Escolar Documentos
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The Fuzzy Faithful The Long Road Home Progress of the Gospel in India Meet one of our Members
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Take Note
No Hiding Place Events affecting the family of Northern Irelands First Minister Peter Robinson caused much shock throughout the land and much further afield. To watch a man in full glare of the media having to lay his marital situation before a watching world is not a position many would want to be in. Because of Mrs Robinsons high profile and Christian profession the evangelical community has been the scorn of much of the press. Her strong comments on homosexuality, while now facing such serious accusations about her personal life and business dealings, has brought the charge of hypocrisy from many, including the gay lobby. Her speedy removal from the DUP caused one journalist to ask If Christ has forgiven her what right had the party to expunge her? It is quite amazing how many journalists can become theologians in such situations. How do we as evangelical Christians react? Firstly, we recognize the gravity of such sin. The Bible condemns adultery and we are all too aware that there but for the grace of God go we. Secondly, there is forgiveness with God to all who truly repent. David, with true sorrow for his sin found forgiveness with GodPsalm 51. Thirdly we are commanded to pray for our rulers and leaders and we must pray for those who are elected to high office in the land.
Policy
The views expressed are those of the Editor and Contributors which are understood to reflect the theological position of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Editor
Harold Gibson Stockbridge 2 Barronstown Court DROMORE BT25 1FB hgibson@barronstown.force9.net
Copy Deadline
1st of month prior to publication
Subscriptions 2010
Collected 9.00 By post within UK 10.80 By post outside UK 14.80 Enquiries to: Evangelical Book Shop (See back page for contact details)
Finance
Anyone wishing to help the Churchs work may send their gift to the Finance Committee, C/o: Rev J S Roger 16 Huntingdale BALLYCLARE BT39 9XB The church can benefit from the Gift Aid scheme from taxpayers donations. Please ask for details.
Cover Photograph
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is a 20m rope suspension bridge at Ballintoy from the mainland to Carrick Island. It is owned by the National Trust. Photograph: Harold Gibson 2
Take Note: Be sure your sin will find you out. We cannot hide from God!
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The Fundamentals of our Faith In the Christian faith there are fundamentals that are non-negotiable. We believe the Bible to be the infallible and inerrant Word of God, the only rule of faith and practice. We believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to life eternal. We believe that mankind is sinful and guilty before God and needs to be saved. We believe in the life hereafter, eternal bliss for those who trust Christ and eternal damnation for those who do not. The doctrine of God, the Trinity, the Person and work of Christ are fundamental truths of the Gospel on which their can be no deviation or compromise. There are of course secondary matters on which we do not take issue because they are not vital to the fundamentals of the faith. As someone once said we are to be firm on the fundamentals and flexible on the incidentals! The Focus of our Faith The writer of Hebrews tells us to fix our eyes upon Jesus. He is the author and finisher of our faith. There can be many distractions in the Christian life and Hebrews reminds us that we are in a race. We are to run with perseverance looking to Jesus and laying aside those weights that would hinder us. The fuzzy faithful look to other things, their gaze is often on the outward and temporal. The world and its methods are introduced into the church in order to be attractive to the outside world. Cooperation with unbelief is promoted under the guise of toleration and the Jesus of the Bible is reduced to being no more than another prophet or great teacher. Throughout the New Testament we find that Christ is central in the life of the church. Paul writes to the Corinthians we preach Christ crucified. Philip met the Ethiopian eunuch and preached Jesus unto him. Peter tells us we are to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. The fuzzy faithful have no foundation and no fundamental beliefs or practices, with their focus blurred with regard to who Jesus is and why he died. The Bible says do not be children in understanding ... but in understanding be mature. (1 Cor 14.20) How is your life of faith, fuzzy or crystal clear?
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J Gresham Machen, Selected Shorter Writings, edited by D.G.Hart, P&R, 2004, p 34. Evangelicalism Divided, Iain H Murray, Banner of Truth, 2000, p 296 Collected Writings of John Murray, Vol 1, Banner of Truth, 1976, p 5.
