Abortion Consultation

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Interview with Catherine Grier

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Keep going! (Joshua 13)

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Phi lippians 1 v 9-11

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Keep going! (Joshua 13)

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CONTENTS

14
Book reviews

16
Best of the blogs

FIRST WORD
Over the past few months it has been easy to feel

Secondly, Peter teaches his readers that they ought to

discouraged and despondent regarding the trajectory

keep their conduct honourable (2v12). How easy it is to

along which society appears to be travelling. The

respond to the worlds mocking and ridicule with exactly

outcomes in both the Irish same-sex marriage

the same in return. We must be less like the world

referendum and the Ashers bakery case have brought

us face to face with an accelerating process of
secularisation which is now commonplace in Western
society. These trends inevitably leave Christians asking,
What are we to do? How ought we to respond to living
in a society which is ostracising our beliefs?

hese are complex questions, and there is no onesize-fits-all answer which fits every situation.

However, the book of 1 Peter is particularly helpful

in this climate. Written to believers facing the heat of
persecution amidst a world which disagrees with them,
this letter has much to say to us in our own struggles,
minor by comparison though they undoubtedly are.
Our first response to opposition from the world ought to
be that of rejoicing (1v6)! Why is this? Because in Gods
sovereign wisdom the trials we face test and prove our
faith, showing that it is more precious than gold, and will
result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of
Jesus Christ.

and more like Jesus Christ, who did not revile in return
(2v23). The result of this, says Peter, will be that when
we are spoken against as evildoers, our opponents
may see our good deeds and glorify God on the day of
visitation.
Thirdly, we must be ready to give a reason for the hope
that is in us (3v15). One advantage of living in a society
which is consciously distancing itself from Christian
beliefs is that genuine lives of faith and obedience stand
out all the more. We look like strangers and aliens in
the world, which is exactly what we are! This, in turn,
will provoke questions from our friends, neighbours,
colleagues and family members. Be ready!
Finally, we ought not to be surprised when these
trials and opposition come our way (4v12). We follow
a crucified Saviour and we live in a world twisted and
bent by sin; of course we are going to have a hard time!
The world will hate us because it hated Jesus first. But
rejoice insofar as you share Christs sufferings, that you
may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
(4v13)

hand. My Father, who has given them

to me, is greater than all, and no one
is able to snatch them out of the
Fathers hand. Here, Jesus speaks
of a flock of sheep as a metaphor
for the family of God. In Romans
8:14-17, Paul treats the relationship
more literally: For all who are led
by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
For you did not receive the spirit of
slavery to fall back into fear, but you have
received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by
whom we cry, Abba! Father! The Spirit himself
bears witness with our spirit that we are children of
God, and if children, then heirs heirs of God and fellow
Following Jeff Ballantines helpful article on biblical
obedience in the previous issue, we are delighted to follow
this up with an article from John Frame explaining the
relationship between grace and law in the Christian life.

hen a child enters a family, either by birth or adoption,

something momentous happens, and neither the child

nor the family will ever be the same again. The child now has
a home, a place of belonging. In a few extreme cases, a family
will disinherit a child. But for the most part, the child belongs
to the family in perpetuity, and the family belongs to him or
to her.
In the family of God, membership is absolutely permanent.
Jesus says in John 10:27-29, My sheep hear my voice, and I
know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and
they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my

heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that

we may also be glorified with him.
As sons and children, we are heirs with Christ. We have a
glorious destiny. And nobody can take that away from us,
as Romans 8:38-39 reminds us: For I am sure that neither
death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present
nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor
anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from
the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. How can Paul be
so sure that nothing can separate us from Gods love? The
answer, according to Ephesians 2:8-9, is that our membership
in Gods family is by grace: For by grace you have been saved
through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of
God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Like
birth and adoption, our membership in Gods family is a free
gift. In our earthly families, we didnt earn our right to be born,
or to be adopted. Our membership in the family is a sheer gift,

a bequest of someone else. The same is true of the family of

to obey Him, and His commands measure that obedience.

God. Our new birth is entirely the work of the Holy Spirit. As

That is the path of sanctification. You can see that there is

Jesus answered Nicodemus in John 3:5-6, Truly, truly, I say

no conflict between salvation by grace and sanctification

to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot

measured by law. The point is not that God gives us grace

enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is

at the beginning and after that it is all law. God continues

flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

to give grace day by day. Paul brings the two together in

Philippians 2:12-13: Therefore, my beloved, as you have

Unlike our earthly families, our entrance into Gods family is

always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much

by both birth and adoption: But when the fullness of time

more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear

had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born

and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and

under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so

to work for his good pleasure. Here there is no competition

that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you

between grace and law. We obey because God works in us,

are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts,

giving us the grace to obey.

