Greyleads

Archive for the Theology / Religion Category

How N. T. Wright stole Christmas

Author, Simon.
Published, December 27, 2009.
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Over at Credenda/Agenda, Peter Leithart has written a telling article reflecting on how Jesus has been de-politicised, and de-contextualised by films, churches, and Christmas carols. He blames (thanks, really)) Tom Wright for this realisation.
No film ever gives us what Wright says we should be looking for: a “crucifiable” Jesus, a Jesus who does something so [...]

TNIV going off the market

Author, Simon.
Published, September 8, 2009.
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After much conjecture and controversy, the Todays New International Version has been taken off the market. As of 2011, the TNIV will be replaced by an updated New International version. While my interest in bible translations is fairly limited, this is a bit interesting, and could be something to think about for owners of a [...]

Silence in church, and in our lives.

Author, Simon.
Published, July 22, 2009.
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Mark Dever writes at 9Marks:
There’s silence between various aspects of the service. I encourage service leaders to NOT do the “no-dead-airspace” TV standard of busy-ness. We LIKE “dead air space.”  “Dead air space” gives us time to reflect.  To collect our thoughts.  To consider what we’ve just heard or read or sung.  The silence amplifies the words [...]

The Justification Debate: A handy summary

Author, Simon.
Published, July 2, 2009.
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Christianity Today has published an article on what is one of the most significant theological debate happening within the church at the minute: the debate on the doctrine of Justification. I have briefly referred to this debate here. While it tends to annoy me, it is actually very interesting that the two men who are leading their [...]

“I am God, there is no other”: God’s uniqueness

Author, Simon.
Published, May 6, 2009.
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From Abraham Piper, at Desiring God:
Bruce Ware began his message today saying, “One of the clearest and most forthright themes in Scripture is this: There is one and only one God.”
Then he read us these verses:

Exodus 8:10
Exodus 15:11
Deuteronomy 4:35
Deuteronomy 4:39
2 Samuel 7:22
Psalm 86:8-10
Jeremiah 10:6-7
Isaiah 40:18
Isaiah 40:25
Isaiah 43:10-11
Isaiah 44:6-8
Isaiah 45:5-7
Isaiah 45:18-19
Isaiah 45:21-22
Isaiah 46:5
Isaiah 46:9-10

Amen to that. [...]

An Easter reflection

Author, Simon.
Published, April 17, 2009.
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Reflecting on the reality of the Easter week, and the remarkably great and marvelous reality of Easter Sunday, I am moved by what God has done through Jesus Christ. I wish I was moved more, really. John Piper, at Desiring God, wrote a great article (10 years ago, now) reflecting on how “The greatest thing in the [...]

“Not going to Sunday school no more.”

Author, Roger.
Published, March 31, 2009.
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Simon, it is funny you should mention Calvin and Arminius and the debate between them and their followers.  There have been some interesting discussions in a Theology class that I myself am not privy to at my college.  The class is grace and eschatology—and as such has everything to do with salvation (or soteriology).  I [...]

Theological fights, and 1 Corinthians 1

Author, Simon.
Published, March 26, 2009.
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1 Corinthans 1:10-17 reads:
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling [...]

The lack of Sin in the church

Author, Simon.
Published, February 5, 2009.
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Before I am accosted for suggesting that the church needs more misbehaviour from it’s members, let me clarify myself. (Also, I am going to use two dirty words; ‘doctrine’, and ’sin’. Brace yourselves!) I am referring exclusively to the doctrine of Sin. I speak, here, of what the Bible says about our condition, and the [...]

The best of the blogs, this Christmas

Author, Simon.
Published, December 24, 2008.
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Well, ’tis Christmas Eve, and all is quiet. Except it’s probably not. Anyhow, I thought I would give easy access to some thoughtful blog posts regarding Christmas. Here they are:
At The Resurgence, Jonathan Dodson gives a reflection by Bono, on Christmas. Here, both men ponder “the poetry” and “genius of the incarnation. Peter Jones also [...]