Christian life and missing the exam question

Does preaching carry the same authority as Scripture? A response to Julius Santiago

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A friend asked the question recently on Facebook “What do you think preaching is?”  They offered three options: I opted for “other”, or perhaps a slight modification of the first option.  Preaching is the application of Scripture to the  hearts of a congregation assembled together.   The prompting for the question was a new book, “Preaching… Continue reading Does preaching carry the same authority as Scripture? A response to Julius Santiago

Are we really all credobaptists now?

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I joined in an interesting discussion on Facebook recently.  Someone was suggesting that the term “credobaptist” was meaningless and inaccurate it didn’t properly describe the Baptist position and didn’t really distinguish so called “credobaptists” from “paedobatpists”.  They offered their own alternative. A little, though not completely tongue in cheek, I suggested that they stick with… Continue reading Are we really all credobaptists now?

#Worthy

The theme for our church’s Christmas events this year is “Worthy?” We are planning two carol services, a traditional style service with classic carols and readings on the 15th December in the evening and a family, nativity service on the 22nd December. We’re also planning for something on Christmas Eve and possibly Christmas Day too.… Continue reading #Worthy

Thus says the Lord? Sufficiency and a response to Tom Forryan in Evangelicals Now

Tom Forryan describes a visit to a church. “It was the first Sunday of the year and we were visiting a large church in our town. After the service an enthusiastic young man came up and told me, ‘The Lord has shown me you are in full-time Christian ministry.’ (How did the Lord do that?… Continue reading Thus says the Lord? Sufficiency and a response to Tom Forryan in Evangelicals Now

The “Jesus and non-violent resistance” meme

A meme is something that spreads qucickly through a culture, an idea or concept, often an image, especially via social media.  It may or may not be true but it’s impact is based on that ability to spread and its stickiness rather than on the evidence behind it. I wonder if we have such an… Continue reading The “Jesus and non-violent resistance” meme

Are fewer people going into Gospel ministry?

I have heard anecdotal comments made a few times to the effect that fewer people are going into Gospel/pastoral ministry. This includes seeing the statement made on blogs/podcasts and in mainstream Christian media articles. I hear of churches that go for a long time without being able to fill a post but then I’m also… Continue reading Are fewer people going into Gospel ministry?