The Evangelical Presbyterian - May-June 2003

7/28/2019 The Evangelical Presbyterian - May-June 2003

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Evangelical Presbyterianis published by the Presbytery of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

Editor: Rev. Stephen Atkinson1 Lord Wardens Dr

Bangor, Co DownBT19 1YF(E-mail: [email protected])

Subscriptions:Annual subscription (six issues)Surface post: UK: 5.70

Rep. of Ireland and Overseas 8.10

Subscriptions enquiries to: Evangelical Book Shop15 College Square EastBelfast, BT1 6DD

Donations:If any of the Lords people wish to help in the work of the Church, pleasesend donations to the Honorary General Treasurer

Mr. J. R. McCormick6 Eileen Gardens

Belfast, BT9 6FWGiftAid: Under the GiftAid scheme the Church can benefit by Income Tax return onany donation from someone who pays tax.Contact the Honorary General Treasurer for further details.

Internet: Visit the EPC Home Page on www.epc.org.uk

CONTENTSEditorial 1Declaring our Distinctives: Secessionist J. Grier 2Christ in the Psalms (ii) J. Ligon Duncan III 7

The Regions Beyond (compiled by) E. Brown 12EPC Pulpit: Luke 4:1-13 W. Elliott 17Old Light for New Paths: Religion (Ecclesiastes 5) S. Atkinson 21

Books etc. 25Making Progress with Pilgrim (9) -At Beulah Land S. Atkinson 29

Cover Photo

Rev S. Atkinson - EPC Moderator for 2003/4


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Liberation from an evil regime.

Mindful of the speed of changeconcerning the conflict in Iraq I amaware how quickly comment can beout of date. However it is appropriateto note and consider one aspect of thesituation - the justification for the

conflict being that it is a liberationfrom an evil regime.

The legality of the war is a hotlydebated issue, with the great desire tofind that smoking gun which wouldmake the world community recognisethe real threat of this tyrant, not onlyto his own people, but to peace and

stability in the region, and furthermore,in the world. The post 9/11 worldorder truly faces a new global enemy.

As well as a threat to world peace, theregime in Iraq holds its people in suchan iron grip that a major justificationfor armed conflict could be epitomised

in the smile of a liberated childenjoying a candy bar. We cannotbegin to imagine the horrific nature oflife under such a rule that cuts off thetongues of those who speak inopposition, and leaves the individual tobleed to death. We cannot begin tounderstand the barbarity of a regime

which puts its opponents in anindustrial shredder feet first to prolongthe agony. We cannot comprehend thefear of the people who live with armedguards on every street, watching for

any sign of uprising. What we can andmust do is to open our mouths for thedumb and stand up for the oppressed.

Will the world learn then that this is awar of good against evil, howevermuch we accept the fact that there isno squeeky clean warfare? If we losethis psychological battle in the fog ofmoral confusion which abounds in the

western world, I fear (humanlyspeaking) for further imprisonedpeoples around the world.

Will Christians take this opportunity to

point out to a confused world thatbehind such an evil regime stands themore barbaric and brutual regime ofSatan, holding mankind in an iron gripuntil the liberation wrought at Calvarybrings a smile to a child of God?

We were told that the initial strike onBaghdad sought to cut off the head of

the snake. What a picture for us to takeup and tell, of a serpent crushed by thecross of Christ. That diabolical regimehas fallen. The strong man has beenbound. The gospel which truly setsmen free is now to be preached to theends of the earth. And we pray for theliberation of Iraq in order that true

liberation may be freely preached andreceived. The smile we long to see isthat of someone receiving not simplycandy, but Christ.


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Secession in Perspective

There is the great advantage in giving

the third lecture in a series that one hasthe benefit of the insights of the twoearlier lecturers. In the first, Dr Derek

Thomas told us that we should beobsessed with the glory of Christ andthe wonder of the Cross. We take thison board and indeed affirm that wemust dwell much in the main things.

We are first Christians, secondTheological Protestants, thirdEvangelicals, fourth Calvinists andother things, like Secession, rightly

come further down the list. We mustaffirm that principled secession is ourpractice, not the main plank in our

platform.

In the second lecture, Rev IanHamilton warned those of us who areseceders of the danger of a sense ofspiritual superiority or triumphalism.

We believe that in all conscience we areobedient to Gods Word in being

outside of the large pluralisticdenominations, but that does notguarantee our holiness.

The whole matter before us is

3. SECESSIONIST

It is our purpose in this series to identify some areas of distinction within our denomination, andpositively point out to ourselves and to others their importance. In 2002 we enjoyed a blessedanniversary year, in which there was much looking back with thankfulness. We must also lookahead, refreshing our mind as to our particular calling as a denomination, and our distinctconcerns faced with the wider church scene.

This paper was first given byJohn Grieras one of the 75th Anniversary Lectures, under thetitlePrincipled Secession, in October 2002. The text was Acts 19 verses 8 to 20.


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particularly appropriate at a time whenDr Rowan Williams has been appointedto the See of Canterbury and Dr

Andrew Furlong has lost his position asdean of Clonmacnoise. Their denials ofBiblical morality and the doctrines ofthe New Testament have been shownto be representative of widespreadunbelief in the Church of England andthe Church of Ireland, particularlyoutside of Ulster. In an opinion pollrecently reported in the CofE

Newspaper high percentages ofincumbents in CofE were reported notto believe core facts of the Christianfaith. Trulycertain men have crept inunnoticedor unawaresas the old

version puts it so well in Jude 3 & 4.

Apostolic Practice

What Paul did in Ephesus, as Acts 19shows, and in Corinth in the parallelpassage in the previous chapter,confirms an Apostolic pattern ofpractice. Paul met with the Jews in thesynagogue. He spoke boldly reasoningand persuading them about thekingdom of God. Some became

stubborn and continued in unbeliefspeaking evil about the Way before thecongregation. In the face of those whosystematically opposed the gospel he

withdrew from them and took discipleswith him. Paul then reasoned daily inthe hall of Tyrannus for two years.

Apostolic Teaching on FalseDoctrine

The teaching of the apostles follows onlogically from that of their Lord in the

Sermon on the Mount where Hewarned beware of false prophets, who cometo you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly theyare ravenous wolves. In Romans 16:17Paul tells us to watch out foror markthem and then avoid them. InEphesians 5:7 and 11, Therefore do not be

partakers with themand have no fellowshipwith the unfruitful works of darkness, butrather expose them.In 2 Thessalonians 3:14 we read, take

note of that person - have nothing to do withhim.John, the apostle of love, alsocommands us not to receive those whodeny central truths such as theincarnation (2 John 10 & 11).

The Pastoral Epistles show that thechurches which developed later in thefirst century were to deal firmly with

those who taught another doctrine (1Tim 1:3) by stopping their mouths andrebuking them sharply (Titus1:9,11,13).

Apostolic Reasoning on FalseDoctrine

The reasons why false doctrine and itspurveyors are not to be tolerated areclearly given by the apostles: theyoppose the truth and bring confusionto believers (Gal 1:6&7).

Often their ideas are of human origin(Col 2:8), and here we must mentionthe effects of the university academicsystem where originality of thought is

required for the Ph.D. degree - thehighest academic award and thegateway to teaching positions. Thisencourages the most able students togo beyond the limits of orthodoxy.


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John reveals there is a Satanic origin tothe spirits that do not confess that JesusChrist has come in the flesh (1 John 4:1-3). We have an enemy who is promptingunbelief.

The letters to the seven churches in Asiashow the seriousness of error. TheRisen Lord will not tolerate it. He warnsthem that, I will come to you quickly andremove your lampstand from its placeandagain, Repent, or else I will come to you

quickly and will fight against them with thesword of My mouth(Rev 2:5 and 16).