HEADTEACHER
NCS is a new, private school in Newcastle upon Tyne, providing a distinctively (Reformed) Christian education for Years 1 to 8. We are seeking a Headteacher who:
Is passionate about Christian education Has the character and gifts necessary for leadership Is committed to the Reformed faith Has proven teaching skills and relates well to young children.
MarchMarch-April 2010
Firstly, notice that the road to life isnt the obvious choice. Two years ago I was climbing a mountain on the Isle of Skye, which has two summits, one slightly higher than the other. The trickiest part of the climb is getting from the first summit over to the second. The only way of doing this safely, is to climb down a steep gully on to a ridge that separates the two and then to climb up the other side. Now the guidebook that I was using, didnt state whether the gully was to the right or the left of the first summit, and because of low cloud cover that day, it was difficult to know which way to go. The easiest route seemed to be on the left, but just before I headed in that direction, I noticed faint footprints heading off to the right. Mercifully, I decided to check this out first and sure enough the footprints led me to the top of the gully. The path to the right wasnt the obvious choice, but it was the only safe route.
Now we see something similar in our passage in the decision that faces Naomis daughters-in-law, and although we are separated by centuries, their situation mirrors our own. Naomi herself must be shell-shocked. Put yourself in her shoes. Her hopes and plans lie in ruins. She was trying to escape death, but death caught up with her. She has lost everything. So she must be thrilled by the news that reaches her in v6 - the Lord had visited his people and given them food. (ESV). She doesnt seem to waste much time weighing the pros and cons for staying or going. She is off and there is no stopping her. (v7) But this creates a dilemma for Naomi. What about Ruth and Orpah? What should they do? This question seems to preoccupy Naomi for the first part of the journey, as the three of them make their way to the border. Now she comes to her decision in v8-9. The girls should return to their own people. Ruth and Orpah protest, but Naomi is adamant and she explains her reasoning in v11: Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? Now she expands upon
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this, but her main point is clear enough, she is not in a position to provide them with husbands nor will she ever be. Remember that according to the custom of the day, a younger brother would marry the widow of his older brother, to preserve the family line. But thats not going to happen, Naomi says. Interestingly, she also seems to rule out the possibility of the girls marrying other Israelite men, probably because she realises that the girls nationality will stand against them. So on balance, it is better for them to stay in Moab, where they are not going to be ostracized or shunned. They are still relatively young and the chances are, if they return to their parents, they will find husbands and live happily ever after. Now Naomis reasoning makes sense doesnt it? You cant fault it, can you? And you can understand why Orpah eventually accepts her mother-in-laws advice and returns home. (v14) At least she has a chance of finding happiness, whereas Ruth seems to be choosing a path of hardship and loneliness. But we all face a similar choice, a choice between Moab and Judah. Between the world and the Kingdom of God, and because we are born sinners, we naturally feel at home in the world. We know the ways of the world. We speak the worlds language, and lets be honest, the world holds out the possibility of real happiness. By contrast the way of the Kingdom seems so different, so difficult. (Matt 7.13-14) At face value the road to life isnt the obvious choice is it? But it is not as simple as that. Some years ago, a large group of people in America received notification, that they had won a luxury holiday and they were invited to a reception, where they would be presented with their tickets. On the day, they arrived at a plush hotel and were met with glasses of champagne and ushered into a large dinner-room, which was set for a lavish meal. But all of a sudden, armed police stormed the building and arrested everyone. You see everyone that had supposedly won the holiday, was on a wanted list and the whole thing was a ploy to get them in one place. Now the world is like that. The world seems to hold out so much more than the way to life, but ultimately it fails to deliver. Orpah may have found Mr Right, but as she walks away from Naomi and Ruth, she walks away into oblivion. She is making the sensible choice, but in doing so she is forfeiting so much. She is walking away from God, from salvation and from eternal life. Ruth may be choosing the more difficult road, but she wins out in the end. But which road will you choose? 2 The Most Painful So the road to life may not be the oblivious choice, but it is the best one.
