The Evangelical Presbyterian - November-December 2001

7/28/2019 The Evangelical Presbyterian - November-December 2001

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EvangelicalPresbyterian Nov-Dec 200150p


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

Convenor of theEditorial Committee: Rev. Stephen Atkinson1 Lord Wardens DrBangor, Co DownBT19 1YF(E-mail: [email protected])

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

CONTENTSEditorial Comment S. Atkinson 1The New Birth - 6 (conclusion) J. Ballantine 3Obituaries 6The Regions Beyond- Joseph & Helen McCracken (Part 2) E C. Brown 7

Theology kills all known giants - dead. S. Atkinson 11Books etc. 15Making Progress with Pilgrim 17

Front Cover

St James Park, LondonPhotograph by Stephen Tracey.


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Tough on Terrorism

A comment on contemporary comment.

People have been heading for theirBibles, (particularly curious to see ifthe book of Revelation is relevant).There is an apparent turning back tochurch and to prayer. In the midst of

the current debate in the USAconcerning prayer in state schools,one comment I noted asked, Can wepray in our schools, now? Apparentlycrime in New York City is radicallydown. Have people really come toheed this wake up call from God?

It would be easy to be cynical anddismissive of this new foundreligiosity. There is nothing new underthe sun. This act of terror is onlydifferent in scale from daily acts ofterror around the globe and down thestreet. The horror and outrage felt atthe wickedness of this evil is indeed

welcome, but there is little outrageregularly felt over sin. Sadly, globalconviction of sin did not arrive on11th September. The world still lovesits gods and winks at its own

perversions.

The powerful leaders who promise toeradicate this evil of terrorism havealready played fast and loose with it,

and while not being unsympathetic(for I have shed those tears along withmany), we may say that this is paybacktime for a world gone soft onwickedness.

The Daily Mail Comment on theday after the horror was right to pointout that though the promise is tofight, The tragedy is that Westerndemocracies too seldom fight. Britainappeases IRA/Sinn Fein. The EU treatsGaddafi as a legitimate leader, rather than amurderous madman. Few are robust enoughin challenging the ugly anti-Semitism ofYasser Arafat and his terrorist supporters.We may indeed add that our Western

democracies have not always beensqueaky clean in their internationalpolice patrols.

But why is it easier for us to associate

September 11th 2001 is a date which will live in the memory owing to anact of terrorism unparalleled in the modern world. When the planes struckthe Twin Towers in New York City, the world was stunned. It was the stuff

of movies. We are used to horror, and terror, from the comfort of ourarmchair. But real terror has struck and stunned, and people say the world

will never be the same again.


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terrorism with a turban, and not with atie? Why are the bin Laden lookalikesnow seen as suspect, while others may

maintain a campaign of terror under aveneer of respectability.

In Northern Ireland we are no strangersto terror, having faced a campaignagainst law and order for over thirtyyears; a campaign against liberties ourUS friends hold so dear. We, more than

most in the world, can truly empathise.But we do so with a bitter taste in ourmouths, knowing that the campaignagainst our precious freedom has beenfunded by elements in New York,Washington, and beyond. If the realenemy is the one who funds theterrorism, then who are the terrorists

attacking Northern Irelands liberties?We, in the Evangelical PresbyterianChurch, would delight in a true turningfrom sin and wickedness, and a soundsense of the horrific nature of mansdepravity, but the duplicity of worldleaders disgusts us. Shocked andstunned the world is, but embarrassed,

and electorally endangered its leadersare. So they will chase the turban, ratherthan the tie. It gets more votes.

We are delighted to see a renewed senseof right and wrong. Bin Laden waswrong, wasnt he? Or has relativismtruly captured our mad age? We do not

say he is entitled to his opinion. We donot say that what is right for him, isdifferent from what is right for you andme. Is the world a different place? Ihope that some of that difference is that

the age of relativism is over, but I fearthe absolute sense of sin will soon fade.

We are delighted also to hear that theoutrage has renewed in man the senseof retribution. But why must this manbe punished, and not reformed? Indeed,if he is caught, should we not releasehim if he simply says his organisation ison Cease-Fire. Do we believe incapital punishment for this atrocity, but

not for murdering royalty, securityforces, and blowing up children?Talking tough on terrorism is easy, butas we have seen, acting tough is thedifficult thing, particularly in a visible,and even-handed way.

Terrorism is an awful thing, and theunparalleled terror of recent days

displays a forgotten condition of man.The human heart is desperately wicked.Man is totally depraved; fallen, blind,and dead in trespasses and sins.

