Australia’s reformed AP evangelical periodical

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN AUTUMN 2018 The gospel and Canberra Unoriginal sin God’s quiet work Here we stood! Editorial

Kumalo’s desire for comfort and truth. that of the highway billboard. We have had to endure Bill Shorten Here is where the Word of God stands singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow , as such a contrast to the phoney world and then Malcolm Turnbull’s euphoria of amoral public relations and images. over the plebiscite as a victory for Scripture promises believers “times of democracy and love. Apparently, it refreshing” (Acts 3:20), truth that sets would have the effect of unifying the us free (John 8:32), and life in all its whole country in celebration of all abundance (John 10:10). It is not things progressive. It made one dependent on the majority, be that embarrassed to be an Australian, almost 51% or 61%, for God is true though embarrassed to be a human being. At every man be a liar (Rom. 3:4). one stage Mr Turnbull seemed on the Alexander Solzhenitsyn, writing his arly in Cry, The Beloved Country, verge of proposing to Mr Shorten. lecture for his Nobel Prize for Alan Paton describes Rev. Stephen Literature in 1970, cited a Russian Kumalo, a clergyman in a The scenes could have come from the E proverb: “One word of truth will beautiful country beset by injustice, satire Yes, Minister – whose creators, outweigh the whole world.” taking his seat in a train: “The humble Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, always man reached in his pocket for his sacred said that they only wrote down what Like the struggling Kumalo – and the book, and began to read. It was this the Public Service and the politicians Psalmist before him – we are to reach world alone that was certain.” The past were doing. Yet it did not seem like for the word that is true and certain: “I few months have surely caused satire, or not intentional satire at any consider all Your precepts to be right; I Christians to identify very closely with rate. This was thinking one rung below hate every false way” (Psalm 119:128).

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Making disciples across Australia Congregation Connect

Juggling multiple Sunday services in different locations? Members of your congregation isolated, shut in or unable to attend services or mid-week Bible studies as often as they would like? Need to travel long distances to Session or Presbytery meetings? Congregation Connect might be just the solution you are looking for. Developed jointly by PIM and the PCA Public Worship and Aids to Devotion Committee, Congregation Connect is a cost-effective technology tool that connects small groups of people together for worship services, Bible studies and meetings. Congregation Connect is not a web-casting system; rather it is a solution that encourages active participation from all parties involved, wherever they are located. When used for a Church service, it can create a real sense of active connection, even with people separated by considerable distances. Congregation members can join ‘together’ in worship, sing the same hymns, hear the same sermon and even lead different parts of the service from the different locations. To find out more about Congregation Connect contact Dennis Rayson on 0428 830 276

2 AP SUBSCRIBE FOR YOUR OWN FREE COPY AT AP.ORG.AU The good fight

A Tasmanian Senator presses on, inspired by the gospel and its values. Eric Abetz talks to Mark Powell

Eric Abetz has been a Liberal Party always had a consciousness of God and state and that anybody with Senator since 1994. He has served as the that was embedded within me from the religious beliefs shouldn’t be Minister for Employment under John very beginning and has been a constant allowed to talk into the public Howard and Leader of the Government throughout my life. sphere. What’s your view on that? in the Senate under Tony Abbott. Are any of your other siblings This is one of the great dilemmas in the Your family is originally from believers? Western world now that we are not Germany, the home of the teaching history. Because if history were Yes, I have two brothers, who are in fact Protestant Reformation. What taught then everybody would know ministers of religion. One of those does the Christian faith mean to that the separation of church and state brothers, Peter, became a member of you? was largely about the church saying to state parliament in Western Australia the state “get out of the church” and Well for me personally, the Christian for two terms. When I look back at not the other way around. faith is about a foundation in life, an that, out of six children, three have anchor. It provides a purpose in life and been ministers, two of religion and one In relation to the Christian worldview a hope at the end. When you think of the crown (which is me), but I think not being allowed to speak into the about life you can either think that that our parents helped to embed public sphere, I would point out that you’re here as somebody made uniquely within us a sense of service and everyone has religion, whether they like in the image of God or you are here as committing one’s life to the service of it or not. Legislators seek to encourage a result of a random accident. One the community. good behaviour and discourage bad provides a real purpose, the other no behaviour. To have a concept of good I could have made more money and real purpose, that you’re here as a result and bad you have to have a moral enjoyed a better “lifestyle” in pursuing of a cosmic accident and you’ll framework. Your moral framework is law and living for myself, and I have disappear at some given time. informed by your worldview. So I say absolutely no doubt that my brothers, to those who contend that I shouldn’t Was there a specific time in your who are a lot smarter and more gifted be having a Judeo-Christian worldview life when you were converted? than I am, could have done a lot that you must have a worldview that I was blessed in having been born into a “more” with their lives. But they informs you as to what is good and bad Christian household. It would be fair to wanted to devote themselves to the legislation and informs your sense of say that I have had my ups and downs. service of other people and to God by morality. becoming ministers. I would not say that I became a Many Christians would say, “Well Christian on a particular day. It’s been More and more we are seeing it’s only the gospel that more like a progression throughout people say that there should be a transforms society, therefore we with lapses and other things but I separation between church and should have no confidence in legislation.” How do you see the “Legislators seek to encourage good behaviour relationship between the gospel and discourage bad behaviour. To have a concept and legislation in God’s purposes? of good and bad you have to have a moral That’s a very good discussion point and at the end of the day it is the gospel framework.” that saves. A government, no matter

AUTUMN 2018 3 how well meaning, is not able to “The Bible provides a wonderful blueprint for a legislate people into becoming good society because it does talk about reward Christians. If you have a legalistic framework you will have people going for effort, against laziness, about individual through the motions of the Christian responsibility, looking after your neighbour.” life rather than seeing them as a response to the gospel which is a free that Judaeo-Christian heritage. gift that we have not earned. One enormous change on social issues. If I Why do you think that is? cannot legislate people into had said in parliament 23 years ago that Christianity. Sadly, we are drifting away, and we are I supported gay marriage, for example, people would have been aghast. People However, the Bible provides a at a stage in our culture where we are apologetic for all the blessings we have would have said, “That’s never going to wonderful blueprint for a good society happen.” So, that is one example of because it does talk about reward for received and we want to celebrate how the cultural shift has occurred. effort. It does talk against laziness. It anything and everything that is not What role do you think the media does talk about individual Christian. I am often at a loss to understand why people would be like responsibility. It does talk about has played in the way that that. Sadly, there are people who still looking after your neighbour, if you politicians in particular believe that humankind can develop its have the capacity. So, if you take it as a communicate? own utopia on earth, be it fascism, or whole it is a wonderful blueprint for communism, or any other worldview, Sadly, the media in this country is more society. If you take a step back and have and I’d just say: “Take a step back, have of a cheerleader than a reporter . A a helicopter look at the world and ask, a look at them all and see which one reporter should simply state the facts “Which societies are the societies to you would choose.” and let the readers make up their mind. aspire to or to imitate?” it has been the I’m often labelled, though, as “extreme” You have been in politics for more Western world that has stood out. or the “right wing” Liberal Senator – than 23 years. How has it Why? Because in the past it was built but the journalist doesn’t use equivalent changed in that time? on the Judeo-Christian ethic. adjectives of opponents on the other side . We seem to be drifting away from Over those 23 years there has been The other thing is, that if you are a

