The Evangelical Presbyterian - September-October 2002

7/28/2019 The Evangelical Presbyterian - September-October 2002

1/32

EvangelicalPresbyterian

Sep-Oct 200250p

Of whom the world was not worthy... (Heb 11:38)

Contenders for the Faith


2/32

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

Convenor of theEditorial Committee: Rev. Stephen Atkinson1 Lord Wardens Dr

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

Subscriptions:Annual subscription (six issues)Surface post: UK: 4.20

Rep. of Ireland and Overseas 6.50

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 6FW

GiftAid: 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 1Obituaries 4Long Service recognised (Rev S. Watsons 25 years) 6EPC Pulpit - Only One Gospel S. Watson 7John Stott - A Global Ministry (review article) S. Atkinson 12Regions Beyond - Dumisani Update 16

Come follow me P. Johnston 19Remembering Former Days . J. Hunter 21

Books etc. 25Making Progress with Pilgrim (5) - At the Fair S. Atkinson 29

Front Cover

Top: WJ Gier, J Hunter; Bottom: JR Gillespie, 1927 Newspaper headlines.


3/32

page 1

Consistent Churchmanshipor Friends with the Enemy?

In 1927 a Heresy Trial in thePresbyterian Church displayed wolvesin sheeps clothing teaching

(devouring?) those who would soon bethe churchs teachers. The heresy waseasy to see, and even more easy,though distasteful, to read, but thePresbyterian Church in Ireland, saw noerror. The heretic was applauded, andthose who brought charges - ourforefathers - were hounded.

But why should we bring up old newsof the The 1927 Heresy Trial. It is not

very gracious to do witchhunts in thepresent age. We are informed in thepolitical realm, in these wonderful daysof peace, not to drag up the past, andthose former things apparently havepassed away - although someone is

quoted as saying they havent goneaway.

We could say in a similar way, that theacceptance of heresy, and of those

who deny the gospel, hasnt gone awayin these denominations. Further, wecannot simply say that the dim and

distant past of 75 years has nothing toyet teach and alarm us.

We may pose the question as to howrelevant is our continued study ofMoses reaction over the golden calf,or Elijahs contest with the prophetsof Baal? There is a time for godlyindignation, and when truth is at stake,

that time is now.

We are not simply dragging up thepast for triumphalism (though fromour perspective the Trial was adefeat!). We are not dragging it upbecause we are a one issue church -namely that glorious secession of27;which if one reads the history,

was not all that glorious.

We repeat the issues, learn the lessons,and remind ourselves that the Enemy

In this anniversary year, and particularly in this anniversary issue, it isright and appropriate that we give some attention to the reason for ourexistence as a denomination. We have stated in an earlier magazine that

reflection upon the past is vital for the church. Yet, reflection muststimulate action, and it is not sufficient for us to happily see reasons for

what happened in 1927, without further understanding the reasons forour present position, and our principles for future practice.


4/32

page 2

is still the same, and there is nothingnew under the sun. What caused thosefew men of spirit and grace to leave,

and begin anew, while facing all mannerof reproach? Was it arrogance,foolhardiness, or simple consistentecclesiology?

The matter of separation from mixedchurches has been a contentious issuethroughout the last century. The EPCbroke out of a compromised, heresy-permitting, liberalist church. Within afew years the same thing washappening across the water in America.Further along the century Europe sawsimilar things happen withindenominations.

We are not alone in the matter of

leaving a denomination on grounds ofprinciple. Indeed I would wish tosuggest that if more people examinedtheir principles, there might be moreappreciation of those who have left,and a greater consideration of when itis the right time to leave one church,and cleave to another - for the glory ofGod. And truly that ought to be the

matter of focus and attention. What ismost glorifying to God?

We need not simply look back to justifyour position. We could take up ananalysis of the present condition of themainstream denominations of ourprovince, and of these islands, and we

would see time and again, compromisewith error, acceptance of heresy, andno principle or, to be more earthyabout it, no guts, to deal with sin.

In this issue of our magazine we have asermon reminding us of our necessityfor preaching the gospel in an

uncompromising manner. It containsearthy application concerning 75 yearsago, and continuing present realities.We have an extended book reviewconcerning the life of a greatevangelical of this century, who happilylived within the compromise ofAnglicanism. The inconsistent

ecclesiology is startling, as one soimpassioned for souls salvation is seensharing platforms with rank heretics.

The courtesy of Stott seems to outdothe grace of a reborn Saul of Tarsus.

We also include an article from the1932 Irish Evangelical magazine ( - thismagazines forerunner), in which Rev

Hunter reflects only five years after theHeresy Trial of 1927.

75 years on it is right to reflect uponthe continued compromise of so manychurches - and churches which, withinthe mixed denomination love to termthemselves, evangelical whileadmitting: Well, I know the

denomination is in a bad shape, but ourchurch is evangelical, and our man issound.

Is this a legitimate position to hold?For many there is no question. It is theonly position. The alternative isunthinkable. How could I leave the

church of my birth? (Well, ask thatman of Tarsus again!)

But we must ask further questions, andpress the inconsistency. While your


5/32

page 3

church may be evangelical how canyou countenance courtesy to some

moderator, or presbyter who is

not? Is he acceptable in your pulpit?Are the decisions taken at Presbyteryand Session by such gospel-haters,binding upon you and yours? In short,is there some strange form ofPresbyterian Independency here, or

Anglican Congregationalism?

Why dont we start calling a spade a

spade. We complain at the politiciansfor their ambiguous use of words, yethow we can be masters of ambiguity inecclesiology. Putting it bluntly, youcannot be friends with the enemy. Youcannot give your money to supportthose with soul-murdering doctrines.

Would you give contributions to drug

dealers, or pay the wages of somonewho would steal from you, andendanger your life?. Yet this is what is

done pervasively in church life today.Fat salaries are paid to those murderingsouls! How friendly can you get?

Just in case we get charged with beingnegative, I must finally comment thatthere is nothing more positive thanfleeing from sin, separating from error,and living unashamed of the gospel, inuncompromised evangelicaldenominations - however small, andinsignificant in the worlds eyes.

What a positive thing to give yourfinancial support totally to theuncompromised proclamations of thegospel. What a positive thing to meettogether in fellowship with the Lordspeople, and hear without fear or favour,truth unadorned, and unaltered. What apositive thing to respect those withprinciple. Ultimately we must ask - to

whom should the sheep go?

EPC 75th Anniversary CelebrationsLooking Back - Looking Forwards

21 Oct. (Lisburn Rd EPC) Lecture 1 The Atonement Derek Thomas25 Oct (Stranmillis EPC) Youth Extra Tim Trumper

Saturday 26 October Family Day in Stranmillis College, Belfast3.30 pm Worship4.00 pm A Historical Power Point Presentation5.00 pm Thanksgiving Meal and Greetings6.30 pm Lecture 2 The Person of Christ Tim Trumper

27th Oct. Thanksgiving Sunday Pulpit Exchanges

28th Oct. (Lisburn Rd EPC) Lecture 3 Principled Secession TimTrumper


6/32

page 4

OBITUARIESMrs Joyce Nicholson Richhill

Joyce Nicholson died at home on the morning of Sunday, 14th July 2002. Joycehad a long connection with the Richhill Congregation although it was onlyearlier this year that we were so pleased to receive her into full membership ofthe Church on profession of her personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; anevent that thrilled her family and the members of the Church.