Principled Secession

We call it this because it is not the policyof first resort but a carefully consideredaction. Paul was patient for threemonths putting up with opposition.

Concerning our own history, Rev JamesHunter had been seeking reform for atleast a dozen years before the events

which sparked the secession andformation of the EvangelicalPresbyterian Church in 1927.

Paul acted with his colleagues andprovided a focussed leadership forconcerted action. They moved togetherat the moment that was pastorallyappropriate. Today we pray for ourfriends in the Reformmovement in theCofE that they may be united inknowing Gods moment for action. It isimportant to have as many people onthe train as possible but it is also vital

that the train leave the station.

The people left in the synagogueundoubtedly knew why Paul and his

friends had left them. Similarly modernseceders should prayerfully make theirdecision to leave and then give clearreasons for their action.

Valid Reasons for leaving adenomination

The marks of a true church are:

-The Word preached in its fulness.-The Sacraments properly administered.-Church Discipline lovingly exercised.

Where these are not found, there is notrue church.

Paul left the synagogue because he wasrefused the freedom to be allowed topreach the whole counsel of God andespecially to condemn the prevailingerrors of the day.

Believers should not stay under aministry where the gospel is notpreached. This stifles their spiritualgrowth, contradicts their witness andrisks damage to their families. Thegospel is also denied when thesacraments are administered to anyone

regardless of whether they profess faithor not.

Furthermore, we cannot be part ofchurches that block admission to theministry and eldership towards those

who on Biblical grounds disagree withthe ordination of women ministers orelders. They are guilty of opposing and

thus preventing the ministry of thosewhom God has called and equipped.

Denial of the gospel in teaching faculties


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is a poison in the lifeblood of a church.It has an immediate effect. But it ismore serious than that. Thecontamination lasts for two generationsas the pupils continue to spread theharm long after the original teacher hasgone. It is also crucial as the error goesthroughout a church and not just inone congregation. Similarly, we alsohave to be concerned for the teachingof R.E. in teacher training colleges.

Whether erroneous doctrine iscondoned, tolerated or ignored, thereexists a pluralism which treats all viewsas valid. It reaches the point where nodiscipline is conceivable.

Apostolic Outcome ofSecession

Acts 19 shows the results of leaving thesynagogue. Secession therefore is for apurpose and is not an end in itself. It isto be the base for the production offruit:

1. Miracles (v11)

2. Clear distinction between saved and

lost (v12-17)

3. A resulting fear of the Lord in thewider community.

4. A consistent stand for holiness(v18&19).

5. Evangelism that God blesses: The

Word of the Lord continued to increase andprevail mightily.All western Turkeyheard the Word (v20).

Dangers of Secession.

1. It may encourage splits on minutiaeor non essentials (clothing,personalities, etc.). Many who havenobly taken a stand for truth have laterfallen out on things that are far fromessential. The message of 3 John that

we are to welcome fellow believers isequally valid as that of 2 John that weare to reject heretics.

2. A harsh spirit can become ahindrance to the Gospel (see Schaeffer,The Great Evangelical Disaster).

3. Phariseeism can come in where aholier than thou attitude mars our

witness.

4. Seceders can become so keen onpreserving the good old days thatthey end up in a static, frozen state.

Practice of secession

It is a task that requires patience andhard work. If we meet people like

Apollos (in Acts 18) who are confusedbut teachable, we are to spend whatevertime it takes to help them just asPriscilla and Aquila did long ago.

It is a task that requires a noble spirit.We must hold to the message of Luke9:49-50 where respect for Christian

workers separated from us is taught, aswell as that of Luke 11:23, whereseparation from those who reject Godsmessage is commanded. If we meetthose whose conscience is to stay in

when we come out, we acknowledgethat they are fighting the same battle as

we are, albeit on a different side of thefence and to a different timetable.


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We encourage them in their fight for

(a) sincerity, when church office-bearers sign that they believe the Creed

of the church

(b) for Biblical Theological Education

(c) for discipline in the life of each localchurch and denomination.

We also maintain the legitimacy ofcalling on our friends to come out and

fully commit themselves to our biblicalposition, while acknowledging theirgifts and graces, as well as our own sinsand weaknesses.

It is a task that requires us to besensitive to Gods purposes. Secessionis to last as long as the circumstances

which necessitated it pertain. Where

reformation takes place as in the Synodof Ulster when Cooke drove out theUnitarians in the 1820s or when the

Worldwide Church of God recentlyquit Armstrongs errors and came toevangelical truth, we must be quick to

acknowledge and welcome it. Weworship a mighty God. He can anddoes do far above all that we can ask orthink.

We challenge all believers to count thecost (which is often considerable) andfollow the apostolic example for theapostolic reasons and look to the Lordfor the apostolic results.

He departed from there and entered the houseof a certain man named Justus, one whoworshipped God, whose house was next doorto the Synagogue(Acts 18:7).

Bibliography

Belgic ConfessionWestminster Confession of Faith Chap. 25

G.I.Williamson, Westminster Confessionof Faith pp190/1/2

Rev C H GARLAND (1907 - 2003)At the time of going to press we have learned with sadness, yet

tempered with gospel joy, of the passing to glory of our dear friend,colleague and senior minister of the denomination, Rev C H Garland,

at the graced age of 95 years.In the next issue of this magazine we will carry a fuller obituary, but at

this time we would wish to extend to the family our deepest sympathyand loving concern.


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Psalms Are Fulfilled in the Eventsof Jesus Ministry:Matthew 21:16; Psalm 8:2More than one New Testament writeremphasizes the Psalms references tosignificant events in Jesus life andministry. For instance, Matthewsaccount of the triumphal entry includesthis incident: But when the chief

priests and the scribes saw the wonderful thingsthat he did, and the children crying out in thetemple, Hosanna to the Son of David! theywere indignant, and they said to him, Do youhear what these are saying? And Jesus said tothem, Yes; have you never read, Out of themouth of infants and nursing babies you have

prepared praise?(Matt. 21:15-16). Thefinal quotation is from Psalm 8:2 and,given Matthews fulfillment motif, it ismeant to be more than illustrative. Ittells us that Jesus is worthy of praise -

which is another of his claims to deity -as well as that he is fulfilling thePsalms.

Psalms Testify that Everything isSubjugated to Christ;1Corinthians 15:27; Psalm 8:6Pauls appeal to Psalm 8 in 1Cor.15:25-27 establishes that the Psalms teachthat Christ rules the world for the sakeof his people and for the glory of hisFather. Paul says: For he must reign until

he has put all his enemies under his feet. Thelast enemy to be destroyed is death. For Godhas put all things in subjection under his

feet. Then Paul adds, But when it says,all things are put in subjection, it is plainthat he is excepted who put all things insubjection under himin order toemphasize that Jesus heavenlyprovidential rule neither competes withnor contradicts the rule of his Father.

God's Promise to David is Fulfilled

in Christ: Acts 13:35; Psalm 16:10

Pauls speech at Pisidian Antiochconfirms that the Psalms speak ofChrist's everlasting resurrection life.

Appealing to Psalm 16:10, Paulquotes this passage as the clincher inhis argument for Gods havingresurrected Jesus to everlasting life.

And as for the fact that he raised him fromthe dead, no more to return to corruption, hehas spoken in this way, I will give you theholy and sure blessings of David, Therefore hesays also in another psalm, You will not let

your Holy One see corruption. For David,after he had served the purpose of God in his

own generation, fell asleep and was laid withhis fathers and saw corruption, but he whomGod raised up did not see corruption(Acts13:34-37).