Thus it was when Jesus was asked aboutan act of terrorist butchery by Pilate, hecommented little, except to point out -Unless you repent, you will all likewise

perish. (Luke 13:3)

Comment will continue, and the historybooks of next century will comment onwhat is now deemed a turning point.But all people need to realise that theirultimate end, without repentance, willbe no different from that of bin Laden.This lesson the world needs to hear.This gospel we must preach. Our talktherefore must also be tough.


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In the important matter of TheChange, the scripture not only spellsout factually the "marks of grace", italso provides illustrations of thechange wrought in the lives of certainindividuals.

NicodemusTwo later incidents in his life indicatethat a very definite change had takenplace after his interview with Christ.In John 7 we are told that thePharisees sent out certain officers toapprehend Christ (John 7:32), butthese temple guards failed to bring

Him back because the manner inwhich Christ spoke quiteoverwhelmed them. No man ever spokelike this man.(John 7:46).

When the Pharisees heard this reportthere was an uproar and their angerwas such that they described the

crowds who followed Christ asunlettered rabble (John 7:49). At thatpoint Nicodemus, a member of theSanhedrin, could take no more and hecame to Christ's defence! Realising

that the law of the jungle wasprevailing he said Does our law judge aman before it hears him and knows what heis doing?(John 7:51).

This courageous stand against themost important religious assembly ofhis day almost certainly made him amarked men thereafter! How differenthe was from the man we encounter inJohn 3! There he visited our Lord bynight, possibly so as not to be seen bymen; now he nailed his colours firmlyto the mast! What made thedifference? He was born again!

Another incident recorded later inJohn's gospel illustrates further thetransformation that had taken place.Nicodemus joined Joseph ofArimathaea in the burial of Jesus(John 19:39). This readiness toconfess Christ publicly is surely amark of grace, for our Lord saidTherefore whoever confesses me before men,him will I also confess before my Father whois in heaven. But whoever denies me beforemen, him I will also deny before my Fatherwho is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33).

The New Birth

Part 6

by Jeff Ballantine

- The Change Illustrated -


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The Philippian JailorInitially the condition in which wefind this man was anything but

encouraging. He had no love for thepeople of God as is evident from theway in which he treated Paul and Silas.Putting these men in an inner prisonand making their feet fast in stockswas a merciless and ruthless act (Luke16:23), and Paul remembered his stayhere for many a day (1 Thessalonians

2:2).

Moreover, this man had obviously noconcern for the things of God for heslept through what is perhaps themost amazing "praise service" ever!(Acts 16:27). Nor had he any fear ofmeeting God, otherwise he would

never have considered taking his ownlife (Acts 16:27). Tragically, he fearedthe Roman authorities to whom hewould have had to answer, more thanthe God into whose presence he wascarelessly rushing.

However, an earthquake and a sermonby the blessing of God wrought a

great change, bringing this man to thepoint where he cried out Sirs, whatmust I do to be saved?, to which Paulgave that most straightforward ofanswers Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,and you will be saved, you and yourhousehold (Acts 16:30-31).

What a different man he was aftertrusting in Christ! In his washing ofhis prisoners' wounds (Acts16:33), hebecame as merciful as he waspreviously merciless, a condition

which our Lord pronounced asblessed (Matthew 5:7). Out of love toGod and his new found brethren he

also provided hospitality for them(Acts 16:34), an activity which willvindicate him on judgment day(Matthew 25:37-40).

The word was also spoken to all hishouse (Acts 16:32), pointing to a newconcern for his nearest and dearest.He even got baptized along with his

household and since it was unlikelythat there was a tank in either hishouse or the jail, both the mode andsubjects of this baptism suggest thathe might even have become a goodPresbyterian! Truly a radical changehad been wrought!

The Dying ThiefHere was a man on the point of death,in fact his life was slowly but surelyebbing away. His physical and mentalcondition was anything but conduciveto seeking the Lord because he was

presently undergoing the horrors ofcrucifixion. Nor had he any merit ofhis own to plead, in fact his guilt wasestablished from his own mouth wereceive the due reward of our deeds (Luke23:41). Perhaps the words which seemto seal this man's fate are thoserecorded by Matthew. He tells us that

while hanging on the cross this thiefjoined the other one in reviling theSaviour.

Yet he was born again in an instant


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and even though he probably livedless than an hour the marks of gracewere clearly discernible in his life!

1. Anew view of himself.

Previously he had no sense of guiltotherwise he wouldn't have cursedChrist, but now he confessed that hedeserved to be condemned and thathis judgment was just (Luke 23:40-41).The Spirit had obviously been at work

(John 16:8-9).

