NEW HORIZONS in the ORTHODOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

6 And Behold, I Am with You 10 Alone, But Never JULY 2020 Always // David J. Robbins Truly Alone // Mark E. Richline

IT’S COLOMBIA, NOT COLUMBIA

BY DANNY E. OLINGER // 3 VOLUME 41, NUMBER 7 New Horizons CONTENTS in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church Editor: Danny E. Olinger Managing Editor: Judith M. Dinsmore FEATURES Editorial Assistant: Diane L. Olinger 3 Proofreader: Sarah Pederson It’s Colombia, Not Columbia Cover Designer: Christopher Tobias By Danny E. Olinger Editorial Board: The Committee on Christian Education’s Subcommittee on Serial Publications 6 And Behold, I Am with You Always © 2020 by The Committee on Christian Education of By David J. Robbins The Orthodox Presbyterian Church. All rights reserved. 8 Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are A Christian Response to Death from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing By Carl R. Trueman ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (We use the 2011 revision.) Articles previously published may be slightly edited. DEPARTMENTS New Horizons (ISSN: 0199-3518) is published monthly except for a combined issue, usually August- 10 September, by the Committee on Christian Education Foreign Missions of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 607 N. Easton Alone, But Never Truly Alone Road, Bldg. E, Willow Grove, PA 19090-2539; tel. 215- 830-0900; fax 215-830-0350. 12 Christian Education Letters to the editor are welcome. They should deal with an issue the magazine has recently addressed. Review: The Theology of the Huguenot Refuge • Their language should be temperate, and they may not charge anyone with an offense. They should be brief, Favorite Psalms and Hymns and they may be condensed by the editor. 14 Send inquiries, letters to the editor, and other corres- Home Missions pondence to the editor at [email protected]. Introducing Two New Church Planters Send address changes to [email protected]. Allow 16 six weeks for address changes. Diaconal Ministries The digital edition (PDF, ePub, mobi) and an archive of An East African Church in Lockdown previous issues are available at www.opc.org. Views expressed by our writers are not necessarily 17 those of the editors or official positions of the Prayer Calendar Orthodox Presbyterian Church. 19 Copies are distributed free to members and friends Stewardship of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Nonmembers Using Our Abilities for the Kingdom are asked to donate $20.00 for an annual subscription (USD $30.00 if sent to addresses in Canada; $40.00 20 elsewhere abroad). A free e-mail PDF subscription is News, Views, & Reviews also available. Requests for a subscription should be sent to [email protected] or the address below. Periodicals postage is paid at Willow Grove, PA, and at additional mailing offices.Postmaster: Send address changes to New Horizons in the Orthodox Presbyterian Cover photo courtesy of Douglas B. Clawson Church, 607 N. Easton Road, Bldg. E, Willow Grove, PA 19090-2539.

The River of Life Food Pantry has been a part of the diaconal ministry of River of Life OPC in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, practically since the church began. Since COVID-19, its twice-a-month distribution has increased from 115 families to 180–200 families. Clients now must line up outside the pantry and then be checked in by volunteers in masks and gloves. Pastor William Slack prays over a loudspeaker to begin the ministry. Each distribution requires hours of volunteer effort before, during, and after. Pictured: Tina Slack assists with filling and moving bags of food for clients.

2 / NEW HORIZONS / JULY 2020 IT’S COLOMBIA, NOT COLUMBIA

DANNY E. OLINGER // “It’s Colombia, not Columbia.” Al- though I stood with my feet planted on the ground in this beautiful Latin American country, the popular t-shirt staring me in the face spoke volumes about just how little I knew about it. In preparation for addressing Reformed Christians in Colombia on the topic of

Christian education, I had written “Co- the conference, and since the added day learning. I was later told that they were lumbia” on all of my lessons. was a national holiday when more peo- always inviting people to church and What I found out in my week ple could attend, the change was made. were eager to teach Christ to children. teaching in Colombia on behalf of Mo- That first night, every seat was filled, The next day, Douglas and I met bile Theological Mentoring Corps of and questions flowed after my presenta- with Pastor John Sandoval, the orga- the Committee on Foreign Missions tion on the implications for Christian nizer of the conference. A decade earlier, (CFM) was not just the correct spell- education in Jesus’s Great Commission Pastor Sandoval and around ten others ing and pronunciation of the name, in Matthew 28—great, penetrating, in- started meeting in his home. Their core but the commitment of the Reformed sightful questions. Two young women, group eventually formed the Reformed Christians in that land to Jesus Christ. Camila Duque and Tatiana Quintero, Christian Church of Bucaramanga, I also learned more about the efforts of impressed me with their pedagogical the first conservative Reformed church CFM in seeking to assist these believers queries on how to present Christ to cov- there. Now, in his words, “we have about so that more confessional Presbyterian enant youth. Both public school teach- 150 members, thanks to the Lord!” churches might be established in Co- ers, they were new to the Reformed faith Since that time, the church- lombia. and were excited about what they were planting efforts of the congregation in Bucaramanga have extended to Eager Questions the neighboring cities Piedecuesta Douglas Clawson, associ- and Floridablanca. My transla- ate general secretary of CFM, tor for the lectures, Diego Tellez, and I arrived in Bucaramanga, was a member of the Piedecuesta population one million, for a con- congregation. Douglas and I later ference hosted by the three Re- found out just how courageous formed Christian Churches in the Diego and his wife, Ivonne, had Santander province. We were soon been in joining the small group of told that the conference had both believers at Reformed Christian been moved up by one day and Church of Piedecuesta. Ivonne’s lengthened to four days in total. Bogotá church member Camilo Hernández (from left) parents were co-pastors of one of There had been great interest in with Andrés Espinoza and translator Christian Castro the largest Pentecostal churches in

NEW HORIZONS / JULY 2020 / 3 Bucaramanga. It was assumed that Di- swered, “Get De Graaf ’s Promise and Wanting to see this method first- ego would be the successor to that min- Deliverance.” So, it was a joy to deliver hand, Pastor Espinoza and Elders Wil- istry and to all the financial benefits that this into eager hands. liam Rojas and Fredy Remirez asked if flowed from it, but Diego and Ivonne I shared with them who De Graaf I could teach a Sunday school class for instead embraced the doctrines of grace was, the history behind the volumes, and the children on the Lord’s Day with the in salvation, became cessationist in their the methodology that he advocated in parents and teachers present. I immedi- understanding of Scripture, and left that teaching. A Christian Reformed minis- ately agreed and told them that I would church. ter in the Netherlands, De Graaf origi- teach the story of David and Goliath Pastor Sandoval stated that his nally published the volumes in 1936 to from 1 Samuel 17. prayer for each congregation was that help Sunday school teachers present The children at my feet, and trans- the Lord would raise up ruling elders the stories of the Bible in a Christ- lator Diane Rachel Torres Mizar by my and deacons. He also asked us to pray fashioned way. In particular, he wanted side, I asked them why the story of Da- that he and the congregations would to help them tell the history of the Bi- vid and Goliath was in the Bible. Is this “remain faithful to the Word of the Lord ble to covenant young people. You use story in the Bible so that we might have and the Westminster Standards, as there whatever details the biblical account the courage to stand up to the bullies are many influences from the United offers, you get the children involved, of life? No, the passage shows us that States that are little inter- victory is the Lord’s. Just ested in being conservative as the Lord brings deliver- in doctrine and practice.” ance through his anointed servant, David, the most in- Bringing the Message significant of figures, so also of Christ from the Text the Lord brings deliverance After the fourth ses- though his anointed ser- sion, Douglas and I said vant, Christ. Christ is held goodbye to our new friends in no regard and despised in Christ and traveled to by others, but it is through Colombia’s largest city, his work that we are saved. Bogotá, where I repeated In 1 Samuel 17, the the conference at Iglesia armies of the Philistines Cristiana Bíblica Raah, a and Israel are facing one an- congregation that Doug- other in the Valley of Elah. las had visited numerous Olinger with the Sunday school class That none from Israel go times. Pastor Andrés Espi- forth to fight in the name of noza and his wife, Carolina, the Lord is a sign of the de- embraced Douglas and warmly greeted and you “paint pictures.” This form of cline of faith in Israel. When King Saul me. Pastor Espinoza said, “The church storytelling engages the children, but agrees to allow David to fight, he says, is very grateful to God for these seven its primary purpose is not to amuse. “Go, and the Lord be with you.” These years of friendship and fraternity with Neither is the purpose to reduce the words are everything to David, but Saul the OPC. We have been blessed by the text to a moral. The primary purpose is does not really believe that victory is conferences that they have brought us; to bring the message of Christ from the through the Lord. He immediately of- they have allowed us to grow in the un- text. The Scriptures speak of Christ, and fers David his armor, his trust being in derstanding of the Reformed faith.” the teacher’s aim in telling Bible history earthly might. Part of the reason that I had been should be the same as God’s purpose in When Goliath sees David, he de- invited to talk in both Bucaramanga and recording it for us in his Word. spises him as a “stick” fit only for a dog. Bogotá is that there is a scarcity of Re�- De Graaf believed that such an But Israel is delivered through this one formed Christian education materials approach was not only true to the text, who is insignificant in the eyes of oth- translated into the Spanish language. but also confronted the typical sin of a ers. David goes forth and slays Goliath. Douglas and I presented the Raah con- child’s putting himself or herself first. It is not David’s courage, nor his skill gregation with a Spanish translation of A child often believes that “life is about with the sling, that makes him the vic- the four volumes of S. G. De Graaf ’s me” and only has room in his or her life tor. It is the fact that the Lord is with Promise and Deliverance. When asked for God as long as God comes second. him. David goes forth in the name of what books I recommend for teaching Christian education endeavors to show the Lord of hosts against Goliath, children a Reformed, Christ-centered, the children God’s centrality in all of that all the earth may know that there covenantal view, I have always an- life. is a God in Israel, and that all this as-

