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Ian Paul
In the Synod debates on sexuality and marriage last February, I started playing ‘inclusive Jesus’ bingo. How many times would speeches protesting against our current doctrine and urging change mention that Jesus (or the gospel) was ‘inclusive’? I had to stop, since I ran out of cards because I was marking them so fast. In … Continue Reading
Andrew Bartlett, author of Men and Women in Christ: Fresh Light from the Biblical Texts (IVP Books, 2019) writes: New Testament scholar Preston Sprinkle has created quite a stir with his new book, From Genesis to Junia: An Honest Search for What the Bible Really Says About Women in Leadership. Formerly ‘complementarian’, Sprinkle has changed … Continue Reading
This Sunday, Lent 5 in Year A, we come to the last of our for explorations of Jesus’ encounters with individuals that formed a catechumate in the early church in her raising of Lazarus in John 11.1–45. Next week, on Palm Sunday, we will return to our gospel of the year, Matthew, in the lead in … Continue Reading
The lectionary epistle for Lent 5 in Year A is Romans 8.6–11, a slightly odd choice in cutting out verse 5, or even in missing verses 1 to 4. Paul is expounding here different aspects of the two ‘realms’ of flesh and the Spirit, corresponding to ‘this age’ and ‘the age to come’, this fallen … Continue Reading
Andrew Atherstone has continued the tradition of being the biographer of our archbishops. He published two on Justin Welby, and has brought his proficient pen to bear on Sarah Mullally, producing his volume in remarkably short time—from a standing start when her appointment was announced (October 3rd 2025) he has produced this biography in time … Continue Reading
I write a quarterly column for Preach magazine, in which I explore a significant word, phrase, or idea in the Bible, or a theme or section of Scripture, and the ideas that it expresses. At the end of this piece I list the previous articles I have written for them. Here I explore the question … Continue Reading
For the Mothering Sunday gospel of Jesus’ presentation in Luke 2, the written commentary is here and the video discussion is here. The epistle is 2 Cor 1.3–7, and the video discussion of this passage is here (and included below). The Sunday gospel lectionary reading for Lent 4 in this Year A continues with the … Continue Reading
Lent 4 is also Mothering Sunday in the calendar, and the readings for Mothering Sunday in Year A are 2 Corinthians 1.3-7 and the dedication of Jesus in Luke 2. In 2 Cor 1, Paul begins this letter by exploring the inter-relation between experience affliction (tribulation), and receiving comfort from the God of all compassion. … Continue Reading
It has been reported that US troops have been told that the war in Iran is the beginning of the final Battle of Armageddon that will lead to the return of Jesus. It has come out through complaints made to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF): One complainant, identified as a noncommissioned officer (NCO) in … Continue Reading
John Root writes: The diocese of London has been awarded a grant of £730,000 from the Church of England’s Racial Justice Unit to develop its racial justice work over a three year period. This is part of a national strategy of giving grants to address the issue. In this blog I want to question whether … Continue Reading
The gospel lectionary reading for Lent 3 is John 4.5-42, probably the longest reading in the lectionary! The epistle is Romans 5.1–11, and you can find video discussion of that here (and linked below), and video discussion of John 4 here (and linked below as well). This gospel reading is strange contrast with readings a … 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