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4 AP LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FACEBOOK.COM/APMAGONLINE leaker to the media then they will always That’s a very good question. I think it write you up as being this wonderful would be quite esoteric. I would like to political genius who should be promoted . see a re-engagement of the Australian There must be many people with their history and their discouragements for you personally Christian heritage because it’s just so in politics. What keeps you going? important. We have to get our education system back to teaching the Well, there are discouragements in any basics and to teaching history. task, in any job, and what keeps me Ultimately I think that will permeate going is my hope that I am supporting throughout the rest of society and good and maintaining values. In public inform people as to whether they want life, it is a great encouragement to other to have an entitlement attitude toward people. I have often felt that I am a society or whether they want to have an lone voice on an issue and I think, “Oh attitude that favours contributing. my goodness, wait for the response.” So why have our academic And the response has been, “Oh my institutions largely gone to the Senator Eric Abetz goodness, I am so thankful that Left? just one church. The whole Liberal someone in public life has actually said Party in that Federal electorate has a that.” So, you do get many Another very good question. The Left membership of about 300 people. And encouragements from people. But as a has been relentless in its march through so you think to yourself, “If these 300 Christian you ultimately seek to serve the institutions and, sadly, coming from people were involved in the political only One. Germany, and talking to my parents, when they were young – and they were party of their choice, what a difference As you look back on your time in about university age in the Second they could make!” politics, what are you most proud World War – the vast majority of Why do you think Christians are of having achieved? academics were fascists. They agreed so reluctant to become involved? Look, many people ask me that because it was the popular sentiment. It I think it’s often because you have to was just a lot easier to say, “We agree question and use the word “proud” but compromise. There is that great saying with everything”, and not make waves. I don’t like that word. I am thankful for of the Lord Himself that we need to be what I have been able to achieve and I Similarly, when I was at university, I as shrewd as serpents but as innocent as feel blessed if I have been able at times was amazed at how the majority of doves (Mt. 10:16). That is something to be used to facilitate a good outcome. academics were apologists for the that in politics you have to do. In Looking back, there have been a lot of authoritarian communist regimes. If politics, you have to say sometimes, “I small individual cases such as helping ever you asked about Siberia or the don’t like this, but it is the least-worst refugees, or helping people with their Gulag Archipelago it was always just option and so therefore I will support it hearing aids. I feel very thankful that I brushed off as “you’ve got to in the circumstances.” I think some have been able to make a difference in understand the cultural differences”. Christians take a very purist approach, people’s lives. These academics would give which they don’t often do in their own On a bigger scale, as the minister for unbelievable, full-blown explanations as personal or business lives. employment I tried to get people into to why Soviet Communism, for all its Do you ever try to encourage horrors, was justifiable, and indeed the jobs and see that the economy was Christians to be involved in face of the future. humming along. The social good of politics? How does that go? getting someone into a job cannot be You travel through the country. Do I do. It would be fair to say that it over-emphasised. In Tasmania, in you think Christians are engaging meets a lot of resistance. One person I particular, we’ve seen unemployment effectively in the public sphere? know joined up after talking to me. But fall from 8.1% to 5.8% since 2013, No, I don’t think so. Too many his wife refused, saying: “Oh no, which means that thousands of people’s Christians have, I think, been too politics is not for me.” A very keen lives have been turned around. comfortable for too long. For example, personal supporter of myself, and I had If you could make one change in my local church would have roughly absolutely no doubt she always votes Australia, what would you do? 300 people go to it on a Sunday. That’s for me, but the idea of joining the Liberal Party to potentially make my “I would like to see a re-engagement of the life easier for endorsement or whatever never entered her mind. She saw all the Australian people with their history and their stuff in the media about politics, that it Christian heritage because it’s just so was a dirty and nasty business, so she didn’t want to be seen as associated important.” with it.

AUTUMN 2018 5 What made you choose to give up “I think some Christians take a very purist law and go into politics yourself? approach (to politics), which they don’t often I suppose I got the political bug at university when I discovered that my do in their own personal or business lives.” results would be withheld until I paid the compulsory student union fee. I addresses of the students that they had or I will not accept your point of view. was of the view that one’s right to a to email all the students with an email There is a creeping fascist type of tertiary education shouldn’t be blast asking them to co-sign the letter. approach. predicated on joining a student union The power imbalance there and the use Is it fair to say that Australia is and handing over your money. So I of students’ email addresses, which becoming more and more divided then got involved in student politics should only be used for academic and fractured along these lines? and the students were relatively good to purposes, to promote a political ideology me with voting and I topped the Yes, I think that, sadly, it is. For (was wrong). Students felt intimidated, polling often at university despite example, the Hobart City Council that they had to support their lecturer’s having conservative views and values. decided by resolution to support the yes political position. One student said, case and they flew the rainbow flag Is there a particular social issue “So what happens if I don’t sign?” above their public building. I wrote an that concerns you at present? Because the lecturer knows all the opinion piece for my local public paper students whom she had emailed she The most recent speech I made in the indicating that I had a flag pole on my would also know which students had not Senate was on freedom of speech. It electorate office and it only ever flies responded positively to her “request”. concerned the University of Tasmania the Australian flag, even in the heat of when it was approached to provide a The university should have provided a an election campaign. I will not forum for the “no” case in the same-sex forum for the no case just as much as it demean the public office of a senator’s plebiscite. It initially decided against should have provided a forum for the office by pulling down the Australian and then decided in favour. A number yes case. But there is now this growing flag to put up a Liberal flag. Because as of senior academics got together and intolerance, that uses the word a servant of the people, whilst I’m a wrote a letter saying how offended and “tolerance” to assert that to be tolerant Liberal, I am first and foremost an hurt they were, and they used the email you have to do everything a certain way Australian parliamentarian.

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6 AP SUBSCRIBE FOR YOUR OWN FREE COPY AT AP.ORG.AU Unoriginal sins

The unconfessed sins of liberal Protestantism

Phil Burcham

t was an off-hand remark that church debate involving Government The lecturer, a Mr O’Reilly, worked as revealed the gulf of officials addressing the proposition a Government Film Censor in daily life Imiscomprehension between "That the State should prevent the but oddly seemed keener to censor modern Aussies and churchgoers reproduction of the unfit". births than movies. He began by concerning what Christians believe or singing the praises of eugenicists, the To quote the account, “Mr Wade get up to in their gatherings. “people who aspire to have children opened the case for the Government, well born, their aim being to purge the During a quick trip to the tea room one and was supported by Messrs. Hay, world of all its undesirables and put in Friday afternoon a work colleague Carter, Baillie, Twadde and Longworth. their places stronger, purer and better casually asked about my plans for the They claimed that the State should, by types of manhood and womanhood.” weekend. I told him I was assisting a whatever means Science may make men’s breakfast for blokes in my church . available, prevent persons suffering Mr O’Reilly proceeded to favourably Having never heard of such an event, he from mental and physical diseases from quote the 19th century father of flippantly asked whether we’d be sitting reproducing their kind.” Eugenics, Sir Francis Galton, Charles around watching porn while eating corn Darwin’s half-cousin: “Let us encourage It turns out the “whatever means” they flakes. I hastily tried to set him right. worthy persons to marry. Let these marry had in mind hadn’t advanced much who have some quality for advancement As odd as my workmate’s perceptions past the low-tech methods used by of the race, as we cannot expect to raise were, while digging around the archives Ancient Spartans when tossing the best stock from degraded parentage, of old Australian newspapers recently imperfect newborns into ravines; so let there be a survival of the best.” I’ve unearthed a few accounts of some according to the Mercury , the Such thinking clearly enthralled the pretty weird and whacky things Government speakers argued that “the Film Censor, who darkly noted that we Presbyterian bloke’s groups did get up State should have the right to destroy at “take all sorts of trouble to improve the to in the first half of the 20th century – birth children born into incurable breeding of animals and the cultivation the days when “theological liberalism” disease or idiocy.” In their closing of plants, but we allow ourselves to dominated Australian Protestantism. In statement, the pro-infanticiders breed indiscriminately”. addition to downplaying the exhorted their Presbyterian audience to supernatural character of Scripture, believe that “the science of eugenics, so Unlike the infanticide option favoured liberals often displayed a sad affinity for carefully and thoroughly practised by by the folks in Wollongong, the Film eugenics, the powerful pseudoscientific stock breeders, should be made to apply Censor preferred a strategy of training movement that promoted the to the human race. This would very newlyweds to exert “self-control in preferential propagation of “better- quickly eliminate all unfit persons”. married life, to try and arrest some of born” people with “good genes”. the influences termed ‘moral poison’.” Sadly, this wasn’t an isolated event. Mr O’Reilly urged Presbyterians to The November 3, 1927, edition of the The September 13, 1929, issue of the embrace his goal of raising eugenic Lithgow Mercury , for example, reported Illawarra Mercury reported on a awareness among couples seeking on a meeting of the Presbyterian Men’s comparable Men’s League meeting at a church weddings, but suggested that League in their town which featured a Presbyterian church in Wollongong. the Kirk first discard any traces of the old Westminster theology which viewed “What was it about Liberal theology that sin as the transgression of divinely opened the door to such grubby distortions revealed law. “There is a new sin,” the Film Censor thundered, “a sin against of Protestant profession and practice?” the race — to allow a child to be born