4 / NEW HORIZONS / JULY 2020 sembly may know that the Lord saves formed believers in Colombia struggle of God’s Word is primarily about Jesus not with sword and spear. For the bat- with the choice between more faithful and not about themselves, their parents tle is the Lord’s, and he will give you materials on the one hand and more and pastors and elders and teachers into our hand. (1 Sam. 17:46–47) readily available popular materials on need to see it more clearly first. the other hand. Pray for these dear believers as We see here a picture of the com- In my final talk, I asked everyone at they endeavor to raise up their children ing Christ, the deliverer of his people. Iglesia Cristiana Bíblica Raah what the in the Lord. Pray that they will have We are more than conquerors because Christian education vow of both their Reformed Sunday school materials, in the one who was rejected and despised church and the OPC is. The answer Spanish, that are both Christ-centered has achieved the victory for us over his comes from the second baptismal vow: and covenantal to use in teaching their and our enemies. We go forward in faith “Do you promise to teach diligently to children. And, pray for Douglas Claw- trusting in him. [your child] the principles of our holy son and CFM as they seek to help the The Need for Reformed Resources Christian faith, revealed in the Scrip- brothers and sisters in Colombia to in Spanish tures of the Old and New Testaments show forth Christ in all that they do. and summarized in the Confession of The Mobile Theological Mentoring Faith and Catechisms of this church?” The author is general secretary of the Com- Corps conducts its work in that same If children are to see that every passage mittee on Christian Education. faith, hoping to assist pastors, elders, and other church members in sister churches in Colombia that they might see the centrality of Jesus Christ in all of life. Over the past eight years, Orthodox Letter from a Colombian Pastor Presbyterian ministers David Crum, Stephen Larson, Geoffrey Downey, by Andrés Espinoza Stephen Payson, Aijalon Church, James Dear brothers, receive greetings from our churches in Colombia. As always, Jordan, Lane Tipton, George Scipione, we are grateful to the Lord for the willingness of the OPC to support the Carlos Cruz, Chad Van Dixhoorn, and work in our country and for your prayers. Jonathan Falk, as well as ruling elders The grace of the Lord has sustained us, despite everything that is hap- David Nakhla and Miguel Flower, have pening in the world due to COVID-19. There are no sick among us, nor accompanied Douglas to Colombia, those in need. Even though we had anticipated a drop in the attendance of teaching on various aspects of Chris- the church, the opposite has happened. The brothers have been very gener- tian ministry, but always endeavoring to ous and so far, nothing has been lacking for the pastors of the presbytery. show the people Jesus. With that focus We have been in mandatory confinement for two months. During this time, the Lord has helped us as a church to show the love of Christ to in mind, they have taught on books of our brothers in need and to have a greater commitment to the work of the the Bible from the Old and New Tes- ministry. Families who’ve lost their jobs or suffered from shortages have been taments; the doctrines of God, man, adopted by families who are able to care for them. Our churches and the Christ, the covenants, soteriology, and presbytery have continued with all their activities in a virtual way, includ- eschatology; world vision; the diacon- ing the conferences that we had scheduled for this year. They doubled their ate; and the Westminster Standards. efforts in discipleship and counseling, since working and studying at home The constant response to the instruc- have brought new challenges for church families. tion presented to the Colombian be- Following the advice of David Nakhla, we have made plans to antici- lievers through the Mobile Theologi- pate the worst, expecting the best from God. These plans include changes cal Mentoring program proceeds in a to our budgets to spend only on necessary things and to save for what is two-fold manner. First, there is such joy coming worldwide. The Lord has also given us grace with the leases of the in hearing the Word of God clearly ex- church premises. We have made good arrangements to continue the work. We have also written to the government to request to be allowed to pounded. OPC instructors receive hugs meet while following the same security protocols that have been requested and handshakes along with such words from restaurants, gyms, and banks. We miss being able to commune with as “your teaching of the Reformed faith our brothers and to sit together around the Lord’s table together. has opened up the Bible to us like never We ask you to pray: 1) for the government to respond positively to before.” But, second, the immediate fol- our request; 2) for the Lord to help us to use our resources wisely during low-up question is, “Where can we get these times; and 3) that our brothers who have lost their jobs and are being the materials that you mention in your affected by COVID may be wise to undertake new jobs. talks published in our own language?” Beloved, may the grace of the Lord continue to sustain you. We pray for Due to a lack of available Reformed you. material in the Spanish language, Re-

NEW HORIZONS / JULY 2020 / 5 AND BEHOLD, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS

DAVID J. ROBBINS // “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). Jesus is with his people. Our faith and our evangelism depend entirely upon his presence. The church that Jesus said he would build would utterly fall and the Great Commission fail if he left us to struggle on alone.

His ascension does not mean that of our King and still imprisons many the tree a plot to curse the mission for he is absent: by his Spirit, in all his pow- in witchcraft, animistic sacrifice, and this teaching. But the Lord confused er and glory, the Lord himself is with us chronic sin. We are at war; yet Jesus is their plans: none of them were willing and in us and for us. And if God is for with his church, and his power is infi- to sacrifice the cow that was needed us, can anyone be against us? “Behold,” nitely greater. for the curse. We thank God for that. Jesus says. By faith, he calls his church There have been times when the There have been other times when to see and to observe, not only that he enemy seemed to be working especially church members resisted intense pres- is risen, but that he is with us. And if he hard. About two years ago, we intro- sure from unbelieving family to prac- is with us, his Word and Spirit should duced the community to a tract ex- tice witchcraft; or were able to persuade be evidently at work in us. plaining that because Christ came and others not to offer a sacrifice; or prayed, What a gracious thing it is to per- sacrificed his life for us, we must trust sometimes all night, and the power of ceive Jesus in and with his church in in him and leave behind the sacrifices of witchcraft or apparent demonic activity Karamoja, Uganda! the culture that do not please God. This was frustrated. God’s people here have provoked a reaction. A church member real faith because they know that their I Am with You Against the Powers even heard some men discussing under Jesus is really with them. of Darkness I Am with You in Trial and Much has changed in the Temptation twenty years that the OPC has labored in Karamoja. We are all A common saying here is so thankful that cattle raiding eyai Akuj, “God is there.” This has mostly stopped for now and is what you say when a person that there is peace in the region. is sick or has some problem at It is rare to hear gunshots these home. Sickness, sometimes se- days. Yet while battles between vere and debilitating, is very the various tribes and clans are common in Karamoja. Death is not common anymore, our great familiar. I have lost track of how adversary, the devil, remains many funerals I have been a part violently opposed to the reign A worship service in the village of Nakasien of these past four years. God is

6 / NEW HORIZONS / JULY 2020 there, it is certainly true, but only his escape through alcohol can be very ap- for area youth. They have done most of people know the sweetness and the pealing. the speaking and are growing in their power of the truth that Jesus is not just Drunkenness is a rampant and “ac- ability to open the Word of God with there, but also with us. ceptable” sin here. For a person to admit clarity and conviction. Lochap Emman- This past year a dear sister badly to drunkenness and accept the shame uel, who graduated from the mission’s broke her foot, but that did not stop of it requires special, unusual grace, es- Timothy Discipleship program, recently her from coming to worship every pecially in this culture. exhorted in public wor- week—dragging her cast through the So it amazed me when ship. Others have been thick mud that spanned the half-mile a brother who I knew instrumental in lead- between her home and the church. was struggling with this ing public worship and Her testimony of love for Christ in sin finally admitted it exhorting in the nearby her trouble is amazing proof that Je- in front of several other village of Nakasien, sus is with us, always. Another brother men and promised to where last year ten chil- who has often been very sick contin- leave alcohol entirely. dren were baptized. We ues to humbly trust the Lord. Others In another situation, a rejoice that the Lord is who have been assaulted by neighbors brother whose life was raising up such men to or have had their crops devastated by in total bondage to alco- lead his church! Please careless shepherds have forgiven for Je- hol came to his senses, pray for their protection Lochap Emmanuel exhorting sus’s sake. And as they do, many take grieving and repentant. and growth in Christ. with Maruk Mark translating comfort not in platitudes but in the Before the church, he (Reaching and disci- Word of God. confessed his sin and his pling the young women This is especially encouraging be- determination to follow Christ. around Nakaale has been more difficult, cause outward trials and inward temp- Not every story is so heartening. but even in this, we see Jesus beginning tations often go together. If you owe Some members of the local church are to work. Please pray for this.) money that you must urgently repay, under discipline for grievous sin. Two More and more doors for the gos- or if you don’t know what you will were recently excommunicated. Yet pel are opening, and now it is the Kari- feed your children tomorrow, or if your there is evidence that God’s people here mojong who are becoming missionar- neighbors are harassing you, then anxi- and around the village of Nakaale are ies. Four times so far, young men in the eties begin to mount and temporary growing in knowledge, righteousness, church have gone to a group of villages and true holiness. Their up the mountain to evangelize. Every trials are great, but they time, the reception has been truly amaz- love the Word of God, ing. Other villages closer to us are also and their path is grow- opening up, and our little band of evan- ing brighter and bright- gelists is thrilled. One place is even re- er in Jesus, because he is questing worship services. Other church with us. members are gathering their neighbors to read the Bible, going to funerals to I Am with You as You share the comfort of the gospel, or help- Go with the Gospel ing one another when there is a need. Such assurance! I There is a cost to all of these things, but Evangelism team (left to right) Lochap Emmanuel, am with you. We need Christ is worthy, and he is with us. We Loduk Joseph, Lokiru Timo, Chegem Mark not fear: our Savior is do not need to be afraid. present, even to the end Jesus is with his church. He is the of the age. Our broth- joy and the strength of his people every- ers and sisters here have where, and for all time. May he be seen growing confidence in in his church in Karamoja. Pray for us. his promise and growing obedience to his com- The author is an OP missionary in Na- mand to go and make kaale, Karamoja, Uganda. Although the disciples. missionaries in Uganda are now coping Last year, some ma- with government lockdowns and other re- ture young men in our strictions due to COVID-19, this piece was local congregation be- written in early 2020 and does not reflect Robbins baptizing in the village of Nakasien gan hosting conferences these new difficulties.

