june 2008

Is Rome right? Roman Catholicism re -examined

Ray Galea • Iain Murray • Out of kilter Discount Offer For a limited time all new subscriptions, or new gift subscriptions to the Australian Presbyterian magazine are available for $15 + GST for the first 12 months (a saving of $22 on the regular price ). Pass this offer on to your friends, or give a Gift Subscription today, so that:- “All may be informed, encouraged and equipped to serve Christ in the world” Contact: Australian Presbyterian Office P.O. Box 375, Kilsyth, VIC 3137 Phone: (03) 9723 9684 Fax: (03) 9723 9685 Email: [email protected] June 2008 No. 604

ROME Nothing in my hand: Ray Galea ...... 4 editorial Reforming worship: Rowland S. Ward ...... 9 he celebration next month of Catholic World Youth No middle man: Bill Medley ...... 11 Day in Sydney will be a momentous occasion. It will afford the Catholic Church an unprecedented BIBLE STUDY opportunity to showcase itself through a massive mTedia event and news forums. It will also give Pope Benedict Grace alone and the vast crowds who gather at Randwick Racecourse a televised stage to represent Catholicism as the major religious 20 Bible studies in Romans 12-16 ...... 13 force within Australian society. While there is no doubt that the World Youth Day will CHURCH DIRECTORY reveal the significant religious and political influence of Catholicism – a fact which all Christians take for granted – it Every Presbyterian church, state by state ...... 15 will be unfortunate if the occasion is allowed to pass without a re-examination of Rome’s claims, and particularly its claim ROME to religious authority. It is this issue, the question of authority, which lies at the Still not one: Iain Murray ...... 23 heart of the differences between Rome and Protestantism. How can we know which church to believe and follow? The NEWS debate over authority involves questions like these: what is the basis for determining what we believe and teach? How do Across Australia ...... 26 we know which doctrines to accept and reject? Is Christian belief a matter of opinion, of one person’s conviction over Around the World ...... 27 another’s, or is there some ultimate standard by which such On the Agenda ...... 29 teaching must be judged? For Protestants who embrace sola Scriptura , the ultimate authority is the written word of God. However, Rome SOCIETY disagrees. Tucked away in the voluminous documents of Vatican II is the nuanced reaffirmation of the place of Out of kilter: William McKeith ...... 32 tradition in interpreting Scripture. It was the church, Rome claims, that gave us the Bible and her role is to interpret it for BOOKS ...... 33 us. The church, in this instance, refers to the hierarchy of the Catholic institution, and especially the papacy, and is Love Rules: Stuart Bonnington and Joan Milne (Eds.) regarded as the very body of Christ. Since the Catholic Nothing in My Hand I Bring: Ray Galea Church regards itself as the extension of the incarnation of Jesus, it believes that it is “incapable of being at fault in belief” The Works of Andrew Fuller: Andrew Gunton Fuller (Ed.) (Decree on the Church II: 12). This is where Protestants must respectfully disagree and PRAYER ...... 34 affirm with Jesus the priority of Scripture over tradition. Christ’s warning is important: we must never nullify the word of God by assigning it a lesser importance than the BACK PAGE traditions of men (Mark 7 :7, 8, 13). ap God is obvious: Peter Barnes ...... 36 Peter Hastie

THE AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN (ABN 81 498 399 755) : The national magazine of the Presbyterian Church of Australia. Editorial committee: Peter Hastie (NSW) Themes Editor; Barney Zwartz (Victoria) Production; Stuart Bonnington (West Australia) News Editor; Peter Hastie (NSW), World News Editor. Graphic Design: Sandra Joynt for A&J Moody Design: www.ajmd.com.au. Advertising and subscription inquiries: Michael Timmins, PO Box 375, Kilsyth 3137; Phone: (03) 9723 9684. Subscription: $38.50 a year inc. GST; bulk (etc) $35.20 each inc. GST. Office: PO Box 375, Kilsyth 3137. Phone: (03) 9723 9684. Fax: (03) 9723 9685. Email: [email protected] Printed by Adept Mail & Print Services, Boronia, Vic. Published: Monthly except January by the National Journal Committee of the Presbyterian Church of Australia; Convener Peter Hastie. Opinions expressed are those of the contributor and not necessarily those of the PCA, the editor or the committee. Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement. Contributions: Submitted articles are welcome. The deadline is the first of the previous month. Donations are always welcome. Print Post approved 34918100384. www.ap.presbyterian.org.au

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 • 3 ROME Nothing in my hand Catholic teaching exalts human effort at the expense of Christ.

ay Galea is an Anglican minister third grade who was a bit unpleasant. All who leads the pastoral team at St Ray Galea the other sisters were gracious ladies. Alban’s Multicultural Bible talks to I had a warm relationship with our Ministry at Rooty Hill in western parish priest, Father John Morreau . He RSydney. His special brief is to work cross Peter Hastie was a kind and honourable man. He cer - culturally among second -generation tainly didn’t molest me and he was never Mediterranean and Middle Eastern peo - Ray, what was it like to grow up as a harsh to me. He used to tolerate me ask - ple. young Maltese Catholic boy in ing questions like, “If the Pope died while Ray grew up as a member of a Sydney’s west? Did you have a posi - visiting Australia , would he be buried here devout Roman Catholic family and as a tive experience of Catholicism dur - or back in Rome? ” These were the sort of boy played an active role in his local ing your early years? questions that interested me as an altar- parish church. He was converted while Yes, I had a positive experience within boy of eight years standing . There were a he was studying at Sydney University. the Catholic Church as a young boy .I couple of teaching brothers in the high Before training for the ministry, Ray came from a loving Maltese Catholic fam - school who generated some fear through worked as a social worker in ily where religion was certainly an integral wielding the strap. However, for the most Wollongong for three years where he part of our lives. We went to mass three part, my experiences in the Catholic specialised in marriage and family times a week: Friday nights, Sundays and Church were overwhelmingly positive. counseling. He is a graduate of Moore Tuesday night Novenas. It was a loving Theological College. home. Of course, no one is perfect but my So, you served Father Morreau for He is married to Sandy and they have mother had a genuine desire to be a good eight years assisting him with the three children, James, Amy and Catholic and so did my dad. We said the Mass? Madeleine. He recently wrote the book rosary every night, and that was often led Yes, I was a long -standing altar-boy. Nothing in My Hand I Bring (Matthias by my mother. I wasn’t particularly aware And I didn’t drink the altar-wine on the Media, 2008 ), which has become a focus of any lack of integrity on the part of side, either ! I used to ring the bells at Mass of interest in the lead-up to Pope priests or nuns. The teachers and the nuns and I would pour the water over the Benedict’s visit to Sydney next month for at school were quite kind and loving. I priest’s hands as he washed before conse - World Youth Day. recall only one sister who taught me in crating the host. My job was mainly to

4 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 help him in the administration of the gation now had a role to play in the ser - However, the Vatican made it clear that Mass, but obviously in a very simple role . vice. The whole approach to worship the essential doctrines of the church I wasn’t a priest. A friend of mine once became more friendly and inclusive. I had n’t changed. There were always sug - said to me, “You know, Ray, every altar- remember that as an altar-boy I didn’t gestions that Catholic understanding boy has to become a priest. ” Actually, that have to learn Latin like my brother, who might be a little more nuanced now than scared the daylights out of me. I never was older. it was before , but no one ever admitted thought that when I said yes to serving as Vatican II had introduced a number of that fundamental doctrines were chang - an altar boy, I was saying yes to celibacy. changes to do with the Mass, one of ing. It was exactly the same horse as Thankfully, my mother clarified that for which was to drop the Latin version and before; it just had a newer saddle. me. put it into the vernacular. It was a relief to I think one of the things that Vatican II know that after 400 years we could be like initiated was a new emphasis on certain What did it mean to be a Catholic as a the Protestants and actually understand aspects of God’s character. Whereas pre- young boy? what was going on. The other thing I Vatican Catholicism had emphasised the I had a sense that I was part of some - remember was that ecumenism was really severity of God, Vatican II encouraged thing that was really large and interna - high on the church’s agenda. Catholics to think of God’s love. I tional. It’s funny that until about 15 or 20 remember my father went to a mission years ago I always thought that the So, there was a more friendly run by a Catholic order about 10 years ago Catholics were the majority within approach taking place in the way and he heard a monk preach about the Australia. I was quite surprised when I Catholicism presented itself to the prodigal son. He said to me with tears in discovered that they were only 25 % world? his eyes, “You know, Ray, I never knew (nominally) of the population. So, there Yes, and for that God loved me.” He went on , “ I have was a deep sense that I was a part of some - me as a young always been taught that God was angry.” thing quite big and large with the Pope as boy it was cap - I’m not sure So there was a real sense that there was a the head of a famous, international organ - tured in a num - that many change of emphasis, even if the essentials isation . As far as I was aware, there were ber of symbolic Catholics really remained the same. Catholic churches everywhere and they ways. One of understand that were the biggest ones . them took place He is fully God, What are some of the things that you in my school. even though it’s most admire about Catholicism? Did that make you feel secure? The order of I admire the Catholic Church’s ethical clearly stated in Yes, I certainly felt secure in being a nuns who taught concerns. They have a great passion for Catholic, especially a Maltese one . I had a us in our first the Mass. protecting unborn life which puts nearly strong sense of ethnic and religious iden - years at school everyone else to shame. Protestants, espe - tity. All my cousins were Maltese and changed from cially, have a lot to learn from Catholics Catholic as well. I went to a Catholic the Josephites to the Sisters of Charity. on that score. Catholics also have a more school, so I actually knew very few With the change of order there was a corporate sense of the church whereas Protestants. change in uniform. The nuns wore a habit Protestants are sometimes far too individ - – you know , their outer garment – which ualistic in their understanding of salvation So, what did you think of the local went from a dark brown to a white. I and the body of Christ. I know some Protestant church on the corner? know it probably sounds a little funny but Protestants talk a lot about being saved as Well, not much really. I thought of the it seemed to symbolise the fact that we individuals and having a personal faith , Protestants as being part of a Mickey- went from having a God who was terrify - but they have no sense of belonging to the mouse outfit. How could they be right ing to be around to one who was your church and playing a responsible role in when they always seemed to have smaller friend in heaven. It was typified for me in God’s family. For some of them, it’s like: buildings ? I don’t think I had a negative that famous Catholic TV advertisement “Who needs the church? ” It’s almost as view of Protestants as such; it’s just that about 30 years ago which said, “When ya though they need a second conversion so they seemed to be irrelevant to my way of get to heaven whaddya think you ’ll say? they can appreciate the church as the body thinking. I had no real sense of their pres - G-Day !” So, Catholicism was trying to be of Christ. A lot of Protestants are just too ence . It’s as though they didn’t exist. very inclusive. It was a major shift in individualistic and don’t see the impor - direction at the ground level. We went tance of the family of God. You grew up during the tumultuous from being a very exclusive church to one times of Vatican II. Were you aware that was a lot more open to the outside How do most young Catholics of any big changes that were taking world . understand Jesus? place in the Catholic Church at the I’m not sure that many of them really time? Do you think there were substantial understand that He is fully God , even I had a sense that there were some sig - changes taking place at a level of though it’s clearly stated in the Mass. I nificant changes happening at an official belief? think a large number would think of Him level because there were changes happen - Not really in terms of ordinary more as a wise, moral teacher – an exem - ing in the parish in the celebration of the Catholics. The changes in our church plar, someone you follow. He’s thought of Mass. For example, I noticed that we now were more about the form of liturgy and more as a heroic teacher, who gives His had a Greeting of Peace. There was more church organisation than about doctrinal life for us – but not someone you would of an attempt at a communal approach to content. The liturgy changed slightly , necessarily pray to. I grew up in a Maltese the Mass rather than the priest doing it all becoming more corporate than individu - culture where my parents literally referred for us. There was a sense that the congre - alistic. It was now in the vernacular. to him as “Il Bambin ”, the baby. It wasn’t

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 • 5 ROME

just the statues that portrayed Him as a her in tears. It’s funny how my conversion and compare that with the unrepeatable baby; the Maltese language did as well. He at the age of 20 coincided with mid-life nature of what Jesus has done at the cross . wasn’t just “Christo ”, which is a way that changes for her as well. Mum was passing Maltese sometimes refer to Jesus through a number of changes at that time Why is the Roman Catholic idea of (although rarely) . which I didn’t really understand. All I priesthood of concern to you as a The great irony of it was that I used to knew was that when I began to call Jesus Protestant? love the Gloria as a prayer. Perhaps you “Lord ” it caused my mum a lot of grief. Well, I have a number of reasons why I remember the words , “ You alone are the However, it crystallised everything for can no longer accept Catholic teaching Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you me. From that moment on, I knew that about priesthood. My major objection to alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ …” Jesus had to be first and that He wouldn’t it is that it subtly undermines the person On the one hand , I loved this prayer tolerate being second , and rightly so. and work of Christ. Scripture tells us that which exalted Jesus in His divinity , yet Jesus Christ, as our great High Priest, culturally I still thought of Him as an For Catholics “offered for all time one sacrifice for sins ” infant. How spiritually schizophrenic is the Mass lies at (Heb . 10:12) . It is this perfect sacrifice that? In practical terms Mary was the one the centre of offered by Jesus Christ that makes us per - who had our affections and loyalty. We The problem their religion. fect. My difficulty with Catholic teaching believed that she was the one who had with Catholic Why is the Mass at this point is that it allows its own priests influence with God. We didn’t think teaching is so central? to share in a role which can only be about Jesus in that way . that it panders What concerns accomplished by the one perfect priest . to the human do you have All priests other than Jesus fail at every How did your new understanding of desire to about it? point. Only God in Christ can offer the Jesus affect your relationship with participate in When I was perfect sacrifice. your church and especially with your growing up I The problem with Catholic teaching is our own mum and dad and brothers and sis - didn’t f ully that it panders to the inherent desire ters? redemption. understand within the human heart to cooperate and In one sense they could still under - everything that participate in its own redemption. This stand what had happened to me as long as was happening in desire is at the core of every major I remained a Catholic. I had just become the Mass. I knew one thing took place Catholic error. When you think of dis - more zealous. Some Catholics are like very clearly, and that was the transubstan - tinctive Catholic doctrines the one factor that. They become more Mary -centred ; tiation of the wafer and the wine into which is common to them all is that they others become more social justice -cen - Christ’s actual body and blood. When I undermine the person and work of Christ tred. I just happened to be Jesus -centred. took my first Holy Communion a nun in some way . For instance, the doctrine of They say Catholicism is like the told us about a girl who took the host purgatory teaches that Jesus didn’t really Hinduism of the Western World. It can home and put it in her drawer only to dis - complete the work of purification on the absorb lots of things. It is only when you cover later on that the drawer was full of cross. Again, the need for a priest to medi - decide that you can’t be a part of it that blood. Transubstantiation was taken very ate between us and God undermines the the trouble starts. That’s when everything seriously. The Mass was where you met fact that Christ is our sole mediator. hit the fan for me. God in a very physical way. The sacra - Further, the Catholic teaching about My mum was actually quite pleased ment wasn’t a sign; it was a reality of priesthood ignores the fact that God has with my new-found faith but she changed Christ’s physical presence. That was made given all His people certain priestly func - her tune the moment I said that I could no very clear to us. tions and privileges . For instance, longer in good conscience remain a The other aspect of the Mass, namely, Christians now have direct access to the Roman Catholic. We had a few discus - that Jesus was meant to be re-sacrificed in Father through Christ. However, the sions about the place of Mary in the the rite, was not so clear at the time. I Catholic Church has removed this in a Christian life. She asked me, “Ray, what didn’t r eally think about that until I variety of ways so that now people are about visions of Mary?” Mum is quite a started investigating the differences forced to go through human priests and devotee of Mary. It was hard to say to her, between Catholicism and Protestantism. I the repeated celebration of the Mass. “Look, Mum, if the visions are real there’s think that sometimes you understand a possibility that they could have come more about your faith when you are leav - What other aspects of the Mass trou - from Satan .” That didn’t go down well at ing it; it was certainly that way for me. ble you? all. My poor mum cried every day for two The more I thought about the Mass after I am also troubled by the Mass because years. It really struck her hard. my conversion the more I realised that it the Church teaches that Jesus’ death on undermined the sacrifice of Christ for our the Cross within time and space 2000 How did you cope with it? sins because it repeated a sacrifice that years ago was not enough. Although It was one of the toughest trials I have God had intended to be once -for -all. It Catholics are careful to point out that had to face. Jesus’ saying in Matthew 10, was never meant to be done over and over they are not repeating Christ’s sacrifice – “Unless you love me more than your again . Catholicism is essentially Old they are very strong on that – they do mother or father you are not worthy of Covenant religion with human priests claim that they are somehow tapping into me”, became a key verse for me to hold on taking the place of Jesus , our High Priest. the eternal reality of Christ’s death that to. I love my mum a lot and I am still very Catholics look at the Communion table happened outside of space and time . The close to her. When I went to church each as an altar where Christ is re-sacrificed. It only problem here is that the Bible says day – morning and evening – as well as really is an insult to God once you under - that Christ’s death for our sins is Bible-study on Thursday , I would leave stand what is taking place at each Mass described as occurring within space and

