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Matthew

Did Jesus fail to meet expectations in Matt 11?

December 12, 2019December 11, 2019 by Ian Paul

The lectionary gospel reading for Advent 3 in Year A is Matt 11.2–11, and as usual is rather truncated, so you might want to extend the reading by a verse or two before and after to be fair to its setting. The chapter begins with the second of Matthew’s five summary statements that conclude the … Continue Reading

Categories Biblical Studies 9 Comments

John the Baptist and the judgement of Jesus in Matt 3

December 9, 2019December 6, 2019 by Ian Paul

The lectionary gospel reading for Advent 2 in Year 1 is Matt 3.1–12, and it contains many foundational themes of eschatology, the coming of God, and judgement, which set us up nicely for thinking about Advent not as the build-up to Christmas, but (as it should be) thinking about the Last Things. This is one of … Continue Reading

Categories Biblical Studies 11 Comments

Should we want to be ‘left behind’ in Matt 24?

December 2, 2019November 27, 2019 by Ian Paul

With the advent of Advent on Sunday (!) we make the move in the lectionary from Year C to Year A. So, after journeying through Luke all year, this Sunday’s gospel reading comes from Matthew, Matt 24.36-44. This short section of text contains some important ideas and images, but we cannot make sense of them … Continue Reading

Categories Biblical Studies 70 Comments

Mission, creation and incarnation

November 21, 2019November 19, 2019 by Ian Paul

I was grateful to Philip North for offering a response to my critique of his views on mission in relation to the incarnation, published in the Church Times. There is nothing quite like hearing someone’s point of view in their own words, and it has been immensely valuable to have this exchange. I offer here … Continue Reading

Categories Life & Ministry 118 Comments

On taking Jesus to our urban areas: a response

November 18, 2019November 15, 2019 by Ian Paul

Philip North, the suffragan bishop of Burnley, offers this response to my comments in the previous post: I am very grateful to Ian Paul for such a thoughtful and reflective response to my Church Times article, and indeed for this opportunity to respond. Those who are part of the Estates Theology Project are very keen to … Continue Reading

Categories Life & Ministry 29 Comments

What makes Ascension Day so important?

May 31, 2019May 29, 2019 by Ian Paul

What would you identify as the climax and completion of Jesus’ life and ministry? Surprisingly, this is not a trivial question. One of the key differences between John and the synoptic gospels is that, where the synoptics portray the crucifixion as a necessary but incomplete act on the way to the resurrection, John portrays it … Continue Reading

Categories Biblical Studies 3 Comments

Is the story of Epiphany plausible?

January 6, 2019January 3, 2019 by Ian Paul

The Feast of the Epiphany in the church’s liturgical calendar is based on the events of Matt 2.1–12, the visit of the ‘wise men’ from the East to the infant Jesus. There are plenty of things about the story which might make us instinctively treat it as just another part of the constellation of Christmas traditions, … Continue Reading

Categories Biblical Studies 48 Comments

Who was the first Immanuel?

January 2, 2019December 21, 2018 by Ian Paul
Categories Biblical Studies 54 Comments

Is Luke 21.25-36 about the Second Coming?

December 10, 2018November 30, 2018 by Ian Paul

Advent is once more upon us, and with it comes two sets of confusion: the idea that Advent is the anticipation of Christmas (when it is really about looking forward to Jesus’ return and The End); and the notion that the set passages in the lectionary are all about Jesus’ return. As we are about … Continue Reading

Categories Biblical Studies 19 Comments

Does the NT contradict itself? Does it matter?

November 7, 2018November 5, 2018 by Ian Paul

Not long ago, Mark Woods wrote an article in Christian Today exploring the apparent contradictions between the two accounts of Judas’ death, in Matt 27.3–8 and in Act 1.18. In the first, Judas hangs himself, the priests buy the field, and it is named ‘Field of Blood’ because of the betrayal by Judas. In the second, … Continue Reading

Categories Biblical Studies 58 Comments

What did Jesus have against goats?

September 14, 2018September 13, 2018 by Ian Paul

The parable of the sheep and the goats in Matt 25.31–46 isn’t actually a parable (since there is no suggestion that ‘the kingdom of heaven is like this’), and isn’t really about sheep and goats (as we shall see). But it is very well known, and is most commonly interpreted as an encouragement for followers … Continue Reading

Categories Biblical Studies 17 Comments
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Ian Paul

Ian Paul: theologian, author, speaker, academic consultant. Adjunct Professor, Fuller Theological Seminary; Associate Minister, St Nic's, Nottingham; Managing Editor, Grove Books; member of General Synod. Mac user; chocoholic. Tweets at @psephizo

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Recent Posts

  • My election prayer and manifesto

    My election prayer and manifesto

    December 12, 2019
  • Did Jesus fail to meet expectations in Matt 11?

    Did Jesus fail to meet expectations in Matt 11?

    December 11, 2019
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    Is there any point in voting in the election?

    December 10, 2019
  • What should a ‘Schools Charter’ for RSHE contain?

    What should a ‘Schools Charter’ for RSHE contain?

    December 9, 2019
  • John the Baptist and the judgement of Jesus in Matt 3

    John the Baptist and the judgement of Jesus in Matt 3

    December 6, 2019

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