NEW HORIZONS / JULY 2020 / 7 A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO DEATH

CARL R. TRUEMAN // One of the most striking and memo- rable of William Blake’s many wonderful paintings is The Body of Abel Found by Adam and Eve. Here the artist imagines the moment when Adam and Eve find the corpse of Abel, the first victim not simply of murder but of fratricide.

To the left, Cain, terrified either by knew that Eve’s heartbreak was re- This is striking. Genesis casts a what he has done or the fact that he vealed more dramatically by hiding her veil over the agony of Adam and Eve has been discovered, flees the scene, face, so Genesis does not domesticate when Abel is torn from them, and yet his head surrounded by fire, symboliz- the moment by verbalizing it. here Abraham, the father of the faith- ing judgment, and the background—a ful, the man to whom the great promise Grieving in the Face of Death dark, volcanic sky—intensifying this. of God’s covenant love to his people is To the right, a horrified Adam stares I have thought about Genesis a lot made, is seen lamenting for his depart- in disbelief and accusation at his flee- during the past few months because ed wife. ing son. And in front of Adam, Eve Moses’s narrative of Creation and Fall In context, this might seem odd. bows in disconsolate despair over has to be foundational to any Christian Adam and Eve know what they have Abel’s body. Her face is hidden, but response to the coronavirus. Yet, in this lost in their expulsion from the garden. that simply enhances the agony of the context, what has come to strike me The promise given to them is one that moment: Blake knew that a mother’s most about the early chapters is what is is arguably quite vague and certainly grief in such circumstances transcends absent, what is not mentioned: grieving somewhat experientially muted in com- any artist’s ability to give it expression. in the face of death. It is not that grief parison to the judgment that has fallen The hiddenness of her tears reveals the would not have been there—Blake’s upon them and of which they would be depth of her agony. picture surely captures something of reminded every day. In contrast, Abra- The painting is, of course, a work what Eve must have felt. It is the fact ham knows that God has promised to of the poet’s imagination. The Bible that Moses chose to omit it. make his seed a light to all the nations. does not record the pain and sorrow Why? Well, any answer inevita- And in the aftermath of Genesis 22, he that Adam and Eve must have felt bly involves speculation, but perhaps a knows that God is powerful, mysteri- when they realized Abel was dead. later chapter provides a clue: Genesis ous, and will care for him and his off- Though death was an intrusion into 23, particularly verse 2. It is there that spring even in situations that are about God’s created order, Moses does not we find the first account of weeping in as dark and confusing as is possible to care to delineate the emotional pain the face of death when we are told that imagine. And, yet, he is the first man and confusion of this, the first murder, Abraham mourned and wept over the described as crying and mourning over and of these, the first parents. As Blake death of his beloved wife, Sarah. the death of a loved one.

8 / NEW HORIZONS / JULY 2020 That Moses chose this moment to he stands at the tomb of Lazarus, hav- or rationalize death in some vain effort point to this basic element of human ing just declared that he is himself the to make it make sense. It defies such existence—that death wreaks havoc resurrection and the life, Christ weeps. categories. It is an alien, unwanted in- not just on the one who dies but also If it is odd that the first act of mourn- truder into this world, turning what on those left behind—is very signifi- ing recorded in Scripture is that of the was meant to be a paradise into a vale cant. In doing so, he not only under- recipient of the covenant promise, how of tears. We should never pretend oth- lines the fact that the gospel promise much more mysterious and perhaps erwise. does not take away the pain of death; even disturbing is it that the one who We should therefore grieve the loss he also subtly suggests that the gospel is the very fulfilment of that promise of loved ones. It is good to have happy promise may actually intensify it. weeps at the tomb of his friend? memories of those who have died. It is This is an important lesson for While the mystery of Christ’s appropriate to remember with grati- Christians to learn. I have encoun- tears surely surpasses human finite tude the joy they brought us and the tered many Christians who struggle to understanding, one thing is clear: the wisdom they imparted. But their deaths know how to respond to cannot be canceled out by death. Everyone who has “celebrations of life” whose ever lost a loved one knows ultimate purpose seems to that the situation involves be to distract the bereaved agony and painful empti- from the full horror of what ness. And, yet, there is of- has happened. ten a nagging thought in Yet, as Paul says, we our minds that we believe grieve but not as those in the forgiveness of sins, without hope. Even as he that we believe in the res- wept at the tomb, Christ urrection and the life ever- knew what he was about lasting, and that we should to do. He did not stand therefore not feel the pain passive in his sorrow but of loss and the bleakness of rather pointed by his words bereavement, particularly if and then action toward the person died in Christ. the glorious hope of the The most tragic examples resurrection. And therein of this are those funerals lies the task of the church: where the broken-hearted The Body of Abel Found by Adam and Eve she is to help her members greet people with forced William Blake / Public domain understand the true horror smiles and barely contained of death and never senti- tears, doubly tormented by mentalize or pretend that their loss and by the guilt that they ex- promise does not cancel the present such does not exist—that would be an perience in feeling that loss. pain of death or circumvent grieving unrealistic, false, and thus disastrous Yet, the Genesis narrative is the and lamentation. In fact, the path from strategy. But, while giving death its first sign that this is not the case, that Abraham to Christ strongly suggests due, she must not stop there but point the promise does not cancel out death the opposite, that knowledge of the her people to the promise of the empty but rather sets it in a context that promise and the final victory of God tomb and the final resurrection. That is makes its immediate impact more dev- over death actually makes the reality of a hard balance, particularly when most astating. As Abraham mourns Sarah, death that much more devastating be- of us tend toward doom and gloom or he of all people on the face of the earth cause death is that which should never Pollyannaish optimism. But the fig- knows that this situation should not be, have been. Abraham knows something ures of Abraham and, above all, Christ that his love should not have been thus of what God must do to right the surely require that such balance be torn from his arms, and that he should wrong of death. Jesus knows exactly struck. Ours is not the despair of Eve in not be having to face the future without what God must do to right the wrong Blake’s painting. It is both more painful her. of death. And, in both cases, they are and yet paradoxically more hopeful. therefore aware of the full tragedy of The Mystery of Christ’s Tears the fallen human condition. The author is a minister in the Orthodox What we see in Abraham is only What lesson might we draw from Presbyterian Church and professor of bib- intensified and made yet more counter- this? Perhaps the most obvious is that lical and religious studies at Grove City intuitive in the Lord Jesus Christ. As we should not seek to sentimentalize College.

NEW HORIZONS / JULY 2020 / 9 FOREIGN MISSIONS

ALONE, BUT NEVER TRULY ALONE

// MARK E. RICHLINE Sunday morning worship at Salvos por Gracia in Montevideo, Uruguay

find that God seems out of reach. Living with Eyes Fixed on Jesus e have all felt it. As kids when the lights went out, we pulled up the covers and went to sleep as fast as we Certain changes took place in our mission at the begin- couldW so we weren’t lying alone in the dark. As adults, we sit ning of last year, leaving me as the sole ordained missionary in the pew in a crowded church but still feel alone. We all face leading a growing church in the city of Montevideo, Uru- loneliness at one time or another. guay. I found myself preaching and leading worship, teaching In our worst moments our aloneness grips us with icy membership classes, making challenging decisions, resolving cold fingers that hold us tight and won’t let go. It leaves us church conflicts, and training leadership, while developing feeling like nobody cares or no one listens, and that even our curriculum in Spanish and teaching a seminary class for the heavenly Father has left us to ourselves. first time. In addition, we faced a series of challenges with the One of God’s afflicted people lamented, “I am like a des- church building. I often felt overwhelmed and isolated. ert owl of the wilderness, like an owl of the waste places; I God’s words to Joshua as he faced leading Israel alone are lie awake; I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop” (Ps. just as much for me—“Be strong and courageous. Do not be 102:6–7). In his suffering, David cried out, “My God, my frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from . . . is with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:9). As Jesus sent his dis- the words of my groaning?” (Ps. 22:1). ciples into the world, he assured them, “I am with you always, We grope around in the darkness of our aloneness and to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). This promise is as much mine as it was theirs. God’s amazing promise of closeness is grounded in his finished work of reconciliation. Our Jesus took on himself our aloneness, being rejected by his people and deserted by the ones he was closest to, betrayed by one of them and denied by another. He was left suffering alone on a cross where his own Father had forsaken him. Jesus suffered the eternal separation from God and from all that is good—the suffering that we deserve for our sinfulness. His once-and-for-all-time being forsaken by the Father frees us from being truly alone ever again. When the cold, dark despair of loneliness creeps over us, we look to Jesus, “the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). Over the past year, I found that the more I fixed my eyes on Jesus, the more I rested in the Baptism of a new member Greeting a new member peace of his presence. As my eyes were on Jesus, he graciously turned my gaze