2. Anew view of God.

A few minutes earlier he had no fearof God, a characteristic of our nativedepravity (Romans 3:18). Now,however, he had a radical change ofmind because he rebuked the other

thief for his failure to fear God, Doyou not even fear God?(Luke23:40).Miraculously he had become arecipient of that fear of God which isthe beginning of knowledge (Proverbs7:1).

3. A new view of Christ

This is entirely in accordance with theSpirit's working (John 16:14). Heacknowledged Christ's sinlessness, HisLordship, His Kingship and Hispower to save (Luke 23:41). JohnCalvin, commenting on his dyingwords, Lord remember me when you comeinto your kingdom, said: "I know not

that since the creation of the worldthere ever was a more remarkable andstriking example of faith".

4. A new view of others.

His rebuke of his companion Do younot even fear God? was really anattempt to witness to him! His native

carelessness, both for his own souland the souls of others haddisappeared! He was a new creation (2Corinthians 5:17), hence our Lord'spromise, Today you will be with me inparadise. (Luke 23:43).

Someone who experienced the newbirth once said "either the world has

changed or I have changed". Thehymnwriter expressed it thus:

Heaven above is softer blue, Earth aroundis sweeter green; Something lives in every hueChristless eyes have never seen.

The new birth is indeed the mostradical transformation that can evertake place in the life of any individual.Regeneration is a mighty and powerfulchange wrought in the soul by the efficaciousworking of the Holy Spirit, wherein a vitalprinciple, a new habit, the law of God, and adivine nature, are put into and framed in theheart, enabling it to act holily and pleasinglyto God, and to grow up therein to eternalglory... There is a change, a creation, thatwhich was not is brought into beingCharnock (The New Birth, p92):

The gospel is indeed the power of Godunto salvation (Romans 1:16). May itbe the "power of God" unto each readerpersonally for the alternative is too

horrible to contemplate.

You must be born again. (John 3:7).


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OBITUARIESMr Tom Hoey Ballyclare

Mr Tom Hoey passed into the immediate presence of his Saviour on themorning of Monday 30th April having been taken ill during the early evening ofthe previous day. He had been out to church that Sunday morning.

Born, brought up and still living in Mallusk, Tom was one of 12 children and hada number of strong interests including nature, science, football, motor vehicles,reading and music! He was a man of tender humour and little fuss. He hadserved faithfully as a deacon in the Ballyclare church and continued, despite his

great age, to be greatly concerned for its advance. Tom took great interest inGods Word and was very faithful at Prayer Meeting where perhaps we mostacutely miss him. Gods dealings left Tom Hoey a most gracious man who tookparticular interest in the children of the church.

Our sympathies are, of course, with Mrs Hoey who, with Gods grace, has doneso well since Mr Hoeys death, but also with Elizabeth, Catharine and John, theirchildren, and their respective families.

We mourn his loss but rejoice that we knew him and that Tom is with Jesuswhich is far better.

S. Roger

Mrs Rose Weir Omagh

On Wednesday 5th September Mrs Margaret Rose Weir, a faithful member ofthe Omagh congregation, was called into the immediate presence of the Saviour

she so dearly loved.

Rose, who was born on the 6th April 1944, married John Weir on the 25th May1966.John later joined the R.U.C., but whilst carrying out his duties wasseriously injured by a terrorist bomb in 1977. Thereafter Rose lovingly nursedJohn, despite her own ill health, until John passed away in December of last year.

We give thanks to God for Roses life and the great graciousness that shedisplayed throughout her own illness. We extend our deepest sympathy to herchildren Desmond, Sandra, Derrick and Alison and it is our prayer that the Lordwould comfort them in their time of need. Psalm 116:15.

A. Lucas


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From 1908-1943 the key figure in ourmissionary effort in South Africa wasRev Alexander Dewar. He was the onlymissionary in the congregationsscattered throughout the 20,000 squaremiles of the Transkei and Ciskei areas.Principal Clement Graham, in his

tribute to the life of Joseph McCrackenin 1988, neatly ties the Dewar andMcCracken ministries together: Thoseinterested in coincidence will beintrigued to learn that the day theForeign Missions Committee met toconsider Alexander Dewar's appeal for acolleague was the very day he died, and

one year to the day after, JosephMcCracken was inducted as amissionary to South Africa. Thatinduction was on 10 August 1944.

We pick up the McCracken accounts atthis point.

ChurchMy husband's predecessor, the Rev.