Joyce was a very generous, caring and special person whose abounding qualities

of courage, fortitude, and determination were so clearly manifested in the waythat she fought such a courageous battle with cancer over the past number ofyears. Joyce had a real zest for life but when the end drew nigh and her earthlyrace came to a close it was a great comfort to know that she was trusting fully inChrist alone for eternal salvation and so had assurance of glory.

Many of Joyces large number of friends and family will miss her so greatly. Shemeant so much to so many, but none more than to her husband Trevor andchildren, Keith and Angela, to whom we extend our sincere sympathy, praying

that they will know the ongoing help, comfort and support of the Lord as theyendeavour to come to terms with their great loss. May they know the truth of 2Corinthians 12:9:My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

W. L. Elliott

Mrs Margaret Brown StranmillisMrs Margaret Brown entered the immediate presence of God in the early hoursof Sunday, 21th July 2002 at Silver Birch Nursing Home, Saintfield, where shehad been a resident since April 2000. She experienced the rigours and burden ofdeclining years but until almost the very last day of her life she was responsiveto the Word of God, prayer, and the Psalms for which she had a particular love.Her funeral service took place in the Stranmillis church on 23 July 2002.

She grew up in the lower Ormeau Road area of Belfast and with many of herfamily had a close association with McClure Street City Mission Hall where themissionary was William Lynas. It was under his ministry that she came to theSaviour in her childhood and she served Him with unfaltering assurancethroughout her life.


7/32

page 5

She married Campbell Brown in August 1939 and became a member of BotanicAvenue on 1 March 1940. She was unshakeably committed to the cause of theIrish Evangelical Church from when she came to know it, and whilst with thefamily she maintained an association with McClure Street on Sunday eveningsand the weekly Bible Class in the 1940s, she urged a complete family move tothe services of Botanic Avenue. She worked in the capacity of housewife sinceher marriage. She encouraged high standards of Christian living and loved theold paths of Jer 6:16, often quoting that text. She keenly supported missionarycauses and did a great deal of knitting for children overseas.

We extend our sympathy to Ernest and Shona, Nan and Norman, Margaret and

Ivan, to her six grandchildren, to her only surviving sister, to Mrs May Jaggers,and to the wider family. Her husband, Campbell Brown died on 15 May 1992.

G. N. Burke

Mrs Ellen Craig Knock

Mrs Nell Craig died on 26th July 2002 aged ninety two, at Mount. Lens Nursing

Home, Kings Road, Knock.. Her husband pre-deceased her by 17 years, andshe felt that loss deeply, considering her loneliness as a widow the cost of ahappy marriage. She had managed in her own home until she was 80, andenjoyed a further eleven years of independant, though sheltered, living inCabinhill Court.. She loved life, loved her family, but most importantly sheloved the Lord.

She would often write things down in her little black book. One such extract

spoke of death as something to be fought. She faced the last enemy with muchhuman strength, yet truly we all must utter our last breath in weakness. Still,when we are weak, He is strong, and we rejoice in her victory over sin anddeath, through her Lord Jesus Christ.

We extend sympathy to Anna and Stanley Corbett of Willowvale, Dundonald,and the wider family circle in Belfast, and extending to Scotland, and Canada.

S. G. T. Atkinson


8/32

page 6

Photo: S Watson

Samuel Watson grew up in the Ballyclare congregation. He was born into aChristian home and was converted at an early age, and throughout the years ofhis childhood and youth at Ballyclare he profited from the expository, evangelicalministry of Rev William J McDowell. He was ordained and installed to theDiaconate in Ballyclare on 27 September 1969. On 1 August 1970 he succeededMr S G Shanks as Manager ofThe Evangelical Book Shop, and he served in thisposition until 1974 when he resigned to begin training for the ministry of EPC.

On Friday 1 July 1977 he was ordained and installed to the ministry of the

Crumlin congregation when fittingly, Rev W J McDowell, gave the charge to theMinister, basing his exhortations on the qualities of the office drawn from 2

Timothy. Apart from the closing years of the ministry of his predecessor, Rev CH Garland, Mr Watson was the first Minister of Crumlin not to have twoconcurrent charges. He served the Crumlin church until 1987.

Mr Watson accepted a call from Finaghy and was installed to this work on 29November 1987. It is his current charge. He has followed an expository approachin his ministry, and among his several series has spent some years on Paulsepistle to the Romans. He has involved himself faithfully to the whole life of thecongregation contributing practically to the day-to-day work, teaching in SundaySchool and leading the Youth Club.

Mr Watson was Clerk of Presbytery from September 1983 to June 1994 andModerator on two occasions, 1982-83, 1993-94. He has served on most of themain Presbytery Committees, most notably Training for the Ministry and EPCCode. The development of the Code to its present form was chiefly his work. In

addition to his training for the ministry he qualified as an Associate of theChartered Institute of Secretaries. Samuel and his wife Valerie have four children,Ruth, Helen, Jonathan and Judith.

Rev Samuel Watson25

years of ministryAt a recent Prebytery meeting Rev

Watsons long service to the Evangelical

Presbyterian Church was recognised by apresentation gift. Here we give a little

cameo of those 25 years.


9/32

page 7

The Church of Jesus Christ has alwayshad to contend with serious oppositionfrom without; even, at times, to theextent of martyrdom. But many of hergreatest challenges, and mostdangerous, have involved insidiousattacks from within. So it was with theChurch in Galatia. While the Christiansthere were, for the most part, convertsfrom heathenism there was a Jewishelement, of which some had apparently

taken advantage of Pauls absence toundermine his character as an Apostleand also the faith of the Gentileconverts. In the latter case they insistedthat such could not experience thefullness of salvation unless, in additionto their belief in Christ, they submittedto the rite of circumcision and otherrequirements of the Jewish religion. Inother words, salvation was not of sheergrace, nor did it come by faith alone.

EPC PulpitOnly One Gospel

Galatians 1:6-10

b

(v6) I marvel that you are turning away so soon from him who called you in thegrace of Christ, to a different gospel,

(v7) which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert thegospel of Christ.

(v8) But if even we, or an angel from heaven, should preach any gospel to you other

than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

(v9) As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any gospel to youother than what you have received, let him be accursed.

(v10) For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I stillpleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ.


10/32

page 8

They did not deny the need for faith inChristbut added to that the necessityof obedience to the Mosaic ceremonial

law. In reply Paul provides a personalexplanation of his apostolic authority(chapters 1,2), a doctrinal exposition ofthe Christian gospel (chapters 3,4) anda practical application of saving faith(chapters 5,6).

But before all that in Galatians 1v6-10he identifies the issue at stake most

starklythere is only one gospel forJew or Gentile. He expressesastonishment at the fickleness of theGalatians, points out that the Judaizerswere perverting the gospel, shows howserious that was by pronouncing asolemn and fearful anathema on thosewho would dare change the gospel and

defends his personal integrity in regardto the truth he taught.