AUTUMN 2018 7 into the world who will not be fit to “The science of eugenics, so carefully and take its place in the future race. Could not Christianity say — Save not the thoroughly practised by stock breeders, soul only but also consider the salvation should be made to apply to the human race.” of the race. That is my concern, and I hope it will be the concern of many – speaker others — 'the future of the race’.” and women, and these, in turn, must sight and hearing-impaired, the The Mercury reporter happily noted `sweep humanity on to a higher level’.” physically immobilised, and those that “Mr. O'Reilly created a splendid afflicted by disfiguring contagious disease , Such displays of what G.K. Chesterton impression with his hearers” and that a mental illness or demonic oppression. vote of thanks from the minister was labelled the “creepy simplicity” of the “carried by acclamation”. After some eugenic mindset were scarcely restricted Since medical compassion had been cheery congregational singing “tea was to NSW; comparable stories suggesting encoded within the DNA of historic served to all in the Church Hall when a Presbyterian flirtation with such ideas Christianity by its Founder, whenever nice friendly spirit prevailed”. appear in many Australian newspapers and wherever Christian missionaries during the early 20th century. And we carried the gospel, their arrival was Liberal Protestant piety also likely weren’t the only culprits; historian invariably accompanied by the fuelled the energy Millicent Preston- Christine Rosen demonstrates in her establishment of mission hospitals, Stanley, an outspoken eugenicist in detailed Preaching Eugenics (OUP, nursing outposts or medical clinics. 1920s Sydney, brought to her crusade 2005) that similar ideas were keenly of ridding the harbour city of “mental And yet, in arguably one of the most promoted by Protestant church leaders defectives”. During a 1925 speech at ghastly turns in 20 centuries of church on both sides of the Atlantic during the Palmer Street Presbyterian Church, the history, with the ascendancy of ’20s and the ’30s. feminist firebrand harangued her theological liberalism, Protestant hearers with the need to raise the IQs Something deeply and profoundly anti- churches across the West repudiated of future Australians. “Although the Christian lurked within these eugenic this legacy by launching out boldly to man of brains was absolutely essential obsessions. Christianity was founded surf a tidal wave of medicalised elitism to the future evolution of the world, upon the life and teachings of Jesus that lent enthusiastic support to the world had not been very much Christ, who among His many distinctive questionable State-sponsored concerned in the past with the features, displayed an unmatched endeavours to eliminate undesirables, conditions that produced the man of concern for the medically impaired and the feeble-minded, carriers of bad brains; but it was now known that imperfect. According to the Gospel blood, the inferior and the unfit. brains produced brains and that a good narratives, Christ’s adult life was a blaze Thankfully, contemporary historians nation’s bloodstream meant the of miraculous activity which brought have begun shining much needed light production of superior types of men physical and spiritual healing to the upon this sad period. Even more importantly, advances in molecular genetics have demolished whatever flimsy Miles Charge Seeks Minister scientific basis might have supported eugenic delusions that entire populations The Presbyterian charge of can be neatly separated into such crass Miles on the Western binary categories as “fit” or “unfit” and Downs in Queensland is “desirables” or “undesirables”. prayerfully seeking a Yet the need remains for the theological reformed minister, underpinnings of the eugenics craze to driven by God to preach be more clearly described. What was it the Gospel, pastor, lead about liberal theology that opened the and guide the outreach door to such grubby distortions of of the Lord’s people. Protestant profession and practice? God willing, we will explore such questions Our vision is to see “God’s love in future AP articles. But as a heads-up reach out” and touch the lives of as many people as we can. to impatient readers who don’t mind plot giveaways, our explorations will If you have been praying for God’s guidance and are seeking a likely reaffirm the wisdom within the new challenge, we have been praying earnestly for a man to lead our charge. adage that when supping with Charles Please contact our Interim Moderator Reverend David Knott on 0401 789 137 Darwin, wise Christians use long spoons. or our Session Clerk, Douglas Walker on 0427 501 788 for more information. Phil Burcham is a Perth academic and elder in the PCWA.

8 AP LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FACEBOOK.COM/APMAGONLINE Wisdom from Greg Goswell the book of Ruth The good wife

here do you find the book In other words, the placing of Ruth miraculous occurrences nor dramatic of Ruth in the Bible? next to Proverbs suggests that Ruth the divine interventions are to be expected WThough the modern reader Moabitess is to be viewed as a real life in Ruth when read within a wisdom is accustomed to find it following example of the piety taught in Proverbs framework. God’s direct involvement in Judges, because the story is set in the and embodied in the exemplary woman events is stated by the narrator of Ruth days of the judges, in the Hebrew Bible of Proverbs 31. The book of Ruth is only once (4:13), though characters the book of Ruth is found immediately not usually considered to be a wisdom within the story repeatedly speak about after Proverbs. This is because there is work, but the fact is that it provides in God, so that one of its pervasive themes an important link in their subject the person of Ruth a paradigm, namely is the (largely) hidden nature of God’s matter. The book of Proverbs closes a pattern of behaviour worthy of providence (e.g. 1:6, 9, 16–17, 20–21). with an alphabetical acrostic poem of emulation by readers (e.g. an ethic of There is a mystery to God’s ways, for it 22 lines, with each verse starting with a hard work, Ruth 2:7, 17; Prov 6:6–11). is never explained why Naomi’s successive letter of the Hebrew As well, the book of Ruth contains husband and sons met their deaths in alphabet. It celebrates the ‘worthy themes that find a place in Moab. Naomi cries out for answers, but woman’ (Prov 31:10–31), with this acknowledged wisdom books like no clear explanation is provided. Life is expression occurring in the opening Proverbs and Job, for example, marriage like that, and the believer is often called line (31:10 RSV: ‘A good wife who can to a suitable wife, moral strength (or to trust God in the dark. worth), hard work, theodicy, find?’). The juxtaposed book of Ruth The “good wife” of Proverbs 31 speaks providence, the practice of kindness, can be understood as going on to wisely and inculcates kindness (31:26: the use of intelligence and reward. describe just such a woman. “the teaching of kindness is on her The thematic linkage between the The heroine Ruth and the “good wife” tongue”). This may refer to what she books of Proverbs and Ruth is of Proverbs 31 are both women of instructs her children and household supported by the fact that in Ruth energy and action; both work to supply servants, namely to treat the poor with 3:11, Boaz calls Ruth a “worthy the needs of their family and provide kindness, and her teaching is consistent woman”. The description in Proverbs food for their household; both show with her own humane actions (cf. 31:31 fits the woman Ruth (“her deeds “kindness” (hesed) (Prov 31:26; Ruth 31:20: “She opens her hand to the will praise her in the gates”), for in 3:10); both are praised as superior by poor, and reaches out her hands to the Ruth 3:11 Boaz in praising Ruth, says: her husband and by others (Prov needy”). This also anticipates the “All my fellow townsmen (lit. “all the 31:28–29; Ruth 3:10–11; 4:15); both ‘kindness’ (hesed) theme in the gate of my people”) know that you are work hard (Prov 31:13, 27; Ruth 2:2, narrative of Ruth. Ruth and Boaz a woman of worth.” So also, Proverbs 17, 23); and both women are God- practise “kindness”, for their actions for 31:23 applies to Boaz: “Her husband is fearing (Prov 31:30; Ruth 1:16; 2:12). the sake of the welfare of the family go known in the gates, when he sits among The readers of the book of Ruth beyond the formal obligations of a the elders of the land.” This sounds like should, therefore, expect to learn about daughter-in-law or of the male relative the ways of God and about the ways an allusion to the scene at the city gate who was not the nearest of kin (2:20; that God would have them live. depicted in Ruth 4. The Bible 3:12). Kindness is action above and characters Ruth and Boaz appear to The theme of providence is prevalent in beyond the call of duty. Ruth leaves her step out of the last page of the book of wisdom literature and is also found in homeland and returns with Naomi to Proverbs. the book of Ruth. Neither overtly Israel; she is willing to marry Boaz, for this is the best outcome for the family; “Naomi cries out for answers, but no clear Boaz is willing to marry a foreigner, for explanation is provided. Life is like that, this is the only way to preserve the endangered family line. and the believer is often called to trust Both Proverbs and Ruth contain the God in the dark.” theme of diligence and commend the