crying, Abba! Father! (Galatians 4:4-6). As the Holy Spirit

gives us new birth, so Jesus redeeming work on the cross

A clear understanding of the biblical relationship of grace

gives us adoption as Gods sons. Both in the figure of birth

and law will help us through dangers of two types. For one,

and the figure of adoption, we become members of Gods

sometimes we get to thinking that since salvation is by

family by grace, by Gods gift.

grace we dont need to put in any effort. But no, Gods grace

As the Holy Spirit gives us new birth,

so Jesus redeeming work on the cross
gives us adoption as Gods sons.
But of course, joining the family is not the final story either
in our earthly families or in the family of God. In the family
of God, as weve seen, joining the family is permanent, and
it guarantees a good end. But between the beginning and
the end, there are a lot of ups and downs. Good parents set
boundaries for their children, and when the children rebel,
there is unpleasantness. Nobody will disown a child for
staying up past curfew, but a good parent wont ignore it

energizes us to fight a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:11-17)

and to run a spiritual race (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). Secondly,
sometimes we get to thinking that since Scripture abounds
in commands and laws, it is all up to us. But no, according to
Ephesians 2:8: For by grace you have been saved through
faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a
result of works, so that no one may boast.
So we need to keep reminding ourselves that our family
membership is all of grace, and that the Lord Jesus will keep
us to the end. Keeping the balance may be hard at times. But
the theological issue is not difficult. Just think about a happy
family and remember that our relation to God is a lot like that.

either. In the family of God, too, there is fatherly discipline,

as Hebrews 12:7-11 reminds us: It is for discipline that you
have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son
is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left
without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are
illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had
earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them.
Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits
and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed
best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we
may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems
painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful
fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
As Jesus himself sums it up in John 14:15, If you love me,
you will keep my commandments. That is the role of law in
the Christian life. If we belong to Jesus by grace, we will want

Dr. Frame is J.D. Trimble professor of systematic

theology and philosophy at RTS-Orlando. He is
best known for his prolific writings, particularly his
award-winning, four-volume Theology of Lordship
series. This article first appeared in the Spring
2015 issue of the RTS Ministry and Leadership
magazine. Used by the kind permission of
Reformed Theological Seminary.
5

KEEP GOING!
(JOSHUA 13)

nyone who has ever run a marathon (or

attempted to!) will be able to tell you
that it can feel like the hardest thing in the
world just to keep going. The same is often
true in our Christian lives; we get tired, and
discouraged, and tempted, and disheartened.
It feels like the hardest thing in the world to
keep going.
If you could sum up the message of Joshua
13 in a single phrase, this would be it: Keep
going! This chapter is there to build us up and
encourage us to persevere when were tired
or tempted or discouraged in our walk with
God.
1) Keep going because the job is not
finished yet
The Lord said to Joshua, You are old and
advanced in years, and there remains yet
very much land to possess. This is the land
that yet remains: all the regions of the
Philistines, and all those of the Geshurites
At this stage in the story of the book of Joshua,
the people of Israel have defeated all of their
enemies in the land, and yet there were still
pockets of resistance here and there, which
the people of Israel would need to deal with
as the different tribes of Israel headed off to
take possession of their inheritance of land.
And so, effectively, the Lord says to Joshua,
Keep going! The job is not finished yet. There
is work still to be done!
In a similar way, the church today needs to
be reminded of that, doesnt it? The job is not
finished yet, and it never will be until Jesus
returns. There are people who have not yet
heard about the offer of forgiveness for
sin through faith in Jesus. There are whole
people groups in the world where the name
of Jesus is unknown. The Great Commission
is a work in progress, so keep going with it!
As well as that, the process of our own
sanctification is also a work in progress.
There are sins to be put to death still, and
there is a new self to keep putting on and
growing into. God is not finished with you
until you are perfectly like Jesus. Keep going,
because the job is not finished yet!
2) Keep going because God is with you
As Joshua stood there, listening to the Lord
describe to him this remaining land to go and

possess, and the remaining people to drive

out from the land, perhaps he thought to
himself, But were already worn out! Im an
old man now, and it has taken us seven years
of battles to even get to this point! How on
earth will we find the strength to keep going
until the land is completely possessed by
your people?
But look at what the Lord says to Joshua
in the middle of verse 6. I myself will drive
them out from before the people of Israel.
Throughout the book of Joshua, God has been
reminding the people of Israel that he is with
them, and that he will give them the victory.
They dont need to muster up strength out
of their own resources to get the job done.
Rather, they are instead to keep walking
in faith and obedience as they cling on to
the promises that God has given to them,
the promise that he will be with his people,
and that if they walk in faith and obedience,
then their enemies will not be able to stand
against them.
Do you feel tired and jaded as a Christian?
Are you discouraged about all the work that
is yet to be done? Does the next battle feel
like it will be a bridge too far?
The comforting assurance that you are given
here in Joshua chapter 13 is that you dont
need to try and muster up out of your own
resources the strength
required to keep going as
a Christian. No, instead
you need to lay hold of
the promise that God
will never leave you nor
forsake you. He will provide the strength for
you to keep on going. As you look ahead to
all the challenges and battles that yet remain
in your Christian life, remember the promises
of God. Keep going, because God is with you.

that you will go for a tour round the house.