He Marvels at their Defectionfrom the Gospel.v6,7aI marvel that you are turning away so soonfrom him who called you in the grace of Christ,to a different gospel, which is not another...Paul was appalled and alarmed at thesituation in Galatia when he heard thatthey were abandoning his apostolicteaching. The converts were in theprocess of defecting from God and thegrace of God in Christ to anothergospel. Part of his shock was because

they had so easily and quicklysuccumbed to heresy and had offeredlittle or no resistance to it. Yes, the falseteachers had corrupted the truth, but

the Galatian believers allowedthemselves to be led astray. They hadlistened and given credence to teaching

that was clearly at variance with thatthey had heard from the Apostle. Theresult, Paul states, was that they weredeserting the God Who had calledthem to salvation ye areso quicklydeserting Him Who called youTo turn from the gospel of the Bible isto turn from God Himself! You cant

change from believing scriptural truthand still hold on to God! You cantforsake the gospel without forsakingGod! It is not truethat irrespective ofwhat people believe they can still get toGod in their own way. That is why menlike James Hunter and W Jim Griertook the stand they did in 1926/27.

They could not stand by in silencewhile the gospel was denied. Theycould not be complicit with, orcomplacent about, false doctrinebecause false doctrine inevitablyinvolves deviation, both from truthand from God. Paul says the Galatianswere turning to another gospel which is notanother. For in adding conformity to the

ceremonial law as also necessary theywere saying , in effect, that salvationrequired them to add their works to thework of Christ; that they had to finishChrists unfinished work! The resultwas that they were promotinganothergospel, a different kind of gospel whichwas most certainlynot another of the same

kindas that of thegrace of Christ.Our forefathers had the discernment tosee that the rationalism pervading

Assemblys College was not relatively


11/32

page 9

insignificant and harmless, but thelethal poison ofanother gospeland theytherefore had to rise up in protest and

in defense ofthe faith.He Warns them of Perversion ofthe Gospel.v7bbut there are some who trouble you and wantto pervert the gospel of Christ.

What lay behind the defection in

Galatia was the fact that there was agroup of teachers creating turmoil bytheir distortion of the truth and sothrowing the believers into a state ofintellectual confusion. By adding worksto grace they utterly reversed andperverted the gospel. Some may havethought that since what they were

teaching wasnt denying the doctrine ofthe Person of Christ or vicariousatonement, that it could do no harm.But as Stott says you cannot modify orsupplement the gospel without radicallychanging its character. And hecontinues, the two chief characteristicsof the false teachers are that they weretroubling the church and changing thegospel. These two go together. Totamper with the gospel is always totrouble the church. You cannot touchthe gospel and leave the churchuntouched, because the church iscreated and lives by the gospel. Indeed,the churchs greatest troublemakers(now as then) are not those outside

who oppose, ridicule and persecute it,but those inside who try to change thegospel. It is they who trouble thechurch. Conversely, the only way to be

a good churchman is to be a goodgospel-man. The best way to serve thechurch is to believe and to preach the

gospel.The tragedy is that that was either notunderstood or deliberately ignored in1927 so that it was those who truly

were good churchmen who wereregarded as the agitators andtroublemakers rather than those who

were tampering with the Word of God.

Unfortunately the same attitudeprevails remarkably widely today. Thoseof us who believe in the gospel, thatour Lord Jesus Christ gave Himself forour sins, that he might deliver us from thispresent evil world, according to the will of Godand our Father(v4) are looked upon asbigots when we present this as the

biblically-exclusive message of salvationin a multi-ethnic and multi-faith society.Similarly, there is a trend inevangelical circles today to waterdown the biblical doctrine of hell andthe eternal, conscious, punishment ofunbelieving, unrepentant sinners; andthose who refuse to allow aconditionalist interpretation of hell

are regarded as ultra hard-line!! The factof the matter is, however, that those

who are prepared to deviate from theclear teaching of scripture in thesematters actually distort and pervert thegospel and must be withstoodto theface, if necessary.

He Repeats an Imprecation ofthe Gospelv8,9


12/32

page 10

But if even we, or an angel from heaven,should preach any gospel to you other thanwhat we have preached to you, let him be

accursed.As we have said before, so now I say again, ifanyone preaches any gospel to you other thanwhat you have received, let him be accursed.

Paul indicates just how serious thematter is by pronouncing a divine curseupon those guilty of perverting thegospel.Anathemawas used in the Greek

Old Testament in relation to the curseof God resting on someone. So Paul,writing under the inspiration of theHoly Spirit of God, says that anyonewho perverts the gospel should incurthe wrath, the curse, of God. Now thatis strong language; and there are thosewho are very shocked that Paul should

say such a thing. (Such a venomousattack; such a spiteful, unloving andunchristian man and attitude!!)

But Paul is in dead earnest here; he isnot lashing out in a rash fit ofintemperate anger or spite. Indeed, herepeats it to show the Galatians thatthis was no excessive, exaggerated

statement, into which passion hadhurried him, but his calmly formed andunalterable opinion (Brown). As aservant of Christ he is intolerant oferror with regard to the gospel. And thereason is simple. The authority of theGod who, in Christ, has spoken his lastword on salvation is at stake.Furthermore, the eternal destiny ofsinners is at stake. If, as the Bibleteaches, no man cometh unto the Fatherexcept by methat is: the Lord JesusChrist and that neither is there salvation in

any other, then sinners must be madeclearly aware of this and they must notbe left in confusion about it.

Therefore any person who preachesanother gospelis under the wrath of Godand we ought to turn away from themin horror. And this applies irrespectiveof who may be involved. Paul declaresthough we, or an angel from heaven, preachany other gospel unto you than that which wehave preached unto you, let him be accursed.The apostle was reaching for the mostfanciful possibilities imaginable to makehis point that absolutely no messenger,no matter how seemingly godly andgood, should be believed or followed ifhis teaching does not square with God-revealed apostolic doctrine. The truthoutranks anyones credentials, and

every teacher or preacher must beevaluated on the basis of what he says,not who he is (MacArthur).

This was part of the problem with RevProf J E Davey. He was bothintellectually gifted and a realgentleman that, despite his writingsand teaching, members of the GeneralAssembly could not bring themselvesto regard such a nice and able man asguilty of heresy. And the times haventchanged much in this regard either! Aslong as a man is charming andcourteous, funny and friendly,interesting and informed (educated),

warm and wide (tolerant), hell do, even

if what he says doesnt square with thegospel!! Paul says let him be accursed.To sit under the ministry of such a oneought to be inconceivable to any true


13/32

page 11

believer.

He States his Motivation in theGospelv10For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do Iseek to please men? For if I still pleased men,I would not be a servant of Christ.

Pauls opponents knew they could notsuccessfully undermine his teaching ofGods gospel of grace until theyundermined his divine authority in theeyes of the church. So they spread theidea that Paul was not a legitimateapostle but was self-appointed, and thathis motivation was to build up apersonal following by making hismessage appealing through the removalof the Jewish ceremonial law. So now

he says read what I have just written;is that something a man would writewho was trying to please men?

