april 2009

engaging with ISLAM

Patrick Sookhdeo • Hard going • The poets’ faith

April 2009 No. 613

ISLAM Clash of cultures: Patrick Sookhdeo ...... 4 Hate and tolerance: John Piper ...... 10 editorial The great betrayal: Melanie Phillips ...... 11 hortly after the ancient Christian city of Constantinople was seized by Muslims in 1453, leaders within Europe BIBLE STUDY sought to find a new approach to Islam. Some believed that overwhelming military force was the best solution Our best argument tSo stopping Islam’s advance; others argued that church renewal 20 Bible studies in Acts ...... 13 seemed a more fruitful approach, while a third force emerged that stressed that some form of theological accommodation NEWS held out the most promising prospects for an end to eight centuries of Christian-Muslim conflict. Since 9/11 – the 21st Across Australia ...... 19 century equivalent of the sack of Constantinople – similar Around the World ...... 20 responses are being discussed today . The question of how Christians should engage with Islam On the Agenda ...... 22 has become one of the most pressing matters of our time, particularly in light of wide-spread persecution of Christians REFLECTION in Muslim countries . Hard going: William Harrell ...... 24 In November 2007 300 leaders within the evangelical church published a manifesto known as the Yale Statement LITERATURE which purported to represent a major consensus on this issue amongst evangelicals, particularly those in the USA. Leading The poets’ faith: Peter Barnes ...... 25 signatories included J. Dudley Woodberry (Dean Emeritus of Fuller Seminary), Leith Anderson (president of the National SOCIETY Association of Evangelicals), pastors such as Bill Hybels and Rick Warren and British evangelical Christopher J.H. Wright. Pell’s peal: Barney Zwartz ...... 27 The statement focused upon the supposed agreement between Christianity and Islam on the priority of our duty to SCIENCE love God and our neighbours. It ignored Muslim claims that Faith and works: Douglas Anderson ...... 28 Muhammad is the supreme prophet of God, eclipsing any of Jesus’ claims . Further, the statement was silent about Jesus ’ LETTERS ...... 29 divine nature as well as the Bible’s claim to be the supreme standard . Further, while the statement affirms the unity of PRAYER ...... 30 God , it actually says nothing about the deity of Christ. This glaring omission casts an ominous shadow over the most BOOKS ...... 31 central Christian doctrine of all, the Holy Trinity. Frankly, we expect better of evangelical theologians. If The Devoted Life: Ed. Kelley M. Kapic & Randall C. Gleason Christians are to engage in meaningful dialogue with He Speaks to Me Everywhere: Philip Graham Ryken Muslims, then truth must not be the sacrificial lamb. When a Muslim once denigrated Christ to the famous Christian Defying Death: Stuart Robinson missionary, Henry Martyn, he replied: “I could not endure existence if Christ was not glorified. It would be hell to me if BACK PAGE he were to be always thus dishonored.” May it be so with us. ap Doctrine bears repeating: Charles Colson ...... 32 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 April 2009 • 3 ISLAM Clash of cultures Christians must be clear-sighted about Islam, for better or worse.

r Patrick Sookhdeo was born in the way that people tend to see Guyana, South America, into a Patrick Sookhdeo themselves in the West. We are more Muslim family and became a talks to ambivalent towards religion and are likely Christian while a student in to find our identity in ways that are LDondon. He studied theology at London Peter Hastie decidedly secular. Bible College and holds a PhD from the London University’s School of Oriental author/editor of 10 books. He is the Are Muslims like Jews in this sense? and African Studies. He has also been international director of Barnabas Aid and Yes, they are similar in the way that awarded doctorates from Western Barnabas Fund, and director of the each of their religions tends to define Seminary, Portland, Oregon, and Institute for the Study of Islam and them. If you are born a Muslim or Jew, Nashotah House Episcopal Seminary, Christianity. He is married to Rosemary then that is what you are. You can be Wisconsin. and has three adult daughters. Jewish or Muslim without believing Dr Sookhdeo has been a visiting everything that the religion teaches. I lecturer at Oak Hill Theological College, Patrick, Islam is one of the most pow - remember someone once saying to me, London; Ridley Hall, Cambridge; and erful religions in the world today. “Islam is in your blood. It ’s always there”. Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He has served as a How does Islam shape the belief of its What is happening today is that as more visiting professor at Reformed followers? people become Muslim and Islamic values Theological Seminary, Orlando, and The most important thing to grasp and identity become more widespread, Washington. He is also adjunct professor about Muslims is that they see themselves Muslims feel more emboldened. The at the George C . Marshall European in terms of their religion. They are interesting thing is that as the number of Centre for Security Studies and senior committed to it. Islam defines their Muslims grows, instead of being repelled visiting fellow at the UK Defence identity. They may not believe all the by some of its more unattractive features, Academy. He has worked in London as a teachings of Islam but they still define people are actually drawn to it because of pastor and church planter for 23 years. themselves as traditional or cultural its sense of duty , discipline and order. In 2001 he received the Coventry Muslims. The vital thing is that issues of Cathedral International Prize for Peace faith and religion are of supreme So what attracts people to Islam? and Reconciliation. He is the importance to them. Of course, this is not Islam projects strength and vitality in a

