Light, Life & Love

This blog is for those who seek a Judeo-Christian witness, in a fallen, broken and dark world!  “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (St. John 1: 4-5)  Theology may be defined as “Revelation upon the divine revelation given and received, which yields the truth of God in the form of precise language, with truths related to truths”. But we are to preach Christ – not theological systems as such, but – Christ crucified! (1 Cor. 2: 2) St. Paul does not mean a dead Christ, as if he had begun his thinking at Bethlehem and moved on to Calvary. He begins from the present moment and looking back through the Resurrection to the cross. His crucified Christ is the living Christ, still bearing the marks of the cross, as the perfect tense suggests. Always our task is therefore to relate theology to our preaching and teaching of Christ!  The trained mind and the warm heart together read what cold scholarship so easily can miss. So we can always know: “Your life has been hidden (and therefore is now invisible) with Christ in God.” ( Col. 3:3) But He is Lord of History, in control of events, master of all that is.

“The non-theological christ is popular; he wins votes; but he is not mighty; he does not win souls; he does not break men into small pieces and create them anew.” ~ P.T. Forsyth

I am a 62 year old male, father, husband. I am an Anglican priest & presbyter, but now semi-retired. I was born in Dublin Ireland and later educated in England. I hold both the D.Phil. & Th.D. (Pauline Studies, Romans). I was also a Royal Marine Commando (for over 10 years, plus with the Reserves). I saw combat many times, from the Nam (attached with the American Force Recon Marines)..to Gulf War 1 in my 40′s, etc.

I am always a conservative, both biblically/theologically (this includes being a “Biblical” Zionist,  historical and premillennial). Right now, I am inclined to the Post- trib. position on the so-called rapture. But I am pressed towards the Progressive Dispensational position at the moment. I cannot escape some kind of dispensational scheme, though I am certainly covenantal & reformed on the Doctrines of Grace. I have changed my views here somewhat, and will continue to grapple with the biblical text on this subject. The Church and culture is certainly moving closer into the great eschatological end!  Romans 13: 11-14 has been very real to me of late!  So I always hold the right to revision and change as a Reformed and Reformational Christian!   It is quite obvious that I am open and able to change my views on some things, but as far as the so-called “orthodox” aspects and truth.. I am an Anglican Churchman and follow the Ecumenical Councils, especially the Nicene Creed, etc.

Fr. Robert

PS..I should note and state, that I believe and am devoted to the detailed study and analysis of the Scriptures (Old & New), rooted in the foundational belief that they are truly the written word of God, that they are entirely sufficient unto themselves, and that as such they must be allowed to interpret themselves!

“Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come…”Christ”. ( St. Paul, Acts 26:22-23, KJV)