What founds unity?
“Some controversy is crucial for the sake of life-giving truth. Running from it is a sign of cowardice. But enjoying it is usually a sign of pride. Some necessary tasks are sad, and even victory is not without tears –…
Category Bible
Marathons & the Big Picture
Over the past week, I’ve watched a few video clips of Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge running last Sunday’s Berlin Marathon where he set the new world record for men of 2:01:09 (Sunday 25th September 2022). I’ve only run one marathon at a much…
Paul and Ecclesiastes
“For the creation was subjected to futility…” (Romans 8:20) The Greek word, mataioteti, translated futility in the ESV of Romans 8:20, has been much discussed by commentators. The noun only occurs in two other places in the New Testament (Ephesians 4:17,…
The Spirit of Prayer
“Hannah wept…She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly.” (1 Samuel 1:7, 10). Dale Davis notes that there is a myth which circulates around the church that runs along the line that Old Testament believers didn’t have…
Flesh and Spirit
“The Egyptians are man, and not God, and their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out his hand, the helper will stumble, and he who is helped will fall, and they will all perish together.” (Isaiah…
Yet in God new vigour
‘In that day I will gather the halting…’ These words are from John Calvin’s commentary translation of Micah 4:6 (though strictly speaking it is John Owen translating Calvin’s Latin). A week ago I headed up to the gym where I…
Leithart on the heart
I’ve been preparing a sermon on Romans 6 this week. The baptism language of Paul (6:1-4) drew me to read Peter Leithart’s book on ‘Baptism – A Guide to Life from Death‘ (2021). It’s a great little read on the…
God’s story in Sydney today
“everything written about me…must be fulfilled.” (Luke 24:44) I arranged for a guest preacher to speak at our church while I was on holidays. Unfortunately, he came down with Covid and so, while away, I had to arrange something else.…
Get to know the OT – with Nancy Guthrie
Over the last few years while travelling in the car, I have listened to a number of the ‘Help me Teach the Bible’ podcasts which Nancy Guthrie has produced (sponsored by Crossway). The podcast involves an interview with a biblical…
Wisdom in 2 Samuel 13
I find that 2 Samuel 13 raises quite a few interpretation questions for me as I read it. In some ways the broad themes are very clear but there are all these small details and words and phrases which connect…