Christ in the Psalms (Part II)

byJ. Ligon Duncan III


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Jesus resurrection thus fulfilled thePsalm, and the Psalm establishes hisincorruptibility.

David's Words are on Jesus' Lipseven as He Dies:Luke 23:46; Psalm 31:5

The Psalms supply Christ's dyingwords. As Luke records, It was nowabout the sixth hour, and there was darknessover the whole land until the ninth hour, whilethe sun's light failed. And the curtain of the

temple was torn in two. Then Jesus calling outwith a loud voice, said, Father, into yourhands I commit my spirit! And having saidthis, he breathed his last(Luke 23:44-46).Here the Sons trust of his Father evenin death far outdistances Davids faithin the midst of danger. Jesus quotationof this Psalm at this critical moment is

a tribute both to his own faith and toGods faithfulness.

Jesus Takes Up the Words ofDavid, which Makes Sense Only inLight of His Doing His Father's Will:Hebrews 10:5-7; Psalm 40:6-8

The author of Hebrews, in the midst of

his arguments for the superiority of theNew Covenant over the Old, says Forit is impossible for the blood of bulls and goatsto take away sins. Consequently, when Christcame into the world, he said, Sacrifices andofferings you have not desired, but a body have

you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sinofferings you have taken no pleasure. Then Isaid, Behold, I have come to do your will, 0God, as it is written of me in the scroll of thebook(Heb. 10:4-7). Here this Psalmis applied to Christ in a way thatindicates that Christ came to do the will

of Godin the sense of fulfilling all therequirements for our fellowship withhim, both preceptively and penally. Inother words, this Psalm points to Jesusperfect active and passive obedience. Inaddition, its reference to Christ havingcome into the world to do his Fathers

will testifies to thepactum salutis -orcovenant of redemption - that theFather and the Son struck before thefoundation of the world.

Jesus' Dispensation of Gifts to theChurch is an Act of the Lord,Spoken of by David:Ephesians 4:8; Psalm 68:18

When Paul speaks of Christs graciousgifts to his New Covenant people, hesees it as fulfilling Psalm 68:18. But

grace was given to each one of us according to

the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says,When he ascended on high he led a host ofcaptives, and he gave gifts to men. He thenspecifies some of these gifts. And He

gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists,the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints forthe work of ministry, for building up the bodyof Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the

faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God,to mature manhood, to the measure of thestature of the fullness Christ(Eph. 4:7-8,11-13). So the Psalms foretell of Jesusgiving gifts to his church.

The Psalms Express Christ'sExperience:Romans 1 5:3; Psalm 69:9bIn exhorting Christians to followChrist's example in bearing with the

weak, Paul goes to the Psalms toexpress Christs experience of dishonor,


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blame, disapproval, and rejection by hisown people. We who are strong have anobligation to bear with the failings of the weak,and not to please ourselves. Let each of us

please his neighbor for his good, to build himup. For Christ did not please himself, but as itis written, The reproaches of those whoreproached you fell on me(Rom. 15:1-3).Paul's point is that if Christ could bearreproach, then we at least should beprepared to bear weaker brethren. Thefact that Paul makes this point by going

to the Psalms rather than by citingsome incident from Jesus earthly lifeimplies that the Christ of the Gospelsand the Christ of the Psalms are oneand the same.

The Deity and Priesthood of Christ:Matthew 22:44; Psalm 110:1Psalms 110 and 118 are the Psalmsmost frequently applied to Christ in theNew Testament. Psalm 110 is one ofthe New Testaments major Old

Testament witnesses to the deity ofChrist. (It is also used to distinguishChrists priesthood from the Leviticalline). In Matthew 22:41-46, Jesus

stumps the Pharisees on this Psalmsproper interpretation. All of thesynoptics record this incident (see Mark12:35-37; Luke 20 41-44).

Now while the Pharisees were gatheredtogether, Jesus asked them a question saying,

What do you think about the Christ? Whoseson is he? They said to him, The son of

David. He said to them, How is it then thatDavid in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying,The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my righthand, until I put your enemies under your

feet? If then David calls him Lord, how is hehis son? And no one was able to answer hima word, nor from that day did anyone dare toask him any more questions.

In his humanity, Jesus is Davids sonand, in his deity, Davids Lord.

Christ's Position is Superior to theAngels: Hebrews 1:13; Psalm 110:1

The author of Hebrews uses this sameverse to contrast the Son's position

with that of the angels and thus todemonstrate Christs superiority overthem: And to which of the angelshas he ever said, Sit at my right hand until Imake your enemies a footstool for your feet?So it is the Psalms that provide thetheological ground for Christ's pre-eminence over the angelic host.

Jesus is the Rejected Stone WhoBecomes the Cornerstone:Matthew 21:42; Psalm 118:22-23

The words of Psalm 118 appear oftenin the New Testament. They predict

Jesus rejection by his people and yethis establishment as Savior of the worldin whom alone salvation is found (see

Acts 4:10-12). They are used towelcome Christ during his triumphalentry (see Matt. 21:9, Mark 11:9-10;

John 12:13). At Matthew 21:42-46 (cf.Mark 12:10-11, Luke 20:17), Jesusquotes verses 22 and 23 to apply thePsalms rejected stone/chiefcornerstone image to himself as a

rebuke to the chief priests andPharisees: Jesus said to them, Have younever read in the Scriptures, The stone thatthe builders rejected has become the cornerstone;


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this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelousin our eyes? Therefore I tell you, the kingdomof God will be taken away from you and given

to a people producing its fruits. And the onewho falls on this stone will be broken to pieces,and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.When the chief priests and the Pharisees heardhis parables, they perceived that he wasspeaking about them. And although they wereseeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds,because they held him to be a prophet.A Plea for Recovering the Psalmsin the Church TodayI have noted fewer than half of theNew Testaments references to Christin the Psalms. But this should beenough to give preachers confidence infinding Christ in them and proclaimingChrist from them. More generally, it

should encourage Christians to readand to memorize and to pray and tosing the Psalms as distinctivelyChristian praise and devotion.

This would give us a natural way tointroduce Scriptures God to ourpostmodern contemporaries.

Postmodern thinkers value spiritualexperience over religious authority.They disdain the didactic and prefer thepoetic. They distrust propositions but

warm to story. So how do we reachthem? Where can we take them to hear

what God says about himself throughhis divinely authorized messengers?

There is no better place to start thanwith the Psalms as both Godsauthoritative revelation of himself andan inspired expression of sanctifiedhuman experience. The Psalms

approach objective truth from the angleof subjective experience. They conveythis truth, found in the joys of

deliverance and the heat of trials,through the language of song and oftears. They affirm Gods sovereigntyamid lifes vicissitudes.

The Psalms can help us break the habitof circumscribing God according to ourages standards and expectations byallowing him to present himself to us

through the inspired songs of hispeople. This God is his peoplesgreatest desire, with plans and purposesthat transcend their largest problems.He is their priority, not as a means totheir ends but as the one whose favorand fellowship are dearer to them thanlife itself and whom they value more

than the sum total of everything else.He is pronouncedly politicallyincorrect, but he is also a God worthliving and dying for. In hisincomparable greatness, he is worthknowing, glorifying, and enjoyingforever. At his right hand are pleasuresforevermore (see Ps. 16:11).

Embracing these great truths aboutGod was central to Reformationspirituality. This made it far superior tothe rootlessness and imbalance thatcharacterizes much modem evangelicalspirituality. It is not true that Christianscan go through life without anystruggles, any pain, any weakness, or

without any sense of absolute tragedy.God does not promise his peoplehealth and wealth. He does not existfor our personal benefit. Above all, he


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is not, as some Christians now openlyclaim, a scaled-down deity whoempathizes with human lifes

intractabilities but who cannot doanything about them.

