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Resources to help you to better understand the Bible

Biblog

In my Bible Blog, I post thoughts and answers to questions about particular Bible passages.

Discussions of particular parts of the Bible

Old Testament

New Testament

  • Gospels
  • Acts
  • Paul's Letters
    • The New Perspective on Paul: Summary and reflections
    • The Fulfilment of the Covenants: an Acovenantal Perspective on Paul. The New Perspective on Paul and the ancient Qumran sectarians have this in common: they use the term 'covenant' as a sociological catch-all term to describe the relationship between God and a specific community. But this essay argues that, according to the Bible (especially Paul), Christians are not in a 'covenant' with God at all. Rather, the old and new covenants were instruments that God used historically to bring about our relationship with him. This relationship is a spiritual union with Christ by faith, not a 'covenant' in the biblical sense.
    • The Indicative and Imperative in Paul: If we are saved through Jesus' death alone, why should we do anything for God? If God wants us to do something for him, does that mean that our salvation is dependent on our actions? What is the relationship between the statements of gospel assurance and the commands to act in a certain way? This essay explores this issue in Paul's letters.
    • Cross-shaped Wisdom: 1 Corinthians 1 (A Biblical Theology Briefing)
    • Galatians 3:28 - "Neither Male Nor Female":

      What does this verse mean when it comes to male-female roles and relationships? Is it a "Magna Carta for humanity" that teaches complete functional equality of every human being in all areas of life? And what have Christians down through the ages taught about this verse?

      Michelle Philp explores the meaning of this much-quoted verse in its context, and assesses the history of interpretation of Galatians 3:28 from the early Christians to the present, with special reference to the phrase "neither male nor female".

      Synopsis:

      This examination of the history of interpretation of Galatians 3:28 reveals that until the nineteenth century commentators understood Paul to be teaching a ‘complementarian view’ of equality for salvation which does not remove social distinctions/roles. No orthodox commentators on this text from the Patristic period through to the Reformers argued for a view of equality that blurred or removed distinctions. The departure from this historic interpretation is shown to have occurred in the nineteenth century under the influence of the Enlightenment concepts of equality where equality in one thing necessitated sameness in all things. The ensuing tension with other Pauline texts that assume distinctions were explained away using historical-critical methods from the same era. Drawing on the nineteenth century egalitarian understanding of Gal. 3:28 it is seen how feminist interpreters move a further step away from the traditional understanding due to their imposition of feminist culture on their hermeneutic.
    • Knowing Jesus as my boss: Ben Pakula, accomplished Christian children's musician and my personal friend and colleague, sings a song about justification by faith alone based on Philippians 3:2-9. This is just a sample of an excellent album aimed at primary school students called "A Very Special Tent", which will be released in April, 2008. Look at Ben's blogfor details about ordering the CD.
    • 1 Timothy 2:8-15: the issue of women preaching to mixed adult congregations
    • 1 Timothy 3:15: What is the Local Church? A discussion in light of the Knox-Robinson articulation of the doctrine of church.
    • Titus 2:3-5: Hand-me-ons: A sermon by Sandy Grant

Resources for the Whole Bible

Topical and doctrinal issues