AUTUMN 2018 9 use of intelligence and resourcefulness “Both Proverbs and Ruth contain the theme of to overcome difficulties. Like Ruth the gleaner (ch.2), the woman of Proverbs diligence and commend the use of intelligence 31 labours with her hands (31:13) and and resourcefulness to overcome difficulties.” is hard-working (31:15, 18, 19, 27). In the night scene at the threshing floor, Ruth departs from the script given to both express the wish that God would sends Ruth to the threshing floor her by Naomi (3:4b: “he will tell you reward Ruth for her actions on behalf (3:1: “Should I not seek a home for what to do”), for instead of waiting for of the family (1:8–9; 2:11–12). Naomi you?”), and when Ruth calls on Boaz instructions from Boaz, she takes the makes mention of a correspondence to marry her (3:9: “Spread your skirt initiative and instructs him what to do, between Ruth’s loyal action and the [kanap] over your maidservant”). proposing marriage as the best solution response hoped-for from God (“May The implication is that Naomi and for the family’s problems (3:9), and the LORD deal kindly with you, as you Boaz are instruments through which Boaz sees the good sense and propriety have dealt [kindly] with the dead and God ensures that Ruth receives her just of what she calls on him to do and with me”). For his part, Boaz deserts, but the subtle handling of this agrees to marriage. specifically expresses the hope that God theme in the book of Ruth is consistent will recompense Ruth for what she has Lastly, the theme of recompense or with the way in which the book of done (“May the LORD repay your reward plays an important role in both Proverbs depicts God’s involvement deed”). In Naomi’s mind the reward books. Actions have consequences, and in retributive justice. Those who act needs to take the form of Ruth finding the receiving of reward or punishment wisely model God and become “a home” and for Boaz, the hope is that is integrally related to how people instruments of God. Ruth will find shelter under God’s behave. While it is not always explicit ‘wings’ (kanap) . Greg Goswell is the Academic Dean in Proverbs that God upholds the act- and a lecturer in Old Testament at consequence nexus, in a number of They place upon God the obligation of Christ College, Sydney. passages God is said to be active in rewarding Ruth but, as it happens, each retribution (e.g. 5:21-23; 23:10-11; has an essential part to play in the Peter H. W. Lau and Gregory Goswell, 24:11-12; 29:26). Turning to the book process of reward, as indicated by the Unceasing Kindness: A Biblical Theology of Ruth, we find that Naomi and Boaz reuse of significant terms when Naomi of Ruth (London: Apollos, 2016)

18 Life at the Table 1 CORINTHIANS 11:17-34

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

Islamic threat to freedom Britain's Telegraph newspaper quoted burial place of Christ by a delegation Welby as saying: “Our government sent from Rome some 17 centuries ago. Islamist “hyper-extremism” is threatening religious freedom around the world, generally is desperately trying to catch up, Now the results of scientific tests especially in countries in the West, to understand a world in which they have provided to National Geographic Middle East, and Africa, said a report no grip on what it is to be religious at appear to confirm that the remains of a released by a Vatican foundation that all.” He went on to highlight the rise of limestone cave enshrined within the provides aid to people in conflict areas. religiously motivated violence, which church are remnants of the tomb he said is reaching levels not seen since located by the ancient Romans. The Religious Freedom in the World the aftermath of the Reformation some Mortar sampled from between the 2016 report, released by Aid to the 500 years ago. Church in Need, said “religiously original limestone surface of the tomb motivated violence” has given rise to Ecumenical News and a marble slab that covers it has been dated to around A.D. 345. attacks in one in five countries around Support for Sepulchre According to historical accounts, the the world in the past two years. Over the centuries, Jerusalem’s Church tomb was discovered by the Romans The report, which was released of the Holy Sepulchre has suffered and enshrined around 326. Until now, simultaneously in the Vatican and in violent attacks, fires, and earthquakes. the earliest architectural evidence found the Philippines in late 2017, said that a It was totally destroyed in 1009 and in and around the tomb complex dated “key objective of Islamist hyper- subsequently rebuilt, leading modern to the Crusader period, making it no extremism is to trigger the complete scholars to question whether it could older than 1000 years. elimination of religious communities”. possibly be the site identified as the Religion News Service The report described the threat of extremism as “a death cult with a genocidal intent”. Their attacks 35(6%<7(5,$17+(2/2*,&$/&2//(*(9,&725,$35(6%<7(55,$1 7+(2/2*,&$/ &2//(**( 9,&725,$ included “mass-killing, rape, extreme torture, such as burning people alive, LVSOHDVHGWRLV SOHDVHG WR crucifixions, and throwing people off DQQRXQFH tall buildings”. UCA UK authorities ‘illiterate’ 0,1,675<0,1,675< British Government officials lack “religious literacy”, and are therefore likely to view evangelical Christians as &&21)(5(1&(21)(5(1&( extremists, according to the spiritual leader of the Church of England, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.  7+7+7+  7+ Dr Welby said that government officials 0$5&+ often do not recognise a distinction )HDWX)HDWXULQJWDONVE\ULULQJ WDONVNV E\E\\ between Islamic militants and traditional 5HY5HYb'DYLG&RRNb 'DYLYLG &R&RRN IRUPRUHLQIRUPDWLRQIRRU PRUH LQIRIRUPDWLRQ 5HY5HY$ODVGDLU3DLQH $ODVGDLU 3DLQH WRUHJLVWHUJRWR WRUHJLVWHUJRWR   Christians, and are likely to see both 5HY5HY'DYLG-RQHV 'DYLYLG-RQHV SWFHGXDX groups as “a bit bonkers”.

AUTUMN 2018 11 Islamist attacks ‘heartbreaking’ Pakistani Christians killed Copts begin church

A leading Islamic scholar has described Two Islamist terrorists attacked the Copts in Kom El-Loufy, 250 attacks on Christians by violent Islamic Sunday morning service at Bethel kilometres south of Cairo, have extremists as “heart-breaking” and Memorial Methodist Church in started the construction of a church, condemned Islamic extremism as being Quetta, Pakistan, on December 17. 12 years after their previous building “exactly the opposite” of what Islam At least nine Christians died at the was closed. They have withdrawn teaches”. church or in hospital from their their charges against 23 Muslims who injuries, including women and burned down some of their houses in Sheikh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, who heads children. There was a sustained June last year. an Irish Islamic centre, argues that the gunfight with security forces and one “real offenders of blasphemy” are not Ever since their previous building was of the terrorists blew himself up at the people who draw cartoons of closed, the Coptic community of church entrance; another was shot Muhammad, but those who commit 1600 people in Kom El-Loufy has dead. Islamic State have claimed atrocities in the name of God and experienced fierce opposition from responsibility for the attack. their Muslim neighbours. Some locals Islam. He blamed violent Islamic set fire to four Coptic homes in July extremism on Muslims who Two fathers, on duty at the main gates last year, suspecting that a newly built disseminate the Wahhabi-Salafi of the church compound, died during house would be turned into a church. ideology emanating from Saudi Arabia. the attack, and a widow remains in hospital. George Masih, 63, stayed at A local source told World Watch The Sunni cleric told British House of his post on the gates to face the Islamic Monitor that, with the agreement of Lords in late November that the State terrorists, and gave his life to the local Muslims, the Copts started intolerant doctrines of Wahhabism and defend the congregation. Sultan Masih, digging the foundations for their new Salafism had been “aggressively exported” 36 (no relation) quickly locked the church on a piece of land 700 metres through hundreds of billions of dollars gates and warned others to get into the outside the village. An official of funding of Islamic centres in the West church building. He also died, but the application for a license to build a and in Muslim-majority countries. pair’s courage saved many other lives. church was first filed 10 years ago. World Watch Monitor Barnabas Fund World Watch Monitor

