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AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN SUMMER 2017/18

Here I stand Lessons from Luther Trashing liberty When laid aside Editorial

activists, liberal thinkers and post- W. R. Inge, the so-called “gloomy dean” modernists all unite in the belief that of St Paul’s Cathedral in the early 20th somehow history will appear as the century, did not get much right, but he final judge, and they shall be welcomed is well-known for the observation that into the kingdom of progressive “Whoever marries the spirit of this age righteousness. will find himself a widower in the next”. The recent plebiscite over same-sex History rolls on until God calls a halt. marriage witnessed an almost universal Those who huff and puff in the attempt desire on the part of the “yes” to keep up with the times tend to appear campaigners not to be left behind by rather old-fashioned as one era gives history. It is not immediately obvious way to another. Nothing is more dated, how history judges anyone. The Lord of for example, than old books on Biblical history is the one who judges. Men with Criticism or eugenics or Darwinism. n recent times we have often heard, the sexual proclivities of the emperor To cite C. S. Lewis: “All that is not in one form or another, what was Nero (died AD 68) and Ernst Röhm eternal is eternally out of date.” What expressed by Nikita Khrushchev in (the co-founder, along with Adolf I matters is not some delusional attempt 1956: “History is on our side and we Hitler, of the SA, who was assassinated to be on the right side of history in the will bury you.” Just about everybody in 1934) could be viewed as future, but the beautiful joy of being on armed with a progressive cause believes progressives on the right side of history, the right hand of the Son of Man in that somehow history will vindicate for a time at least. Yet it is a precarious glory (Matt. 25:31-46). what is being advocated. Democrats, hope, and prone to suffer badly from communists, feminists, homosexual too much contact with reality. Peter Barnes

Editor Peter Barnes | Social Media Coordinator Rosemary Timmins | Website ap.org.au | Online Blog apmagonline.org Facebook facebook.com/apmagonline Making disciples across Australia Evangelism and Discipling Opportunities

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2 AP SUBSCRIBE FOR YOUR OWN FREE COPY AT AP.ORG.AU Lessons from Luther

From doctrine to how we see the church, Luther remains a vital figure. Carl Trueman talks to Peter Barnes

r Carl Trueman is a professor the predictable question: how did simply as an inspiring figure. His of historical theology and an Englishman get to be a Church writings were widely read by the Dchurch history at Westminster historian and Orthodox intellectuals who headed up the Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He Presbyterian minister in the USA? Reformation. What I noticed, however, is married to Catriona, who is from the was that his thought was often adapted That’s a long story which includes me island of Lewis, off the west coast of to the English context. Thus William losing a key family vote. But to keep it Scotland. They have two sons, John Tyndale used Luther as the textual basis short, I trained to be a straightforward and Peter. Carl was brought up in a for a number of his works (we call it academic and then taught at two very supportive but non-religious plagiarism today but back then such British universities – Nottingham and home, and was converted to Christ at a “borrowing” was acceptable!). Yet each Aberdeen – but then about 2000 Billy Graham rally when he was 17. time he took a passage from Luther he Westminster asked me to consider Soon after he became a Christian, he would modify it – for example, he applying for a job there. The rest, as went to study at the University of would add a section on the Holy Spirit they say, is history. Cambridge. It was there he came under or emphasise the role of good works. the influence of Dr Roy Clements, the How did you become a Christian? minister of Eden Baptist Chapel. As far as today’s Church in England, In 1984 a school friend of mine took Luther would be useful both as a model Through this ministry Carl began to me to hear Billy Graham. That sparked of biblical (albeit at times very flawed) develop growing convictions about the an interest in Christianity and I started leadership and as a good guide to the truthfulness of the doctrines of grace going to church. When I left for college most foundational biblical doctrines: and Reformation theology. On a year or two later, the local Baptist Trinity, incarnation, law, gospel etc. completing his studies at Cambridge he pastor gave me a copy of J. I. Packer’s You have favoured the word went to the University of Aberdeen to God’s Words . It was through reading study for his PhD in Reformation “Protestant” over “evangelical”, that book that I finally came to and written of “the creedal church history. In Aberdeen he began understand – and be convinced of the attending a Presbyterian Church imperative”. Why have you said truth of – the gospel. (Church of Scotland). It was here that this? You did your doctoral work on he first encountered Reformed Evangelical, particularly in the Presbyterianism that drew its strength Luther’s legacy in the English reformers. What was his impact, American context, is a term defined and vitality from the doctrines outlined more by sociology than theology. in the Westminster Confession. compared to the Swiss influence? And how might this help the Protestant is a little clearer and at least Welcome to Australia again, and I modern Church in England? has the advantage of connecting us to trust the visit has been fruitful, the Reformation. As to the creedal for you as well as for those who My doctoral work demonstrated that imperative, I believe that a healthy have heard you. For those who Luther certainly had an impact upon church must have both a sound, don’t know you, can I begin with the English Reformation, and not biblical polity and a clear confession of faith. Both are taught in principle by Luther today would be useful both as a model Paul in his pastoral letters, with his of biblical leadership and as a good guide to emphasis on elders and on a “form of sound speech”. There are many reasons the most foundational biblical doctrines. for this but perhaps the most obvious is

SUMMER 2017/18 3 that creeds facilitate the stable “A healthy church must have both a sound, transmission of the faith from one biblical polity and a clear confession of generation to another. In a recent blog you rather faith. Both are taught in principle by Paul provocatively say that Marcion is in his pastoral letters.” one of the most influential thinkers so far as the modern you clearly have a special the life and times of the Reformers. evangelical Church is concerned. appreciation of Martin Luther (as Roland Bainton’s biography of Luther, What do you mean by that? well as John Owen). What is the Here I Stand, remains an excellent place I think that was some years ago, maybe disconnect between the modern to start. Then by learning the great a decade! But it seems to have been evangelical Church and the great theological insights of the Reformation. rediscovered. I was trying to make Reformer? Here I would suggest reading some of evangelicals think about what role the the confessions and catechisms of the There are so many. I would say the Old Testament plays in their life and era – Luther’s Small Catechism, The most obvious, however, would be his worship – particularly the latter. I love Heidelberg Catechism etc. Finally, I high view of the visible church and his singing the psalms (while not being an would suggest thinking through the emphasis on the importance of the exclusive Psalmodist – I love singing practical implications of this theology – sacraments. So much modern hymns too!) and yet these great songs of thus reflecting on justification by grace evangelicalism sees the visible church as God’s people have dropped from view through faith should lead one to see the almost an optional extra and the in many churches. That says something vital importance and centrality of sacraments as something we do without about how we view the relevance of the preaching to the Church. really understanding why. Old Testament (as well as the cries of Do you think the study of history lamentation and imprecation which How can we be helped and may give us insights into the mark many Psalms). encouraged by the Reformation contemporary world? Since, as without distorting it? While you have a declared you acknowledge, there are tendency to take aim at everyone, First, by reading some good accounts of historical fallacies on our right and our left, what are the dangers?

History done well is a critical discipline. It forces you to understand a different time and a different place, and to come to grips with how people addressed the challenges and the Minister Bald Hills Presbyterian Church conventions of their own time. By doing so, you develop patterns of Bald Hills Presbyterian Church is seeking a full-time Minister and Pastor who is driven thought that can then be applied to by the calling of God, with gifts of preaching, pastoring, leadership and outreach. current society. You learn what is transcendent and what is culturally Bald Hills Presbyterian Church is part of the Moreton Bay Presbytery of the conditioned. Presbyterian Church of Qld. We are a warm welcoming congregation of about 100 members and adherents ranging from young to elderly. Our regular Sunday morning And yes, there are fallacies and errors Service has an average attendance of 75. into which all historians can fall – but We have a vision ‘To see people loved, saved and changed by Jesus’ and hold two if you read widely in history and expose Sunday Services as the basis of our community. Our ministries include Community your own ideas to the searching Playgroup, local Primary School Chaplaincy support activities, Growth Groups, criticism of others, the chances are that Community Seniors Activity Group and Girls’ & Boys’ Brigades. We are active in the you will be less prone to such than Presbytery & State Church. might otherwise be the case. The best way to become a historian is to read We are looking for an experienced pastor to teach, pastor lots and lots of good books written by and lead our congregation, with the Elders and Committee good historians – not simply for the of Management, to strengthen and build our congregation information such books contain but so and our active outreach and children’s and youth work. that you can see how good historians Please send your resume to Paul Cotton, Session Clerk select and interpret evidence. (email [email protected]) or call Ph 07 3869 Thank you, and may the Lord 1915 for further information. continue to give power to your pen!