A tour guide explains to you when the house
was built, and who has lived there, and
so forth. Im sure youd find it interesting
enough, if youre into that kind of thing.
But then imagine that just before the tour
started, someone took
you to one side and
told you they had just
found out that you are
in actual fact the long
lost descendant of the
aristocrat who owned the house, and this
means that this stately home and all of its
estate is actually your inheritance! It is yours
to go and possess!
If that happened, wouldnt it transform the
tour around the house for you? You would be
listening with baited breath to hear as much
as you possibly could about this inheritance
of yours. Every door you went through you
would be eagerly anticipating what you
might find there. When your inheritance is
being shown to you, it is not at all boring; it is
wonderfully exciting!
Thats how we should understand these
chapters stretching out before us. This is not
a boring and irrelevant geography lesson.
This is the people of Israel being told what
their inheritance will be, how much land they
are going to get, what mountains and valleys
and plains they will be given to settle down
in, the lakes that they will fish, the coastline
that they will look out from.
As they considered all of these things, would
that not have given them an enormous
incentive and motivation to keep on going in

He will provide the

strength for you to
keep on going

3) Keep going because your inheritance

is glorious
If we are being entirely honest with ourselves,
this third section of the book, chapters 13 to
21, can be a bit heavy going at times. In the
first half of the book there have been some
pretty exciting stories; we have had stories of
espionage, miracles, deception, conspiracy,
battles, victories and so on.
But then, the next nine chapters are almost
entirely taken up with descriptions of land
which will be distributed amongst the tribes
of Israel. At first glance, this part of the book
is not exactly a page turner. So what are we
to do with these chapters which dont really
grab our attention from the word go?
Imagine that you visit an old stately home
owned by the National Trust, and you decide

other sins. I dont get drunk. I dont swear.

I havent committed adultery or murdered
anyone. Surely I dont need to worry too
much about those remaining little sins in
my life. My gossip. My lustful thoughts. My
self-righteous pride. My respectable looking
materialism. What harm can these things
do?
Christian person, dont make peace with sin.
Dont give that little, respectable looking sin
a foothold in your life, because it wont stay
merely a foothold; it will grow. John Owen hit
the nail on the head when he said, be killing
sin, or sin will be killing you. Keep going,
because compromise is fatal.
5) Keep going because God himself is your
ultimate reward

their walk of faith and obedience before God?

Of course it would! You wouldnt have been
able to hold them back! They would keep
going because their inheritance was glorious.
If you are a Christian believer, then the
wonderful truth of it all is that you have a far
better inheritance than this. Are you feeling
a bit weary and unenthused about your walk
with God? Are you just treading water at the
minute?
If so, you need to fix your eyes on the
inheritance that is yours in Christ, because
it is glorious beyond your imagining. No eye
has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man
imagined, what God has prepared for those
who love him. Keep going, because your
inheritance is glorious.
4) Keep going because compromise is fatal
The Lord had made it very clear to his people
that, when they came to these lands, they
must drive out all of the inhabitants before
them so that the idolatry and false religion of
these peoples would not pollute the people of
Israel and drag them away from their faith in
God. God promised that as his people trusted
and obeyed him in this, he would go before
them to drive these
people out of the land.
Thats why some alarm
bells should start to go
off when we read verse 13. The people of
Israel did not drive out two particular people
groups, the Geshurites and the Maacathites.
Why was that? Well, it clearly wasnt the
case that God was not able to do it. He had

demonstrated time and time again that he

was sovereign over all of his enemies. Of
course God was powerful enough to drive
them out.
So the only explanation of this is that the
people of Israel simply became complacent.
They had driven out the majority of the
peoples from this land. And then they rested
on their laurels. They thought to themselves,
what harm could just a couple of people
groups do? Lets save ourselves the trouble
and allow these people to live amongst us.
If you know the story of the rest of the Old
Testament then you will know the hugely
damaging ramifications that this would have
for the people of Israel further down the line.
The book of Judges tells us how the people of
Israel continued to face difficulties from these
pagan nations living amongst them. Over
time, the idolatry of these pagans infiltrated
the religious fabric of Israel. Eventually, Gods
people became so corrupt and so similar to
the people whom they had allowed to live
amongst them that God kicked his people out
of this land he had given them. He sent them
into exile, because they had forsaken their
God, and given themselves to idolatry. It all
started because here they did not obey Gods
word. They didnt keep
going in what God had
called them to do, and
they became complacent
instead.
Here is the challenge for us: where have you
made compromises with sin in your life?
What sin is there, lingering in your heart, and
you think, Well Ive repented of so many

