Are you a Jewish Christian or a Christian Jew or both? Are you a Friend of Israel, a Conservative Friend of Israel, a Christian Friend of Israel or whatever? Are you a Messianic Jew, a Hebrew Christian or Jewish Christian? What is your primary identity? The International Development Secretary Priti Patel was formally reprimanded by …
Category: Definitions
Secular repentance
Repentance means 'a change of mind'. It is commonly associated with Christian theology, which majors on the need for 'repentance unto life'. However, it is possible to change one's mind from bad to worse – in other words, there are different forms of repentance. Christian teaching on metanoia, the Greek word that the New Testament uses …
The language battle
The language battle has been in progress for well over a century, but it is now reaching a critical tipping point. Take for example the family. The European Convention on Human Rights says that everyone is entitled to family life. However, when the definition of a family is changed to include homosexual couples, their right to …
Revisiting the 1967 Abortion Act
The 50th anniversary of the 1967 Abortion Act made the BBC revisit the debate about abortion in The Moral Maze. Confusion, obfuscation and biblical illiteracy are still the order of the day. The debate proceeded along the usual lines to little effect, so it is worth recording here a list of the topics which are …
Academic exegesis
Academic exegesis is that form of interpretation which copies academics or authority figures rather than doing proper exegesis. The Lord Jesus Christ cut through this in His teaching, so that people were astonished at His teaching. Academic exegesis is seen in the translation of various biblical passages. Current Bible versions are the product of teams …
What is Effectual Calling?
Effectual Calling is the call of the Gospel taking effect. The call of the Gospel is often ignored, in spite of its free offer and wonderful terms that sinners might have peace with God and eternal life. Sometimes the call of the Gospel to follow Christ has a temporary effect, as Jesus taught in the …
Atheists believe in God – they just don’t believe in the devil
Agnostics are more honest than atheists. Agnostics acknowledge that they do not know if there is a God, but atheists declare confidently that there is no God. Rationalism Does this mean that atheists have searched the Universe and concluded that there is no God to be found? No - they have not searched the Universe. …
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When did the Bible last change your thinking or behaviour?
Christians claim to be submissive to the Word of God. They acknowledge that they are not 'the finished article'. So when did the Bible last change your thinking or behaviour? The development of one's Christian character is effected by the Holy Spirit applying the Word of God to one's thinking, speech and behaviour. It is …
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The Synoptic Solution to the Synoptic Problem
The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) have many similar stories, but with very slight variations. For example, Mark tells us Jesus healed blind Bartimaeus Mk 10:46, but Matthew tells us that Bartimaeus had another blind companion Mat 20:30, with the same request at the same time Mat 20:33. So why did Mark mention only …
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What is the Gospel?
The Gospel is the good news of the free offer of eternal life through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only Advocate and High Priest for sinners. The apostle Paul summarised the essential elements in the Gospel at the beginning of his famous defence of the bodily resurrection of the …
Donald's Thoughts 