There are lots of things wrong with the world. That at least is something we can all agree on. Newspapers and social media sites are full of the things that are wrong with the world. And so there are voices calling for everyone to make it their highest priority to deal with problem x or … Continue reading Why I focus on God and not social transformation
Author: joshmont2017
I am a child of God through Jesus' sacrifice and victory. Husband to Karuna, father to four children, staff elder at Emmanuel Church Northstowe, and Course Director for Training for East Anglia Ministry. All views here my own and do not necessarily represent the views of organisations I work for.
Making the case for Christianity: simplest possible case or convergent net?
The story of one of Wikipedia's founders becoming a Christian (https://larrysanger.org/2025/02/how-a-skeptical-philosopher-becomes-a-christian/ ) is fascinating and encouraging because someone has worked through the philosophical evidence, read the Bible and trusted Jesus for eternal life. But he also highlights something interesting about arguments for God. In the stage before reading the Bible, he found the "proofs for … Continue reading Making the case for Christianity: simplest possible case or convergent net?
The Old makes the New Clear
There are many debates about the meaning of words and events in the New Testament. What does the cross of Christ achieve, and is substitutionary and penal? Is it helpful to speak of sin as rebellion against God? What exactly is grace? And many other debates. In 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe', the … Continue reading The Old makes the New Clear
What matters in a marriage partner
Earlier this year, we ran some marriage seminars at church. The first session had the headline- marriage is about serving God. If you think that is odd, it may be worth remembering that singleness is also about serving God. In fact from a Christian perspective, any way of life that is not about serving God … Continue reading What matters in a marriage partner
Catholic vs Protestant, though the lens of Tolkien and Lewis
If you want to understand the difference between Catholicism and Protestantism, you could do worse than look at the creation myths of two Oxford friends, Tolkien and Lewis. Tolkien was a devout Catholic. And although his arguments were a key part of Lewis becoming a Christian, Lewis was a Protestant Anglican. Both Oxford academics, they … Continue reading Catholic vs Protestant, though the lens of Tolkien and Lewis
Systems thinking, and why it is sometimes right to be lopsided
Many years ago when I was studying science, I loved understanding how systems worked. I particularly enjoyed physiology, the study of how biological systems work in the body. In physiology, you can’t understand the parts without seeing how they work together. You look at the whole circulatory system, at the whole circuit of sensors, nerves … Continue reading Systems thinking, and why it is sometimes right to be lopsided
Faith seeking understanding 4
For previous posts in this series: https://jotsandscribbles.blog/2024/11/01/faith-seeking-understanding-3-common-ground-and-common-reasoning/ https://jotsandscribbles.blog/2024/10/18/faith-seeking-understanding-1-evangelical-suspicion-of-anselms-faith-seeking-understanding/ https://jotsandscribbles.blog/2024/10/23/faith-seeking-understanding-2-the-confessional-goal-and-overcoming-mindless-parroting-of-words/ Anselm's Faith seeking understanding seems at first glance an unpromising approach for an evangelical committed to Scripture as the source of revelation. Through this series, I've argued that it is actually very helpful as part of evangelical theological exploration. a) The goal (that which is to … Continue reading Faith seeking understanding 4
Faith seeking understanding 3 common ground and common reasoning
Previous posts in the series here: https://jotsandscribbles.blog/2024/10/18/faith-seeking-understanding-1-evangelical-suspicion-of-anselms-faith-seeking-understanding/ https://jotsandscribbles.blog/2024/10/23/faith-seeking-understanding-2-the-confessional-goal-and-overcoming-mindless-parroting-of-words/ The previous posts have highlighted the oddity of using Anselm’s faith seeking understanding approach, given its lack of Scripture, but also it’s confessional goal. The things to be proved are given in advance by the Scriptures, summarised in the creeds. There is faith which is then seeking … Continue reading Faith seeking understanding 3 common ground and common reasoning
Faith Seeking Understanding 2- the confessional goal, and overcoming mindless parroting of words
This is the second in a series on Anselm's faith seeking understanding approach. https://jotsandscribbles.blog/2024/10/18/faith-seeking-understanding-1-evangelical-suspicion-of-anselms-faith-seeking-understanding/ The lack of Bible in the arguments for Christian faith in Anselm’s “Faith seeking Understanding” seems troubling (see previous post). But it is worth understanding that the goal Anselm is aiming for is not set by a free ranging logic. He … Continue reading Faith Seeking Understanding 2- the confessional goal, and overcoming mindless parroting of words
Faith seeking understanding 1: Evangelical suspicion of Anselm’s “faith seeking understanding”
My formal theological training has not been typical for an evangelical Baptist. Rather than attending an evangelical Bible college, I did a 1 year post-graduate diploma at St Stephen’s House in Oxford. Then for my MPhil (at Trinity College, Bristol), I focused on a 12th century monk (technically a canon regular) called Richard of Saint … Continue reading Faith seeking understanding 1: Evangelical suspicion of Anselm’s “faith seeking understanding”
Jots and Scribbles 