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12 AP LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FACEBOOK.COM/APMAGONLINE Quran for Christians Coptic Christian church south of Cairo the southern Indian state. in late December, medical and security By the authors’ count, the Quran has The Times of India recently reported been translated into English 212 times sources said. The two attackers opened that Kerala police have busted an IS- since the 17th century — but never like fire at the entrance to the church of inspired cell. Interrogations reportedly this. Two friends, one Muslim and one Mar Mina in Helwan district, which revealed that the Islamic militant outfit Christian, have just published a Quran was being guarded by police in the run- was targeting churches and institutions for English speakers to help fulfil a up to Orthodox Christmas celebrations run by “a denomination of Christians sacred shared mission: to show people in January, security sources said. of Syrian lineage”. of the world’s largest and second-largest One attacker was shot dead by security The report did not specify the faith groups how much their holy forces, the sources and the state-run news denomination, but said they were books have in common. agency MENA reported. State television targeted because their ancestors had killed “Most of the tension that exists in the said the second had been captured. Muslims during the historical crusades. Those from Syrian traditions form the West in the post-9/11 era is because Islamist militants have claimed several bulk of Christians in Kerala. They Christians fear Muslims and their book, attacks on Egypt's large Christian include members of the Catholic, the Quran,” said Safi Kaskas, the minority in recent years, including two Jacobite, Orthodox and Chaldean Muslim co-author of The Quran With bomb attacks on Palm Sunday in April churches. References to the Bible . and a blast at Cairo’s largest Coptic “This new translation was designed to cathedral last December that killed 28 UCA be a tool of reconciliation between people. Muslims and the followers of other Reuters Read and download Abrahamic religions.” Terrorists target India past years of AP free Religion News Service of charge at ap.org.au Media reports that terrorists connected New attack on Copts Click the Past Issues to the so-called Islamic State(IS) plan to button and enjoy! Gunmen killed at least nine people target Syrian Christians in Kerala are

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AUTUMN 2018 13 God’s quiet work

A case study of revival at Cronulla in the 1960s Ed Kastelein

he Cronulla Presbyterian When the leader resigned in February At the 1964 camp, John Campbell, the Church in the 1950s was 1959, I was elected. minister of Hurstville South, spoke on Taverage for the time. It was Another Christian, coming from the justification and sanctification . This Presbyterian by tradition but not by country, joined Alison on the introduced us to the Reformed faith. spiritual heritage. Few of the elders committee. The committee now began This time there was a clear work of the would have made a credible profession its meetings with a time of corporate Spirit. On Sunday morning, one by of faith. The minister was evangelical, prayer, even though not all on it were one, campers sought refuge in the but he was not an expository preacher. Christians. The committee now aimed chapel under deep conviction of sin. Some were already converted. Others In 1955 the senior youth group at becoming an evangelical group. It came to see their need of Christ as they disbanded through marriage or loss of decided to use better Bible studies and began to see their sin in all its ugliness. interest. A few continued, meeting began inviting evangelical speakers for before the Sunday evening service for a its monthly Fellowship tea. Young people who had only recently “study” from the PFA Magazine. These In 1961, some young people came from treated the Christian faith as a joke dealt with dubious “contemporary the local Baptist Church because of were seen with tears streaming down issues”. By the end of 1956, only some problems with their own church. They their faces. One was Paul Alcorn. He four or five young people attended. wanted to organise a weekend camp. So writes: “I can’t say I remember a great deal of what was said but the fact of In 1956, at 14, I started attending and the committee organised one before these young people complicated matters . justification by faith, Jesus dying in my began reading my Bible. But in January place bearing my sin away was clearly 1957 at an Intra-School Christian Speakers were invited from the Overseas Missionary Fellowship, and their opened to ... my heart. I was Fellowship camp, I was found by Christ overwhelmed by the love of Jesus and and bowed the knee to Him in faith and preaching was fervent. Though no conversions occurred, further camps the enormity of my sin. ... My fear of repentance. My whole life now changed. were organised. In the meantime. hell was taken from me ... Now all my At this time some teenagers joined the Fellowship attendance continued to rise. sins were taken away. I had a sure and Bible Class, and attendance rose to a certain hope. I couldn’t fathom that After a 1963 camp, weekly Sunday dozen or so. Spiritually, the group was love. But I knew the truth of it. I wept evening prayer meetings began before rather barren. But while very ignorant, that day like I had never wept before or the Sunday meeting. Sometimes as I knew I was a child of God and since. When I walked out of the chapel many as 10 crowded a small church learned to lead the Bible studies. Late I had an overwhelming assurance. room and poured their hearts out to the in 1957, through contact with ISCF, I After that I just wanted everyone to Lord. This deepened a sense of God started distributing Scripture Union share the joy of what Jesus had done and a spiritual relationship among the Daily Bible Reading notes. for me.” young people. There was heartfelt, Alison Stebbins joined late in 1957, urgent prayer for God to work and for Several young people came to faith in from the Bible class, and soon showed people to be converted. At this time Christ. There was an accelerating work an interest in the things of God. She two sisters were converted, and became of God that continued until 1969. was converted shortly afterwards, enthusiastic for the faith. One became The local congregation, however, mainly through reading the Scriptures. the leader for 1963-64. opted for a minister less committed to Reformed theology, and even the “Young people who had only recently treated evangelical session clerk, said, “We the Christian faith as a joke were seen with have got to be fair. After having an evangelical we should have someone of tears streaming down their faces.” broader theology”.

14 AP LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FACEBOOK.COM/APMAGONLINE 1966-67 saw Paul Alcorn as leader and In 1967, in the aftermath of the the truth, in spite of the defective Ken Stebbins as deputy. A growing exoneration of Professor Lloyd Geering preaching from liberal pastors. momentum wrought conversions on charges of heresy in New Zealand, Fourth, developing doctrinal maturity. through the group’s normal witness. the Presbyterian Reformed Church was From 1956 to 1969 the Fellowship David Price writes: “What was formed, and many of the young moved from liberalism to Arminian converted ones at Cronulla joined it. It remarkable was the genuine love of evangelicalism to a decisive Calvinism. should be said that other congregations Christ and the care shown to me by Later conversions were deeply about this time or a little later also the older members... Over the next influenced by the doctrines of grace. two years I became a Christian, experienced something of a work of the though I couldn’t pin down a date.” Spirit of God. Fifth, lasting results. Of some 40 to 45 young people who made a profession of Don Burgess began attending and Drawing the strands together, I make Christ in that era, some 35 are still bought John Stott’s Basic Christianity five observations. at a camp, and was converted standing firm (2017). Over time, three through it. First, the unpromising circumstances. men have been called to the ministry. There was no long-term Fellowship Another five became ruling elders and The Fellowship was embracing leader. From 1959-69, there were six others have served as deacons. Several Reformed doctrine through leaders, all young and immature girls married teaching elders, ruling elders Westminster Society meetings in the teenagers. The church was hostile to the and missionaries. They have kept the city, but the Youth for Christ Rallies idea of conversion. faith (2 Tim. 4:7) and continue in Christ. and the Brian Willersdorf Crusade (1966) had a weakening effect. Yet Second, prayer. There was a growing Was it a singular work of God? The conversions continued and much joy emphasis on prayer. It became the evidence points to revival having taken was evident. Frank Stoffels writes: spiritual powerhouse of the youth. Past place, though spread over a decade. “The joy that filled my heart as part of revivals were marked by prayer. This May this encourage us to pray for was certainly the case here. revival, and may God have all the glory. the Fellowship was palpable and memorable. I used to walk to and Third, God-given cohesion. The group Ed Kastelein is a retired Presbyterian from Fellowship ... and can remember acted together when it came to finding Reformed Church minister. rejoicing in the Lord all the way, often the doctrines of grace. God had brought Correspondence welcome at singing hymns in my heart.” about a steadfastness of commitment to [email protected]