Alexander Dewar, had died about 18months before our arrival, and with noproper supervision we found the workin a chaotic state. Had it not been forZakobe Taho, later one of our

Ministers, I doubt if there would havebeen anything to come to. Rumourswere rampant that nothing more wouldbe heard from Scotland, but Mr Tahoassured the people that Scotland wouldnot forsake them and thus encouragedthem to have patience and stand

together. When we arrived he acted asour interpreter, providing help andadvice alongside that of the Misses Rossand Erskine

Until the arrival of Dr Andrews and theRev. H. Sliep in 1948 we covered thearea as best we could. Much tightening-up in terms of finance and discipline

had to be done. The Sustentation wassix pence per member per month, butby the time it and plate collections(usually made up of halfpennies)reached the Deacons' Court it wasgreatly diminished, as the deacons wereusing it for things like oil, candles, anddoor locks. We introduced Sustentation

Fund books and Collection Sheets, sothat everything had to be entered andhanded in at the Deacons' Court whereexpenses were dealt with. Deacons wererequested to ring the Church bells half

Joseph and Helen McCracken Part 2

Missionaries to South Africa 1944-1974Both Rev Joseph McCracken and his wife Helen have favoured us greatly by

providing reflections on their life and times from the perspective of theirretirement years. From a speech at the 50th anniversary of his ordination tothe Ministry in 1985 we have Mr McCrackens Reminiscences of a Veteran

Missionary; in July 1990, on the occasion of her 80th

birthday, MrsMcCracken read a paper, Looking BackWith Gratitude. Leading with Mrs

McCracken we seek to integrate the other sources in presenting Part 2.


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an hour before the service, not an hourafter they were due to start; walking inand out of services at will was reducedto a minimum. The missionary wasdetermined to have the Lord's workdone in the Lord's way as he saw it, andwhile it took years of effort it paiddividends. But in spite of manyshortcomings there was love andwarmth shown everywhere we went.

Our 22 Transkei and Ciskei churches

were very scattered. During our earlydays there were only three solid churchbuildings, one in each districtPirie,Burnshill and the Transkei. But in theensuing years the different missionarieshave erected many more, so that todaynearly all our 60-odd congregationshave suitable buildings in which toworship. Mr McCracken tells us thatduring his years of service he supervisedthe building and renovating of thirteenchurches. But he adds, As I look backI can say of a truth, had it not been forthe work carried on by Helen amongthe women and girls it would have beena poor show indeed, as this has provedto be a very important aspect of the

work.

New life came into the work with thearrival of Campbell and Ruby Andrewsand Huite and Helen Sliep in 1948. Itwas then that the area was divided intothree districts, each with its ownSessionTranskei, and the two Ciskeidistricts of Pirie and Burnshill. At thattime we moved across to Burnshill,working there for twenty years. DrAndrews laboured in neighbouringPirie, preaching the Word, healing thesick and building churches. Mr Sliep's

work was different and difficult as hiscongregations were far-flung from eachother in the Transkei. We returned toPirie for another ten years on DrAndrews' return to Australian in 1965.

Education

The schools were started and operatedby the churches and missions, themissionary acting as managerMrMcCracken tells us I was manager of12 schools which involved a lot of work

but it gave me the opportunity ofappointing Christian teachers and itgave me much influence in thesedistricts. The teachers salaries had tobe paid out of mission funds and thatwas a strain on the finance of our smallmission; but the manager adds intypical, pointed style, the Government

was very generous in giving me 2/6 perannum for each school! A few yearslater education was taken over entirelyby the Government and many of theschools started by the Free Church nowhave modern buildings with thousandsof children attending. Some of theteachers appointed at that time have

been the backbone of the church worksince, serving as interpreters and inother capacities. Some of the menbecame elders.

In later years we held weekly BibleClasses for boys in Knox, Mdisa,Mxaxo, Rankin, Tyusha, Dyafta andPirie and awarded cups and prizes for

examination success. This workafforded me great pleasure.

The People

We found many very fine people in themission, men and women truly born


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again of the Spirit, lovers of the Wordand keepers of His day. The peoplewere poor and down-trodden then,many attending church in rags and

mostly bare-foot; they relied mainly onthe little piece of land allocated to eachkraal on which to grow their mealies,beans, and pumpkin, but with frequentdroughts they were often on the vergeof starvation. They depended also on afew animalscows, sheep and henstrading-in wool and eggs for tea and

sugar.Only a small proportion of childrenattended school. Some men went towork in the mines but there wasnothing at all for women and girls apartfrom domestic service, if they happenedto live near a town. With all theirpoverty they were a wonderfully happy,

contented peopleall much in thesame boat. So long as they had theirfamilies, their little huts, the sunshine,mealies, beans, and clothes they weresatisfied.