4 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 way that secularism and Christianity in Muhammad did experience considerable force. Muhammad certainly stamped his the West do not. For example, Muslims hostility in Mecca. However, it is likely identity on the Arab people and gave believe in a transcendent God. In the West that he was making plans for the spread of them a religious aspiration to expand their the tendency has been for God to become Islam and the invitation from Medina sphere of influence beyond their region . so immanent that He is hardly different coincided with his plans for the next stage from us. People are searching for of Islam’s development. Was his view driven largely by his authority in a directionless world and vision of the future or by political Islam offers a god and a plan that appears Do you think it’s remarkable that in necessity? to answer many of their religious the short space of eight years he was I think that anyone who looks at the longings. able to move into Medina and assume texts objectively will see that Muhammad Again, western society is collapsing its leadership? is driven to a large degree by political because the notion of duty has been lost. Yes, Muhammad was an extraordinarily necessity. We mustn’t forget that he was Our age has abandoned ideas of gifted leader. From the moment he arrived constantly under attack. He felt that he obligation and responsibility. Islam, on in Medina his preaching achieved almost had to both defend himself and attack his the other hand, focuses on order , duty and total success. He soon gained political and enemies . Once he had conquered Arabia, morality. Against the West, which is religious control of the city . He became its he believed he had a mission to bring the preoccupied with sexual freedom, Islam statesman, legislator and judge. It was the whole world into submission to Allah. presents itself as a defender of ethics, first independent Muslim city , and Therefore he had to expand. family and community. I should add, Muhammad However, we mustn’t forget that however, that the way that Islam presents attracted many Muhammad believed that he was God’s itself and the way it actually operates are followers from final prophet and that Islam was the true worlds apart. Be that as it may, Islam the surrounding Islam presents expression of God’s will. If this was so, presents itself as an advocate of strong regions. Now at itself as an then it raised problems as to how Muslims theism and traditional morality, and that is that stage, as advocate of were to deal with those who contested how it ’s perceived. any leader strong theism those claims . What are Muslims supposed would do, he and traditional to do with infidels? Restrict them or Many in the West see Islam not sim - had to consider morality, and enslave them? And how should they deal ply as a proselytising faith but as a how he was that is how with their enemies, the Jews? The very political and military force as well. Is going to defend nature of Islam’s absolutist claims raised there something about the nature of his faith and it’s perceived. considerable problems for the way that Islam that gives rise to this threat? how he would Muslims relate to others. There is an aspect of Islam, arising out take it forward. The Islamic view of the future is of Muhammad’s own struggles with his At this point , we see certain developments something that develops more in the enemies , that gives rise to this perception . emerging. Muhammad claims that he Hadith literature after the time of Muhammad’s life as a religious leader and received sanctions to engage in offensive Muhammad than in the Qur’an itself. prophet can be divided essentially into wars to defend his religious city-state and two stages. If we take the traditional he announces that the Jewish tribes are to Muslims are often portrayed in the Muslim chronology , which is be seen as a threat. western media as a religious group questionable, Muhammad’s activities in In AD 630 he was able to return to that feels superior to other faiths. Is Mecca up to AD 621 are essentially Mecca with an army of 10,000 warriors. this a fair portrayal or just media bias? peaceful and spiritual . During this period He conquered the city and established the I think we need to understand that he conducts no wars although he does Meccan shrine, the ka’ba , as Islam’s most there is , in the very nature of Islam itself experience persecution as a result of his sacred place. So Islam developed in a and its followers , an inherent sense of new-found beliefs. Then in June 622 he cauldron of conflict and Muhammad superiority . It is because God has sent the flees from Mecca to Medina in what is from the outset began to fight to defend final messenger, Muhammad, to them. described as the hijira (or migration). This and propagate his faith. In such a context, They alone possess the truth; they are is the turning-point in his career and warfare and conquest became inevitable. supreme. marks the beginning of the Muslim era Although the notion of jihad includes the This comes to the fore in their view of and calendar . idea of striving against evil and doing creation . It is very different to the Traditionally the hijira takes place as a good, the concept expanded to include Christian view. As Christians we believe result of persecution. Muslims claim that the ideas of defensive and offensive wars. that all men are created in the imago Dei, Muhammad was forced to leave an enemy I think at that point you can see the in the divine image. Every human being is land for a secure place in which he could shift in Muhammad’s theology. He now therefore invested with profound practice his religion. Nevertheless, the has this wider view of the world and significance irrespective of our sex or debate continues as to why he really left Islam’s place in it. He also sees that an station in life. In Islam that isn’t the case. Mecca. Some scholars believe that Islamic worldview leads inevitably to In fact, it’s blasphemy. Islam believes that Muhammad was actually preparing to Islamic world domination. He looks into while God made man from the ground move to Medina so that he could establish the future and sees that salvation for the and breathed life into him, man does not a city -state there and install himself as its nations lies in submission to Allah. It thus necessarily possess the divine image. This leader. They claim he had political and becomes his mission to achieve this creates a problem in establishing human military ambitions as well as religious through conquest. value. How do you assess the value of a ones. It may well be that both positions Some would argue that Islam is more man to a woman, or a Muslim to a Jew, or contain elements of truth. Certainly, of an Arab liberation or revolutionary a Christian, or an unbeliever? Muslims