10 / NEW HORIZONS / JULY 2020 toward all those he placed around me whom I was neglecting Two of our sisters are also starting a monthly women’s group. to appreciate. My wife, Jeni, has been here for me, as she has I delight to see others lead these ministries and thrill to watch been for the past twenty-six years, walking with me through our Lord work in and through his people. trying times. Our children here and in the States have con- We wait on the Lord to send us another missionary stantly provided me with sweet encouragements. family to help us mature this work while beginning another I also turned to Steve and Carrie Hill, our missionary one. Meanwhile I keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. Every day I associates who served with us last year. Our times of devotion seek him for his wisdom in this ministry and give him all my and fellowship around freshly baked cinnamon rolls strength- thanks for the ones he has placed around me. I have never ened my weary heart. They worked faithfully alongside us, been truly alone, and I never will be. taking initiative to meet the needs of our church members. Back home, the Lord was moving others to keep me en- The author is an Orthodox Presbyterian missionary in Montevi- couraged in love and prayer. In one of my toughest moments, deo, Uruguay. my spirit lifted when a longtime friend mentioned that he had been praying every day for the work here. Another good friend from one of our California churches recently men- tioned that they pray for our family in every evening service. COVID-19 Ministry and Relief Our general secretaries of the Committee on Foreign Mis- sions have come to my rescue several times with counsel and Montevideo’s economy is suffering due to COVID-19; the closure of businesses has made work very scarce. To re- prayer. Two brothers from my presbytery have also regularly spond, Salvos por Gracia began a weekly food distribution taken time out of their busy schedules to call and encourage effort at their location in the center of town at the begin- our mission. Then I think of all of you who have faithfully ning of March. Every Thursday, members of the church and sent us birthday and anniversary cards for years. I have come community come up to the church window to talk, pray, to realize that I will never fully appreciate just how many of and receive a basket of food including flour, oil, sugar, rice, his children God moves to remember our Montevideo min- beans or lentils, pasta, sauce, tuna, milk, tea, jelly, and a bar istry. I am not alone. of soap. Since March, the church has distributed over fifty food baskets. A Church Family in Montevideo “The response has been amazing,” Jeni Richline writes. At the same time, our Lord showed me how he is trans- “One family insisted on cooking us a hot meal made from forming our five-year-old church plant from a missionary- the simple ingredients in the food basket. ‘Praise the Lord’ driven work to a vibrant church family directed by its own was their reaction last week after accepting the food. An- other week, I received a message on my phone: ‘Thank you, leadership. Every Sunday from April through November, we’re excited to have black beans, Aleluya, Aleluya!’” we welcomed at least one new visitor to our worship service. The ministry has also been an opportunity to make During the week, many local people stop in from the street contacts with others who are distributing resources. One looking for assistance, which we provide as we are able. business donated hotdogs and sausage for the church to Believers who recently moved from troubled places like give along with the rice, flour, beans, and oil. Another Cuba and Venezuela have appreciated our Reformed minis- couple let the Richlines know that they could send people try and have become members. Another Cuban couple has to them for a hot meal recently started attending. A Venezuelan couple is meeting once a week. with me for premarital counseling. One young Uruguayan In May, having just publicly professed her faith in Christ and was baptized. exhausted their funds, She now brings her mother to worship. Three others who Salvos por Gracia have been attending for a while have expressed their grati- requested relief aid from the Committee on Dia- tude for the church and will soon begin a membership class. conal Ministries, which Church members are engaging in the work—cleaning gave an initial gift of and maintaining the building, greeting people at the door, $1,000. The church providing snacks after services, encouraging one another with hopes to continue this Scripture texts on social media, running online radio broad- ministry of giving bas- casts, and inviting others to church activities. Our two el- kets of food for six more der nominees are taking on more responsibilities in assisting months. If you would me in ministry. One of them has assured me that he is not like to contribute to the a “bench-warmer” and consistently looks for more ways to COVID-19 Pandemic serve. He now leads the church in evangelizing residents in a Mark Richline distributing food Response Fund, go to local retirement home. Two other men are leading a monthly give.opc.org. men’s group where we study A.W. Pink’s The Attributes of God.

NEW HORIZONS / JULY 2020 / 11 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION REVIEW: THE THEOLOGY OF THE HUGUENOT REFUGE // WILLIAM EDGAR the subject. Studies abound on the theology developed during the Edict of Nantes, which granted Protestants substantial rights in France in 1598. One thinks of Bernard Cottret’s magisterial book, Le siècle de l’édit de Nantes (Paris: CNRS, he French have given Protestantism a mixed reception. 2018). And volumes have been written on the history of the A number of years ago the Minister of Finance, Alain “Desert” period in Huguenot history, but there is relatively Peyrefitte,T himself a Roman Catholic, wrote a two-volume little focusing on the theology of that Desert era. The present work entitled Le mal français (French evil, or what is wrong volume goes a long way toward filling that aperture. with France). His conclusion? The banishing of the French This anthology comprises the contributions of eleven Calvinists known as the Huguenots in the eighteenth centu- authors. While there are a few drawbacks to an anthology, ry. In so doing, France missed a great chance to benefit from such as overlap and some—a very few—omissions, there is their talents and hard work, and in the bargain delayed—by remarkable harmony in this volume. It is organized into two decades, if not centuries—the move into modernity with its major sections, (1) the history of the revocation of the Edict commitment to pluralism. of Nantes and ensuing decades and (2) various significant in- Today in France, awareness is better, but still low. The dividuals considered. The first essay, by Jeanine Olson, is one press regularly characterizes Evangelicals of the best short introductions to the history as a sect or cult. Fortunately, certain Evan- of the Huguenots that I have encountered. gelicals with credibility, such as scholar She not only covers the period under review Sebastien Fath, have been able to counter but brings us up to date in France and the this view with more or less success. There is world. The other four historical examina- still polarization. Charles de Gaulle’s wife, tions are first-rate. Then in the second part, Yvonne, would never, on principle, invite a the choice of figures to study is good, in- Protestant into the house. When I was a cluding Pierre Jurieu, David Martin, Claude youth, growing up in Paris, our literature Brousson, Jacques Basnage, and Antoine textbook cited John Calvin as a good writer Court. I could have wished for a piece on (or but obsessed with predestination. In 2009, mention of ) Marie Durand, prisoner in the the five hundredth anniversary of Calvin’s Tower of Constance for thirty-eight years, death, many French people suddenly real- whose letters to Paul Rabaut and others are ized that this brilliant man was French, not deeply spiritual. But where would the list Swiss! And in recent surveys, the French Reviewer William Edgar stop? sometimes realize that they have great ap- Some Huguenots stayed in France, but proval of Protestant values. Often without many fled to places such as Holland or Prus- being familiar with their history, French people will tick “Hu- sia or Great Britain, from which they could minister in ab- guenot sympathies” on surveys. sentia to those who stayed. Nearly all the persons discussed A careful reading of The Theology of the Huguenot Refuge, had great concerns for Reformed Christians in France living edited by Martin Klauber, should bring a good deal of light to under heavy persecution. Often writing from Holland, the

12 / NEW HORIZONS / JULY 2020 exiled leaders encouraged the people with different degrees of severity. “Nicodemism,” or converting to Protestantism Favorite Psalms and Hymns while outwardly continuing Roman Catholic practices, was sometimes roundly condemned, but at other times consid- Trinity Psalter Hymnal no. 73A ered a necessity. If the Apostle Paul could legitimately escape “Surely God Is Good to Israel” persecution by traveling from place to place, so could the Hu- Bryan D. Estelle guenots. Claude Brousson, the “bellicose dove,” declared that God was punishing France for persecuting Protestants. After Editor’s note: A deeper understanding of the biblical text will fleeing the country several times, he was finally caught and enrich our singing of Psalm 73. died a horrible death, but defiantly quoting the church’s most Psalm 73 is a masterpiece of “reorientation.” What I notable martyrs. mean by this is that the psalmist is very honest about his personal struggles. In fact, so much so, that some of his Many engaged with apocalyptic concerns. Some of the comments (in vv. 2–16) sound almost blasphemous. How- Huguenot prophets were rare birds, claiming the voice of ever, by the end of the psalm, we observe the poignancy of God’s Spirit to preach or even trying to reproduce biblical his change, primarily brought about by a faithful attendance miracles. A number, including Jurieu, Basnage, and Daniel de to the means of grace. Superville, engaged in interpreting the times using language Verse 1 starts out with a summary statement of faith from Daniel or Revelation. and belief. “Surely God is good to Israel.” But then the tone During the eighteenth century, polemics were strong. changes drastically. He recounts in vv. 1–16 how he almost Christian apologetics against Roman Catholics were wide- abandoned the faith. With brutal honesty, he wonders if he spread. David Martin and Jacques Abbadie are typical of should even recount his doubts publicly, because it might Huguenot apologists who reacted to the rationalism of the cause covenant youth to stumble, so desperate is his plight Enlightenment, arguing as they do (v. 15). for biblical authority in matters of Verse 17 is the pivot point, the entire turning of the psalm. Before the psalmist was “brutish,” but now he un- history and cosmology. Protestants derstands their end [i.e., the wicked]. Previously, he had no fought among themselves as well. realizations of God’s ways in the world. Now he under- Several of the more conservative stands the mystery of iniquity and of God’s sovereignty. The Huguenots debated Pierre Bayle’s justice of God will triumph eventually. He has learned this ideas. Others, such as Jacques Sau- adult faith in the schoolhouse of prayer. rin, were more retiring, preaching Unlike the original psalmist who stumbled and fell, on the love of God without revisit- Christ has persevered. Trusting in the goodness of his ing the controversies of the previ- heavenly Father, Christ persevered even in his darkest hour The Huguenot cross ous century about his sovereignty (Luke 22:43). We should not give up on the Christian and our free will. convictions that God has set within our hearts, even in the While there were a few published theological tomes, of- most bewildering of times. This should be the case even ten funded by friends from Holland, Switzerland, or Great when we struggle to understand God’s ways in the world as this psalmist did. Britain, much of the material presented here, understandably, Just as the pivot point for the original psalmist was ex- is either in sermons or in correspondence. An entire chapter periencing God’s presence and perspective in the sanctuary, is devoted to a single sermon by Antoine Court, the most exactly so God continues to provide for our needs in the influential pastor to the refugees in the Desert. A largely self- new covenant period by giving us a picture of our turbulent taught, tireless minister, Court founded a seminary in Laus- world from the vantage point of the world to come in our anne whose diplomas were dubbed certificates of death, since weekly worship with him. graduates would return to France to encounter Louis the XIV’s dragoons and be executed or sent to row themselves to death in the king’s war galleys. Addressed to his widowed I am writing this during the COVID-19 pandemic, which mother, the sermon is a wide-ranging meditation on the presents a different kind of persecution, but requires the same providence of God and the hope of the New Creation. wise theological reflection. A few of the omissions in this volume are surprising. It might have been useful to define “Huguenot” or try to explain The author is professor of apologetics at Westminster Theological the origins of the word. Also, there is no mention of Maria- Seminary. Cristina Pitassi, who has done much of the heavy lifting on the theology of the eighteenth century. Nevertheless, this an- The Theology of the Huguenot Refuge: From the Revocation thology is excellent. Indeed, everything Martin Klauber does of the Edict of Nantes to the Edict of Versailles, edited by turns to gold. These extraordinary believers, whom I count Martin L. Klauber, Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage, 2020. in my own ancestry, are a great inspiration, the more so as Paperback, 314 pages, $19.00.

