WIWO: James Day 5: Faith That Works

Day 5: Faith That Works Read James 2:14-26 Context: Why does James feel compelled to address the relationship between faith and works so emphatically in this section? In a way, he’s been building up to this. He’s had to tell the listeners to ask for wisdom to get through trials and ask for it properly, […]

WIWO: James First Day: Setting the Foundation

Day 1: Setting the Foundation Read James straight through Background Focus: James, the half-brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church, writes to Jewish Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire. His letter reads more like a sermon than typical apostolic correspondence, filled with practical wisdom reminiscent of Old Testament wisdom literature and Jesus’ Sermon […]

WIWO: 1 Timothy Day 3 – 1:12–20 — Paul’s Testimony

Day 3: 1 Timothy 1:12–20 — Paul’s Testimony and Charge to Timothy Reading: Paul’s personal testimony and instructions to Timothy Study Questions: 1. Observation: How does Paul describe his own transformation and calling? Paul recognises that it took the grace and mercy of God to rescue him from his sins. Indeed, he sees himself as […]

JJ25 #06 – Close Encounters of the Divine Kind – What God Says

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (Genesis 28:15) The personal encounter with God can do wonders in establishing identity and purpose. Jacob had an awareness of God. You can […]

For 40 Days – Day 20: Intimidation: Consequences

Key Episode Scripture: 1 Samuel chapters 16-18 Then the princes of the Philistines came out to battle, and as often as they came out David had more success than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed. (1 Samuel 18:30 ESVUK) David vs Goliath. If you want an immediately recognisable bible story, […]

For 40 Days – Day 15: The Scouts’ Reports: Consequences

Key Episode Scripture: Numbers chapters 13-14 “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they […]

For 40 Days – Day 14: The Scouts’ Reports: Conclusions

Key Episode Scripture: Numbers chapters 13-14 How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them? (Numbers 13:11 ESVUK) They were on the brink of the Promised Land. It was within reach. They could even pop over for 40 […]

For 40 Days – Day 13: The Scouts’ Reports: Concepts

Key Episode Scripture: Numbers chapters 13-14 I, the Lord, have spoken. Surely this will I do to all this wicked congregation who are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall come to a full end, and there they shall die. (Numbers 13:17-20 ESVUK) Twelve men were sent to spy on the land God promised to […]

An Announcement and An Action

Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. We are told that John made this proclamation and then after he was arrested, Jesus would declare the same statement. It is a fascinating one to consider. Made to an audience experiencing the rule of foreigners who hoped to free from that arrangement. Made to an […]

A Dryden Conversation Revisited: Christianity and Political Views

The Dryden Blog Conversation will soon reach edition number 50 and in anticipation of that, here’s a response to a question from August 2021, but now in audio form. Here’s my response to the issue of how Christianity influences political views. You can find more on that answer and related responses on issues of my […]