In 1841, New Zealand became a separate British colony, having been part of New South Wales before then. By 1860, there were over 100,000 British settlers in New Zealand. The Otago Association actively recruited settlers from Scotland, creating a definite Scottish influence in the Otago region. The O…
How the Gospel of the Kingdom Came to New Zealand Read More »
We often associate the epistle to the Philippians with the theme of joy and rejoicing, and rightly so. But there is another topic that weaves its way through Paul’s letter – and that is predominance of the gospel and the ecclesia’s partnership in preaching and defending it.
Hence in Philippians 1…
Fellowship in the Gospel Read More »
Charles M Schultze, author of the comic strip “Peanuts”, used to say, “In all this world, there is nothing more upsetting than the clobbering of a cherished belief ”.
To prove the truth of this saying, try telling folks that their cherished religious beliefs are false. I…
Can A Cherished Belief Be Wrong? Read More »
What an amazing transition. The one who had felt in anguish that God “hearest not” (v2), now came to proclaim openly that God “had heard” (v21) and that he would be saved from the power of his enemies.
Yet the opening phrase of Psalm 22:22 uses the future tense; “I will declare”…
Psalm 22 – The Messiah’s Mind (Part 5) Read More »
John Thomas was born in England in 1805, a time when England was at war with Napoleon and the whole of Europe was dominated by conflict and uncertainty. The whole of society was in a state of upheaval and it was into this world that John Thomas arrived to take his place in the purpose of God.
It …
Confession and Abjuration Read More »
III. C. ii. Remember our Relationship! (4:12–20)
Paul’s exasperation with the Galatians dies quickly and he moves into an extended appeal to remember the quality of their relationship in the past, when they honoured him as a spiritual father, appreciating his divine message and personal sacri…
Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians Part XII Read More »
Many people today call themselves “doctors”. Leaving aside the so-called “spin doctors”, “tree doctors” and “fax doctors”, the world is awash with medical practitioners, dentists, veterinarians and doctors of philosophy who all call themselves “doctors”.
What is not often real…
The Doctrine of Christ Read More »
Generous, warm, hospitable. Happy, selfless and overflowing with service. If we would like to embrace these characteristics then Paul’s letter to Philippi has an important message for us. The epistle is written with great passion as Paul poured out his thanks to the ecclesia for a gift they had gi…
Philippians: Background to the Epistle (1) Read More »