NEW HORIZONS / JULY 2020 / 13 HOME MISSIONS INTRODUCING TWO NEW CHURCH

PLANTERS The Seufert family on the front porch of their new home, right across the street from Mission OPC

a church that was also a wonderful fit. In fact, both churches issued a call nearly simultaneously. The decision was tremen- PROVIDENCE IN ST. PAUL dously difficult. The reason for the difficulty was God’s- abun dance. In July, after much consideration, we accepted Mission’s by Michael J. Seufert offer. In October 2019, we moved to St. Paul, Minnesota. And we were off! Editor’s note: This article was written in March, prior to the In November, the church held the annual Bold North upheaval in Minneapolis-St. Paul following the death of George Conference on Reformed Theology, featuring Rev. Dr. John Floyd. Mission OPC is a few miles from the primary protest loca- Currie and Pastor Tim Challies. In December, churches tion in St. Paul. Please keep Mission and its leadership in prayer. throughout the area came out in support as I was installed as s I consider how God called my family to Mission Mission’s pastor. In March 2020, we held our annual Zwingli OPC in St. Paul, Minnesota, I am struck by the mystery Sausage Supper, an evening of sausage and theology, which this ofA providence and the kindness of our God. year featured Dr. David VanDrunen. All the events have been a In March 2016, my wife and I visited St. Paul for a wed- blessing and well attended. ding. We returned to Washington, DC, remarking that St. Paul The regular life of the church and the ministry of the Word would be a nice place to raise a family. At the time, I was begin- also commenced, gathering for worship morning and evening ning in a graduate program and serving as a PCA pastor in the around the means of grace. The church has been encouraging DC metro area. Life beyond DC seemed remote. in its warm reception, and I am grateful for the elders’ shared In November 2018, a former member of my congrega- desire to care for Christ’s sheep according to Christ’s call. Our tion moved to St. Paul and joined Mission. He wrote that a hearts are joined in the desire to see the church gathered and well-loved interim pastor, David King, was serving the saints sustained around the means of grace; to see Christ exalted there. Soon the church would begin a formal pastoral search. week in and week out as the whole counsel of God is set forth; He asked if he could submit my name. I agreed, but did not to see the church grow in faith, hope, and love; and to lift the immediately think much of it, as I was committed to finishing saints up in prayer. my studies before accepting a full-time call anywhere. Additionally, I had always envisioned living close to the In February 2019, the search committee at Mission for- church building, extending hospitality to the immediate neigh- mally asked if I would stand as a candidate for minister. I was set bors and becoming a part of the life of the community. The to finish seminary in spring, near the time the church planned church was enthusiastic about this and the neighborhood it- to enter the final stages of their search. That summer, my family self is ideally suited for it. In mid-March, the house across the and I traveled to St. Paul to meet with the church face to face. street from the church went up for sale. And now, as I write It was immediately obvious that both the church and the city this, in three days’ time, we are set to close on this house. were a good fit for my family. My wife felt at home. Both our We are overwhelmed by the wisdom and the kindness of hearts warmed to the congregation. They had been through a God. Please do pray for us. We are encouraged by this begin- difficult season. We were coming off a difficult season. We had ning, and we trust the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ both tasted the sustaining grace of the Lord. We were both to provide for us and sustain us. eager and excited to transition into a new season. There was one wrinkle. I had received another call from The author is a church planter in St. Paul, Minnesota.

14 / NEW HORIZONS / JULY 2020 came under the oversight and nurture of Limington OPC, CHRIST’S PROMISE IN MAINE worked out the many logistical details, and secured faithful men who traveled long distances week after week to lead wor- by Micah Bickford ship. was once asked about church planting while at seminary. Through the initial stages God provided a consistent core I quickly replied that it wasn’t for me. group committed to the truths of Scripture, growing in love I In Matthew 16:18, Jesus promises, “I will build my and care for one another, and dedicated to seeing the gospel church.” The story of Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church in of Jesus Christ impact the community. In June 2017, I began Farmington, Maine, is the story of God’s sovereign providence serving as stated supply. as Christ fulfills his promise to Today, Grace Reformed con- build his church, even in rocky, tinues steadily onward. The gospel rural Maine. is being preached at an old Unitar- Some years ago, my family ian meetinghouse near the heart of and I were visiting my childhood Farmington that we rent from the lo- home in Maine when we drove cal historical society. Our people are past an empty church. I keenly active in developing relationships in remember turning to my wife their communities and fostering the and describing to her the over- fellowship of the body of Christ. whelming feeling I had of the ur- Maine is a state of rugged natu- gent need of the people in Maine ral beauty and fiercely hard-working for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I people. It is a land of ever-changing returned to seminary in Phila- seasons and independent commu- delphia never expecting to call nity. Church planting in Maine is a Maine home, much less be called long-term investment in hard, rocky to plant a church here. soil that desperately needs life that Just two years later, my fam- only Christ can give. Relationships ily had an unexpected opportu- take time to build, trust takes time nity to move to Maine. For the The Bickford family in front of Grace Reformed Pres- to establish, and growth takes time first few years, I telecommuted to byterian Church’s meeting place, a historic building to root. my longtime job at Westminster Jesus finishes his promise in Bookstore. In 2015, at a cross- Matthew 16:18: “I will build my roads in my career, I began receiving requests from several lo- church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” In- cal churches to fill their pulpits. The more opportunities I had deed, Christ is at work building his church. There are many to share God’s Word, the more a passion for being a pastor bright beacons of hope in Maine as the gospel takes root in was kindled. One of those opportunities was at Grace Re- places where it has been long forgotten. Old churches are be- formed, not far from where we lived. ing revitalized and new churches planted. I am truly thankful Grace Reformed began in 2013 when several families to be part of this work of the OPC in Maine. with Reformed convictions in the greater Farmington area As we seek to be faithful stewards of the gospel of Jesus began gathering for a Bible study to consider the possibil- Christ in Farmington, please pray: ity of planting a confessionally Reformed church. Nestled in 1. For an ever greater love for the lost, urgency to pro- western Maine, Farmington is a university town, agricultural claim the gospel, and wisdom on how to offer Christ as community, and year-round vacationland of mountains, lakes, Lord and Savior. forests, and rivers. 2. For a growing love and knowledge of Jesus Christ Over the next several years, many people sacrificed time and deepening care for one another. and poured out their love on this small congregation as they 3. For God to bring growth so that Christ is glorified as petitioned presbytery to be organized into a mission work, he builds his church. 4. For God to raise up additional men to be trained for the offices of elder and deacon. 5. For faithfulness as we map out a course toward be- Home Missions Today coming a particularized church. For up-to-date news and prayer requests, receive our newsletter by emailing The author is a licentiate of the Presbytery of New York and New [email protected]. New edi- tions: July 8 & 22. England approved as stated supply in Farmington, Maine, and preparing for ordination this fall.

NEW HORIZONS / JULY 2020 / 15 DIACONAL MINISTRIES

AN EAST AFRICAN CHURCH IN LOCKDOWN

// JUDITH M. DINSMORE (Left) Sunday school teachers in West Pokot, a remote region in eastern Kenya, and (right) Pastor Joseph Mutemi, moderator of the AEPC

about church, we should be talking about people in covenant hile the United States and Europe may be slowly together. But the people have scattered, to the point that you opening as COVID-19 recedes, East Africa, home to cannot tell where they are,” Mutemi said. “The church mem- theW African Evangelical Presbyterian Church (AEPC), is still bers have disappeared.” aggressively locked down as the number of new cases is on Many went back to their rural homes. Urban Kenyans the rise. The AEPC was founded in Kenya in 1962 and now often have two homes—one in the city, where they work, and has 105 congregations, including some in the Democratic Re- one in the village that they come from. “There, it’s a bit cheap- public of Congo. It is a sister denomination to the OPC; their er,” Mutemi said. “You’re not going to rent a house, maybe you fraternal ties extend back for decades. But the AEPC’s future can get food from a shamba [neighborhood garden].” will likely be dramatically changed by COVID-19. Without members, many pastors in the cities are also “The effects of the coronavirus on the AEPC are disas- without income. Mutemi keeps in touch with them over the trous,” said Joseph Mutemi, moderator of the denomination. phone—and through the water, power, and sanitation bills In Kenya, churches are not allowed to meet. The whole coun- from these churches that land on his desk. try is under a strict 7 p.m. curfew. The four counties along the In mid-May, a group of pastors approached the head of coast are in lockdown. No one may enter or exit the major state and asked that the churches be allowed to open once cities, including Nakuru, where Mutemi lives and pastors a more. But the government was adamant that the ban on gath- 150-member congregation. ering cannot be lifted. “We were shocked because we all ex- These restrictions are disastrous for the AEPC because pected the government to allow us to meet outside and ob- it is not a wealthy church, Mutemi explained. The AEPC was serve more of those guidelines.” begun in rural and semi-arid east Kenya. About 70 percent They were told to meet via the internet—but no AEPC of AEPC churches are still in this region. Its members and church can afford that, members or pastors. “We have no pastors are subsistence farmers. “Life there is not very good hope here except God, who is our hope,” Mutemi said. As because people are poor,” Mutemi said. “Most of the time, they Kenya moves into its second month of lockdowns, he knows don’t have rain.” If they do have a year of rain, they know that the AEPC needs to plan for the future. “Our ministry still they can expect two or three years without rain. Recently, a continues. Jesus sent us to preach the gospel. We cannot say, ‘It locust plague is threatening farmers as well. is a time for corona, we cannot preach Jesus.’ We have to,” he The other thirty percent of AEPC churches are in Nai- said. “The AEPC is a very small church. But God is wonder- robi, Nakuru, and Mombasa. When those city churches were ful. [Our] footprint cannot get lost. He likes it.” planted, it was by these poorer families in the eastern region. In April, the AEPC requested $9,500 in relief aid from “Most of our churches in urban areas were started in what the Committee on Diaconal Ministries, which gave an ini- I can call slums,” Mutemi said. If you could fly over the re- tial gift of $2,000. That was distributed among twenty- gion where Mutemi lives, for example, you’d look down to see nine AEPC pastors. If you would like to contribute to the nothing but rusted corrugated metal as roofs. COVID-19 Pandemic Response Fund, go to give.opc.org. “Almost 95 percent of our pastors are seriously impacted Mutemi concluded, “Knowing that you have brothers and by this virus because they are depending either on subsistence sisters who are also praying for you, praying with you, it is so farming in the rural areas or, in the urban areas, on the giving amazing. It gives courage, especially in a time like this.” of their church members,” Mutemi said. And due to COV- ID-19, the city churches remain in name only. “When we talk The author is managing editor of New Horizons.

