Puritans on recreation
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:-…
Satire
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. …
What is Liberal Theology?
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.…
Rom 3:22; Gal 2:16 – faith in, or faithfulness of Christ?
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’. …
Life after death
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?’ …
What is the Emerging Church?
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?…
Reading about 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. …
Judges 3:7-11 – God rescues – sermon notes
‘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. …
Preachers and their preaching – Charles Simeon
Charles Simeon (1759 – 1836) was converted to faith in Christ while he was a student at Cambridge University. He became the minister of Holy Trinity, Cambridge, where he overcame resentment and prejudice to exercise an influential evangelical ministry.
Simeon’s approach to preaching has been discussed by J.I. Packer in an essay entitled ‘Expository Preaching: Charles Simeon and Ourselves’. This was first published in Churchman in 1960, is reprinted in Packer’s Collected Shorter Works (Vol 3), and is available online here.…
Mk 5:21-43 – Healing faith – sermon notes
The early chapters of the Gospel of Mark present a number of aspects of Jesus as healer. They teach of his healing power, his healing touch, and his healing word. In this passage, it is healing faith that comes to the foreground. I would like to assume that you have been impressed by his great power, attracted by his compassionate touch, convinced by his authoritative word. I would like to encourage you to have faith in Jesus the healer. …