Throughout the years thousandsthroughout the districts have professedfaith in Christ. Most were admitted to

membership after spending about sixmonths in the candidates' class inpreparation for examination by theSession. These conversions brought joyto our hearts, but the occasions whenmen and women sought and foundmercy openly in a service will never beforgotten. I remember one woman,

dressed in all the regalia of heathenism,who remained seated after the service.When the missionary spoke to her, shesaid, "Im a great sinner and Im goingdown to hell". After having the way of

salvation explained to her and beingasked where her sins were now, shejoyfully exclaimed, "I see it; they're onJesus". She and others lived to prove

the reality of their faith by their changedlives.

FurloughsIn all we had six furloughs. During thefirst one I conducted over 300meetings, showing slides and films andgiving lectures. At the same time Icollected, through the meetings, over1,000 for the building of the MacleodMemorial Church. The second furloughsaw me across the Atlantic, representingthe Assembly at the ReformedEcumenical Synod at Grand Rapids,while the Foreign Missions' Boardappointed me to preach in Detroit andCanada. The sermon I preached in

Toronto was worth 10,000 dollars,which represents the sum of moneywilled to our work here by one presentat that meetingMrs Sarah Shields.

Principal Graham gives us a rarefurlough insight: In the home ChurchJoseph McCracken is remembered asone of the most exciting missionaries to

work on home-leave. Who before himhad ever brought the living, movingAfrican scene to our Church Halls?Slides and commentaries we had knownfor some timebut movies with themissionary reproducing the grunts ofheathen dancers, this was reallyinnovative."

Retirement YearsReferring to his travels Rev McCrackenremarked, During my missionaryservice I've travelled over half a million


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miles without any serious accidents.Surely this was the hand of God.However, ill health demanded hisretirement in 1976, but it did not

hinder him from preaching mostSabbaths for many years after. OnSaturday 29 October 1983 a newchurch, The McCracken Church, wasopened in Geju in the BurnshillDistrict where Rev and MrsMcCracken had worked for manyyears. Rev McCracken opened the

church with a key handed to him byone of the old elders, and led thecongregation in prayer. Later, MrsMcCracken unveiled a memorial plaqueincorporating a photograph of theMcCrackens with this inscription:This church is called the McCrackenchurch in gratitude for the many years

of devoted service to the Lord amongthe people of this district by RevJoseph and Mrs Helen McCracken. ToGod be the glory.

At his last service on 7 June 1987 RevMcCracken preached on the Ascensionand participated in the Lords Supper.Then, after a painful and distressing

illness of nearly five months duration,he entered the Lords immediatepresence on Friday13 Nov. 1987. Herequested that death notices shouldconclude with words from Rev 22:3-4,His servants shall see him: and theyshall see his face. His grave and thatof his predecessor, Rev Alexander

Dewar, lie side by side in KingWilliams Town cemetery. Mrs HelenMcCracken, now in her 92nd year, livesin a Nursing Home in King WilliamsTown. As September 2001 draws to a

close she is poorly, but better than shewas earlier in the month. She speaksopenly of her desire to see the Saviourface to face. Joseph and Helens

daughter, Anne Uys, lives in CapeTown but comes to spend time withher mother as circumstances permit.Annes son Trevor and his wife are toemigrate to the UK in November 2001,and plan to live in Kent.

Principal Graham concluded histribute: we stand and salute the

memory of an indefatigable workmanfor Christ, a fearless soldier, a bravepioneer. The end of an era is come.Rev McCrackens friend and colleague,Rev W J McDowell, wrote: He was atrue Christian, a firm believer insalvation by grace alone, preaching theunsearchable riches of Christ. The

Lord gave him a natural buoyancy ofSpirit that enabled him to persevere inface of opposition and indifference.And of Mrs McCracken he added,During the last weeks of his lastsufferings she was daily at the hospitalsuffering distress because of his greatsufferings. Mrs McCracken sums up

much in saying: We had our fair shareof disappointments and opposition,and we made many mistakes. But rightto the end of his life the missionarysaid he had no regrets in answeringGod's call to Africa, and given his timeover again, the choice would be thesame. We leave the last word to Rev

McCracken himself as he concluded hisReminiscences:

"I'll bless the hand that guided, I'll bless theheart that planned, When throned where glorydwelleth In Immanuel's land."


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TEACH THEOLOGY.How shall we face the many giantsand taunting Goliaths around us?

