Phillip Jensen teases out the true nature of Christian freedom. There are two kinds of freedom. Christian freedom is the freedom to be a servant of others (Gal 5:13)—the freedom to do what I don't like. But the freedom that allows me to do whatever I want is not Christian
The word ‘Torah’ (which is what the Jews call the first five books of the Bible) means ‘instruction, regulation or law’. It occurs throughout key passages in Leviticus (e.g. Lev 6:14, 25; 7:1, 7, 11, 37). Leviticus follows Exodus 40, where Moses sets up the tabernacle according to God's instructions
Church government, with its talk of elders, deacons, overseers and offices, can be bewildering. But as Steve Cree argues, perhaps that’s because we’ve lost sight of the mission of Christ. Have you ever noticed the defining factor in most denominational names—Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Congregational, Pentecostal, Independent? It’s a particular understanding
Guan’s story so far in four sentences: Guan likes self-deprecation, but isn’t very good at it. He is ever so slightly obsessive about his iTunes collection, he is married to M,1 and at the time of writing (2008), he has just started ministry training (MTS) at the University of New
I am one of the few who doesn't regularly follow the worldwide hit show 24. My days are certainly not as action-packed as Jack Bauer's. But I know that Bauer's work isn't as important as what I've been involved in over the last 24 hours of my life. Here are
The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism Tim Keller Dutton, Penguin, New York, 2008. 293pp. Hodder & Stoughton, London, 2008. 320pp. Tim Keller’s The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Scepticism is a pleasant, readable introduction to the gospel, set in the context
Carl Trueman is the Academic Dean and Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, as well as a Consulting Editor for Themelios. Paul Grimmond caught up with Carl when he was in Australia in 2009. Paul Grimmond: I understand that one of your great passions
My friend and I were visiting another friend's church, enduring that uncomfortable time after the service when you stand around, a cup of lukewarm tea in one hand and an Arnott's biscuit in the other, feeling like you have the word ‘visitor’ tattooed across your forehead and waiting for someone
Did the Apostle Paul come up with the Christian faith? Did he misrepresent Jesus’ teaching? Furthermore, why do Paul’s critics accuse him of having done so? Paul of Tarsus Paul of Tarsus was very impressive in his times, and has had a powerful influence on world history and culture. His
The Trellis and the Vine: The ministry mind-shift that changes everythingColin Marshall and Tony PayneMatthias Media, Kingsford, 2009. 196pp.(AUS | US)Mark Dever must have been exaggerating. This is what I thought when I read his endorsement: “the best book I've read on the nature of church ministry”. Coming from Mark,