6 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 time. It was while we were sinners that Catholics heed the so-called infallible faith quite differently. We say that the Christ died for us. Surely that locates teachings of the Pope. Of course, not Bible teaches that justification is an event , Christ’s sacrifice for our sins in time. everything that the Pope says is deemed to not a process. It’s a one-off declaration by Our role with respect to the crucifixion be infallible, though in practice the dis - God that a sinner is cleared of all guilt, and is simply to look to Christ as our Saviour tinctions are often blurred anyway. is thus completely blameless and right - and trust Him; we don’t offer anything to However, when the Pope makes an offi - eous in God’s sight because of – and only God. The thought that we can offer cial pronouncement, say for example, that because of – the death and righteousness something to God as guilty sinners is Mary was assumed bodily into heaven, as of Christ which is imputed to us. unthinkable. Of course, many people he did in the 1950s, it becomes official Righteousness is credited to us apart from think of the Mass as just another service Catholic dogma. Catholics are bound to works (Rom 4:5, 6). According to the and are unaware that the re-offering believe it. This is because the Pope is Bible, when God justifies us, He doesn’t Christ as victim by a priest is deeply deemed to have the kind of authority that do it gradually by infusing righteousness offensive to God because it undermines the apostle Paul did among the other 12. into us; He declares us righteous when we the “once-for-all” nature of Christ’s work As Protestants we naturally differ from put our faith in Christ. The real problem for us. the Catholic position. We believe with is that Catholics confuse justification with Jesus that the Scriptures have final author - sanctification. They confuse God’s decla - Protestants say that people should ity over the church. He said that it was ration of our righteousness with God’s rely on the Bible alone. Why don’t wrong to “let go of the word of God and work in us. Catholics take the same position? to hold on to the traditions of men ” Is this an important difference? Yes, it There are probably a couple of reasons. is. Some time ago I had to speak to a class The first one is that every distinctive of 13- year-olds at a Catholic high school. Catholic teaching requires oral tradition, In the course of the class I asked them and you can’t find that in the Bible. So, People think why they thought God would save them. you can’t really find the teaching of pur - of Mary as a Some wrote: “I don’t know .” But the gatory in any part of the canonical special media - majority appealed to their good works in Scriptures. Catholics claim that these tor who has a some form or other, “I’ve tried hard all my ideas are there in embryonic form, but priveleged, life to be a good person” , “ I was good on you really need something in addition to intercessory earth ”, or “I have gone to church every the Scriptures to come to any conclusion week and tried to be a good Catholic all about them. If you just refer to the Bible role with Jesus my life ”. This is where Catholicism ulti - alone then you can’t hold to any of those and the Father. mately leads its followers through its teachings. The other thing too is that teaching on justification. This is where the there is a lack of understanding among Roman Catholic ship ends up, given the Catholics. They have been taught to direction charted by the church. People believe that you can’t make sense of the (Mark 7:8). We must always be subject to who believe this are ultimately robbed of Bible without the church and that you God’s word and let it have the final say. any meaningful assurance and have to rely must have the Pope’s authoritative inter - Now at some point the church has to on their own good works to get them over pretation as well as the councils and tradi - come up with its understanding of what the line. tions of the church to understand the the Scripture says . The church only has Bible properly. They believe that the Bible authority when it is declaring the truth of Why is Mary so essential to is not clear enough or sufficient to com - Scripture, not because it is the infallible Catholicism? Are you concerned municate these truths to us. agency for interpreting Scripture. about it? Until recently the Catholic Church In the hundred years leading up to used to actively discourage their members Protestants say that we can only be Vatican II , Catholic teaching about Mary from reading the Scriptures for them - justified before God on the basis of underwent some incredible changes. Pope selves. This is now beginning to change. faith in Christ alone. What do John Paul II brought about many as well. Nevertheless, Catholics are still supposed Roman Catholics say? Catholics regard Mary as the mother of to read the Bible through the lens of Catholics like to think of justification God and the mother of all Christians as Catholic doctrine. This means that if you as a process which begins with baptism well. In 1854 Pope Pius IX declared that get to the point where your interpretation and continues throughout our lives. The she was without original sin. The empha - of Scripture contradicts some Catholic process involves two parts: first, God for - sis on Mary focuses on the claim that she dogma , then you have to assume that giving us. The second part involves us is the mother of God, or the “God- you’ve got it wrong and you must defer to working with God to become more right - bearer ”. The term was originally used at the church. eous and acceptable to Him. God thus the Council of Ephesus to affirm the makes us righteous, infusing us with jus - divinity and humanity of Christ. It was Why do Catholics believe that the tice and righteousness over time through not meant to be a statement about Mary; church has the final authority in mat - the sacraments and our own good works. in its original context the title was quite ters of faith and practice? This means that when the Judgment takes appropriate. The reason why the church claims place, God will judge us in part upon what The problem is that the term is now infallibility is that it believes that Jesus Christ did on our behalf to remove our abused. People think of Mary as a special entrusted to Peter and his papal successors sin; but it will also depend upon our own mediator who has a privileged , interces - the authority to speak infallibly about efforts to strive after His righteousness. sory role with Jesus and the Father . The issues of faith and Christian practice. Protestants understand justification by way this plays itself out in practice is like

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 • 7 ROME

this: imagine yourself as a child who wants tributing to the popularity of Marian How should we think about Catholic something really badly. To whom will you dogma was an early stress on the divinity World Youth Day? Is it appropriate go – an angry father or a loving mother? of Christ at the expense of His humanity. for the government to be spending so The answer is obvious: you’ll go to your This meant that it became less clear that much money on it? mother every time. You know that if she Jesus was the believer’s High Priest who First, I am surprised that our politi - takes your request to your father you have empathises with us. When this aspect of cians, both State and Federal, have the best opportunity to get what you Christology was neglected , the door was kicked in more than $100 million for the want. Of course, this is an example that opened to Marian theology . The last conference. Would they do the same for has instant appeal. The problem is that it Pope, Pope John Paul II, developed this other religious conferences? However, doesn’t square with Scripture. It’s disre - as far as he could by proclaiming Mary as what does annoy me is that the Premier spectful to the Father because the gospel co-redemptrix with Jesus . Frankly, it is issued an edict to all principals to rene - tells us that His wrath has been turned hard to think of any other doctrine that gotiate every contract with people hiring away by the sacrifice of Jesus. We can now so robs Christ of His glory . The only schools on Sundays so as to keep those draw near to God in complete confidence. word to describe it properly is “blas - two Sundays free so that overseas visitors It’s also insulting to Jesus because it com - phemy ”. to the conference can meet in the pletely ignores what He did at the cross schools. by opening a new way for us to approach Personally, I think this action is unfair the Father . Anyone who and unjust. The members of our church The problem is that Catholic theology thinks that the are citizens of NSW and we pay $12,000 misrepresents the roles of the Father and Catholic each year in rent for the use of the local the Son in salvation. It also throws an Church school building. Now we are kicked out emphasis on Mary which is entirely is really for a few visitors. What has happened to unsupported in Scripture. Mary is pre - changing its separation of church and state in sented as a tender and gentle mediator Australia? I am a strong advocate of it. who is one with us and who has the core teachings This is a problem that lies with the gov - capacity to plead for sinners . As a is a million ernment at that point, and a particular Catholic I grew up praying prayers like, miles away government. I think that this is a justice “Hail , Holy Queen, mother of mercy, from reality. issue. If regular contracts were being bro - hail our life, our sweetness and our hope. ken to favour Protestants it would still be To thee do we cry for the banished chil - wrong. So there is certainly a justice issue dren of Eve. To thee do we send up our The interesting thing is that the only involved here. sighs, mourning and weeping in the valley time my mum stopped and pondered this On the other hand, I think we should of tears.” As you can see, this is quite issue seriously was when I used her own be open to any opportunities to witness emotive sort of language . If you really empathy towards Mary against her . I said, about Jesus . need a sympathetic ear, you don’t go to “Mum, if Mary knew that you were pray - an angry father or a baby; instead, you go ing to her (and I am not sure she does ), If the Pope receives a copy of your to your mother. then I know she would be crying right book, Nothing in My Hand I Bring , I suspect a couple of trends in theol - now in heaven because I know she loves and asks you over for a cup of tea, ogy may have contributed to the rise of and honours her Son. She would be what will you do? Marian doctrine. First, quite early in the deeply hurt that you were taking away I’ll go. I will talk to him about the history of the church Christians lost the His glory .” For a moment she actually claims of Jesus. Interestingly, he was biblical emphasis on the sufficiency of stopped and thought, “Really? Do you behind the Catholic Catechism that was the cross. This meant that they felt inse - mean that?” The thought that she might released in 1994, so he is as conservative as cure and unable to come before God have been upsetting Mary really caused the previous Pope. Any one who thinks with confidence. The second factor con - her some grief . that the Catholic Church is really chang - ing its core teachings is a million miles away from reality . At the time Benedict was nicknamed the “theological watch - dog ”. He is clearly concerned, like Pope John Paul II , about liberalism gaining the upper hand within Catholicism. I think Christians should be alert for any opportunities that arise through the Pope’s visit to gently and respectfully wit - ness to Christ. We should pray that God will use his visit to raise important reli - gious issues and that God will use the focus on the conference in ways that sur - prise us to bring people to Himself. One thing I do know is that this will only hap - pen through faithful preaching of the gospel – not through the teaching of the Pope. ap

8 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 ROME Reforming worship If it’s not Scriptural, it’s idolatry. Knox was right.

n 1550 John Knox was called by the obtaining indulgence from time in purga - authorities in Scotland to give a tory. Purgatory – a place of purification defence of his claim that the Roman after death before entering eternal bliss – mass was idolatry. Knox stated as his Rowland S. was itself a gradual development rooted in fIirst proposition: “All worshipping, hon - Ward pagan ways of thinking, and formally ouring, or service invented by the brain of recognised as dogma by the Council of man in the religion of God, without his Trent in 1550. own express commandment, is idolatry. church hierarchy controlled elevation to Pieces of the true cross were legion, The Mass is invented by the brain of man, sainthood. Veneration of images of saints Mary’s breast milk was common, as well without any commandment of God; was distinguished from worship of them, as hair, nail clippings, bones, even heads of therefore it is idolatry.” but the technical distinction was not very saints. This all begins to sound bizarre to We might shrink back at the boldness obvious in practice, and mere sophistry us, but if we remember the way in which of this statement. We might recall some from a Reformed perspective. the material and the spiritual were inter - half-forgotten history lessons about The cult of images was justified as an twined, and the religious fervour of the image-burning by Protestants in the 16th aid to devotion, and a helpful way of age, we will begin to understand. century, and think that our spiritual teaching the poor who could not read. But The teaching of transubstantiation – fathers went somewhat overboard. But that the bread and wine are turned into before we go in that direction we need to the very body and blood of Christ under remind ourselves of the proper context. Pieces of the the appearance of bread and wine – was Jewish worship in New Testament true cross were referred to in this way by the Fourth times was considered strange by non-Jews legion, Mary’s Lateran Council in 1215, and affirmed as since, apart from the temple, it was so breast milk was Roman Catholic doctrine by the Council simple and unadorned. Even in the temple of Trent in 1551. It had grown out of a lit - there were no images of the deity. It common, as eral reading of Christ’s words “this is my seemed like a strange superstition to the well as hair, body ” in a belief context where the mate - Romans, but the Jews were touchy on the nail clippings, rial was making visible the spiritual. issue, and mostly were left alone. bones, even Still in the current Catholic Catechism Christianity in its early decades was heads of we read: “In the liturgy of the Mass we also characterised by great simplicity. saints. express our faith in the real presence of Most Christians met in private homes. Christ under the species of bread and But the pious remembrance of a loved and wine by, among other ways, genuflecting holy Christian developed in a number of it led to a lengthy controversy in the or bowing deeply as a sign of adoration of unhelpful ways. Prayers to such departed Eastern church in the eighth and ninth the Lord. The Catholic Church has believers appeared, and in the third cen - centuries with various rulings for and always offered and still offers to the sacra - tury religious pictures began to have a against. Ultimately on 11 March 843 the ment of the Eucharist the cult of adora - place in the churches. Mementos of the use of picture icons was permanently tion, not only during Mass, but also out - departed, such as a lock of hair, developed restored, a day marked by the Eastern side of it, reserving the consecrated hosts into a cult of relics regarded as having spe - Church as “The Triumph of Orthodoxy ”. with the utmost care, exposing them to cial virtue. Supposed pieces of the cross In the West there was not the same the solemn veneration of the faithful, and on which our Lord was crucified, a drop level of controversy and three-dimen - carrying them in procession.” of his blood or some milk of the virgin, sional representations were also permitted were highly valued. The official recogni - as well as pictures. In the West also the lthough before the 16th century there tion of Christianity by Emperor views on what happened to the person at Awere criticisms of the cult of images, it Constantine in the fourth century death developed even more than in the is really only with the Reformation that brought many into the churches who car - East. The real saint who was sufficiently there is a sustained theological objection. ried similar ideas from their former pagan - free of sin could enter heaven immediately Luther was content to allow much carry - ism. at death. The one who died unrepentant over of religious practice so long as the These “saints ” are a select class num - in mortal (serious and fatal) sin went doctrine of justification by faith in Christ bering nowadays more than 10,000. They straight to hell. But the vast majority were was not imperilled. But the stream of may be patrons of particular occupations not sufficiently holy and needed to be reform associated with Zwingli and (eg locksmiths) or activities (eg trav - purified in purgatory before they could Calvin was more radical. ellers), or places (eg St Andrew of enter heaven. Calvin insists that the purpose of cre - Scotland), or ailments (eg headaches) or Pictures and relics of Christ, Mary or ation is to know God and to glorify Him other dangers (eg drowning). At first the saints were sought after for their by worship and obedience. For him recognised by popular acclaim, later the alleged spiritual benefit, particularly for knowledge of the right way of worship -

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 • 9 ROME

ping God is foundational as the soul of tual values in it, but only in God Himself. we worship! It is not an easier path to fol - the Christian life. In 1543 he writes in his Calvin’s most popular book was in fact low, given the materialistic tendencies in book On The Necessity of Reforming the a long list of relics called Inventory of our minds and hearts, but it is the true Church , “There is nothing to which all Relics issued first in 1543. Calvin’s aim path. men should pay more attention, nothing was to show the blindness of idolaters When challenged by the lack of mira - in which God wishes us to exhibit a more through listing its most obvious decep - cles claimed by Rome, Calvin affirms that intense eagerness, than in endeavouring tions. He believes that as soon as one miracles are seals of the gospel and its that the glory of His name may remain admits material objects into worship peo - apostolic messengers. As the Reformed undiminished, His kingdom be advanced, ple begin to have no new gospel, but have simply and the pure doctrine, which alone can attach spiritual recovered the old, their teaching is guide us to true worship, flourish in full value to them. attested by all the miracles Christ and the strength.” For Calvin true worship must The simplicity Materiality in apostles performed. The miracles of flow from knowledge of God. of Reformed worship in a dis - Rome lead people away from the true Calvin maintains that true worship worship, its graceful affront worship of God and are necessarily false. must be spiritual in line with God’s barrenness in to God’s majesty. Calvin did not encourage people to act nature. God must not be worshipped in the eyes of Calvin writes on their own initiative and smash idols, material symbols, or through physical of Roman wor - any more than did Paul in Ephesus (Acts critics, reflects conceptions of Him. Further, God is to ship: “For they 19:37). But he did provide both a scrip - be worshipped only in ways warranted a great and have prostrated tural and a rational interpretation of idol - from Scripture. Similarly, while art as such wonderful themselves, and atry that provided a very significant dri - is not condemned, the second command - truth. bent the knee ving force for the reformation of both ment excluded visual art from the wor - before relics as doctrine and piety along Scripture lines. It ship and meditation of the church. before God, gave a more adequate grounding to the Idolatry arises out of the corruption of lighting torches and tapers as a sign of temptation of Protestants to compromise the human heart so that man’s mind is a homage, putting confidence in them, and with Rome by outward conformity. veritable factory of idols, ignoring or per - running to them as if they possessed Calvin allowed for exile if one could verting what God has revealed, whether in divine power and grace. If idolatry is just not worship God without idolatry, or nature or Scripture, and making his own to transfer the honour of God to others, alternatively one could live among idol - religion in which the material plays a can we deny that this is idolatry?” aters quietly but inoffensively in line with major role. Instead of worshipping the The simplicity of Reformed worship, true worship. His teaching enabled the Creator according to His spiritual reality, its barrenness in the eyes of critics, there - Reformed Church in France to survive man worships the creature, bringing God fore is not something to be remedied by persecution. It produced martyrs but it down to the creaturely level. The material the creative arts. Rather it reflects a great even more produced people of conviction world is good, but one cannot find spiri - and wonderful truth concerning the God that the chief purpose for which man is made is to glorify God and worship and serve him accordingly.

oday the picture is not much differ - Tent. It is said that more Italians pray to Padro Pio, who was declared a saint in 1965, than to Jesus or Mary. His body has recently been put on display and 7000 people a day come to see it. We regularly hear of statues of the Virgin which are weeping blood or oil, and many other such things. Certainly in Australia we do not see the gross idolatry of religious pro - cessions seen in many nominally Roman Catholic lands where compromise with earlier pagan traditions is even more noticeable. But even here we have a whole mass of teaching and practice utterly at odds with Scripture. These are not things to laugh about so much as to weep for the dishonour given to God by them, and the ignorance of those who give reverence to physical objects. We of the Reformed tradition need also to look at ourselves, given our human ten - dency to corrupt the worship of God in one way or another.

Rowland Ward is a minister of the Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia. ap

10 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 ROME No middle man It’s Jesus who saves, not the church.

ear Rita, neither found in them nor relied on them. I thought I would write to you My starting-point was Christ and His again, what with Pope Benedict teachings in the New Testament. The fun - arriving and the upcoming Bill damental difference between religious cult DCatholic World Youth Day in Sydney. I Medley followers and the average Christian is that just wondered if you might be rethinking the cult member has his “faith ” in human your Catholic roots and if we should leaders rather than Christ. How do I know revisit a few things from my previous let - Witness, your final place of trust is in the I’m not deceived? Because I have faith in ter. As you know, this youth event is governing body and not in Jesus. When all Jesus and not any other mediator. going to be big, and it brings up that old is stripped away to the core of a Jehovah’s Rita, if you were thinking of going question of Protestant vs. Catholic, Witness’ belief, he doesn’t actually believe back to your Catholic roots then let me “What difference does it make anyway?” in Jesus. He believes in another mediator. tell you I actually believe in the Catholic After all, your guys have been around a lot But the Bible says that Christ is the only heritage as much as you do. Yes that’s longer than the Protestants. And besides, Mediator between God and man (1 Tim . right! I love the original heritage of the we all believe in Jesus, don’t we? And isn’t 2:5). Catholic Church, which is Jesus’ teaching, that the simple message that gets us into Now the cults think that the different God’s word in the Bible. That’s what the heaven? Remember when the prison Protestant denominations are like them, apostle Peter believed in. But the Catholic guard asked the disciples? “Sirs, what each with their Church has added to that heritage by a must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). own “media - None of these series of traditions and by setting up What did the disciples tell him? “Believe tor” and claim - another mediator along the way. Let me in the Lord Jesus.” How simple is that! ing to be the churches could remind you that the Protestant Believe in Jesus. So where we spend eter - “true” church. have deceived Reformation was started by a bunch of nity all comes down to this, “Do you However, the me because my Roman Catholics! Catholics who didn’t believe in Jesus?” real reason beliefs were want to leave the church, they just wanted Well, of course you do! How could we Protestants neither found in to return to their original heritage ... belief get that wrong? When the devil heard have different them nor relied in Jesus and the Bible alone! that’s all we need to do, I’m sure he just denominations on them. My about gave up. He must have thought to is that when t Paul is clear that we have no other starting-point himself, “How could I get people, let’s say you have free - Smediator except Jesus (1 Tim . 2:5). those youngsters gathering in Sydney, to dom of was Christ. Even if we believed that Peter was the first go from ‘I believe in Jesus’ to ‘I don’t thought, with Pope, where does the Bible say anything believe in Jesus’? That’s impossible! I no authority other than Christ, there will about there being a succession of popes or quit!” More hope of selling the Pope the be differences of opinion on secondary other mediators? By the way if Peter was Sydney harbour bridge than outsmarting issues. However, the denominations are a pope, what was the pope doing with a anyone on that simple message. Not even not divided in the way the cults believe. mother-in-law if he wasn’t married! (Mt . the biggest liar in the world could fool Historically, the mainstream denomina - 8:14) What a raw deal ... having a mother- church-goers out of something as simple tions have actually been united on the in-law but no wife! However, it seems the as “Believe in Jesus”. We are too smart for major doctrines of the Bible that get us first apostles, including Peter, were mar - that. into heaven, all without any mediator ried (1 Cor . 9:5). So where did we get the other than Jesus. idea of unmarried clergy? And why did it ll right, maybe that guy with horns The point I am making is that we take more than 1000 years to become Aand red pyjamas managed a few tricks should be wary of anyone who claims church law (1079AD)? A tradition intro - outside the church. You know, like start - authority apart from the Bible. It’s a mark duced by another mediator? But even that ing up a few cults, the Mormons and of the cults. They all have their own medi - is unimportant compared to the question Jehovah’s Witnesses. Now they say they ators. But the Bible makes it clear that of how we get into heaven. believe in Jesus, but they deny that Jesus there is no human religious authority on Rita, you don’t buy a house or car and is the eternal Son of God. So really, they earth apart from Christ and His word. not read the contract, do you? Are you don’t believe in Jesus for who He is. But if Christ is the only appointed head of the really telling me you could actually buy they don’t believe in Jesus, who do they Church (Eph . 1:22). into something that concerns your eternal believe in? I can’t have been deceived by the life without having read what Jesus says Take the Jehovah’s Witnesses, for Presbyterian Church where I am, or the about it? For instance, the Gospels and example. They have their “governing Wesleyans, the Baptists, the Church of the letters of Romans and Hebrews seem body” which they think is “God’s chan - Christ or any of the others that I’ve to be saying some things about the way nel” on earth. Their governing body is attended. None of these churches could into heaven and no more earthly priests or their mediator. If you are a Jehovah’s have deceived me because my beliefs were other mediators. Surely you read the New

