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 Wisdom
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…
Interpreting 2 Samuel 13:1-22
“But Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad, for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had violated his sister Tamar.” (2 Samuel 13:22 ESV). I was a little surprised to come across a reference to a Cotterell and Turner’s book…
Spurgeon and the Lord’s remedy
CH Spurgeon is often noted as not only an extraordinary preacher but a pastor who had to deal with melancholy and depression. Some years ago I came across this wonderful ‘God-give remedy for melancholy’. (It was quoted by John Piper…
Destiny – facing reality
“A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. …Is there a thing of which it is said, ‘See, this is new’? It has been already in the ages before us.” (Ecclesiastes 1:4, 10). “A wise believer…
Destiny – prepare to die
“What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Back in my College days I wrote an essay on the book of…
A Surprising Omission
Dale Ralph Davis made my ‘Top 5 commentaries on 2 Samuel‘. He did so easily. It’s a superb commentary. There is a quote of Alec Motyer on the front cover of my edition which captures my sentiments: ‘I have lost…
Beware congealing!
I’ve been reading the PG Wodehouse novel ‘A Pelican at Blandings’. I’ve read it before but I do so enjoy savouring a Blandings saga before bed. The other night I came across this lovely description concerning Lord Emsworth who has…
The Gospel Romance
Those who have listened to my ‘Riding on the Clouds’ podcast will know that I’ve often referred to the writing of Raymond C. Ortlund Jnr. Mary and I also had the privilege of listening to and meeting Ray at a…