AUTUMN 2018 15 Highlights from a Reformation tour, October Here 2017 we stood! John Wilson

rom four eastern states of God … I will not recant.” Yes, in the church that in taking the sacraments Australia, 26 people – previously Worms, our hearts were warmed as we you are moving closer to salvation. Fstrangers to one another – were paused to pray together, because we too Calvin’s preaching made it clear that we thrown together in a bus to be the loved Luther’s Reformation principle, are made right with God because of the inaugural PCA Reformation Tour Scripture alone . grace of God. We stood in Geneva group. Three weeks of living, travelling 2. We were thrilled to stay awhile in the where Calvin preached that justification and dining together meant wonderful, beautiful Swiss city of Geneva, and to was awarded by grace alone . long-lasting friendships emerged. visit St Peter’s Cathedral. It was in this 3. The third highlight was a lowlight. Stirring sights and life-changing church, for a quarter of a century, that I was angry this day. Angry enough to encounters are briefly and inadequately John Calvin captivated his congregation weep. I refer to our visit to Rome and, summarised by the following five with his preaching – teaching that in particular, to the Holy Steps (Scala highlights. affected the whole city of Geneva. In Sancta). This is the very place Luther 1. Hearts were strangely warmed as we front of others in the old town square came in 1510 – he wanted to know gathered in the town square of an that day, we were pleased to line up for what he had to do to receive God’s historic German city, Worms. The late- a photo opportunity on the steps of favour. Luther wasn’t convinced he had afternoon autumn sun provided Calvin’s church in Geneva, and to enough faith to be right with God. And majestic shadows from the huge castle remember what Calvin stood for. whatever faith he had, he needed some church with its twin spires. There used Except for the façade, this building and good works to get God’s attention. So, to be an historic building right beside the surrounding streets and alleyways the church sent him to Rome to run this church – now crumbled by war and are as they were in Calvin’s day and we some errands and, during this visit, he weather. But still, there’s a beautiful imagined him bustling about each day did what thousands of other pilgrims garden … and the spot is clearly marked. from home, to church, to academy. were doing: crawling on his knees up So we stood where Luther stood. We stood beside a replica pulpit in St the Holy Steps, repeating the Lord’s Martin Luther was brought here in Peter’s where he convincingly preached Prayer on each one. Never mind 1521 into the fearsome presence of the the grace of God. His preaching arthritic pain on hard marble steps … Emperor and before powerful and actually covered many different things just do the work … ’til you reach the eloquent Catholic theologians of the as he preached through the Bible, but top. Of course, it didn’t help him one day. They spread out all Luther’s books his pulpit theme was clear: the grace of bit – it only made Luther more anxious. on a table in front of the court and God in the Gospel of Christ. Where is We peered in and saw a dozen or so demanded he recant. After asking for salvation found? In Calvin’s day, people on their knees. What these time to consider his position, Luther salvation was offered by the priests and pilgrims needed to hear was that the returned the next day and said: “I am made available little-by-little through grace of Christ is extended to us bound by the Scriptures. My attendance on the work of the without works of any kind, even conscience is captive to the Word of priesthood. It was commonly taught by religious works, even works of prayer! “When it came to his turn, Knox refused, How does the grace of God reach us? What do you have to do to get God’s picked up the idol and threw it out to sea attention? Say prayers on every step? saying: ‘Let Our Lady now save herself. No, by faith alone in Christ alone. I felt sorrowful anger because this is such a Let her learn to swim!’” popular Roman tourist spot … and

16 AP SUBSCRIBE FOR YOUR OWN FREE COPY AT AP.ORG.AU because people do not know that God’s Our Lady now save herself. Let her pay for a certificate that makes the Pope grace reaches us and fills us through learn to swim!” look glorious? Where is true treasure to faith alone . be found?” Luther had had enough of Knox knew how to approach God in men of the church gathering gold to 4. I was happy in bonnie Scotland, and prayer; he wrote a wonderful book on itself, so on October 1517 he my favourite city, St Andrews. Here, I the subject that is still readable today. hammered his 95 theses to the door of rejoiced – and thought of the bold We don’t come closer to God through the Castle church. No. 62 says: “The Mary or the saints or the apostles or Scottish reformer John Knox, who true treasure of the church is the most prophets or getting other famous preached inside the Archbishop’s Castle holy gospel of the glory and grace of Christians to pray for us, but we can go at St Andrews. We spent a wonderful God.” We chorused together that it’s all straight to God, by-passing priests, day exploring the ruins and tunnels of for the Glory of God Alone. the castle and then, gazing out over skipping Mary. God’s blessing is found Finally, we joined the annual conference those threatening waters of the ocean, in Christ alone . of the World Reformed Fellowship in to imagine the terrible hardship these 5. The beautiful German city of Wittenberg. We listened to Don reformers faced. Wittenberg is where Martin Luther Carson speaking on Sola Scriptura and While he was preaching to Protestant lived for 35 years, raised his family and Mike Horton on Justification. We had refugees barricaded in this castle, the taught as a professor of theology at the dinner with world leaders, met French attacked and captured them, university. Famously, 500 years ago, he wonderful people and witnessed the and put them all to sea. The French, had had enough of the greed of church installation of the new International being Catholic, were dependent on leaders accumulating wealth and glory Director of WRF, Rev. Dr Davi Gomes approaching God through Mary and to themselves at the expense of the of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil. the saints. So it’s no surprise that one poor. Being welcomed to take part in the day the master of Knox’s ship insisted We were moved to stand at the door of WRF conference was a reminder that that all galley slaves kiss a carved image the castle church where Luther first the Presbyterian Church of Australia of the Virgin Mary and pray for safe publically protested against the church’s has a supportive and yet vital role to keeping in the storm. When it came to errors. Luther exclaimed: “Why buy an play in the world reformed faith. his turn, Knox refused, picked up the Indulgence and make St Peter’s Basilica John P Wilson is Moderator-General of idol and threw it out to sea saying: “Let in the Vatican look more glorious? Why the Presbyterian Church of Australia.

LOVEin hard places

Showing God’s love to others in a world of broken lives sounds a lot simpler than it is in practice. We know the Gospel is the answer to our needs, but often it doesn’t seem to help us as we juggle our own challenges and those we minister to. Come and be encouraged by Paul Grimmond and Sally Simms at Equip Ministry Wives 2018, as they open God’s Word and chart a pathway to living out God’s real hope in the chaos of our increasingly dysfunctional world.

SATURDAY 7TH APRIL 2018 ST ANNE’S RYDE ANGLICAN See website for details and registration: www.equip.org.au/equip-ministry-wives

AUTUMN 2018 17 Are you being insulted for righteousness? Rejoice and be glad! Count it all joy Campbell Markham

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for know me!” “ They’re the ones who have He says “Rejoice!” “Be glad!” “They righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the changed. I believe what I’ve always treated my beloved servants of old like kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when believed!” that. And the fact you’re getting the others revile you and persecute you and same treatment means that you have Anger turns to anxiety. You are worried. utter all kinds of evil against you falsely the same Spirit as them, and the same You have lost your joy. And you are on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for glorious destiny as them.” sorely tempted to find refuge in your reward is great in heaven, for so they prideful superiority over others. Positively rejoice. Rejoice on the inside, persecuted the prophets who were before and rejoice on the outside. And when Listen to Jesus! you” (Matthew 5:10-12). people want to know why you rejoice y guess is that you’ve read If you are persecuted for righteousness when you’re under pressure and attack, this passage 500 times. And sake (the word persecute can mean to then you get to tell them the best thing Monly now is it coming to life. pursue, or hunt down), then you are they’ll ever hear: blessed. You are to be congratulated. You said something about marriage on “I’m happy because I belong to Jesus. You of all people on earth are one of social media, and people defriended He died and rose for me. He is looking the happy ones. Why? Because the you, or some stranger slapped you after me now, and forever. You can kingdom of heaven is yours . down. Old schoolmates tell you that know Him too.” you’ve changed for the worse, that your In Jewish writings at the time, “heaven” Jesus knows us and our suffering far thinking is “scary” and they can no was a beautiful way of referring to God better than we do. Let us confess to longer talk to you. Your work Himself. Are you persecuted? You are Him that we are prone to becoming colleagues treat you as though you’re blessed because it shows that heaven is anxious, upset, and even proud when mean. A sister has sent you a long and yours: that you belong to God, and that people attack us with their words. Let angry text message. A husband has God belongs to you. You have God, us repent and turn our back on this. lashed out with angry words when you and so you have everything: abundant Let us pray that He will fill us with His try to talk about things. light and life, joy, peace, and eternal security. Holy Spirit, and help us to respond to None of these examples are these attacks in the same way that He hypotheticals, I have seen them all. Do people revile or insult you, because did: with patience, visible joy, and love. of your Christian convictions? Do they How do you respond? And let us be ready to explain the lie about you? Do they think of you as source of our joy. You feel ashamed. You second-guess a bad or mean person for believing yourself, “Maybe they’re right?” You what Jesus says? Campbell Markham is pastor of wake up in the night with that gnawing Cornerstone Church in Tasmania Jesus does not just say, “Do not be feeling, and there’s no getting back to anxious or angry.” Listen carefully to sleep. Him. He goes far, far beyond “not Read and download Shame turns to anger. “They don’t being angry”. sixteen years of AP “Let us pray that He will fill us with His Holy free of charge at ap.org.au Spirit, and help us to respond to these Click the Past Issues attacks in the same way that He did: with button and enjoy! patience, visible joy, and love.”

