As noted previously, David and Jonathan Gibson have beef with John Stevens over his book “The fight of your life.” Some of their critique is rather peculiar. They acknowledge that it is a short, pastoral work (in fact it was based on a series of talks” and then complain that rather than engaging at length… Continue reading “But I wish you had tap danced”: Why good interpretation of Scripture, historical theology and contemporary conversation partners matters
Tag: sin
Sin, desire and temptation -going a bit further
I’ve recently started to engage with a recent debate/controversy that has been brewing. I think this has primarily been at an academic level, although London Seminary’s Pastor’s Academy seems to be promoting in conferences around the UK. It seems that a significant contribution to the debate is through those seeking to insist that there is… Continue reading Sin, desire and temptation -going a bit further
“Temptation comes from our own desires” What does James have to say about sin, desire and temptation?
James 1:13-14 says: Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire (ESV). The NIV translates epithumia as “evil desires”, although whilst… Continue reading “Temptation comes from our own desires” What does James have to say about sin, desire and temptation?
Concupiscence, contraception and pastoral carelessness
In his chapter of Ruined Sinners to Reclaim, Stephen Wedgeworth outlines his understanding of a Protestant doctrine of concupiscence before landing on two areas of application, both are around sex and sexuality. The second is about same sex attraction but the first is about contraception. Whilst he doesn’t go so far as ruling out contraception… Continue reading Concupiscence, contraception and pastoral carelessness
More on sin, desire and the normal Christian life
This week I’ve introduced a discussion to the blog around sin and desire first in reference to how we approach Romans 7 and secondly by beginning to look at a particular doctrinal controversy around “concupiscence” or desire. Significant to the conversation is what John has to say both in 1 John 1:8-9 and 1 John… Continue reading More on sin, desire and the normal Christian life
Romans 7, the normal Christian life and missing the exam question
There are a few debates going on around the question of sin and the believer at the moment. They seem to link back to a current fascination amongst reformed academics about concupiscence. I’m intending to write a little bit more about this over coming months. However, one strand I’ve just picked up on s a… Continue reading Romans 7, the normal Christian life and missing the exam question
What should we do about Halloween?
Graham Nicholls writes for Affinity about the dilemma that many Christians face when approaching Halloween. I suspect that the dilemma arises because the event itself is messy. You are encountering not just one festival or “holiday” but several and they have all got muddled up together. First (though not chronologically) there’s the festival from which… Continue reading What should we do about Halloween?
Can babies sin? Navigating a current controversy
Apparently, the latest dispute to occupy people’s head space and get a thousand fingers tapping passionately at their keyboards, is the question about whether or not it is possible for babies to sin. The big claim has been that if you are reformed, then you should recognise that babies sin. The practical focus seems to… Continue reading Can babies sin? Navigating a current controversy
Cowardice, sin? Does the church need to repent over COVID?
We are now 4 years on from the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and 2 and a half years on from the full re-opening of life in the UK which effectively marked its end. The UK have been holding a public inquiry to learn lessons from the pandemic and some Christians have been encouraging the… Continue reading Cowardice, sin? Does the church need to repent over COVID?
True repentance
How does grace work in the life of the believer? The answer is that it does in pretty much the same way as in the life of a new convert. God’s grace by bringing down the proud and lifting up the humble starts by working repentance in our hearts A look at the text (Read… Continue reading True repentance
Faithroots 