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 • 11 ROME

Testament, didn’t you? You haven’t just works God requires?” Jesus answered, still ran the fastest! The reason they get been listening to another mediator tell “The work of God is this: to believe in the upset is that he tried to steal the glory that you what’s in it? You are not going to pull one he has sent” (John 6:28-29) . Rita, didn’t really belong to him. Ben ran the the old “I read it when I was a kid” one on don’t believe in yourself! Don’t believe in race, but it was Ben’s chemist who should me, are you? Not that one! You wouldn’t your little works! Believe in Jesus! have been taking the bows and receiving do that with your eternal life. What if If another mediator tells you that your the medal. You can’t say Ben even partly there were some important things Jesus sin is not that bad and that “you just need won. His whole effort was a lie! said in the New Testament about how we to be a good Christian, believe in Jesus and If we say we have faith in Jesus and get into heaven? follow the church rules”, then that media - what He did on the cross and then say Rita, if another mediator told you tor is telling you to believe in yourself (as “but I helped”, we rely on ourselves as about heaven and he was wrong, then you well. It’s like the boy whose father for - would be trusting the other mediator and If you are gives him for breaking a priceless Ming not Jesus. What if Jesus’ teaching says our taking a little vase saying, “Well, don’t worry dad, I can sin is so bad that we can never do anything pay back the Ming vase out of my to pay it back? No amount of trying to be of the glory allowance each week and you should be a “good Christian” could fix the problem. for yourself happy with that”. It simply can’t be done. What if our sin is so bad that it took noth - it’s a bit like It’s not facing the truth of what the for - ing less than God’s eternal Son to come an athlete giveness cost. The truth is the boy is and take an eternity worth of our punish - winning at the undone. He is completely at the mercy of ment in our place through His death on Olympics but his father’s forgiveness. Jesus says we are the cross! And what if the only way to relying on undone too. We are dead in sins. We need heaven was not to insult God by believing steroids. to rely upon Him totally, not partially! in our insignificant works, but to rely 100 There is nothing we can do to save our - per cent on Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins? selves. “He who trusts himself is a fool” Didn’t St Paul say, “it is by grace you well as Jesus). In this case, you are not (Prov . 28:26) “So”, you ask, “where can have been saved, through faith, and this really believing in Jesus – not exclusively. we go?” We have to go to Jesus and the not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, Instead, you are taking a little of the glory cross and repent. not by works, so that no one can boast” ? for yourself. It’s a bit like an athlete win - If we did that, our repentance would (Eph . 2:8-9). Rita, what if you believe in ning at the Olympics but relying on take on a whole new meaning. We would your works or the works of the church to steroids. Do you remember Ben Johnson want to turn from our sin and do good get you to heaven, but Jesus says the winning the 100 metres in Seoul 1988? works with much more fervour. We opposite? Do you remember what they Wow, what a run! Why do people get so would have a new motive for serving God asked Jesus? “What must we do to do the upset when these guys use a little help? Ben that arose from a grateful heart. We would be relying on what God has done for us rather than on what we can do for our - selves. We would believe in Jesus.

o Rita, who have you been praying to? SOther mediators? Who do you believe in? It all comes back to whether or not you believe in Jesus. Have you checked with Jesus Himself in his word? Have you even read the New Testament? Pope Benedict seems like a friendly sort of bloke. Even though I know he has got a busy schedule in his Australian tour, maybe I could invite you both around for breakfast one morning and ask him a few questions. “Would you like eggs, Benedict?” But, in case he is too busy and can’t make it, the one you really need to ask questions of is Jesus. Read what he has to say. If you get to judgement day and find out you were wrong then who was your mediator? Who did you believe in? Check out the contract now and find out who it is you believe in. I know whom I have believed! (2 Tim. 1:12) With love from your brother-in-law Bill.

Bill Medley is minister of Frankston Presbyterian Church, Vic. ap

12 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 BEIVBALNE GESTLUISDM Y

s descendants of Adam we are all in bondage to sin and, if it were not for God’s Grace mercy, the whole human race would be on the road to self-destruction. God’s mercy is cAentred entirely on Jesus. He alone has met all the alone demands of God’s law, and the righteousness He has so earned can be credited to our account, a gift 20 daily Bible studies in we can take hold of only by faith. Moreover, our sin, that would otherwise separate us from a holy Romans 12-16 God, condemning us to eternal death, has been punished in Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself as our sub - stitute, so that those who believe in Him are put right with God through faith. This also means that nothing in this sad world – a world in which we still struggle, with all its tensions, contradictions and frustrations – can ever separate God’s chosen people, who are identified, led and sustained by His Spirit, from His love in Christ. If He didn’t spare His own Son, why would He withhold His providence in anything else (Romans 8:32)? And there’s more! God’s choosing of the Jews, and the special covenant promises He made to them, were always based on His sovereign mercy alone. The effect of this is that all these promises still stand but are now seen in a new light: they are centred on Christ. The Bible Study Notes covering all this appeared in AP for July 2002 (Romans 1-8) and November 2006 (Romans 9-11). This month we will look at how Paul applies the reality of our salvation to everyday living. Bruce Christian

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 • 13 BIBLE STUDY

DAY 1 Worship that makes sense . THE PASSAGE ROMANS 12:1-2 THE PARTICULARS THE POINT Paul had raised an important question in Romans • Animal sacrifices essential to OT worship are now obsolete for 2 reasons: Jesus has now made the one true and perfect sac - 6: if salvation can only be achieved by God’s extending His rifice to which they were all pointing; and they didn’t work grace to helpless, undeserving sinners, could not a case be put anyway because it was too easy on the part of the worshipper for our continuing in sin in order to highlight the amazing just to offer them without demonstrating any real change of wonder of God’s grace? His answer there was a resounding, heart. The only appropriate response to all this as far as NT “May it never be so!” (6:2). In similar vein he now deals with worship is concerned is a life totally devoted (holy) to Jesus, another question: if bringing an animal sacrifice indicated the and lived out as a sacrifice to Him – not one that hopes to earn worshipper’s penitent heart, what does it say about us if we the right to go to heaven, but one that echoes God’s gracious appear before God in worship with empty hands? Is there no gift of heaven. “sacrifice” we can “bring” Him? How can we demonstrate TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY how much we depend on His mercy? • What is harder: dying for Christ, or living sacrificially for Him?

DAY 2 Make a break with the world . THE PASSAGE ROMANS 12:1-2 about how universal our unregenerate, sinful condition is (eg THE POINT There is so much packed into these two verses 3:23, 5:12). that we will look at them again today. Verse 2 explains what it • Like being “born again”, being “transformed by the renewing means to “offer our bodies as living sacrifices”, to die to self of our mind” is God’s work; it is the outcome of His mercy. and live for Him. Jesus referred to Satan as “the prince of this But we have no excuse if we fail to have this renewal of world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). Satan uses his influence heart/mind! untiringly to ensure that we conform to the established lifestyle • We are in no position to assess the outworking of God’s will of his domain, to see that his ways and not God’s will always be in our lives unless we have first aligned our mind-set with his. our “default option”. Resisting this will never “just happen” TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY naturally without effort! • Satan seems to be achieving some success today with affluent THE PARTICULARS professing Christians whose regular intake of entertainment, • By telling us not to conform to the world’s ways “any food and consumer goods is barely distinguishable from that of longer”, Paul reinforces the point he made earlier in the letter the world around them! How is he going with you at present?

DAY 3 Healthy Church . THE PASSAGE ROMANS 12:3-8 (3). THE POINT God has designed and built me specifically to be • The human body provides an excellent analogy for the part of a unit that operates in conjunction with other people Church because of the wide diversity of function of all the He has designed and built differently. My job is to discover members, and the harmony that must exist among them if the where I fit into the whole, then to apply myself to my particu - smooth working of the whole is to be achieved (4-5; cf 1 lar function(s) with all the enthusiasm/energy I can muster, Corinthians 12:12-26). relying on God’s grace. • A healthy Church recognises who has been given which gifts, THE PARTICULARS and to what extent, and gives opportunity for their use (6-8). • We run the risk of being too generous in our own assessment TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY of our God-given abilities, and this can lead to hurt feelings and • Paul never talks about being a Christian apart from the con - dissension. A measure of realistic honesty, tempered by a dose text of fellowship in the Church. What does this say to people of humility and letting God Himself be the sole arbiter regard - today who tend to shop around instead of settling down in one ing matters of faith, is a good recipe for success in these things place? DAY 4 Love .

THE PASSAGE ROMANS 12:9-13 a front, a sham, then it needs a different word to describe it – THE POINT Did you notice yesterday that, when Paul listed not “agapé”! Nevertheless, Paul’s strong warning is clear – and all the different gifts (6-8), he intermingled the ones at the “ser - necessary! vant” end of the spectrum with those at the “leader” end? • We are constantly being called on to make a choice between This is consistent with his teaching in 1 Corinthians 12, espe - evil and good. There’s no place for ambivalence, not even in cially verses 21-26. The important point he made there – in thought: we must detest/shun the one, and stick like glue to greater detail in Chapter 13 – about the danger associated with the other (9). seeking the more “impressive” gifts (eg tongues) without love, • True fellowship in Christ is shown outwardly by affection, he implies here to the Romans. humility and generous sharing (10, 13), upwardly by ongoing THE PARTICULARS enthusiasm and prayer (11, 12b), and inwardly by quiet joy and • The transliteration of Paul’s first statement in verse 9 is sim - hope that are unaffected by testing adverse circumstances (12a). ply, “The agapé (love) unhypocritical.” In a sense this is tau - TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY tologous because, by definition, if the “love” we express is only • How is your Church fellowship going on all these points?

14 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 CHURCH DIRECTORY

Come worship with us! If you are passing through or moving nearby, feel free to ring the Minister, Clerk or Elder. Find us on the Web at: http://www.presbyterian.org.au/states.htm

BOWRAL-MITTAGONG FORSTER/TUNCURRY Bowral: 20 Bendooley St. 10.30am. Bruce St. Forster, 9.30am, 6.00pm. northern territory Kid’s Church: 9.30 am. 1st & 3rd Sunday Rev. Jason Summers (02) 6557 5047 DARWIN Mittagong: Cr Alice & Edwards Sts. 9.00am. GLEN INNES Casuarina Shopping Centre 9.30am. Sess. Clrk: Mr Peter Boggs, (02) 4861 3079. Heron St. 11.00am & 7.00pm. Rev. Rob Duncanson (08) 8988 9911. BURWOOD (St. James) All ages study groups 9.30am. 46-48 Belmore St. 9.15am Pastor Lance Jackson (02) 6732 5707 Rev. David Maher (02) 9744 6542 GOULBURN (St Andrews) australian BURWOOD CHINESE Clifford St. 9.00am. 7.00pm (2nd & 4th 46-48 Belmore St. 9.15am & 11.15am Sundays). Also Taralga, Crookwell and capital territory (Cantonese) 10.30am & 5.00pm (English). Tuena. Rev. Chris Balzer (02) 4822 2344 Church Office: (02) 9715 3889. GOSFORD CANBERRA, BELCONNEN Rev. Dennis Law 0414 812 776. 14-16 Young St. West Gosford. 8.00am. Cnr Gatty St. & Ross Smith Cres, Scullin. Rev. Eugene Hor 0414 992 106. 9.45am. 6.30 pm. Rev. M. Cropper Sunday Service 10:00 am Mr Joe Lin 0405 203 064. Miss Amy Leong Office: Ph (02) 4323 2490. Elder: Mrs J. Cram (02) 6278 7379 0415 777 829 (Pastoral worker) GRANVILLE/MERRYLANDS CANBERRA, FORREST (St Andrew’s) CAMPBELLTOWN Granville: 14 Hutchinson St. 9.30am. 1 State Circle (opp Parliament House). 34 Lithgow St. 8.30 am. 10.00 am. 6.30 pm. Merrylands & Monitor’s Rd. 10.30am. Service Times: 9.30am. & 7.00pm. Rev. Jim Elliot (02) 4625 1037. Bruce Frost, Pastor (02) 9638 4777 Church Office: (02) 6295 3457 CARINGBAH GRIFFITH CANBERRA, TUGGERANONG 393 Port Hacking Rd. South. 9.30am & 6.30pm. Opp. Collina Oval, Blumer Ave. 9.30 am. Isabella Plains: Isabella Plains Primary School, Rev. Darren Middleton (02) 9540 4469. Rev. Peter Gobbo (02) 6962 4827. Ellerstone Ave. CASTLE HILL Dr L. Thorpe (02) 6962 1934 Worship Service & Sunday School 10.00am. 247 Old Northern Rd. 9.30am & 6.00pm. GUNNEDAH (02) 6292 6772 Rev. John Thompson (Transition Minister) Marquis & Barber Sts. Boggabri: Court (02) 9634 2911. House (02) 6742 0551 CHATSWOOD HURSTVILLE new south wales St Andrew’s, Anderson St. 9.00am, 10.30am Cnr. Park Rd. & McMahon St. 9.30am & & 6.30pm. Rev. Jeff Read (02) 9419 5932 (W), 6.30pm. Rev Kevin Murray (02) 9153 8176. (02) 9419 7349 (H). KOGARAH ABBOTSFORD-FIVE DOCK CHERRYBROOK Meets Carlton School of Arts – 9.30am. 443 Great North Rd., Abbotsford. 9.30am John Purchase Public School Hall, 2 Short Street. & 5.00pm. Rev. Moses Hahn (02) 9713 2939. Purchase Road. Service: 9.30 am. Mr Steve Chong (02) 8012 6837 (H). ANNANDALE-LEICHHARDT Rev. Stephen Fong (02) 9875 3684 KOREAN, SYDNEY (Young Nak) Hunter Baillie, Johnston & Collins Sts. CHINESE CHURCH 7-9 Manson St, Telopea. 9.30am. 11.00am. 10.00am (6.30pm 1st Sunday only.) Cnr Crown & Albion Sts. Surry Hills. 3.00pm. S.Clerk (02) 9816 3807 Rev. Peter Dunstan (02) 9810 7869 English/Cantonese/Mandarin/Bilingual LEETON ARMIDALE (St. Paul’s) Services. Office (02) 9331 4459. Cnr. Sycamore & Cypress Sts. 10.00 am. Faulkner St, 9.30am. & 7.00pm. Rev Ezra Tseng (02) 9500 1259(H). Rev. Richard Keith (02) 4272 9407 Rev. David M. Seaman (02) 6772 3093 COFFS HARBOUR (St Andrew’s) LISMORE (St Paul’s) ASHFIELD 187 Harbour Dr. 8.00am, 9.45am & 6.30pm 188 Keen St. 9.00 am. & 7.00 pm. Liverpool Rd. & Knox St. 10.15am & 6.00pm at Harbourside Evangelical Church. MANLY (St Andrew’s) Rev Peter Hastie (02) 9798 6572. Rev. Jamie K. Newans (02) 6652 3183 Raglan St. & Augusta Lane. 9.00am. BEACON HILL (St Andrew’s) CONCORD Rev. Derek Bullen (02) 9976 2801 244 Warringah Rd. 9.00am. & 7.00pm. Cornerstone Presbyterian Community Church MAROUBRA Rev. Trevor Cheetham (02) 9451 5076. Meets Concord Public School 9.30 am. 8 Robey St, 10.00am. 7.15pm. BEECROFT Cnr Burwood Rd. & Stanley St. Concord Chinese Service, 4pm. Mary St., 8.45am. 10.30am. & 5.30pm. Rev. C S Tang (02) 9688 7880 (H) Rev Johnnie Li (02) 9349 1312 Rev. Paul Cooper (02) 9876 2478. COWRA MOREE (St Andrew’s) BEGA — EDEN 46 Macquarie St. Also Gooloogong, Cnr Albert & Auburn Sts, 10.00am. Bega – 25 Upper St. 9.30am. Morongla. Ph (02) 6342 1467. Tel. (02) 6752 1083 Contact: Mrs M. Cochrane (02) 6492 2949 CRONULLA MORUYA BONDI 13 Croydon St. 9.30am. 31 Evans St. 9.00am. Cnr. Castlefield & Miller Sts. Rev. Russell Stark (02) 9523 5875. MOSMAN (Scots Kirk) 10.00am & 7.00pm. EAST MAITLAND Belmont Rd. (nr Military Rd), 9.00am. Rev John Graham: (02) 9130 6607. George St. 9.30am. Beresfield: Beresford Ave. Rev. Adrian de Graaf (02) 9969 6101. BONNYRIGG 7.45am. Raymond Terrace: Irrawang St. MOSS VALE Western Regions Chinese Church 9.45am. Rev. J. Buchanan (02) 4933 7443. 7 Browley St 9.30am & 6.00pm 14-16 Bibbys Place. 9.30 am. (English) & EPPING Rev. Steve North (02) 4869 4795. 11.00 am. (Mandarin) Bridge & Rawson Sts. NAROOMA S.Clerk: Stanley Chen (02) 9753 2073 8.45am, 10.30am & 7pm. (02) 9876 1188. 1 Farncombe Ave. 11.00am.

