I picked up on a discussion the other day about Paul’s relationship to the Gospels. The original questioner observed that there was a notorious issue with Paul’s lack of reference to the Gospel accounts in his letters and sermons. The usual assumption for this is that Paul wrote first with the Gospels coming much later… Continue reading Paul and the mysterious Jesus quote
Tag: Paul
The Sweet Exchange (Reformation Reflections)
Sorry for the delay in getting this one out. Here’s the final in our mini series on justification and righteousness.
The Curse
Covenant History blessed in God’s presence, cursed by exile from it To understand the Covenant ceremony, we need to go back to Genesis 1-3. God creates a good world and also plants a beautiful and secure garden for the first humans, Adam and Eve, to live in. Adam is commissioned to tend to the garden… Continue reading The Curse
Reformation Reflections (2) Judgement Day
Who remembers the dread of parents’ evening?
What drives false teachers, bullies and abusers?
False teachers also tend to be bullies and abusers. The reverse is also true, abusers and bullies tend to be false teachers if they happen to be involved in church life and leadership. There are a couple of reasons for this. First of all, false teaching is itself a form of spiritual abuse, secondly false… Continue reading What drives false teachers, bullies and abusers?
Depression tells you that you are weak – and that’s okay
It’s the funny thing about Sertraline. Every morning if you’ve been pre-scribed it, the box sits there on the breakfast table as a reminder that you need to take your medication. And each morning, it shouts out to you “You are so weak.” It’s funny because you don’t think that when you get up and… Continue reading Depression tells you that you are weak – and that’s okay
Phoebe
Here’s our last clue when thinking about deacons. At the end of his letter to the Romans, Paul greets a number of people in the church. First of all, at the head of the list is a woman named Phoebe. Rather than greeting her, Paul commends her. “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a… Continue reading Phoebe
Law and Spirit: A COVID Parable
Imagine this: it’s summer 2021. After extensive trials and tests, the COVID-19 vaccine is available. It has been internationally confirmed to be reliable, safe and effective. Here in the UK it is available to you for free. What would you say to someone who is choosing to refuse the vaccine and instead is insisting on… Continue reading Law and Spirit: A COVID Parable
What should we look for in missions presentations?
This post is prompted a little by Steve Kneale’s article where he describes sitting through a missions’ sermon. It got me thinking a little about what we expect in and from a missions talk. So often the aim of a such a presentation (aside from sharing specific prayer points) tends to be about persuading me… Continue reading What should we look for in missions presentations?
#BlackLivesMatter or #AllLivesMatter ?
My wife is a teacher. As a teacher, she wants to ensure that all of the children in her classes are treated equally and fairly. However, she has discovered over the years that “treating fairly” does not mean “treating the same.” She has learnt that if the gap is to be closed for boys then… Continue reading #BlackLivesMatter or #AllLivesMatter ?
