Category Archives: Index

N. T. Wright’s After You Believe: Introduction

I got this book for free in exchange for agreeing to review it. But I didn’t promise a favorable review. Just a review. And I was thrilled to get this book for free, because otherwise I’d have bought it — … Continue reading

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The Fork in the Road: On What God Wants, Continued

[Moved and expanded from the comments] Guy, You ask such interesting questions! How are ceremonies and rituals antithetical to God wanting our love? When God prescribed various ceremonies and rituals to be performed by the Jews of the OT, did … Continue reading

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The Fork in the Road: Beware the Pattern!

My article “Beware the Pattern!” appeared at New Wineskins earlier today. I just wanted to make sure everyone knew I’d actually read Behold the Pattern! — several times, in fact. For those not familiar with the background, some years ago, … Continue reading

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Advice on a Bible Study

I get emails — We average about 100 on Sundays and are blessed with an abundance of men and women who know the Bible well. I am writing you because I need some advice. Recently, I asked for a meeting with the men of … Continue reading

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The Fork in the Road: Does God Deny Forgiveness Until We Repent?

The classic proof text used to argue that we are unforgiven until we specifically repent of each sin and ask for forgiveness is the story of Simon Magus. (Acts 8:14-24) When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted … Continue reading

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The Cruciform God: Chapter 2, Gal 2:15-21, Part 1

We’re continuing our study of Michael J. Gorman’s Inhabiting the Cruciform God. Gorman offers an extensive interpretation of Gal 2:15-21 to explain “justification” in Paul. Now, among scholars, there’s quite an extensive debate going on regarding how to understand Paul … Continue reading

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The Fork in the Road: In Reply to Guy (On What God Wants)

[Moved and expanded from the comments] Guy asked, But what “commands” specify how we are to love God? Does love for God collapse into love for neighbor?–IOW, that’s the only command God expects us to obey as a means of … Continue reading

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The Fork in the Road: Must We Confess Sin to be Forgiven of Sin?

Recently, I’ve been pretty bold in the comments to declare as “deadly dangerous” and “deeply wrong” the idea that when we sin, we are damned until we obtain forgiveness by confessing, repenting, and asking forgiveness. I thought I should take … Continue reading

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Communion Meditation/Election: John 6:44 and the Passover, Part 4

Epilogue — The Watch (Mark 14:33-34)  He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. … Continue reading

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An Experiment in Christian Dialogue: Heb 7:14

In a sermon outline called “The History of Instrumental Music,” Justin Imel writes, In speaking of the change of the priesthood, the author of Hebrews writes, “It is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that … Continue reading

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