Reading and singing the Psalms canhelp us to transcend these ungodlycaricatures. In the psalmists joys andsorrows we can find the resources fortrue spirituality - a spirituality that ismore than surface deep and a piety

equal to the exigencies of ourexperience. As the psalmist deals withlifes realities, he pours out his heart tothe living God. In his complaints, hisheartaches, and his feelings ofemptiness - as well as through his joysand comforts - he makes contact with aGod who is incomparably great and yet

who loves his struggling children withan everlasting, covenantal love.

God and his Word dominate thepsalmists experience withoutdiminishing at all the wounds andquandaries and questions that life in afallen world brings. So it is no wonderthat, in addition to the New

Testaments writers finding our LordJesus Chnsts person and work, hisdivinity and ministry, his incarnationand resurrection, and his humiliationand glorification in the Psalms, we alsofind unique intimations of our Saviorsheart in them. We know that Jesus readand memorized and prayed and sang

the Psalms - that is why they came sonaturally to his lips. They reveal hisspirituality and his experience. And indoing so they reveal the poetry and the

music - and not just the propositionsand the prose - in our Saviors heart.

A friend of mine once argued before an

ecclesiastical assembly that the churchshould be singing the Psalms as well asbiblically based hymns. He noted thatthey are Scriptures song book, thatthey have been the core of sung praisefor Christians down through thecenturies, and that they are morebiblically robust than the diet of texts

usually sung today. A respondentcharged that this would coverthe bride of Christ with the veil ofMoses, presumably because hethought the Psalms witnessedinsufficiently of the glories of Christianredemption.

With that opinion, my friendsrespondent separated himself from theNew Testaments inspired writers as

well as from the best of the wholeChristian tradition.

J. Ligon Duncan, III [Ph.D., University ofEdinburgh] is pastor of the First PresbyterianChurch in Jackson, Mississippi, and is an adjunct

professor at Reformed Theological Seminary[Jackson, Mississippi). He is also amember of the Council of the Alliance ofConfessing Evangelicals.

Reprinted by permission fromMODERN REFORMATION


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Who we are and What we do Dumisani's goal is to preparepastors and other leaders for the Xhosa-speaking churches of the Eastern Cape.It does this in a variety of ways, througha basic Correspondence Course andliteratureDaily Bible Reading Notes,booklets for preachers and Biblewomen,

Youth leaders and Sunday Schoolteachers. Especially it does this throughclasses at Certificate and Diploma leveland, in cooperation with PotchefstroomUniversity for Christian HigherEducation, at Degree level.

Everything is offered at a pricethat the people can afford to pay, ratherthan at cost price.

We have three properties on aquiet but fairly central street in King

William's Town - an important centre inthe Eastern Cape. There is an

Administration Building, a Study Houseand a Teaching Centre.New Intake

The normal new intake of students hasbeen 20 to 25. This year we havesurpassed all expectations: we have over

Dumisani Update

We are well into our new school year and the initial administrative rush thatalways accompanies the beginning of a new session has died down to the steadybut brisk rhythm of our regular teaching programme.


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30 new Certificate students and threefull-time and one part-time studentsstarting their BTh degree. In all, wehave 75 students, which far surpassesour previous highest. The new house,

which we bought just over a year agoand which seemed a little big for ourneeds, doesn't seem so big after all!

If this becomes the normal level ofintake our numbers will double over thenext five years. Time will tell what the

future holds. Meanwhile we aredelighted with the increasedopportunities represented and thatsufficient space had already beenprovided for them beforehand. Clearly,

we have an extra burden with theincreased number of students. Severalclasses have around 40 students and, if

you require regular written input fromthem, marking papers becomes atreadmill. But we are just happy that theproblems are those of growth.

Who are They?Our students are a mixed bunch:

There are some nicestraightforward names like Saul andsome not so easy to pronounce, likeGungqa!

There are 24 denominationsrepresented of all varieties, thoughMethodists are again the largest singledenominational group, followed by

assorted Presbyterians.

There is a broad age range withno particular age predominating. The

youngest is 19; the oldest 70.

Some are very promising, othersare already struggling - even to find the

right notes for the right class!

What we TeachIt occurred to me that we never tellpeople our approach to the learning

process (formerly called "teaching"!)We have quite a traditional curriculumwith the normal Biblical/theological/

historical/practical subjects includingGreek and Hebrew at the higher levels.But it may be worth mentioning certainkey features of our approach.

We consider it more important toteach skills rather than just giveknowledge. Most work is done in

seminars rather than lectures. Studentscome to class with prescribed workdone (or so we hope). This is discussedand developed in class. Thus they aretaught to find information forthemselves rather than just absorb itfrom others. They are taught to presentand defend their views.

At the Certificate level we haveGeneral Studies. There is a semester'sCourse on how to find and utilise theinformation in the Library. We start

with basic things like how to use aDictionary or a Concordancethings

we would normally take for granted.

Similarly, we also have a Courseon Study Techniques - how to keepyour Notes tidy, how to summarisematerial, how to learn it, how to


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"discuss" something, how to write anessay.

We teachpractical English -because, for all our students, English isa second language and all our Coursesand reading material are in English.

This year we are also teachingbasic computing to new full-timestudents.

These things at times seem mundanebut they are essential for students tomake the most of their other classes.

Practical ServiceLast year, as well as doing practical

work in their home congregations, the

students visited the local prisonregularly, with very positive results.

This year such visits continue and theyhave been extended to the localHospital and Children's Home. TheHome is home to perhaps 50 to 60children; some of them (AIDS)orphans, some of them in care. The

visiting students help them do theirhomework, play games with them andgenerally show a personal interest inthem. It is specially important thatmale students take an interest in theboys and provide "role models" in asituation in which these are largelylacking. Some of the students hope tostart a Sunday School in the Home.

These are big opportunities of servicein themselvesnot to mention thebenefit they produce as training for the

students. Remember Norman Reidwho has the responsibility oforganising this aspect of the work.

StaffingWe are burdened but notoverburdened with teaching duties. Butproblems loom. Our computer teachercan't complete the semester. TheHaaroffs, who have helped out this

semester, can't come next semester.And the Reids are due on furloughnext semester. We have approached

various men and explored differentplans but nothing has as yet come tofruition. We do have a plan for

working in an emergency situation.

But it is very distressing that, whenour opportunities are at their

greatest, our staffing levels are attheir lowest. Who will help us?

The Board of Governors haveinstructed us to draw up plans for fourfull-time academic staff (instead ofthree full-time staff and temporary

help) and we are pursuing that matter.We need prayer for the immediate needin our second semester starting in Julyand for our longer term planning.

We are glad to say that Ernest andShona Brown from Northern Irelandare coming to South Africa "onholiday" for ten weeks from the

beginning of October. We lookforward to Ernest helping in Dumisani,particularly doing Bible Reading Notesand the Sunday School material which


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will be of great benefit to the academicstaff.

FinanceWe have always had our needs met,even though, humanly speaking, wedepend largely on donations to the

work by interested individuals andchurches. The Board of Governorshave asked us to see if we can make ourfinancial needs known more explicitly.

We hope then to round up a number ofindividuals or congregations who willcommit themselves to a specific level ofsupport for us. We feel that this planmay generate more financial supportfor the Institution as it develops; that it

will produce more interest andprayerful support on the part of those

who contribute; that it will lead tobetter communication between us andour supporters and that our auditors orthe Department of Education will bemore impressed with our financialsituation if we can point to a body ofcommitted givers. Further informationon this is being sent to those who

might be interested in helping usfinancially.

