If blessing is about forgiveness, then is this restricted to the circumcised, to the Jews? There is an argument for this. First, God had promised blessing to Abraham and then to his descendants. So it could be argued that David is giving us more information about what that blessing is. It is to be forgiven… Continue reading Romans 4:9-12
Tag: Justification
Romans 4:1-8
Paul is continuing to think through whether or not the Jews through their ethnic identity, having the Law and circumcision had an advantage. So, he goes back to Abraham, the one through whom the promise to Israel was made. It was the covenant with him that they considered themselves to be heirs of. So, what… Continue reading Romans 4:1-8
More Faith: Luke 18-19, widows, tax collectors and blindmen
After a little hiatus, I’ve got back to recording the video teaching series which accompanies the e-book “Introducing Jesus”. Here’s the latest installment. And here’s a link to the e-book You can catch up on the video series from the beginning here.
The Federal Vision and paedobaptism
In the Joint Federal Vision Profession (2007), the signatories wrote: We affirm that God formally unites a person to Christ and to His covenant people through baptism into the triune Name, and that this baptism obligates such a one to lifelong covenant loyalty to the triune God, each baptized person repenting of his sins and trusting in Christ… Continue reading The Federal Vision and paedobaptism
Before the throne my surety stands
Now it is Simeon’s turn to seemingly be left forgotten. Jacob is loath to let the brother return however the severe and ongoing famine will soon force his hand. Read Genesis 43 The famine continues in severity and the family eventually run out of food. The brothers beg Jacob to let them return to Egypt… Continue reading Before the throne my surety stands
A murky tale
The focus on Joseph’s story means that Genesis 38 tends to be skipped over a bit which is a shame. The story of Judah and Tamar is crucial both to the unfolding Bible story line and to what is happening with Joseph. We leave Jacob’s favoured son for a time, sold into slavery in Egypt. … Continue reading A murky tale
The Gospel in Ephesians
At the heart of all of Paul’s letters is the Gospel. It was clearly his belief that a restating of how and why we are saved is what we need if we are to live godly lives. This is true in Ephesians as well. Whilst some of his themes, most notably justification are not mentioned… Continue reading The Gospel in Ephesians
The curse
When the people of Israel came out of Egypt, God gave them The Law in the wilderness at Sinai. Then, before they were about to go into Canaan, Moses in effect set before them a choice between curse and blessings. This choice was to be enacted in a covenant ceremony. The people were to pass… Continue reading The curse
Bewitched
Do you enjoy magic tricks? Are you left amazed by how the magician manages to get the right card every time, pull the rabbit from a hat or make his assistant disappear. Of course, no one really thinks that it’s real magic. We know that the magician relies on slights of hand and diversion tactics… Continue reading Bewitched
No U-Turn
In the musical, The Phantom of the Opera, towards the end, the Phantom makes his move to bring Christine fully under his power. He commits murders and then she removes his mask on stage exposing him. He sings “Past the point of no return” arguing that there is now no going back, they are fully… Continue reading No U-Turn
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