Bible

Acts 19-28: Moving from Proclamation to Defence of the Gospel

Tue, 09/08/2022 - 12:58 -- James Oakley

I have long found David Gooding's book, True to the Faith, a really helpful look at the book of Acts, mapping out how Luke's story unfolds and how it teaches us in the process.

As I look at chapters 19-28, he introduces his section on this with the following really helpful paragraph (page 338 in my 1990 edition; I'm not sure how much material has been added by the currently in-print 2013 edition to move the page numbers on):

Blog Category: 
Acts

Principalities and Powers in Ephesians

Wed, 27/04/2022 - 11:22 -- James Oakley
Nicholas Roerich, Battle in the Heavens

I'm greatly enjoying reading Against Principalities and Powers: Spiritual Beings in Relation to Communal Identity and the Moral Discourse of Ephesians by Daniel Darko (published 2020 by Hippo Books).

He explores the significance of the spiritual powers in Paul's letter to the Ephesians, suggesting that we in the West often don't feel the full force of the letter's message because we are not atuned to see this as important.

Blog Category: 
Ephesians

Alan Stibbs commentary on 1 Peter

Thu, 04/11/2021 - 11:44 -- James Oakley
Alan Stibbs commentary on 1 Peter

This blog is many things, but one of them is a kind of commonplace book where I can jot things I want to find later, but done in a public blog because the things I want to find later may help others too.

Blog Category: 
Peter

The miraculous catch of fish in John 21

Tue, 27/04/2021 - 15:44 -- James Oakley
Tabgha, Sea of Galilee

This Sunday I'm preaching on John 21:1-14, the miraculous catch of fish. I've been asking myself why this miracle is recorded in John's gospel. Here are some thoughts.

What's the Puzzle?

Here's why the question needs asking. The story is a miracle (the catch of fish), and a post-resurrection appearance (“Afterwards Jesus appeared again to his disciples. … This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead”).

Blog Category: 
John

New Year, Read through the Bible

Fri, 01/01/2021 - 11:13 -- James Oakley

Christians need breadth as well as depth as we read the Bible. As we enter a new year, why not resolve to start the habit of reading right through the Bible - not just once this year, but as part of a routine that will feed and sustain you for the rest of your life. Here are 3 tools to help you do so, and a copy of the Bible reading plan I use personally.

Blog Category: 
Bible

Beware of Apathy

Thu, 31/12/2020 - 14:55 -- James Oakley

As we look at the visit of the Magi in Matthew 2, the obvious lead human characters in the story are Herod, the Magi, and Jesus himself. These are the lead protagonists and antagonists.

Whilst the Jewish priests are more flat, functionary characters, we mustn't miss the contrast Matthew deliberately paints between them and the Magi.

Michael Green comments:

Blog Category: 
Matthew

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