18 AP SUBSCRIBE FOR YOUR OWN FREE COPY AT AP.ORG.AU Wonderfully made

Dung beetles live humbly but use the stars as a guide

Dung Beetles have been shown to be able to orientate themselves by using the Milky Way galaxy. No other creature has been shown to do this Andy McIntosh

ung beetles are extraordinary. “The beetle may be a lowly creature, but We would be overrun with the sophistication of the dung beetle is Ddung muck from many animals were it not for these humble a lesson to our proud hearts.” creatures who make it their function in life to roll muck and break it up! The dung beetle rolls the dung, always Marcus Byrne of the University of the Beetles actually make up about one- following a straight line despite all Witwatersrand in South Africa showed third of all known insect species and obstacles, back to its home where the this by using a planetarium. It is also Scarab beetles, commonly known as larvae are hatching and feeding on the believed that a bright moon can be used dung beetles, have the Latin family dung. For most dung beetles it is just by the beetle as well. It is the only insect name of Scarabaeinae . They feed the male who does the pushing, and the known to orientate itself by the galaxy! female sometimes hitches a ride on top exclusively on faeces (dung), and For many centuries across the Ancient of the dung! He uses his back legs to comprise about 5000 species. Near East, the dung beetle was seen as a push the ball; occasionally male and symbol of the gods rolling the sun Many dung beetles, known as rollers, female beetles do this together. roll dung into round balls, which are across the heavens; out of the ball of used as a food source for their young in Dung beetles are so keen to get the dung dung (representing the earth) comes breeding chambers. Others, known as that battles can emerge between them new life in the form of the beetle grubs tunnelers, bury the dung wherever they for ownership. They even occasionally and vegetation. It appears as large find it. A third group, the dwellers, try to steal the dung ball from another monuments, tiny amulets and figures neither roll nor burrow – they simply beetle, so they have to move rapidly on inscriptions and tombs; it was live in the manure! away from a dung pile once they have especially popular in Egypt. rolled their ball to prevent it from being Significantly, however, it is not These beetles can grow to three stolen. They can roll up to 10 times mentioned once in the Bible, even centimetres long and two centimetres their weight. Such is the determination though some suggest Israel copied its wide and play a remarkable role in to get at the balls, it has been known religion from the surrounding nations. agriculture. This is because by burying for dung beetles to roll two at once. We are reminded of Job 12:7,8: “But and consuming dung, they improve the In order to orient itself, before rolling the now ask the beasts, and they will teach recycling of nutrient in the soil and dung ball, the beetle will often get on you …. or speak to the earth, and it they also protect livestock, such as top of the ball and perform a “dance” will teach you.” The beetle may be a cattle, by removing the dung which, if during which it locates light sources to lowly creature, but the sophistication of left, can breed pests like flies. So these use for orientation; it then works out in the dung beetle is a lesson to our proud beetles are very important and function which direction it needs to roll. hearts. Even these creatures are fearfully well in dealing with the mess that and wonderfully made. otherwise would be left by the larger Remarkably, it has been confirmed that animals. Dung beetles can eat more this humble beetle actually maps its Professor Andy McIntosh is co-author of than their own weight in 24 hours. direction by the stars of the Milky Way. Wonders of Creation (Day One, 2017)

AUTUMN 2018 19 Books

Exodus: God’s Kingdom caught up in the never ending merry- O my soul? Why so disturbed within of Priests go-round of answering the critics. Why me?” (Ps.42-43). The author, Zack Allan Harman spend your time speaking of what is Eswine, has scoured Spurgeon’s not the case? If you want to know what sermons to meditate on how the great Christian Focus, 2017. Exodus is actually saying, without preacher described his own experiences Jared Hood wading through useless scholarly of “the road to sorrow”. arguments, read Harman’s In 1856, as Spurgeon was preaching to Having just commentary. celebrated the 500th several thousand people, a man yelled anniversary of the Harman still manages to pack “Fire”. In the panic, seven people died Reformation, it is plenty of detail into the and 28 were seriously injured. This appropriate to commentary. He answers the hot- senseless tragedy had a lasting effect on remember yet one button issues. He is open to the great man. He wrote: “We are more reason why Mosaic authorship, but notes that different, each one of us; but I am sure the Reformers Exodus itself doesn’t explicitly there is one thing in which we are all were so successful. state it. He adopts the “early” date brought to unite in times of deep Not only did they for the Exodus, 1446 BC, arguing sorrow, namely in a sense of rediscover the that so-called archaeological “facts” helplessness.” Bible, but they should never overrule Scripture. On This book identifies three broad areas communicated it clearly. Unlike the Exodus 6:3, Harman explains that the to describe this sense of helplessness medieval theologians, the Reformers Patriarchs knew the divine name, and being “downcast”. were understandable. Yahweh, but didn’t appreciate its full 1. Sometimes salvational significance. On the nature That is why John Calvin’s being downcast of the Mosaic covenant, it is a commentaries from the 16th century is a response to “sovereign administration of grace”, are still used. They still make sense. painful thus not a pathway of self- Actually, they’re pleasant, enjoyable, circumstances righteousness. It was an outflowing of positive, and uplifting. They’re not which sinks the covenant with Abraham. For brief showy, they generally avoid controversy, into black tastes of the more obscure, Harman and they get to the truth of Scripture. despair. carefully explains passives, participles, Calvin said of his commentaries: “I Spurgeon’s hitpaels and hitpolels, too! have not only observed throughout a words to the simple style of teaching, but in order to Of course, this review is unnecessary if broken- be removed the farther from all you’ve read Harman’s other hearted were: ostentation, I have also generally commentaries, for you’ll already know “Jesus Christ abstained from refuting the opinions of that this one is a gem. knows all your troubles for similar troubles were His portion too.” others…I have never touched upon Dr Jared Hood lectures in Old Testament opposite opinions, unless where there at the Presbyterian Theological College, 2. Spurgeon points to the disease of was reason to fear, that by being silent Melbourne melancholy: “I would not blame all respecting them, I might leave my those who are much given to fear, for in readers in doubt and perplexity.” Spurgeon’s Sorrows some it is more their disease than their Zack Eswine Allan Harman is of the same ilk. Like sin, and more their misfortune than all his other works, Professor Harman’s Christian Focus, 2014. their fault.” Spurgeon counsels: new Exodus commentary is eminently “Your… spiritual life depends on grace, Lyn Barnes and grace will never cease to shine till it readable, not ostentatious, and not light you in glory.” making a show of academia. Harman is Spurgeon’s Sorrows is a sensitive, perfectly able to debate the obscurities refreshing and poetic journey in 3. Lastly, spiritual depression is of Ancient Near Eastern languages, but understanding times of sorrow and in explained as a time “when you feel in he believes that there are higher things knowing how to care for those who ask your senses that God has deserted you, to be written about. He doesn’t get the question: “Why are you downcast, He is angry with you or you have done

20 AP LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FACEBOOK.COM/APMAGONLINE something which forfeits His love”. Spurgeon and George Whitefield. The Seven Leaders: This torments our minds. Yet God is text is confined to one main idea for Preachers and Pastors greater than our torments. each book, and the illustrations seem Iain Murray very suitable for a young reader. Luther This book is well worth a reflective read is said to have 12 children living at Banner of Truth, 2017. as Spurgeon’s Sorrows touches the heart home, but he and Katie had six of their of the downcast and their carers. In the Matthew Murray own and four others, making up only words of Spurgeon: “Depression of 10. We are also challenged to look for Sometimes a book spirit is no index of declining grace; the certain things in each book. Youngsters comes across your very loss of joy and the absence of may do better than I did, but in the path at a time in assurance may be accompanied by the Whitefield book, I could not find a ministry when greatest achievement in the spiritual man blowing a trumpet (there was one you are facing life. We do not want rain all the days of blowing a fife and another one using a certain challenges the week, and all the weeks of the year; hearing trumpet). or being but if the rain comes sometimes, it confronted with More in the same series are due, so this makes the fields fertile, and fills the so many ideas, water brooks.” is an enterprise to be welcomed. The big test for this series was passed in that different models Lyn Barnes is a member at Revesby mothers, grandmothers and young of church life Presbyterian Church, NSW children responded enthusiastically to it. and leadership, that it can leave you wondering “who is sufficient for these The Woman Who Helped things?” This is such a book. Iain a Reformer Murray has written of seven leaders The Woman Who Loved who were preachers and pastors: John Elias, Andrew Bonar, Archibald Brown, to Give Books Kenneth MacRae, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, The Man Who Preached W. J. Grier, and John MacArthur. Outside Chapters 3, 4, 5, and 7 were first Rebecca Van Doodewaard (writer) delivered at the Presbyterian and Blair Bailie (illustrator) Theological College in Melbourne in 2014 for men training for the ministry. Banner of Truth, 2017 In the introduction Iain Murray Peter Barnes reminds us: “When history is forgotten, The Banner of Truth Trust has ventured it is later generations who suffer. The into its first production of board books past is rich with wisdom which will for young children. These three deal never be out of date.” The lives of these with Katharina Luther, Susannah men are challenging and inspiring,

