Divine Love and the case for Open Theism

The crucial question when making a decision about Open Theism is whether or not it faithfully points us to the God of the Bible.  As I mentioned in my previous article, a key starting point for Open Theism is 1 John 4:8 where the apostle says: 8 But anyone who does not love does not know… Continue reading Divine Love and the case for Open Theism

Abandoned? How do we square the difficult bits of Song of Songs?

I keep coming back to the question that Mike Ovey frequently asked his students at Oak Hill, “Will you let God disagree with you through his word?”   The point he would make was that we can tell the difference between an imaginary friend and a real friend by whether or not the friend disagreed with… Continue reading Abandoned? How do we square the difficult bits of Song of Songs?

Notes on Song of Songs

part of Holy Bible (focus point on center of photo)

Genre Wisdom Literature and Poetry.  Wisdom literature is a specific genre within Scripture.  My definition is that “Wisdom Literature enables us to discover God’s wisdom for life by reflecting through poetry on God’s Law (Torah) and the redemptive history of God’s people.” For Christians we must first of all see this applied to and through… Continue reading Notes on Song of Songs

Saying goodbye to mum: Between joy and grief

On December 2nd at just around 4am in the morning, my mum went to be with her Lord and Saviour.  It has been a roller coaster 10 days prior to this.  Mum had gone into hospital the week previously for planned surgery knowing that at her age there were risks but confident in Jesus that… Continue reading Saying goodbye to mum: Between joy and grief

The sheep with a broken leg? The danger of embellishing Scripture

Herdsmen Sebastien Uthurriague (R) and his father Michel watch their Manex sheep in Iraty, Larrau, in the Pyrenees on July 24, 2019. - In the 'Ibarrondua kayolar' (shepherd house), at 1300 metres, at the foot of the Mount Orhy, eight herdsmen take turns from June to September to watch some 1,500 sheep and to prevent bear attacks. (Photo by IROZ GAIZKA / AFP)

I’ve only heard the claim once from a pulpit but perhaps that was already one time too many. I’ve since come across other people who have heard the claim.  A preacher talking about the Lost Sheep in Luke 15 claimed that after finding the sheep, the shepherd would then break one of its legs. The… Continue reading The sheep with a broken leg? The danger of embellishing Scripture

What do I owe Him?

Photo by Oleg Magni on Pexels.com

Jesus is engaging all comers in debate, there have been Pharisees, Sadducees and Herodians. One lawyer has been hanging back, observing. Now, he steps in with his question. Mark leaves open the question about whether this is intended as another trap but observes that this man has been impressed by Jesus’ answers so maybe there… Continue reading What do I owe Him?

Are you ready to have the tough conversations?

If you are a pastor or elder in the church, then your responsibility is to provide and protect.  We see this in Acts 20:28-31 28 “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood[h]—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.[i] 29 I know that false teachers, like… Continue reading Are you ready to have the tough conversations?

Christ loves you … so let him

I’ve shared a few articles about the Song of Songs recently. This week I’m going to be sharing some teaching Podcasts stepping into the book in a bit more detail. If you want to read some of the articles introducing Song of Songs please check out this tag. Here’s the first audio talk And here… Continue reading Christ loves you … so let him