4 AP LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FACEBOOK.COM/APMAGONLINE The new Reformation How Christians find themselves on the ‘wrong’ side of history

Stephen Chavura

an we learn anything useful religion and its “outmoded” morality best revealed through the Spirit-led from history? Well, it depends of self-restraint, the authority of reading of the Scriptures. Nonetheless, Con what we mean by useful. If government in response to the Vietnam the Protestants did reject and ridicule by useful we mean some historical fact, War, and the authority of tradition, seen the greatest institutional authority known the understanding of which enables us to as the embodiment of all oppressions: to Europeans since the fall of the Roman change our present historical trajectory sexual, racial, and cultural. In their place Empire, the Roman Catholic Church. for the better – probably not. We are the children of the 1960s substituted Most telling in terms of understanding generally in the grip of large forces that themselves, and the emphasis shifted the program of modern heirs of the are for the most part outside of our from objective authorities to personal 1960s was the iconoclasm pursued by direct control. But if by useful we mean authenticity. We must be true to ourselves. 16th century Protestants. In Protestant the understanding of some part of The spirit of the 1960s animates the countries throughout Europe churches history that helps us to understand our religion of the new Protestants – diversity . were stripped of anything remotely own times, I think the answer is yes. The most recent manifestation of this connected to their Roman Catholic In countries like Australia, Great Britain , diversity cult is the gay and, especially, past. Crucifixes, roods, chalices, and and the US, citizens seem to be very the transgender movement. The relics were destroyed, lest their much divided along numerous lines, movement for gay rights is very much a continued presence served to stir especially generational and ideological. part of the casting off of several Romish sentiments. In other words, to Some historians liken the cultural authorities: traditional Christianity and a great extent, evidences of a nation’s revolution of the 1960s to the traditional sexual morality. The transgender Roman Catholic past were destroyed or Reformation of the 16th century in movement – notwithstanding a minority hidden in the interests of the spiritual terms of its impact on culture and ideas. of genuine cases of sex-ambiguity – is a well-being of a populace that, so it was Just as the Reformation created bitter casting off of nature itself. So what if my thought, would very easily slip back divisions between Protestants and physiology is a particular way? Why into its old ways without a public should I have to submit to that? Catholics, so the cultural revolution of program of permanent reformation. the 1960s has generated a deep and The analogies with the Protestant Catholics in Protestant countries were wide division between the heirs of the Reformation are evident, although one frequently forced underground for fear of anti-authoritarian spirit of the 1960s must be careful about getting too carried persecution. They also found themselves and those still committed to certain away. Nonetheless, the Roman Catholic unable to take jobs in any arm of the authorities – religion, tradition, nature. Church accused the Protestant Reformers public service for around 300 years. They of flirting with lawlessness – The 1960s generated new Protestants were basically shut out from mainstream antinomianism – in their rejection of and, consequently, new Catholics. culture, punishment for their stubborn papal authority. Unlike the hippies of refusal to forsake their authority. The 1960s was the decade that most 1960s, the Protestants were not anti- overtly cast off the very notion of authority, for they held that the highest There is a similar religious fervor at the authority itself, rejecting the authority of authority was God Himself whose will is heart of the modern heirs of the 1960s – the new Protestants. The youth of the “The spirit of the 1960s animates the 1960s were radicalised by the Vietnam War and Marxist notions of history as a religion of the new Protestants – diversity.” great Manichaean struggle between

SUMMER 2017/18 5 good and evil. They were the goodies. “The new Catholics are to be despised as Just like the Reformers of the 16th superstitious, intolerant, and grotesque century, so our modern day reformers go on a program of iconoclasm. They reminders of a former unenlightened age.” smash statues of national heroes with a racist past, they try to rename stadiums culture, in particular in the education sense. The language of the new after people who have the right opinions debates throughout the 19th century, Protestants – their “Bible”, if you will – regarding homosexuality, children’s books especially in Australia. is the language of human rights and mental health. The new Catholics are edited to remove anything that might Pretty much everyone wanted religion object to the new Protestants’ spark prejudice, language itself is to be taught in general (public) schools. interpretation of human rights as well reformed to ensure that over time all But whose religion? Well, it was said by as their reduction of all moral questions vestiges of the former way of thinking Protestants, “general Christianity”; a to human rights and mental health. are erased. Husbands and wives are Christianity that was uncontroversial to “partners”, mums and dads are any reasonable Christian. In other As Catholics from the 16th to the 19th “guardians” or “parents”, ladies and words, the Bible. Who could argue century were socially and civically gentlemen are, well, merely two of dozens with that? Well, Catholics for one. A marginalised as penalty for their dissent of genders – best not to mention any of course of “general Christianity” which from Protestant neutrality, so the new them lest you perpetuate hate thoughts. made no mention of the Holy Roman Catholics will face the prospect of That all must feel included is the Church, the sacraments, the pope, and marginalisation. They may be hounded cardinal rule of the diversity cult. was focused on the unassisted reading from healthcare, education, the public And so the heirs of the 1960s are the new of the (King James) Bible? Catholics service, and private corporations – any Protestants, and those who fall foul of had a word for that: Protestantism. social/civic sector that converts to the diversity cult. Also, once the state fully their program of social reform are the And yet Protestants did not see it as converts to the new Protestantism it new Catholics, the latter to be despised Protestantism at all. It was, in their will try as much as it can to control the as superstitious, intolerant, and grotesque minds, neutrality. Thus, Catholics institutions – churches, schools, reminders of a former unenlightened age. could be socially marginalised and their businesses, charities – of the new institutions defunded quite easily In the 16th century, once Protestantism Catholics. became part of the cultural furniture, it because Protestant culture, which did Can an understanding of history help barely considered a distinct way of not recognise Protestantism as anything us to stop this new Reformation? No. approaching the religion of Christ. It other than neutral common sense, But at least we go into it with our eyes was not even religion as much as it was could dismiss their demands as unreasonable, even socially insidious. wide open. simple common sense. Because Protestantism was considered common In the same way the new Protestants do Dr Stephen Chavura is a political theorist sense piety and rationality, Roman not see their moral values and extensive and intellectual historian at Macquarie Catholicism was obviously mere program of social reconstruction as University who has lectured on a range superstition. This was reflected in British anything other than neutral common of topics.

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6 AP SUBSCRIBE FOR YOUR OWN FREE COPY AT AP.ORG.AU A theological earthquake