Finally Thank you for the financial andprayerful support that you do give. Weappreciate it all. Remember us not only

in the academic work, which we haveconcentrated on in this Update, and inour staffing needs but also in thepublishing work, the correspondence

courses, the Sunday School work, theBiblewomen's meetings which we do asan Institute and our involvement withthe church which we undertake as

individuals.

Campbell TwinsKingWilliams Town

We congratulate Douglas and Julia onthe birth of twin girls, Elizabeth and

Mari on Friday 21 February 2003. Thebabies were quite small at delivery,Elizabeth 3lbs 9oz and Mari 2lbs 6ozs,but after some difficult early daysespecially for Mari, they made steadyprogress and were able to come homemid-March.

Please remember the family in prayer asthe babies develop through their firstmonths, not forgetting Ovayo, nowapproaching two and a half.

IndiaChhaparaNew Minister

Rev Emmanuel Ekka from Orissa wasordained and installed as Minister ofChhapara on 22 February 2003 insuccession to Rev Prakash Kumar who

was ordained and installed in 1959. Werecord our appreciation of Prakashsservice of over forty years in the

ministry and wish him and his wifemuch blessing in their retirement. Wealso extend our good wishes to RevEkka as he begins his ministry.


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Chhapara Missionary HighSchool

The school at Chhapara was built in1930. Nan Dunlop, who spent nearlyall of her thirty years missionary servicein Chhapara, had charge of it for a timein the later 1950s when about 235children attended. It has since grown toa large school offering education up touniversity entrance level and its pupilsregularly achieve top places in the State

examinations.

With expansion of the school, spacehas become a pressing need and atpresent there is an appeal for finance toextend the school by building on top ofthe existing science block. One or twoof our church organisations have taken

this on as a missionary project, or areconsidering it. However, there is roomfor more funding from us, and groupssuch as Sunday Schools, LadiesFellowships and YPAs may like to givethis some thought.

Please remember to pray for the SchoolAssemblies and the opportunities for

Bible teaching at the school. Theneighbouring Lakhnadon MissionSchool is also making steady progress,although it could use additionalequipment, particularly for teachingcomputer skills.

South America

We are delighted that arrangements forDr David and Mrs Olwen Ford to takeup missionary work in Latin America

are proceeding. We pray for them inthe context of mission and family astheir plans develop and they putchanges into effect.

Missionary Furloughs

Sidney and Jean Garland arrived homeat the beginning of March and are dueto return at the end of June 2003. Theyhave a busy programme ahead of themand we hope that there will beopportunity throughout ourcongregations to see and hear them aspart of it. We pray also for continuedprogress in Jeans health during theirtime at home. We know that Sidney

and Jean were glad to be coming hometo be with the family just at the time

when Sidneys father, Rev C HGarland, was very poorly.

We also remember Pamela Johnston asshe feels the absence of Sidney and

Jean during her months of settling in.

We are glad that Pamela is enjoying herwork in Nigeria.

Norman and Angela Reid are to behome for six months, July to December2003. Pray for them, as they makepreparations to leave a very busyprogramme at Dumisani for sixmonths. Please remember also the need

for adequate staff resources duringtheir time away.


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The obvious subject of the passage is

temptation and because temptationplagues each of us we must study thisparticular passage of Scripture withgreat diligence and due care, to ensure

we get maximum spiritual benefit andoptimum practical help. One of thegreatest and most telling lessons isfound in v1 where we learn how Jesus

beingfull of the Holy Spiritwas

led by

the Spirit in the desertand was tempted bythe devil. This shows how theexperience of temptation does notnecessarily imply that a believer is livinga substandard Christian life. Even theperfectly holy Son of God was temptedby Satan. Walking in step with the

Spirit does not immunise againsttemptation. Jesus was fiercely temptedbut at no time did He give in.

Temptation and sin are two entirelydifferent things. Sin only results when

temptation is given in to. Thus Hebrews

4:15 points all Christians to the greatHigh Priest who is able to sympathise

with them in their weakness but who,having been tempted in every way likethem, was without sin.

The Temptations Jesus facedwere Diverse

Notice how the devil switched his pointof attack. There were forty days ofunspecified uninterrupted assaults on

Jesus during which He ate nothing.Clever and cunning Satan thus tried tocapitalise on His weakness and frailty.

If you are the Son of God tell this stone tobecome bread (v3).

Next the devil tried the predictableavenue of pride.

The devil... showed him... all the kingdoms of

The opening 13 verses of Luke 4 are truly amazing, containing one of the mostremarkable passages in the Bible. Although the language is really quite simple andthe passage quite short, it records a direct confrontation between Jesus and Satan; ahead to head encounter between Christ and the devil. Here evil and good collide asheaven and hell lock horns.

JESUSTRIUMPHANT IN

TEMPTATIONLUKE 4:1-13

b


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the world... If you worship me it will all beyours (v5-7).Then he finally tried to get Jesus to

misuse and abuse His uniquerelationship with His Heavenly Fatherby quoting scripture out of context inan attempt to stretch Gods promisesto cover personal folly.

If you are the Son of God throw yourselfdown from here (v9).

The devil has an exhaustible supply ofevil and cunning ways by which toattack the children of God. He iscapable of switching tactics at anymoment with bewildering and bafflingspeed, in an attempt to further his ownends. Believer, you must learn thenecessary spiritual discipline of always

being on sentry duty. Watch and pray sothat you will not fall into temptation. Thespirit is willing, but the body isweak(Matthew 26:41).The Temptations Jesus facedwere Deceptive

If you glance through these three

diverse and varied temptations you willnotice how deceptively attractive they

were. By yielding to the first Jesuswould end His agonising pangs ofhunger. By yielding to the second He

would be able to set up an immediateearthly kingdom and forgo the cruelty,pain and horror of the Cross. By

yielding to the third He would becomea celebrity over night. But at what cost?

Had Jesus yielded to any or all of thesevery real, and seemingly attractive,

temptations His lifes mission wouldhave been stillborn. A flawed Christcould never be the perfect sacrifice ofatonement that would pay the price forsin; in one full, never to be repeated,instalment - and Satan knew it.

Is it any wonder that Paul speaks aboutthe strategies and deceits of the devil? Is itany wonder that Jesus warns that whenthe devil speaks, he lies? Satan is acompulsive liar. When (Satan) lies, he

speaks his native language, for he is a liar andthe father of lies(John 8:44).

Satan operates through his endlessarray of evil strategies, manifolddevious deceits and countless hellishlies. Dont be duped; the diversetemptations he offers flatter to deceive.

Their alleged benefits, like mirages in

the desert, just dont exist. Rememberthe wise warning of Shakespeare: Allthat glitters is not gold. With the devilthings are never how or what theyseem. He is a master of deceit; - aspider who is trying to entrap you in hissticky web of lies, corruption anddeceit, so always be on your guard.

Satans temptations promise more thanthey can deliver, so if what he offersyou seems too good to be true thatsbecause it is!

There can be temporary pleasure inyielding to temptation. Hebrews 11:25admits quite openly that the pleasures of

sincan be enjoyed for a short time.However, these fleeting pleasurescannot produce lasting satisfaction.

They are conjured up by Satan todeceive, entrap and ensnare the unwary.


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But his carefully set and tantalisinglybaited traps, however sweet their initialtaste to the palate, must always leave ahorrible after-taste in the mouth whentheir apparent sweetness all too soonturns so terribly bitter and so awfullysour. Real and lasting satisfaction issomething only genuine repentanceand a true living and saving faith in theLord Jesus Christ can give.

Satans temptations of Christ and His

redeemed people are diverse anddeceptive but they can be overcome.

