G.K. Beale on the Expected Universalization of the Old Testament Land Promises
‘In this essay, G. K. Beale explores the Old Testament land promises to Israel, examining the idea that the promises were intended to expand beyond the initial borders to encompass the whole earth. He discusses the evolution of the land promise from a specific location in Canaan to a worldwide scope, alluding to the eschatological expansion of Israel’s borders as part of God’s predestined plan. Beale argues that in this age the promises have begun to be fulfilled spiritually in Christ and will be consummated physically in the new creation, proposing a two-stage “installment fulfillment.” He concludes that contemporary events in Israel do not represent the fulfillment of these Old Testament promises, but rather that in Christ and through the church, the expansion of Eden will be realized universally.’
Slippery slopes and finding allies
‘It seems unarguable that an egalitarian perspective is more likely to end up as an affirming one. I’ve never known someone who supports same sex marriage who isn’t also a full-blown egalitarian, while I’ve never known a complementarian who also supports SSM. Perhaps such strange creatures exist, but it seems unlikely. This is most definitely not to say that all egalitarians will end up in the SSM camp – the evidence against that, as Stevens points out, is solid. But it also seems true to say that all those who endorse SSM do have their tents pitched in the egalitarian camp.’
Why the Church of England’s Same-Sex Marriage Vote Breaks My Heart
‘The Church of England’s vote to bless same-sex relationships will ultimately harm those it means to help: people like me who experience same-sex attraction. Instead of standing with us as we fight temptation, it validates relationships that defy God’s Word and affirms people in a form of unrepentant sin that Scripture warns will keep them from inheriting God’s kingdom.’
The complementarian compass
Dave Williams provides a really helpful tool for figuring out what kind of complementarian you might be, and where other complementarians sit, which will help us in our intramural discussions with one another on this issue.
Helping where it’s needed in church
‘It’s a running joke in churches that nobody seems to feel “called” to clean the toilets. Apparently that’s not a very common spiritual gift! But behind the joke there is often a very real concern. In every church there are a set of jobs that need to be done and many of those jobs are not much fun and require serious commitment. Safeguarding, finances, health and safety are more likely to be words that fill people with concern than joy. But the truth is that it’s probably only a luxury of the larger church (who often employ people to take much of the heavy lifting here) to allow people to only serve in areas they feel called and comfortable. I think there are two issues here, a biblical one and a cultural one.’
Jesus was not born in a stable—and it really matters!
The annual posting of Ian Paul’s article outlining why Jesus wasn’t born in a stable and why it matters is upon us. If you haven’t read it before, make sure you do.
From the archive: Four reasons to serve food at your groups and meetings
‘I don’t know what it is about food, but there is something about it that causes people to chat and open up. It’s no coincidence that Jesus has been said to have ‘eaten his way through the gospels.’ He clearly saw food as something significant. And I always feel better when I find I’m on the same side of a discussion as Jesus. It just feels better innit. For that reason, not long after I came to this church, I instituted community groups in homes rather than a central midweek meeting at the church building. There was something about the home environment that helped discussion and openness. But not only did we put things in homes, we also insisted on making sure our community groups started with food.’