Shall the church simply cower andwhimper, hiding in the clefts in therock? Have we admitted defeat,believing that since the Lords returnis so near, its all downhill from here?That pessimism might arise from acertain view of eschatology, butwhatever our view of kingdom growth

or otherwise, we must not lose ourview of God and his God-ness!

Sometimes we approach things from amoral perspective. We see grossimmorality all around, and thestandards of right living even withinthe church continuing to slide

downwards. So we face this Goliathwith a moral code. We preach, Dothis. Do that. This is wrong. That iswrong. While it is right that we teachand preach the law and the standardsof Gods holiness, we shall not defeatthis immoral Goliath with moralisticpreaching.

Sometimes we approach things from aphilosophical perspective. We statethe logical reasoning behind what isright and wrong. We argue that itmakes sense to do this, and go thisway, not that. But we simply give outwarnings like the advice on cigarettepackets, that are read, but not heeded.

When facing such Goliaths what weneed to return to, and restore inministry, and testimony, is anapproach that is theological. This is

not to fill heads with cold distantdoctrine, but warm experientialtheology. We hear from Davids

mouth not simply a few doctrinalwatchwords, but an earthed andapplied theo-logic: Who is thisuncircumcised Philistine that heshould defy...?

Where did David learn this, but in thecrucible of hostile situations? Hefought bear and lion. He knew the

Lords grace and help. He walked withGod. He lived by faith, not in fear. Hedaily beheld the goodness of God,and appreciated the excellencies whichwe are called to declare.

Certainly the church today has faced,and is facing many hostile situations.

The response however is often to joinranks with the enemy, or at least toendeavour to curry favour with theenemy, instead of holy engagement.So we see the attempts to win theworld with the world. We see whatcan be described as fairgroundreligion. We see a worldly

methodology, instead of an other-worldly theology!

Imagine a school bully terrorising theschool. But one young boy stands upto him. And why? - well, his father isthe headmaster. Should the churchnot similarly stand up to Goliath,since our Father is the Headmaster?

Like David, we see our olderbrothers running scared. Established,historic churches are running scaredof the enemy. Kingly officials are


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sitting in their tents, sitting on theirhands. But let us not lose heart, orfollow suit. Instead, teach theology. It

kills giants, - dead!But also we should learn to

HEED HISTORYDavid not only had theology toundergird his seemingly ludicrousactions, he also had history on hisside. He recalled recent history, (hisdeliverance from bear and lion), andalso the history of the people of Israel.It is important to heed history.

Why is so much of Gods inspiredWord history? Why should he devoteso much of his one book to the lifehistory of one people? He would have

them, and us, learn over millennia,that He is a Sovereign Protector, anda Gracious Saviour.

History will also teach us theology.When Paul took on the wise ofAthens he taught theology, but alsogave them a history lesson. When the

early church faced intensepersecution, and the Lord himselfauthored letters to the churches(Revelation 2&3), He taught theologyand reminded them of history. Notehow often in those letters he says, Iam the..., and I know.

Furthermore, what is the historical

background to the church writing itscreeds? Consider how Luther facedthe Giant Pope? What was themethodology used by Whitefield, orSpurgeon, or Lloyd Jones - or Hunter

and Grier for that matter?

Read and heed history, and teachtheology. How important are those

documents in the making concerningthe history of the EvangelicalPresbyterian Church! And when theyare produced, make sure they aregiven the attention they deserve.

To buy the book and permit it toadorn your bookshelf may be a nice

momento of 75 years history, but itwill not kill giants in your life, or inour pagan society unless we learn thelessons from history, and engage onceagain in understanding and living outapplied theology.

ENGAGE THE ENEMY.David didnt take Sauls armourbecause it was not proven. Hechose his previous methods of slingand stone, as they were proven. Thus,he engaged the enemy. But was it toshow what a mighty warrior Davidwas, and that he really was suited forthe role of future king? Rather, it was

to show that there is a God in Israel.

Similarly in our day, God is defied anddisgraced. But surely weve lost thezeal over this disgrace. Surely wevelost the concern to display truly thatthe Lord omnipotent reigns. Maybewe want to show our own reign.

Maybe we want to build our kingdom?Maybe we want to show that we reallyare suited to have our name on thechurch roll book, and be our ownking? Or is there true zeal for the


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Lords house consuming us? Perhapssimply in cowering down before somany Goliaths we have forgotten

there is a God in Israel?Enough of the faithlessness and fearthat marks others. Enough of worldlymethodology. Enough of spankingnew armour, that is not proven. Let usengage with the tried and tested oldmethods. Let us engage the enemy byheeding history and asking for the

ancient paths. Let us engage theenemy with a fresh sight of God; atheo-logical perspective.

