Last month Jason Roach wrote an article for Evsngelicals Now looking at how the Gospel deals with our shame as well.aa our guilt. It was a very helpful article showing how some cultures are more alert to one or the other. The only change I would make is to give more emphasis to the fact… Continue reading Shameful … Why EN need to be wise about what they publish on their letters page
Tag: shame
Was the woman at the well ever married? A response to Denny Burk
Denny Burk writes here, speculating on whether or not the woman at the well (John 4:1-26) was married to any of the 5 men Jesus refers to. His argument is based on the fact that the same Greek word, “aner” can be translated simply as “man” or as “husband” depending on context. Though having made… Continue reading Was the woman at the well ever married? A response to Denny Burk
Rahab
To illustrate what he means by faith and works going together, James points to two Old Testament characters. The first and perhaps obvious one is Abraham (James 2:21-24). James reminds us of the statement that “Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness” from Genesis 15. He argues that this was particularly… Continue reading Rahab
Bad timing
The King is restless and unable to sleep. This is a little bit of a theme in books describing the exile. Think of how Darius is restless whilst Daniel faces his ordeal in the lions’ den. To keep him occupied, and perhaps to read in a rhythm, that will help him drift off, the chronicles… Continue reading Bad timing
Longevity is not the same as faithfulness (and why grace matters)
A friend of mine frequently points out the nonsense of saying that something has “stood the test of time”. It’s not really a test that tells you anything more than that the specific thing has been around for a long time. As Christians, we rightly value faithfulness and this does mean that believers, leaders and… Continue reading Longevity is not the same as faithfulness (and why grace matters)
The danger of legalism
A big theme throughout Galatians is that we are no longer under subjugation to The Law. This meant that Galatian believers were not to be subjected to the rituals and ceremonies of Judaism. It also meant that people were not to be excluded from belonging and fellowship on that basis. So, an important application from… Continue reading The danger of legalism
What is legalism? Faithroots Podcast
The Truth about Cats and Dogs
This was the opening illustration and title of a series of talks I did for a church on the weekend away several years back. I asked the question “What is the difference between cats and dogs”. There are two answers. The first is : When you welcome a dog into your home, feed it, provide… Continue reading The Truth about Cats and Dogs
Guilt, Grace and Forgiveness
I‘ve found, when I’m preaching, that when I touch upon the subject of guilt, something resonates. I pick up on it subjectively as I sense people’s attention being grabbed and as I watch body language and facial expressions. I pick up on it objectively as the level of feedback picks up! So guilt seems to… Continue reading Guilt, Grace and Forgiveness
Penal Substitution: Steve Chalke and the Lost Message of Jesus, 20 years on
In 2023, a little book by a prominent Christian communicator shook the evangelical world. Steve Chalke stated in “The Lost Message of Jesus” that the doctrine of Penal Substitutionary Atonement if true would amount to “cosmic child abuse.”[1] It’s important to be clear about what he wasn’t saying. Chalke did not claim that the atonement… Continue reading Penal Substitution: Steve Chalke and the Lost Message of Jesus, 20 years on
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