Over at Unsettled Christianity, Leslie Keeney offers a short review (quite positive) of the “progressive reformed view” which I argued on justification. Read more

More theological wisdom from the great Africa theologian Tertullian: We do not now treat of the law, further than (to remark) that the apostle here teaches clearly how it has been abolished, even by passing from shadow to substance—that is, from figurative types to the reality, which is Christ. The shadow, therefore, is His to whom belongs the body also; in other words, the law is His, and so is Christ. If you separate the law and Christ, assigning one... Read more

Peter Head makes the sad announcement about the passing of British NT scholar Richard France. I learnt this morning that Dick France had died on 1oth Feb 2012. I studied Mark’s Gospel with Dick in 1985-86 at LBC. They were great times with a small group of us gathered round the text under Dick’s guidance. His books (especially Jesus and the Old Testament and Matthew: Evangelist and Teacher) have been a constant source of good judgement and good material for lectures, and his commentaries... Read more

 Read more

Here’s a fresh take on the concept of humility I came across recently: What exactly is humility? Does it mean speaking of ourselves as unaccomplished, even when this is not the case?  In truth, humility is not difficult to define (though it is hard to embody). It means not regarding ourselves as more important than other people, including those who have achieved less than we have. And it implies judging ourselves not in comparison with others, but in light of... Read more

O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Read more

This week I’ve been reading some Tertullian when I’ve had the chance. Gotta quote his opening to book five from Against Marcion: If you challenge us to your belief, (pray) tell us what things constitute its basis. Either prove the truth of what you believe, or failing in your proof, (tell us) how you believe. Else what conduct is yours, believing in opposition to Him from whom alone comes the proof of that which you believe? Take now from my... Read more

Alexander Schmemann in his book Great Lent refers to Lent as the “School of Repentance”. Writing for an Orthodox readership, Schmemann has something nevertheless to say to us all Christians. We are approaching again the Great Lent-the time of repentance, the time or our reconciliation with God. Repentance is the beginning and also the condition of a truly Christian life. “Repent!” was the first word of Christ when He began to preach (Matt 4:17). But what is repentance? In the... Read more

As I’ve posted previously with reference to Advent, I have decided to orient my spiritual life this year around the Christian liturgical calendar. As I said before, I am 40 years old, I’ve grown up in the church, I have a Ph.D. in New Testament, I’m a pastor, and as crazy at it sounds I have only in these recent months come to know anything about the Church’s liturgical year. Over Advent and Christmas I led my young family through... Read more

I just heard that the New Covenant Commentary Series is now available on Logos Bible Software. You can get the volumes on Romans (Craig Keener), Ephesians (Lynn Cohick), Colossians/Philemon (Michael Bird), and Revelation (Gordon D. Fee) for $79.95. More volumes to come including Scot McKnight on Matthew and David deSilva on 2 Corinthians. Read more