The Temptations Jesus facedwere Defeated

Today we are surrounded by, and oftenfeel the great weight of, many differenttypes of temptation which conspire to

pull us down, destroy our confidencein Christ and render us useless in Hisservice. It is a great encouragement toall who profess faith in Christ to knowthat when He decisively resisted all thatthe devil threw at Him, it was theenemy who left thoroughly humiliatedand totally defeated - and not the other

way round.Jesus withstood the devil in thiseyeball to eyeball contest in thedesert. George Foreman andMuhammad Ali had a rumble in thejungle but the Lord had a walk overin the wilderness. Jesus overcame theevil one in this great encounter but

note the last four words of v13: untilan opportune time. As the devil skulksaway, head bowed, tail between hislegs, having taken a terrible beating,

you must realise that he will lick hiswounds, bide his time and attack againwhen he deems fit.

Clearly, the devils plans were thwartedby the Lord that day in the desert andso he left the conflict zone defeated.But he only went away until a morefavourable time. The devil like allclever con-men, is a great opportunist.Give him the slightest hint of doubt,the smallest glimmer of weakness and

he will be in like a shot. Never thinkthat a personal victory over any of themany diverse attacks of the devil willinoculate you against all others.Remember and heed the necessary

warning of 1 Peter 5:8: Be self-controlledand alert. Your enemy the devil prowls aroundlike a roaring lion looking for someone to

devour. But as the next verse says:Resist him, standing firm in the faith....

Notice how the devil was defeated. Itwas not by some dramatic display ofsupernatural power or force. The Lordtook the laurels from this personalencounter with the devil because ofHis clear and correct use of Scripture

and the support of the Spirit. The devilsaid: If you are the Son of God, tell thisstone to become bread v3. Jesus answered:It is written...

Having led Jesus up to a high place andshown Him in an instant all thekingdoms of the world, the devil said:

I will give you all their authority andsplendour, for it has been given to me, and Ican give it to anyone I want to. So if youworship me, it will be yours (v6-7). Again

Jesus answered:It is written... (v8).


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There is only One who is worthy ofworship, and He will give allegiance tono other. You are called to follow His

excellent example.

Finally, the devil took Jesus toJerusalem, to the highest point of thetemple where he dared to challenge Hisdivinity by calling upon Him to throwHimself down, quoting scripture out ofcontext as he did so. But Jesus was

resolute once more, answering againfrom scripture.

The Son, sent by the Father, filled bythe Spirit, armed with the Word, wasinvincible. The devil, try as he might,just could not breach His defences. Thedevil left the desert defeated. The

victorious Christ left the battlefield just

as He had entered it, in the power ofthe Holy Spirit, with the full supportand approval of His Heavenly Father.Satan had used diverse and deceptivetactics in a bid to overcome Jesus but

was roundly defeated. In this we have aprelude to the final, complete anddecisive defeat of Satan on the cross

something that lay a few short but trulymomentous years hence.

ConclusionSatan continues to use diverse anddeceptive tactics and temptations in hisongoing bid to overcome the Churchof Christ, but believers can and will

overcome him if they follow theexample of Jesus and learn to wield thesword of the Spirit properly.

1 Corinthians 10:13 is so importantbecause it explains to believers how:No temptation has seized you except what is

common to man, before adding: God isfaithful; He will not let you be temptedbeyondwhat you can bear. So on the basis ofthis, believer: when you are tempted, Hewill also provide a way out so that you canstand up under it.

But you can only stand when you call

upon the combined power of the HolySpirit and Scripture. Either you call orfall! James 4:7 makes abundantly plainthat you must submit yourself to Godbecause only then will you be in aposition to resist the devil and see himflee from you.

Jesus triumphed over the temptations

of the devil. He defeated Satan in thedesert, but supremely on the cross. Mayyou be enabled by Almighty God to doso too in the sufficient strength ofChrist. However, you cannot do sountil by grace, through the God-givengift of believing faith, you are enabledto recognise your own sin, are willing to

repent of it before the Almighty andperfectly Holy God, and thereby knowthe eternal benefits of His redemptionand victory at Calvary.

Satan is still tempting believers indiverse and deceptive ways and will doso until the end of time; but he can, and

will, be overcome but only through

repentance, faith and trust in thefinished work of Christ.


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The wisdom of Ecclesiastes is supremelyrelevant for our day. Though 3,000 years

have passed, there is nothing new underthe sun. We identify some contemporaryissues and bring,

Old Light for New Paths.

In Ecclesiastes Solomon brings us toconsider various things in an attempt tofind meaning and purpose. In an earlier

chapter we read of the pursuit ofwisdom, and while good, yet we learnthat wisdom only reveals the situation -remaining impotent to do anythingabout it (Chapter 1:15).

Pursuing wisdom may be a noble thing,but if thoroughly pursued, according toSolomon, it brings a head-ache. Thusthe regular practice of rational thoughtgives way to hedonistic pleasure(Chapter 2). But pleasure doesn't satisfy- so Solomon tries further trivial

pursuits as identifed in our previousarticle in the last issue of this magazine.So where is the next port of call?

According to Solomon - Religion.

Do you remember the Beatles? (Surelythis writer is too young for that!) Well,(Im told that) from pursuing musicalprowess they went in for pleasure,before taking an obsessive interest inpower. But that wasn't enough, so theyended up following some guru into

Transendental Meditation. Yes, they didthe same as Solomon 3,000 years earlier- truly there is nothing new under thesun.

Religion(Ecclesiastes Chapter 5)

byRev Stephen Atkinson

When it comes to playing the piano, I'm a self confessed bluffer. Not that Ihave no skills at all, I did gain Grade 5, but also having achieved a grade B at

A level Music, one gains the know-how to improvise, and good musicians cansee through my improvisation as bluff! Bluffing (sorry, improvising), can beattractive, but accuracy is really much better. When it comes to our religiouslife God does not want bluffing. He wants accuracy, or more accurately, truthin the inner parts.


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Religion is right to be pursued, but aswe well see around us, there is a false,man-made religion; and there is realreligion. Solomon directs us to the

latter, giving wise counsel concerningthe correct practice of (real) religion.

1. The Right ApproachWalk prudently when you go to the house ofGod... (v.1)

We must first ask - How do you come

to church? What is your spiritual state?What is the nature of your spiritualpreparation?

You will go about all manner of normalpreparation. There will be the usualSunday morning rush to get dressed andlook your best. There may yet be somethings to get organised for the Sundaydinner. But what about Sunday morningprayer? - Well, only if I can fit it in.

What time do you arrive? You may havegood intentions. Of course, time goesso quickly on a Sunday morning. Wenever leave when we plan to leave. Iknow the problems. The preachers

house is not immune from such. Butthere is really no excuse for not beingadequately prepared spiritually, in prayerbeforehand; and in quiet meditation

when you arrive, in good time.

These are simple things to consider.Take care in your approach. Take asmuch care about inner attitude, as outer

appearance. Take as much care overinner beauty, as outer. How much timedo you spend in the bathroom? Howmuch time getting dressed; grooming?

Consider how you come to church.

Theres a story of one of thecovenanting ministers of Kiltearn in the

Scottish Highlands. After a powerfuland sacrificial ministry and life in theturbulent latter half of the 17th centuryhe was buried across the doorway ofthe church. His gravestone bore thisinscription - This stone shall bear

witness against the parishioners ofKiltearn if they bring ane ungodly

minister in here.And would they dare? Every ministerthat would follow would have to walkacross this grave, and every member. It

was therefore a sobering thing, forpreachers and people alike. Would theynot walk prudently...?

If they buried me in the doorway of mychurch some might be happy to walkon my grave - but at least it would makepeople think as they approached!