The aftershocks are still being felt 500 years later

Dominic Steele n October 30, 2017, it was Luther’s breakthrough came through As Luther looked at the way the Roman exactly 500 years since the understanding that, in the death of church had sold salvation for money, he Oformer Roman Catholic Jesus Christ, God’s salvation and began to write his protest – 95 theses, monk Martin Luther walked through forgiveness are given as a free and short arguments about why selling the Wittenberg town square and nailed gracious gift. Luther wrote that “we do indulgences or selling salvation was a thesis to the cathedral door, marking not depend on our own strength, wrong, and about why doing penance the start of a theological earthquake conscience, experience or works, but for salvation was wrong. that shook the world, and still depend on that which is outside Indulgences were essentially “get out of reverberates today. ourselves, that is, on the promise and jail cards” for purgatory. The Catholic truth of God”. At the centre of Luther’s claim was a Church taught that when a person protest against the Roman Church’s It was as if a key had suddenly unlocked died, instead of going to heaven, he or she would be sent to purgatory to corrupt practice of selling salvation. a door that had been ignored for centuries. Luther’s bombshell showed spend time for the purging of sin. This In the lead up, Luther had been that God's righteousness wasn't a time could amount to thousands of tremendously conflicted. He was a judgment hanging over our heads, years. In the 15th century there were dedicated friar who fasted, confessed reminding us of how we can never visions of how horrible purgatory was. his sins and took his penances seriously. measure up based on our own Dr Ashley Null, from Humboldt Despite that, he felt a deep hatred of performance. God graciously gives His University of Berlin, says: “For God. He wrote about it later: “Though I righteousness to us as a gift through improper thoughts the punishment was lived as a friar without reproach, I felt I Jesus Christ, requiring only that we to have a band tied around your head, was a sinner before God with an receive that gift by putting all our trust and squeezed to the point where your extremely disturbed conscience. I hated in Christ. For Luther, there were floods brains came out your ears and your the righteous God who punishes sinners.” of overwhelming joy. He called this nostrils, and your eyes popped out. discovery “Sola Fide” – salvation by And it goes down the entire body in As Luther wrestled with the Apostle that fashion.” Paul’s letter to the Romans, he came to faith alone. The teaching of the Roman Catholic see that God didn’t expect us to try to It was so overwhelmingly exciting. Of Church was that a sinner had to do work upwards towards Him to make course really this was not a new things now to work off those ourselves acceptable; rather, in His discovery, it had been in the pages of punishments. Indulgences were bought spectacular generosity, God reaches the Bible for almost 1500 years, but as certificates for “time off purgatory”. down and freely offers salvation had been distorted over the centuries by Dr Andrew Atherstone of Oxford through Jesus Christ. the Church of Rome. University says people paid a donation, “Luther’s breakthrough came through and then received (for example) 10,000 years off purgatory. The Pope used the understanding that, in the death of Jesus profits from these Indulgences to pay Christ, God’s salvation and forgiveness are for some of the building of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. So the Pope sent given as a free and gracious gift.” them to archbishops, who sold them to

SUMMER 2017/18 7 preachers, who sold them to lay people “Luther was desperately distressed to see (and everyone took their cut). It was a such a big business there was even a members of his own congregation spending jingle: “As the coin in the coffer rings, their hard-earned money buying these so a soul from purgatory springs.” worthless pieces of paper.” Atherstone says Luther was desperately distressed to see members of his own Cuthbert Tunstall, famously burnt piles the other side of the grill. “Bless me congregation spending their hard- of Bibles in the grounds of St Paul’s Father, for I have sinned. It has been earned money buying these worthless Cathedral in 1526,1528 and 1529 and two months since my last confession,” pieces of paper. then went as far as having Bible I would say, and then I would list my It was standard academic practice of the translator William Tyndale hunted sins. The priest would then declare me time to nail arguments to the door of down on the continent, arrested on a absolved from my sins, and would the church for all to read. Luther hadn't charge of heresy and burned to death. assign me a penance to do, a payment written some polite dissertation about to make up for my sins. It was a “God Tyndale’s deathbed prayer was “Lord, an obscure saint. He had written helps those who help themselves” open the King of England’s eyes”. God arguments that struck at the heart of theology! It was the opposite of grace; granted this prayer a couple of years the Roman Church's teaching. Luther it was the opposite of receiving God’s after his death, when the king authorised had started a revolution. free gift of salvation through faith in the printing and distribution of the Christ alone. The other main Reformation catch Great Bible in English to every church cries were “the Bible alone”, “grace in the country. But thanks to Luther – and the Holy alone” and “Christ alone”. As the Spirit – we are no longer locked in that As I reflect back at my own upbringing Reformation movement reached spiritual dungeon. in the north-west of Sydney, I can see Britain, the local Roman Catholic parallels between my childhood religion Dominic Steele is the author of the four- authorities went to extraordinary and Luther’s. I grew up going to regular night video and bible study series Ideas lengths to stop people reading the Bible confession at our local Roman Catholic that Changed the World, available from in English for themselves. church. The priest would be on one Matthias Media at The Roman Catholic Bishop of London , side of the wire grill and I would be on www.bit.ly/ideasthatchangedtheworld.

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8 AP LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FACEBOOK.COM/APMAGONLINE Trashing religious liberty Same-sex activists have much more than gay ‘marriage’ in their sights David Van Gend

Changing the definition of marriage, indoctrinate children (including those Discrimination Commission. which has lasted for time immemorial, is from religious homes) into approved Presciently, the Bishops’ Pastoral Letter not an exercise in human rights and LGBT views will be complete. In this included this passage: “People who equality; it is an exercise in de- way, the entire moral community adhere to the perennial and natural authorising the Judaeo-Christian surrounding a child will be harassed definition of marriage will be influence in our society, and any who into ideological correctness by “human characterised as old-fashioned, even pretend otherwise are deluding rights” laws: blatant cultural tyranny. bigots, who must answer to the law.” themselves. – John Howard, former The Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Canadian Queen’s Counsel Barbara Prime Minister of Australia. Commissioner, Robin Banks, was Findlay declared years ago: “The legal inclined to agree: she judged that the hey say it takes a village to raise struggle for queer rights will one day be Bishops had a case to answer. a child. That means, in order to a showdown between freedom of Traise tomorrow’s child according religion versus sexual orientation.” A columnist for The Australian , Angela to the values of the LGBT revolution, it Consider a local example of this Shanahan, wrote at the time: “Since will be necessary to purge the village of showdown. In June 2015, Rodney when has teaching your children what reactionary moral leaders. That means Croome, the head of the gay lobby you and most of the world’s population faithful pastors, priests and rabbis. group Australian Marriage Equality, believe to be right been a thought A law for homosexual “marriage” will took offence at the Pastoral Letter from crime? Since when have those beliefs, strike the shepherds and the sheep will be Australia’s Catholic Bishops entitled enshrined in the law of the land, and scattered. It will intimidate religious Don’t Mess with Marriage . This booklet always seen as positive and good, leaders (and their insurers) with the conveyed traditional Catholic teaching suddenly been deemed harmful? Since relentless threat of anti-discrimination on marriage to students in Catholic when has a well-liked member of the lawsuits; traditional moral teaching schools, but that was unacceptable to church’s hierarchy been told when and will become something to be whispered the homosexual lobby. Croome issued a where he should disseminate in private. There ain’t room in this media release: “I urge everyone who fundamental Christian doctrine, and village for both state-enforced finds [the Catholic booklet] offensive threatened with being hauled up to an homosexual orthodoxy and Christian and inappropriate, including teachers, anti-discrimination body? Since last moral orthodoxy. parents and students, to complain to week, that’s when.” the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner.” The revolution’s strategists know that And consider: this harassment is once homosexual “marriage” is the law In response to his incitement, a happening while we have no law for of the land, the power of anti- transgender Tasmanian Greens same-sex “marriage”. What level of discrimination law to silence candidate took Hobart’s Archbishop intimidation might the church expect conscientious objectors and Julian Porteous to the Anti- once homosexual “marriage”, and therefore homosexual behaviour, is “The entire moral community surrounding a enshrined in the law as normal and child will be harassed into ideological right? “If men do these things when the wood is green, what will they do when correctness by ‘human rights’ laws: the wood is dry?” blatant cultural tyranny.” Ah yes, you say, but if “marriage