Secondly, notice that the road home is often the most painful. Do you remember Private Frazer in Dads Army? He was the pessimistic Scotsman, who in tight spots, often used to say Were doomed. All doomed.
Well, Naomi is a bit like that. In v16-17 Ruth professes her faith in the God of Israel. This is surely one of the most amazing moments in the OT Scriptures. This kind of thing doesnt happen everyday does it? And it is almost miraculous, when you remember that everything she knows about Israels God, has been learned from a family who are hardly shining examples of piety. But look how Naomi responds
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in v18: And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more. Literally the Hebrew says that Naomi stopped speaking to Ruth! God has brought about this amazing conversion, but it would seem that Naomi cant see it. Now there is real disagreement over how to interpret Naomis actions in this passage. Some want to paint her in the best possible light, whilst others take a different line. But the plain reading of the text, seems to show us that Naomi isnt handling things very well. This comes across again as she arrives in Bethlehem and says to her former friends and neighbours: Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. (v20 ESV) There is no mention here of Ruth and her amazing conversion, neither is there any acknowledgement of her husbands sinful choices. She simply wants to be known by a name that means bitter, which reminds us of Israels grumbling in the wilderness. (Ex. 15:22 -25) So what are we to make of this? How do we explain Naomis behaviour? Personally, I think that Naomi is struggling to come to terms with Gods providence in her life. She doesnt appreciate how he has dealt with her. Do you remember when you were caught doing something wrong as a child? As you fought back the tears, there was often a sense of injustice at the punishment received, wasnt there, and a sense of hurt pride? You didnt like the fact that you had been caught in the act. But often at the back of it all, there was the pain of a guilty conscience. You didnt want to admit it, but you knew you were in the wrong and it hurt that your parents were in the right. Well, I think that that is where Naomi is right now. She is hurting, because God has dealt with her and she doesnt appreciate it that much, and surely many of us can identify with her at this point. Havent there been times in our lives when we have chosen a path that is contrary to biblical standards, and the Lord steps in and deals with us and we dont appreciate it? The sad thing is, that in situations like this we cant see the wood for the trees. All we see is the discipline and not the motive lying behind the discipline. That is the case with Naomi. In v22 we read: And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest. Can you see what is going on here? Naomi receives a report that the Lord has given food to his people (v6) and providentially, she arrives home at the best possible time. But there is more. Although Naomi doesnt realise it yet, through Ruths conversion, the Lord has guaranteed Naomis future security and well-being. Not to mention the fact, that the Lord has brought Naomi back to the sphere of blessing, from her sinful wanderings. The Lord has been so gracious, but Naomi cant see it as yet. Friends, dont be too quick to accuse the Lord of treating you unfairly, because it may well be, that your heavenly Father, who has already proved his love for you in Christ, is actually saving you from yourself and brining you right back to him. Now the road home may be painful, but all long that road, there will be tokens of Gods love, if you have eyes to see them. Amen. Mr Roberts,, General Secretary of Day One, is retiring and will preach a farewell address at Stranmillis EPC, Thursday 25 March 2010, meeting at 8.00 pm. We appreciate the great work Mr Roberts has done. All welcome!