be killing sin, or sin

will be killing you

But to the tribe of Levi Moses gave no

inheritance; the Lord God of Israel is their
inheritance, just as he said to them. (v33)
The Levites were the priestly tribe, from
whom all those who served at the altar were
taken. The Levites had no inheritance of land,
because their inheritance was God himself.
The Levites had this wonderful privilege of
being called to serve in the tabernacle and
later the temple. They experienced life in
Gods presence in a greater way than the
other tribes did. They had no need of all this
land, because they had God himself.
In this way, the tribe of Levi was to function
as a picture to the rest of the Israelites that,
wonderful though their physical inheritance
of the land was, their ultimate inheritance
was God himself. It made them prize the
Giver above the gift.
Genuine faith looks beyond simply the
blessings that God can give, wonderful and
eternal and glorious though they are, and it
prizes above all of these things God himself.
If you are a Christian, the most wonderful
thing about your glorious eternal inheritance
will not be a spotless new creation. It will
not be the absence of death or mourning or
crying or pain. It will not be your risen and
glorified resurrection body. It will not be
being reunited with those who have gone to
be with Christ before us.
No, the most magnificent experience of your
eternal inheritance will be that you will dwell
in the presence of God, before the throne of
Jesus, forever. Every other blessing that you
can ever experience, here or there, will be
secondary to that. Keep going, because God
himself is your ultimate reward.

Abortion Consultation

roposed changes to NIs abortion laws have been

overwhelmingly rejected by a massive majority, according
to newly published consultation figures. Justice Minister David
Fords consultation was launched in October, 2014 and closed
in January, 2015. It asked whether the current laws on abortion
in NI should be changed to allow for abortion in the cases of
lethal foetal abnormality and sexual crime.
A press release in April from the Department of Justice claimed
there was a substantial body of support for the changes. In
reality, the vast majority of the 25,320 responses (made up of
formal responses, letters and petitions) were against changing
the law. Just 0.7% of responses were in favour.
In whichever way one examines these figures, there is only
one true and glaringly obvious conclusion that can be drawn:
that the overwhelming majority of responses are opposed
to any change in the abortion legislation in NI. With a total
of over 25,000 responses, this consultation was one of the
largest in Northern Ireland, and this in a time of widespread
voter apathy. For the NI Executive to ignore this would frankly
be extraordinary and make the whole consultation look like a
sham, an example of gesture politics.
The Justice Minister said, After full and careful consideration
of the evidence submitted, I have concluded that to change
the law along the lines outlined in the consultation paper
is the right thing to do. In defence of his justification, his
spokesperson said that the 47 interested groups which
favoured change represented a broad swathe of interested

opinion and included medical bodies and other organisations

(including trade unions.) Of significant note, the minister did
not include the response from the Christian Medical Fellowship
(CMF) in the section with all the other medical responses.
The 99.3% of respondents opposed to any changes in abortion
legislation in NI feel very angry at how the minister has ignored
their responses. There are many in NI who feel very aggrieved
at the whole process and are not prepared to accept that
the changes will be a foregone conclusion. The minister has
to bring proposed legislative changes to the NI Executive,
which will have to approve such, before they then pass to the
Assembly for a vote. The fight isnt over!
As Christians, what should be our response to all of this?
We are rightly angry and frustrated, as many of us took
considerable time to respond to the consultation. However,
I would urge you not to give up responding to such
consultations, or lobbying/writing to MLAs. Indeed, I would
encourage you to write again to your MLAs, even at this
stage, and encourage them to vote against any legislation
which David Ford may bring before the Executive and the
Assembly. Write to David Ford at the Department of Justice
expressing your disappointment at his decision to ignore the
vast majority of responses, and ask him to consider, even now,
not proceeding with legislation to permit abortion for babies
with severe abnormalities. All life, however brief and however
different from what some would consider normal, is precious
and valued; to the families, to society as a whole and especially
to God.
Not one of us has the right to decide who should live and who
should die, based on physical or mental ability or capability.
If we did, where would that end? There are already many
documented cases of babies being aborted for perfectly
survivable and surgically correctable conditions. God loves
us, not because of what we can do, but because we are His;
brought into being by Him and made in His image. So, lets not
be discouraged and give up the fight to speak up and do all we
can for those who have no voice.
Lets continue to lobby, write letters and speak up. Above all,
continue to pray for those in authority to make right decisions.

By Roselle Birnie, a member of Stranmillis EPC, a

GP and member of CMF. Amended from an article
she wrote for CMF.

Interview with Catherine Grier

Catherine with two of her prayer supporters at Crosscollyer Street,

Jean McQuade and Annie Cooke

atherine Grier grew up in Somerton Road EPC.

