A theology of creation

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In this interview, D.A Carson points out that whereas for many Christians, when thinking about the doctrine of creation, focus on the age of the cosmos, the theory of evolution, and so on, the Bible itself emphasises other things – especially the implications of creation.

Carson focuses especially on the first two chapters of Genesis.

The following is a precis.

1) God comes first. God is not dependent on us, although Scripture will show that there was a perfection of Trinitarian love in the past. …

After Adam

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I here summarise, without comment or critique, the following article:

Harlow, Daniel C.  ‘After Adam: Reading Genesis in an Age of Evolutionary Science’.  Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, Volume 62, Number 3, September 2010.

If we accept the modern scientific consensus on the age of the universe (13.8 billion years) and of the earth (4-5 billion years), and of the existence of a multitude of species prior to the appearance of homo sapiens, then a literal, factual reading of Genesis 1-3 becomes problematic.…

Yes, I must learn how to interpret the Bible

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Based on:

Carson, D. A. ―Must I Learn How to Interpret the Bible?  Modern Reformation 5:3 (May/June
1996): 18–22. Updated 2003.

What parts of the Bible are binding mandates for us, what what parts are not?

  • Should we ‘greet one another with a holy kiss’?
  • Should we wash one another’s feet?
  • If the answer to the preceding question is ‘No’, why do we follow the Lord’s command, ‘Do this in remembrance of me’?
  • Should we execute adulters by stoning?
…

Heb 2:9 – ‘Apart from God’

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Heb 2:9 – ‘We see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by God’s grace he would experience death on behalf of everyone.’

Summary

An alternative reading has ‘apart from God’ (χωρὶς θεοῦ), instead of ‘by God’s grace’ (χάριτι θεοῦ).  The evidence for this alternative reading is weak.

In detail

Hagner thinks that the evidence for the accepted reading is ‘overwhelming’. …

Phil 2:6 – Christ ‘did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped’

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Phil 2:5 You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had,
2:6  who though he existed in the form of God
did not regard equality with God
as something to be grasped,
2:7 but emptied himself
by taking on the form of a slave,
by looking like other men,
and by sharing in human nature.

This text is relevant to discussions about the Eternal Submission of the Son.

The word ‘regard’ (ἡγησατο) potentially sheds light on the thought processes of the Son in eternity past. …

May we refer to God as ‘she’?

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I draw on an article by Ian Paul, entitled:

Can we describe God as ‘she’? Does it matter?

A recent Communion Service at Hereford Cathedral began with an Introit which re-writes Psalm 23 as follows:

The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all I need, She makes me lie down in green meadows, Beside the still waters, She will lead.

She restores my soul, She rights my wrongs, She leads me in a path of good things, And fills my heart with songs.

…

Who misrepresented whom?

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It would be amusing, if it were not so distressing, to note that evangelicals are by no means exempt from the danger of misrepresentating one another.

One such instance involves Andrew Bartlett, author of Men and Women in Christ: Fresh Light From Biblical Texts, and Sharon James, in her review of that book.

Bartlett complains:

‘According to James: “Throughout his book, Bartlett uses ‘patriarchy’ … as a smear word”. But I don’t use the term “patriarchy” at all.

…

Cross Vision 8 – Divine Aikido

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A precis of chapter 9.

This chapter deals with ‘the myth of redemptive violence’.

‘Sometimes love leaves us with no other choice but to let go of a loved one and allow them to suffer the consequences of their own self-destructive decisions.’

Does God resort to violence when dealing with sin?

‘We humans rely on brute force to stop evil only because we lack the character and wisdom to see alternative ways of arriving at peace (Luke 19:42).

…

James 1:2f ‘Consider it pure joy’ – really?

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[Notes of a talk given at the Service of Thanksgiving for God’s goodness during the recent illness and ongoing recovery of Sarah Mason.  Holy Trinity Norwich, at 2pm on Saturday 8th July 2023]

‘Consider it pure joy’ – Really?

James 1:2f – ‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.’

Or as a well-known saying puts it:

‘God is good, all the time.  All the time, God is good.’…

Richard Baxter on contemplation

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Richard Baxter wrote about contemplation in A Christian Directory and The Saints’ Everlasting Rest.

Following Baxter distinguishes between the contemplative life and the active life:

‘Every active christian is bound to somewhat of contemplation; and all contemplative persons are bound to obedience to God, and to so much of action as may answer their abilities and opportunities. But yet some are much more called to the one, and some to the other; and we denominate from that which is most eminent and the chief.

…