Quite obviously his outspokencondemnation of the false teachers wasnot the language of a man-pleaser.Rather it was the outcome of his beinga bond-servant of Christ. A slave had

no rights to his own will; no absoluterights to his own property or family.Everything he had was subservient tohis Masters wishes. Paul hadsurrendered his life entirely to thelordship of Jesus Christ and that meantthat he could not but defend the gospelof Christ against falsehood. At one time

a charge of seeking to win the praise ofmen would have had validity; but afterhis conversion Christ had his completeand undivided allegiance. Because of

that he preached the gospel with noinhibitions arising from its divinecontent or exclusive message, and no

hesitation in opposing others orstanding alone where that wasnecessary for the sake of the honour ofChrist.

Our forefathers were pilloried withopprobrium for maintaining the truthof the gospel in the face of another.

And as we recall their faithful stand it

must be with the resolution that, likethem (as with Paul), we are set for thedefense of the gospel - and are in norespect ashamed of the gospel of Christ,still convinced that it (and it alone) isthe power of God unto salvation to every onethat believeth. We must never succumbto the temptation to tone the message

down to make it more acceptable tounregenerate sinners. The gospelcontains unpalatable truth for a society

which has little regard for God or Hisword.

If the offence of the gospelmeans that asa church we remain as small anddespised in the eyes of men as

heretofore, so be it. Our duty is to befaithful to Christ and His gospel sothat He has the pre-eminence and allthe glory in our testimony.


14/32

page 12

Timothy Dudley-Smith has given us amighty insight into the life of one ofthe greatest influences upon 20thcentury church history. Both withincontroversy and without, John Stotthas made an indelible markparticularly upon English evangelicalhistory, but also by means of his widetravel, and the ever widening impactof his writings, world evangelicalism.

Useful background materialIn this second volume of theauthorised biography we are broughtthrough the turbulent years of changefrom the sixties onwards. At the startof the account of each decade we aregiven interesting, even alarming

summaries of the current state of theworld. We are informed that thesixties began with Yuri Gagarin andended with Neil Armstrong. On the

day Kennedy was assassinated, CSLewis died, almost unnoticed.

Some interesting statistics set some ofthe context of his life and writings.Between 1960 and 1970 there was a19% decline in regular churchattendance. In 1963 there were 636men ordained to the Church ofEngland ministry. In 1973 there were

373, and those to be trained droppedby 59%. In 1976 one Anglican churchwas being demolished every nine days.

As you read through his life it is mostinteresting to find the background, theorigins, and surrounding context ofcertain commentaries and importantbooks. It is as if you have been

brought into the manufacturing plantafter using the machine for manyyears.

Review Article by Stephen Atkinson

John Stott: A Global Ministry

(Authorised Biography Vol. 2)Timothy Dudley-Smith

IVP538 pages 14.99


15/32

page 13

Unavoidable ControversiesWhile his character and ministry have

had a tremendous effect upon manysouls, in conversion and challenge,edification and encouragement, it is fairto say that the best of men, are stillmen at best, and there are a number ofthings we would take issue with.Indeed there are also a few statementsmade by the biographer which would

not meet with wholesale approval.Speaking of Stotts I believe inPreaching, Dudley-Smith remarks, Itprovides a more reasoned, thorough,systematic and contemporary approachthan Martyn Lloyd-Jones lectures onPreaching and Preachers.

The account of the 1966 controversy

with Lloyd-Jones at the SecondNational Assembly of Evangelicals willbe read with interest, though Im notsure there is anything new to report.Stotts anxiety over the possibilitymultiple resignations from the Churchof England after Lloyd-Jones wordscaused him to speak sharply, I believethat Scripture is against him in that theremnant was within the church and notoutside it. Remnant maybe, but arethe wolves to be there as well, treatedcourtesouly, fed, and watered, for thedestruction of precious lambs? Surelynot.

Dialogues, Debates and

Discipline

While not formally countenancingunbiblical ecumenism, we still find him

engaging in dialogue with the enemy.We would argue there must be a cleardistinction between those who haveerroneous views, and those who arefalse teachers. There are times whenour dialogue must be replaced bydeclaration, and debate by cleardenunciation. He was happy to speakin debate with all, and in his Englishgentleman style, give courtesy to all.Im not sure the Apostle would agree.

He attended the World Council ofChurches meeting in Nairobi (1975) asan Advisor, and rightly pointed outthat the World Council uses Scriptureas a drunk uses a lamppost, namely forsupport rather than illumination.

The value and wisdom of such

interaction with falsehood is up for asmuch debate as he himself engaged in.

As a courteous gentleman he moreoften chose the way of dialogue ratherthan discipline. It was not that hedidnt believe in discipline (as hisexpositions of Scripture show), but hefound it hard to be hard. When TheMyth of God Incarnate appearedStott argued for discipline anddismissal. Yet in practice he wouldhold meetings with Robinson and

Jenkins; meetings which respected eachothers position. Such is the permittednorm in the broad church whereevangelicals within the Church ofEngland are not always

comfortable but they have a place atthe table (p. 415). I thought theScripture forbade that hospitalitytowards the false teacher (2John 9,10)?


16/32

page 14

But such was the ludicrous state ofaffairs that in those early days ofevangelical growth, Her Majesty had to

have explained to her the (new) termconservative evangelical. Onewonders what the explanation givenwas!

In July 1993 there was a major debatebefore 1,300 people with BishopSpong, an ardent liberal, homosexualministries promoter, and one who hadsuggested that Paul was possibly a gaymale. The question must be asked as towhether this achieved anything, andeven if it did, was it the right approach.Im reminded of Pauls confrontationof Elymas (Acts 13:9,10). Surely wemust be prepared to drop our nice-nesssometimes, or is Thou shalt be nice

truly the eleventh commandment?

A Man for all SeasonsHe sought to speak to the times, andeven made certain personaladjustments to the times. In 1970 hegrew sideburns and wore a flowery tie.He saw this as part of his double-

listening; listening to the Scripturesand to the contemporary world.Having said that, he would notcountenance a re-writing of Scripture,because of it being locked insidecultural definitions of the day - toinsist that the Word of God speaks toour time does not mean that the Word

of God agrees with our time, because itdoes not. On the contrary, the Word ofGod speaks most authentically to theworld when it subjects the world to a

rigorous critique

While having a high view of Scripture

he seems to have a certain aversion tosystematising. Thus we find littlemention of the 39 Articles, creeds andconfessions. We surely must listen tothe weight of orthodox churchteaching (while not suggestingTradition to be on a par withScripture). It is from this we find hisdrift from orthodoxy particularly on hisviews on Eternal Punishment. Onp350 we are given the example ofLuther speaking to Erasmus,(suggesting the evangelicals approachto a liberal), The difference betweenyou and me, Erasmus, is that you sitabove Scripture and judge it, while I situnder Scripture and let it judge me.

to which we say, Amen. Yet only twopages later on the question of eternalpunishment we read him saying, I believe that the ultimate annihilation ofthe wicked should at least be acceptedas a legitimate, biblically foundedalternative to their eternal conscioustorment. Well, who is sitting above

whom?The Anglican evangelicalHe saw himself as an evangelicalreformer who sought to expound theBible, and influence the local church tothink and act biblically, and as such wecommend him for this focus.

He is quoted (on p101) as callinghimself an Anglican evangelicalrather than an evangelical Anglican.