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In the earlier Botanic Avenue days she helped to run the Childrens meeting for nearly thirty years. At that time the leaders collected the children by going round the streets of Sandy Row and Donegall Pass on foot and walking them as a group to the Church. There were 60-70 children at its height. She joined the summer Open Air meetings of that era too. From the beginning she attended the Young Peoples Meeting. The young people of that time took turns at writing papers on subjects such as Bible characters and missionaries. When the meeting became the Young Peoples Bible Class in 1944 there was more direct teaching by Rev W J Grier on the Commandments, Books of the Bible and the cults. Irene was also a regular at the denominational Ladies United Monthly Prayer Meeting which ran on Wednesday afternoons from 1927 until 1999 without a break. She became a member of Botanic Avenue in 1956. It was through the Young Peoples Bible Class that Irenes friendship with Florrie Donaldson, our missionary in Peru from 1951-1985 began. The Class met on Monday nights, alternately at Botanic Avenue and Lisburn Road. In September 1944 when Sadie Brown was unable to accompany Florrie to one of the Lisburn Road meetings because of illness, she asked Irene to do it. Irene had been living in Rugby Avenue where the family had moved in 1933 and since this was on Florries route to both Churches Florrie called for her on the way to Church from then. Irene wrote to Florrie every week during her 35 years in Peru. When the congregation became Stranmillis in 1971 Irenes role changed in some respects. She was Mission Box Secretary from 1966-2000 and wrote the congregations annual Missions Report. She has been fully involved in the Ladies Fellowship which began in 1982. Employment Irenes first job was in a newsagent shop in Donegall Pass for nine months in 1942. She then moved to the drapery trade which turned out to be her lifes calling. She worked in Montgomerys in Sandy Row for 18 months but lost the job through a rheumatic fever type illness which lasted six weeks. Next it was Cootes on the Lisburn Road, just above our Lisburn Road Church, 1944-47. Then the offer came from Speers and Newell, an Ormeau Road shop owned by two ladies from the Botanic Avenue congregation. It came after a Thursday Prayer Meeting and Irene prayed for guidance and accepted. Not far above the Ormeau Park, on the other side of the road, it was nearer home for her and turned out to be a lasting blessing for all concerned. She became a close friend to the Speers and Newell connection and provided much help and fellowship for them in their advancing years. When S & N was sold in 1970 Irene stayed on but opened her own drapery shop in 1971 on the opposite side of the road, which she ran until her retirement in 2000. The final years brought their own difficulties with a succession of break-ins. We thank Irene for her exemplary faithfulness and service in the work of the Kingdom of Heaven at home and abroad. This has not just been in her unfailing attendance at the Lords Day Services Prayer Meetings and other Church events and in her appreciation of the faithful ministries she has enjoyed throughout her life, but in using her gifts fully to serve the Lord in every way open to her. We pray that such willing commitment to the Lord and his service will be a powerful example today.
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To promote the reformed and Presbyterian faith through publishing To support the Church in the work of evangelism. To support or arrange local missionary and elder training programmes To support missionaries, new believers families, and needy church members To support poor students studying at Chhapara Mission School To arrange seekers camps one or twice a year for teaching and fellowship
Seekers Camp The first seekers camp was held 26 -28 December 2009 at Chhapara in memory of Rev P Kumar with the theme: Jesus Christ: the Way, the Truth and the Life. 180 attended and we had about 300 at our evening service. Rev Samit Mishra spoke on the theme, Mrs P Kumar on Christian Fellowship, Mrs T Lall on Christian Discipleship, Miss Mamta Kumar on How to be Steadfast in the Faith, Mr Pradeep Kumar on New Birth In Christ, Mrs Swarnlata Paul on The Importance of the Christian Life and Mr Fakir Chand on what is Sin, Repentance & Grace. Rev Shyam Babu, Lakhnadon, preached the closing address on I press on towards the goal. The camp was more successful than anyone expected. We now feel that we must extend Chhapara Church to accommodate the growing numbers of new believers. Fruits of Prayer In 2009 26 new believers were baptized and 25 new believers have become communicant members. Brijlal Dhurve, a young man in his final year of BSc, has expressed his desire to study for the ministry. His brother, Fakir Chand, BTh, is working as an evangelist near Lakhnadon. Eight new believers have been sent into missionary work with Grace Ministries of Indias Mobile Tent Ministry Team and three others have been selected to work around Chhapara, We are planning a reformed training program in 2010 for our local missionaries. Please pray that the efforts of those who have gone before us will motivate us to spread the Gospel, our supreme duty. Your regular prayers, emails, concern and support remind us that we have brothers and sisters all over the world who pray for us, and that we are one in him, children of his covenant. To God be the Glory. Catherine Grier We are delighted to hear that Catherine was accepted into membership of Aim International in January 2010. Catherine trained as a doctor in Aberdeen and has worked in the Inverness and Aberdeen areas. She has already attended AIMs European Based Orientation and undertaken the en route course at All Nations Christian College in 2009 and other studies. An assignment has still to be worked out for Catherine. She is passionate about evangelism and discipleship and is seeking a placement where she can use her medical skills and be mentored both medically and spiritually by those more experienced. Please pray regularly for Catherine as she seeks Gods will for her future assignment.
