In my first post I noted the differing reactions amongst evangelicals to the issue of whether Christians should seek to argue for biblical ethics to be put into national legislation. In this post I want to argue for an “interventionist” position- or, to put it another way, provide reasons for signing the Coalition for Marriage […]
On July 17th this year, the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act became law. It is now legal in this country for two people of the same gender to marry. Bible believing Christians obviously have a problem with that- God’s pattern for marriage revealed in creation is between a man and a woman. So how should […]
This time last week I was enjoying a beautiful view over the Brecon Beacons. The view at the moment is slightly less impressive- I’m trying to get my office ready for the visit of the Manse electricians over the next few weeks so I am sitting amidst a mass of books and boxes. But I […]
Just over a week ago we held a Guest Evening considering the question above. We decided to go for that issue because a number of friends of church members had been asking it- partly in the light of questions off the back of Dan Brown and Melvyn Bragg and partly because some of our ethical […]
Over the past ten days or so I’ve watched two of the BBC’s Easter programmes. There was more traditional fare available (Easter from King’s College and a Songs of Praise)- but I watched Ann Widdecombe on Christianity and Comedy and Melvyn Bragg on Mary Magdalene. Trust be told I watched them before going to bed […]
Somewhat belatedly here is the last post considering Romans 8:18-27. So far we have seen that the Christian should expect suffering but that this is achieving a glory- one second of which will extinguish a lifetime of suffering. So, for the moment, everybody is groaning. Why? Because glory will be so good. Paul says that […]
So why be a Christian when to be one brings a guarantee of suffering? Here is how Paul goes on: I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. It is easy to read a verse like that and assume Paul is playing down our […]
Apologies that the next three posts won’t have a Christmas feel. With three Christmas sermons to preach any inspiring (or mundane!) thoughts on Christmas are going to land in those! I’ve just finished preaching through Romans 5-8. However, the sermon on Romans 8:18-27 didn’t record properly. One or two people have asked me about it […]
Let’s be honest- that’s not the most gripping title in the world (those who have listened to me enough will know that titles are not my strong point…). However, I do think understanding the difference between these two things and how they work together is helpful in understanding and living the Christian life. I’ve been […]
Last Sunday we looked at the second half of Romans 7. I’m not intending to use this post to defend my position- suffice it to say that I’m not convinced Paul is describing the normal Christian life. Regardless of whether you agree or not it seems to me that our three conclusions are important: Sin […]