I hesitate to contribute anything on this subject, discussion of which tends generate more heat than light. But perhaps if only to demonstrate that there is a way of seeking to be faithful to Scripture which does not amount to a homophobic rant, I offer the following.
I remember that when I was at school in the 1960s, our class was informed that about 10% of the population was homosexual. …
It was Galileo who said, ‘I do not feel obliged to believe that that same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forego their use.’
And A.W. Tozer reminds us, ‘the mind is good – God put it there. He gave us our heads and it was not his intention that our heads would function just as a place to hang a hat.’
But the mind is apt to be neglected by well-meaning Christians.…
In our own relatively affluent culture, we need help to make godly choices about leisure and recreation. Time for some Puritan wisdom. The following quotes are from William Perkins:-…
We tend to think of satire as a rather modern thing. The 21st century, however, does not have a monopoly on stupidity, and therefore does not have a monopoly on the use of satire as a means to expose that stupidity.
Satire has three main elements: a target, a vehicle, and an implied norm against which the target is criticised. Satire is often accompanied by a comical or mocking tone.
The flaws of biblical characters are often exposed satirically. …
This blog is written from an evangelical and reformed perspective. Such a perspective contrasts with theological liberalism. But what is meant by liberalism? I can’t think of a better short analysis than that of J.I. Packer in New Dictionary of Theology (IVP), in an article entitled ‘Liberalism and Conservatism in Theology’. I quote this article at length:-
‘Liberal’ as a self-commending description, implying readiness to welcome new ideas and freedom from the restraints of obscurantist traditionalism and irrational bigotry, has been adopted at various times over the past 150 years by 1.…
The issue
Lee Irons summarises the issue:
‘As is well-known, the phrase pistis Christou in Paul’s writings (e.g., Gal 2:16, 20; Rom 3:22; Phil 3:9) is grammatically ambiguous. The genitive Christou could be taken in an objective sense (“faith in Christ”) or a subjective sense (“Christ’s own faith”). Since the Greek word pistis can also mean “faithfulness,” most who hold to the subjective genitive interpretation render the phrase “the faithfulness of Christ.”’
Scholars (e.g. Leon Morris, Dictionary of Paul and his Letters) tell us that the Greek word ‘pistis‘ usually means ‘faith’, but can occasionally signify ‘faithfulness’. …
Do you believe they asked me
In a life after death
And I answered: Yes
But I could not explain
What it might look like
There
One thing only I knew
Not a hierarchy
Of saints sitting on golden throne
Not a fall
Of damned souls
Only
Only love made free
Never exhausted
Flowing over me…
Do you not then, ask the questioners
Expect more after death?
And I answer
Not less
David Lawrence, who quotes these lines by Marie Luise Kaschnitz, comments, ‘An expectation that the future holds “more not less” is wonderful but is this really all God permits us to know?’ …
Emerging Churches by Eddie Gibbs and Ryan K. Bolger (2006) gives a sympathetic and insightful account of an important movement within the contemporary church. Subtitled Creating Christian Community in Postmodern Cultures, it is based on the views and experiences of 50 leaders from within the EC movement on both sides of the Atlantic. I would like to summarise and review Chapter 2 of the book – What is the Emerging Church?…
The first substantial thing I read about the emerging church was Don Carson’s Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church. Carson is careful to note the positives that can be found in the emerging movement, but also identifies some major problems. Particularly noteworthy are his critiques of Steve Chalke’s unfortunate The Lost Message of Jesus and Brian McLaren’s frustrating A Generous Orthodoxy. I have read both these latter books too and I’m convinced that Carson has got his evaluation about right. …
‘If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times.’
‘Yes, I realise she is very busy, but I really do need to see the doctor today.’
‘When will you ever learn?’
I wonder if you have ever felt like a broken record?
Well, you’re in good company. The book of Judges is God’s broken record. Its starting point is the conquest of the promised land under Joshua. By the end of the book, 200 years later, we’re on the verge of the period of the kings, the time of Saul and David. …
