Yesterday I created a file on my computer marked “Infanticide.” I intend to start making notes, collecting articles, and finding materials about the subject. I’ve been thinking about doing it for a while and I’m convinced that now is the time to start gathering info and getting ready to deal with the subject. Let me tell you why. I’m no chess grand master. I’ve read a few chess books, I know a few opening moves, some risky gambits – not... Read more

The COE has released a document from its Faith and Order commission entitled, Men and Women in Marriage. The report ends with these words: It has seemed to some that the disagreement over same-sex marriage is a disagreement over mere names. But names govern how we think, and how we think governs what we learn to appreciate. When marriage is spoken of unclearly or misleadingly, it distorts the way couples try to conduct their relationship and makes for frustration and disappointment. The reality of marriage... Read more

I’m just now rereading my Doktorvater Markus Bockmuehl’s book Seeing the Word, particularly the chapter “Seeing the Son of David”. If you’ve not yet read this book I highly recommend it. I had the privilege of being a member of a reading group that met fortnightly in Markus’ home in Cambridge where we engaged these chapters before they were published. The group was dubbed the “Grandchester Meadows Group”. Here’s a gem from the chapter “Seeing the Son of David”: As... Read more

As part of my move to Ridley Melbourne College of Mission and Ministry, the college is hosting my inaugural public lecture. The topic is: What is “Evangelical” about Evangelical Theology? Tuesday 23 April 10am for a 10:30 start Followed by question time chaired by Principal, Brian Rosner For those in Melbourne, you can RSVP here. Read more

Here is my attempt at a paraphrase of Romans 1:1-17. Does it make people cringe any where? NB: Before people rag on paraphrases, remember this, for me, paraphrases are not substitutes for translation. They are, rather, more like interpretive triage; paraphrases are like the first line of interpretation that we can undertake. Paul Introduces Himself to the Romans (Rom 1:1-7) Paul, a slave of Messiah Jesus, called to be his emissary, and specially commissioned for purpose of announcing the gospel that... Read more

Outreach and the Artist is the name of Con Campbell’s new book. It is about evangelism to and through the creative arts. Con himself – heading to TEDS I should add – is NT scholar and an accomplished jazz musician. The video below gives a cool explanation of the book and what it is about. Now I’m not a musician and I’ll never probably be called “artsy” – but I do love musical theater – and this book is great... Read more

Well, I think First Things is my new favourite journal. In the latest issue, Prof. Philip C. Burcham, Professor of Pharmacology in Perth, Western Australia, has a piece on My Brittle Bones. Burcham documents his life growing up with a brittle bone disease and what happened when his daughter was diagnosed with the same condition. This is what he wrote: After marrying my wife in the United States on completion of my postdoctoral studies, we returned to Australia, where our daughter... Read more

There is an excellent Good Friday discussion on The Cross and the Atonement on ABC Radio with my good friends Ben Myers and Michael Jensen, plus some philosopher dude named Chris Flemming. Anselm cops bit Read more

Congrats to Ben Myers for pulling off the best April’s Fools Day joke ever about the discovery of a new Barth manuscript. I think April’s Fools Day jokes need two elements: (1) Believability; and (2) People wanna believe it! Ben does both. Oh, and see his gloating here! Read more

Rt. Rev. Prof. Paul Barnett (former archbishop of North Sydney) has something to say about the New New Testament … he doesn’t like it. Read here.   Read more