SUMMER 2017/18 9 equality” became law, surely our discriminates against LGBTQ couples These apparent assaults on the legislators are clever enough to write in and withholds accreditation. Young character of fair-minded people will protections for religious people? If only. graduates from the law school will be have an effect, in society and in court.” Any talk of authentic religious freedom unemployable in the profession. How is Fellow dissenter Justice Alito pointed under a regime of homosexual that reasonable or of public benefit? out that the majority’s contemptuous “marriage” is naïve. The same week in Does the covenant make these graduates opinion put opponents of homosexual 2015 as the bishops’ booklet was bad lawyers? LGBTQ couples could, of “marriage” on a moral par with the published, Ireland voted for “marriage course, attend another university.” racists of an earlier era: “The equality” while promising to protect The hard-won LGBTQ victory for implications of this analogy will be religious freedom. That truce lasted six “marriage equality” has given that lobby exploited by those who are determined months. Reforms to Ireland’s the legal high ground to command the to stamp out every vestige of dissent … Employment Equality Act mean a rest of the culture war, including shutting I assume that those who cling to old church school can no longer dismiss down Christian colleges that won’t get beliefs will be able to whisper their homosexual activists who defy church with the program. Let nobody be so thoughts in the recesses of their homes, teaching on marriage. That effectively trivial, so condescending, as to pretend but if they repeat those views in public, negates the church’s liberty to educate we can have religious liberty under a they will risk being labeled as bigots their children according to their values “marriage equality” law that is hostile to and treated as such by governments, and beliefs. traditional values on sex and marriage. employers, and schools.” A few months later, a court in Canada Supreme Court Chief Justice John Justice Thomas was astonished at the (which also has same-sex “marriage”) Roberts and three of his fellow justices majority’s trivial notion of religious ruled that law graduates from a private were scathing about the prospects for liberty, as if it were merely the freedom Christian University, Trinity Western, authentic religious liberty after to hold private beliefs and did not cannot be registered to practise as lawyers “marriage equality” was imposed on the extend to living out one’s life in because of a pledge they make to uphold entire USA by their five fellow accordance with those beliefs: man-woman marriage. Commenting unelected judges in March 2015. “Religious liberty is about more than on this case, former federal Labor Roberts was particularly discouraged by just the protection for ‘religious Minister Gary Johns writes, “just the way the majority judges went out of organisations and persons as they seek contemplate that for a moment. Staff their way to classify opponents of to teach the principles that are so and students of the university freely homosexual “marriage” as “bigoted”: fulfilling and so central to their lives enter into a covenant that deems that “Unfortunately, people of faith can take and faiths’. Religious liberty is about only married heterosexual couples may no comfort in the treatment they freedom of action in matters of have sex. The Law Society argues that receive from the majority today … religion generally.” Here in Australia there are reassuring noises about guaranteeing religious liberty within a regime of “marriage equality”. Believe that by all means if you are a trusting soul and it gives you comfort, but you do not understand Join our Quest for Excellence that the sexual ideologues are playing for keeps. There should be no pretence The Scots College is a in our Parliament that churches and distinctive Australian school that exists to inspire boys to their associated institutions will have learn, lead and serve as they lasting exemption from anti- strive for excellence together. discrimination law. Such pretence Great schools need great serves as a sugar coating for the passage teachers and support staff with of a gay “marriage” pill, but the a desire to shape the lives of sweetness will soon pass. our future leaders. The radicals want destruction of For more information, visit Christian culture, as they have since tsc.nsw.edu.au/employment the days of Marx, and with the cultural wrecking ball of homosexual “marriage” they will get it. This is an edited extract from Dr David van Gend’s best-selling book, Stealing From a Child: The Injustice of ‘Marriage Equality’ (Connor Court, 2016).

10 AP SUBSCRIBE FOR YOUR OWN FREE COPY AT AP.ORG.AU World news

Turkey steals church land major faiths, the Changing Global Atheists ‘less moral’ Religious Landscape report reaffirms The Turkish Government has Atheists “are broadly perceived as prior forecasts by the centre that much confiscated church properties including potentially morally depraved and of Islam’s and Christianity’s growth two functioning monasteries, with dangerous” – even in secular countries. is “expected to take place in sub- lands next to the 4th century Mor According to a new study, even some Saharan Africa”. Gabriel Monastery, belonging to atheists have an in-built “anti-atheist Turkey’s oldest indigenous culture Sub-Saharan Africa now contains 26% bias” when it comes to judging a where monks still speak Aramaic. of the world’s Christian population but person’s morality. will be home to 42% by 2060. Between Over the past five years, legal But anti-atheist bias was strongest 2015 and 2060, the world’s population ownership of at least 100 ancient Syriac where there are high numbers of is expected to increase by 32%, to 9.6 Christian properties in Turkey’s south- believers, like the United Arab billion, during which time the number east has been seized and transferred to Emirates, United States and India. of Muslims—the major religious group the Turkish state treasury, where the Only New Zealand and Finland did with the youngest population and title deeds still remain. not exhibit a clear bias against atheists. highest birth rate—is projected to The study, put together by an According to the Turkish government, increase by 70%. international team and published in the this systematic expropriation of journal Nature Human Behaviour , took allegedly “lapsed” title deeds for these Pew dozens of historic Syriac churches, monasteries and village cemeteries began in recent years because of reformed land registry laws. World Watch Monitor Muslim majority earlier

Two years ago, the Pew Research Centre , with support from the John Templeton Foundation, not only estimated that there were 1.59 billion Muslims on the globe as of 2010, but also made front- page headlines on every continent when it projected that Islam would surpass APPLY NOW for 2018 Christianity to become the world’s largest religion by about 2075. A: I P: More recently, an April report from the E: I W: centre updates the estimate of the global Muslim population to 1.75 billion (as of 2015) and projects that, if current demographic trends continue, it will reach 2.99 billion by 2060. In addition to providing new data on birth and death rates in the world’s

SUMMER 2017/18 11 into account the responses of more than Religious Affairs, that Communist prime minister, said investigators probing 3000 people across 13 countries and five Party members and officials should not the offshore assets of the ruling Sharif continents. believe in any religion. family have done to the prime minister what Judas Iscariot did to Jesus Christ. Study co-author Will Gervais, a There is no doubt that some Party psychology professor at the University of officials have become religious Christian activists took strong exception Kentucky in Lexington, told news followers. Wang Zuoan noted that this to Khan's statement for comparing agency AFP: “It is striking that even had occurred with some senior Sharif, who is facing investigations for atheists appear to hold the same Communist Party cadres, not only graft, with Jesus Christ. “Had any intuitive anti-atheist bias. I suspect that middle and low-level regime officials. member of the minority community this stems from the prevalence of deeply He called for "education" to induce drawn any parallel involving Prophet entrenched pro-religious norms. Even in people to abandon their religious faith Mohammed, he or she would have been places that are currently quite overtly or, if necessary, face disciplinary action. lynched to death or ended up in jail by secular, people still seem to intuitively now,” one said. UCA hold on to the belief that religion is a UCA Charge lawyer: Christians moral safeguard.” Indian pastor shot BBC Pakistani Christians have petitioned the The Christian community in Ludhiana, government to book a ruling party Religion ‘not private’ the largest city in India’s north-western leader on blasphemy charges for state of Punjab, is in shock after a pastor A major article in an influential Chinese drawing an “offensive” parallel between was shot dead outside his Pentecostal Communist Party (CPP) journal has Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Jesus church on July 15. warned cadres that adopting religious Christ. The Pakistani prime minister Sultan Masih, 47, who also ran a school beliefs is not a private matter. Qiushi is the and his family are under investigation for the poor, was gunned down by two top-level journal on communist theory for owning offshore properties people on a motorbike, who shot him at run by the Party's central committee. highlighted by media through what is close range outside the Temple of God called the Panama Papers Leaks. Media inside and outside China picked Church, where he was senior pastor. He up on the admonition by Wang Zuoan, In a news conference on July 10, suffered multiple wounds to his body director of the State Administration of Zafarullah Khan, senior counsel for the and head.

