Tag: The Law

How Reading Proverbs has helped my understanding of the rest of the Bible

I love the Proverbs but my appreciation of them has grown when I’ve spent time reading them as a book of the Bible, not just selecting memorable ones to quote.  You see, whilst we tend to treat them as a source book for lots of anatomised wise advice, I believe that we are meant to… Continue reading How Reading Proverbs has helped my understanding of the rest of the Bible

What do I owe Him?

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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?

Jesus on divorce … is he harsher than the OT Law? (Mark 10:1-10)

“The Old Testament God is all about Laws and rules. He’s harsh.  The New Testament God is loving and kind, he is easier to follow because of grace.” How often have you heard something like that said?  Does Mark 10:1-10 support or go against that assumption?  Jesus is confronted by some of the Pharisees and… Continue reading Jesus on divorce … is he harsher than the OT Law? (Mark 10:1-10)

ministry nuts and bolts: What does the pastor need to know about the law?

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Guest Post from Richard Pennington I’m grateful to Dave Williams for letting me contribute to his series of articles about ministry nuts and bolts, although this a a very general note as the detail would run to too many pages! I write as a retired solicitor and I dealt in my career of over 30… Continue reading ministry nuts and bolts: What does the pastor need to know about the law?

Surviving or thriving? A Biblical Theology of grace and law

This week’s podcast is based on a sermon I preached recently for our church. Here’s my outline notes. Introduction What does it mean to live in God’s presence – to please him? Grace came first last week – a good thing. Law – we are going to trace a theme through the whole Bible story… Continue reading Surviving or thriving? A Biblical Theology of grace and law

Under new management (Romans 7:1-6)

Near where we live is a restaurant. Whilst we’ve been living here, it has changed names a number of times.  There’s a reason for that. The original restaurant had a bad name for poor quality food and dodgy hygiene. However, I think that on a few occasions, the name change was merely cosmetic.  If you… Continue reading Under new management (Romans 7:1-6)

COVID-19 update: What is the present reality and should Christians break unreasonable laws?

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COVID-19 cases are on the increase again around the world and here in the UK. At the end of last week, new restrictions were introduced for the whole of England limiting the number of people who could socialised together to 6. Similar rules with some variations were introduced in Scotland.  Meanwhile, from tomorrow we will… Continue reading COVID-19 update: What is the present reality and should Christians break unreasonable laws?

Skin Deep? Anger and Murder

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Have you ever called anyone a fool or an idiot? I would probably do better to ask if anyone has not called someone that!  So, we probably should take Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:21-26 seriously. But doesn’t the Bible, Paul and even Jesus himself refer to people as fools and foolish?  So, what exactly is… Continue reading Skin Deep? Anger and Murder

Hardening my heart to my own testimony

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The theme of Hebrews 3 is that Jesus is greater than Moses. The argument building up through Hebrews is that Jesus fulfils and therefore is greater than all of the Old Testament. He is greater than the prophets, greater than angels, greater than Moses and the Law. In Hebrews 3, we see that Jesus is… Continue reading Hardening my heart to my own testimony