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Repent:
This means Turn away From sin
Hi! Two boys are running down the school corridor. Walk! shouts the teacher Sorry! grin the boys, slowing down.
But as soon as the teacher is out of sight, the boys start racing again.
Think!
Think!
CHECKLIST: Do you believe you are a sinner? Do you feel it in your heart? Are you ashamed of your sin in front of God? Do you hate your sin? Do you want to be different? Then
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John the Baptist is preaching in the desert. He tells people they must REPENT. But John wants more than just saying, Sorry! He wants to see evidence that they are really serious about turning from their sin.
Read Luke 3:11-14 to find out what John says to the crowds who listen to him. ORDINARY PEOPLE: share your t----- and your f--TAX COLLECTORS: c------ no more than you are meant to SOLDIERS: do not i--------- anyone, do not accuse f------, be content with your w----
The Bible says that God commands all men everywhere to REPENT (Acts 17:30) That includes YOU. Dont wait until it is too late.
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March M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 10 India 14 11 Preachers 15 12 Knock 16 13 Conversions 17 14 Page 1616-2 18 15 Colegio, Lima 19 16 Conference 20 17 Ministers 21 18 Lords Day 22 19 Omagh 23 20 Witnessing 24 21 North Belfast 25 22 Book Shop 26 23 EPCEW 27 24 Thanks 28 25 Transport 29 26 South Africa 30 27 Page 1616-3 31 28 CDC 29 Camps 30 Catherine G
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8 Office Bearers Pray for our office bearers in their leadership and duties 9 Stranmillis Pray for the International Students Bible study every Friday night Pray for village outreach and the training of missionaries pages 10-11 Pray for those who preach the Word of God in our churches today Pray for strength and energy as we seek to reach out with the GosPray that we will see conversions through all our work and witness Pray for Key Prayer Point 2 overleaf Remember the work of the new school year which begins 1 March Pray for the Presbytery Family Day Conference, 24 April 2010 Pray for their health, strength and spiritual wellbeing Pray that we would enjoy all the blessings of the Lords Day Pray for our young peoples work, that God would save Pray that we would be good witnesses for Christ in our situations Pray for our witness and for new contacts Pray for the ongoing witness of the Book Shop in Belfast Pray for the church in Bury St Edmunds, their need for a pastor Give thanks to the Lord for his constant goodness and kind providences Pray for the arrangements for Sunday School and during the week Pray for Piyo, Stali, Mshweshwe, Fee Church Students for Ministry Pray for Key Prayer Point 3 overleaf Remember the work of the Church Development Committee Pray for the planning and preparation for our summer camps Pray for Catherine Grier regarding her future assignmentpage 11
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Across 1 3 5 7 10 15 17 18 19 20 22 23 25 28 30 31 34 35 36 Down 1 2 4 5 6 8 9 11 12 13 14 16 21 24 25 26 27 29 32 33
Used for sacrifice (5) Jeroboams son (5) Do this from the brook (5) Still and small (5) Escaped with them (8) Broken altar was this (8) Grass to save these (6) After eleventh (7) Second mantle owner (6) Jeroboam made Israel this (3) Under a juniper (5) Male relation (3) Flesh and instruments (6) Number of stones taken (6) How many barrels? (4) Proclaimed! (4) In his mouth (5) Entrance (4) A days journey here (10) Son made ships (3) Abundant sound (4) This eastward (4) Moisture on grass (3) The fathers left it (11) Idol worshippers (8) Elijah was one (8) A little cloud from it (3) Written by Jezebel (7) Years of peace (5) Prophets sons here (7) Clothes in two (6) False gods (5) A little in a cruse (3) Two went down here (6) Asked God to take his (4) Wanted this portion (6) Asked for this in a vessel (5) Show himself to this man (4) Slept under (4)
