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How to tell the biblical story in a way that makes a difference

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Why did Jesus instruct his disciples not to preach the kingdom of God to Gentiles and Samaritans?

Chris Queen replied to peter wilkinson The law! The law Jesus was under and which he fulfilled for Israel was never meant for Gentiles as the prophecies about Israel and the Gentiles are diverse. Romans 3: 31. Romans 10: 4; the most... (26 March, 2020 - 03:31)

Review of Steve Chalke’s The Lost Message of Paul, part 1

Helge Seekamp replied to Helge Seekamp It is quite typical that the Exgetic perspective merges seamlessly into a contemporary theological statement. But since the Enlightenment the discussion has hermeneutically gone along the following... (22 March, 2020 - 12:23)
Helge Seekamp replied to Geoff Leslie I fully agree with that too, thank you for that comment. (22 March, 2020 - 12:05)
Andrew replied to Geoff Leslie Thanks, Geoff. Appreciated. (22 March, 2020 - 08:31)
Geoff Leslie Thanks, Andrew. I think your explanation of ‘the wrath of God’ as being the imminent destruction of Jerusalem and the overthrow of the Roman Empire makes so much biblical sense I wonder that it has... (22 March, 2020 - 08:30)

No, coronavirus is not the apocalypse; it could be worse than that

Samuel Conner replied to Andrew Thank you, Andrew, for the “letter from the virus” link – thought provoking. And thank you for the link to your post on Lk 13:1-3; I have not previously noticed that one. This line especially... (22 March, 2020 - 12:16)
Andrew replied to Samuel Conner I have an old post on the killing of the Galileans and the collapse of the tower in Siloam for anyone who’s interested. (22 March, 2020 - 08:43)
Andrew replied to Samuel Conner Thanks, Samuel. You might like this “letter from the virus”, if you haven’t seen it already. (21 March, 2020 - 18:54)
Samuel Conner In recent years it has seemed to me that the ‘prophets’ speaking on behalf of the Creator (typically not self-consciously so) and in the interest of the bit of the Creation that we inhabit are more... (21 March, 2020 - 04:17)

Does Paul think of Jesus as an “angel of God”?

Phil L. I definitely resonate with the point about “messenger.” That’s how I initially read the passage. It didn’t even occur to me that Paul might be saying, “Receive me as you would a divine... (17 March, 2020 - 13:53)

Why is there no “gospel” in the Gospel of John?

Brad Davis replied to Andrew Thank you, Andrew, for replying so promptly and helpfully. I’m now wondering whether the verb angellō might have been reserved for a certain kind of (wonderful, near ecstatic) message, as your... (14 March, 2020 - 17:29)
Andrew replied to Brad Davis It’s a good observation, Brad. Oddly, the simple verb angellō occurs only here in the New Testament and in a variant reading of John 4:51 in place of legontes: “As he was going down, his servants met... (14 March, 2020 - 11:59)
Brad Davis True, euangelion does not appear in John’s gospel, but angellousa does in John 20:18 where it reads that Mary Magdalene “announced [her] news” to the disciples: “I have seen the Lord.” And... (13 March, 2020 - 18:32)

Where is Jesus in the Old Testament?

Marc Taylor replied to Andrew Hi Andrew, I found this link about a month or so ago. http://tinyurl.com/wlwe6z3 I think Psalm 34 ought also to be considered for reference is made to the Messenger of YHWH (Psalm 34:7). This is... (14 March, 2020 - 17:12)
Andrew replied to Marc Taylor I agree that the expression “angel of the Lord” is a way of speaking, more or less directly, about God, as distinct from the multiple angelic agents of God who are sent from the heavenly court to... (14 March, 2020 - 12:07)
Marc Taylor replied to Andrew Hi Andrew, The above is why the Messenger of the Lord is YHWH. As with the New Testament, there are some passages that teach the Lord Jesus is God while there are other passages which teach He is... (11 March, 2020 - 21:29)
Andrew replied to Marc Taylor It seems pretty clear that in Genesis “angel of Lord” (as distinct from just “angel” or “messenger”) is functionally equivalent to YHWH or God. The angel of the Lord promises to multiply offspring,... (11 March, 2020 - 21:11)
Marc Taylor replied to Andrew I am not sure how the “Messenger” can be God Himself in Genesis 48:16 since the very defintion means one that is sent (cf. Genesis 24:7, 40). (11 March, 2020 - 18:45)
Andrew replied to Marc Taylor There is a question as to whether “one like a son of man” in Revelation 1:13 is influenced by Daniel 7:13 or by the angelophany of Daniel 10, in which one “in the likeness of the sons of men” is... (11 March, 2020 - 15:50)
Marc Taylor In terms of point #9, “one like a son of Man” also applies to the Lord Jesus in Revelation 1:13. It is He that will come with the clouds of heaven (Mark 14:62; cf. Daniel 7:13). I think Genesis 48:... (11 March, 2020 - 14:30)

The ancient narrative in which we are surprised to find ourselves

Andrew replied to Shuggy Have a look at the link that Phil shared. I feel the point is not so much whether I hold the same beliefs but how the beliefs are oriented or organised. I think that the “beliefs” need to be plotted... (10 March, 2020 - 22:22)
Phil L. replied to Shuggy Hey Shuggy, I don’t know if this helps or not, but there’s an older post where Andrew took a shot at writing a narrative-historical version of a creed: https://www.postost.net/2011/10/... (10 March, 2020 - 17:57)
Shuggy Andrew, can you state your core christian beliefs or your own “creed”? Clearly you diverge on the meaning of the parousia, but what about other traditional statements of the mainstream churches? Do... (10 March, 2020 - 16:39)
James Mercer replied to Andrew Thank you Andrew for your generous critique. ‘Authentically human’ was possibly an overworking of John 10.10 and ‘life in all its fullness’. In retrospect it does read as being somewhat arrogant. To... (6 March, 2020 - 18:44)
Andrew James, I think this is marvellous. It hangs together well as a comprehensive storyline, and it’s very nicely written. I love the Purbeck backdrop—must get down there and do the coastal walk this... (6 March, 2020 - 16:54)
Phil L. You know what, James? I love this. Probably everyone on this site could chime in with, “I would have said something about this” or “I don’t think that was necessary” or “This line isn’t... (6 March, 2020 - 11:33)
James Mercer replied to Phil L. Thank you Phil for your generous encouragement. (6 March, 2020 - 11:33)

How, why and when to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling

Sarah I have often wondered about that scripture. This is really helpful. thank you (8 March, 2020 - 11:55)
Andrew replied to Daniel Pritchard The verb is used for a number of practical activities: constructing the place of God’s dwelling (Exod. 15:17; 35:33; 39:1; 1 Kgs. 6:36; Jos. Ant. 4:200; Philo, Plant. 47, 50, 53), the production of... (5 March, 2020 - 21:11)
Daniel Pritchard Hi Andrew, thanks for this post… do you have any thoughts about the use of katergazesthe in reference to cultivation of land? I have heard that it has been used in relation to mining, as in ‘... (5 March, 2020 - 18:34)
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