Having our doubts about Thomas in John 20

The Sunday gospel lectionary reading for the Second Sunday in Easter is John 20.19โ€“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 wellโ€”and need to reflect on it if we are going to preach effectively on … Continue Reading

Why does eschatology matter?

Mark Bonnington writes: Faith hope and love are the three cardinal (or primary) virtues in the Christian faith. As Paul the Apostle wrote: โ€˜Faith; hope; love; these three endureโ€™ โ€˜but the least understood is hope.โ€™ Actually, that last bit is a quote from the late, great, Baptist preacher David Pawsonโ€”a gloss on 1 Corinthians 13 … Continue Reading

What can we learn from ‘doubting’ Thomas in John 20? video discussion

The Sunday gospel lectionary reading for the Second Sunday in Easter is John 20.19โ€“31, which includes Jesusโ€™ encounter with so-called โ€˜doubting Thomasโ€™. It is the set reading for this week in all three years of the lectionary, so we know it wellโ€”and need to reflect on it if we are going to preach effectively on … Continue Reading

What is an ‘inclusive evangelical’?

There was a small social media storm last week when the newish group ‘Inclusive Evangelicals’ issued a letter, with 600 signatories, supporting progress in authorising prayers of blessing for same-sex couples, rooted in the conviction that ‘prayerful reading of scripture has led us to an inclusive position on same-sex relationships.’ I infer from this that … Continue Reading

What does โ€˜doubting Thomasโ€™ teach us in John 20? video discussion

The Sunday gospel lectionary reading for the Second Sunday in Easter is John 20.19โ€“31, which includes Jesusโ€™ encounter with so-called โ€˜doubting Thomasโ€™. It is the set reading for this week in all three years of the lectionary, so we know it wellโ€”and need to reflect on it if we are going to preach effectively on … Continue Reading

What does ‘faith’ and ‘faithfulness’ mean in the gospel of Luke?

Chris Seglenieks writes:ย The question of what it means to believe is one that has shaped much of my researching New Testament studies. Faith is central to Christianity, but we donโ€™t always stop to reflect on what it involves. When it comes to the gospels, I have found that many people assume the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, … Continue Reading

What does โ€˜doubting Thomasโ€™ teach us? video discussion

The Sunday gospel lectionary reading for the Second Sunday in Easter is John 20.19โ€“31, which includes Jesusโ€™ encounter with so-called โ€˜doubting Thomasโ€™. It is the set reading for this week in all three years of the lectionary, so we know it wellโ€”and need to reflect on it if we are going to preach effectively on … Continue Reading