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 • 15 CHEUVRACH NGDIERLEICSTOM RY

NEWCASTLE (St Andrews) WAHROONGA 10.00am & 6.00pm. Cnr. Laman & Auckland Sts 9.30am & 6.00pm. Wahroonga Presbyterian Church, Admin: Mrs M. Goodson (03) 9457 4962. Office: (02) 4929 2857 Cnr. Illoura Ave. & Stuart St. 9.30am. BURWOOD NEWCASTLE EAST (St. Philip’s) Rev. Murray Fraser (02) 9489 3690 (Chinese Presbyterian Church) 11.00am. 48 Watt St., 10.00am. Surfside: 7.00pm. WAGGA WAGGA SOUTH Cnr. Greenwood &Tennyson Sts. Stockton: 10.30am Wednesday. 60-62 Coleman St. Turvey Park Rev Dr John Elnatan (03) 9801 7645. Rev. John Macintyre (02) 4929 2379. 9.00am & 10.30am. CAMBERWELL - Trinity Asst: Rev. Jon Nuttall (02) 4928 3410. Rev. Sandy McMillan (02) 6925 1228. cnr Riversdale & Waterloo Sts. 10.00am. NORTH SYDNEY-GREENWICH WEE WAA Rev. Philip Mercer (03) 9882 8102 (St Peter’s) 234 Blues Point Rd. 10.00am. Mitchell St. Rev. Mark Powell (02) 6795 4259 CAMPERDOWN-TERANG-GARVOC & 6.45pm. Wednesday 1.15pm. WENTWORTH FALLS (St Andrew’s) 9.30 am Aug — Jan. 11am Feb — July Greenwich: (Taylor Memorial) Falls Rd. 9.00 am. Terang: 1 Warrnambool Rd. 86A Greenwich Rd. 10.00am. Rev. Keith King (02) 4784 1255 Camperdown: Campbell & Brooke Sts. Rev. Dr Paul Logan (02) 9955 1662. WENTWORTHVILLE (St Andrew’s) Garvoc: 2:30pm. 2nd & 4th Sunday. Rev. Matthew Oates (02) 9405 2235. 7 McKern St. 9.00am & 5.00pm. Pastor Bernie Thomas (03)5592 1041 ORANGE (St James) Rev. Luke Tattersall (02) 9863 8366. CANTERBURY Cnr Anson St. & Matthews Ave. 10.00am. WESTLAKES 146 Canterbury Rd. 10.30am. & 7 pm. Rev. Robert McKean (02) 6362 6304 Warnervale Community Hall, Virginia Rd Rev. Grant Lawry (03) 9836 4601. PARKES/FORBES/PEAK HILL S. School 10.15am. Service 10.00am. CANTERBURY JAPANESE Parkes: S. School 10.00am; Service 11.00am. Rev. Esa Hukkinen (02) 4353 0868 146 Canterbury Rd. 10.30 am Forbes: 9.00am. Peak Hill: 10.00am. WEST WYALONG Mr Simon Crittle (03) 9833 6007. 1st Sunday. Rev. Craig Bland (02) 6862 2730 Pioneer Memorial, Court St. 10.30am. CAULFIELD-ELWOOD PARRAMATTA CITY Barmedman: 1st & 3rd Sunday. 9.00am. Caulfield: Neerim/Bambra Rds. 11.15am. Cumberland High School, Mirrool: 3rd Sunday. Tallimba: Contact Elwood : Scott/Tennyson Sts. 9.15am. Dunmore Ave. Carlingford. Minister. Weethalle: Last Sunday 7.00pm. I.M. Rev. Dr Botrosdief (03) 9505 3013. S. Clerk: Mike Whiteman (02) 9484 1240. Mr. Graham French (02) 6972 2143. CHELTENHAM Pioneers’ Presbyterian PENRITH (St Andrew’s) WOLLONGONG (St Andrew’s) 8 Park Rd. Cnr. Charman Rd. 9.30am. Rev. Doonmore St. near High St, 9.00am. & Cnr Kembla & Burelli Sts. 9.45am & 6.00pm. Choul Yat; Sudanese (Nuer Language) 2.30pm. 7.00pm. Rev William Morrow (02) 4721 2440. Rev. Granville Pillar (02) 4226 1725(O). I.M. Rev. M. Wharton (03) 9018 9521. PORT MACQUARIE (St Andrew’s) WOONONA CLIFTON HILL Cnr William/Munster Sts, 9.00am., 10.30am 7 Gray St. Rev Peter Currie (02) 4284 4057. Cnr Michael & McKean Sts North Fitzroy. Rev S Donnellan (02) 6582 2505 WOY WOY 10.45 am. Rev. Peter Phillips (03) 9346 8044. RANDWICK 118-120 Blackwall Rd. 9.00 & 10.30 am. COLAC (Scots) Alison Rd. & Cook St. 10.00am. & 5.00pm. Rev. Keith Rathbone (02) 4342 2856. 90-94 Armstrong Street. 10.00am. Rev. Grant Thorpe (02) 9399 3183. Rev. Marvin Hagans H: (03) 5250 4360 REVESBY O: (03) 5231 2398 Cnr Tower St & Eastern Avenue, CRANBOURNE/LYNDHURST Service: 9.00am & 6.30pm. victoria Cranbourne: Cnr Russel & Sladen Sts 10.00am. Rev. Dr Peter Barnes (02) 9774 5740. Lyndhurst: 214 Westernport Hwy (entry frm ROSE BAY (St Andrew’s) Pyramid Pl) 2.00pm 2nd Sunday of Mth. Cnr Dover Rd. &Carlisle St. ARARAT Mr Alex van der End (03) 5995 6061 10.00a m& 6.00pm. 330 Barkly St (Cnr Albert St). 10.00am. DANDENONG Rev Bruce Christian (02) 9388 1206(O). Rev. Ian Hutton (03) 5352 4054 51 Potter St. 10.00am. SOUTHERN CROSS ASHBURTON Rev. John Rickard (03) 9792 4252. Park Ave. East Lismore Junction of High St. and High Street Rd. DONVALE Rev. Stephen Cree (02) 6621 3655 near Warrigal Rd. 10.15am. Cnr Springvale Rd & McGowan St Donvale. SPRINGWOOD Rev Peter Orchard (03) 9889 6034. 8.30am, 10.30am & 6.30pm. 160 Macquarie Rd. 10.30am. & 6.00pm. ASPENDALE Rev Gerald Vanderwert (03) 9842 9493. (03) Winmalee : 481 Hawkesbury Rd. 9.00am. Cnr Station St. & Lyle Grv. 9.00am. & 9841 7020 (O) A. Min. Mark Armstrong (02) 4751 1188 (O). 6.00pm. Session Clerk (03) 9580 6161. DROMANA-MORNINGTON Rev. Keith Walker (02) 4751 1188 (O). AUBURN St Andrew’s, Gibson St. 9.00am. SUTHERLAND Cnr Rathmines & Station Sts Hawthorn East Mornington (The Chapel) Cnr Strachans Cnr Flora & Glencoe Sts. 9.30am & 5.30pm 10.00 am. Rev. Trevor Cox (03) 9882 5256 Rd. & Nepean Hwy. 11.00am. Rev Andrew Clausen (02) 9521 2361 BAIRNSDALE Rev. Dr Michael Wishart (03) 5975 9514. SYDNEY (Scots Church) 15 9 Nicholson St. 10.00am. DROUIN 44 Margaret St. Sydney. Sun: 10.30 am. 1st of Month 5.00pm. S/school 9.00 am. Church St. 9am. 10.30am. 7.00pm. Wed: 1.15pm. Rev. Adrian Van Ash Rev. Gary Stephens (03) 5153 1669 Rev. Mark Smith (03) 5625 4112. (02) 9299 7490 (O) (02) 9817 0587 (H). BALACLAVA ELTHAM TAMWORTH (St Stephen’s) 106 Hotham St. & Denman Ave. 9.30am. 23 Batman Rd. 10.00 am Cnr Matthews & Crown St. 9.00am & Rev. Tony Johnson (03) 9527 3270. Rev. Don Elliott (03) 9439 9720 6.30pm. Moonbi 9.00am. BENDIGO (St John’s) ESSENDON Rev Stuart Andrews (02) 6765 8754. Forest St. 10.30am. Cnr Wilson & McPherson Sts. 9.15am & Tamworth Community Presb Church, Rev. Philip Burns (03) 5443 6189. 7.00pm. Rev. Peter Phillips (03) 9346 8044. St Stephens, Cnr Matthews & Crown St. BLACKBURN FLEMINGTON 10.30am Rev. David Hassan (02) 6765 2865. 53 Gardenia St. 11.00am. Norwood St. 9.30am. TAREE Rev P Locke (03) 9725 6417 S. Clerk Miss R. Anstee (03) 9650 9903. Albert St. 9.00am. BRIMBANK FRANKSTON Rev. Paul Harris (02) 6552 1082(O). Sydenham Community Centre 30 Radiata St. 10.30am & 6.00pm. TERRIGAL (Scots Kirk) Cnr, The Community Hub & Overton Lea Rev. Bill Medley (03) 9786 2976. 2 Willoughby Rd. 9.00am & 6.00pm. Blvd, 9.30am each Sunday. GEELONG (St. Georges) Rev. Glenn Samuel (02) 4385 2240 Rev. Peter Owen (03) 9307 6583. Cnr. Latrobe Tce & Ryrie St. TUROSS HEAD BUNDOORA 10.00am & 7.00pm. 277 Hector McWilliam Dr. 9.00am. Bundoora Hall, Noorong Ave. Rev. Graeme L. Weber (03) 5229 5493.

16 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 CHEUVRACH NGDIERLEICSTOM RY

GEELONG WEST (Scots) SUNSHINE Rev. Don Kennedy (07) 5498 6253 Cnr. Pakington & Waratah Sts. 10.00am. McKay Memorial, Anderson Rd. CAIRNS Rev. David Assender (03) 5249 5508. 10.00am. & 6.00pm. 85 Sheridan St. 9.30am. & 6.30pm. Clerk: Mr J. R. Diffen (03) 5264 8080. Rev Cor Vanderhorn (03) 9311 1661 Korean 11.00am. Cook Island 12 noon. HAMILTON SURREY HILLS (St Stephen’s) Rev. Harry Oh (07) 4051 2238 St Andrew’s, Gray & McIntyre Sts. 10.00am. Canterbury & Warrigal Rds. 10.15am & CALLIDE VALLEY & 5.00pm. (last Sunday of month) 6.00pm. Family Services 6.00pm (2nd & 4th Biloela: Cnr. Kariboe & Melton Sts. Phone: (03) 5572 1009 Sunday). Rev. Chris Siriweera (03) 9833 3306. 10.00am. Jambin: Three Ways 8.30am. HAWTHORN SURREY HILLS (St Stephen’s) Rev. Gaius Goh (07) 4992 1441 . 580 Glenferrie Rd. 11.00 am. & 7.00 pm. Deaf Presbyterian Church CHARLEVILLE/BLACKALL Rev. Graham Nicholson (03) 9819 5347. Canterbury & Warrigal Rds. 2.00pm. 78 Galatea St. 9.00am. HEATHMONT Rev. Tony Salisbury (03) 9551 3634 CLAYFIELD (Scots Memorial) Cnr. Waterloo St. & Canterbury Rd. (Mod. Rev. Chris Siriweera (03) 9833 3306) 29 Bellevue Terrace, 9.30am & 6.30pm. Heathmont 10.00am. UPPER YARRA – WARBURTON Rev. Andrew Richardson 0423 160 412 Rev. Andrew Venn (03) 9870 5182. 3471 Warburton H’way. 10.00am. & 6.00pm. COORPAROO KANGAROO GROUND Rev. Tony Archer (03) 5966 2309. Emlyn St. 10.00am. 265 Eltham-Yarra Glen Rd. 9.30am. WANGARATTA – REGIONAL PARISH H. M. Phil Case (07) 3397 8793. Rev. Rod Scott (03) 9763 4248. Wangaratta , 158 Rowan St. 11.00am & CREEK ROAD KOREAN MELBOURNE 5.00pm (9.00am 1st Sunday) Presbyterian Ministry Centre. 1541 Creek Rd 16 Walnut Rd. North Balwyn. 11.00am & Yarrawonga , 47 Orr St. 8.45am (11.00am 1st (cnr Fursden Rd). Carina 9.00am & 6.30pm. 2.00pm. Mr Wonil Kim 0412 748 681. Sunday). Myrtleford , 78 Standish St. 7.00pm Centre: (07) 3398 4333. Rev Peter Barson LEONGATHA (5.00pm June, July, August). (07) 3398 9823. Ass. Mr Jens Norved (07) Cnr. Bent & Turner Sts. 10.00am. Rev. Neil Harvey (03) 5721 6444 3396 1185. Japanese Service 11.30am. Session Clerk: (03) 5662 2107 WARRNAMBOOL (St John’s) Jack & Keiko Marshall (07) 5501 9220. MALVERN Warrnambool: Spence Street. 10.30am & DECEPTION BAY–BURPENGARY 161 Wattletree Rd. 10.30am. & 5.00 pm. 7.00pm. (O) (03) 5562 2029. Peace Presbyterian Church. 9.30am. Rev. Philip Daffy (03) 9509 7373. South Warrnambool: McDonald St. 9.30am. 155-157 Maine Terrace, Deception Bay. MELBOURNE Woodford: Mill St. 11.00 am. Rev. John Gilmour (07) 3203 2526. The Scots’ Church, Cnr. Russell & Collins Rev. Ben Johnson (03) 5561 3230. GLADSTONE (St Andrew’s) Sts. 11am & 7pm. Wed. 1.00pm. WEST FOOTSCRAY Goondoon & Bramston Sts. 10.00am. Rev. Douglas Robertson (03) 9650 9903. 141 Essex St. (Scots) 10.00 am. Benaraby: O’Connor Rd. 8.00am. Calliope: MELTON Session Clerk: Ms J Swift (03) 9687 5701 Dawson H’way (Stirrat St.) 2nd Sunday WILLIAMSTOWN (St Andrew’s) 9.30am; 4th Sunday 8.00am. Rev. D. Secomb Mowbray College, Centenary Ave. 10.00am. 87 Cecil St. 10.00am. (07) 4972 1058 (O); 4972 1057 (H). (03) 9747 8195. Rev. Bruce Riding (03) 9397 5338 GOLD COAST (I) MOE — YARRAM WOORI YALLOCK Arundel: 132 Allied Drive 9.00am & Moe: 34 Fowler St. 10.00am. 1363 Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Rd. 9.30am. 10.45am. (07) 5571 5676. www.arundel.org.au Yarram: Cnr. Dougherty & Montgomery Sts. I.M. Rev. Tony Archer (03) 5966 2309. Robina: Cnr University & Cottesloe Drives 2.00pm. Rev Jared Hood (03) 5127 1296. WYNDHAM 10.00am & 6.30pm. NOORAT 116-120 Blackforest Rd. 10.00am. Rev. Kevin Ridley (07) 5571 1416 Cnr Mc Kinnons Bridge & Glenormiston Rds. Pastor Shane Cassidy (03) 9974 2024 GOLD COAST (II) 10.30am. Rev. Miles Fagan (03) 5592 5220 Mudgeeraba: Cnr Mudgeeraba Rd & NUMURKAH Regency Pde. 9.00am & 6.30 pm. 58 Saxton St. 11.15am. Rev. John Morrow (07) 5545 4167 Tallygaroopna: Victoria St. 9.30am. queensland GOLD COAST (III) Cobram : Cnr High and Pine Sts. (Anglican Christ Church: Currumbin Primary School, Church) 2.30pm. Phillip Street, Currumbin – 9.30am. RESERVOIR ACACIA RIDGE Rev. Alan Radloff (07) 5530 5758. 81 Edwardes St. 10.00 am. & 7.00 pm. Cnr. Mortimer & Beaudesert Rds. HELENSVALE (Northlinks) Rev. Ross Tucker (03) 9460 9523 9.00am. & 6.00pm. Pastor Stephen Teale, 1 Shepparton Road – 9.30am. ROCHESTER (07) 3277 0010, (07) 3711 3022 (H). Rev. John Evans (07) 5580 1367. Cnr Victoria St. & Echuca Rd. ASCOT HERVEY BAY 11.00am & 7.30pm (every 2nd Sunday). 68 Charlton St. (Near Airport). 5 Denman’s Camp Road, Scarness. 9.30am H. Missionary – Mr S. Arbuckle. Nundah: 14 Rode Rd & 7.00pm. Rev. John Roth (07) 4124 7018. S. Clerk – Mr J. Broad (03) 5484 1927. Rev Guido Kettniss (07) 3216 4151. ITHACA ST KILDA Rev Les Hall (07) 3267 0558 100 Enogerra Tce, Paddington. Cnr Alma Rd. & Barkly St. 11.00am & ATHERTON (Tablelands) Service: 9.30 am. 6.30pm. 7.00pm. Rev. Bob Thomas 0417 592 646. Cnr. Alice & Jack Sts. 10.00am & 6.00pm. Rev. Robert Herrgott (07) 3300 6158. SHEPPARTON Rev. Cameron Wills (07) 4091 7203. IPSWICH Cnr. Hayes & Leithen Sts. 9.00am. & BALD HILLS Cnr Limestone & Gordon Sts. 9.30am, 7.00pm. Also Stanhope, Kyabram. 58 Strathpine Rd. 8.30am. & 7.00pm. 10.00am & 6.30pm. Rev Kyung Ee (03) 5831 6494. Rev Peter Bloomfield (07) 3261 4305. Forest Hill: Church St, 9.00am. SOMERVILLE BRISBANE KOREAN Office: (07) 3281 7201, Fax: (07) 3202 2571. Cnr Jones Rd. & Park Lane. 145 Ann St. 8.00am. 12.00 noon, 7.30pm. MACGREGOR Rev. Ian Brown (03) 5977 5469. Rev. Dr M. M. Y. Kim (07) 3300 3132 268 Padstow Rd. Eight Mile Plains 9.00am. SORRENTO-RYE BRISBANE (St Paul’s) Pastor Ross Wilson (07) 3272 6265 Sorrento: St Andrew’s, Kerferd Avenue 53 St Pauls Tce. Spring Hill. MACKAY 11.00am. Rye: Cnr Collingwood & Lyons Rev. A. Gardiner (07) 3831 7458(O). Cnr Harvey St. & Evans Ave. Nth Mackay. Sts. 9.15am. 6.00pm. BUNDABERG 8.30am & 7pm. Sarina: Sarina Beach Rd. Rev. John Brennan (03) 5985 6492 Cnr Water & Alice Sts. 9.00am & 7.00pm. 9.30am each Sunday; Ph. (07) 4957 2835. SOUTH YARRA Rev. Wallace Brown (07) 4151 4766. MARANOA 621 Punt Rd. 10.30 am. & 5.30 pm. CABOOLTURE Roma: Queen Street 9.00am. S.Clerk: Mr J. Adlawan (03) 9808 7391. 24 Cottrill Road. 9.00am & 6.00pm. Rev. Walter Jones (07) 4622 1158

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 • 17 CHEUVRACH NGDIERLEICSTOM RY