She has been working with AIM as a medical
doctor in Chad, but has been back in the UK since
August 2014. She kindly answered some questions
for the Evangelical Presbyterian ahead of her return to
Chad on August 11 this year.
Catherine, what have you been using your home
assignment for?
A lot of time has been spent speaking at churches,
but Ive also had the opportunity to study a few things,
including Dynamics of Biblical Change (with Westminster
Seminary), more French (in Marseille) and a course on how
to teach English as a foreign language.
What have been some of the challenges of working in
the hospital in Bebalem, south Chad?
Nearly every aspect of the work is different; the illnesses,
the medicines, the tests available and the climate. Even
where to nd water to wash your hands between patients!
Communication with nurses and patients is one of the
biggest challenges, and the ideas families have about the
cause of disease. For example, I was once called in at
11pm to persuade a family to keep their son in hospital for
life-saving treatment when the father insisted on taking him
home, believing the meningitis was caused by a conict
between him and another man who ran the canoe taxi
across the river. It wouldnt happen in the UK!
Youre moving to Abch (a town of 80 000 people).
Why the change?
I was having fun with some children on the way home from
a prayer meeting one afternoon when suddenly I had a
strong conviction that God wants me to go to live among
people who dont have the opportunities these children
have. The Ngambai people who live around the hospital

in Bebalem have the Bible in their language, can go to

church if they want to, and have Christians living in their
community. I approached AIM and they were excited as
they were looking into opportunities among two specic
unreached people groups further north, neither of which
has Bibles, churches or Christians. So they asked me to be
in a team reaching out to the Maba people.
What are some of the differences you will experience
with this move?
The climate! Abch is more in the desert and there are
fewer trees to sit under. Also the new languages to learn:
Chadian Arabic and then Maba. Im used to a small rural
village, so simply learning how daily life works in a big
town, getting around safely, and learning who to spend time
with and who to build friendships with.
Can you describe your feelings as the time to return to
Chad draws near?
Four emotions spring to mind.
Im sad saying goodbye to friends. (And, as the time
to leave UK comes nearer, Im saying more and more
goodbyes.)
Im encouraged that in the last 10 months Ive met so
many people who pray for me.
Im excited and looking forward with anticipation to the
encounters and friendships that God will give me in
Abch.
And nally, Im relieved that Ill get the chance to feel
warm again, having battled with every imaginable weather
condition in UK over winter, which seems to be continuing
even into June!

FROM THE CHURCHES

New building open at Knock EPC
Easter Sunday 2015 was a special day in the history of
Knock EPC: it was the first day we met for worship in
our new church building. There was excitement as the
congregation gathered, and no one except the pianist had
a seat they could call their own! Then we sang Thine be
the glory and we tested the new vaulted ceiling! It was
a moment of heartfelt thankfulness to the Lord for His
kindness to us. We also sang from Psalm 147, verse 2 of
which says The LORD builds up Jerusalem; and he it is
alone, Who reaches out to Isral, to bring the exiles home.
Such is our joy as a congregation; we humbly and
gladly give the Lord the glory for building up His people.
Indeed we have had a good number of visitors since the
reopening, and some are making their spiritual home with
us. It is also our challenge to reach out to the surrounding
area, and to our friends and family so that they too may
be saved and added to the church. It is our earnest prayer
that this new building would be a practical help in our
obedience to Christs great commission.

10

Since Easter Sunday we have been tweaking various

things in the new sanctuary, and there are still some little
changes to come, but some things are staying the same.
You cant help but notice when you come into the new
building its the old pulpit. It is still the central focus of
the building from which the central focus of the church is
preached: ...we preach Christ crucified... Christ the power
of God and the wisdom of God.
We warmly invite you to our official opening, which will
be held (DV) on Saturday 12th September 2015 at 3pm.
The speaker on that occasion will be Rev. Andy Hambleton
from our Crumlin congregation. We are also having special
speakers on the following Sunday 13th September, Rev.
Gareth Burke (Stranmillis) at 11:30am and Rev. Andrew
Lucas (Omagh) at 6:30pm.
Rev. Robert Johnston

FROM THE CHURCHES

TnT Caf
TnT Caf (twenties and thirties) is a crossdenominational event aimed at those, shall we say, no
longer in the youth category!
It is run from our Crumlin church in a coffee bar style
with a very informal approach to the night. We have
just finished the first year of TnT Caf and have found
it very encouraging how the Lord has used our guest
speakers throughout the year to challenge those
attending. The numbers have averaged around the
high teens most months and with a good mix of
people from our own denomination and those in the
local Crumlin area.
TnT Caf is only starting to pick up momentum and
we ask that you not only pray for this ongoing work,
but also that you advertise it and encourage those
throughout the churches to attend. It is vital that we

do this for our younger generation of adults within

and outside our churches. With the overwhelming
shift in todays world against what has long been
tradition in our land, it is time to act; we need that
these efforts do not go unnoticed.
For any further information about next years events,
or if you feel you can help in any way, please contact
Andy Hambleton 07828 726130.
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given
to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion
to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who
teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his
exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity;
the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts
of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12:6-8 (ESV)
Ian Heaney

Ignite
The sun shone for the last Ignite event
before the summer break, held at
Andy and Mary Hambletons home on
Saturday 16th May. After a barbecue
and a few energetic games of volleyball,
the evening ended with an epilogue
given by Andy. Over the past year, Ignite
has been looking at the different links
in the golden chain of Romans 8v30.
Andy finished off this series with a
brief overview of these four doctrines
(predestination, calling, justification
and glorification), seeking to build up
our assurance as believers because
the grace of our God to his people is
an unbreakable chain, stretching from
eternity to eternity.