16 / NEW HORIZONS / JULY 2020 PRAYER CALENDAR JULY

Charles and Connie Jack- son, Mbale, Uganda. Pray for 6 area churches and their work of diaconal relief. / Summer The Peppos interns: James Stafford at New The Allards Covenant Community in Joliet, IL, and A. J. (Chelsea) Millsaps at Calvary OPC in Glenside, PA. Brad & Cinnamon Peppo, Matthew & Lois Cotta, Pasade- Dayton, OH. Pray for First Street Missionary associates Dr. Jim & 11 na, CA. Pray for wisdom for the 1 Reformed’s ministry to the immi- Jenny Knox, Mbale, Uganda. session at Pasadena Presbyterian grant community. / Abby Hart- 7 Pray for fruitful witness to ter- Church. / Summer intern Grant ing, office secretary for Christian minal patients at Joy Hospice. / (Stormie) Allard at Christ Cov- Education, and Annelisa Stud- Ron & Carol Beabout, Mif- enant in Amarillo, TX. ley, office manager. flintown, PA. Pray for the ministry at Grace and Truth OPC. Pray for Mr. and Mrs. F., Asia, Ben & Heather Hopp, Haiti. Pray 2 that the Lord would strengthen 12 for the work of the Holy Spirit as the relationships among the Home Missions administrative the Hopps train VBS leaders in members of the provisional assistant Katharine Olinger. / Port-au-Prince. / Shane & Rach- presbytery. / Home Missions 8 Yearlong interns Seob (Rachel) elle Bennett, Grand Rapids, MI. associate general secretary Al Kim, Rockford Springs Commu- Pray for elder training at Refor- Tricarico. nity Church in Rockford, MI, and mation OPC. Seth (Eva) Dorman, Limington Pray for the associates in Asia OPC in Limington, ME. Associate missionaries Octavius this summer, that they may be a & Marie Delfils, Haiti. Pray for 3 daily witness to the students they 13 their and the church’s protec- teach online. / Danny Olinger, Heero & Anya Hacquebord, tion in an unpredictable eco- general secretary of the Commit- L’viv, Ukraine. Pray for wisdom to nomic situation. / Summer intern tee on Christian Education. 9 know when and how to restart Dustin (Emily) Karzen at Branch worship services. / Pray for of Hope in Torrance, CA. students in MTI online summer classes: Ecclesiology (Troxel), Pray for , , Win- Lacy (Debbie) Andrews Hebrew Refresher (Patton), and Calvin & Connie Keller regional home missionary for ston-Salem, NC. Pray for a new Reformed Worship (Clary). 4 the Presbytery of the Southeast. 14 meeting facility for Harvest OPC. / Mr. and Mrs. M., Asia. Pray for / Pray for those OP missionaries a good transition for their family Pray for Dave (Elizabeth) who will be unable to enjoy the into new responsibilities this fall. 10 Holmlund, regional home encouragement of short-term missionary for the Presbytery volunteers, due to COVID-19. of Philadelphia. / Affiliated mis- sionaries Jerry and Marilyn Mark and Carla Van Essen- Farnik, Czech Republic. Pray for Ben & Melanie Westerveld and 5 delft, Nakaale, Uganda. Pray for new outreach plans as summer 15 missionary associate Alethea transitions as their oldest son teams have been restricted from Flores, Quebec, Canada. Pray Joshua returns to the US. / Sum- travel. for online summer camp plans. mer intern David (Leah) Vogel / Summer intern Dustin (Amye) at Redeemer Presbyterian in Thompson at Trinity Presbyterian Charlotte, NC. in Medford, OR.

NEW HORIZONS / JULY 2020 / 17 PRAYER CALENDAR JULY

Assoc. missionaries Christopher & Chloe Verdick and Leah Hopp, 21 Nakaale, Uganda. Pray for the clinic staff to be encouraged in their work and faith. / Home Missions general secretary John Shaw.

The Folkerts family The Richline family Pray for affiliated missionaries Dr. Mark & Laura Ambrose, 22 Cambodia, and the spiritual Assoc. missionaries James & Es- growth of the Family Clinic staff./ Mark & Jeni Richline, Montevi- ther Folkerts, Nakaale, Uganda. Paul & Sarah Mourreale, West deo, Uruguay. Pray for the Lord 16 Pray for open doors and hearts Plains, MO. Pray for growth at 27 to raise up another full-time mis- for the gospel in this COVID-19 Covenant Reformed Church. sionary. / John Fikkert, director season. / Summer intern Eugene for the Committee on Ministerial (Katherine) McKinnon at Christ Michael & Samantha Seufert, Care, and Melisa McGinnis, OPC in Marietta, GA. St. Paul, MN. Pray for the endur- controller. 23 ance of Mission OPC. / Yearlong Gregory & Ginger O’Brien, interns Damon (Elisabeth) Pray for Mike (Elizabeth) Downingtown, PA. Pray that the Young, First Church, Merrimack, Diercks, area home missions 17 Lord would continue to raise up NH, and Ben Petersen, Cov- 28 coordinator for the Presbytery of disciples. / Pray for the Ethio- enant Presbyterian, Abilene, TX. Ohio. / Retired missionaries Cal pian Reformed Presbyterian & Edie Cummings, Brian & Doro- Church, that the Lord would thy Wingard, Greet Rietkerk, and raise up more leaders. Pray for David & Rashel Robbins, Young & Mary Lou Son. tentmaking missionary Tina De- 24 Jong, and missionary associates, Kevin & Rachel Medcalf, Cum- as they consider travel plans. / Nicholas & Rosemarie Lammé, 18 ming, GA. Praise the Lord for Jacey (Julie) Davison, church- 29 Houston, TX. Pray for the Lord’s new members at Providence planting intern at Grace Fellow- blessing as this mission work Presbyterian Church. / Loan ship in Zeeland, MI. approaches its ending. / Foreign Fund manager Mark Stumpff missions general secretary Mark and database coordinator Char- Bube and associate general sec- lene Tipton. Pray for OPC deacons and retary Douglas Clawson. Disaster Response volunteers 25 who are helping those impacted Pray that New Horizons, Or- by COVID-19. / Micah & Eileen Kerri Ann Cruse, video and dained Servant, and OPC.org Bickford, Farmington, ME. Pray social media coordinator. / 19 will edify the church and help it that God would provide wisdom 30 Summer interns: Luke (Laura) communicate its message. / Jay for leaders at Grace Reformed. Walkup at Faith OPC in Indiana, & Andrea Bennett, Neon, KY. PA, and Christian (Jolene) Pray for evangelistic faithfulness McArthur at Providence OPC in at Neon Reformed. Pray for affiliated missionaries Temecula, CA. Craig and Ree Coulbourne (on 26 furlough) and Linda Karner, Bill Welzien, Key West, FL. Pray Japan, especially as Linda awaits Foreign Missions administrative for Keys Presbyterian’s growth a postponed hip replacement. / 31 assistant Tin Ling Lee and office 20 in Christ, and for a quick return Summer interns: Ben (Victoria) secretary Shenise Medina. / Pray to open air evangelism at Mal- Ciavolella at Delta Oaks Presby- for short-term missionaries lory Square. / OPC Committee terian in Pittsburg, CA, and Nate in Sendai, Japan, working with on Chaplains and Military (Amy) Jeffries at South Austin Reformed Presbyterian missions. Personnel. Presbyterian in Austin, TX.

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servant was given less than the first and therefore made less money. Yet he was rewarded the same because he was similarly USING OUR faithful in his service. Third, Jesus gives an inkling here that there is to be a ABILITIES FOR relatively long period of time before his return—so long that one may become idle in faith and lazy in practice. Thus we should heed what happened to the wicked servant and con- THE KINGDOM tinue to serve him (see Heb. 3:12–14; Gal. 6:6–10). At the end of Hebrews, we have this blessing: “Now may the God of peace… equip you with everything good that you may do his // GORDON L. OLIVER will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Heb. 13:20–21). Because God has equipped each of us according to the ability he has given us, any excuse we make for not performing our Christian duty will not hold up. Each of us n Matthew 25:14–30, Jesus teaches the parable of the has not only been endowed with abilities from our Creator talents. The central theme of this parable is the servants’ but has been commissioned by our Savior, gifted by the Holy Ifaithfulness to their duty while the master is away. It’s easy Spirit, and equipped for service. We have been given these to recognize that the master is Jesus, who has ascended into gifts not for our own glory but to bring glory and honor to heaven and will one day return. While away, he has instructed Christ in how we use them. his disciples to be his witnesses and “make disciples of all na- We who love God and have been redeemed by the blood tions, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the of Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit owe our Lord faith- Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that ful service. We should desire to see his kingdom advance and I have commanded you.” Jesus illustrates this with this par- work toward that end. We should want to use all that he has able. A business man has to go on a business trip that will take given us to grow in his grace so that we too may hear, “Well some time and, wanting his resources to work for him while done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over he is gone, he leaves trusted men in charge of his money. Three a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your servants are chosen—the first receives five talents, the second, master” (Matt. 25:23). two talents, and the third, one talent. In our day “talent” means a natural ability or skill, but in Jesus’s day it referred to a mon- The author is pastor of Covenant Life Presbyterian in Shawano, etary weight of gold or silver. In that time, one talent equaled Wisconsin. about twenty years’ wages. When the master finally returns, he com- mends the first two servants for doubling his money. Because of their faithfulness, they both are given more responsibility and are allowed to enter into the joy of the master. The third servant is condemned and cast out because he Christian Education deficit: $(34,813) Home Missions deficit: (70,478) hid the talent. Foreign Missions deficit: (94,589) What can we learn from this parable? Total YTD budget deficit: (199,880) First, God is the owner of all things, and we are stewards of what God has graciously given us. Second, the Lord has entrusted resources to us—money, time, natural abilities. Some re- ceive more than others, and of those ones, more will be required (Luke 12:48). Others have less but are required to use their resources accord- ingly. What matters is our faithfulness in ser- vice. As we see from this parable, the second

