We tend to emphasise that we are saved by grace alone so that we cannot boast in our works and this has tended to result in a dismissal or downplay of the suggestion that good lives here can affect our experience of eternal life and the extent to which we will be rewarded in heaven. … Continue reading Are there different levels of reward in “heaven”?
Tag: New Creation
The wedding day
Faithroots Podcast on Revelation 21-22
There is a hope
Throughout Isaiah, among all the warnings of judgement and desolation are scattered promises of salvation and restoration for God’s people. In the early parts of the book, the theme of judgement is the one that dominates but there is light in the darkness with the calling of a messenger, glimpses of God’s glory and the… Continue reading There is a hope
Eschatology and Isaiah
Isaiah frequently employs imagery that looks back to Eden to envisage an ideal world where there is peace and harmony not just between humans but also between creatures. A classic and well known example of this would be 11:6-9 where famously, lions, wolves, leopards, lambs and calves can live side by side and small children… Continue reading Eschatology and Isaiah
The New Heavens and New Earth
What is your experience of living in “the now and the not yet” between Jesus first coming and second coming? Are you looking forward to his return, excited about eternity? Do you ever become despondent and ask “How long?” Does it ever feel as though God is distant and silent? Read Isaiah 65 -66 Yahweh’s… Continue reading The New Heavens and New Earth
Disability, discrimination and New Creation
Yesterday on my twitter timeline, a tweet came up from someone who seemed deeply angry and offended. They took exception to evangelical theology of renewed and restored bodies, especially when suggested that those with disabilities would receive them. Their anger arose from having a relative with Downs Syndrome. They couldn’t imagine them without Downs Syndrome… Continue reading Disability, discrimination and New Creation
Something new (Isaiah 11)
Here is my talk outline from this Sunday. Audio to follow … The talk bit of church shouldn’t just be intellectual – calls for response But what is our response meant to be? Can become “self help/legalism” So we need to start with things to know/believe… that should warm our hearts to worship What we… Continue reading Something new (Isaiah 11)
When patching up no longer works
Our previous car lasted us a good decade. Well, strictly speaking it lasted a good seven years. Then things started to go wrong. Every time the car went in for service, it would come back with a big bill to pay and a significant bit of work. Then there were the times when we had… Continue reading When patching up no longer works
We need to talk about death
I’ve lost four friends during the past year. As it happens only 1 of those deaths was recorded as COVID related. However, the presence of the pandemic has made us more alert to death. There is something grim about the arrangements of funerals with the restrictions on who can attend and the required social distancing… Continue reading We need to talk about death
In the beginning (Matthew 1:1-17)
Introduction Two things that have been coming up in my Bible reading and in the thoughts we’ve been sharing online over the last few weeks have been The cry of ‘how long oh Lord’ expressed by God’s people in the face of suffering Can we trust God to keep his promises? These questions are deeply… Continue reading In the beginning (Matthew 1:1-17)
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