Category Archives: Bible

The Psalms in Worship

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Alastair Roberts

Ben Myers has some wonderful thoughts on the place and importance of the Psalms in worship: I sometimes worry that our hymnbooks – where you have a more or less arbitrary selection of songs, arranged by various doctrinal and liturgical … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christian Experience, OT, Psalms, The Church, Theological, Worship | Leave a comment

James K. A. Smith, Peter Enns, and the Evolution of Adam

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Alastair Roberts

There is a feature of Enns’ argument that could easily go unnoticed only because it is so ubiquitous: his account is entirely “from below.”  That is, Enns’ argument is predicated on the working assumption that the meaning of the Scriptures … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Creation, OT Theology, Theological | 4 Comments

The Whore and the Bible

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Alastair Roberts

In a recent post, Richard Beck discusses the Madonna/Whore dynamic, arguing for its presence within the biblical text, especially within the book of Revelation. As I often find with Richard’s posts, he raises lots of the right questions, yet I … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Theological | 11 Comments

Scripture as Performance

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Alastair Roberts

During my absence over Lent, a couple of guest posts of mine on the subject of Scripture were posted over on A Borrowed Flame. They give a rough sketch of some thoughts on a different way to approach and think … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Guest Post, Worship | 1 Comment

A Better Gospel

Posted on February 18, 2012 by Alastair Roberts

In the comments following my previous post on the problems with a particular form of the evangelical gospel presentation, I was asked how I would go about presenting the gospel, and how I would capture some of the core gospel … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Theological | 39 Comments

Eschatologically Weighted Ontology and the Fall

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Alastair Roberts

Maximus writes this section in a metaphysical idiom, but his argument helps fill out the importance of recognizing the eschatological aspiration that was inherent in Adam’s situation.  If Adam was fulfilled, perfected from the outset, then we are almost inevitably … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, OT, Theological | 2 Comments

Finding Joy in the Vapour

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Alastair Roberts

“Vapour of vapours,” says the Preacher; “vapour of vapours, all is vapour.” Perhaps there are few more potent and fecund metaphors for human life, activity, and thought than that of vapour, breath, or mist. Life is like groping through a … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Ecclesiastes, OT | 2 Comments

Theology of Clothing Book Plans

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Alastair Roberts

I have decided for Lent this year to take a break from blogging and regular online activity to write the first draft of a book. I presented three suggestions for topics to a friend, who decided on the topic of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Theological | 22 Comments

Is YHWH a War Criminal?

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Alastair Roberts

The question of divine goodness and justice in light of the deep problems raised by the biblical commands concerning the slaughter of the Canaanites seems to be the hot topic right now. Philip Jenkins writes on the subject of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Joshua, OT, Theological | 26 Comments

Twitter Bible Study

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Alastair Roberts

I have just started a Bible study on Twitter with a few friends (my Twitter handle is @zugzwanged). We are having a tweeting conversation around 1 Samuel, using the hashtag #tbs1sam, going through one chapter each day. Today (8th February) we are … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Samuel, Bible, OT | Leave a comment