MAREEBA (Tablelands) WINDSOR WHYALLA 135 Walsh St. 9.00am. Maygar St. 8.30am. Wilston: Macgregor St. 28 Ramsay St. 10.00 am. Rev. Cameron Wills (07) 4091 7203. 10.15am. Newmarket: Wilmington St. S/Clerk H. Mashford (08) 8645 0818. MAROOCHYDORE 6.00pm. Rev. Stuart Atkinson (07) 3356 4124 I.Mod. Rev. Dr Reg Mathews (08) 8395 7841. 45 Okinja Road Alexandra Headland 9.00am & 7.00pm. Rev. Peter Barber & Church Office (07) 5443 7073. Rev. Keith Mayers (07) 5445 9209. western australia MARYBOROUGH tasmania 523 Alice Street. 9.00am (& 5.00pm first Sunday). Rev. David Newman (07) 4123 CORNERSTONE (Hobart) 10.00am. 1212 BASSENDEAN MONTO 14-16 Broadway. 9.30am. The Philip Smith Centre, 2 Edward St, The Bell St. 10.00am. Abercorn 11.45am. (1st Rev. Ross Fraser (08) 9248 3252. Glebe. Rev. David Jones (03) 6223 4701. Sunday). Kalpowar: 5.30pm. BICTON CROSSROADS 5.30pm. Pastor Elton Wiltshire (07) 4166 1441. Harris St. & View Tce. 9.30am & 7.00pm. “The Philip Smith Centre”, 2 Edward St, The Rev. Andrew Robinson (08) 9339 3542 NORTH PINE Glebe. H.M. Michael Lynch 0414 669 554. 57 Old Dayboro Rd. Petrie. 9.00am & FREMANTLE (Scots) DEVONPORT (St Columba’s) 6.30pm. Rev P. Cornford (07) 3285 2104. 90 South Tce. Worship & Sunday School REDCLIFFE PENINSULA 10.00am & 5.00pm, Wednesday 12.30pm. 13 Edward St. 10.00am. Don : Waverley Rd. WoodyPoint, Cnr. Ellen & Hawthorne Sts. Rev. Stuart Bonnington 2.00pm (1st & 3rd Sundays). 9.30am. & 6.00pm. Scarborough: Jeays St. (08) 9319 2208 Off. (08) 9336 6572 Rev. Steve Warwick (03) 6424 6066 WEST LEEDERVILLE (Henderson Memorial) 8.00am. Rev. Peter Whitney (07) 3284 2578. HOBART (St John’s) Cnr Kimberly & Ruislip Sts. 10.30am. ROBINA 10.00am & 6.00pm (7.00pm daylight saving). Cnr Cottesloe & University Drs. English & Japanese Service 1.00pm. 188 Macquarie St. (03) 6223 7213. Rev. Kevin Ridley (07) 5571 1416. Rev. Steve Young (08) 9448 8755. ROCKHAMPTON (St Andrew’s) Rev. Robert White (03) 6229 7657 51 Denham St. (cnr Alma Lne) 9.00am. & Rev. Rod Waterhouse 0438 555 983. 6.00pm. Rev C. Kennedy (07) 4922 8241. south australia LAUNCESTON (St Andrew’s) ROCKHAMPTON (John Knox) Civic Square. 10.00 am & 5.00 pm. Rundle St. 10.00 am. & 7.30 pm. Church Office: (03) 6331 5412 Rev. Jon Chandler (07) 4922 1825 (O) ADELAIDE (St Andrew’s) Rev. Peter Thorneycroft 0438 315 412 (07) 4922 1540 (A/H). 92-98 Archer St. North Adelaide. 10.30 am. ROCKHAMPTON ( St Stephen’s) MONTROSE Rev. Chris ten Broeke. Burnett St. Nth Rockhampton, 8.30am. Cnr. Islington Rd. & Walker St. 10.00 am. Session Clerk Mr D. Niven (08) 8381 4615. Rev. Jon Chandler (07) 4922 1825 (O) ELIZABETH Mod. Rev. Rod Waterhouse 0438 555 983. (07) 4922 1540 (A/H). 106 Goodman Rd, Elizabeth South. 9.30am. RIVERSIDE Mt Morgan: St Enoch’s, East St. 4.00pm. Session Clerk: Mr Bob Arstall (08) 8825 5226. Eden St. 10.45am. Glengarry: 9.15am. Rev. Jon Chandler (07) 4922 1825 (O) Int. Mod. Rev. S. Slucki (08) 8296 1581 Frankford H’way. Winkleigh: 9.15am, 2nd (07) 4922 1540 (A/H). LARGS NORTH Sunday. Rev. Norman Shellard (03) 6327 2967 SANDGATE Brenda Terrace. 11.00am. ROKEBY Loudon St. 9.00am & 6.00pm. Rev. Raymond Brewer (08) 8263 9692. Rev. D.K. Ashman (07) 3269 1231 MILLICENT Presby. Community Church, Tollard 9.30am SHAILER PARK/CORNUBIA Cnr Fifth & Sixth Sts. 10.30 am. & 6.00pm. Clerk David Turner (03) 6247 7971. 99 Bromley St. Cornubia. 10.00am & Rev. Alan Clarkson (08) 9739 6490. SCOTTSDALE 6.00pm. Rev. Don Geddes (07) 5522 8982. Also Rendelsham SPRINGSURE George St. 11.00am. Bridport : Westwood St. MT BARKER 9.00am. Pastor Greg Munro (03) 6352 2527. Charles St. 9.00am. Hutchison St. 10.30 am. Emerald: Cnr Ruby & Egerton Sts., Pastor Rupert Hanna (08) 8391 3151. STANLEY (St James) 11.00am. Mod. Rev. S. Slucki (08) 8296 1581. Fletcher St. 10.30am. Rev. B. J. Harrison (07) 4984 1550. MT GAMBIER I.M. Rev. Steve Warwick (03) 6424 6066. THE GAP Allison St. 10.00 am. 5.30 pm. Also Allendale, ULVERSTONE (St Andrew’s) 1195 Waterworks Rd, 9.00am. Nelson (Vic). Rev Gary Ware (08) 8723 9028. 65 Main Rd. 10.00am. Rev. Chris Perona (07) 3300 2987 NARACOORTE Rev. Charlie Kennedy 0400 228 241. TOOWOOMBA NORTH (St David’s) Church St. 10.00am. Mary St. Also at Geham. Rev. Andrew Gall (08) 8762 1035. WEST TAMAR (Auld Kirk) TOOWOOMBA SOUTH (St John’s) NORWOOD (St Giles) Sidmouth 10.00am and Mole Creek 2.00pm. Cnr Cranley & Geddes Sts. 9:30am, 6pm. 79 The Parade. 9.15am & 7.00pm. Clerk: Steve Buckland (03) 6396 3213. Rev Graeme McKay (07) 4635 4560 Rev. Dr Reg Mathews (08) 8395 7841 Murphy’s Creek , Thor St 9:30am. PARA HILLS Westbrook , Westbrook Hall, Main St. 9am. 174 Maxwell Rd. 10.45 am. TOWNSVILLE (Willows) Rev Dr Reg Mathews (08) 8395 7841 26 Carthew St. Kirwan 9.30am & 6.30pm PENOLA To register your church in this section of AP Rev. David McDougall (07) 4723 1232 Portland St. 9.30am. Rev. Alan Clarkson (08) is an easy, low cost exercise. TOWNSVILLE (St Andrew’s) 9739 6490. Also Dergholm, Kalangadoo Facsimile the AP office on: (03) 9723 9685 113 Wills St. City. 9.00am & 6.30pm. PORT AUGUSTA or E-mail us at: [email protected] Ass. Rev. Kwang-Ho Song (07) 4778 3823 Jervois St. 10.00 am. The Annual Fees are: WEST TOOWOOMBA Barry Rossiter (08) 8642 2059. Congregations under 50 $45.00 plus GST Cnr Greenwattle & South Sts. 7.45am, SEACLIFF Congregations 51 -99 $55.00 plus GST 9.30am & 5.45pm. Rev. R. Sondergeld Kauri Pde. Seacliff. 9.30am. Congregations 100 or more $65.00 plus GST (07) 4633 4000 (H), (07) 4633 4188 (O). Rev. S. Slucki (08) 8296 1581.

18 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 BIBLE STUDY

DAY 5 True love . THE PASSAGE ROMANS 12:14-16 • Sadly, we can find it easier to “mourn with those who mourn” THE POINT These 3 verses have the common theme of what than to “rejoice with those who rejoice”, because of envy in our it looks like to move away from our innate self-centredness. hearts; the Bible gives many warnings against the sin of envy. They are about identifying with one another’s feelings and • Even, and perhaps especially, among Christians, harmony does needs, about “doing to others what you would have them do to not happen automatically (cf 18); we must all work hard at it. you” (Luke 6:31). • We should never think that we are “above” anyone else; a THE PARTICULARS good way to avoid this is to have “ordinary” people as close • The thrust of verse 14 fits better with verses 17-21 which friends! we’ll look at tomorrow; but it is important to note that Paul TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY wants us to see everything he is saying about love for one • In 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 what is Paul suggesting we should another in the broader context of how we relate to those who expect to happen in our lives as part of God’s providence in are against us. Jesus did not limit the application of Luke 6:31 order to help us fulfil the command to “mourn with those who to our friends! mourn”?

DAY 6 Really true love . THE PASSAGE ROMANS 12:17-21 39), but it is obvious how much better things would be if we all THE POINT Verses 1-16 have been a challenge to God’s peo - lived it out! ple in every age, especially our own; but today’s verses present • Only God’s vengeance is just and free from any sinful impurity. the real test of the extent to which we have grown to look like TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY Jesus. We have here a real opportunity to demonstrate to our • What particular aspects of our fallen nature hinder us the own society the big difference Christ can make, since just most from putting Paul’s teaching here into practice? How about everything Paul says flies in the face of the way today’s might recognising the real source of the problem help us to world thinks/behaves. overcome it? THE PARTICULARS • Which mistake are we more likely to make: forgiving too • Paul’s teaching here about relating to our enemies echoes readily when we should have “taught them a lesson”; or seeking both Jesus (Matthew 5:38-48) and Peter (1 Peter 2:19-23; 3:8- revenge when we should have forgiven and longed to see them 9). We might say it’s all too hard, and seek justification in blessed? Jesus’ own pronouncements of judgement (eg Matthew 23:33- • Is the last sentence of verse 20 expressing purpose or result?

DAY 7 The powers that be . THE PASSAGE ROMANS 13:1-7 nance. THE POINT While Paul was writing this from Corinth the • The ideal of verses 3-4 stands true for all time; yes, Paul him - civil authority was Emperor Nero, the tyrant who treated self had suffered unjustly at the hands of the law (eg Acts Christians as scapegoats and killed them for sport! So, if this 16:22-24), but had also benefited from its protection (eg Acts is God speaking to us through His infallible Word, we can’t 23:19-24). It is often hard for us to accept God’s providence claim exemption on the grounds that our own government (eg Christian believers today suffering undeserved, brutal per - might be acting unfairly. The statement, “the powers that be secution under cruel regimes), but God knows what He is are ordained of God” (1, KJV), is universal in its application or doing and calls on us to submit to His will (cf 8:28; 1 Peter God is not sovereign, and we are always to obey them as God’s 2:13-21; 3:13-19; 4:12-19). instruments to execute His will. • The norm for us is to submit to all authority (cf Mark 12:17); THE PARTICULARS resistance must be a last resort (cf Acts 4:19; 5:29; Daniel 3, 6). • The claims of verses 1-2 are not just tentative suggestions, TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY but the statement of a Biblical world-view, a Creation ordi - • Are you trusting God fully with every situation in your life? DAY 8 From love of law, to law of love .

THE PASSAGE ROMANS 13:8-10 really owe anyone ... oh, except, of course, to “love your neigh - THE POINT In the light of yesterday’s passage, how can we bour as you love yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). This is the very avoid becoming legalistic about keeping the law?! Paul finds point Jesus had made when questioned by Jewish legalists the answer in one word: love (agapé). He has already talked (Luke 10:25-28), not missing the opportunity to challenge their about the need for this love to be completely genuine and thinking concerning their actual “neighbourhood” boundaries unhypocritical, without any hidden agenda or undeclared (Luke 10:29-37)!. motive (12:9); now he sees it as the single attribute that covers • When we read Paul’s definition of agapé love in 1 Corinthians all the commandments in the Decalogue, especially those 13:4-8, we see clearly why he can say that it adequately covers affecting our human relationships. everything required by the Mosaic law: while ever agapé love is THE PARTICULARS our motivation, we cannot break any of the commandments. • We are social creatures, and if we conscientiously pay all our civil dues, our debts to the human society, membership of TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY which we cannot avoid (5-7), there will be nothing else we • Is Paul saying the 10 Commandments are no longer relevant?

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 • 19 BIBLE STUDY

DAY 9 A timely wake-up call . THE PASSAGE ROMANS 13:11-14 THE PARTICULARS THE POINT Paul had already urged the believers in Rome to • We do not know when the Lord will return – but we do know that every day it is 24 hours closer! Jesus himself had take seriously the need for godly living in an ungodly world warned us to be awake and ready (Luke 12:35-40). The Bible (12:2); he now presses home what that means in terms of their refers to salvation as past (“I have been saved” – justification), basic lifestyle, reminding them of the imminence of the Lord’s present (“I am being saved” – sanctification), and future (“I will Return. It is very interesting that just a few years later, when be saved” – glorification); it is clearly the latter Paul has in mind he writes a letter to the Church in Ephesus from Rome, he will here (11). • It is part of our sinful nature to dwell on how to satisfy its push this line even harder (cf Ephesians 4:17-5:20). Does the desires; we need spiritual armour to fight it (cf Eph. 6:10-18). Church need constant warning against being like the proverbial TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY foolish frog who, by gradually accommodating itself to the ris - • Our own age is marked by all the sins listed in verse 13. Are ing water temperature, eventually expires without even realising we being diligent to “put aside” these things and to “put on” the danger it was in? Christ?

DAY 10 Scruples . THE PASSAGE ROMANS 14:1-4 THE PARTICULARS THE POINT In chapter 13, Paul has been urging us all to “do • The particular issue at stake here is whether meat that has the right thing”: submit to the governing authorities because been offered to idols and is on sale at the temple shop can be God has set them in place; don’t just keep God’s command - eaten in good conscience by Christians. “Weaker” brothers ments, live out the self-sacrificing love on which they are based; might have scruples about the possibility this has tainted it, and renounce all worldly attitudes and behaviour. But now he so to be on the safe side could even decide to be vegetarians. addresses another problem: even when we follow these instruc - Paul sees no problem with the meat itself (cf 14, 20), only tions there are other matters on which we differ. Those with insensitive “strong” Christians who by their “weaker” in the faith feel more secure with strict rules or scru - actions/words offend others. ples, while “stronger” Christians enjoy the liberty they have in TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY Christ not to be confined by them. Paul agrees that the • Is there some “freedom in Christ” you are enjoying at the stronger ones do have this freedom, but they also have a cost of the spiritual health of a “weaker” brother in your fel - responsibility not to cause offence to the weaker ones. lowship?

DAY 11 What about Sunday? . THE PASSAGE ROMANS 14:5-6 TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY (HARD) THE POINT Paul now moves on to a second way in which we • The question of Sunday observance is complicated by the fact might cause offence to each other: how we treat special “days”. that we can’t even agree on how essential it is! Does the 4th Commandment still apply in a Gospel context? (ie: Is absti - He probably has in mind specifically what Christians are to do nence from work on one day in seven a Creation Ordinance, so with Jewish festivals in the light of their new-found faith. For that a Christian’s life should be guided as much by this us today, the matter of Sunday observance, or our attitude to Commandment as by the other nine? Or, Does Jesus’ con - the Lord’s Day, has become a divisive issue so the principles he demnation of Jewish legalism, especially in connection with the lays down are quite relevant to our situation and should help us Pharisees’ wrong application of the 4th Commandment, mean to address it. The important point, as in the case of the meat, no day of the week should be special? And, Is Paul saying in is that in issues not essential to the faith we must allow, and be 12:1 that all of life is worship, and there should now be no spe - allowed, a degree of freedom, even if it means feeling ill at ease cial day of worship?) [The Bible Studies in March 2005 AP in some things! dealt with the Sabbath.] DAY 12 Letting Jesus be Lord! .

THE PASSAGE ROMANS 14:7-15 THE PARTICULARS THE POINT It is very hard when we feel very strongly about • Christ has purchased us with His precious blood (1 a particular issue, especially if we think it is essential to how we Corinthians 6:19-20); therefore in life and death we belong view the Bible as God’s authoritative, infallible Word, to accept only to him (7-9); as does every fellow-believer for whom He that other people who claim to have the same doctrine of died (15b). Scripture can see things differently. Paul is here getting to the • It is good to remember Jesus’ warning about God’s judging us heart of the matter. If we see ourselves, and our fellow-believ - on the same basis that we judge others (Matt. 7:1-5) (10-13a). ers, as living all our lives under the Lordship of Christ, and • Just because I am fully convinced something is right does not being ultimately accountable only to him, that’s a good place to leave me free to do it; I must stop and consciously consider if it start. If we then accept the measure of responsibility we have might have a damaging effect on someone else first (13b-15). for the spiritual welfare of others, we have come a long way to TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY getting it right! • Is there an admonition here for evangelical Christians today?

20 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 BIBLE STUDY

DAY 13 When being right is wrong . THE PASSAGE ROMANS 14:16-23 • Rigid orthodoxy can kill the very qualities God intends to be THE POINT The Church in every age has been guilty of the fabric of life in His Kingdom; we must work hard at keep - stressing rules at the expense of people. Rules, codes of behav - ing the peace, even sacrificing some hobby horses (17-21; cf iour, can be helpful for disciplining ourselves and edifying oth - 12:18). ers; but they cease to be good if they become the source of dis - • Differing views about alcohol is another source of friction sension or bitterness, or if they are detrimental to another’s (21). faith and spiritual well-being. Paul’s underlying principle in all • There are some matters best kept between ourselves and this is perhaps the point he is making in Philippians 4:5. The God; there are times when it might be quite wrong to be right word translated by “gentleness” there is described in Liddell and Scott’s Lexicon as the “opposite” of the word (dikaios) (22). translated by “right” in Ephesians 6:1! • I need to have a clear conscience about everything I do (23) . THE PARTICULARS TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY • Perceptions count: we don’t always come across the way we • How careful are you in the exercise of your freedom in intend, or even suppose. Care and sensitivity are needed (16). Christ?

DAY 14 Glory to God in the lowest . THE PASSAGE ROMANS 15:1-6 • Jesus gave the supreme example of what this involves: putting THE POINT “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy oneself in the shoes of another, regardless of the cost. For Him forever.” The task of the Church is to give a visible Him, this meant bearing the reproach of sinful men that expression of this to a messed up, sinful world. If we are going resulted from His obedience to the Father (see Psalm 69:9; cf to achieve this we will need to be united in spirit, working self - John 2:17-18). Am I prepared to go to this length to benefit a lessly to help those who are struggling, and always being weaker brother? (3) encouraged by God’s Word. • God has given us the Scriptures to encourage us and enable THE PARTICULARS us to persevere in this exacting task. Do we recognise His • We all have strengths and weaknesses. We must be ready Word as the source of our hope? Do we therefore read it regu - both to give and receive help. Giving help should not be just a larly? (4) token offering but will require self-sacrifice, being prepared to • God’s glory-unity-selflessness is an indivisible package (5-6). forgo our own plans or comforts in order to edify one another TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY (1-2). • Reflect on the particular points and questions raised above.

DAY 15 A broader canvas . THE PASSAGE ROMANS 15:7-13 “strong”, does this describe how we behave in His Church? (7) THE POINT What Paul has been saying about working • The “weaker” (Jewish) brothers were still struggling with together and serving with one another’s best interests at heart their Law-based scruples; the “stronger” Gentiles, who knew had its main focus on the local congregation. But now he goes only the way of “grace alone”, although free of this handicap, to the other end of the spectrum: the same principle applies at a were not to look down on their struggling, tradition-bound global level, especially to the Jew-Gentile question he had dealt brothers. After all, their blessing came through the Jews (cf with in Chapters 9-11. What Christ (the Jew) did (as a Jew) 1:16, 2:10) (8). extended the promises first given to the (Jewish) patriarchs to • Paul, as an apostle to the Gentiles (cf 11:13), had no difficulty the Gentiles! He did this on the “giving-of-oneself-for-the- finding passages throughout his Scriptures (Torah, Prophets and weaker-brother” principle (cf 2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians Writings) to back up God’s anticipation of his ministry (9-12)! 2:5-8) – What a model to follow! • The hope we get from the Bible (4) will only overflow to THE PARTICULARS benefit others if we are trusting God to fill us with joy and • God, in Christ, accepted us unconditionally; whether “weak” or peace (13). DAY 16 Demolishing walls .

THE PASSAGE ROMANS 15:14-22 the coming in of the Gentiles can even be seen as anticipated in, THE POINT The Early Church, born out of the conversion of and consistent with, the Spirit’s administration of the Law (15- Jews to Christ their Messiah, really struggled with the whole 16). theology of the status of Gentile believers (cf God’s dealing • On the evidence of Paul’s track record, and the clear imprint of with Peter in Acts 10-11 and 15). We are indebted to Paul for God’s blessing upon it, there should be no doubt that Gentiles the part he played in the resolution of this problem at a sound around the world are all included among God’s people (17-19). Biblical/theological level, and for his example of attributing all • Paul was a team player, even finding a basis for that in the OT the glory to Christ. (Isaiah 52:15)! His example was as important for Christians THE PARTICULARS and churches then as it is today (20-22; cf 1 Corinthians 3:1-9). • Paul adopts his usual, encouraging, “you-can-do-it” policy TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY (14). • How does Paul’s whole argument here impact on the ques - • Paul’s own life is an example of what God is doing: as a Jew, tion of the establishment of Churches specifically for Messianic he has a “priestly” function in his special Gentile ministry, and Jews?

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 • 21 BEIVBALNE GESTLUISDM Y

DAY 17 Concern for others . THE PASSAGE ROMANS 15:23-33 • Paul established as a firm principle the need for all the differ - THE POINT Most of Paul’s letters were “follow up” letters to ent churches to accept their responsibility to support each churches he’d been used by God to establish in his pioneer mis - other in practical ways, especially for Gentiles to recognise their sionary work. But Romans was an introductory letter to an debt of gratitude to their poorer, persecuted brothers in the existing Church he had not even been able to visit. As such, in Church in Jerusalem (25-26; cf 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 God’s providence, it has become a great source of benefit and Corinthians 8, 9). blessing for the whole Church because in it he lays out his the - • As Paul completes his 3rd missionary journey and plans to go ological manifesto. to Jerusalem with the money collected from the Gentile THE PARTICULARS churches he has planted he realises (correctly) the danger in • We deduce from Acts that Paul’s planned visit en route to which this will place him; he therefore wants fellow-believers to Spain (23-24, 28) never eventuated, so that he finally had to set - pray (30-33). tle for being escorted to Rome as a prisoner of Rome (see Acts TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY 26:32)! • Do we show enough concern for God’s Church world-wide?

