On this site, you can read about, comment on and contribute to my ongoing reflections as I wrestle with questions about God, Faith, Life, The Bible, Church and Theology.
All in Biblical Studies
The very first choice in the Bible involves food and I don’t know about you but I find this simple story really easy to relate to. I really like food and really enjoy cooking. But, particularly when I’m at home for an evening by myself, I will often reach for the zero effort, don’t have to think, I want it so I’ll take it kind of food…
The biblical writers are creative, artistic, and clever with their use of words. They don’t just want to report facts and events, they want to move and shape the way that we think about them. One of my favourite examples of this is the way that the author of 1 Kings writes about Solomon. If we look closely at his use of artistic flair, an interesting picture begins to emerge; one that changes the way that we think about Solomon entirely…
The early chapters of Genesis contain a number of stories about people attempting to become God(s) in their own right and on their own terms. In each case, the narrative exposes both the foolishness of and the deeply painful consequences of such ventures. What’s strange and ironic though, is that these people were invited to enjoy god-like status, power and authority. In fact we all are… But what does that truly mean? And how can we learn from the stories of those who have reached for it and failed?
We should approach the Bible like we we would exploring a new landscape… not looking to conquer but to soak it all in and enjoy it. Not trying to dictate what we will find there but open to discover all that is has to offer. Respecting that it is unfamiliar, unpredictable, strange, but seeking to grow in familiarity, confidence and awareness of how to navigate it well. Seeking to follow others and lead trips ourselves in the hope that those we journey with fall in love with landscape for themselves.
At the beginning of Deuteronomy, Moses recounts the people’s journey through the wilderness. What is interesting though is that his retelling of events appears to involve a rather – what shall we call it – creative? – relationship with the truth! He certainly appears to have a somewhat selective memory of events. How should we respond to this and what lessons might we learn from it…?
As I’ve reflected on the many distressing stories filling up my social media this week, of those I know and love being on the receiving end of such toxic-masculine culture, I have been reminded of the various biblical accounts of women who’s stories have been uncomfortably exposed for all posterity. In many ways, nothing has changed… To those men reading; we have to stand up and take notice…
There is a beautiful linguistic quirk in the Bible that I’ve been mulling over for a while now. It has to do with the continual use of subtle directional language. It turns out this is all over the canon but is often subtle and so not always linked up and fully appreciated. The more I’ve followed this grammatical thread through the scriptures the more intriguing, pervasive and profound it has become.
Simeon is awesome! He only makes a brief cameo in Luke’s gospel but he still manages to leave a big impression! For a start, he seems to have Yoda like levels of spirituality…
What Zechariah sings here is nothing short of the gospel itself. At long last Yahweh has come to redeem his people. The exile is completely over. Their shame is being rolled away. The prophecies spoken over the house of David about a future Messiah are being fulfilled…
The prophetic song that Luke attributes to Mary is nothing short of remarkable! It contains so much about the nature of God and His heart for mankind. It celebrates the salvation plan that has been unfolding for centuries. And it points towards the kind of Messiah Jesus will be…
I find this brief anecdote delightful and fascinating! Mary rocks up at Elizabeth’s house and before they’ve gotten further than “hello” John the not-yet-born-but-will-grow-up-to-be Baptist starts doing a joyful jig. As he does so Elizabeth, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, suddenly realises and starts shouting…
The key to enjoying the Bible is to find something that captures your imagination and encourages you to read further. Happily, I think there are several different starting points that can be adopted by anyone at any time that can help do just that…
The amazing thing about God is that, He never expects us to get it in one go but instead step by step, lesson by lesson, experience by experience, He gently ushers us forwards.
I’ve been having many conversations with young people recently about my thoughts on the first few chapters of Genesis and what they tell us about our beginnings. So here is a brief outline of what I believe, the gaps in my thinking, and what challenges the youth have given me...