17/32

page 15

As an Anglican evangelical he lives inthat inclusiveness many of us finddifficulty with. Dr Lloyd-Jones onceasked him if he would ever leave theChurch of England, to which the reply

was, Yes, if the church itselfcompromised officially the centraldoctrines of the faith. Im notcommitted to the C of E irrevocably.But surely when wholesaleabandonment of those doctrines, and

rank moral perversion by priests ispermitted, yea promoted, without anydiscipline or dismissal, those centraldoctrines must have little value.Formerly those central doctrines wereguarded, fought for, and even died for.We must ask the question - Howprecious is truth, when it is so

shamefully allowed to be trampledupon by denominational bed-fellows?So, we add, however much theevangelicals have their place at thetable, the dinner talk must causerevulsion, indigestion, and evenvomiting.

Worldwide PastorThat said, we cannot deny that theworld became his pastorate, andScripture remained his passion andproclamation. In the judicial work ofGod there are things that shall beburned up, but much also which shalllast, for which we are grateful to God.He would regularly comment when

faced with heated argument that thetruth lay somewhere in between. Withregard to the enigmas of his life weshould probably say the same.

He once told a Christian BooksellersConvention, We should beunashamed in declaring that Christianreading is a neglected means ofgrace. This is most certainly true.May we all return to investing time andenergy into this tremendously richprovision of God for our souls, goodliterature.

While we are to call no man master,

there is much of Stott which has been,and still further can be, a means ofgrace to the soul. Putting the abovedisagreements aside, this volume wasone which challenged, warmed,instructed, and even at times delightedmy soul. As to Stotts importance,there can be no doubt, and this secondvolume of the biography is a necessary

addition to the shelves of thoseinterested in twentieth century churchlife.

Important historical photographsenhance the books appearance and itslasting worth, while extensive notes,bibliography and index make it avaluable resource tool. Though Icannot endorse all things within I mustheartily recommend it. Its a pity thesummer is over (last May was it?), as itwould make a good holiday read.

Stephen Atkinson


18/32

page 16

Greetings to you all from us all here in

Dumisani. There have been so manycomings and goings and other changesrecently that we are issuing this slightlyearlier than we normally do.

Comings and GoingsThe Millers: On 20th June, we held afarewell for David Miller and family,

marking their thirteen-years service inSouth Africa, both in the pastoral workin the Ngcingwane/Centane Districts inthe Transkei and then in Dumisani.There was a moderately good attendanceand quite a happy-sad time.Subsequently, the Millers left on 25thJune for Scotland, via Australia. We paidtribute to Davids work in our lastUpdateand we again note with gratitudehis years of commitment to andendeavour in the work here.

Remember David and Meg and the boys

in their move to Scotland, and in theprocess of finding a sphere of service.

The MacPhersons:A week afterfarewelling the Millers, we were at theEast London Airport again, this time towelcome John and CatherineMacPherson. John will be giving onesemesters service in Dumisani. John

started his missionary life in the ColegioSan Andrs in Lima, Peru. Later, hestudied for the ministry and served in apastorate in Dornoch, as well as inLondon, and also gave further time inthe Colegio in Lima and in the LimaEvangelical Seminary. He thereforecomes with wide experience of teaching

and of ministry in different cultureswhich, we are sure, will enable him to fitin quickly in Dumisani and perform abrief but useful ministry with us here.

The Regions BeyondThe Regions Beyond

- Dumisani Update -

Dumisani Theological Institute and Bible School

15

Leopold Street,

P.O. Box 68,1King Williams Town,5600 South [email protected]


19/32

page 17

Remember the MacPhersons as theysettle down in King Williams Town.Pray for John as he settles into teaching

(Missiology, Christian Life Studies,English and a wee bit of ScottishChurch History) and Catherine as shefinds different things to do in a newsetting.

Thys Lourens:With the cooperation ofthe Gereformeerde Kerk (GK) of EastLondon (a partner with us in the work in

Dumisani), a replacement for DavidMiller from within South Africa hasbeen found. We are delighted to have

Thys as our new member of staff.

He comes from a (GK) background;studied at Potchefstroom University andserved in two GK pastorates beforeleaving the pastoral ministry in favour ofother work. This included seven yearsteaching in Soweto and amongst theLozis in the Caprivi strip of Namibia, as

well as in the Religious StudiesDepartment of Vista University. He tootherefore comes to us with wideexperience of different types of ministryin various cultural settings. He will be a

permanent member of staff, with acontract running in the first instance forthree years.

Remember the Lourens family in thisbig move for them. Thys has foundaccommodation near King. When his

wife Emily finds employment in thisarea, they will both move to this area,leaving their grown up family behindthem in the Gauteng area (about 1000kilometres from here).

The Semesters WorkWorkload:With four full-time (and twopart-time) teachers in the academicprogramme we are better placed than wehave been for a long time to develop the

work. On the other hand, though wealways did share the administrative workamongst us, the Millers departure leavesus with extra tasks. Norman will take onthe purchasing responsibilities andRonnie will oversee the printing work.

These latter duties are quite timeconsuming. Many of our publicationshave been put on computer disk. Now

we have to see to the proof-reading,revision, re-formatting and publishing ofthese materials in English and in Xhosa.

Remember us as we all settle down to

new patterns of work.

Development:We would like to useour (temporary?) increase in man-powerto develop different aspects of the work.

We cherish the hope that the long-awaited revision of the CorrespondenceCourse work will, before the end of theyear, become a reality and that it willprove useful. At the same time, there area number of different ideas for thereorganisation or development of theCourses which are up for discussion.

There is also the other longstandingmatterour relationship with theDepartment of Education and withother similar government bodies. At the

same time, our Agreement withPotchefstroom University for ChristianHigher Education is being revisedbecause they are phasing out the BA


20/32

page 18

(Theology) degree and replacing it witha BTh Degree. But it does require a lotof thought and a bit of effort to get a

form of Agreement that suits ourcircumstances well.

We need wisdom and a gracious over-ruling providence to be felt in all thesematters.

Students:We have been a bitdisappointed that there has been a

bigger drop-out of students than isnormalmainly because of pressureson part-time students, who have heavywork responsibility on top of theirstudies. We now have only 50 students29 full-time and 21 part-time.

We must pray for perseverance for ourstudents and a sense of responsibility in

their studies and other activities.

On the other hand, the teaching by ourstudents in the local prison has alsoencountered fluctuating attendancesthe prisoners who started a few monthsago are slowly getting released! Nodoubt, we are glad of thatbut it

interrupts the pattern of teaching. Butthis is developing into a key work. Whoknows what our students will bemotivatedand trainedto do inprisons in the future? And already thereare clear evidences of spiritualexperience resulting in changed lifestylesby some of the prisoners.

We must keep praying for Norman andthe students involved in this as well asfor the prisoners themselves.

Premises:The farewell for the Millers

was the first time on which we used theold workshop as our new Lecture Hall.It was looking very nice and easily

accommodated the 90 or so whoattended. We look forward to using itfor classes from the second semesterwhich begins on 16th July. This meansthat we now have a large area availableas a students leisure area. We have tabletennis equipment available and thestudents are wanting us to supply a

snooker table and chess, draughts, etc.There is still a lot of work to be done onadapting these premises which webought at the beginning of the year. Themain project is the installation of a newkitchen. Plans have been drawn up andare ready to be put into effect.

