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interpreting the apocalypse
Cafè Apocalypsis is a site to explore for those interested in engaging with theology not straightjacketed by confessional stands. This blog on Seven Tips for Interpreting Symbols in the Apocalypse is a good example of a helpful blog. Of course, it does assume the Apocalypse of John is symbolic and not literal. For many of…
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coram deo
Coram Deo: Before the face of God. The Bible views life as lived out in the presence of God. The image is drawn from Eastern Courts where the King’s servants lived and went about their business in the throne room of the Monarch. Their every activity was visible to the King. They were always alert,…
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he that loses his life will find it
It is impossible to read the Bible and avoid its commitment to reversing many popular human values. God sees things differently from fallen human hearts. For example take the subject of death. Death is a taboo topic in our brave new world. We stress our longevity and try to convince ourselves we are all Peter…
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beneath the cross
Today I heard for the first time Kristyn Getty singing ‘Beneath the Cross. She sings well but the words are the real draw in this hymn. They chime with a believer’s heart. Thank God for modern songwriters who write songs rich in gospel truth. The words are below. Unfortunately there is no youtube link. You’ll…
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reversed sabbaths in luke
The Jewish Sabbath seemed to be a day when Jesus has particular flash points with the religious leaders. In Genesis 1 we discover God takes a sabbath rest having created. There is no command in Genesis that this seventh day should be observed by all mankind. In fact, it is not until Israel comes together…
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with brothers like these…
Donald Ferguson, Nicky Mackison and I all belong to the same church, which is a testament to the grace of God and the ability he gives (Brethren) churches to contain strong-minded people with sometimes divergent views on secondary issues. Both Donald and Nicky have blogs. Nicky’s blog, Restless and Reforming, flirts with Reformed thinking, and…
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and a happy new year
Time rings the changes. It seems but yesterday I was a skinny kid desperate to stay up for ‘the bells’ and hopefully a wee glass of ginger wine or raspberry wine, sometimes, even a glass of port (not sure which age this misdemeanour happened). Mid teenage years meant staying up all night and feeling very…
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for the love of God by carson
Good news for bloggers. Over at Gospel Coalition a new blog has opened. It is daily meditations by D A Carson. It describes itself thus: ‘For the Love of God is a daily devotional designed to walk a person through the Bible in a year while assisting the reader in discovering the riches of God’s…
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whose world?
Consider these two hymns: ‘This world is not my home’ and ‘This is my Father’s world’. Both apparently present a different view of the world. Which is biblically right? Are both right? Are both wrong? Is one more right than the other? Are both partially right or/and partially wrong? Your response to these songs is…
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Jesus is God
Luke 5:4-10 is not an example of reversals as such, however, I should lie to comment on it for I have discovered something I should have observed long ago, but didn’t. In preaching, I have frequently listed Peter’s confession of sinfulness along with Isaiah’s confession of sinfulness in Isaiah 6 as examples of the response…
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post-evangelical. eh!
Over at Evangel Nathan Martin has an interesting interview with Os Guinness. Guinness expresses some views with which I disagree but this quotation I do like. “..for instance in England, there was a vogue for the term, “post-Evangelical.” That’s absolutely ludicrous. If someone is an ex-Evangelical, in other words, they once were an Evangelical, but…
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more luke reversals
We’re looking at the reversals in Luke’s gospel. God’s Kingdom reverses expectations. This reversal is made explicit in Jesus sermon at Nazareth in Luke 4. Luke 4 is perhaps the key to the whole gospel. It announces the core of Jesus’ mission and the gospel of the Kingdom. Jesus announces the reversals as he quotes…
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reversed expectations
Luke’s gospel stresses reversed expectations. It is about the Kingdom of God and this Kingdom specializes in reversed expectations. We noted this reversal in a blog a few days ago. It is signalled right at the beginning of the gospel. Mary praises God as she reflects on her miraculous pregnancy and exclaims: ‘he has scattered…
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just the gospel
The Gospel is the ‘good news’ to a world living on the apocalyptic edge that salvation is at hand. It is the news of rescue. It is the news that God himself has stepped in to avert catastrophe. That is what the arrival at Bethlehem meant that first Christmas morning. It was the arrival of …
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the gospel according to Avatar
Very thoughtful article regarding the Holywood gospel as illustrated by James Cameron’s new film, Avatar
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the mythical gospel of humanism
Most Christmases, I’m not sure about this one, ‘The Wizard of Oz’, the film version of L F Baum’s ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ adorns our screens. It is staple Christmas fare as familiar and as satisfying as turkey and cranberry sauce, or maybe more aptly, Christmas pudding. For many it is probably better known…
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the virgin birth – does it matter?
Kevin DeYoung has a very helpful blog on the importance of the virgin birth. Give it a visit if you can.
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incarnation
In his excellent book, The Person of Christ, Donald Macleod writes, The virgin birth is posted on guard at the door of the mystery of Christmas; and none of us must think of hurrying past it. It stands on the threshold of the New Testament, blatantly supernatural, defying our rationalism, informing us that all that…
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the humble poor believe
The birth of Jesus occasions celebration. At its event angelic hosts voiced their praise. However, there were few of earth’s mighty who celebrated. Those with vested interest, even at his birth, were more intent on violence against him. Luke especially among the gospel writers underlines for us it is largely the poor and insignificant who…
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gospel books
Looking for a late Christmas present for a book-worm? Here are two books that explore the biblical doctrine of Atonement. The first I have read and the second is on my pending pile. Cross Words by Paul Wells. This book by Christian Focus explores the significance of the cross. It interacts with C21 issues as…
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I’m humble and want everyone to know
The gospel produces humble people. Why is it so many of us gospel people lack humility? A telling article by Carl Trueman on blog humility, serendipitous for a fledgling blogger like me. Though, I suspect that ‘serendipitous’ is an example of the very fault the article highlights.
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the gospel is the death of Christ
If the heart of Christianity is the gospel then the heart of the gospel is the death of Christ. It is from the death of Christ that everything else in the gospel flows. This is why every aspect of church practice focuses on Christ’s death. The four gospels that introduce the church to Jesus focus…
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gospel
The Gospel Coalition must be one of the best websites online for Gospel resources. Find it here.
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the gospel
It seems only right that a blogsite which intends to promote,defend, discuss, and champion the gospel should begin with an article that seeks to place the gospel where it ought to be placed – at the heart of reality. Apart from the gospel there is nothing. It is the only life source for a world…
Cave Adullam
Exploring the Bible
Cave Adullam 