11

FROM THE CHURCHES

Stranmillis Mens Outing
On Friday 8th May, 18 men from Stranmillis, with one
car and one minibus, boarded the ferry for Cairnryan. We
were travelling across to Scotland for the Annual Scottish
Reformed Conference which was being held in Hamilton
the next day. After a smooth crossing we arrived at the
Travelodge in Kilmarnock where we spent the night three to a room. The following morning, refreshed and
strengthened by a healthy breakfast in MacDonalds, we
travelled to Hamilton where we were treated to a feast
of good Biblical exposition. Kevin De Young from the USA
and Steven Curry from Bangor, County Down, opened
up different sections of the Sermon on the Mount in a
faithful and helpful way. The journey back to the boat was
interrupted by a short stop at Girvan where we enjoyed

a pleasant stroll along the beach. Now you might ask,

What is the point in going to all the trouble and expense
of travelling to Scotland to hear two brothers that you can
listen to on the web, or indeed in the flesh, by travelling
down the road to Bangor? Its a valid question, but the
really positive thing about the trip was the fellowship.
When you share rooms together or take meals together
you inevitably get in to all sorts of discussion, ranging from
the current form of Linfield to the state of Presbyterianism
in Ireland today. You get to know each other a lot better
than the mere Good morning of a Sunday morning and,
after listening together to three excellent sermons, you find
it easy to speak together of the things of God.
Highly recommended!
GNB

Holiday Bible Clubs

The next few weeks will see the start of planning for summer outreach events in our congregations.
Here are dates for the various Holiday Bible Clubs happening in July and August. Lets support and pray for
one another in these efforts to contact children and their families with the Gospel.

12

Hope Fellowship 5-Day Club (afternoons)

Youth Residential

27-31 July
12-14 August

Knock Holiday Bible Club (afternoons)

Teenage Outreach Events (evenings)

3-7 August

Groomsport HBC (afternoons)

Ballyclare, Crumlin,
HBC (evenings)
Richhill, Stranmillis
HBC (evenings)

17-21 August
17-21 August
17-21 August

Finaghy

HBC (evenings)

24-27 August

Crosscollyer St

HBC (evenings)

24-28 August

Trevor Kane
Thank you to Trevor for giving us this update now that he
has reached the end of studies and moves on to the next
stage of training for the ministry.
Its hard to believe that our three years in Edinburgh have
come to an end; it seems like only yesterday we were
setting out on this journey and now its over. I have enjoyed
my time at Edinburgh Theological Seminary (formerly
Free Church College) immensely: the opportunity to study
Gods word, to learn the original languages, to be taught
by great theologians (but most of all a people with a heart
for Jesus and a concern for the gospel) has been a real
privilege, but also a great responsibility. Edinburgh was
a great experience - getting to meet people from various
evangelical denominations, to experience a different
church life, and to meet people from various countries who
were preparing themselves to return to their homeland
with the gospel, was personally enriching and I hope will
prove pastorally insightful, to give a brief overview: in my
time in Seminary, I met people from South Korea, Japan,
Zimbabwe, Nepal and Stornoway!!
I want to thank all of you for praying for Suzanne and me
over the past three years. Life has certainly changed with
the arrival of Noah at the end of my first year and another
baby expected any day now. I ask that you continue to
pray for us over the coming months and years. We will
be beginning a placement in Knock EPC on the 1st June
where we will be based for five months, after which we
will be heading to Richhill EPC for a further four months.
After that I suppose the future looks even scarier with
there being no vacancies within the denomination at the
moment. However as a family we are confident that God
has brought us this far and His faithfulness will continue
to go before us. We dont know the future - however,
Gods ways and plans are perfect.
I want to thank you all as well for your generous giving to
Presbytery which has enabled the Training of the Ministry
and Admissions committee to support us practically over
the past two years. This was a great blessing to us and
enabled Suzanne to remain at home with Noah, and me
to focus on my studies.

Praise God for the new church

building for Knock EPC, for the
encouragement this has been to
the congregation and for visitors
who are coming in.
Pray that the message of Christ
crucied would be central in all our
churches and that congregations
would grow.
Thank God for calling Trevor
Kane to the ministry and for the
enriching experiences of theological
seminary.
Pray that his placements in Knock
and Richhill will be times of great
benet to all parties.

Thanks once again.