Again remember Norman as he has

responsibility for overseeing this work.

Helping us outThere are various ways in which peoplecan help us.

Publicity: you can draw the attention ofthis Updateon to others who dont get it

but who might be interested (or you canphotocopy it for them).

Prayer: you can use thisUpdateto prayfor us regularly.

Giving:we were very grateful thatpeople gave so spontaneously andgenerously for the purchase of our newbuilding. But we need regular donationssimply to cover our regular runningcosts.

Typing:As mentioned above, we have


21/32

page 19

Photo:

PamelaJ

been putting our publications on diskwith a view to revising and reformattingthem. We discover that there are quite a

few booklets to be typed up yet

especially the Xhosa ones. If there isanyone willing to receive a booklet, typeit onto disk and send it to us by e-mail,please get in touch with us.

Formatting:Why should we spend timeformatting things, if someone else cando it for us? I am sure there are many

computer addicts reading this, whocould do the work quicker and betterthan we can. If anyone is willing to dothis, get in touch by e-mail. We couldsend you material by e-mail with a

sample of how we want it formatted.You could then send it back to us for usto check and finalise. This would save us

hours of work. It would give you animportant part to play in thedevelopment of the work here.

One way or another, we look forward toyour continuing cooperation in the

work.

Ronald and Morag Christie, Thys

Lourens, John and CatherineMacPherson, Norman and AngelaReid

In the following article, Pamela Johnston,a member of the Stranmillis congregation tellssomething of her call to missionary service inNigeria with Africa Christian Textbooksand of some steps in her preparation to beginservice in January 2003. Pamela will be verydependent on our prayers during the comingmonths.

COME, FOLLOW MEJesus spoke these words to SimonPeter and his brother Andrew, whencalling them to be His disciples as Hewalked beside the Sea of Galilee. Were

told that at once they left their netsand followed Him.

Conversion and Early ChristianLifeI grew up in a Christian home wheremy parents faithfully presented the

Word of God. I knew that the Gospelrequired a personal response and whenI was ten I told my Mum and Dad thatI had asked Christ to save me. I lacked

assurance at first but it cameprogressively, and I know I madebetter progress in this area throughparticipation in Christian work such as

Come, follow me


22/32

page 20

CEF in 1989. At that time I realised theneed for study and prayer and Godblessed this to my Christian life. When

I came to Belfast in 1991 I helped withchildrens work and became involved inother aspects of congregational life andI could see that these things werehelping in my development too.

Having put my trust in Christ my lifewas then to be lived in obedience toHim. Proverbs 3:6 became a very

precious verse to me,In all thy ways

acknowledge Him and He shall direct thypaths. What a blessing it was to knowthat my path would be directed by theLord when He was acknowledged inmy life!

Missionary CallThe desire to serve the Lord overseas Ibelieve has developed and grown over aperiod of time. I was familiar withmissionaries who often visited ourhome. Then when I came to Belfast Ihad a desire to use my secretarialtraining in mission work and this ledme to Qua Iboe Fellowship in 1993.My years in the Qua Iboe office (nowMission Africa) in Belfast, has provided achallenging opportunity for increasingmissions involvement. But it wasespecially during my four-week visit toNigeria in 1995 with the Fellowshipssummer team that I became aware thatthe Lord was planting the seed, seedthat was to be subsequently watered

during another short visit I made alonein 2000. I have not found the conceptof a call easy to understand, but I havecome to see it as a growing desire and

compulsion to go. Having the wordsCome, follow me underlined manytimes from the Lord, particularly over

these recent months, I knew that thisfollowing would mean leaving mynets, just like Simon Peter and

Andrew had done.

During my visit in 2000 I saw Sidneyand Jean Garland, and Sidney made meaware of the need for an administrativesecretary to work with ACTS [Africa

Christian Textbooks], should the workcontinue to grow. This work wasbrought to the front of my mind moreand more, so I prayed that the Lord

would again direct and guide my paths.By February 2002, after seeking thecounsel of various people, I had theconviction that God was clearly calling.

So I started the process of applying tothe Fellowship who accepted me as acandidate at the June 2002 meeting ofCouncil.

Preparatory StepsI attended a two-week Orientationcourse in England in July 2002, which Ifound very profitable. It addressedmany issues such as cross-cultural livingand ministry, the African church, Islam,and health. I know I have much tolearn but the Lord is preparing me forthe task ahead. Yes, the waters mayseem deep but when the Lord saysCome, follow me we must obey.

Thank you for your interest and foryour prayers. I will keep you up to dateas plans are made for me to travel toNigeria in January 2003.


23/32

page 21

Remembering

Former DaysIn this EPC anniversary year we wishto bring to mind the former days byreprinting some articles from the veryfirst issues of this magazine. The battle

for truth remains. This article was firstprinted in The Irish Evangelical inJuly 1932.

It had been known for a long time thatthings were not right in the Assemblyscollege. One godly young man gave up

attending the classes in revulsion fromthe teaching, and emigrated to

America. Another whom I knewcontinued to attend under compulsionfrom his father. A young ministerintimated to his congregation that heintended to go to the Mission Field,but not in connection with the

Presbyterian Church. A leadingminister went by train andendeavoured to persuade him to alterhis mind, and to go out in connection

with the Presbyterian church; but hewas immovable, and gave as his reasonthe teaching that was countenanced inthe College. When I heard this I wroteasking for information, remarking thatunless evidence were forthcoming theevil could not be corrected. Heanswered with samples of the false

doctrine of several of the professors. Isaw that corroborative evidence wasnecessary if the matter were to be

pursued, but my efforts to procure thiswere fruitless. Somehow it had got outthat this minister had been incommunication with me, and when he

was leaving a certain Presbyterianestablishment one day, the head of itcalled out after him, You low, meanfellow. This shewed the spirit of

Modernism.

After the lapse of a number of years astudent waited to see me at the end ofa meeting which I was conducting. Hetold me that in one of the classes theprofessor had said that the Lord Jesuson the cross thought He had let Goddown. The blasphemy was so

shocking that I resolved to do what Icould to expose this infidelity. Isucceeded in getting the notes of asecond student which confirmed the

FIVE YEARS AGO AND TODAY

Rev. James Hunter


24/32

page 22

statements of the others. Soon,however, I received a letter from thissecond student refusing to allow me to

make use of his notes. I replied thatsoul-murder was worse than body-murder, and that I would make use ofany true evidence I could procure.When the trial did come on, thePresbytery drew this distinctionbetween these two witnesses: the onewho wished to withdraw his evidence

they rewarded by never examining himat all; the other who volunteered tocome forward they cross-examinedwith the severity that Judge Jeffreysemployed. There is not a court incivilised Christendom where thisdistinction would have been drawn.

Before bringing the matter to a regular

trial I gave all the publicity I could tothe evidence by issuing sheets which Icalled S.O.S. circulars. The CollegeCommittee grew irate over this, andordered me to go before them with thecharges. As the Committee had noauthority over me, and I knew theywere out-and-out Modernist I did not

choose to do this. They thenproceeded to examine into the evidenceagainst one of the professors, andissued a long report which they sent tothe newspapers, declaring my chargesto be baseless, and that the professortaught the infallibility of the Bible. As amatter of fact I held in my hands thetype-written sheet given by this

professor to all his students in which hegave a series of reasons againstbelieving the Bible to be infallible.

