Recently I read about the infancy narratives in Luke in a book about John the Baptist. This listed the extensive parallels in Luke between the birth of John the Baptist and the birth of Jesus. But today, reading Mark’s account … Continue reading
Matthew records a parable of Jesus, which Jesus told in Jerusalem a few days before his death. It is the story of a king holding a wedding banquet. Matthew 22:1 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2 “The … Continue reading
When Jesus was baptised, heaven was opened. Why was heaven opened at the baptism of Jesus rather than some other time? I think that the answer lies in looking at two things: 1) the experience of Jesus – because this … Continue reading
“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4) Psalm 37:4 is a well known verse of scripture. In this verse the desires of the heart are positive, God-honouring desires. These desires … Continue reading
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the … Continue reading
1 Corinthians 15:1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to … Continue reading
New Testament Visions[1] and the Gospel Several years ago a man came to speak in the church I was then attending. I will not name him, because I consider what he said to be heresy. Much of the sermon was … Continue reading
Recently someone asked me about how to determine the call of God on a person’s life. I have been pondering this question and this is an attempt to answer that question. Relationship So how do I know that what I … Continue reading
In a recent conversation with the [principal] of Tabor College, we that we should include a chocolate cookbook in the College library in order to offer an all rounded education. Someone suggested writing a theology of chocolate. As may be … Continue reading
NIV Revelation 8:1 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. What does this mean? The problem with the book of Revelation is that Christians are afraid to read it because they … Continue reading
Introduction In thinking about the preaching of John the Baptist and of Jesus, I see that much that passes for evangelism today is nothing of the sort. John the Baptist proclaimed that people needed to repent because the kingdom of … Continue reading
There is a song which states that there is nothing which can make God love you more and nothing which would make him love you less.[1] This is the generally accepted wisdom in Christian circles. God is love and he … Continue reading
Today being father’s day I was thinking about fathers and especially about the Fatherhood of God. So many people have experienced very poor fathering. Many fathers are abusive, absent – either physically or emotionally – or inadequate in some other … Continue reading
Introduction The book of Hebrews has much to say about Christian maturity. As maturity is something which is appropriate for Christians to strive for[1], an examination of what this book has to say should be helpful in attaining the goal … Continue reading
18:1-4 1) Hezekiah was good king; a rare commodity in Judah. He tried to please God in what he did and he got rid of the idols in the land. There were two kinds of idols – the Canaanite idols … Continue reading
A devotional meditation on the parallels between Adam and Eve as the first marriage and Christ and the Church. Is the Church a helper fit for Jesus? How is this possible? Introduction Peter has been talking about various understandings of … Continue reading
Last week Irene spoke about the past and the future and Paul’s statement in Phil 3:13-14 “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining … Continue reading
There has been a lot of talk lately about stepping off the concrete square and letting God move etc. The result has been several people speaking about what God has shown them. It is a good thing to allow the … Continue reading
Singing a great hymn in church, which contains the line “my life is hid with Christ on high”, set me to wondering what this means. Here is an exploration. Colossians 3:2-4 reads, “Set your minds on things that are above, … Continue reading
This is an exploration of Paul’s discussion about women being veiled in worship (1 Cor 11:3-16). 1 Corinthians 11:3 But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of … Continue reading
Introduction Last time I took communion I spoke from Exodus chapter 12 about keeping your shoes on. I want to look at a further part of this chapter regarding the blood on the doorposts. Ex 12:6,7,22b,23 “Take care of them … Continue reading
Caution Paul says, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ”. In some sense I can rightfully say that too because to some extent I have grasped hold of what I am about to say and then in another sense you and … Continue reading
his came about as the result of my pondering the question of how redemption can be accomplished without having the events of atonement take place externally those who are redeemed by the cross of Christ. I was considering the answer … Continue reading
Recently I had a discussion with a conservative minister regarding the role of women in the church, specifically the matter of women in public ministry to congregations of women and men. We do not see eye to eye on this. … Continue reading
Some recent experiences of ‘unanswered’ prayer have set me thinking about the reasons for the lack of answers. (I am sure that other Christians have experienced the same confusion as to why some prayers have gone unanswered.) At first I … Continue reading
This exploration has arisen because I have encountered some Christians who seem to seek particular experiences. I wanted to know how any given experience could be evaluated to determine whether it is something given by the Holy Spirit. I am … Continue reading