NEW HORIZONS / JULY 2020 / 19 NEWS, VIEWS, & REVIEWS

FLOOD RESPONSE TO CHRIST COVENANT OPC IN MIDLAND, MI

On May 19, the city of Midland, Michi- gan, experienced unprecedented flooding as a result of the breaching of two dams following days of heavy rain. Several families from Christ Covenant OPC in Midland suffered the flooding of their homes; one family’s home was completely underwater. The diaconal committee of the Pres- bytery of Michigan and Ontario immedi- ately mobilized a disaster response effort, in cooperation with the OPC Disaster Response office. Christ Covenant desires to see its families cared for in restoring Herman and Elly de Ru Pastor Gregory Thurston their homes, but they also see through this devastation an opportunity to show IN MEMORIAM: HERMAN DE RU mercy in the name of Christ to the neigh- OP PASTOR RECOVERS FROM bors of the church. Praise the Lord that COVID-19 Ron de Ru Reformed Missions Services has come On May 20, 2020, Herman de Ru, 88, Gregory Thurston, pastor of Bethel Pres- alongside the OPC in offering the use of went to be with his Lord, after pass- byterian in Broomfield, Colorado, started their shower trailer and other equipment. ing away of natural causes in Fallbrook, showing the symptoms of COVID-19 on If you would like to participate in the California. He was born May 24, 1931, March 29. His daughter, a physical thera- OPC response effort, please register as in Leiden, the Netherlands. From the age pist in Florida, had contracted the virus a volunteer at opcdisasterresponse.org. of nine until he was almost fourteen years while caring for a patient and came back Monetary gifts toward this effort can be old, he lived in occupied Netherlands to the Thurston’s home to recover. She had designated to “Midland Flood” by going where his family hid Jews from the Na- a moderate case, and Thurston’s was mild to: give.opc.org/diaconal-ministries-sum- zis. Risking their safety to save the lives to moderate. Days seven through twelve mary. Please pray for Midland, Michigan, of strangers, Herman’s parents are rec- of the illness were “really, really terrible,” as they recover from this devastation. ognized as “Righteous Among with difficulty breathing, fatigue, the Nations.” Herman received and fever. By week three, he was the official recognition on their feeling more like himself. behalf from the Israeli Consul- But the mental toll, he said, ate on April 28, 2019. Herman was worse than the physical. served the kingdom wholeheart- “One day you feel better, and the edly as a Sunday school teacher next day you feel terrible again.” and deacon at Calvary OPC The work that he wanted to do, in La Mirada, California, and he couldn’t; the work he did do, as an elder at Harvest OPC in floored him. “You think, other San Marcos, California. He also pastors are out sharing the gos- spent a year as a missionary as- pel, and here I am watching TV sociate in Paramaribo, Surina- at 10 a.m.” Thurston did preach me. He was never shy to speak via livestream on April 5—and the truth, never feared the scoff- “literally collapsed” afterward. ing of men, was zealous for the Yet it allowed him opportu- gospel, and was willing to spend A major road underwater just minutes from nity to pastor well a Reformed and be spent for it despite his Christ Covenant OPC in Midland, MI couple visiting the Denver physical ailments. (photo courtesy of OP pastor David Sarafolean). area who both contracted

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COVID-19, as well. The husband was • Herman de Ru, 88, died on May 20. hospitalized, the wife quarantined in a UPDATE He served the OPC for over seventy hotel. Thurston called regularly and was years as a deacon and then an elder at able to sympathize with their illness. They CHURCHES churches in Southern California. are both on the mend; and the Thurston household has all recovered. “To God be • On March 13, Pleasant Mountain LETTERS all the glory,” Thurston concluded. Presbyterian Church in Bridgton, ME, was organized as a particular congrega- COMPROMISING A HYMN? A TIME FOR PRAYER tion of the OPC. Editor: Eric B. Watkins MINISTERS When I read Mary Love Seay’s June On Friday, June 5, churches in St. Augus- • On March 13, Stephen M. Michaud, 2020 letter to the editor, I couldn’t help tine, Florida, gathered together to pray for previously a minister in the RPCNA, was but smile. I smiled because, with Jonathan their community and the nation in the installed as pastor of Pleasant Mountain Cruse, I’m delighted that Newton’s hymn midst of the unrest following the death of Presbyterian Church in Bridgton, ME. (“I Asked the Lord That I Might Grow”) George Floyd. The event came together was rescued from obscurity and included because area pastors felt that something • On May 10, the Presbytery of the Da- in the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. I smiled be- needed to be done—and that prayer was kotas dissolved the ministerial relation- cause I believe she is absolutely right that the place to start. Tarence Dickerson, elder ship between Michael J. Chapa and the original lyrics allude to Jonah 4, and I at Covenant OPC in St. Augustine, and I Emmanuel OPC in Castle Rock, CO. too very much like that. I smiled because were asked to lead the meeting. I preached MILESTONES the first time that this hymn with its orig- the gospel to a gathered crowd in the inal lyrics was introduced to an OP con- town square, and Tarence led in a sweet • Retired OP minister William J. Bomer, gregation in my experience, a man sur- time of prayer, focusing on particular ar- 96, died on April 26. He served as a US reptitiously asked, “‘Blasted my gourds’? eas of need. Members of the community Army chaplain, in addition to pastoring Is it OK to sing that in mixed company?” from many ethnicities and churches at- churches in several states. Like it or not, familiarity with the KJV tended and were grateful to see Christians • Margaret (Chambers) Porter, 98, died is a rapidly receding memory for most. It gathering peacefully together to call upon on May 10. For over seventy years, Peggy seems that—lest we put God’s people into God’s name in a time of trouble. Local law was a member of Calvary OPC in Glen- the position of singing in tongues without enforcement was also present, and said side, PA, where her husband, Howard interpretation—hymn lyrics might need they very much appreciated the gesture of Porter, served as an elder. occasional updating. I too wish that some support. Covenant OPC is viewing this as allusion to Jonah 4 remained, but I’m an opportunity to build bridges to people • Retired OP minister Robert A. Min- grateful that this hymn is included, and who are grieving and perplexed right now. nig, 77, died on May 12, having pastored that it’s included in understandable form. Please pray for gospel opportunities and OP churches in FL, NJ, and PA. Larry E. Wilson continued healing. Wasilla, AK CONCERNING COVID-19

Editor: May the civil government command the church to close? Dr. Alan Strange, in his article “COVID-19 and the Church” (May) says yes, and many OP elders have agreed with him. But the Scripture says no. If we are willing to disregard Scrip- ture and surrender control of the church to the government for so small a threat, we should not be surprised when God comes and removes our candle. Daniel Burns Huntsville, AL Editor: The articles related to the COVID-19 Tarence Dickerson leading a time of community prayer in St. Augustine, FL Photo by Peter Willott / The Record, © Gannett Co., Inc. 2020, staugustine.com pandemic (May) were very insightful, particularly John Fesko’s. The only thing