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12 AP LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FACEBOOK.COM/APMAGONLINE Hundreds of Christians took to the been forced to flee north to Sudan, Pakistani boy persecuted streets the next day, blocking off a major which arbitrarily arrests and imprisons A 16-year-old Pakistani Christian boy national highway for three hours until Christians, closes down Christian has been charged with blasphemy for they had received assurances from the schools and churches and does not even talking with a colleague about his belief police that the perpetrators would be officially recognise that its citizens can in Jesus, the second such incident in a brought to justice. be anything other than Muslim. month. Shahzad Masih, 16, a cleaner at UCA Barnabas Fund a hospital in the city of Dinga (near the Christians denied food Christians forbidden education religiously conservative city of Gujrat), Reports emerging from Sudan suggest The religious freedom charity Christian was arrested on 13 July after his Christian refugees fleeing the fighting in Solidarity Worldwide is raising concern colleague, Ishtiaq Ahmed Jalali, accused South Sudan have been denied after being informed that children from him of insulting Islam’s prophet government food aid unless they convert families belonging to the Church of Muhammad, a crime punishable with to Islam. South Sudan became an Iran denomination in the cities of Rasht death in Pakistan. independent country in 2011, following and Shiraz have been told they must A month earlier, on 15 June, Ashfaq a civil war resulting from the attempt of either study Shi'a Islam, or leave school. Masih, 28, was arrested in the nearby the Arab and mainly Muslim north of As second-generation believers, and not city of Lahore for saying he believed Sudan to enforce sharia on the mainly converts, the youngsters have a right to Christian and African south. However, Jesus to be the final prophet. be exempt from studying Shi’a Islam at since then, tribal rivalries between the school by producing a letter from the World Watch Monitor President and Vice President of the new denomination. CSW said the letters are Boy beaten to death country have led to a devastating civil now being rejected on the grounds that war in South Sudan itself. Sharoon Masih, a 17-year-old Pakistani the Church is an “illegal organisation”. Nearly a million people have fled south Christian student, was beaten to death It claimed schools are insisting children into Uganda, where they are being by Muslim classmates in August. either agree to study Islam, or go home, assisted by local Christians with the help Sharoon was the only Christian in the even though Iran has guaranteed of Barnabas Fund. However, for some ninth grade at the school he had education as a basic right for all. 460,000 people, fleeing south has been recently started at, MC Model Boys

too difficult or dangerous and they have Premier Government High School in Burewala. $ AP Response Forms

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SUMMER 2017/18 13 According to reports, this event took waiting for a hearing of her appeal against The cathedral is located in the place after Sharoon drank water from capital punishment, was nominated by predominantly Kurdish city’s Sur the same glass as the other boys. Teachers a group of European legislators. district, which was heavily demolished and other students allegedly watched She has been nominated for ‘Freedom in nearly a year of fierce fighting that these events unfold but did nothing to of Thought’ by European Conservatives broke out in late 2015 between the help. Unconscious and unresponsive, and Reformists Group, the third largest Turkish military and militants of the Sharoon was taken to hospital but group in the European Parliament. Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK). doctors had confirmed his death half an hour before he arrived there. Assist World Watch Monitor Armenian church desecrated A murder case has been registered Iranian Christians jailed against Ahmed Raza and one unknown Eighteen months after the Turkish A UK-based Christian human rights person. Ahmed is in police custody but government seized control of the largest group has revealed that Pastor Yousef the co-accused is yet to be arrested. In Armenian cathedral in the Middle East, Nadarkhani, Mohammadreza Omidi, their report on the tragic events, the secretly taken photographs inside Yasser Mossayebzadeh and Saheb Centre for Legal Aid Assistance & Diyarbakir’s Surp Giragos Armenian Settlement noted, “Although anti- Apostolic Church reveal considerable Fadaie have been sentenced to 10 years Christian violence is common in the damage to the sanctuary and walls of in prison each for “acting against Muslim nation, the youthfulness of the the now desecrated church in south- national security”. mob, in this case, marks an ugly first east Turkey. CSW’s Chief Executive Mervyn for the country.” The photographs expose broken and Thomas said, “We are deeply Barnabas Fund sandbagged windows, one defaced disappointed by these excessive Bibi nominated for prize crucifix, a massive hole poking through sentences, which are based on spurious one outer wall, the removal of pews and charges and are clearly part of an Pakistan’s most famous Christian worship utensils, empty altars, and intensified campaign of judicial prisoner, Asia Bibi, has been nominated some chipped columns. Only a few up- harassment aimed at intimidating for the European Union’s high-status ended wooden pews can be seen, with members of minority faiths.” award, the Sakharov Prize. Ms Bibi, a no worship utensils or sacramental mother of five, who is behind bars hangings in sight. Assist

14 AP LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FACEBOOK.COM/APMAGONLINE Pride and patience

I want patience – and I want it now! Madeleine Turner

can’t exactly recall the moment I unfold according to our will and his thick-headed disciples. For a time, began fervently praying for timeframe. It’s why we struggle to he even patiently rebuked the Pharisees’ Ipatience, but it was somewhere extend grace to others; we see them as hardness of heart and he patiently loved between having my first and second obstacles in the way of what we want or “sinners”. Jesus demonstrated patient child. And within that timeframe there believe we are entitled to. Underlying endurance: “Who for the joy set before have been countless moments where I every manifestation of impatience is the Him endured the cross, scorning its have cried out, half-prayer, half-curse, desire to be served, to be obeyed and to shame, and sat down at the right hand “LORD, GIVE ME PATIENCE!!” be in control. of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). And He did this so that we might patiently I soon discovered it’s a rather dangerous Pride makes us easily frustrated with walk with him and receive eternal life. thing to pray for. Instead of relieving people who threaten to ruin our me from everyday frustrations with my schedule, plans or reputation for Christians are called to cultivate patience children, God has, in His wisdom, punctuality. It’s why we have road rage. (Gal. 5:22) and to “be patient with provided me with more opportunities to Pride also has a tendency to belittle everyone” (1 Thess. 5:14; Eph. 4:1-3; practise patience. Because patience isn’t others, to judge them, to look down on Col. 3: 12-13). That’s a high calling, something we earn, but rather, them. We become exasperated when but the God of Patience has given us something we learn . And I’m a slow others don’t think or do things the right His Spirit, so that by His power , we can learner, especially when it comes to way (i.e. our way), or at the same speed extend patient love to others. When we matters of the heart. and competency as us. Proud people recognise God’s patient mercy with us cannot “suffer” certain people, and every day (Ps. 86:15; 2 Pet. 3:9), it Perhaps you struggle with patience too. should motivate us to show the same impatience shows itself in interrupting Why is it so difficult to cultivate patient generosity in our relationships. others, getting distracted and hurrying patience in our relationships? Are we people along in conversation. Pride says, God is after radical heart change in you not getting enough sleep? Are we too “My time, my knowledge and my and me. And He will use anything and busy? Maybe we need a holiday. Or opinions are more important than yours.” everyone as instruments in His hands to maybe it’s because we fail to recognise glorify Himself and conform us into the that impatience is actually a fruit of a If pride is at the root of impatience, image of His Son. That annoying work root . Our impatience is symptomatic of then humility is the life source of colleague, difficult relative, toddler in a a deeper heart issue: pride. patience. Consider the greatest example tantrum is God’s gift to us to build our of humility: Jesus Christ. It is Pride is the biggest stumbling block to patience. We can respond either with absolutely staggering that God became becoming patient. Pride says, “My prideful frustration or humble man and gave up everything – glory, wants, my needs, my talents and my thanksgiving. majesty, honour and worship and then schedule are more important than humbled Himself (Phil. 2:6-8). Madeleine Turner worships at Ashfield yours.” This kind of thinking leads to Presbyterian Church, Sydney. expectations that everyone should Jesus patiently accepted His Father’s centre on us, and everything should will (John 6:38). He patiently taught Read and download sixteen years of AP free “He will use anything and everyone as of charge at ap.org.au instruments in His hands to glorify Himself Click the Past Issues button and enjoy! and conform us into the image of His Son.”

