If, as Paul argues, salvation is by grace alone (a gift of God and not achieved by any act on our part), what does that imply for Christian ethics? Can we therefore “sin boldly” — indulge our impulses and enjoy the party…? I mean, if all is forgiven in the end, why not make good...
Tag: understanding Jesus
Understanding the Bible 38: The What and Why of Christian Worship
Every Sunday Christians all over the world gather to sing, pray…listen to (a brilliant!) sermon… Styles may vary, but the pattern and basic content is stunningly consistent. The question for today is: Why? What are the origins of Christian worship? Why these particular elements? And how do we know if we are “worshipping correctly”? Can...
Understanding the Bible 36: Who Is the Holy Spirit?
How do we know the Bible is true? That is to say, why should we trust the biblical vision of reality is anything other than wishful thinking? Or is faith inherently “blind”? Such questions are often met – both inside and outside the church – with philosophical arguments about the nature of being, first principles, Prime Movers and so...