Pray, too, that Trevor and Suzanne

Trevor, Suzanne and Noah Kane

will know the Lords blessing on

their family life and His provision for
the future.
Give thanks for all the gospel
Since this article
was written, baby Eli
has arrived safely in
the Kane family.

opportunities presented to us
through the Summer camps, and
pray that there would be much fruit
as a result.

13

BOOK REVIEWS
Title: Knowing Jesus in the Old Testament?
Author: Andrew Malone
Publisher: IVP
Published: 2015
Pages: 204
RRP: 8-99 Our Price: 6-75
The question mark in the title is important and should not be missed.
Rather than a general survey of the doctrine of the second person of the
Trinity in the Old Testament, the subject of the book is a consideration of

Thank God for safekeeping and

times of fellowship and learning
during a year of Ignite, TnT Caf and
Mens Fellowship events.

Christophanies, that is, potential instances of the appearance of Christ

prior to the Incarnation.
The term Christophany may be used to refer to the appearances of Jesus
after the resurrection, but increasingly it has come to be understood as
potential appearances of Jesus to Old Testament characters. There are
many instances of God appearing to his people in the Old Testament - in
his establishing of a covenant with Abraham, meeting with Moses on

Pray that there would be lasting fruit

from all such efforts and that the
seed which has been sown would not
be choked by the thorns of cares and
riches.
Praise God for the stamina He has
given Catherine during a busy home
assignment, and for the way in which
He has opened up the opportunity to
work among an unreached people.
Pray that Catherine will be able
to adapt to the climate, learn the
language and make friends in
Abch.
Pray that, although the Maba
people have no Bible, God will
speak to them through the witness
of His people, breaking down their
suspicions, creating a hunger for Him
and introducing Jesus to them.

Mount Sinai, Isaiahs vision of the heavenly throne - but there are also
the appearances of the Angel of the Lord. Malone notes the increasing
tendency in modern theology to equate these theophanies - and
especially the Angel of the Lord - with Christophanies. Malone notes that
the link was made as far back as Justin Martyr in the second century,
but then documents its resurgence following the publication of James
Borlands Christ in the Old Testament: Old Testament Appearances of Christ
in Human Form. He describes how Borlands views on Christophanies,
in particular his identification of the Angel of the Lord with Christ, were
then championed by writers such as Walter Kaiser Jr, before passing into
more general works by writers such as RC Sproul and Charles Swindoll
as accepted dogma. (You may not even have thought that there was any
doubt or debate about this interpretation.)
Malone reviews the evidence of the historical views regarding the
identity of the Angel of the Lord, along with the textual and theological
evidence. He weighs up the three options available - the Angel is either
1) God the Son, 2) God (unspecified), or 3) a messenger sent from God.
Malone admits that his own favoured position is that the Angel is to be
identified as God but without reference to a specific person of the Trinity,
that is, the Angel is a theophany rather than a Christophany.
This book whilst short is dense and, given that it is attempting to unpick
some of the finer matters of interpretation, not one for beginners. That
said, it is well written and clearly argued.
Michael Trimble
The Daring Mission of William Tyndale by Steven Lawson
RRP: 12-99 Our Price: 8-99
Early in the sixteenth century, legislative decree in England controlled
peoples access to the Scriptures and prohibited an English Bible. But
theologian and linguist William Tyndale was determined to provide his
fellow countrymen with Scripture they could read. In The Daring Mission
of William Tyndale, the latest addition to the Long Line of Godly Men series,
Dr. Steven J. Lawson traces this daring mission, which was ultimately
used by God to ignite the English Reformation and would cost Tyndale
his life. From one mans labour, were reminded of Gods faithfulness to
preserve His Word and equip His people.

14

Far Above Rubies: The Life of Bethan Lloyd-Jones by Lynette Clark

RRP: 8-99 Our Price: 6-75
The galleries of the great heroes of faith contain many inspirational
women; although not always placed in as prominent a position for

Stop Press!

all to see, their service has been invaluable in Gods kingdom. The
wife of Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones was such a woman. Bethan LloydJones portrait has long been hidden in a part of the gallery known
only to her family and certain close friends. Lynette G. Clark brings
this portrait into view, capturing the wit, wisdom and faith of a
godly wife, mother and friend.

The publication of a new book is imminent and should

be eagerly anticipated in EPC circles and beyond.
Written by Ernest Brown, it tells the story of our
denomination. Out late autumn.

Gamechangers by Robert Letham

RRP: 8-99 Our Price: 6-75
Weaving together biography and theology, Robert Letham delves
into the life and influence of twelve key figures who have helped
shape the church. Gamechangers is a must read for any Christian
with an interest in learning the way the church has understood the
gospel down through the centuries. Features: Athanasius, Gregory
of Nazianzus, Augustine, Charles the Great, Anselm, Thomas
Aquinas, Martin Luther, Heinrich Bullinger, John Calvin, John
Wesley, J.W. Nevin and Karl Barth.
Honest Evangelism by Rico Tice
RRP: 7-77 Our Price: 5-99
Most of us find evangelism hard, but there is no greater joy than
seeing people come to Christ Jesus. This realistic and humorous
book will help prepare and encourage you to be honest and bold
in your evangelism, presenting the gospel fully and properly, even
when its tough.