When the preacher preaches thatfoolish message of the gospel, a singlestone of the Word aimed under God,causes hardened giants to fall down

before the Lord. When the Lordspeople return to walking by faith, andliving with a right sense of thesovereignty of God, we will know thatthe Lord holds in holy derisionnations and governments who taketheir stand against the Lord and hisanointed.

Ralph Davis is right to say, Whatmatters is not whether you have thebest weapons, but whether you havethe real God. We must display ourbelief that we have, else we slip intothe error of Saul and his men!

The theological perspective of Davidshames many of us. Yet howprivileged we are to have a greater

history to heed, and a more thoroughwell of theology to drink from. Thehistory to which I refer is gospelhistory. The theology, the gospeltheology concerning a Greater Son ofDavid who took on a Greater Goliathon a hill called the Place of the Skull.One wonders whether the name was

given after the skull of Goliath wastaken there near to Jerusalem toremind the people to heed history.

To this day stands Golgotha hill andan empty tomb to remind us that weare more than conquerors throughhim, and whatever giants we may faceas a church corporate, or in our

individual lives, the Enemy wasEngaged and defeated.

Conclusion.If you are a servant of Christ, thenhave your mind filled with theos,being taught theo-logic. Heed the realhistory of the world, in particular theLords hand upon his preciouschildren. Engage the enemy every day,conscious that the God who deliversfrom bear and lion will deliver you,and ultimately will present youfaultless before his throne.

Zeal without doctrine is like a sword in the hands of a lunac.John Calvin.The first thing the Bible does is to make a man take a serious view of life.

D. Marn Lloyd-Jones


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page 15

Books etc.Be sure what you believe,The Christian Faith Simply Explained.by Joe Nesom.Evangelical Press176 pages, 7.95Reviewed by S. AtkinsonJoe Nesom has successfully given us asystematic theology for beginners. Hiswriting is careful but not too complex.There are discussion questions at theend of each chapter which would behelpful as a basis for group study.

I must admit to being immediatelycaught when, in his introduction, he

stated,Christians must become thinkers.

He got a further Amen from thisreviewer when writing in chapter 1,Much of what is sold in Christianbookshops is either not very helpful, or so fullof bad doctrine as to be virtually useless. Butthe Bible never fails.In his chapter on the Incarnation he

makes a swipe at the impoverishedpractices of some:- The failure of ouranti-doctrinal age has even caused somepeople to think of Christmas as a time tobake a cake and sing Happy Birthday, dearJesus, Happy birthday to you. Such anapproach reveals a less than satisfactoryunderstanding of what Christmas means.I

think that is quite a graciousunderstatement.

Justification is helpfully explained inchapter 11, Innocent before God. Hewisely exposes a false view of faith so

prevalent which he calls, Sheer

optimism. Our faith must have JesusChrist for its object.Much of the book is extremely wellwritten and most helpful. Howeverthe chapter on Baptism will diminishthe books usefulness for those whohold to a paedo-baptist position. Tobaptise a baby only leads to a false assurance

of salvation. (p.125) Really?

I must add by way of balance thatthis presbyterians heart was warmedby a plea for more psalm singing!

May it be used to create a greaterthinking church - who may later readBerkhof and Dabney!

Salvation Exposed,by Peter Jeffrey.Evangelical Press126 pages, 29.50 (pack of 10)Reviewed by S. AtkinsonWith bold warnings on the frontcover, The contents of this book mayseriously transform your life, this isan excellent little summary of gospeltruth to hand out to friends andfamily. Essential biblical truths are setout clearly and soundly, with manyeasy-to-understand illustrations.

This reviewer suggests having severalcopies to hand to give away.


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Can we pray for revival?by Brian EdwardsEvangelical Press

224 pages, 7.95Reviewed by S. AtkinsonSometimes revival can be consideredin a romantic way that uncriticallyviews the happenings simply as theway God works, instead of first

considering the way God works andexamining suggested revivals in thelight of that. In other words do wehave a theology to discern whatrevival really is, or do we like tosimply read revival history?

If the theology of revival is lacking,and I believe in some circles it is, thenthis book ably fills the vacuum. It iswritten from a theological perspectiverather than a historical. Events,experiences and happenings are allbrought to the touchstone of biblicaldoctrine.

He exposes Finneyism, and shows the

flaw which led to man-centred, man-fabricated revivalism. He is refreshingin that he roots his theology of revival

in the Old Testament. In this I see ahealthy antidote to a perhapsunconscious Marcionite spirit in muchof todays church. In our laudableattempt to magnify the work of God underthe new covenant, we overlook too often justhow much was experienced in theold. (p.49)

He also gives a note of cautionconcerning our mantra-like prayingfor revival, arguing that some of thepassages we use in such prayermeetings are misapplied.

