Today I am re-posting a brilliant set of insightful points recently raised by Peter Mead over at his 'Biblical Preaching' blog. Peter saw parallels with The Last Battle of C. S. Lewis' Narnia series and contemporary culture around the world. It is a great piece of writing. One small snippet of his introduction says, "I... Continue Reading →
Death is a natural human fear. A terror of the unknown and we all must face it. None of us chose to be born and none of us can choose whether we die, but die we must. Terror is the right word too. Terror Management Theory reveals some important insights. From a 2015 book entitled... Continue Reading →
(John 10:1-21) We have seen that each of the Gates of Old Jerusalem rebuilt by Nehemiah following the return of the Babylonian exiles, carries particular spiritual truths that Scriptures reveal to us. Jesus once firmly reminded the two despondent disciples on the road to Emmaus following Jesus’ crucifixion with these words: “Was it not necessary... Continue Reading →
(Nehemiah 3:31) The Inspection Gate, also called Muster Gate or Miphkad Gate. You may also have a footnote in your Bible that refers to it as Hammiphkad Gate. Miphkad means ‘counting’ or ‘numbering’ and is the place where the King would inspect his troops, and number them. Spiritually, this is the gate that signifies that... Continue Reading →
(Nehemiah 3:29) The East Gate has several names: Golden Gate; The Beautiful Gate; or The Gate of Mercy. This Gate is the closest in proximity to the Temple whereby worshippers would enter bringing their gifts and offerings. This Gate faces the Mt of Olives, and would have been in direct line of sight when Jesus... Continue Reading →
In the fragmented and demented culture wars of today, Christians have a Victor and it is only in Jesus Christ that we can survive and thrive in these strange days. Luke 4:1-13 The Plan: Stone-to-bread = self-feeding (Material Temptation) Worship of nations = self-exalting (Sociological Temptation) Jump-off-temple = controlling God (Theological Temptation) The three application... Continue Reading →
(Nehemiah 3:28) In the ancient world, horses were symbols of power and instruments of war. In Deuteronomy 17:16, God warns that any future King of Israel must not acquire too many horses. We may ask why, but the biblical reason given time and again is plain: The more we trust in our own might and... Continue Reading →
John Anderson, former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia for 6 years between 1999 and 2005 under John Howard, enjoys a long conversation with Douglas Wilson on culture wars, American politics, what it means to be a Christian, and whether Christians can be nationalists. Doug Wilson is a theologian, minister of Christ Church Moscow (Idaho), ex-Navy,... Continue Reading →
In the massive volume 'The Modern Theologians - an introduction to Christian Theology since 1918' (3rd ed. 2011), editor David Ford offers an Epilogue: Twelve Thesis for Christian Theology in the Twenty-first Century. They are: God is the One who blesses and loves in wisdom. Theology is done for the sake of God and the... Continue Reading →
(Nehemiah 3:26) Following the life-giving regenerative power of the Fountain Gate, we come to the Water Gate. The Old Testament often symbolised water so as to sybolise the Holy Spirit. This is the singular fact that enables a believer to live a holy life under God’s saving grace. For without the Holy Spirit, we have... Continue Reading →
Gralefrit Theology 