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Here’s the latest in my Bible Communications series of videos. The aim of these videos is to help those involved in Bible teaching whether preachers, Bible study leaders or children and youth workers. Here we look at how the NT picks up on echoes from the OT. We use the parable of the Prodigal Son as a case study.

In a recent article, I responded to one Muslim objection to the Trinity.  Because Islam relies on the same thinking as the Arians we might note that the concerns raised by them will be similar to the kinds of objections raised by other sceptics on the Trinity such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Another example of an objection to the Trinity and the deity of Jesus is the use of Psalm 2:7 which…

There’s an interesting article in this month’s Evangelicals Now by Phil Hanson and Terry Young arguing that the church should be involved in creating jobs.  There is much that I like about the article. I agree that we shouldn’t stop at offering charity.  Foodbanks and help to pay off debt are good, food pantries where the needy community get more involved in contributing as well as receiving.…

One of the big issues that Muslims have with Christianity is the Doctrine of the Trinity and the implications that has for the belief that Jesus is God. I thought it might be helpful to pick up on one of those issues.  First of all, some Muslims have issues with John 1:18 which says: “ 18 No one has ever seen God; God the only Son, who[f] is at the Father’s side,[g] he has made him known.” This…

One of my daughters’ favourite jokes goes along the lines of Knock knock Who’s there? Dave Oh come in Dave Jokes rely on a good punchline and the best punchline’s offer a twist, a surprise.  In this case, the format of the knock knock joke is subverted.  You are surprised because the joke doesn’t end as expected. Parables rely on punchlines too.  If you are going to preach on a parable,…

Soon Beefeater will be no more.  A few years ago, this would have perhaps generated more grief for us.  For much of the early days of our marriage, the restaurant chain provided a convenient, reliable dating option.  Although a little more expensive than a Weatherspoon’s or Harvester, it wasn’t too expensive and as Sarah has some food allergies, we found them to be dependable and…

I sometimes come across churches that are offering training roles for potential pastors and workers.  Sometimes what that means is that the person will work part time for the church whilst studying part time for the rest of the week. It may be that at that stage the church can only afford to pay someone part time. However, if possible, I would encourage the church to pay a full time salary. …

We are recently back from what feels like it is becoming an annual expedition to Butlins.  We find that it offers a safe, reliable holiday with everything onsite that suites our family well.  For me, there’s also a touch of nostalgia as I used to go with my parents and sister to a Christian holiday at one of the sites (Filey and later Skegness). So, I’ve lots of childhood recollections and it…

Two caterpillars are sitting on a wall when a butterfly goes past. One says to the other                “You won’t get me up in one of those things.” Jokes and parables have something in common.  They rely on a good punchline.  The punchline, not just to the parable of the prodigal son but to all three of the Luke 15 parables is found in the last few verses of the chapter as the Father and the…

On the face of it, Paul’s letter to Philemon looks like a private, personal appeal and yet, there it appears as a public instruction in Scripture.  Given that Paul includes others in his address and particularly the whole church community meeting in a home suggests he intended it as such.  What is it about Paul’s appeal to Philemon that makes it relevant not just to him but to the wider church…

So your child comes home from school and tells you that they learnt about the parable of the Good Samaritan.  You get them to tell you the story.  They remember it perfectly.  “fantastic” You think.  So you follow up with the question: “And what was the parable about? What did it mean?” They think for a moment and then they answer: “Kindness.” Is that what the story is about? It’s what…

I frequently see arguments that run along the following lines.  The Bible isn’t God’s Word, Jesus is.  Therefore, we should prioritise the words and actions of Jesus over the rest of the Bible.  The bible never claims to be God’s Word or inerrant, so we should not make those claims for it. First of all, notice that such arguments rely on a false dichotomy.  Is it not possible for both Scripture…

A lot of churches give their Sunday kids group leaders and helpers a break over the summer and run with all age gatherings.  So, if you are one such leader, I hope you are enjoying a bit of a break and will feel energised for September.  I also hope that you are feeling encouraged as you look back on the last term.  However, I appreciate too that it can feel at times like a slog.  There will be…

We are very familiar with Jesus’ letter to the church at Laodicea.  This the church where Jesus says that he is standing at the door, knocking, ready to come in.  It’s also the church where Jesus says that they are lukewarm and that he is ready to vomit them up.  The reference is to two water springs that supplied the city, one hot, one cold leading to  tepid water.  Jesus is saying that they are…

Today is our wedding anniversary.  So, I wanted to start my post by saying a couple of thank yous.  First to my wife, Sarah, it’s a joy to be your husband and  I am grateful not just for the 19 years of married life but for the 22 years it has been a privilege to know you.  Secondly, a marriage isn’t built in isolation and so we are thankful to many friends who are there for us and have been…

Here’s a sermon I preached a little while back on Ephesians 3:14-21

Here’s a sermon I preached a little while back on Luke 15