The book will not find agreementamong all, yet it is not meant to beargumentative. Rather it is a much

needed piece of Biblical instruction onan important subject. Though it isproduced in a popular format, it is nota casual read. It requires and deservesserious attention particularly fromthose in leadership, but also among allthe saints of God who long for days

CHURCH NEWS

New Church Planter for the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in England & Wales.

Rev Tim Horn and wife Sarah are moving to Cheltenham, Gloucestershireand beginning the process of planting a new church for the EPCEW. Theywould appreciate any contacts names/ addresses/ phone numbers / e-mailsof anyone in that area who might be interested in learning more about thenew work, and perhaps joining them.

Contact details: Rev & Mrs Tim Horn2 Jersey AveCheltenhamGL52 2SZ01242 512 252 [email protected]


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making progress with pilgrim(- for pilgrims of all ages)

Jesus taught in parables. He used many pictures to teach deep truths. It is

a good principle. When John Bunyan wrote Pilgrims Progress he used

the same idea. He presented a parable, of someone going though life,

learning about Salvation, the Christian Life, and the Characters you

might meet along the pathway. Have you ever read Pilgrims Progress?

It a good book for pilgrims of all ages to read and read again.

The story begins with a man clothed in rags standing by a path with a

book in his hand, and a heavy burden on his back. He is distressedconcerning what is going to happen to the city he lives in. He is shown a

scroll which tells him to Flee from the wrath to come. He is helped in

that flight by a person called Evangelist who shows him a gate, which he

shall get to if he follows the light. Unfortunately his family does not

share his concern. They think he is mad. So he must go alone.

Yet he is not alone for long. He meets many people, and learns many

things - good and bad - from their words and actions. As soon as heleaves the city, two men follow him called Obstinate and Pliable. He will

not go far before he bumps into Worldly Wiseman. He will be helped by

Interpreter, and encouraged by Faithful and Hopeful. He will face Giant

Despair and Doubting Castle. He will do battle with a dragon called

Apollyon in the Valley of Humility. But the Delectable Mountains,

Beulah Land,and finally the Celestial City await him as he makes his

pilgrims progress.

We too are in that picture. All our good deeds are nothing but filthy rags

in the sight of God? By nature we are sinners living in a city of

Destruction, and we too must flee from the wrath to come. Whether

your family or friends come with you, you must leave and run towards

the gate following the light. Gods Word is a light to our path, and Jesus

Christ is the Gate. We are to enter through Him and be saved.If you are a Christian you know you will meet various trials along the

way. You will meet various persons who will try to lead you astray. But

you will also have helpers and friends who want to reach heaven as well.

So will you run to Christ, and will you then make progress with pilgrim?


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Charity Christmas cards for A.C.T.SThree designs are available in cellophane packs of ten identical cards @ 2.99.(Robin in snow/Holly wreath on red front door/Candle decorated with holly.)1.00 from receipts of each pack will be donated to Africa Christian Textbooks to helpcirculate books to colleges in Nigeria under the direction of Rev Dr Sidney Garland.

Many other Christmas cards and calendars available.GIFT IDEAS

Daily readingsCH SpurgeonMorning and Evening. (Black or burgundy) rrp 12.99 Sale 8.75Devotional readings reprinted in a soft feelgold edged edition.Chequebook of the Bank of Faith. (Burgundy or blue) rrp9.99 Sale 6.75R C SproulWalking with JesusHardback daily readings from Lukewith comments from a renowned American theologian. rrp 14.99 Sale 11.25Douglas WilsonExhortations A Call to Maturity in Worshiprrp 9.99A hardback book of 225 pages giving calls to worship which are helpful in preparationfor worship for all Christians.BiographiesJohn Stott: a Global Ministryby Timothy Dudley Smith, 2nd (final) volume. rrp 14.99 Sale 11.50Real Lives by Dorothy J Carswell. rrp 5.99Thirteen brief biographies recounting changed lives.

When God Steps In by Victor Maxwell

rrp 7.99

Sale 5.99

The story of Acre Gospel Mission is told by the former Acre missionary whose previousbiographies include that of Bill Woods.

Evangelical Book Shop

15 College Square East, Belfast, BT1 6DD

E-mail: [email protected]. 028 9032 0529 Fax 028 9043 8330

Manager: John Grier

The Evangelical Presbyterian - November-December 2001

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Transcript of The Evangelical Presbyterian - November-December 2001