Some election-season advice from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. 1 Cor 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in … Continue reading “I am of Albo” / “I am of Scomo” – Political Tribalism and the Church

My new book has just been published by Cascade. It’s called To Aliens and Exiles: Preaching the New Testament as Minority-Group Rhetoric in a Post-Christendom World. OK, it’s a mouthful. But let me break it down for you: Over the past few decades, Christians in the West have rediscovered the fact that we’re a minority. … Continue reading New Book: To Aliens and Exiles

In 2016, Catching the Wave: Preaching the New Testament as Rhetoric was published by Inter-Varsity Press (UK). Here’s a bit about it! Who’s the book for? The primary audience is pastors and regular preachers who want to learn how to harness the power of the biblical text in their preaching. A great Christmas gift idea for … Continue reading Catching the Wave

Over the past couple of months there’s been a steady stream of articles by Christian leaders weighing in on the Israel Folau controversy. A common theme has been an affirmation of Folau’s commitment to his faith, while expressing concern about his rhetorical strategy; that is, the way in which he’s spoken about it. We see … Continue reading Beyond Israel Folau: the importance of rhetorical setting

Most people don’t remember anything that happened to them before the age of two. Which, as a parent, makes you wonder why you bother. Feeding, changing, bathing, going to the park, pretending you can’t see them when they put their hands over their eyes, and reading the same story over and over again – none … Continue reading Why bother with preaching?

Few books of the Bible have been as controversial in their interpretation as Revelation. This article is a transcript of various sermons and lectures I’ve given over the years about how I approach the book. I’ve included it here essentially so I can link to it whenever Coffee with the King deals with a text from Revelation – … Continue reading Interpreting Revelation

An Acts to Grind: using Acts as church manual ‘Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the way things are done, just as they were handed down to us by those who were foundation members of our particular denomination. Therefore, since I myself have carefully confirmed my own prejudices from the beginning, it … Continue reading Preaching Acts

I’ve been guilty of it. Probably more times than I’ve realised. And so have you, I’m guessing, if you’re a preacher who has ever tried to be creative; who has tried to do something different in order to captivate the congregation with the truth of Scripture. At some point, we’ve all fallen into the error … Continue reading When your sermon needs Greg

This is a quick overview of the book by the same title, published by Wipf & Stock and available on Amazon.com. It’s a thesis publication with the Australian College of Theology. A more accessible, practical presentation – aimed at preachers – is planned for later in 2015. Exordium: Designing a sermon that does Language doesn’t just say. … Continue reading Preaching the NT as Rhetoric

This is some supporting material to a sermon on Praying Scripture, for Gymea Baptist Church (July 19, 2015). The challenge is to go for one week not praying for anything we don’t find in Paul’s prayers (below). See how it changes your patterns of prayer! Thankfulness 1 Cor 1:3 I always thank my God for you because … Continue reading Praying Scripture