Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Grace in ministry: Avoiding the shipwreck (1 Timothy 1:12–20)
“There was a widespread view expressed by participants that within [the church] culture there was an over-emphasis on sin and an under-emphasis on grace”. The report describes how this grace problem permeated the culture. It affected membership commitment expectations, views of authority, pastoral care, and more. And yet, the thing is: Nobody would deny that…
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“Paul within Judaism” and Romans 2:17–29
My article on Romans 2:17–29 supports one key feature of the “Paul within Judaism” perspective, but undermines another common feature.
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The goals of Bible teaching (1 Timothy 1:1–11)
In gospel ministry and Bible teaching, if you’re not committed to the right goal, or if you have the wrong goal, it’s not just a matter of being ineffective: you’ll be downright dangerous. So what is that goal? What are you seeking to achieve in your gospel ministry and Bible teaching – now and in…
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Slow-burn crazy-making behaviours: recognising and responding
Do you know someone who seems to have drama and problems constantly appear around them? Whenever you relate to this person, perhaps you find yourself feeling vaguely guilty, or uncomfortable, or put down, or obligated to affirm them? Do you often feel like you’re questioning yourself and your actions because of what they say and…
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Romans Crash Course (video)
A 75 minute video course in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans designed for church members and leaders.
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The mistranslation “call yourself a Jew”: A myth-busting story (Romans 2:17)
This is a story about a scholarly myth and how I had the chance to bust it. I’m talking here about a small but significant 20th century biblical translation: “call yourself” instead of “are called” in Romans 2:17.
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The named Jew and the name of God: A new reading of Romans 2:17–29
I’ve just had an article published in the journal Novum Testamentum. In it, I provide a detailed defense of my new reading of Romans 2:17–29. This passage is not primarily about Jewish salvation – rather it’s primarily about Jewish teaching and God’s glory.
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Preaching the Pastoral Epistles
A one-hour audio seminar with principles and ideas for preaching the biblical books 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus (“Pastoral Epistles”)
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A Crash Course in Romans: Livestream
Here’s a
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What’s wrong with the world? Is there hope? (Ephesians)
Guilt, weakness, spiritual slavery, prejudice, arrogance, tribalism, conflict, war, victimhood, persecution, pain, suffering, futility, ignorance, lying, deceit, anger, theft, greed, pornography, sexual sin, darkness, fear, drunkenness, substance abuse, domestic abuse, workplace abuse, spiritual powers… In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he says many things about the problems we face in this world. He also gives…
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What does Ephesians say about reconciliation?
We humans are not very good at living up close with others. This is especially true when we have a history of conflict with those others. Reconciliation isn’t easy. No matter how much you might want healing, it’s hardly ever a matter of just everybody getting on and pretending the hurts didn’t happen. In Paul’s…
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Lift Your Eyes – How it works
Lift Your Eyes: Reflections on Ephesians. Here’s a video where I explain how the free online resource works.
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Review: The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman
I need to understand the people around me, so I can live for the gospel among them and speak the gospel to them. To do that, I need to understand the people around me. That’s where Carl Trueman’s book is so incredibly valuable.
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What does Ephesians say about church?
There are so many ideas about what the church is should be. How do we navigate them all? Here are ten key reflections from Ephesians.
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Supersessionism and the New Perspective
Here are my views on the issue of the New Perspective and Supersessionism, in light of a debate in the Harvard Theological Review.
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The powerful Christian life: according to Ephesians
What do we do when we feel weak in the face of powerful people? Here are seven key reflections on power from Ephesians.
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Liturgy Song – Moore College Revue 2020
Here’s a tribute to our online chapel experience in mid-2020 at Moore College, in the full spirit of parody. I wrote it for our Moore College Revue, and had much fun performing it with Jordan Smith and Monique New.
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My grandfather’s part in a WWII mission over Modane
A journey of discovery of some of my family history. My maternal grandfather, Allan Fisher DFC, flew a mission over a rail yard in Modane.
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What can we learn about prayer from Ephesians?
Prayer: What are you doing when you pray? Who are you praying to? Why does it matter? Here are three reflections on prayer from my series on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. #liftyoureyes
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Salvation in Ephesians
Here are the key reflections on the topic of salvation in Ephesians in my series Lift Your Eyes: Reflections on Ephesians
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Who are “the saints” in Ephesians?
Who are “the saints” in Ephesians? Only Jewish believers in Christ? Or all believers in Christ? Here’s my answer.
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Ministry and mission in Ephesians
Here are the key reflections on the topic of ministry and mission in Ephesians in my series Lift Your Eyes: Reflections on Ephesians
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The doctrine of God in Ephesians
Here are the key reflections on the topic of The doctrine of God in Ephesians in my series Lift Your Eyes: Reflections on Ephesians
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Humility in Ministry #3 (Romans 11)
God achieves his purposes through the gospel—with you and without you. A sermon on Romans 11 at Moore College chapel.
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Humility in Ministry #2 (Romans 10)
Since the gospel is about believing not achieving, Christian ministry is about speaking not achieving. A sermon on Romans 10 at Moore College chapel.
Got any book recommendations?