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The 2010 series of Crosswords is testing 1 Please post your entry to the Editor to our knowledge of six major Bible characters. arrive, week commencing 28 March. (Not No 1 was Moses. No 2 is Elijah. You should before! Valid entries must be posted) study the relevant sections of 1 Kings 17-2 2 Mark your envelope Crossword. Kings 2, but dont forget the references to 3 The Editor will select the first correct him throughout the Bible. entry from the bag as the winner. 17
Church News
Obituary: Miss Vera Ginn, Knock
On Wednesday 20 January 2010, Miss Vera Ginn, a faithful and highly respected member of Knock EPC was called home to the glory of Heaven, where she now views her Saviour face to face. Vera is survived by her two sisters Leila and May. Born 25 February 1913, Vera had lived through many days of great challenge and great change, and proved the sufficiency of her Saviour countless times. A native of Londonderry, she later moved to Belfast, and joined Knock in 1977, the same year in which Rev John Ross had earlier been installed. He was greatly encouraged by Veras prayer life and the impact it had upon the church family. Her godly influence also reached further afield through her letter writing. She wrote to missionary friends about home life, about happenings in Knock, as well as other political and church developments in Northern Ireland. To quote Dr Ross: These letters were accurate, perceptive and wonderfully witty. Vera also wrote a column in the congregational magazine Knock News, entitled Favourite Hymns. Rev Robert Johnston closed his funeral address with the following words from Veras comments on the hymn Face to face with Christ my Saviour: Its great to know where you are going; for we must all leave this world, and if we confess our sins and make Christ our Saviour, he says Where I am there you will be also. Hallelujah! Im going to be there, are you? RJJ
Spotlight on Society
Equality Bill defeated in Lords On January 25 the House of Lords voted against Government plans to alter the law on who churches and other faith-based groups can employ. Peers voted 216 to 178 in favour of Lady OCathains amendment to keep the current law unchanged. Further attempts by the Government to overturn the amendments were also defeated in the Lords. We give thanks for this victory and pray for those who rule over us as we are exhorted to do in Scripture. For up to date news visit www.christian.org.uk Prayer Email A part-time school receptionist, who was disciplined by her bosses for sending a prayer email, will have her case for religious discrimination heard by an employment tribunal in March. Mrs. Jennie Cain sent the email from her own home, outside work time, using her own computer and her personal email account. The Christian Institute Pope to visit Britain At the invitation of Gordon Brown, the Pope is to visit Britain, most likely in September. As this will be a state visit it presents constitutional and religious issues. Rev Gordon Murray, chairman of The Protestant Truth Society says Our national constitution is clearly Protestant in its attitude towards Rome. Our Monarch is pledged by her accession and coronation vows to uphold the Protestant faith as Queen and Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Evangelical Times
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Wesley Owen Gone The Wesley Owen bookshop in Belfast has now ceased trading. The parent group got into financial difficulties at the end of 2009. Previously known as The Presbyterian Bookshop and before that The Sabbath School Society for Ireland, it was sold to the Wesley Owen chain some years ago.
Presbytery News
ICRC European Conference Mr David Watson has been appointed as Presbyterys delegate to attend the European conference organised by the International Conference of Reformed Churches in Edinburgh in March. 2010 marks the centenary of the Edinburgh Missionary Conference.
About 40 campers and leaders gathered at Sheep Island View Hostel in Ballintoy. The outdoor activities included a walk across the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. The week-end theme was The Warnings of ScriptureWarnings that urge coming to Christ, learning the Word of God and living the Christian life in a fallen world.
