Articles

<Previous Edition | Volume 26 Number 1 2009 | Next Edition>

Read the Editorial for this issue

Anvil Volume 26 Number 1 2009

Lives Jesus Changed: Character Studies in John's Gospel

Simon Vibert

In this article Simon Vibert briefly introduces some of the dominant themes in John’s Gospel before examining how John develops his narrative through stories of individuals and groups who display differing responses to the person of Jesus Christ. The people we meet act as mirrors, reflecting aspects of Jesus’ character to the audience. Through unpacking the positive and negative reactions to their growing awareness that Jesus might be the Christ, they enable readers to examine Jesus Christ for themselves and make their own response to the Word made flesh. The article shows that, whether this is a journey towards belief in Jesus as the Christ and life in His name (John 20:31) or glimpses of God’s glory that blind or dazzle and drive people away, John’s Gospel provides us with a vivid photo album of lives Jesus changed.

Simon Vibert is Vice Principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford and author of a forthcoming book on John’s Gospel entitled Lives Jesus Changed.

Sexual Ethics and the Jesus of the Gospels

John Nolland

John Nolland examines claims which are often made regarding the relative unimportance of sexual ethics to Jesus and his apparent silence in relation to same-sex sexual activity. He presents a helpful survey of the Gospels’ witness to Jesus’ teaching in this area and explores the New Testament’s terminology in both the gospels and some of the relevant Pauline material. As a result he argues that sexual ethics have a place of considerable importance for the Jesus of the Gospels and that where he is silent he is affirming earlier scriptural teaching.

John Nolland is Academic Dean at Trinity College, Bristol. He is a Gospels specialist, having published major commentaries on Luke and Matthew, but the focus of his research interest has recently moved to New Testament ethics.

The Implications of Semper Reformanda

Andrew Atherstone

What does it mean for the church to be ‘always reforming’? This is a call encapsulated in the well-known saying ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda. In this article – based on his address at the Reform National Conference for Action in October 2008 – Andrew Atherstone argues that the motto lays down a challenge to both radicals and conservatives in today’s church.

Andrew Atherstone is tutor in history and doctrine, and Latimer research fellow, at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He is the author of the recently published history of Anvil’s origins, An Anglican Evangelical Identity Crisis: The Churchman-Anvil Affair of 1981-1984 (Latimer Trust, 2008).

‘The Lakeland Outpouring’: A Florida Curate’s Egg

Nigel Scotland

In 2008, much attention was given, especially in some charismatic circles, to the ‘Lakeland Outpouring’ in Florida and especially to Todd Bentley. Nigel Scotland here provides an account of these events and begins the task of assessing the Outpouring and the claims made for and against it and its charismatic figurehead.

Nigel Scotland has been a tutor at Trinity College, Bristol since 2006. He is also an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Gloucestershire where he lectured for many years. He has written two books on the Charismatic Movement and a number of journal articles and visited the controversial Lakeland Outpouring for a week.

To make sure you get this year's issues, why not subscribe to ANVIL.