SUMMER 2017/18 15 Mutual welfare

Paul’s Jerusalem Donation

By Daryn Graham blessed both givers and receivers

n AD45, during the fourth year of Christians living in Jerusalem was proof those who belong to the family of Claudius’ reign, the Nile rose to a that the community of goods, set up by believers” (Gal. 6:9-10). height of 18 cubits – the highest in the apostolic Church in Jerusalem had I If the Jerusalem church had been more than a century – and the result failed. In essence, the community of suffering so badly, as Augustine was the loss of Egypt’s entire crop. This goods saw the pooling of all resources imagined, why had Paul been so blasé caused acute inflation. Papyri records by every Christian living in Jerusalem about collecting funds for it over a from various cities in Egypt show that following Jesus’ ascension (Acts 2:44- period of many years? The answer thousands of Egyptians had to default 45). Since Augustine is considered a seems to be that the community of on their tax arrears on account of it. preeminent scholar and leading goods in Jerusalem had actually theologian, this view is still accepted by But worse was to follow. Later that many commentators to this day. sustained and fed the Jerusalemite same year, armed insurrection against Christians very well indeed. Roman power erupted in western However, if the community of goods In fact, the very first sign that the North Africa – one of Rome’s other proved such a spectacular financial Jerusalem church needed any financial main sources of grain. This necessitated disaster once famine had taken hold of help from Paul, so that it could military campaigning there by Roman Judea in 46, it makes little sense why, in purchase food, still at inflated prices, armies, which disrupted North Africa’s 48, when Paul met with Peter, John and appears as late as 55, in Paul’s first letter food harvests as well. James – the leaders of the church in Jerusalem at the time – no mention was to the Corinthian church. However, even But even that did not spell the end of made of giving financial aid to the in that letter, and his second letter to food crisis. From 46 onwards, a series Jerusalem church. the Corinthians written later that year, of severe droughts took hold of Judea Paul writes that the collection of funds These three pillars of the church simply and the Levant – another breadbasket for that church was not his own idea, told Paul he was to “continue to for the empire – which meant that but that it originally belonged to the remember the poor” on his missionary harvests there repeatedly failed. Then, churches of Corinth, Macedonia, and travels throughout the Gentile world in 51, the harvest in Egypt failed again. Galatia (1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8:1-4, 10). (Gal. 2:9-10). The result of all this crop failure around Once Paul took over this collection, Nor does Augustine’s view explain why the Mediterranean basin was the most called by Christian scholars the Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians , intense famine endured in the Roman Jerusalem Donation, he did so with written in 51, makes no request for the Empire in the first century. This famine sobriety and decorum. The way that church there to contribute financially would also be the longest running Paul did this is outlined in Paul’s letters to help the Jerusalem church. natural disaster to hit the Roman world , to the church at Corinth. In them, Paul Moreover, Paul’s letter to the Galatians and lasted all the way up until 63. stipulated that on the first day of the also makes no mention of the plight of Some three centuries later, Augustine of that church. All that appears is Paul’s week – the day when the church of Hippo wrote that the suffering that he instruction to Galatian Christians to Corinth came together for worship – imagined had to be endured by early “do good to all people, especially to over an extended period, each person in that church was to “set aside a sum of “Once Paul took over this collection, called by money in keeping with one’s income, saving it up” throughout that week Christian scholars the Jerusalem Donation, (1 Cor. 16:1-2). he did so with sobriety and decorum.” Every person’s donation was to be set

16 AP SUBSCRIBE FOR YOUR OWN FREE COPY AT AP.ORG.AU aside either at home or in the church’s collection from his Gentile churches to abilities to give generously with treasury. Intriguingly, Paul makes no the church in Jerusalem (Acts 24:17). “thanksgiving” (2 Cor. 9:6-11). mention about tithing in this This collection served a number of Thus, contrary to popular belief, up collection. Although this ran the risk purposes for Paul. In a very practical until the late date of 57 the community way, it illustrated a godly pattern for that some might give an amount that of goods had actually been well- others to follow, and given that Paul was less than a tithe, it also opened up resourced, and held want and hunger at planned on travelling on a missionary the opportunity for the richer members bay effectively for some 11 years. The venture to Spain, it was in Paul’s to give an amount that was greater than community of goods was not the interests that the Jewish and Gentile the tithe. To oversee the Jerusalem dismal failure some have imagined at Christians in Rome unite behind this Donation, Paul appointed collectors to all, but a resounding success – a venture, for he intended to make his collect the funds from Macedonian, testimony to the Christian truth that way to Spain via Rome itself (Rom. Corinthian, and Galatian churches. giving and sharing is indeed more 15:25). Once they had received those churches’ blessed than merely receiving. donations, they were to bring them to It also had a political aspect too, for This was something that Paul and the Paul, whereupon they would be taken Paul wished to unite the Gentile and churches of Corinth, Macedonia, and to the Jerusalem church (1 Cor. 16:2-4; Jewish worlds at a time when events Galatia clearly also understood, and the 2 Cor. 8:19-21). were escalating into what would fact that no further mention is made in become the First Jewish War (AD66- But even then, Paul did not rush those the Bible or other ancient sources about 70) – the war that pitted Rome against churches to collect funds for Jerusalem. further need by the Jerusalem church the Jews of Judea. Furthermore, it had a In fact, it was only in 57 that a sense of for any more donations from 57 to the social aspect, for it served to help unify urgency on Paul’s part is observable. In famine’s eventual end in 63, shows that all Jewish and Gentile Christians. But Paul’s epistle to the Christians in Rome, the years they spent collecting funds for first and foremost, Paul believed that written in that year, Paul told believers that church were certainly not in vain. this collection brought real spiritual there that, ‘Now, however, I am on my rewards. It brought pleasure to God, Daryn Graham is a doctoral candidate in way to Jerusalem in the service of the who always blesses “cheerful givers”, Roman history at Macquarie University Lord’s people there’ (Rom. 15:25). enlarging the harvest of their and a member of Hawkesbury District After writing this, Paul brought the “righteousness” and their admirable Presbyterian Church.

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SUMMER 2017/18 17 Rejoice in affliction

When we are unexpectedly laid aside Keith Weeks

bout 10 years ago I concluded during an operation and woke up no did not sin, nor did he curse God.” a short career as a school longer able to read. He is very thankful James draws on this example and teacher and took up a course of that he is saved by believing in Christ A applies it to believers who are suffering theological study. A year into that and not by being literate. What a relief by saying: “We count those blessed who course, at the age of 31, my health it is to know that Christianity is not, as endured. You have heard of the rather inexplicably took a turn for the the sceptic might say, a crutch for the endurance of Job and have seen the worse as I developed a raft of rather weak, but a stretcher for the helpless. outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the debilitating and distressing symptoms. I However, even as I’m comforted by Lord is full of compassion and is received various diagnoses, tried God’s grace, I must confess that I have merciful.” numerous drugs and supplements, and often struggled to know how God often felt an affinity with the woman in Sometimes elderly brothers or sisters wants me to live before Him in my the gospel that suffered much at the with declining health may find hands of many physicians. Eventually, I illness. What does trusting God and themselves wondering why they found myself in the too hard basket of following Christ look like when there is continue to live. What is the purpose of what my current doctors would call very little that you can do by any so many days and months and years of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The upshot normal standard? weakness? They might say something of all this has been that my course of In Paul’s letter to the Romans there is a like, “I don’t know why I’m still here. God must have more for me to do.” study was cut short and for the past simple instruction, “Be patient in Possibly, He may. But I suspect the decade I haven’t exactly been a affliction”. It’s a command that requires crucial thing is not whether we are able productive member of society. less activity, not more. It’s impossible to do much more but whether we love on the one hand without God’s What I wish to share here is simply a Him still. reminder of a few simple truths that strength, and yet it’s perfectly suited to have encouraged me and which I hope the weakest capacities of his suffering Thinking about passages of Scripture might be of some help to others who children. What a mercy it is that God’s that speak of patience or waiting on the may be walking a long and difficult path. command to us in our weakness is not Lord have been incredibly helpful and “pick yourself up and get it together”, comforting as I learn to navigate my When you find that you cannot work but simply “Be patient”. limitations. There have however also and you cannot properly look after been portions of Scripture which, if I’m yourself, it is a wonderful thing to The book of Job is also very comforting honest, have troubled me. know that you are saved by grace. in this regard. God’s test of Job did not When a person is too sick to make it require him to achieve or accomplish I remember at a very low point during regularly to church, it really is good anything, as his body was wracked with my illness, when I was worse than I am news that they are saved by grace and pain after having lost so much, but now, receiving a bunch of beautiful not by church attendance. The same simply to trust Him still. He is posters from a Christian sister. They may be said about daily bible reading. I commended not for what he did but contained various Scripture verses have a friend who suffered a stroke for what he didn’t do. “In all this Job which I subsequently put up on the wall of my bedroom. Verses like “Come “When a person is too sick to make it to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest” were regularly to church, it really is good news incredibly comforting and they that they are saved by grace and not by encouraged me to fix my hope on Christ. Another passage that talked church attendance.” about God’s people who “cry to Him

