April 30th, 2012
There is a real danger of misinterpreting Ephesians 5:22-33 if we miss Paul’s main point.
Tags: chiasm, Christian marriage, headship, male headship, marriage, sanctification, submission
Posted in Christology, Equality and Gender Issues, Equality in Marriage | 7 Comments »
April 9th, 2012
Today I found out that some Roman Catholics believe that Jesus is eternally on the cross (and eternally a baby in Mary’s arms.) What does the Bible say about this? [800 words]
Tags: at the foot of the cross, exaltation, kenosis, prayer, Roman Catholic, the Cross
Posted in Christology, Worship and Prayer | 8 Comments »
March 28th, 2012
Excerpt: Rather than spending my time and energy trying to understand hell, I am still trying to get my head around some of the amazing realities of what it is to be a loved, redeemed and adopted child of God. [300 words]
Tags: eternal life, hell, inheritance
Posted in Christian Living, Salvation and Eternal Life | 2 Comments »
March 17th, 2012
For most of my Christian life I have had the impression that Jesus lived on earth as a poor man. Lately a few verses have come to mind which make me think that Jesus was not as poor as I have previously been led to believe. [800 words]
Tags: equality, Koinonia, Martha, Mary of Bethany, poverty
Posted in Christian Living, Christology | 2 Comments »
December 26th, 2011
The Messiah, the promised Saviour, had come into the world. Here was good news for everyone (Luke 2:10). But was the declaration of “Peace on Earth” by the heavenly host for everyone? (Luke 2:14) Where is this peace?
Tags: Christmas, it came upon a midnight clear, peace, restoration, Shalom
Posted in Christian Living, Christian Theology | 2 Comments »
December 1st, 2011
In this seven-part series for Christmas, I look at the theology of Jesus’ incarnation as depicted in illustrations typically found on Christmas Cards and in religious art; and I compare these traditional images with what Matthew and Luke wrote about the Nativity in their Gospels. [250 words]
Tags: Christmas, incarnation, Mary and Joseph, the birth of Jesus, the Nativity, the true story of Christmas, virgin Mary
Posted in Christian Theology, Christology, Church History | 4 Comments »
December 1st, 2011
Christmas card illustrations frequently depict scenes of snug security and domestic comfort. This is in contrast to Mary’s scandalous predicament of being pregnant and unmarried. Her situation was full of uncertainties and risk. [600 words]
Tags: Christmas, incarnation, Mary and Joseph, the birth of Jesus Christ, the Nativity, the true story of Christmas, virgin Mary
Posted in Christian Theology, Christology, Church History | 4 Comments »
December 1st, 2011
The 100km journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem would have been arduous; especially for a heavily pregnant woman. Was Mary always the image of piety and serenity as depicted on Christmas cards and in religious art? Or did she, like most of us, become irritable, impatient or weepy when exhausted and uncomfortable. [350 words]
Tags: Bethlehem, Christmas, incarnation, Luke 2:1-5, Mary and Joseph, the birth of Jesus, the Nativity, the true story of Christmas
Posted in Christian Theology, Christology, Church History | 1 Comment »
December 1st, 2011
Christmas cards often show the new born Jesus surrounded by farm animals. Was this really the case? And what is the significance of the “manger” mentioned three times in Luke chapter 2? [800 words]
Tags: Bethlehem, born in a cave, Christmas, incarnation, kataluma, Luke 2:6-7;, manger, Mary and Joseph, Migdal Eder, Passover lamb, phatne, stable, the birth of Jesus, the Lamb of God, the Nativity, the true story of Christmas
Posted in Christian Theology, Christology, Church History | 10 Comments »
December 1st, 2011
Most Christmas cards indicate that Jesus was born at the time of the winter solstice and they often incorporate elements of pagan mid-winter celebrations in their illustrations. Was Jesus born on the 25th of December at the time of the winter solstice? Or could he have been born at the time of Spring lambing or even during the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles? [1000 words]
Tags: Christmas, holly and ivy, saturnalia, the birth of Jesus, the Nativity, the true story of Christmas, when was Jesus born, winter solstice
Posted in Christian Theology, Christology, Church History | 11 Comments »