DAY 18 People person . THE PASSAGE ROMANS 16:1-16 the Church grew, hospitality became an important feature (1- THE POINT Paul was undoubtedly a “people person”. It is 2). perhaps a bit out of the ordinary that such an astute theological • It has been argued that the list of names (and the quite spe - thinker, and one trained as a Jewish Pharisee, should have such cific admonition of verses 17-20 following it) suggests that this a special gift! Those of us whose comfort zone is bordered by letter was bound for Ephesus rather than Rome. However, the study walls have an important lesson to learn from this ser - there are arguments both ways and all the MS evidence points vant whom God used so powerfully and effectively in the work to Rome. of His Kingdom. • The couple, Aquila and Priscilla, played a very significant part THE PARTICULARS in Paul’s ministry and he clearly valued them highly for it (3-5). • Phoebe was probably the bearer of the letter, Cenchrea being • Paul had, and engendered, loving inter-fellowship bonds (16). near Corinth from where Paul was writing. She obviously had TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY a long established track record of helping the apostle, so now • How can we grow and develop as better people-person peo - Paul was justifiably concerned for her travelling safety, and as ple?

DAY 19 Trouble-makers . THE PASSAGE ROMANS 16:17-20 left to fester. His understanding of human nature, and his THE POINT This passage is cited as a strong argument for experience with all the churches with which he has had direct Ephesus being the originally intended destination of this letter. contact, make it a simple matter to sum up what has been going How could Paul have had such an informed knowledge of the on in Rome on the basis of reports he has received. And, in trouble-makers if he had never been to Rome and experienced addition to all of this, he is writing under the inspiration of the the situation first-hand? Would he speak so forcefully to peo - Holy Spirit to the Church in every age. ple he has never met and to whom he is only just introducing THE PARTICULARS himself in preparation for a visit? These are not such difficult • Child-like innocence is fitting for Christians in the things of matters to explain in the light of the other correspondence this evil world; things of the Spirit require godly maturity (19). from Paul’s hand to which we have access. He is not one for leaving potentially dangerous situations to take their course in TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY the hope that they will solve themselves. He is aware of the • Is media pressure making Christians more worldly and immense damage that division in the Church can cause if it is gullible? DAY 20 To God be the glory! .

THE PASSAGE ROMANS 16:21-27 3:15 is in the now-but-not-yet category: sadly, dissension in the THE POINT If the future welfare and final victory of the Church still occurs (17-19), showing that Satan is still actively Church depended on us we are in trouble; even a superficial pursuing his mischief; but the final crushing of his head is glance at Paul’s letters makes this clear. But “the only wise” inevitable (20). God is sovereign; He will achieve His purpose for His Church, • The personal greetings here (21-23) indicate that not only and the redeemed of every tribe/nation/tongue will bow before was Paul in touch with many people throughout the wider the throne of the Lamb. Church (cf 3-16), but many others were networking with each THE PARTICULARS other. • We are living in the time between “D Day” and “V Day”. • In fulfilment of God’s inspired prophecy, the Gospel, centred Christ has already won the decisive battle against Satan by His on Jesus the Messiah, will bring all the Elect safely home (25- death and resurrection; Satan is a defeated and bound foe. But 26). we are still waiting and looking forward to Christ’s Return TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY when our arch enemy will be cast into the lake of fire, never to • Is everything we do in Church done to give God all the annoy us again. The fulfilment of the prophecy of Genesis glory?

22 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 ROME Still not one The problems identified by the Reformers have not evaporated.

Is the Reformation Over? An Evangelical crucial difference between evangelicals Assessment of Contemporary Roman and Catholics .” Catholicism, Mark A. Noll, Carolyn Before proceeding I will make a few Nystrom (Grand Rapids: Iain brief comments on aspects of the authors’ Baker/Paternoster, 2005). Murray procedure. In a number of places the same ground is gone over a number of times – he answer is both yes and no. partly, no doubt the effect of dual Largely, it is yes.” These words Luther or John Calvin that iustificatio authorship. The repetition is unnecessary. of the authors, in discussing a articulus stantis vel cadentis ecclesiae At no point is there any inter-action with parallel question, may be taken (justification is the article on which the Scripture. We are told the “differences … ‘Tas a summary of their case. They believe church stands or falls), then the are deeply rooted in history, culture, and that a change “unimaginable 40 years ago” Reformation is over .” “ In its official habits ”. Ought not Scripture to have had has taken place between evangelicalism teachings which are found most recently a place in the list? (or at least “most” of it) and Roman in the documents of the Second Vatican Catholicism. Council and the Catholic Catechism , the he Catholic claim that the Mass is That a change has taken place in these Roman Catholic Church now articulates T“anchored in Scripture”, with the years is well documented; instead of the positions on salvation – even on proof text given as John 6:53, is quoted as evangelical opposition of former times justification by faith – that are closer to though the reference alleged was there is a new openness, and any the main teachings of many Protestants .” legitimate. While Roman Catholicism is continuing “outcry ” is left to “a few ”, who Thus, as far as basic Christianity is compared with less commendable features include the “paranoid or ignorant ”. But concerned, evangelicals and Catholics can of contemporary American evangel- except for this one lapse, Noll and now embrace one another as fellow icalism, there is no attempt to compare it Nystrom eschew name-calling. We do not believers. The divide that remains has to with Scripture. Instead beliefs which disagree with their repudiation of the ugly do not with salvation, but with the evangelicals once believed had the language which has sometimes marred the doctrine of the church. This is “the central authority of Scripture are only cautiously divide. It is a parody of Christianity which difference ”. “ Ecclesiology represents the stated. Although the authors write as “we allows anyone to suspend love for one’s neighbour if that neighbour is a theological opponent. This is not the same, however, as accepting that Roman Catholicism as an institution warrants more respect than was given to it in former centuries. The main issue the book raises is whether the Roman Church as an institution has so improved that evangelical Christians ought now to abandon the position of the older Protestantism. The authors believe that the change in Rome is so significant that “evangelicals can embrace at least two- thirds of the Catechism ”. “ The Catholic Catechism also announces loud and clear many, perhaps most, of the theological concepts dear to the hearts of evangelical Protestants. They are basic beliefs of these two branches of the Christian faith .” These statements are a little surprising given that remaining differences are acknowledged, but the authors insist that on the fundamental matter of salvation, and what constitutes a Christian, a new unanimity has been reached. On justification only details of disagreement remain: the main truth is agreed: “If is it true, as once was repeated by Martin

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 • 23 ROME

evangelicals ”, they want to preserve a everything that stands against evangelical the true church as compared with the measure of what might be called neutrality Christianity. Let Rome’s claim to share in communities that only began with Martin or objectivity. No connection between the rule of faith with Scripture be taken Luther and are not to be called churches. former evangelical beliefs and Scripture is away, and her claim to mediate salvation So , without any window-dressing , Pope asserted; rather we read such sentences as through priest and sacrament must fall. It Benedict XVI, in his decree of 10 July “Hodge regularly chastised Catholicism is irresponsible for Noll and Nystrom to 2007, answered the question why the for what he thought were its manifest write as though the nature of the church is Second Vatican Council did not use the theological errors ” (italics added). an issue separable from the way of word “church ” when speaking of the Yet they are prepared to express salvation, especially as they know that congregations of the Reformation: certainty at other points. We are told that Rome claims their church to be “an “According to Catholic doctrine, these the change in evangelical opinion with integral part of the gospel ”. On this point communities do not enjoy apostolic respect to Catholicism “must be that God the Roman Catechism which, they say, succession in the Sacrament of Orders willed the changes to take place ”; again, evangelicals should find it “a treat ” to and are, therefore, deprived of a “the new charismatic movement blurred read, is also explicit: “They could not be constitutive element of the church. ” the barriers of Protestant-Catholic saved who, knowing that the Catholic demarcation as participants together Church (i.e. Rome) was founded as nother feature of this book is the followed the wind of the Spirit ”. There is necessary by God through Christ, would Aextent to which the authors rely on, also a lapse in objectivity in the way the and quote extensively from, Dr J. I. distinctives of Roman Catholic belief are Packer. The opening page of the book allowed to claim the support of the early Spokesmen for bears the dedication, “To J. I. Packer, church Fathers; there is not so much as a Rome say we discerning pioneer ”. Numbers of us regard hint that the appeal to the Church Fathers may trust the Jim Packer as a friend, and the evangelical has been effectively challenged by many church’s world is indebted to him for valuable Protestant authors in the past. teaching as books. But the truth is that the thinking The claim that the key remaining much as we behind Is the Reformation Over? is difference with Rome has to do with the may trust virtually Packer’s thinking. The book nature of the church is misleading. The stands on his opinion that “Catholics and Roman doctrine of the church – that she Scripture – Protestants fighting together for the basics possesses infallibility and is the sole indeed, more. of the creed is nowadays more important representative of Christ – is derived from [than discussion on individual doctrines] ”. another more fundamental belief, namely, The “basics ” include the way of that Scripture alone is not the rule for the refuse either to enter it, or to remain in it .” salvation, so the two sides should now Christian’s faith and practice. Of course, Hence the anathemas pronounced by the evangelise together as he argued with papal infallibility cannot be found in the Council of Trent in the 16th century on others in Evangelicals and Catholics New Testament; nor the intercessory role those who left “the church ” to uphold Together. That serious differences remain attributed to Mary and to “saints ”; nor evangelical belief. is not denied, but they are not such as to purgatory and indulgences; nor a On the primary issue nothing has warrant any questioning of Roman sacrificing priesthood; nor baptismal changed. What has changed is presentation Catholics as fellow believers. regeneration and a raft of other beliefs and or what Pope John XXIII called the Noll and Nystrom speak of the practices which have the official papacy’s “manner ”. This is notable in the distance Packer has moved since his earlier endorsement of the Roman Church. Evangelicals and Catholics Together years, and Packer himself wishes that to (ECT) movement in which the chief be known. In explaining recently how he et this, it is replied by spokesmen for promoter on the Catholic is the irenical has outgrown “sectarianism”, he wrote, YRome, need not disturb anyone, for John Richard Neuhaus. But when a “Christian conservatives who love Jesus the Holy Spirit has inspired the reviewer of ECT denied that the Roman my Lord – Pentecostal, Roman Catholic, “tradition ” of the church, as He has Catholic Church is “an acceptable Anglo-Catholic, and Orthodox for inspired Scripture; we may therefore trust Christian communion ”, Neuhaus dropped starters – are my fellow believers, the church’s teaching as much as we may the ecumenical spirit when he replied: “I sometimes despite their official doctrine. ” trust Scripture. Indeed we may trust the take note also of your opinion that the Packer is right that ‘sectarianism’ is church more, because we cannot depend church sanctified by the martyr blood of unworthy of Christians, but it does not on our own understanding of Scripture: the Apostles Peter and Paul, the church in follow we are obliged to see all who “The task of interpreting the Word of God continuity with the Petrine ministry adhere to Roman Catholicism as “fellow authentically has been entrusted solely to the established by Christ, the church that has Christians ” as he encourages us to do. Magisterium of the Church, that is, to the sustained the Scriptural, patristic, conciliar, Certainly, where there are basic gospel Pope and the bishops in communion with and the theological traditions that define truths, Christians may be found. That him .” The words (and the italics) come Christian orthodoxy (also for such basic truth survives within the not from the 16th century, but from the Protestants), the church that has claimed formularies of the Roman Church is not official Vatican teaching of 1994. The the allegiance of the great majority of denied, nor has such a denial ever been part convert to Rome today is required to Christians over two millennia is not ‘an of the Protestant case against Rome. The believe “what the church believes ”. acceptable Christian communion ’. Really. ” issue is whether the system of teaching The issue of authority is indeed the key This is nothing more than the old claim and practice with which Rome to the Roman -Protestant division. Far that the Roman church of the apostolic indoctrinates her people is consistent with from being an isolated belief it underpins age is the same Church of Rome today – those basic truths. The Reformers judged

24 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 that system from Scripture and showed remarkable agreement that the sacraments question that Neuhaus, one of the chief the fundamental contradiction. Instead of of the new law (those now used in the promoters of ECT, has asked evangelicals upholding the New Testament gospel, the Christian church ) justify and confer to face. Adding his own emphasis, he Roman system is calculated to lead away grace, provided we do not set up a barrier wrote: “If at the end of the 20th century, from faith in Christ to faith in church and of mortal sin. How deadly and pestilential separation for the sake of the gospel is not faith in the priest; from faith in gospel this notion is cannot be expressed – and necessary, it is not justified. ” promises to faith in sacraments and “good the more so because for centuries it has On this question neither Packer nor the works ”; from faith in the Bible to believing been a current claim in a good part of the authors of Is the Reformation Over? appear “what the church believes ”. Let the reader world, to the great loss of the church. Of to have anything to say. The only effective take up the Roman Catechism and judge a certainty it is diabolical. For in answer to Neuhaus is the one given at the whether this is true or a caricature. promising a time of the Reformation. Whether that It is affirmed and repeated by the righteousness answer has the authority of God and of upholders of Evangelicals and Catholics apart from faith, Scripture is one of the most crucial issues Together that the justification of sinners it hurls souls A Roman now facing evangelical Christianity. “is not earned by any good works or mer - headlong to Catholic may All the Roman doctrines, contested in its of our own”. But this is a specious use destruction. ” be a Christian; the 16th century, remain unchanged. It is of words. The Roman Church has always Although the but if so it is by Scripture that the decision must be claimed that “the good works” necessary statements do in spite of the reached whether a reformer such as John for the justification are performed in not appear in the system that Hooper was mistaken in being “willing to cooperation with Christ. Thus Canon book I am here give up his life rather than consent to the keeps so many XXXII of Trent teaches that good works reviewing, wicked papistical religion of the Bishop of performed through the grace of God and Packer is on in darkness. Rome ”. When urged to recant with the the merit of Christ “truly merit eternal record saying words “consider that life is sweet, and life”. No matter what is credited to that he could death is bitter ”, the one-time Bishop of Christ, works remain a necessary part to not belong to the Church of Rome. But Gloucester replied: “The life to come is justification, and because no one can the concessions he has made, and which more sweet, and the death to come is know if his works are of sufficient quality are repeated in this book, could be enough more bitter. ” Rome denies the possibility of assurance, to encourage others to take that step. While we do not appeal to history to and teaches the necessity of sacraments Inducements from the Catholic side are settle this issue, let it be remembered that and of purgatory for most “Christians”. not lacking. In the present fragmented the reformers were men who both knew state of Christianity, and threatened by Scripture and the religion they had ne does not deny a Roman Catholic rampant secularism and materialism, why themselves once thought to be Christian. Omay be a Christian; but where that is should evangelicals remain apart from the Unless there is a renewal of what made the case it is in spite of the system that “greater unity ” which Rome professes to Protestantism, the uncertainties which keeps so many in darkness. The offer? If evangelicals have discovered that this book promotes can only influence Reformers left the see of Rome because the differences do not concern the larger numbers. she misled the world on the way of essentials of the gospel, and there is now salvation. In Calvin’s words: “The schools agreement “on the basics ”, why should This article is reprinted from the Banner of of the Sophists have taught with there not be re-union? This is the very Truth magazine, January 2008. ap

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 • 25 NEWS

distributing the Fractured Fellowship Church welcomed Rev. David Hassan Across booklet produced a decade ago by the and family following the transfer of Rev. Australia Victorian Church and Nation Keith Walker to Springwood and Rev. Committee , was declined. The Victorian Phillip Chang to Caulfield/Elwood in commission also asked the GAA Victoria. David was inducted on February Robertson new moderator Commission “to ensure that all who were 1 2008. interviewed by the committee appointed The 2008 Commission of the Victorian by the GAA in reference to Trinity Strategy workshop Assembly met in Melbourne on 6 May. Camberwell are provided with copies of Rev . Douglas Robertson , minister of the report .” The latest round of debate in A workshop involving around 40 people Scots Church , was appointed moderator the Victoria Assembly flows from its deci - including trustees, ministers, elders and designate of the 2008 General Assembly. sion to remove 15 elders from the Session committee representatives from through - of Trinity and membership of the PCA, a out NSW met at the church offices in Trinity report decision overturned on appeal by a special Surrey Hills to discuss strategic challenges meeting of the GAA held last year. The and opportunities facing the church over The commission received a report from Victorian commission also sent a number the next decade. Topics included the the General Assembly of Australia of questions to the commission of inquiry. church’s profile in the community, ageing Commission of Inquiry into Trinity congregations which may have younger Presbyterian Church, Camberwell , but New pastoral worker members, but many of whom have no set aside the two recommendations dis - Presbyterian background, and the push - cussed. The first was to move Trinity from The commission approved the position ing of Christianity to the margins in soci - the jurisdiction of the Presbytery of of pastoral support worker and appointed ety by strong competition and falling Melbourne East to Melbourne West . The Elspeth Slater to the position for five numbers. Key discussion centred on iden - commission did this because Melbourne years from 1 July. She will provide pastoral tifying the church’s “ministry worker ” West had not been consulted. A commit - care and support services to the wives of needs, both immediate and long-term. tee was appointed to consult with the two ministers and Home Missionaries within Information collated at the workshop Presbyteries and the Trinity session, and the PCV. will be used to assist the trustees to under - report back to the October Victorian take a review of the General Mission General Assembly. 150th celebrations Program funding of the committees of The other recommendation, to cease the General Assembly. The Victorian Commission approved a celebratory service for the 150th anniver - Drought ministry PREZRA sary of the Victorian church to be held in School of the Scots Church Melbourne on 4 April Congregations around NSW have Theology 2009, plus the production of a booklet pledged more than $100,000 to support and PCA Ministries outlining some of the major trends in the ministry in drought-affected congrega - history of the PCV along with the history tions west of the Great Dividing Range. Please COME OVER and HELP US of Presbyterian missionary work in Korea The appeal, which kicked off in in Adelaide and South Australia prepared by Dr Sang Gyoo Lee . November last year, totalled $82,415 by 31 January , with pledges received for We need Ministers and Home Missionaries Appointments another $25,000. Ministry and Mission to come to Churches without a Pastor who Superintendent Bruce Meller said the will preach the Gospel, care for the flock Dr Andrew Bain has been appointed the funds would go to areas of greatest need and reach out in Evangelism. new lecturer in Church History and to support congregational ministry. Otherwise, come to Adelaide and study at Academic Registrar at the Queensland the PREZRA School of Theology and get Theological College . Dr Bain has a PhD College expands equipped in the Bible and the Christian in church history, an MBA (University of Faith for Practical Christian service. Prepare London) and a MEd in Adult Education. The Presbyterian Theological Centre , to become a Home Missionary, or a resident He worked for a number of years in the Sydney, has 116 students enrolled at the Supply Preacher, or a PCA Lay Ministries Queensland State Government and Burwood campus this year and is fast run - Worker. served as an assistant minister in a church ning out of space. The school hopes to PREZRA courses are FREE. They include the on the NSW Central Coast . almost double the available floor space at Australian College of Theology’s ThA Following the raising of the Gold the college as well as consider an income- (Associate In Theology) and the Advanced Coast Korean Presbyterian Charge to Diploma of Theology (ThL) Diplomas, as well Sanctioned status, the Presbyteries of as the Home Missionary Certificate Brisbane and Mowbray inducted Rev. (HMCertif) and PREZRA’s Certificate of Ted Yoon on 11 April. Up to 100 people Christian Singles Biblical Studies for lay workers. attend worship . Any nice singles can join! Contact: PREZRA / PCA Ministries Rev. P. Suh arrived from Korea on 23 Send for FREE colour brochure: for 2007 Handbook: January and has begun work as the assis - PO Box 122 WALLSEND 2287 Rev Dr Reg Mathews tant to the Rev. Dr M. Kim at the Ph/Fax: 02 4955 5445 [email protected] Brisbane Korean Presbyterian Church . www.christiansingles.com.au (08) 83 95 78 41 Tamworth Community Presbyterian

