Jesus didn't know everything. The Jesus that we see in the Gospels is astonishingly wise, insightful, piercing, and perfectly aligned with the truth. He often knows people's thoughts, and other things that no ordinary human being would know. But at the same time, the Jesus we see in the Gospels is not one who is… Continue reading Jesus Didn’t Know Everything
Category: Faith & Life
Advent is Under Way!
This Sunday just past marks the start of the season of Advent. The word 'Advent' comes from the Latin adventus, which means a coming, arrival, or approach. And so in the season of advent, the four Sundays before Christmas, we think about the approach of Jesus and anticipate His coming. Since Christmas is a celebration of Christ's… Continue reading Advent is Under Way!
What does it mean to ‘pray in the Spirit’?
My church recently finished off our Ephesians series, and in our concluding sermon we came across the exhortation from Paul for us to 'pray in the Spirit'. But what does that mean? Is it some special kind of prayer? If so, certainly it must be some kind of extra-spiritual prayer... but how do we know… Continue reading What does it mean to ‘pray in the Spirit’?
Is the Gospel offensive, or are we?
I just recently read an article written in response to the close defeat of a bill to legalise same-sex marriage in New South Wales. I was surprised to find that the article had pretty much nothing to do with same-sex marriage at all, but was instead a vitriolic tirade against Christianity. The author criticised the… Continue reading Is the Gospel offensive, or are we?
Does the Bible Condone Slavery?
Best estimates suggest that over a quarter of the population of the Roman Empire were slaves – a staggering figure. And since it was in the midst of the Roman Empire that Christianity was born, slavery was a reality that Christians have faced since our inception. So how did the earliest Christians view slavery? And… Continue reading Does the Bible Condone Slavery?
Wives, Submit to Your Husbands
As promised, this post is written by a guest-blogger, the lovely Alex Smart. Just as last post was written specifically to husbands on what it means to live out the biblical pattern of marriage in Ephesians 5 (loving their wives), so this post is to wives on what it means to submit to their husbands. Before… Continue reading Wives, Submit to Your Husbands
Husbands, Love Your Wives
This post is a follow-up to the one I put up earlier in the week on Ephesians 5:21-33 and what the Bible teaches about gender roles in marriage – that husbands are to sacrificially love their wives as Christ loved the church, and wives in turn are to submit to their husbands. But what does that… Continue reading Husbands, Love Your Wives
God’s Controversial Gift for Husbands and Wives
This past week my church looked at Ephesians 5:21-33, a controversial passage where God gives us a window into His good and perfect plan for marriage. It's unfortunate that I have to use the word 'controversial' in there, but the reality is that this passage – wielding provocative concepts like headship and submission – is… Continue reading God’s Controversial Gift for Husbands and Wives
“Preach the Gospel, Use Words If Necessary”
We've all seen this quote thrown around at some point or another, and perhaps you've even quoted it yourself: "Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words." – St. Francis of Assisi. Seems like a good quote – it sounds pretty spiritual, and you definitely get extra points for quoting an old monk.The… Continue reading “Preach the Gospel, Use Words If Necessary”
Sin and God’s Sovereignty
Most Christians are willing to say that God is sovereign – that He is in control of everything. But what about sin? Isn't sin a rebellion against God? If God is sovereign, why does sin run rampant, why do bad things happen, and why does suffering exist? If God is sovereign, why did He allow… Continue reading Sin and God’s Sovereignty