The Belfast Presbytery then passed avote of censure on me because I hadnot gone before the Committee with

the charges, and against this censure Iappealed to the Assembly. TheAssembly confirmed the censurepassed by the Presbytery and orderedme not to circulate any more S.O.S.sheets. Like a dutiful son, I then wentbefore the College Committee withcharges against another of the

professors, and the Committee handedthem back to me with the statementthat they had no jurisdiction in a matterof that kind! Then I went to thePresbytery in the beginning ofDecember 1926, and after two monthsdelay the trial began.

After fourteen sederunts the five

charges were dismissed, and theprofessor found not guilty. Theprofessor was charged on evidencetaken from his published writings andfrom notes of students, the substantialaccuracy of which he himself admitted,with denying the doctrine ofimputation, the moral finality of our

Lord's character, the infallibility of theScriptures, the Scriptural authority forthe doctrine of the Trinity, and withpantheistic teaching concerning Godsresponsibility for sin.

To put a fair face on the trial, thePresbytery paid a lawyer to act asassessor to the Moderator. When the

lawyers decision did not suit then,however, they refused to be guided byhim. The first charge was entered intoat length, but the other four charges


25/32

page 23

were not entered into. The professorclaimed in these to enter a plea ofjustification. The lawyer gave it as his

decision that the circumstances did notallow for such a plea, but theModerator and the Presbytery ignoredthis decision ; fear drove them to thisinjustice.

A Record of the Trial was published,but this record was seriously defective.Of the four last charges all that ispublished is the four long addresses ofProfessor Davey. When the first ofthese addresses was finished theModerator turned to me and said that Icould reply if I chose, and when Ianswered that I thought it very unfairto call upon me at a moments notice toanswer the long statement that had

been made, he simply said that therewas no need to speak if I did not like.Not wishing the matter to go by defaultI took the opportunity that was offeredand four addresses of mine were givenin reply to those of Professor Davey.Not a single word of these addresseswas printed, nor one word of the

statements of the Professor in reply tothose given by me.

When all was over in the Presbytery aninhibition was imposed on the accusersnot to speak one word on the subject,not even in public prayer till after theAssembly. I answered in the firstpublic opportunity, that I would speak

before the Assembly and after theAssembly, and as long as I had strengthto do so.

The course of the trial before thehigher court was of the same unfaircharacter. The only individual who

rose to criticise the heresies of theprofessor was my own brother, sincedeceased and they howled him down.The Rev. Wm Corkey speaking onbehalf of the professor charged mewith going about the country andtelling what was untrue, that ProfessorDavey taught his students that Jesus let

God down on the cross. Thefalsehood was Mr Corkeys and notmine.

I told, and tell what was admitted to betrue, that the students were taught thatJesus thought on the cross that He hadlet God down. And the professor didgo so far as to admit that had he known

that publicity would have been given tothe lecture he would not have used theexpression let God down. MrCorkey evidently sees nothing wrong inall this, but to me it is blasphemousinfidelity. Six weeks after thatAssembly I wrote to the clerk ofPresbytery sending my resignation as

minister and member of thePresbyterian Church.

In due course this came before thePresbytery, but I received from themno acknowledgement, good, bad, orindifferent. Some time afterwardshowever, this paragraph appeared in aprominent place in the papers: At the

meeting of the Belfast Presbytery heldon 4th October, the followingcommunication was submitted: At themeeting of the Commission of the


26/32

page 24

Assembly held on 3rd October, 1927the following resolution wasunanimously adopted: That as the Rev.

Jas. Hunter has, by his own action,severed his connection with thisChurch, his name be now removedfrom every roll of the General

Assembly, that the Presbytery ofBelfast be directed to remove his namefrom its roll, and that the session of thecongregation with which he was in

connection be directed to remove hisname from its roll of membership.

My brother asked me what I thoughtwas the meaning of this strangelyworded resolution, and I said I believedthey wished the public to think that Ihad been guilty of some graveimmorality. He replied that that was

his opinion also. When the Rev.Thomas Connellan quitted the RomanCatholic Church, he left his clothesbeside a lake, and so, thinking that thepoor man was drowned the RomanistChurch gave him a really goodtestimonial. If I had acted similarly theBelfast Presbytery might have shewn a

little heathen courtesy.

One consequence of the trial was thatrationalism got fresh courage. At anopening lecture of the Assemblys

College, on Conversion, ProfessorDavey instanced four men as genuinelyconverted Christians, and men of God.

Who were these four? They wereantagonists of the Christian faith, twoof them not even believing in a lifeafter death.

I have been asked why I did not stay inthe Presbyterian Church and try toreform it from inside. I answer that

our forefathers left the Church ofRome when many urged them toremain and try to purify it. Thesuperstitions of Rome are not worsethan the unbelief that is harboured inthe Presbyterian Church. When atheological professor is permitted toteach his students that the doctrine ofthe Trinity is not found in the New

Testamentthat is quite enough forme.

Be ye not unequally yoked together withunbelievers.What part hath he thatbelieveth with an infidel?Wherefore comeout from among them, and be ye separate,saith the Lord, and touch not the uncleanthing; and I will receive you, and will be aFather unto you, and ye shall be My sons anddaughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Complicity with error will take from the best of men the

power to enter any successful protest against it... When will

Christians learn that separation from evil is not only ourprivilege, but our duty?

CH Spurgeon


27/32


28/32

page 26

You will find this book full of practicalhelp and instruction as you seek to livefor the Saviour day by day. Read some

of the advice that he gives:Waste no

opportunity of attending the Word:Thomas doubted because he was notthere when Jesus came. Let sermonsand prayers be your delight, becausethey are the roads on which theSaviour walks. Keep constant companywith the righteous, for they alwaysbring Him when they come.

Highly recommended.

The Church is Mine(What the Bible Teaches about TheRedemption of the Church)

Csar Malan

Evangelical Press

142 pages 7.95

Reviewer: Brian Magee

A great service has been perfomed byA. Benjamin R. Clark in translating thisexcellent little book. It is not a newwork, being first published in Frenchin 1851, yet it has a freshness and

warmth making it a very attractive read.The basic question which the bookseeks to address is For whom didChrist die? Was it for the church, forthe elect, that Christ died, or did hisredemptive work include all mankindwithout discrimination? This is theissue which Malan seeks to resolve and

as Clark states in his Preface This is aquestion of the greatest importance forit will impact upon every facet of ourlives, both individually and as a church.

The answer we give to this questionwill affect our attitude and approach toGod, our worship, our personal

assurance of salvation, our approach toprayer and to evangelism.

Malan logically sets forth the biblicalevidence and seeks to show that theview so popular today that Christ diedindiscriminately for every man mustlead to universalism. He then goes onto demonstrate that universalism, in

whatever form it may take (and he ismore concerned to deal with thosewho hold to a universal atonement), isincompatible with the Christian faithand the Word of God.