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which religious souls will go on squeezing God. Little things, like what caused the universe; how life arose; what evolutionist Theodore Dobzhansky called the biological uniqueness of man; and the whole question of morality and the meaning of life. But of course these are mere details and materialistic science will eventually come up with answers to all these questions leaving no gaps for God to fill. Like Lewis Carrolls Cheshire cat, he will vanish away, leaving only the smile (or frown?) behind. But God is not a God of the gaps, nor has he ever been. This view of the deity is a parody on religion that has never been embraced by thinking man. When Johannes Kepler discovered the mathematical laws of planetary motion he didnt say, Well, thats one less thing to explain by appeal to God. Instead, he claimed that the very laws he had discovered were the thoughts of a transcendent Deity a conclusion that stood in the best traditions of a Judaeo-Christian belief system that had already existed for four millennia. As St. Paul declares: God, who made the world and everything in it, since he is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is he worshipped with mens hands, as though he needed anything, since he gives life to all, breath, and all things . for in him we live and move and have our being. God certainly doesnt dwell in temples made of gaps.
Who made God? by former Evangelical Times editor and chairman Professor Edgar
Andrews is a decisive riposte to the New Atheism (EP Books; Hardback, 304 pages, 9.95/$17.95; ISBN: 9780852347072). In recent weeks, numerous reviews and positive comments have been received from people as diverse as John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, and popular author Bill Bryson. Christian blogger Tim Challies says: it is a powerful book and one that is exceptionally well-written. Who Made God? is just the book Ive been waiting for. It aptly refutes the claims of the new atheists, but does so without giving away the farm in the meantime. And I couldnt ask for much more than that ( www.challies.com). This book has been a top seller at the Evangelical Book Shop, Belfast.
Section 1 Death and the Intermediate State After death the body decomposes into dust, but the soul, which is immortal and does not die or sleep, immediately returns to God. The souls of the righteous are then made perfect in holiness and received into the highest heaven, where they behold the face of God in light and glory while they await the full redemption of their bodies. The souls of the wicked are consigned to hell where they are held in anguish and darkness to face the final judgement. Scripture recognises only two abodes for souls during the intermediate stateheaven or hell. Section 2 One General Resurrection Those alive at the last day will not die but be changed. All who have died will be raised in their own physical bodies, but with different attributes, and each will be reunited with their own souls for ever. Section 3 The Resurrection Body Christ shall raise the bodies of the wicked to discredit and condemnation at the last judgement. The Holy Spirit shall raise the bodies of the righteous to honour, transforming them to the likeness of Christs glorious body. Chapters 32-33The Doctrine of the Last Things, comprise the final section of the Confession. The Larger and Shorter Catechisms deal with the subject much earlier in their sequence, immediately after their sections on Salvation (LC 84-90; SC 37-39). The Catechisms are very helpful in expanding the Confessions teaching at points. It is notable that although millennial teaching was prominent in the 17th century, and existed among the Westminster Divines themselves, the Confession is careful not to make specific pronouncements on the subject. Since, in this chapter, the second coming is a single event, it does not sit well with standard dispensationalism which requires a two-stage sequence. Nor does it encourage the pre-millennial view since Christs coming and the last judgement in WCF follow one another without an apparent gap without any mention of the 1000 year millennial kingdom on earth, of the earthly reign of Christ or of the participation in it of glorified saints. So it appears that the Confession is not quite neutral on these subjects. There are various other relevant issues we could highlight but it is far more encouraging to dwell briefly on the wonderful future of the people of God that is presented to us here with such warmth, clarity and assurance. They move without a break from earthly life to the intermediate state in which their now perfectly holy souls enjoy the bliss of the highest heaven in the immediate presence of God. But there is something better still to cometheir reunion with their own bodies at the resurrection, bodies that will be glorified like Christs and will have new capacities so that they can render better and better service to God for ever. And we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. (1 John 3.1)