18 AP SUBSCRIBE FOR YOUR OWN FREE COPY AT AP.ORG.AU day and night” made me feel less alone “What God asked of me was something in my distress. Others had also cried out to God in distress and were known much simpler. He wanted me to talk to Him, and heard by Him. to find joy in Him and to thank Him.” There was, however, one quotation among them that initially stung. It was yet I failed over and over again. It was burden is light.” so discouraging. a poster with the words “Rejoice Finally, I also want to note just how always, pray without ceasing, in What God asked of me was something tempting it can be to use suffering as an everything give thanks; for this is God’s much simpler. He wanted me to talk to excuse for disobedience. The main reason will for you in Christ Jesus.” How can I Him, to find joy in Him and to thank “in everything give thanks” was (and do that? I thought. I didn’t feel very Him. What’s more, such is His sometimes still is) so troubling is not thankful at that moment, nor did I find understanding of our weakness that He ultimately because of my circumstances it easy to pray. However, it stayed on even says that if we are so weak that we but because of my sinful heart. my wall and as I looked at it again and can’t pray, we can ask others to pray for again over the following months and us (James 5). And if we don’t know The late John Kinnaird, who suffered years, I began to see what a kind and how to pray as we ought, His Spirit will from a severe form of cerebral palsy, gentle command this actually is. intercede for us (Romans 8). was often told by people that there must be a special place in heaven for As hard as this seemed, I had a better I still have much to learn about him, to make up for all he suffered chance at that particular time of rejoicing, praying and giving thanks. I here. His reply was that he didn’t becoming more thankful and knowing still need His grace to cover me for my believe in salvation by wheelchairs. Our more joy in the Lord, despite my failures here. But I’m also thankful that greatest need when we are sick is circumstances, than I had of regaining the work He gives me to do which ultimately the same as when we aren’t. my health. I had tried so hard to get really matters doesn’t require a We need His grace; grace to be saved, better (I think I must have seen at least particularly healthy body. The point of grace to endure and grace to die to sin 30 different doctors or health all this is simply to say that not only is and live to righteousness. practitioners in the first five or so years God’s grace a great comfort but also to of illness, and that doesn’t count all the say that “His commands are not Keith Weeks is a member of the Christian cyber ones referred by Dr Google!) and burdensome”. “His yoke is easy and His Reformed Churches

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13 – 16 March 2018 Speakers: Allan Blanch Iain H. Murray The Collaroy Centre Homestead Avenue David Jones Michael Prodigalidad Collaroy Ed. Loane Noel Weeks Sydney NSW 2097 Bookstall provided by Reformers Bookshop Registration & Enquiries to: Mrs Robyn Phillips, PO Box 29, Sylvania Southgate NSW 2224 Email: [email protected] Please visit www.banneroftruth.org to download programme details and booking forms

SUMMER 2017/18 19 Books

Changing Lanes, Crossing challenge. It will guide the reader’s the Church; everyday life; and joy and Cultures: understanding about the why, what, glory. Historical interest alone should how and when of cross-cultural make us want to read a book like this, Equipping Christians and ministry and will provide effective but there is more to it – there are churches for ministry in a strategies and practical insights. spiritual insights all through which culturally diverse society connect Reformation teaching to the This book is clearly structured and laid Andrew P. modern world. For example, “The out in six content modules with Schachtel, Reformation’s radical view of sin is why questions, breakout boxes to Choon-Hwa Lim, highlight key points, case studies, we sinners must throw ourselves on Michael K. work spaces for personal notes and God’s grace alone.” Wilson summaries of the various chapters. All of us can derive help from this clear Sydney: Great It is designed as a personal or group summary of the issues of the Western Press, study book with clearly enumerated Reformation. Here is Menno Simons 2016. sections for ease of reference. It also on church discipline: “No one is contains many very appealing (think excommunicated or expelled by us Paul Cooper cute!) Australian-themed line from the communion of the brethren Changing Lanes, drawing illustrations by T. S. Lim. but those who have already separated Crossing At the end of the book are several and expelled themselves from Christ’s Cultures is a book designed to equip important appendices which contain communion either by false doctrine or Christians and churches for their God- valuable information and a helpful by improper conduct. For we do not given ministry in a culturally diverse cross-cultural self-evaluation tool. want to expel any, but rather to receive; society. It is an Australian book written For any church or Christian serious not to amputate, but rather to heal; not for our context by experienced cross- about reaching out to its changing to discard, but rather to win back; not cultural workers Andrew Schachtel, community this book is a very good to grieve, but rather to comfort; not to Choon-Hwa Lim and the Presbyterian place to start. It is available from condemn, but rather to save.” Church’s own Michael Wilson. https://interserve.org.au/learn/resources There are very few better modern Why is such a book needed? Australia’s /books/ $18 plus $5 postage. introductions to the Reformation. population is made up of people who Paul F Cooper is a retired minister, now Peter Barnes is editor of AP have come from more than 200 a researcher at Christ College different countries, making us a very Learning about the Old multi-ethnic nation, particularly Why the Testament in our cities and increasingly so Reformation Allan Harman in our towns. These people who Still Matters Banner of now call Australia home often Michael Reeves Truth, 2017. have little meaningful and/or and Tim Chester sustained contact with Peter Barnes Christianity and they have little Wheaton: As a youngster, understanding of the gospel. Crossway, 2016. I think I would For their part, churches and Peter Barnes have welcomed Christians are often unsure how to This is quite a a helpful go about making meaningful splendid book – introduction contact with, and responding to, only a little over 200 pages but to the Old the missionary challenge of comprehensive in its scope and ideal for Testament – or at least I should have . For commending the gospel to our beginners and for experienced readers a paperback of some 125 pages, this is multicultural neighbours and needing a refresher. Eleven topics are simple yet comprehensive, and is a neighbourhoods. This practical and slightly enlarged revision of an earlier covered: justification; Scripture; sin; well-written book will assist Christians work published by Christian Focus. grace; the theology of the cross; union and Churches to respond to this with Christ; the Spirit; the sacraments; Professor Harman is well known for his

20 AP LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FACEBOOK.COM/APMAGONLINE wide-ranging scholarship but also his The first major part of the book gives a The third and last part of the book ability to write with a common touch. I broad overview of what God has been broadens and deepens the history with must confess to having the same doing across the national church over a chapter on the crisis and opportunity difficulties with one chapter that I the past 40 years. There are chapters on of global mission from Kevin Murray expressed with the earlier edition. It is the work in Queensland, Victoria, and then three chapters providing the chapter on The Covenant of Tasmania, South Australia and Western “views from the pew”. These chapters Creation, where Professor Harman Australia. It is always healthy to have remind us, on the one hand, that God’s expresses the view that the length of days our eyes lifted to the wider harvest field plans are cosmic in scope and, on the in Genesis 1 is not fixed, and then writes to see what the Lord has been doing. other hand, that God’s faithfulness of the curse following the Fall: “The But history can provide salient extends to the individual details of the effect of sin was not to introduce a new warnings too. For example, Ron Clark lives of his people. principle (death), but to alter the in his chapter on PCQ asks whether the Yet in all this, God calls us on. Bruce existing relationships so that life became much needed renewal of focus on the Meller muses that just as God refined burdensome”. Surely, the Fall did gospel post-Union has inadvertently, in Israel for a period of 40 years in the indeed usher in death, not just painful some quarters, led to what might be wilderness, “perhaps that same period inconvenience (e.g. Rom.5:12-21). called a reductive “gospel only” was also appointed to reorient the That criticism aside, this would be an theology which struggles to integrate Presbyterian Church and make it into ideal book for a study group wanting to the gospel with the whole counsel of an effective agent in God's global gain an overview of the Old Testament. God. Ron warns: “The church needs to mission of gospel-driven be on its guard that in rightly disciplemaking”. This book provides an Burning or Bushed: emphasising the centrality of Christ, encouraging and thought-provoking The Presbyterian Church and His saving work spelled out in the launch pad for the next 40 years of of Australia Forty Years On gospel, they may fail to give due mission. attention to the whole counsel of Ed. Paul F. Cooper Murray Smith lectures in biblical studies God which in effect is probably and David A. Burke at Christ College, NSW best seen as summarised in the Stanhope Gardens: confession. Failure here could Jesus and the Feminists Eider, 2017. lead to a pragmatic minimalist Who do they say that He is? Murray Smith theology” to detriment of the Margaret Elizabeth Kostenberger church’s life and witness. Forty years is long Crossway, enough to have made The second part of the book 2008. some mistakes that focuses on NSW with chapters on are worth reflecting the Demographics of the church, Mark Powell on, as well as to have Christian Education, Theological This was quite done some things Education, Women's Ministry, simply one of that are worth Presbyterian Social Services, Youth the best celebrating. And so David Burke and Work, and the Trustees and Church books I have Paul Cooper, together with the Structures. It closes with a broad ranging read in quite contributors to this book, have done us review chapter on NSW Presbyterianism some time. a real service in researching and writing 2001 –2016. These chapters successfully The author this book. Burning or Bushed opens combine a sober assessment of traces the with a concise chapter from Peter weaknesses, challenges, setbacks and history of Barnes on The process of Church failures, with thankfulness for what the feminist movement Union in Australia, which helps to God has done, and identification of and its impact upon the Christian explain not only what happened in opportunities for church through three main phases: 1977 but why it happened. the future. radical feminism, reformist feminism