One of the most attractive traits of thisbook is the way that Malan can be soclear and precise in his exposing of

error and yet at the same time show aloving concern for those who hold adifferent viewpoint. He is an exampleto us all in how to converse with thosewhose theology may differ from ourown and a perfect example of what atrue pastoral heart should be.

The author also looks at biblical textsquoted in support of a universalatonement. In this he looks at issuessuch as - Did Christ, by his death,remove sin from the world? Indeed,was Jesus sacrified for the world?Malan looks honestly at the biblicalmaterial and concludes that no supportcan be found for a universal atonementrather quite the opposite is found to be

the case. Christs sacrifice may havebeen for all nations in general, yet theScriptures clearly show that it was alsospecific in that the atonement was


29/32

page 27

made for all those who really constitutethe people of God.

Malan covers a great deal of ground in

such a small book which includesconsidering whether there is a parallelbetween the death of Christ and thedeath of Adam and whether it ispossible for those whom Christ hasredeemed finally to perish. There is alsoa chapter on human responsibility andfinally a sermon of Malans based on

John 5:40 entitled The unbelieverperishes only because he chooses to.

This is a timely and heart-warmingbook which I highly recommend - agood gift for your Arminian friends?

Selina - Countess of Huntingdon

(Her pivotal role in the 18th Century

Evangelical Awakening)

Faith Cook

Banner of Truth

478 pages 19.95

Reviewer: Wendy Atkinson

In discovering the life of this lady, who

was one of the socially elite of her day, Ihave been personally challenged by hercommitment and drive to further thecause of the Gospel.

Two aspects of her life particularlymade a deep impression on me. Firstly,although privileged in many ways, shesuffered many hardships in her life. She

endured the breakdown of her parentsmarriage, and the subsequent virtualabandonment by her own mother.

Also, having borne seven children, only

one of those survived her. We furthergain some insight into the difficultiesand pain parents endure when their

children rebel against the gospel. Thestrength of character she exhibited

when faced with each new trial, was atestimony to me.

Secondly, there is the fervour and driveshe brought to the cause of furtheringthe Gospel. She worked tirelessly,(often while experiencing considerable

periods of illness), to establish a collegefor theological training. She was oftenconstrained in her efforts due to financeand even as a wealthy woman, shegave her all. She was associated withmany of the greats of her day, such asthe Wesleys, Whitefield and Romaine,and was often a great source of

encouragement to them.

It should be noted, however, that FaithCook portrays this lady warts and all.

We see aspects of her personality whichwe would frown upon today; attributesthat a godly lady should repress. In herdefence though, she is a lady of hertime and culture, and some of the

power she occasionally wieldedruthlessly, was due to her position insociety.

A book well worth reading, giving awonderful insight into how people livedat that time, personal insights intochurch life, and providing a continuingchallenge as to how much of our time,money and effort we contribute to the

work of God.


30/32

page 28

QUA IBOE FELLOWSHIPA vacancy has arisen for a

PERSONAL ASSISTANTto the Chief Executive in a busy mission office

This challenging and responsible position offers the opportunity to beinvolved at the hub of mission administration.

APPLICANTS will be required to :

Accept the evangelical position/ethos of Mission Africa

Be committed to world mission

Have good keyboard skills and IT knowledge including

Desktop publishing; Power Point; Web page maintenance

Ability to handle confidential issues with integrity

Have good people skills and enjoy being part of a team

Contribute to general office duties

This is a salaried position with statuary pension rights and generousannual leave.

For a JOB DESCRIPTION and APPLICATION PAPERS, pleasecontact

14 Glencregagh Court,BELFAST, BT6 0PATel : 028 9040 2850

e-mail : [email protected]

MissionissionQua Iboe Fellowship


31/32

making progress with pilgrim(for pilgrims of all ages)

- (5) AT THE FAIR -(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.)Whether you live in a town, or in a country village, everyone likes a fair.

Such spectacular fun, and such sticky food, well, these things are not found

everyday! The sights and sounds call you over. The objects to buy or win

entice your eyes, and empty your pockets. But soon the day is over, the

money gone, and the stomach feeling the effects of over-eating.

In the story of Pilgrims Progress Christian and Faithful arrive at a fair, in a

town called Vanity. They had been warned by Evangelist about this town,

and his words were true. Anything could be bought here. Pleasure and fame

was sold at a price. You could even sell your soul. There was a great broad

road running down the middle that brought a lot of travellers. The town

and its fair were full of lying, cheating, gambling and drinking. Now there

were churches in this town, but they were churches with all sorts of badthings permitted, and pretend Christians.

Our two friends were immediately spotted as being different. They spoke

differently, and their dress certainly didnt live up to the fashion of Vanity

Fair. But the thing that most annoyed the people was that Christian and

Faithful were not interested in anything in the town. They wished to buy

the truth, but it was not for sale in this town. In fact they looked as if they

belonged to another country. The people finally couldnt abide thisdifference, so they were arrested, whipped, and sentenced to death.

Christian is eventually released, but Faithful is put to death. Christian now

must go on alone, but not for long.

You and I must live in this world, and it may seem like a great fair, but it is

all empty, and if we are following Jesus we must live as strangers and

pilgrims here, even if we are persecuted. The Bible tells us of a broad road

that leads to destruction, and how we need to turn off that road to Jesus,and walk the narrow way, making further progress as a pilgrim.

Are you making progress with Pilgrim?


32/32

Evangelical Book Shop15 College Square East, Belfast, BT1 6DD

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

Manager: John Grier

Evangelical Presbyterian Church1927 2002

Influences that made the churchHistory of Presbyterianism in Ireland 4.95 1.95Thomas Hamiltons handbook gives a reliable account of Presbyterianism in our island upto the nineteenth century in under 200 pages.

Life and Work of Robert Watts, Rev Dr Robert Rodgers 95pThis 25 page lecture introduces us to the orthodox Professor who studied in Princeton andlectured to James Hunter among others in Belfast in the 1880s.

Scientific Investigation of the Old Testament (second hand) 4.95Professor Robert Dick Wilson was a master of the Old Testament world and its languagesand showed the fallacies of the liberal unbelieving approach to Gods Word. He lecturedRev W.J. Grier in Princeton in 19231925. This book is now only available second hand.

Biblical Theology, Geerhardus Vos 9.95 7.50Dr Vos was another member of faculty in Princeton in the early 1920s.

Toward a Sure Faith, Terry A Chisope 9.99 7.50This book shows why J. Gresham Machen came to reject destructive Biblical Criticism in

the period before 1915. He lectured W.J. Grier from 1923-1925 at Princeton and spoke inBelfast before the heresy trial in 1927 in association with the accusers.

Dr. J. Gresham Machens Books

God Transcendent 4.95 3.75These addresses include some which clearly show why the Gospel is different from modern

substitutes and why it is impossible to be a true soldier of Jesus Christ and not fight for the Truth.

Christianity and Liberalism 7.99Dr Machen establishes the importance of scriptural doctrine and contrasts the teachings ofLiberalism and Orthodoxy on God and man, the Bible, Christ, Salvation and the Church.

What is faith? 4.95 3.75Popular address and broadcast talks.

Christian View of Man 4.95 3.75

The Evangelical Presbyterian - September-October 2002

Documents

Transcript of The Evangelical Presbyterian - September-October 2002