I’m not sure if you are meant or allowed to have a favourite doctrine but if we are, then mine would be the doctrine of justification by faith alone. I think that this doctrine is crucial to our understanding of how other doctrines work and also to practical Christian living. In terms of other doctrines,… Continue reading Why the doctrine of justification is crucial
Tag: Justification
The Good Samaritan and what Luke has to say about justification
There are two important clues to show us what the parable of the Good Samaritan is about. First, the parable is preceded by a question from one of the scribes: He asks Jesus what he can do to inherit eternal life and Jesus responds by discussing the commandments with him. The man rightly identifies whole… Continue reading The Good Samaritan and what Luke has to say about justification
Romans 4:16-25
The Law brings wrath rather than righteousness. So, God’s righteousness has to be received through faith, this means that it becomes about God’s grace, it is a free gift not earned. This means the promise is for all of Abraham’s descendants not just law observers. Given the link to circumcision, the implication here is not… Continue reading Romans 4:16-25
Romans 4:13-15
God had made a promise to Abraham back in Genesis 12:1-3, the promise was the basis for the covenant and was repeated at various times. Note that whilst in Genesis 12, 15 etc was on the promise of land, Paul extends this inheritance to speak of the whole world, not just Canaan. Paul insists that… Continue reading Romans 4:13-15
Romans 4:9-12
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
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
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