       P Barnes (Christ College), R Bezzant (Ridley), S Bonnington, I Maddock (SMBC), J Mock, M ompson (Moore), R Ward
ree issues per year, $39 (PTC), J Hood (PTC, editor). $45. $20 with a subscription. rtr.org.au; [email protected] PO Box 635, Doncaster 3108 
      rtr.org.au

SUMMER 2017/18 21 and finally evangelical feminism. There lesbianism and even paganism. underestimate their significance, and is also a concluding chapter on how to particularly the significance of Tyndale’s This is a work that deserves to be on understand the Gospels from an work as a Bible translator. Five words every pastor’s shelf. For anyone though unbiased evangelical perspective which were especially important: the who has ever wrestled with the debate I really appreciated. surrounding “egalitarianism” (the roles of translation of presbuteros as “elder” Kostenberger summarises the positions men and women are interchangeable) rather than “priest”; ekklesia as of the main proponents of each view and “complementarianism” (that men “congregation” rather than “church”; and then offers a critique. She is both and women are equal in worth but metanoeo as “repent” rather than “do fair and insightful. When you consider different in function) then this book is penance”; exomologeo as just how much material she has to a must read. “acknowledge” or “admit”, not cover in doing this you really appreciate “confess”; and agape as “love”, not Mark Powell is associate pastor at just how clearly she has written. This “charity”. One could add to the list – Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, Sydney. could have been a dry and laborious for example, he translated charis as read but it isn’t – in fact, I found that I Introducing Tyndale “favour”, not “grace”, although that one couldn’t put it down and finished the Ed. John Piper and Robert has not stuck. whole book in less that 24 hours. Sheehan Ultimately, Tyndale was seeking to As the title says, the focus of the book is Banner of Truth, answer the question of whether the predominantly on how the Lord Jesus 2017. church defines the gospel (as related to women as recorded in the More believed) or the gospel Gospels. But she does also briefly Peter Barnes defines the church (as Tyndale interact with other passages (in William Tyndale’s believed). This is not some cranky particular Gal. 3:28) which have an debates with Sir and esoteric Reformation debate; enormous bearing on how many people Thomas More in it still speaks to us today, as Robert view the topic. the days of Sheehan’s epilogue shows. As an introduction to the English At the heart of her book though is the Henry VIII are Reformation, and to the more vital issue of hermeneutics (how one reads often regarded as issue of ‘What is the gospel?’ this and understands the Bible). She somewhat short work of about a hundred consistently brings the reader back to unedifying pages will prove a help to all who the question of whether it is the slanging make use of it. Scriptures or something else that is matches which have little to say to us driving one’s interpretation. Personally, today. John Piper’s introductory address Many of these books are available I was shocked to see how feminism has on Always Singing One Note is a at Reformers Bookshop, phone: become intimately connected to wonderful reminder that this is to (02) 9564 3555 web: reformers.org.au

Portland-Heyward Charge Seeks Minister This historic Presbyterian charge in beautiful south western Victoria is prayerfully seeking a reformed/Evangelical Pastor to shepherd and guide the Lord’s people here. Interested Ministers should contact Interim Moderator Rev Neil Benfell on 03 5562 7771 ([email protected]); or Session Clerk Alex Croft on 03 5527 9266 for details.

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SUMMER 2017/18 23 e

h LAST WORD Fools’ t gold

How the Golden Rule Peter Barnes is easily misinterpreted

any people will appeal to in verses 7-11 Jesus speaks of God’s friend to do for him. This omits, of the so-called Golden Rule as goodness to His people; and verse 12 is course, the framework of the law of God. Mto how they conduct their the application of this: we are to be Scripture warns us many times against lives – or how they think they conduct good to others. drunkenness, and even says that drunkards will not inherit the kingdom their lives. It is found in the Sermon on Whatever the case, the Golden Rule is of God (1 Cor. 6:10). Those people who the Mount: “So, whatever you wish not the centre of the gospel; it is not profess to follow Christ and who think that others would do to you, do also to even the centre of the law, which can be that the Golden Rule enables them to them, for this is the Law and the more accurately found in the two great vote in favour of same-sex marriage are Prophets’ (Matt. 7:12). commandments in Matthew 22:34-40. providing another example of what It is not uncommon to find this appealed In a real sense, Jesus says nothing in the Machen was warning against. to in the debate about homosexual Golden Rule that is startlingly new. In marriage, meaning that Christians the Old Testament the covenant people When the devil sought to deflect Jesus should support it because other people of God were told: “You shall not wrong from His divine mission, he cited Psalm support it. This is even contrasted to a sojourner or oppress him, for you 91 in order to encourage our Lord to what is called “the bully pulpit” where were sojourners in the land of Egypt” throw Himself down from the temple. the pastor is more directive on the issue (Ex. 22:21). Empathy is commended in The angels would save Him, lest He since he believes God is quite explicit. our dealings with all people, especially strike His foot against a stone (Matt. 4:5-6; The soft approach, to put it mildly, is those struggling in difficult and painful see Ps. 91:11-12). Jesus was unmoved: an odd argument, and could be used to circumstances. “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test” (Matt. 4:7; citing Deut. 6:16). justify almost anything. We can find similar ideas, either in the The point is that we do not become negative or positive form, in pagan The verse begins with the word “so” automatically godly simply by citing writers in ancient Greece, and in (NIV, ESV) or “therefore” (NKJV), Scripture. The devil cited Scripture. which seems to connect it with what rabbinic writings, and in Confucius has gone before. Calvin rejects this, and from China in the sixth century BC. So In the Golden Rule Jesus is speaking to says that the Greek word here really Jesus is only pressing home something His disciples. We are told to put means nothing; but that seems rather which was grasped at before, albeit in a ourselves in the other person’s situation. lame. According to Don Carson, Jesus rather frail way. We do not like being neglected, so do not neglect others. We do not like being is connecting verse 12 with all that has It is most important to recognise that a scorned and mocked, so do not scorn gone before, even going back to non-Christian will misuse verse 12. J. and mock others. We appreciate kindness Matthew 5:17-20, on the law. It is Gresham Machen pointed out that a shown to us, so be kind to others. We do probably more convincing to say that drunk would interpret it to mean that not like people borrowing from us and Jesus is connecting verse 12 with verses he should buy his friend another drink not paying back, so do not do that to 7-11. The connection seems to be this: because that is what he would want his others. A thoughtless appeal to the “A drunk would interpret it to mean that Golden Rule only takes us to a variation of the philosophy of Jerry Rubin the he should buy his friend another drink hippy: “If it feels good, do it.” The because that is what he would want his variation becomes: “If you think they feel good, let them do it.” The Golden Rule friend to do for him.” needs to remain golden, and not yellow.