James's Weblog

Many of us have been taught many times over that the gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh pointed respectively to Jesus royalty, his priestly role or his divinity, and his forthcoming death and burial.

R T France would caution us here, and helpfully allows the rest of the Bible to tell us what they signify. Letting Scripture interpret Scripture is always a far safer bet than guessing or importing symbols from elsewhere. So here is what he suggests: … Read more about Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

The Adam Smith Institute have published an article (provocatively) called The Church of England is barking up the wrong tree.

It is well worth reading, inviting us to think a little more carefully what a Christian engagement in the realms of politics and economics should look like. … Read more about The church's engagement in politics and economics

Don't worry, I won't really return it.

But I don't think she lives here, do you?

… Read more about Return to sender - not at this address

That is one of the most fruitful questions I've asked of this familiar Psalm.

As I explained about a year ago, the book of Psalms is not 150 prayers and hymns in random order. It's sometimes hard to know exactly what conclusions we should draw from the order the Psalms are in, but that they have been carefully arranged is beyond doubt. … Read more about Why is Psalm 8 in Book 1