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AUTUMN 2018 21 marked by clear biblical convictions Church California. In response to the them fishers of about the core issues of ministry, true question, “What is the secret or men, but “the fellowship with Christ, effective gospel formula for the growth of your five Greek preaching, sound doctrine and church?,” MacArthur replied: “I must letters which prayerful dependence on the Holy ascribe our church’s spiritual and spell ichthus Spirit to awaken dead sinners and bring numerical growth to the will of our are also the them to new life. They were also men sovereign God. There are no marketing first letters of who endured great trials in ministry techniques or methods to explain it.” a simple and in family life. confession of Iain Murray reminds us: ”It is faith: ‘Jesus Archibald Brown is one about whom I faithfulness to Christ, not results, Christ is the knew little. He entered pastoral which needs to be the preacher’s Son of God ministry at Stepney Green, East primary concern.” I heartily commend and London in 1867, at the age of 22. The this book as a means of spiritual Saviour.’ To congregation numbered around 70 in a encouragement. These are men whose draw the sign was to say building that could seat 800. By 1872 – desire was to remain faithful to the end wordlessly: “I am a Christian.” in just five years – a new building was and finish their course with joy, and This book began as a series of sermons needed to seat the 3000 people whose convictions were shaped by the looking at nine moments in our Lord’s attending. Brown remarked sometime principle of Acts 6:4: “We will give life, past and future, that show us who ourselves to prayer and the ministry of later to his people: “For five years you He is. It is a clear and simple book to God’s Word.” have flocked to the prayer meetings, as read (160 pages), and would be well the world does its pleasures. Let Matthew Murray is the pastor at worth reading in sections as part of everything else go rather than the Engadine Congregational Church, NSW your devotions. meetings for pleading with God … Our churches do not want cleverer or Ichthus Good points are made: Jesus’ “coming better ministers but revived ones.” Sinclair Ferguson and Derek was not merely a birth; it was an incarnation.” When John the Baptist Spurgeon commented at this time that Thomas. baptised Jesus he was declaring, “You are “the most unlikely spots of East Banner of Truth, 2015 here named among sinners; you are London… that looked as if they were someone who is identified with cursed of God, have been made to Graham Barnes covenant-breakers”. The account of rejoice and blossom like the rose”. The fish is a well-known ancient Jesus’ temptation was not written The closing chapter of the book is symbol for the Christian faith. I had primarily to teach us how to resist about the continuing ministry of John always assumed that it was connected temptation, but “how the Lord Jesus MacArthur at Grace Community to Christ’s call to His disciples to make resisted temptations that were unique to him”. Barabara Thiering (who used to teach PCA ministers) is mentioned as one who denied that Christ died on the cross, but Ferguson and Thomas faithfully proclaim the Gospels’ witness to His death and bodily resurrection, drawing out the centrality and significance of this. The final chapter looks to the future and Christ’s return, including how “the joy which we have already tasted is to be ours without measure and without end in the presence of Christ.” If the purpose of preaching is to exalt God in all His holiness – and so show the grubbiness of our sin – then this book is a great help. Graham Barnes is minister at Walcha Presbyterian Church, NSW Many of these books are available at Reformers Bookshop, phone: (02) 9564 3555 web: reformers.org.au

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AUTUMN 2018 23 e

h LAST WORD Goodness? t Yes, Jesus is good, but not in the normal way

t used to be taken for granted that, were a long way from regarding by and large, many people who did themselves as good in the sense that Inot give much thought to the God is good. In fact, Paul could say matter would almost instinctively agree that nothing good dwelt in him (Rom. with Peter’s words that Jesus of 7:18) and that at one time Barnabas Peter Barnes Nazareth “went about doing good” was swept along by hypocrisy (Gal. (Acts 10:38). They might not think 2:13). The generosity and encouraging that this means much more than what nature of Barnabas (e.g. Acts 4:36-37) A similar problem arises with Jesus’ we find in the next chapter where we meant that he was a spiritual and deeds. It is not just that He did what is read that Barnabas was “a good man” amiable fellow-worker, but not bereft of good, but that He only did what is (Acts 11:24). blind spots. good (e.g. John 8:46; 1 Peter 2:22). Furthermore, He did what is good in a Even the pagans on the island of Malta What, then, about Jesus of Nazareth? supernatural way – He healed the sick; could show “unusual kindness” to Paul He certainly seems consistent, in that He caused the lame to walk; He gave and his crew (Acts 28:2). They were, in His actions and deeds go together. His sight to the blind and gave hearing to a sense, good, for evil people can do words are often treated by unbelievers the deaf; and He raised the dead (e.g. good things (Mt. 7:11). So perhaps our as wondrous – even if misunderstood. Mt. 11:4-5). So overwhelmingly good vague friend would be prepared to say Many a non-Christian has read parts of and obvious were His deeds that even that the Maltese pagans did a good the Sermon on the Mount, and the pagans in Tyre, Sidon and Sodom deed, while Barnabas could be declared in the words of the officers would have responded to Him had described as a good man, but probably sent to arrest Jesus: “No one ever spoke they seen Him (Mt. 11:20-24). Jesus was better than the Maltese like this man!” (John 7:46). pagans and also Barnabas. Because the miracles were done out in A problem arises in that Jesus does not the open, and hence were undeniable This might seem fairly straightforward utter the kind of inspiring thoughts for (e.g. John 11:47-53; Acts 4:16), those but it is not. To be good, one’s words daily living that we might expect. who would not believe in their divine and actions must go together. The more Without the slightest attempt to puff origin were forced by their own logic we know people, the more we realise Himself up, He speaks authoritatively to say that Jesus was doing the work of that we are all mixed. All of us do some on the characteristics of a disciple, the devil (Mt. 12:22-32). He is good things, but somehow there is an adding that He Himself would be the regarded not as the best of men, but undercurrent of selfishness, bad temper, Judge who determined the eternal the worst; there is no mid-point. lust, greed, indifference to others, and destiny of those who came before Him The Swiss Protestant scholar vanity in us all. (Mt. 7:21-23, 24-27). By calling John Alexandre Vinet (1797-1847) once There seems to be more than one the Baptist the messenger to come, said that one could construct the most understanding of “good”. Jesus told the He necessarily implies that He Himself exalted ethic from every man's rich young synagogue ruler: “No one is is the Lord (Mt.11:1-19). He offers rest standards for his neighbour and the good except God alone” (Mark 10:18). to weary souls who come to Him most degraded ethic from every man's Is that what Luke, the author of Acts, (Mt.11:28-30). While He is David’s son, own conduct. We human beings are a meant when he described Barnabas as He is also David’s Lord (Mt.22:41-46). mass of inconsistencies. Not so with “good”? Certainly not! When the crowd Throughout His ministry, He provides Jesus. He is good, but not in the at Lystra got rather excited at an insights into daily life, but they are Barnabas sense. He is good in the apostolic healing, they declared Paul invariably connected to understanding sense that God is good. In fact, it only and Barnabas to be gods (Acts 14:11) who He is. Jesus is the good shepherd makes sense to say that Jesus is good if and could barely be restrained from (John 10:11), the resurrection and the He is God. sacrificing to them (Acts 14:18). So life (John 11:25) and the way, the truth Barnabas, and Paul for that matter, and the life (John 14:6). Peter Barnes is editor of AP