Consider also how does an unconvertedperson approach? Do they come tobring their good deeds; to get a warmfeeling; to get brownie points before the

Almighty?

How does a backslider approach? Isthere a real recognition of sin andmisery, a real sense of unworthiness,and a seeking grace and mercy?

How does a hard-hearted personapproach? Is there a bitterness and

callousness that hinders all manner ofapproach to God; you come in cold,and leave cold?

How does a hypocrite approach - that


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bluffer? Is there a formal veneer ofreligiosity, but the hands are unclean?

Wash, you double-minded!

We are summoned to approach Godwith reverence and fear, for our God isa consuming fire. Walk prudently!

2. The Right Attention.draw near to hear rather than give the sacrificeof fools...(v.1)

This second matter follows on from thefirst. It concerns what we do when weare at worship - Attention.

People obviously come to church forvarious reasons. Some are sincere butthey fail to receive because of lack ofpreparation. Then perhaps there aresome who have prepared but fail to

benefit by not giving suitable attention.Then further there are some others whohaven't prepared and have no intentionof truly listening at all.

When I was a student minister one ofmy college friends went to a smallchurch on pulpit supply. At the time ofthe sermon a middle aged man settledhimself beside a pillar and shut his eyes!My friend stopped the service andpromptly told him to wake up!

There are fools at worship. And whenScripture speaks of a fool it doesn'tmean someone who is completelyignorant, but someone who has some

wisdom, should know better, but ratherchooses the false and futile.

Some people do not draw near to hear.They have already told themselves they

know it all. When the preacher speakscertain unsavoury things about God, thefool says, No, this is how I like tothink about God. God is pleased with

me. I lead a religious life... This is thesacrifice of fools. He comes to churchto get a pat on the head.

Further verses in this chapter show usthe speech of fools. Solomon commentson the multitude of words that manthinks are pleasing to God. But he has

no time to listen to what God is saying.If the first piece of advice is, Walkprudently, the second is summed up as,Think carefully.

We've all been guilty of being distractedor being pre-occupied. Something fromyour work comes to mind, and yourmind is off at a tangent. You have an

appointment this week, and you beginto do some planning in the service!Maybe youre one of those persons whodoodles? Have you ever been guilty ofmental doodling?

I was once privileged to be in thecongregation of Trinity Baptist Church,New Jersey. Al Martin was preachingsome fairly heavy stuff from ColossiansChapter 1. He had been going for aboutan hour. It was good material. But some

were drifting, and he knew it. So, hecalled them to order. I've spent hourspreparing for this. And now in delivery,I'm working hard up here, and some ofyou are falling asleep!

Was he right? Draw near to hear, saysSolomon.

You cannot expect to grow in the


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knowledge of God without mental hardwork. The preacher has been set apartfor the ministry of the Word andprayer, and he must do that. He must

work hard to bring a substantialmessage and you must give it the rightattention.

Scripture speaks of inclining the earand, of course, that doesn't simplymean listening; but listening with a viewto obeying. It also implies an inclining

the heart; and engaging a renewed willto do those things whatsoever the Lordour God has commanded us.

3. The Right Awe.God is in heaven, and you on earth... FearGod.(v2,7)

Consider how you would approach ameeting with the Queen. Consider howcarefully you would listen to her words.Consider the respect you would giveher, according to her office. Nowmultiply that a million-fold, and you arestill a long way off. God is in heaven;you are on earth, and this demandsawe. But isnt this the missing jewel of

much of todays worship?

We expect the preacher to work on theemotions, or expect the preacher to beentertaining. But surely we've got it all

wrong. As you and I approach, and aswe give attention to the Word, and aswe enter into that highest duty and

privilege given to fallen man - theworship of God - surely we must, likeMoses, take off our shoes, for the placeis holy ground. God is in heaven. Hehasn't come down to play games with

us! We must approach reverently; listenattentively; and worship with holy awe.

The ministry must foster that awe. The

church must foster that awe. We needto relearn what church is all about.Our witness is to this thrice holy God;not to enhance the neighbourhood feel-good factor.

People are searching for many things ina church. The church should do this,they say, and should do that. The

church is failing here, and there.Perhaps it is. But I don't hear greatercries for the church to foster a greaterawe. That doesn't seem to come highon people's agenda of what's lacking.

Yet in Solomon's wisdom on rightreligion it is.

Ezekiel was a powerful prophet; a livelypreacher and a holy watchman. Somepeople didn't like him. Others wereimpressed but only by his performanceand they would tell others Come andhear this great preacher.

You are to them as a very lovely song of onewho has a pleasant voice and can play well on

an instrument; for they hear your words, butthey do not do them (Ezekiel 33:32).

Is it a fancy performer the pulpit needsor someone instilling the fear of God?

The right approach, the right attention,and the right awe - are these not someof the missing jewels of our religion?


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Ernest Reisinger:A BiographyGeoffrey Thomas

Banner of Truth

272 pages 16.50

Reviewer: Stephen Atkinson

In this heart-warming biography youwill find a wealth of fascinating

information, depths of theologicalinstruction, indeed a veritable goldmineof spiritual stimulation.

Read the providence of God in the lifeof a dear saint in his sight. Ernies fatherlost everything in the Wall St Crash,including his mind, and wasinstitutionalised until his death thirty

years later. His mother was forced toput young Ernest into the care of anorphanage. Yet in his twenties he andhis brother set up a constructionbusiness, which by the 1960s grew intoa multi-million dollar company.However, Ernie was determined to be apreacher, and in an amazing way theLord opened up doors of opportunityfor a ministry, now spanning the globe,by tapes and books of Ernies wisdom.

He retired from the constructionbusiness aged 47, handing it over to hisson, and moved to Florida for healthreasons. Yet within a year he was backin Carlisle, PA, helping a mission churchthrough its difficulties. He began torealise the importance of a formalsetting apart, and aged 50 he wasordained to preach the Word. Yet only ayear after this he was back in the

construction business again, and by his

sheer hard work, and acumen,prevented the whole business fromgoing under. Not long after that he wasback in Florida, preaching again.

Throughout the book you will beinstructed in the divine weaving ourweb of time. Gain a Christianperspective on work, and principles of

being a spiritually minded employer.Learn, with fascination, and not a littlerebuke, Ernies regular spiritualcorrespondence with his children, grand-children, and great grand-children -both the erring, and the continuing inthe faith. Let him teach you how to

witness personally, how to witness

determinedly, and (I hesitate to add!)how to start a Baptist church!

We listen first hand to the theologicalstruggle, and his clarity of approach tosuch problems as Arminianism,Dispensationalism, and Higher-Lifeteaching.

Furthermore hear his wisdom on how

to reform a church where three quartersof the membership never attended! Seethe beauty and benefit of giving awaygood literature, both leaflets and books.

Wives of book lovers beware! - so manygood books are mentioned within thatthere should be a disclaimer on thecover - This book could seriouslydamage your wealth!

Geoff Thomas is so readable, andErnest Reisingers story so delightfuland beneficial, it is a must read.

Books etc.


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What the Scriptures TeachE F Kevan

Evangelical Press

80 pages 3.95Reviewer: Gareth Burke

This book could be described as alittle gem. It is essentially anintroduction to the main doctrines ofthe Christian faith with eight chapterscovering the following subjects: God,

Sin , The Lord Jesus Christ, TheAtonement, Redemption, Salvation,The Holy Spirit and ChristianBehaviour. The author was formerlythe Principal of London Bible Collegeand although undoubtedly a competenttheologian he has an easy style of

writing.

We are indebted to Evangelical Pressfor reprinting this useful work firstpublished in 1966. The value of thebook is greatly enhanced by theinclusion of study questions on eachchapter. A good volume - pity aboutthe cover!