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MarchMarch-April 2010
Book Reviews
Should Christians Embrace Evolution? Norman C Nevin (Editor), Inter-Varsity Press, 2009, 220 pages, 9.99 8.25 2009 has seen the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of On the Origin of the Species. This book is a collection of fourteen essays by contributors from the fields of science and theology, examining the evidence for evolution from a Biblical perspective. The first essay sets the scene by reviewing the current challenges Christian believers face from secular scholars. Next is a review of how the church has responded to the theory of evolution since Darwin, 1859. Then follows essays which are essentially theological, exploring topics such as the language of Genesis, the doctrinal importance of Adam and Eve, the Fall and death, creation, redemption, and the character of God. The latter part examines the scientific evidence as it is put forward by proponents of evolution. The chapters are well written, although of varying difficulty. Whilst not stated on the cover, the book is essentially a critique of Denis Alexanders Creation or Evolution: Do We Have to Choose? Not having read Alexanders book, I can only say that his position, as represented in this work, seems to advocate a style of theistic evolution which has little place for the actions of God. Many of the chapters are very informative, but with a lack of uniform style. The end piece by Phil Hills and Norman Nevin does draw many of these strands of argument together, supporting special creation and warning readers to be wary of any theological compromise that would be required in accepting evolutionary theory. Michael Trimble Risking the Truth: Handling Error in the Church Martin Downes, Christian Focus Publications, 247 pages, 8.99 6.75 Martin Downes has produced a unique volume of interviews with twenty evangelical leaders on how to handle theological error. Although it has the pastor, professor and theological student in mind, the theme has a universal relevance to Christians. Downes asks his contributors how and why erroneous teaching arises and how, in contrast, we can maintain our faithfulness to the Gospel. Among his interviewees are Carl Trueman, Ligon Duncan, Iain D Campbell, Derek Thomas, Greg Beale, Robert Peterson, Geoff Thomas, Michael Horton and Mark Dever. The result of selecting what Sinclair B Ferguson describes as an all-star team is that the discussions give us scholarship, wisdom and pastoral experience that they provide a useful overview of theological dangers and practical advice. The interviews with Carl Trueman (whose main concern is the seminary), Derek Thomas (who focuses on the task of the minister) and Ligon Duncan (who warns of a justification downgrade) make particularly good reading. This book is particularly relevant in times when every major doctrine is under attack. Martin Downes successfully shows that despite Gospel faithfulness making us unpopular, we should be like the church at Ephesus, commended by Christ for its discernment and willingness to act accordingly. (Rev 2) Colin Campbell
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New Titles
Scandalous Don A Carson 7.99 5.99 The leading New Testament scholar unpacks the meaning of the Cross and Resurrection of Christ by doing exegesis of 5 Scripture passages. Jesus Himself Sir Marcus Loane 8.00 6.00 the Story of the Resurrection (Hardback gift book,136pages) The late Archbishop of Sidney is always worth readingfresh and glorying in the Saviour. Radical Disciple John Stott 8.99 6.99 The authors 51st book and final testimony is a plea for wholehearted Christian living which he has modelled throughout his long life of ministry. Challenging! Awakening David Robertson 9.99 7.50 The life story of Robert Murray MCheyne, the famous saintly minister in Dundee whose short life was so influential 170 years ago. Intolerance of Tolerance Don A Carson 12.99 9.75 A penetrating critique of those who have so changed the meaning of toleration that they deny the possibility of absolute truth under the guise of being tolerant. (publication delayed to late March) Trials of Theology Brian Rosner & Andrew Cameron 8.99 6.75 Guidance for theology students from modern experts and voices from the past, helping them to avoid pitfalls and move towards worship in their studies. Love Divine and Unfailing Michael V Barrett 8.95 6.75 The Free Presbyterian College Principal in USA contributes Hosea to the helpful Presbyterian and Reformed series The Gospel according to the Old Testament. Roots Alec Motyer 11.99 8.99 Let the Old Testament Speak A comprehensive survey of the OT centred around its authors and characters shows that Jesus is the fulfilment of OT Scripture.
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