NEW HORIZONS / JULY 2020 / 21 NEWS, VIEWS, & REVIEWS Continued that seems to be missing at this point is got the anxiety to prove it” (xii). a true pandemic. We are suffering more REVIEWS Seculosity is especially hard-hitting in from the consequences of a political re- its examination of jobs, love, and politics. Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Tech- sponse to the virus than from the virus Zahl shows how success and failure are nology, Food, Politics, and Romance Be- itself. There are many theories as to why now automatically (and absurdly) linked came Our New Religion and What to Do the politicians and governors of many to career—and how making romance the about It, by David Zahl. Fortress, 2019. states decided to use this opportunity to be-all and end-all has actually weakened Hardcover, 250 pages, $18.69 (Amazon). display their own power and promote lifelong marriage. Reviewed by OP elder Joseph W. Smith their own ideas on how to “keep us safe” As for politics, Seculosity explains why III. instead of letting the medical institutions this has become increasingly divisive and and the citizens make their own decisions “For an increasing amount of the popula- vitriolic: because we’ve staked our entire as to what is best for their health. But one tion, to be alive in the twenty-first century well-being on our own political stance, thing is quite telling: their response to the is to wonder privately how resulting in moral outrage, church. They seem to consider churches much longer you can keep finger-pointing (by which we non-essential—in some cases, even perse- feeding the beast before you alleviate our own guilt by ac- cuting pastors and church members who keel over” (6). cusing others), and virtue sig- defy the orders of the almighty state in That’s author and pod- naling, as Zahl penetratingly order to worship God. caster David Zahl in his ter- dissects (148). I hope that once more people in the rific new book, Seculosity. He’s And yet the church itself is OPC catch on to this, we may see more talking about our society’s ex- not free from these problems! articles in New Horizons dealing with an hausting (and self-imposed) Zahl’s penultimate chapter, overbearing government that opposes busyness—just one of many “The Seculosity of Jesusland,” Christ and his church. “new religions,” which, as the insists that we, also, inside the Doug Kobilan book shows, have replaced church have often replaced Vancouver, WA genuine spirituality in modern biblical dependence on Christ Editor: culture. with a works-oriented mindset that results I want to thank Dr. Strange for The widespread nature of this “secular in one-upmanship, superficiality, and ex- “COVID-19 and the Church” (May). spirituality” is indicated by Zahl’s subtitle: haustion. At the same time, he shows how However, I wish he would have elabo- How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, both the church and the true gospel really rated further on how or in what ways can Politics, and Romance Became Our New do provide a refuge from the black hole of we know “that the Lord calls us to repen- Religion and What to Do about It. As the replacement religion. tance whenever he brings any difficulties author puts it in his text, “The religious Undergirding the whole book is a win- our way.” I would like to suggest that the impulse is easier to rebrand than to extin- some, conversational, and often humorous churchly examination for sin not be lim- guish” (xii). writing style—one that is notably free ited to one denomination but include the In a series of pithy, insightful, and of- from Evangelical jargon, while also draw- church catholic. Is there not an abundance ten convicting chapters, Zahl shows how ing on a wide array of sources both secular of reasons to be grieved and humbled over contemporary Americans use such things and Christian. sins not amended but indulged and du- as work, family, love life, and political affil- This is a wise, helpful, and genuinely ties not exercised but excused away by the iation to gain the sort of self-worth, inner grace-driven book that can easily be shared church in these United States? peace, and freedom from guilt that were with unbelieving friends and neighbors. Alexander Suarez once the purview of traditional Christian- Christ Victorious: Selected Writings of Oviedo, FL ity. Hugh Martin, edited by Matthew J. Yet he also shows that in the long Hyde and Catherine E. Hyde. Banner run, these quasi-religions are actu- of Truth, 2019. Hardcover, 440 pages, ally much crueler taskmasters than From the Editor $27.00. Reviewed by OP pastor Iain A. the biblical gospel of free grace from M. Wright. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, a kindly Father who (unlike worldly pursuits) does not constantly require Thank you for your prayers, emails, Hugh Martin was a nineteenth cen- us to “measure up.” and cards regarding my thyroid tury Scottish Free Church clergyman, “We may be sleeping in on Sun- licensed (as one of his letters states) on cancer. On May 9, I had surgery day mornings in greater numbers,” May 19, 1843. The significance of this and am praising the Lord that it Zahl writes, “but we’ve never been is that he was licensed the day after the was successful. more pious. Religious observance Disruption (a division in the established Danny E. Olinger hasn’t faded apace ‘secularization’ so Church of Scotland) which, although it much as it has migrated—and we’ve would rob him technically of the title of a

22 / NEW HORIZONS / JULY 2020 NEWS, VIEWS, & REVIEWS Continued

en: The Scene of Christ’s having to take his correspondent to task. Priesthood” not only il- In doing so, he exercises much pasto- Mid-Atlantic luminating but filled with ral warmth even as he challenges wrong Men’s Retreat much to stimulate the ideas. He is certainly providing a model heart as well as the mind for pastors who find themselves having to October 2–4 • Harvey Cedars, NJ in making connections correct someone but wondering how best between the worship in to broach the matter without crushing the • A gathering of men for worship, prayer, the temple and the work person. teaching, and fellowship in devotion to of Christ. The book is from the pen of a thought- the King In his essays, Martin ful Christian Victorian gentleman. His handles a number of is- love and devotion to his Lord is clear in • At the Harvey Cedars Conference sues judiciously but ever his preaching, in his lecturing, and in his Center, with indoor swimming, gym, vol- with an eye to the One pastoring. leyball, basketball, and saltwater fishing whose Word he is seeking (bay or ocean) to expound. His handling With All Your Heart: Orienting Your • Sign up: immanuelonline.org/mens- of the work of Christ on Mind, Desires, and Will Toward Christ, retreat-2020/ the cross and how we by A. Craig Troxel. Crossway, 2020. Pa- can talk of Christ’s active perback, 224 pages, $13.38 (Amazon). obedience in his offering Reviewed by OP pastor John D. Van “Disruption Worthy,” places him firmly of himself was particularly helpful; Mar- Meerbeke. in the Free Church of Scotland from the tin offers a response to the oversimplifica- One may say, “My heart says one thing, beginning of his ministry. tion by which the active obedience is lim- but my brain says another.” But Craig In this volume, the reader ited to Christ’s keeping of the Troxel, professor of practical theology at will find ten sermons, nine Law for the believer and his Westminster Seminary California, gives essays, and a collection of his passive obedience is narrowed the interested reader a better biblical un- letters. Being born a few years to the hours upon the cross. derstanding of the heart as the source of after Queen Victoria and pre- Martin also provides the what we think and feel and say and do. deceasing her by many more reader with a very thoughtful Having served for twenty-four years as makes him very much a Vic- defense of the filioque clause: pastor of two churches, Troxel provides torian minister. Modern read- that the Holy Spirit proceeds a generous and instructive study that ers may find the style of Eng- from the Father and the Son will serve the church for years to come lish a little hard to grasp, with in accord with the Latin West in studying Reformed spirituality, as de- sentences that can run to over in contradistinction to the votional reading, and as a Sunday school sixteen lines, but whatever ef- Greek East, which holds that text for young people and adults. Thirteen fort the reader is prepared to make will the Holy Spirit proceeds only from the chapters are a useful convenience for a be rewarded with insights from Scripture Father. class quarter. The book divides into four and perceptions as to how its teaching The reader would benefit from having parts, discussing the heart’s mind (with harmonizes across the breadth of God’s some knowledge of nineteenth century Christ as Prophet), desires (with Christ Word. I found his two sermons on “Heav- Scottish history, as Martin alludes to the as Priest), and will (with Christ as King), Second Ten Years’ and concluding with the keeping of the Conflict and the heart and the Lord as our keeper (Psalm attempt of the 121). Free Church to Early in the book, the author under- unite with the scores the modern usage of the word United Presby- “heart” in our language, providing plenty terian Church of of examples of popular conceptions (and Grow in faith. Introduce others to Jesus. Scotland, and to misconceptions), but also he lays the Join The Boardwalk Chapel team. the William Rob- groundwork for his study by showing ertson Smith case. that the word occurs nearly a thousand That is not to say times in sacred Scripture, enough to fill a such knowledge is two-hundred-page book worthy of your essential. learning (17). Most pages have footnotes On a couple of and an abundant supply of supportive Bi- opcstm.org/opportunity occasions, Mar- ble texts along with a liberal provision of tin finds himself references from authors like Augustine,

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Luther, Calvin, Owen, Edwards, Ryle, Remaking a Broken World: The Heart of ning of the New Creation. The book is Lewis, and Keller. And the reader will be the Bible Story, by Christopher Ash. The packed with helpful exegesis of relevant reminded throughout the book that the Good Book Company, 2019. Paperback, biblical texts. gospel of Jesus Christ is alive and well in 200 pages, $12.74. (This is a revised edi- At the beginning of the book, Ash the true heart, despite frequent discour- tion; it was previously published by Au- states that he wants to persuade us “to agement. Only by God’s sufficient grace thentic Media in 2010). Reviewed by commit ourselves wholeheartedly to be- are hearts purified. Thanks be to God! OP pastor Stephen Tracey. longing to, and serving in the fellowship Troxel writes, “Christ’s free grace renews of, a local church” and to believe that us constantly through This is a refreshing book. Chris- “this may be the most significant thing the driving force of topher Ash, who always writes we do with our lives” (7). The most impor- the Word of God, the with brevity and lucidity, sets out tant thing we do with our lives? I think power of prayer, and to prove that “the ordinary local he is right. He draws out the nuance of the nourishment of Christian church contains within this thought from the Old Testament as the Lord’s Supper, all itself the seeds, or the DNA, of a well as the New. This study is a powerful of which is carried out remade world” (7). He does this statement on the importance of the local by the Holy Spirit” by carefully combing through the church in God’s glorious purpose. (97). In his biblical, Bible, highlighting the The final chapter on the theological, and prac- theme of gathering and New Creation was thought- tical treatment of the scattering. The result is provoking, but it seems to me heart, Troxel examines a careful biblical theol- it would have been strength- the real matters of the ogy of the purpose of ened by attention to the re- heart for Christians in all their painful God in gathering his people appearance of Babylon in struggles and sometimes surprising suc- and scattering his enemies. the language of the book of cesses, stressing that God is our ultimate Ash follows the Bible’s Revelation. While the New guard and keeper. story line from Eden to the Creation can be described as The book is very readable and acces- New Jerusalem with various gathered forever, the theme sible in its scope and detail. In all, the stopping points in between. of scattered forever is also author is a generous writer. Looking up In Eden, God gathered the present in this concluding the Scripture references (and hymns) will first couple to work with him section of Scripture. There is only add to the depth and richness of the in harmony. Before long we arrive at Ba- something profoundly important in the reading experience. There is a five-page bel, where human pride led to humanity cry of Revelation 18:2, “Fallen, fallen is general index of subjects and authors and being scattered. But Babel is not the end Babylon the great!” a Scripture index with well over 1,500 of the story. From here Ash follows the Each chapter of Remaking a Broken entries. biblical plot line to Sinai, where some World concludes with a series of discus- Crossway has done us a favor in help- gathering begins; to Jerusalem, where sion questions that would be useful in ing to produce this handy book. Those there is a greater gathering, though in- small group discussions. Each chapter of us who have sat under Craig Troxel’s complete; and then back to Babylon, also has a sermonic shape—a real treasure teaching and preaching ministry will rec- scattered in exile. God’s full purpose for since Ash is an excellent preacher. ognize good reading and good feeding scattered humanity is not Jerusalem, but I highly recommend this book. It in this highly recommended volume on the New Jerusalem. So Ash concludes is readable, refreshing, and relevant. It the biblical anatomy of the heart, written with Golgotha, Pentecost, and the local would prove useful from high school from the heart, for the heart. church gathered worldwide as the begin- Sunday school to seminary.

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