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Ian Paul
The Book of Revelation is the most explicitly Trinitarian book of the New Testament. Amongst its complex cast of characters in the narrative of the text, it presents God (the Father, the ‘one seated on the throne’), Jesus (either named, or presented symbolically as the lamb slain and standing, or the rider on the white … Continue Reading
Earlier in the year, I was at a conference listening to John Wyatt, the well-known Christian medical ethicist. He spoke about the importance of friendship, and I bought and read his fascinating book Transforming Friendship. Ed Shaw was also there, and had been very influenced by the book, so I asked him some questions about both … Continue Reading
The lectionary readings for Easter 4 in Year C include three substantial readings: Acts 9.36-43, Revelation 7.9-17 and John 10.22-30. There is a note which says: ‘The reading from Acts must be used as either the first or second reading’, which suggests that this reading is thought to be particularly important—and this is characteristic of … Continue Reading
Any discussion of ‘the cross’ in the Book of Revelation immediately faces a substantial challenge: in contrast with almost every other book in the New Testament, it is barely mentioned at all overtly. Its solitary explicit appearance comes in an extended prophetic narrative in chapter 11: the bodies of the ‘two witnesses’ will ‘lie in … Continue Reading
Summary Andrew Goddard writes: Election processes are of limited interest to most people but it is a matter of serious concern when they go wrong. This is especially the case if they are important elections such as those with an impact on who will be the next Archbishop of Canterbury. On the basis of the … Continue Reading
The lectionary reading for Easter 3 in Year C is Acts 9, the so-called conversion of Saul/Paul. These readings from Acts are prioritized, so that we are encouraged to preach from them in this season (despite it coming before Pentecost!). Is it right to talk about Paul being ‘converted’? What does this change involve—what is … Continue Reading
Mark Bratton writes: In Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass, Humpty Dumpty scornfully says to his conversation partner Alice, “When I use a word, it means what I choose it to mean – neither more or less” “The question is”, said Alice, “whether you can make words mean so many different things.” “The question is”, … Continue Reading
Individual instruments playing on their own sound good—but there is nothing quite like the sound of a full orchestra to engage us. The same is true for our life as the church of God. Why would we keep young people in their own groups when we are intended to play together? In this interview, Gareth … Continue Reading
The Sunday gospel lectionary reading for the Second Sunday in Easter is John 20.19–31, which includes Jesus’ encounter with so-called ‘doubting Thomas’. It is the set reading for this week in all three years of the lectionary, so we know it well—and need to reflect on it if we are going to preach effectively on … Continue Reading
I interviewed Dr Rhiannon McAleer about the Bible Society’s report ‘A Quiet Revival’. We started by looking at the headlines from the report, then I pressed her about questions of methodology and whether the findings are robust, before we explored some of the encouragements and challenges arising for the church and church leaders. You can … Continue Reading
Ian Paul: theologian, author, speaker, academic consultant. Associate Senior Research Fellow, Kirby Laing Centre for Public Theology; Associate Minister, St Nic's, Nottingham; Managing Editor, Grove Books; member of General Synod and Archbishops' Council. Mac user; chocoholic. Tweets at @psephizo
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Gospel commentary index Lectionary Year A
Andrew Goddard Bible biblical interpretation Biblical literacy biblical theology Christmas Church of England culture discipleship discussion doctrine eschatology evangelism gay General Synod Grove guest Hermeneutics History hope interpretation James Blandford Baker Jesus John's gospel Justin Welby leadership lectionary Luke Luke's gospel Matthew ministry mission New Testament Paul politics preaching Revelation same sex marriage same sex unions sexuality theology video Year A Year B Year C