26 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 NEWS

earning joint venture with the Trustees of earlier. Originally from South Australia, promises made by world leaders to halve the Church in NSW in the form of a he served in South Australia and Victoria, world poverty by 2015. seniors living complex. College principal with lengthy parish ministries in The event will culminate in a rally in John Davies said he hoped things would Streatham, Cheltenham and the grounds of Lambeth Palace , the progress in a timely manner. Gardenvale . London home and office of the Ted served as Moderator of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Keddie at conference Victorian General Assembly (1982) and The event is being organised in part - Moderator General of the Presbyterian nershi with Micah Challenge UK , part Rev. Gordon Keddie of Southside Church of Australia (1985-8 8). He was of the international Micah Challenge Reformed Presbyterian Church , Indiana, clerk of the Victorian General Assembly movement dedicated to uniting will be the key speaker at a Bible confer - from 1974 to 2006 and clerk of the Christians to work together for an end to ence at the Reformed Theological General Assembly of Australia from 1974 world poverty. College in Geelong (Vic.) from 4 to 6 to 1985. July. Mr Keddie, will teach about Jesus’ Ted Pearsons was a gifted church MPs offer hope use of conversation during His ministry administrator and diplomat as well as a on earth. Elective speakers include Steve greatly loved parish minister. He came A proposal by Christian MPs to dramat - Voorwinde (RTC’s New Testament into prominence during the years leading ically change the values that underpin pol - Professor ), Andrew Stewart (minister of up to and immediately following church icy decisions could radically transform Geelong Reformed Presbyterian union in 1977. Ted was one of a small Britain for the better, the general director Church ), and Steve Abbott (Sydney group of men who were determined to of the Evangelical Alliance has said. Anglican minister and author of Everyday ensure the continuation of the Rev . Joel Edwards , who is also a com - Evangelism ). A youth program will led by Presbyterian Church. His funeral was missioner for the Equality and Human Dave Martin of the Australian held in Scots Church , Melbourne , on 7 Rights Commission , welcomed the Fellowship of Evangelical Students .) May. report by five cross-party Christian politi - Registrations close 24 June. Forms are cians titled Faith in the Future . It says available at www.rpca.org.au/gbc. unhappiness is primarily caused by an absence of key values, and calls for a five- Youth groups rally Around fold test to assess new action and policies. the World These would include asking whether they Nearly 1000 teenagers from more than 50 encourage people to develop positive rela - church youth groups descended on the tionships, are socially and globally respon - Olympic Sports Centre at Homebush for Bishops to march sible, or promote a climate of trust, hope the first ever MegaSurge to enjoy singing, and respect. fellowship and Bible teaching. Ray Galea The Archbishop of Canterbury has Mr Edwards said: “Values such as trust, spoke on grace alone , David Starling on announced plans to mount an unprece - respect and hope are vital to the well- faith alone , Scott Petty on the Bible alone dented mass walk of bishops and other being of a society. They may reflect the and Eugene Hor on Christ alone . faith leaders through central London dur - example shown by Jesus, but people from Most of the youth groups at ing the forthcoming Lambeth every faith or none can agree to them and MegaSurge are part of a growing network Conference to demonstrate find happiness through them. This report of churches around Australia who have the Anglican Communion’s determina - provides an exciting, hope-filled vision for adopted the “discipleship model” of tion to help end extreme poverty across the future.” youth ministry. the globe. Christian Today Rowan Williams will be joined by 600 Vale Ted Pearsons other archbishops and bishops, and their Willow Creek changes strategy spouses, alongside other UK faith leaders The Very Rev . Edward Ross Pearsons , for the high-profile symbol of commit - Willow Creek Community Church , OAM, was called home on 2 May, having ment to the United Nations’ one of the largest and most influential suffered a severe heart attack two days Millennium Development Goals – eight churches in North America since 1975,

Visiting Ballar at? Worship with us at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church. Every Sunday 10.30 am. 214 Armstrong Street South. Rev. Dr John Woodward Phone: (03) 5334 2909

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 • 27 NEWS

has signaled that it is moving away from humans. five young Turkish men have defended seeker-sensitive services. Willow Creek “In my opinion this possibility (of life themselves by blaming each other for recently announced that it plans to over - on other planets) exists,” said Rev . Jose killing three Christian workers at the haul its strategy and focus its weekend Gabriel Funes , a 45-year-old Jesuit priest Zirve Publishing Co. office in April last services on mature believers seeking to who is head of the Vatican Observatory year. grow in their faith. and a scientific adviser to Pope Benedict . Turkish Christians Necati Aydin and The change has come following a four- “How can we exclude that life has devel - Ugur Yuksel and German Christian year research effort published in Reveal: oped elsewhere,” he told the Vatican Tilmann Geske were tied up, stabbed and Where Are You? , a book coauthored by newspaper L’Osservatore Romano , tortured for several hours before their executive pastor Greg Hawkins . explaining that the large number of galax - throats were slit. One man jailed for Hawkins also announced last month that ies with their own planets made this pos - another murder said he had been asked to Willow Creek would also replace its mid - sible. kill the Christians by a member of an week services with classes on theology Asked if he was referring to beings ultranationalist youth organisation and an and the Bible. The senior pastor, Bill similar to humans or even more evolved MP with the Nationalist Movement Hybels , was unavailable for comment. than humans, he said: “Certainly, in a uni - Party . Since 1975, Willow Creek has avoided verse this big you can’t exclude this conventional church approaches, using its hypothesis”. Emerging church Sunday services to reach the unchurched Christian Today through polished music, drama, multime - Perhaps the most striking image of dia, and sermons peppered with popular Pope’s plea to Israel Spain’s drought, so severe it has forced culture. Hybels believed this approach Barcelona to ship in water, has been that would attract people searching for Pope Benedict XVI has appealed to of the underwater church which emerged answers, bring them into a relationship Israel to help stem a sharp decline in the from a drying dam. For most of the past with Christ, and then build them up to country’s minority Christian population, four decades, all that has been visible of evangelise others. But the research has saying Catholics had grown particularly the village of Sant Roma has been the revealed otherwise. vulnerable to Middle East conflicts. He belltower of its stone church, peeping also called for Israel to allow greater above the water beside forested hills from Iraq to execute al Qaeda leader mobility for Palestinians, including travel a valley flooded in the 1960s to provide to places of worship, “so that they too can water for the Catalonia region. A leader of al Qaeda in Iraq has been enjoy greater peace and security”. This year, receding waters have sentenced to death for the killing of “I know that you share my concern exposed the 11th-century church com - Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Paulos over the alarming decline in the Christian pletely, attracting crowds of tourists who Faraj Rahho , whose murder in March population in the Middle East, including stand gazing around it on the dusty bed of drew worldwide condemnation. Israel, through emigration,” the Pope said. the reservoir. Neighbouring Vilanova de According to a Reuters story, the Iraqi “I pray that ... ways will be found of reas - Sau is enjoying a tourist boom, its mayor Central Criminal Court imposed the suring the Christian community, so that Joan Riera says. death sentence on Ahmed Ali Ahmed , they can experience the hope of a secure “Every time it’s on television, a whole known as Abu Omar . and peaceful future in their ancestral lot of people come,” Riera told Reuters by Rahho, the archbishop of the northern homelands.” telephone, adding that this was all very Iraqi city of Mosul, was abducted on 29 The Vatican supports Israel’s right to well but it had made it impossible to find February after gunmen attacked his car exist within secure borders and also sup - a table in the town’s restaurants: “They all and killed his driver and two guards. His ports an independent Palestinian state. want to eat at the same time.” body was found in a shallow grave two Christian Today weeks later. Iran cracks down on Christians Assist Killers blame each other Police in the southern Iran city of Shiraz God and aliens All five culprits arrested last spring for last month cracked down against known the savage murder of three Christians in Muslim converts to Christianity, arresting The Vatican’s chief astronomer says eastern Turkey have proclaimed their members of three Christian families and there is no conflict between believing in innocence, declaring they did not kill any confiscating their books and computers. God and in the possibility of “extraterres - of the victims. In their court testimonies The arrests began on 11 May, when two trial brothers” perhaps more evolved than at Malatya’s Third Criminal Court , the couples were taken into custody before

28 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 NEWS

boarding their flights at the Shiraz Nigeria . Muslims under the Hisbah International Airport and sent directly to Command , a paramilitary arm of Kano On the jail. All four were subjected to hours of state’s Sharia Commission , went on a interrogation, questioning them solely rampage , attacking Christians and setting Agenda “just about their faith and house church fire to the churches. activities”, an Iranian source said. The Compass Direct Evangelical Anglicans meet detained Christians were identified as Homayon Shokohie Gholamzadeh , 48, China world Bible capital and his wife Fariba Nazemiyan Pur , 40; Some 280 conservative Anglican bishops and Amir Hussein Bab Anari and his China’s ancient capital, Nanjing , is about from Africa, Latin America and Asia will wife Fatemeh Shenasa , both 25. to become the Bible printing centre of the attend a breakaway summit this month in Converts from Islam are routinely sub - world with the opening of a press capable Jerusalem which has accentuated fears of a jected to both physical and psychological of producing one million copies a month. schism in the 400-year-old church over mistreatment while being held for days or The Amity Printing Company – a joint homosexual priests. weeks, usually in solitary confinement. venture with the Bible Societies – will be The Global Anglican Future Compass Direct producing 23 Bibles every minute to keep Conference said in a statement that it up with growing demand for the Bible in would group church leaders from 17 Nigerian Islamists rampage China. countries representing 35 million The new press will greatly increase the Anglicans, or nearly half its members. Islamists under the auspices of a paramil - number of Bibles Amity can produce each It threatens to overshadow the official itary force last week destroyed six year. In 2007 it printed six million Bibles. Lambeth Conference , a 10-yearly con - churches in Ningi, Nigeria , to protest a When the new press opened last clave of more than 800 bishops designed police rescue of two teenage Christian month that leapt to a potential 12 million, to shore-up church unity, which will take girls kidnapped by Muslims in this Bauchi most of which will be distributed place six weeks later. state town. Police recovered the two throughout China. Churchmen from Australia, Kenya, Christian girls, Mary Chikwodi Okoye , Peter Dean, the Bible Societies ’ con - Nigeria and Uganda have already 15, and Uche Edward , 14, on May 12 after sultant in Nanjing, says there is “a really threatened to boycott the Lambeth Muslims in Ningi kidnapped them three increasing interest in Christianity” in a summit. weeks ago in an attempt to expand Islam country where an estimated seven per Archbishop Peter Jensen of Sydney , by marrying them to Muslim men. Police cent of the one billion population are chairman of the future conference pro - took the two girls, who had been under believers. gram committee, said in the statement foster care, to safety in south -eastern Independent Catholic News that the meeting will discuss the chal -

FROM THE MODERATOR – GENERAL IN REGARDS TO CHURCH PLANTING IN PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

‘The vigorous, continual planting of new congregations is the I would invite you to pray especially for a single most crucial strategy for 1) the numerical growth of the suitable church planter to be raised up Body of Christ in any city, and 2) the continual corporate renewal and for a suitable, committed and sup - and revival of the existing churches in a city. Nothing else – not portive core group to come together. crusades, outreach programmes, para-church ministries, grow - The 2007 General Assembly of Australia authorised the ing mega-churches, congregational consulting, nor church Moderator-General to coordinate an annual appeal during 2008, renewal processes – will have the consistent impact of dynamic, 2009 and 2010 to raise funds from across the Presbyterian extensive church planting.’ (T. Keller) Church of Australia to provide for the opening, staffing and Perth is currently growing at an unprecedented rate. People are development of a new church planting congregation in metropol - moving to the Capital of Western Australia from all over Australia itan Perth. The new church (the Lord willing) in the Rockingham and the world. The West Australian General Assembly has district will be the recipient of the funds raised. Gifts can be sent developed a METRO-WIDE STRATEGY which seeks to respond to to ‘GAA WA Church Planting Appeal’ c/- PO Box 2196, this growth and has as a key component, the planting and estab - Strawberry Hills, NSW, 2012 with cheques made out to lishment of at least five new congregations. The West Australian ‘Presbyterian Church Funds’. A covering letter should state that General Assembly has declared that under the METRO-WIDE the gift is for the ‘WA Church Planting Appeal’. The GAA WA STRATEGY, the next area for church extension work will be in the Church Planting Appeal will be placed before the Lord’s people Rockingham district, half an hour drive south of Fremantle on the in our Church in a number of different forms. coast. The Presbyterian Church in Western Australia is mar - Thank you for taking time to read this Communication. I would shalling its own resources to launch a new effort in church ask that we work together to ensure a very generous response planting but it also needs the help of the wider Presbyterian to this call for gospel partnership with the Presbyterian Church Church in this great task. (More details on the METRO-WIDE in Western Australia. STRATEGY can be obtained from the Clerk of WA Assembly, Mr. Glenn Muskett on 08-9339 9400 [email protected]) ROBERT BENN, Moderator-General

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 • 29 NEWS

lenges facing the Anglican Church, Slave numbers treble Once Blind challenges readers to get including secularism, other religions, By Jeremy Reynalds involved, stripping away excuses for inac - poverty and HIV/AIDS, as well as moral tion. For more information, visit and theological issues. More than 200 years after John Newton www.kaystrom.com. The Jerusalem summit will also “pre - struggled alongside William Wilberforce Assist pare for an Anglican future in which the to bring an end to the African slave trade, gospel is uncompromised and Christ-cen - three times as many people around the Myanmar appeal tred mission a top priority”, said the state - world are living as slaves. When the first ment released in Nigeria. abolition bill passed in 1807, four million By Robert Benn Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola , people were enslaved; today the number is who spearheads the conservative Anglican estimated at 12 million. We are all painfully aware of the devastat - lobby, has threatened to boycott the According to a news release, in the new ing effect of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar , Lambeth Conference due to a dispute biography, Once Blind , author Kay made worse by the inaction of the ruling with liberals over the ordination of gay Marshall Strom employs the legacy of junta there. It has been difficult for us to bishops and blessing of same-sex unions John Newton to call attention to 21st cen - make contact with Rev . Dr Thang Bwee , which has pushed the 77-million strong tury slavery throughout the world. our contact person in the Evangelical Anglican church toward schism for over a After years of research into the former Reformed Church in Myanmar, and Rev . decade. slave ship captain’s letters, treatises, jour - James Mang Thang , our contact with the The “Global South”, which represents nals, and church archives, Strom has writ - Free Reformed Church of Myanmar , but at least a third of global Anglicans, had ten a biographical narrative of Newton, a Bill Lutton, Director of Mission Partners , said hopes for a unified faith were as dim broken and desperate man whose hymn has now been able to exchange emails with as ever. Amazing Grace is known to millions Thang Bwee and has received some advice With 17.5 million members, Nigeria is worldwide. from Mang Thang, indicating real and the second-largest Anglican province after Strom is convinced her account of urgent need. We’ve been waiting to launch the Church of England, which has 26 mil - Newton’s fight against slavery two cen - an appeal for the church in Burma until we lion, but its number of regular church- turies ago is a very relevant call to action knew that these brethren were safe and able goers is far higher and growing. for believers today. She wrote: “Slavers to direct any funds raised by us into areas The worldwide Anglican Communion today don’t sail the high seas with chained and projects where it would do most good has been sharply divided since 2003 when captives packed into the holds of their and be most helpful to our partner the 2.4-million-strong US Episcopal ships like in the days of John Newton. churches. Church consecrated Gene Robinson as And they certainly don’t march the slaves In the meantime, I have ascertained the first openly-gay bishop. About a year out to auction blocks behind the post that TEAR Fund, World Vision, ago, Akinola consecrated dissident office and sell them to the highest bidder. Christian Blind Mission and Barnabas Episcopal priest Martyn Minns as bishop Yet when people are owned as property, Fund are all getting aid through. Those of a breakaway Nigerian church in the bought and sold, physically punished for who wish to give through these agencies United States. not working hard enough, locked up so can be assured that their gifts will reach Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop they can’t leave, and thrust into deplorable the target. of Canterbury and spiritual leader of the ... work conditions, then, whatever they’re Bill Lutton has summarised the situa - global Anglican Communion, is strug - called, they are slaves. Never have we tion as described in Thang Bwee’s emails gling to stem a full-blown schism and has needed John Newton’s legacy more than as follows: “Thang Bwee’s growing count appealed to African primates to stop the today!” of damaged or demolished homes is still consecrations. Most people are totally unaware of the quite small, at about five or six so far. For Christian Today gruesome details of present-day slavery. this we praise God! We don’t know what According to a news release, forcing a James’s situation may be; his people at woman or girl into commercial sex, espe - Insein Township (in Yangon) are probably cially one under 18 , is one of the most more vulnerable than Thang Bwee’s folk, common forms of human trafficking but as yet we just don’t know much about Visiting today – rampant especially in Eastern them. Europe, Asia, India, and Nepal. Then “Any relief money that we are able to there are the millions of people enslaved Melbourne? as bonded laborers, especially in India. Also, about 218 million children between the ages of five and 17 are trapped in child Worship with us at South Yarra labor, according to the International Presbyterian Church Labor Organisation. As many as 300,000 child soldiers are 621 Punt Road presently forced into more than 30 areas Every Sunday 10.30am & 5.30pm. of conflict/war around the world. The US Government estimates that between Session Clerk: Mr Jack Adlawan 15,000 and 18,000 domestic and sex work - Phone: (03) 9808 7391 ers are trafficked into America each year, and then tricked into working for little or (Less than 3 kms from CBD) no pay.

