Is a husband his wife’s saviour?

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Well the fire started the other day concerning sex, relationships and salvation doesn’t show any signs of dying down. Rachel Denhollander shared this from John MacArthur as another example of problematic teaching about marriage. Now, to be fair to Josh Butler whose TGC article kicked off this whole debate, I think that he might say… Continue reading Is a husband his wife’s saviour?

What is the point of the Frankfurt Declaration?

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Over the years I’ve seen various “Declarations” and resolutions from groups of Christian leaders on all kinds of issues. In fact, these seem to becoming more and more common.  The latest offering is The Frankfurt Declaration. If you’ve not yet come across it, you can have a read here. “The Frankfurt Declaration of Christian and… Continue reading What is the point of the Frankfurt Declaration?

A better ethic than the Bible?

In this article, Michael Bird picks up on some disturbing comments that John MacArthur made about slavery back in 2012. I agree with Bird, that the comments were troubling. MacArthur’s suggestion that benign slavery was possible is utterly wrong headed. There is of course a fundamental difference between sticking with a good institution like marriage… Continue reading A better ethic than the Bible?

John MacArthur – Eternal Sonship and Incarnational Sonship

In a previous article, I wrote that John MacArthur had in the past denied the eternal sonship of Jesus arguing for incarnational sonship -that Jesus became “Son” at his birth.  I thought it might be helpful to trace back exactly what the issue was.  MacArthur has since amended his views but here is his original… Continue reading John MacArthur – Eternal Sonship and Incarnational Sonship

On not playing the accusers’ game

In my last post on false accusation, I argued that following Jesus’ example in the face of false accusation doesn’t mean that we cannot respond to lies in order to challenge, correct or clarify. Rather, I said that it means we must not play the same game.  Peter says about Jesus: 22 He committed no sin,… Continue reading On not playing the accusers’ game

Abuse, safeguarding and church discipline

One of my main concerns is to see healthy churches planted into urban contexts. We often talk about the church planting bit but I also try to talk as much as possible about the healthy bit.  When we talk about healthy churches we are thinking both about health in terms of right doctrine/teaching and good… Continue reading Abuse, safeguarding and church discipline

Anatomy of an abusive relationship

Last week when talking with Ryan Burton King about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we discussed the response in Russia. Over the past few week’s we’ve seen a lot of examples of bravery from Russians willing to protest, most notably a young Russian TV editor who interrupted a news broadcast holding up a protest sign.  At… Continue reading Anatomy of an abusive relationship

The election that affects us all

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Often it is those most affected by a decision who get the least say in it. Think about the London Mayoral election. The Mayor has been able to impose a congestion charge and also has powers over how the London Underground functions but who is most affected by those decisions? Well arguably it is the… Continue reading The election that affects us all

Assessing motives (what we can and cannot do)

Jesus is able to assess the heart, we cannot. This means a good rule of thumb when dealing with others in debate is that we should seek to respond to what they are actually saying, not what their motives or intentions are. Indeed,  we should seek to assume the best of others, taking a charitable… Continue reading Assessing motives (what we can and cannot do)

So what was that really all about? (Further reflections on John MacArthur and defying the law)

In the light of John MacArthur’s decision to go against California state law on the Coronavirus, another prominent church leader in the States, Tom Buck posted this tweet. I don’t think we have ever really argued that everyone should risk their lives in cross cultural mission going to dangerous places. There has always been a… Continue reading So what was that really all about? (Further reflections on John MacArthur and defying the law)