The Theology of RowanWilliamsGarry J Williams

Latimer Trust

42 pages 1.10

Reviewer: Stephen Atkinson

The appointment of the new

Archbishop of Canterbury has raisedmuch debate, much to his delight. Thisbooklet sets forth some of the keyelements of his theology, perhaps betteridentified as his philosophy. While the

author of this booklet is blessed with aDPhil the ordinary man would find ithard to plow through such riddle-language of the new Archibishop.

Garry Williams thus does us a service inopening up the false teaching, andtheological aberrations of such a highprofile churchman.

The author is to be commended forwading through the philosophicalrantings of one who considers the

apostle John to have ranted and ravedin the book of Revelation. The authorof this booklet further shows the

Archbishop wanting in areas such assin, salvation, and hell. Rowan

Williams views of sexual ethics, asexplained, are nothing short ofabominable, yea even blasphemous - to

view Trinitarian relations in theGodhead as example and justificationfor unbiblical sexual activity! (See p.30.)Garry Williams also rightly points outthe very dangerous nature of thepastoral consequences of this teaching,particularly at such a high level withinthe Church of England.

Rowan Williams seems to enjoy riddles,and engages much in liberal double-speak. Of course such a one does notlike absolutes and openly confesses todisliking Systematic Theology. Heenjoys posing questions rather thananswering them. Garry Williamsparaphrases him, (p.21) It is not that

God has given us a true theologicalsystem and a true devotional practicewhich subverts our false truths. It isthat God, like the baby Jesus, is silent


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before our questioning. Heaven is iron.The silence does not speak, itundermines our speech... There is noanswer given which we can proclaim to

other religions, only the question.

Satans heresy began with Did Godsay...?, and Rowan Williams wouldhave us listen to such diabolicalquestioning rather than the clear Wordof God. If I may be permitted aquestion then, I would like to ask how

did such a one become Archbishop,and why is he welcomed by someleading evangelicals?

Im afraid I have to say that I did notenjoy this booklet. It is not that Iregard the matter as unimportant, northe labours of the author asunnecessary or invalid. Quite the

contrary, I would maintain it is a vitalcritique, and much more could havebeen written to expose the

Archibishops errors. But it is notenjoyable to read (even within acritique) the liberal and philosophicalrant of one who one day must standbefore his Maker and shut his mouth.

Ten boys who changed theworldIrene Howat

Christian Focus

160 pages 3.99

Reviewer: David Burke(aged 13)

This book is an enjoyable readcontaining short stories about ten boys

who lived for God from childhood toold age.

You can find out how Billy Grahamwon many souls at his rallies, howBrother Andrew smuggled Bibles intoRussia and how Eric Liddell ran for

God. There are also stories featuringDavid Livingstone, John Newton andGeorge Mueller among others. I thinkthat this book would appeal to mostboys under the age of 14. I would rateit as seven out of ten.

Ten boys who made a differenceIrene HowatChristian Focus

160 pages 3.99

Reviewer: David Burke(aged 13)

This book, which could be described asa sequel to Ten Boys Who Changed TheWorld, is another enjoyable read. Unlike

its predecessor, this book may appeal tomen as well as boys as it features manyfather figures from long ago such as

William Tyndale, John Calvin andMartin Luther.

This book is probably not as good asthe first one in the series but it was stillan interesting read which I would give

six out of ten.

A Just God and a SaviourR A Finlayson

Knox Press

355 pages 4.95

Reviewer: Jeff Ballantine

When the editor pointed to a pile ofbooks and asked me to choose one forreview I chose this one because I hadalready read Finlaysons Reformed


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Theological Writingsand enjoyed itimmensely. R A Finlayson wasProfessor of Systematic Theology at theFree Church of Scotland College from

1946 to 1966. He was a first classtheologian who had the ability tocommunicate clearly in a way that isdevotionally uplifting.

This book covers such diverse subjectsas God, the Cross, the Resurrection,Paul, the Church, the quest of the

individual soul and the devil. Thearticles are obviously based on sermonsand communion addresses preached bythe Professor, but they are none the

worse for that. An elder in one of ourchurches described the ReformedTheological Writingsas a desert islandbook. This one is in the samecategory. If you want to know moreabout these subjects and desire to haveyour soul enriched this book is highlyrecommended. The script contains afew typing errors but they dont detractfrom the books usefulness. At 4.95,and containing 355 pages of goodbiblical teaching, this book is a snip.Buy it, read it and enjoy it!

The Spirit and the ChurchJohn Owen.

Banner of Truth

208 pages 3.75

Reviewer: Allan Thomson

Having read a couple of books from

the Puritan Paperbacks series, I guessI ought to have known! This is not thetype of book that you can just throwinto your grip bag to use for some light

reading while trying to enjoy a shortbreak. This book requires seriousconcentration and deliberate study ifyou are going to benefit from the

wealth of spiritual riches which itcontains. Believe me, this is not anegative criticism of the book; more arebuke to my own initial approach.(Who said a book reviewers job waseasy?)

Let me not discourage any who may

feel that they would not cope with sucha book. There are morsels and delightsfor all who will venture into its pagesand could I say that even a lighterapproach to the book is vastly betterthan no approach at all!

The subject of the first two parts of thebook is that of how the Holy Spirit

works in the whole person, causingthem to believe, understand and obeythe Word of God. Then in the lastthree parts we are taught how the sameSpirit brings us into Communion,Union, and Collaboration with Christ.

I believe that the book, when suitablyread by the earnest student of the Wordor sincere babe in Christ, shouldaccomplish its purpose to stir up ourpure minds that we may be mindful ofthe words which were spoken beforeby the holy prophets, and of thecommandment of the apostles of theLord and Saviour. I would heartilycommend this book to all who desire tobe equipped for the service of the King,and to know the mind of God moreperfectly.


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making progress with pilgrim(for pilgrims of all ages)

- (9) AT BEULAH LAND -

(John Bunyan presented the world with a wonderful picture of Christian experience in The Pilgrims

Progress. We continue to retell some of the main parts of the story.)Our travelling friends, Christian and Hopeful are nearing the end of their

journey. They now come to a lovely land that is far from the difficult hills

and deep valleys, beyond the reach of Giant Despair and his Doubting

Castle. Here the birds are singing, the flowers blooming, and the sunshining all the time. They are now within sight of the city, and could even

hear voices from inside. It was here that Christian felt a deep pain in his

stomach as he so desired to finish his journey and enter in.

We have already learned that the Christian life is a pilgrimage with its

difficult heights and troublesome depths. Throughout our lives there are

many things which disturb us, not least our own sin. We wander off the

right path and end up facing giants of our own making. We must gothrough various trials before we enter the kingdom, but how wonderful to

come to this stage of Christian experience. Not many of us can say we live in

spiritual sunshine all the time, with the birds singing. Yet the apostle Paul

did reach such a time - I have run the race, I have fought the fight... He also

spoke of having such a desire that he wanted to depart and be with Christ.But was it only the great apostle who found himself in Bunyans Beulah

Land? If you read some of the life stories of great saints of God you often

find they too come to such a place, particularly as their life draws to a close.

Perhaps you are still facing a certain Hill Difficulty, or are troubled (as we

ought to be) by the goings on in Vanity Fair, or perhaps it is in the Giants

Castle that you are found, or painfully meeting that Valley of the Shadow of

Death, as you grieve over a loved one. Yet there is such a place as Beulah

Land, and the true follower of Christ may find it as he or she grows in

maturity, understanding the security of a true believer, living more and more

as a stranger here, and increasingly knowing those deep longings for heaven.

Are you making progress with Pilgrim?


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Transcript of The Evangelical Presbyterian - May-June 2003