30 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 NEWS

send from the Presbyterian Church of Hotel Preston , a boutique owned by Gideons International , founded in Australia will not only be directed for Oregon-based Provenance Hotels , will 1899, has distributed millions of Bibles in the relief of Christian people associated require guests to call room service to hotels. In 1898, two Christian business - with our partner churches in Myanmar, order their religious book of choice, men met by chance in a hotel and held a but will also enable these churches to according to The Tennessean . Bible study together. A year later they show Christ’s love to their neighbours The religious book list includes the along with a third man founded Gideons and communities, and to make an Book of Mormon, the Koran, the Torah, to help meet the religious needs of the impact on desperate needs in their the Tao Te Ching, The Four Noble travelling public. areas.” Truths of Buddhism, Bhagavad Gita (a In the 21st century, Bibles are increas - In the light of this, it is time for us to Hindu text), books on Scientology , as ingly missing from hotel rooms and are launch our Myanmar Mercy Appeal. well as the King James and New replaced by other comforts such as an Cheques made out to “Presbyterian American Bible versions. iPod docking station, a flat-screen TV, a Church Funds Account” should be sent The hotel says its goal is to accommo - selection of underground music, a compli - to: “The General Manager, Presbyterian date travellers who are not Christian and mentary goldfish, or in some an “inti - Church Offices, PO Box 2196, those interested in other faiths . “Our macy ” kit. Strawberry Hills 2010” with a covering guests come from different places and In the trendy New York City Soho note stating that they are for the they definitely come from different cul - Grand Hotel , for example, Bibles have Myanmar Mercy Appeal. tures, backgrounds, ethnicities, so we never been offered in guest rooms. want everyone to feel welcomed and com - According to Newsweek , the Sofitel hotel Robert Benn is Moderator-General of the fortable,” said Dina Nishioka , public rela - brand recently removed Bibles from guest Presbyterian Church of Australia. tions director for Hotel Preston, accord - rooms after clients questioned why other ing to the newspaper. religious texts were not available. A Koran with that? Brian Ruf , president of the Travel and “The absence of Gideons Bibles from Tourism Research Association , said the an increasing number of hotel rooms A hotel in Nashville will be the first concept of a spiritual menu is so new that tells us something about the secularisa - known in the US to remove the standard the international organisation has not tion, sexualisation, and extreme sensitiv - Holy Bible from its rooms and replace it conducted research on it yet. Yet offering ities of our age,” Dr Albert Mohler Jr , with a “spiritual menu” that includes a spiritual menu means breaking the long president of the Southern Baptist other religious books such as the Koran held tradition of a Gideon ’s Bible in the Theological Seminary , commented in and books on Scientology, a Tennessee nightstand of every American hotel his blog . newspaper has reported . room. Christian Today

At The Coalface GAA An introduction to Christian Presbyterian Eldership $6.60 Education Including 5 studies on 1 Timothy Resource Making Friends Centre for Life Principal: K – 10 A workbook for friendship Expressions of interest are sought for the position of evangelism school principal for the Casino Christian School for 10 studies in Philippians PTC Media, 2009. The school is situated on 30 acres and caters $8.50 684 Elgar Road, for 150 pupils from K –10. Box Hill North 3129 The best selling The applicant needs to be a committed Christian and Phone: 0400 880 515 Westminster preferably of a reformed background and be willing to Email: ptcmedia@ become a member of the Casino Presbyterian Church. presbyteriancollege.org Confession of Faith for the The position calls for someone willing to be part of a team. (Please make all 21st Century — cheques payable Study Edition This vacancy is due to the retirement of our present to the Presbyterian $15 + $3.50 pp — Principal, Mr Ern Case. Church of Victoria) prepared by DJW Milne, For a full description of the position and remunera - Principal of PTC Melbourne. The Six Pack: for tion, please contact Rev. George Ayoub (Chairman). Sessions/Bible study groups Phone 02 66621086 6 copies for $100 posted Mobile 0412302439 [email protected]

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 • 31 SOCIETY Out of kilter Parents are losing the battle to balance work and family.

was walking through Ashfield shop - Parents are not available to supervise the ping centre in Sydney’s west at 10 use of the internet and video games, to o’clock on a recent Sunday morning. William check on the appropriateness of friend - Every shop was open. It could have ships, to visit the school, to welcome the bIeen any day of the week. McKeith child in from school. We are tired, If I had been on the west coast it would stressed, irritable much of the time. Some have been different. In Western Australia to be increasingly working non-standard parents will seek out ways of avoiding a referendum to deregulate Sunday trad - hours, including very long hours, unusual contact with their children in order to ing was soundly defeated in 2005. hours and very short or unpredictable minimise their exposure to these feelings. Countries such as Belgium and Germany hours. And there are children who rarely see restrict Sunday trading, and others “Persistent their parents. According to the Bureau of impose strict limits on hours and regulate unusual working Statistics, about 25 per cent of children of the types of businesses that can open. Some parents time … has nega - 17 or under have a parent living elsewhere, But the extraordinary thing is that chil - think that tive effects on possibly interstate or abroad. In families dren in most Australian cities must now contact with workers, espe - where parents live apart a child can go all be left without parental supervision for so their sons and cially those with year without face-to-face contact with much of the time. A Bureau of Statistics daughters, dependents, and one of the parents. There are children in report this year on how Australians use gained its negative boarding schools, and international their time confirms we are spending less through the effects can school students here, who go the whole time playing, sleeping, and eating and telephone, the extend to chil - year or more without seeing either parent. drinking, but longer working. dren,” it said. We can feel it and see it all around us. internet and When we ome parents think that contact with Hairdressers are often open into the Skype is suffi - adults are busy Stheir sons and daughters gained night, international banks are conducting cient. It isn’t. filling our days through the telephone, the internet and business on combined southern and and nights with Skype is sufficient. A little bit like video northern hemisphere time, emails and more and more work, where are all the conferencing between offices. It isn’t. text messages find us day and night, seven children? Might I suggest that many of As a community we need to take days a week. the social and emotional challenges con - another look at the trends in working The Benchmarks For Work And Family fronting our young people are grounded hours and patterns of work. Are we pre - Policies report last year found Australians in the work patterns of their parents. pared to allow increasingly deregulated employment and hours of opening to determine how families function and what happens to our children? Is it essential for hotels and other businesses to open seven days a week? Could there be a state refer - endum to determine public opinion on opening hours? Would there be support for a closure of shops on Saturday after - noons or Sunday mornings or after - noons? There is a tension between hours and patterns of work and family values and the care of our children. As a force for the protection of family values and commu - nity welfare, government has a role to play. I suspect that in the interests of our children we are well overdue for a realistic appraisal of how we are balancing our work and family lives.

Dr William McKeith is the principal of Presbyterian Ladies College, Sydney. This article first appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald. ap

32 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 BOOKS

suitable for individuals or group bible studies. The Works of Andrew The Presbyterian Church of Victoria Fuller has done the church in Australia a valuable Edited by Andrew Gunton Fuller Books service in producing this treatise, as has Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2007. Reviewed by Gregory Goswell the Banner of Truth in publishing it in its present attractive format. Love Rules ndrew Fuller (1754-1815) was an The Ten Commandments for This review is reprinted from The AEnglish Baptist preacher and teacher the 21st Century Presbyterian Banner: The Magazine of the of note. He was a Particular (Calvinistic) Edited by Stuart Bonnington and Joan Milne Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia Baptist who made a lifelong study of the Banner of Truth, 2007 (April 2008). works of Jonathan Edwards, which is one Reviewed by Ken McLeod way to become a mighty theologian one - self! He held to historic Calvinism and Nothing in My Hand I saw this as a fully compatible with urging his excellent little paper-back of Bring upon sinners the obligation and need to Tonly 15 chapters and 118 pages Ray Galea repent and believe. These convictions belies the weightiness, timeliness and Kingsford: Matthias Media, 2007. were embodied in what was his most necessity of its message. First published Reviewed by Peter Barnes famous and useful book, The Gospel by the Church and Nation Committee Worthy of Full Acceptation (published of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria 1785, second edition 1801). This is the in 2004, it was in response to the rela - ay Galea grew up as a Maltese first of his public writings incorporated tivism of the times and “widespread RRoman Catholic who went to mass into the present volume (first published in ignorance of the Ten Commandments ”. three times a week. He has fond and 1841) that has more than 1100 pages in It is maintained that fewer than 1% of happy memories of his childhood, but double columns and small print. church members can list the Ten in 1980 near the sewerage outlet at Fuller was deeply involved in the for - Commandments. The intention of the Dover Heights – of all places! – he mation of the Baptist Missionary Society exercise was to help Christians and non realised that he had not examined the in 1782 and sending out the society’s Christians alike see the importance of claims of Christ. In reading the most famous missionary, William Carey the Law of God for all of life and the Gospels, Ray fell in love with Jesus, the following year. He was the faithful mutual dependence between the law and but this led him increasingly to ques - pastor of the Baptist church in Kettering, the gospel. tion the claims of the Roman Catholic Northamptonshire , for 33 years until his It is the responsibility of the church to Church. death. How did Fuller get so much done? proclaim both , and it is rightly and His favourite nun told him how a His answer when asked that question was strongly maintained that “it is impossible girl had taken the consecrated host as follows: “All my recreation is a change to preach the genuine gospel without the home and put it in her drawer, only to of work .” His immense workload led to law”. Eleven ministers and lecturers from find it later full of blood. As a con - his comparatively early death at 62. He the Presbyterian Church of Victoria and trast, the Bible teaches that Christ’s was the greatest Baptist theologian of the NSW collaborated in its production and sacrifice is perfect and unrepeatable last half of the 18 th century and one of the they have done so competently, suc - (Heb. 10:11-18) which means that the most attractive Christians of his genera - cinctly, with great clarity and from a thor - Mass cannot be a repetition of that sac - tion. oughly Reformed position. rifice. As Christ declared: “It is fin - Our generation needs more men like The neglect of preaching and teaching ished.” Salvation is by God’s free Andrew Fuller who combined a warm- the Ten Commandments in the evangeli - unmerited and undeserved grace and hearted devotion to Christ and a pro - cal church is lamented. The Ten favour. Ray says that we are, as it were, found knowledge of Christian truth. Commandments are seen as “the school - to “bludge ” on the mercy of God. master ” to lead us to Christ, which they There is no purgatory because Christ Gregory Goswell lectures at the Presbyterian are, for without the Law there is no actually saves. Theological College, Melbourne. knowledge of sin and without the knowl - All these issues are dealt with in a edge of sin mankind will have no need of helpful and biblical way. The last chap - All books reviewed are available from the Jesus Christ as Saviour. ter faces the reality that so much of Reformers Bookshop – Phone: (02) 9569 Each of the commandments is dealt modern Catholicism has become liberal 9857 or visit www.reformers.com.au ap with separately, though not exhaustively, – like so much of modern yet so thoroughly and with such lucidity Protestantism. It is now a matter of “that he who runs may read” and be prof - salvation by sincerity rather than salva - itably instructed. Each chapter concludes tion by sacraments. These are only Discount Offer with a useful summary of the teaching of minor issues to the person who does For a limited time all new each commandment under the caption not take the Bible seriously as the very subscriptions, or new gift subscriptions “the bottom line”. The final chapter is Word of God. Ray not only knows to the Australian Presbyterian magazine devoted to “The Moral Law and the grace; he is gracious in the way he are available for $15 +GST for the first Teaching of Jesus”. The book is com - tackles these issues. 12 months (a saving of $22 on the pleted with an excellent study guide on all regular price ). Ten Commandments which is eminently Peter Barnes is books editor of AP. See page 2 of this issue for details.

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 • 33 EEVVAAPNRNAGGYEEELLR IISSMM

and all office-bearers, teaching, fellow - in teaching in Cambodia and the ship, debates and decisions. Middle East. 11 God’s guidance, personnel and finance JULY 2008 for the planned church plant at JUNE 2008 1 Mt Gambier parish SA including Rockingham south of Perth. 21 Dion & Annette Bremner mission Allendale and Nelson (Vic.) with 12 Pray for Murray Fraser as he takes up partners (APWM) workers from about 105 c&a, 50 yf and 8 e; Gary RAAF chaplaincy at Amberley, Qld; Dalby, Qld, and Strathfield, Sydney, in and Margaret Ware, Ian and Heather also for the vacancy at Wahroonga the Australian leadership team of Touzel. parish, Sydney, with about 95 c&a, 30 WEC International involved in strat - 2 Richard and Dianne Lee in an inten - yf and 6 e. egy and hospitality. tional transition ministry in Mudgee 13 Presbytery of Mowbray, southern 22 Presbytery of Dubbo, NSW – 7 parish western NSW including Hill Brisbane – 12 parishes and 10 home parishes and 2 patrols totaling 14 con - End with about 80 c&a, 5 yf and 3 e. mission stations totaling 25 congrega - gregations with about 730 c&a (com - 3 Presbytery of Flinders, Vic. – 10 tions with about 1865 c&a and 800 yf, municants and adherents), and 310 yf parishes and 3 home mission stations 2 PresCare workers, 1 minister at (younger folk – Sunday School and totaling congregations with about large, 1 theological candidate and 7 youth), 1 retired minister and 1 under 1010 c&a and 280 yf, 1 missionary, 2 retired ministers. Phil Case clerk. jurisdiction. Wayne Connor clerk. theological candidates, 5 retired minis - 14 Andrew Satchell, recently inducted 23 The Queensland Assembly meeting at ters and 2 under jurisdiction Ian (and Belinda) at Gardenvale parish Toowoomba – John Gilmour modera - Brown clerk. Melbourne with about 40 c&a, 5 yf tor; Ron Clark clerk and all office- 4 Len & Wendy mission partners and 4 e. bearers. The Moderator General (APWM) workers from Reservoir, 15 Dennis and Glwenys Tranter mission speaking on mission. All the teaching, Vic. in the Middle East involved in partners (APWM) workers from fellowship, debates and decisions. educational ministry with Victoria on a year’s leave at Raymond 24 Ashfield parish, Sydney, with about Development of Isolated Peoples. Terrace, NSW after 10 years at 260 c&a, 70 yf and 8 e (elders); Peter 5 Richard (and Audrey) McCracken Borraloola, NT with Australian and Sue Hastie, and Lianbo Zhang, recently inducted in The Entrance Indigenous Ministries, involved in and Chris Qui, METRO trainees. parish NSW Central coast with about preparing for further ministry at 25 Thank God for 30 years service of 105 c&a, 20 yf and 7 e. Borraloola. Elspeth Slater from Canterbury, Vic. 6 Michael and Katie Woodruff mission 16 Macquarie Chapel, Eastwood, Sydney in Africa with SIM International, and partners (APWM) workers from with about 355 c&a, 70 yf and 20 e. uphold her as she takes up similar Blaxland NSW in East Asia with Richard and Wendy Quadrio. ministry to pastors’ wives in Victoria. Overseas Missionary Fellowship 17 Stephen & Naomi mission partners 26 Warwick home mission station Qld. involved in teaching and physiother - (APWM) workers from Hurstville, including Yangan; John Sweet. apy. Sydney in South Asia with Wycliffe 27 Warburton parish Vic. with about 45 7 Numurkah parish including Cobram Bible Translators. c&a, 15 yf and 2 e; Tony and Shona and Tallygaroopna, Vic. with about 85 18 Financial and property boards in all Archer. c&a, 5 yf and 8 e; Frank and Merle states, and general managers: Keith 28 Auburn-North Lidcombe parish Savage. Brooker, Qld; Wayne Richards, NSW; Sydney, including the Cook Islands 8 Moderator General Robert Benn and Brian Redpath, SA and similar leaders congregation , with about 60 c&a, 5 yf Laurel visiting NZ and strengthening in all states. and 9 e; Pange and Sophia Mahutariki. our links with Grace Presbyterian 19 Merrylands East parish, western 29 Pray for the Interim moderator, Church. Sydney with about 225 c&a, 130 yf preachers and filling of the vacancy in 9 Fawkner Samoan parish including and 5 e; Hamdy and Samia Awad; Mudgeeraba parish, Qld Gold Coast Pascoe Vale, Melbourne with about Sami and Samia Gerges. with about 130 c&a, 40 yf and 3 e; 105 c&a, 120 yf and 18 e; Simalu and 20 The Moderator General ministering in Donald and Noela Geddes. Urima Cowley. Newcastle, and opening the new 30 The NSW Assembly in residence at 10 Roslyn Gill mission partners (APWM) building for the Brisbane Korean con - Stanwell Tops south of Sydney. Bruce worker from Somerville, Vic. involved gregation .at Kuraby. Meller moderator; Paul Logan clerk

Subscription form Ê Please send me Australian Presbyterian magazine ... Payment Details Please find enclosed 1 year subscription (11 issues) ($38.50 inc. GST) Cheque/money order to Australian Presbyterian for: $______2 year ($70.40 inc. GST) Please debit $______from my Overseas: $A45 per year Donation Visa Bankcard Mastercard Magazine Missions Gift Subscription Account number: Deliver to: Expiry date:____/____ Name on Card______Name ...... Address ...... Signature______...... City/Suburb ...... Please send completed forms to: State ...... P.code ...... Australian Presbyterian PO Box 375, Kilsyth VIC. 3137 Country ...... Phone: (03) 9723 9684. Fax: (03) 9723 9685. Email: [email protected] Phone ...... 34 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008 • 35 BACK PAGE God is obvious Everywhere, as Scripture says, creation points to the Creator.

s it obvious that God exists? Karl Marx was a fierce atheist who Richard Dawkins does not think so: utterly repudiated any concept of “The universe we observe has pre - Peter morality but he was the most moralis - cisely the properties we should tic man who ever breathed. We cannot Iexpect if there is at bottom, no design, Barnes escape a sense of justice and morality. no purpose, no evil and no good, noth - Courts of law may make wrong deci - ing but blind pitiless indifference. ” Sam something as simple as a beach ball sions but without a universal concept Harris is of the same ilk: “Nature offers designed itself, so there ought not to of justice they ought not to exist at no compelling evidence for an intelligent be anyone who thinks that anything as all. designer and countless examples of unin - complex as the world designed itself. An appreciation of beauty is yet telligent design. ” Yet the Bible regards it The concept of truth also points us another pointer to God. Jesus declared as so obvious that from the creation we to God. We are offended if someone that the lilies were more beautiful than should know that there is a Creator that lies to us, but we are daily bombarded all the glorious royal garments of it declares that if we do not see this, with the philo - Solomon (Mt. 6:28-29). We instinctively we are without excuse (Rom.1:20). Karl Marx was sophical notion appreciate a garden in full bloom as The heavens do not actually speak that there is no something far more desirable than a but in their own way they declare the a fierce atheist such thing as garbage dump in foulest array. God glory of God (Psalm 19:1). Francis who utterly truth. In fact, presents the Garden of Eden as a beau - Collins is rather less poetic in The repudiated Christians are tiful place (Gen. 2), and the new Language of God : “ There are good rea - any concept of often lampooned heaven and the new earth as an even sons to believe in God, including the morality but as being arro - more beautiful place (Rev. 21-22). existence of mathematical principles he was the gant for believ - Ugliness in this world came with the and order in creation.” In short, we most moralis - ing that God’s curses of the Fall. Yet even what is cannot explain the creation without tic man who revelation is ugly points to God. As Cotton Mather there being a Creator who made it all. truth. The irony, quipped: “There is not a fly, but what The idea that nature is a result of a ever breathed. of course, is that may confute an atheist. ” series of giant flukes is too silly to the claim that require refutation. No one believes that there is no absolute truth is itself an o fail to see these things – that the absolute claim about truth. The attack Tcreation, truth, justice and beauty on truth thus rests on a premise that all point to God – is to fail to see the at least one truth statement exists , obvious. It is to become like the cen - namely, that there is no truth. The fact tipede in the limerick: Visiting that we prize truth is a pale reflection The Centipede was happy quite Outback of the truth that God is a God of Until the toad in fun truth. We cannot live here on earth in Said, “Pray, which leg goes after which?” Qeensland? any tolerable way without seeing truth She lay distracted in a ditch, as vitally important. Considering how to run. Justice also points us to God. The If I doubt the sun, I cannot see ?:? football player can only argue with the anything – which is rather like our can - referee about the fairness of his decision tankerous atheist today. G. K. Worship with us at if there is a standard of fairness. But it Chesterton was full of wonderful is not easy to see how there can be a insight into the problem: “What we Charleville standard of law for all of us, unless there suffer from today is humility in the St James Presbyterian Church is a Lawgiver. The law of God is writ - wrong place. Modesty has moved from 76 Galatea St, Charleville, QLD ten on the hearts of every human being the organ of ambition. Modesty has (Rom. 2:12-16). It is because of this that settled on the organ of conviction; God could judge Israel’s pagan neigh - where it was never meant to be. A : bours in Amos’ day, the eighth century man was meant to be doubtful about BC. These nations and city-states did not himself but undoubting about the Worship Service possess the written law of God, but they truth. This has been exactly reversed. ” Sunday 9am knew enough to know that they were Indeed so, for God is obvious. Contact: Rev David Knott trampling upon a universal standard of right and wrong (Amos 1:1-2:3). Hence Peter Barnes is minister of Revesby qq(07) 4654 3100 they were culpable before God. Presbyterian Church, Sydney. ap

36 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN June 2008