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Doubting the virginal conception

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In her book The Historical Jesus: a Guide for the Perplexed Helen Bond sets out what might be regarded as a ‘main-stream’ critical view of the virginal conception of Jesus.

Bond notes, first, that ‘large parts of the New Testament appear to know nothing about the virginal conception.’  That, of course, is an argument from silence, and therefore rather flimsy.

She then turns to what she regards as ‘three competing alternatives’ emerging from what the NT texts do say on this matter.…

Miracles and the purposes of God

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The next section of Tim Chester’s book, Do Miracles Happen Today? that I would like to summarise is that part of chapter 5 which deals with ‘miracles and the purposes of faith.’

Chester believes (with John Stott) that miracles are certainly possible, but not as common as they were in, say that time of Jesus and the apostles, because one of the main purposes for miracles – attesting to God’s unfolding revelation – no longer applies.…

The pattern of miracles today

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A third section of Tim Chester’s Do Miracles Happen Today? that I would like to consider is the part of chapter 4 where he outlines the circumstances in which miracles are more likely to happen today.

1. On the frontline of mission.  John Stott writes: ‘Especially on the frontiers of mission, where a power-encounter may be needed to demonstrate the lordship of Christ, miracles have been and are being reported.’

As Chester says: ‘There are a number of things that make people more inclined to pay attention to the Christian message: the lives of Christians (Titus 2 v 9-10); our response to persecution (1 Peter 2 v 11-12); the community life of the church (John 13 v 35; 1 Peter 3 v 8-15); the worship of the gathered congregation (1 Corinthians 14 v 23-25).…

Why are there fewer miracles today?

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The second part of Tim Chester’s little book Do Miracles Happen Today? that I would like to summarise and reflect on comes in chapter 3.

While insisting that God can and does do miracles today, Chester says that, in fact, they are fewer and lesser in scope than those that happened at the time of the Gospels and Acts.

Some Christians put this down simply to a lack of faith on our part.  If our expectations were greater, then so would the provision of miracles.…

What is a miracle?

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Introducing a short series based on sections of Tim Chester’s book, Do Miracles Happen Today? And other questions about signs, wonders and mighty works.  The Good Book Company.

In chapter two, Chester discusses the definition of ‘miracle’.

An unusual feat?  The success of Leicester City football team in winning the Premier League in 2016 was an extraordinary achievement (they had odds of 5,000 to 1 against them at the start of the season).  But it was not a miracle.…

Daniel 7:13 – ‘Coming with the clouds of heaven’

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Daniel 7:13f – “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.  He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.…

Is God incarnate in creation?

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Olivia Graham, recently-appointed Bishop of Reading, has given this short theological introduction about why Christians should care for the environment.

I have watched and listened to the whole thing, and agree with Ian Paul that statements such as the following make one’s ears prick up:

2.48 The incarnation isn’t a single birth, but it began 14 billion years ago with an event we call the Big Bang. At that moment, God poured Godself into the emerging universe…every particle of it charged with the incarnate presence of God.…

Gender issues in 1 Timothy – help from Artemis

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1 Timothy 2:9-15 reads (in the New Revised Standard Version):

9 Also that women should dress themselves modestly and decently in suitable clothing, not with their hair braided, or with gold, pearls, or expensive clothes, 10 but with good works, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God. 11 Let a woman learn in silence with full submission. 12 I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent. …

Acts 1:1-11; 2:32-36 – Ascended and exalted (sermon notes)

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Jesus Christ ‘ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.’

Acts 1:1-11; 2:32-36

We have lots of ways of preparing for and celebrating Christmas and Easter.

But what about Christ’s ascension?  For many of us, May 21st 2020 (Ascension Day) probably passed virtually unnoticed.

And yet the ascension is of huge significance.  It is just as important, in its own way, as the birth, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus.…

Christ’s ascension and exaltation – key Bible passages

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(Each reference is given in the NET version and the NIV)

Psalm 68:18 You ascend on high, you have taken many captives. You receive tribute from men, including even sinful rebels. Indeed the LORD God lives there!

18 When you ascended on high,
you took many captives;
you received gifts from people,
even from the rebellious—
that you, LORD God, might dwell there.

Psa 110:1  Here is the LORD’s proclamation to my lord: “Sit down at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool!”…