Dr Paul Allen

Our smallest offense deserves the full wrath of God. That’s hard to hear if we forget that God has not only covered our sin in Christ but also allows us to approach Him continually to receive that grace anew. We also know that God is holy—set apart in His perfection, glory, and majesty. We are sinners who sin every day. Our sin should grieve us but not condemn, because we serve a God who is good and gracious but also holy and just. So, what are we to do with this enigma of our sinfulness and God’s holiness that clings so close to us? Repent and receive God’s amazing grace.

English: This is a map of first century Iudaea Province that I created using Illustrator CS2. I traced this image for the general geographic features. I then manually input data from maps found in a couple of sources. Robert W. Funk and the Jesus Seminar. The Acts of Jesus. HarperSanFrancisco: 1998. p. xxiv. Michael Grant. Jesus: An Historian's Review of the Gospels. Charles Scribner's Sons: 1977. p. 65-67. John P. Meier. A Marginal Jew. Doubleday: 1991. p. 1:434. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) The New Testament does not speak of a special destiny of ethnic Israel . Jesus emphasized the fundamental importance of continuous fidelity to the covenant, warning Israel of loss of land if they refuse to live in righteousness—in full agreement with the Abrahamic covenant , with Moses’ exhortation, and with the prophets of the Old Testament . Jesus proclaimed that covenant fidelity and righteousness now depend on accepting and obeying his message about the arrival of the kingdom of G...

Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglican Church http://www.stjohnsashfield.org.au, Ashfield, New South Wales. Illustrates Jesus' description of himself "I am the Good Shepherd" (from the Gospel of John, chapter 10, verse 11). This version of the image shows the detail of his face. The memorial window is also captioned: "To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of William Wright. Died 6th November, 1932. Aged 70 Yrs." (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) As the Word is preached, the Spirit of God must be powerfully at work in the life of the preacher . The Holy Spirit must be sharpening the focus of the preacher to more carefully understand the truth that he is preaching . His work of illumination and enlightenment must be accelerated as the preacher stands before an open Bible . In addition, the Holy Spirit must be deepening the convictions of the expositor. He must be persuaded of the veracity of his passage with greater intensity. This, too, is a work ...

“ Christ took upon Himself our sins, not by constraint, but of His own good will, in order to bear the punishment and wrath of God: not for the sake of His own person (which was just and invincible, and was not in any way guilty), but for our person. So by means of a joyous substitution, He took upon Himself our sinful person, and gave to us His innocent and victorious person: with which we, being now clothed, are free from the curse of the law. . . . By faith alone therefore we are made righteous, for faith alone lays hold of this victory of Christ.” (Commentary on Gal.  3:13 ) John Calvin ’s comments on 2 Corinthians   5:21  are similar: “How can we become righteous before God? In the same way as Christ became a sinner. For He took, as it were, our person, that He might be the offender in our name and thus might be reckoned a sinner, not because of His own offences but because of those of others, sin...

Olney Parish Church, Stained Glass Window (1) The lower part of a larger window showing John Newton and William Cowper. Between them is a depiction of the church and the first line of two hymns; 'How sweet the name of Jesus sounds' and 'God moves in a mysterious way', both of which appear in Olney Hymns http://www.churchsociety.org/churchman/documents/Cman_069_3_Pollard.pdf . (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) John Newton, slave trader, abolitionist, minister, and author of the hymn "Amazing Grace" (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) John Henry Newton, Jr. (July 24, 1725 – December 21, 1807) was an Anglican clergyman and former slave-ship captain. He was the author of many hymns, including Amazing Grace. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) To be at sea in a storm on an ocean liner can be thrilling. To face a storm in a sailing vessel that is not seaworthy can be terrifying. The boat in which John Newton sailed was in disrepair and its sails and rigging worn. A hard man who had often m...

Image via Wikipedia Here are some wonderful principles from John Newton, puritan pastor and author of Amazing Grace , to keep in mind when confronting someone. Whether we confront them for sin or wrong doctrine, whether in private or in a blog, these are critical principles to apply. As to your opponent, I wish that before you set pen to paper against him, and during the whole time you are preparing your answer, you may commend him by earnest prayer to the Lord ’s teaching and blessing. This practice will have a direct tendency to conciliate your heart to love and pity him; and such a disposition will have a good influence upon every page you write. If you account him as a BELIEVER, though greatly mistaken in the subject of debate between you, the words of David to Joab concerning Absalom , are very applicable: “Deal gently with him for my sake.” The Lord loves him and bears with him; therefore you must not despise him, or treat him harshly! The Lord bears with you likewise, and...