Before I Was by Amy Carmichael

Thou knewest me before I was,
I am all open unto Thee,
And yet Thou lovest me, because
My Lord, Thou lovest me.

Answering
the Sceptics
35 September 2015 | Belfast

No other reason can I find,

No other reason can there be;
No human love, were it not blind,
Could ever care for me.
But Thy pure eyes do read me through,
My soul is naked unto Thee;
And yet, O wonder ever new,
My Lord, Thou lovest me.
And Thou wilt love; if good of mine
Had caused Thy glorious love to be,
Then surely would Thy love decline
And weary, Lord, of me.
I may not fear, for to the end
Thou lovest, Lord. O who but Thee,
The sinners Saviour and his Friend,
Would set His love on me?
And on Thee now my heart is set,
Thy name is music unto me.
O help me never to forget
That I am loved by Thee.

Ken
Ham

Dr Andrew
Snelling

Dr Danny
Faulkner

Steve
Ham

Dr Robert
Beckett

Prof Andy
McIntosh

Belfast, Northern Ireland, 3-5 Sept. 2015

Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle,
837-869 Shore Road, Belfast, Co. Antrim BT15 4HS
Further information and ticketing: UKMEGA.ORG | 0116 2708400

15

Best of the Blogs

A selection of online blogs and articles to challenge and
encourage you in your walk with God and his people
The death of prayer meetings (Mark Jones)
(http://www.reformation21.org/blog/2015/05/the-problemof-corporate-praye.php)
Satan hates private prayer. But I suspect he hates even more
corporate prayer. It seems he might be winning many battles
in the church today that he has no business winning. One of
those is keeping the godly from praying with each other.
In this challenging blog, Mark Jones asks why it is the
case that, in many churches today, the prayer meeting is
floundering. Amongst other things, Jones argues that the
underlying problem is this: people have not known the
holiness and goodness of God in personal prayer.
Do you attend a perfect church? (Mark Jones)
(http://www.reformation21.org/blog/2015/05/do-youattend-a-perfect-church.php)
And whilst were at it, heres another one from the keyboard
of Mark Jones on the life of the local church. When a friend at
church grumbles to you about some aspect of church life, how
do you respond? And how ought you to respond?
This is a helpful blog which acknowledges that all churches
have problems, but which reminds us of how God sees the
church. When people are disgruntled with their local church,
they likely could use a healthy dose of reality from the
perspective of God and Christ. If he loves the church, despite
her shortcomings, who are we to hate it? Doesnt he know
the sins and shortcomings of the church better than we do?
And yet he loves the church infinitely more than we can. You
cant love Christ but hate his bride.
The bloody business of killing sin (Jen Pollock Michel)
(http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/the-bloodybusiness-of-killing-sin)
In this blog, Jen Pollock Michel reflects on the writings of the
Puritan John Owen in The Mortification of Sin. In the words of
Owen himself, Sin aims always at the utmost; every time
it rises up to tempt or entice, might it have its own course,
it would go out to the utmost sin in that kind. Every unclean
thought or glance would be adultery if it could; every covetous
desire would be oppression, every thought of unbelief would
be atheism, might it grow to its head. Be killing sin, or sin will
be killing you.

16

The pattern among fallen pastors (Garrett Kell)

(http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/the-patternamong-fallen-pastors)
On the topic of dealing with sin, this is a very practical blog
which highlights four common characteristics amongst fallen
pastors. The advice is, of course, relevant to all of us in our
own battle against the sin in our lives:
Do not allow your hearts to grow cold toward the Lord who
loves you so. Draw near to him daily, moment by moment,
in hopeful expectation that he is better than any fleeting
pleasure that might entice your heart. Do not seek him only
in days of desperation, but seek him daily. Walk with him.
Rekindle passion. Plead with him to help you. He is able to do
it, and he delights to do it.
How do I know Im a Christian? (Kevin De Young)
(http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/
kevindeyoung/2015/05/12/how-do-i-know-im-a-christian)
In this blog Kevin De Young sketches a brief overview of the
message of 1 John, pointing out for us the three tests which
the apostle John repeatedly emphasises throughout the letter
in order to build up the assurance of his readers.
These are Johns three signposts to assure us that we are on
the road that leads to eternal life. These are not three things
we do to earn salvation, but three indicators that God has
indeed saved us.
Eight ways to honour marriage (David Murray)
(http://headhearthand.org/blog/2015/06/01/8-ways-tohonor-marriage)
In a cultural context where marriage has taken a bit of a
battering lately, this is an uplifting read. David Murray shows
how the Trinitarian God himself honours marriage, as well as
eight ways in which we can honour marriage ourselves too.