I have spent most of my life connected in some sense to Rome. At school and then at university, I was a Classics man. I preferred Greek tragedy to Roman comedy; but when it came to history, politics, poetry and oratory, I was a Rome man. continue

It is always a great pleasure to hear from my old friend, Paul Helm, even when I am being gently rebuked and corrected. The matter on which we lock horns here is, of course, of more than mere academic interest to us, since he and I are both products of the Anglo-Welsh evangelical world which was shaped so profoundly by the events of 1966. continue

A Theology of John's Gospel and LettersBy: Andreas J. Kostenberger652p.Zondervan (2009)When I began undertaking a writing project on the seven signs of John's Gospel my first instinct was to review everything Andreas Kostenberger had written on the subject.  In my... continue

It was third grade and I was watching the events unfold. One kid, twice the size of a normal third grader, was picking on my friend who was on the opposite end of the size spectrum. As I sized up what was going on I feared my friend was about to be on the receiving end of a large knuckle sandwich. I decided not to let that happen. I went over stepped in front of my friend, and said, "Leave him alone." continue

I wasn't born and raised in the Reformed church.  In other words, I am a Reformed immigrant.  Like many people in the Reformed church today, I migrated out of broad based evangelicalism and non-denominationalism.  Many of my friends, both ministers... continue

In contrast to the popular fiction and apologetic writings of C.S. Lewis, a less familiar body of social commentary exists within the writer's corpus. These writings give some of the clearest insight into the political, social, and philosophical environment in which Lewis lived and which influenced much of his work. continue

Some weeks ago a friend forwarded me a link to the blog of an American Christian academic. Now, at the risk of protesting too much, I must stress that I don't read blogs - I really don't read blogs - unless, that is, they are sent to me by someone else. continue

Speaking the Truth in Love: The Theology of John M. FrameBy John J. Hughes1500 p.P&R Publishing (October 2009)Speaking the Truth in Love is a collection of essays marking the contribution to theology of Professor John Frame. Currently the J.D Trimble... continue

Among the morning's tide of emails, the usual flotsam and jetsam. But one item caught my eye, the one headed 'Of Interest?' It should really have gone straight into junk. But I opened it. (I did not notice the name of the sender, in case you're curious).That was all. Which I did. continue

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals has received a number of requests for comment upon the Manhattan Declaration, a recent public statement on the sanctity of life, marriage and sexuality, and religious liberty, signed by a number of leaders from the evangelical, Anglican, Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions. continue

Jesus InterruptedBy Bart D. Ehrman304 p.HarperOne (March 2009)This review has been used by permission as appeared in WTJ 71, no.2, Fall 2009Just in time for Easter, Bart Ehrman has (again) offered another popular-level assault on the historical integrity of the... continue

'What makes a preacher choose any book or passage of the Bible to preach on?' That's the sixty-four thousand dollar question I tend to ask myself on not a few occasions and feel I have to answer to my congregation (usually when I'm beginning a new series). I suppose there is a degree of similarity in that to the mountaineer's question and answer: 'Why climb that mountain? - Because it's there!' continue

Theology and literary flair. These days it seems never the twain shall meet. The former often suffers from clunky constructions and idiosyncratic pedantry; but when mixed with the latter, however, it turns sweetly succinct and yet able to ply the heart, catapulting it upward. continue

"Just talk about idolatry and you'll be fine." A mentor recently offered these words in my presence to a seminary student who was facing an assignment to preach on the topic of sin. The student's sermon may, indeed, have been "fine" if he followed that suggestion, but the advice struck me as signaling something deeper than a single Sunday pointer. continue

Anyone who has ever emigrated as an adult to a foreign country will tell you that, while the physical process of moving can be dispatched in a relatively short period of time, the emotional and cultural transition takes much longer and probably never quite comes to an end. For me, the distance from family was difficult at times, but at least it was something that I knew would be part and parcel of the deal. continue

Lloyd-Jones: Messenger of GraceBy Iain Murray274 p.Banner of Truth (May 2008)The Lord Jesus Christ has gifted his church with teachers and preachers in the past and for that we are truly grateful.  One, whose writings I first came into contact... continue

In order to establish the doctrine of penal substitution we are not dependent on a few isolated proof-texts here and there in Scripture. The doctrine is woven indelibly into the very fabric of the account of the crucifixion, with numerous threads drawn from the Old Testament. continue

"You're not going to preach right through Job are you? This is going to be so depressing!" Such, at first, was the reaction of one or two of my congregation at the church door on Sunday morning after I began a series of twelve sermons working through this great book. Not the most encouraging of beginnings, it should be said. Neither did those comments do much to allay some of my own fears. continue

A Million Miles in a Thousand YearsBy Donald Miller288 p.Thomas Nelson (September 2009)Donald Miller has a fascinating ability to engage readers as he reflects on the journey of his life.  I first noticed this in Blue Like Jazz, later when... continue

It has been a good couple of months for the celebrating of life at memorial services. First, there was the celebration of Michael Jackson's life and then there was Ted Kennedy, enfant terrible turned elder statesman. Both men, in their different ways, were proof positive that, in modern America, you only need to love your own kids and then at some point die in order to atone for any sins you may have committed against other people's beloved sons and daughters. continue