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 • 5 ISLAM

believe that the worth of a follower of greater than the individual and this places future. So, if you want to understand the Muhammad is twice that of a Christian . very severe restrictions on freedom of way Islam works today , you need to look So Islam , by its doctrine of creation, expression. For example, you haven’t got to the past. And if you want to know creates a real distinction in value among freedom to discuss the authority of where we will be in the future, then you human beings. While Christian men and Muhammad and whether or not he is a need to go back and look at the past . women are worth half the value of their prophet. In many Islamic societies to do In the last 30 years in particular, Muslim counterparts, infidels or pagans so is a criminal offence. You haven’t got especially since 1979, Islam has been are worth even less. Under Islamic law , the freedom to say, “Let us take the undergoing a resurgence. Muslims believe humanity and the value of human life is Qur ’an and examine it using some of the that Islam will one day rule the world. classified in very legal ways. critical methods that are applied to the They have rediscovered the Qur’an, the text of the Bible” . role and centrality of Muhammad, the Is Samuel Huntington’s “clash of This creates enormous tensions for hadith (traditions recording Muhammad’s civilisations” thesis about Islam and Muslims. On the one hand, they envy the words and actions), the sunna (the the west a credible explanation? West and its customs of Muhammad), the Shariah I think Huntington would have been success. They (their rule of life ), and the period of Arab more helpful in his analysis if, instead of This creates want what the “holy history ” ( the period when they using the term civilisation (which is a enormous West has to offer were victorious ). Now, in rediscovering technical word with different nuances ), he but they don’t these elements of their faith, particularly tensions for had spoken of a “clash of values ”. I would want its values. the last, they have been re-energised. certainly agree with him that there is a Muslims. They What they don’t There is a verse in the Qur ’an which says, clash of values, both in an internal and want what the see is that the “Power and honour belongs to Allah and external sense. West has to foundation of the his messenger Muhammad”. So, Muslims Within Islam itself there is a clash offer but they West’s progress believe that when they are faithful to taking place which some have expressed don’t want its lies in its Allah they will be victorious. In their eyes , rather simplistically as a clash between the values. commitment to power belongs to God, and when Allah “mosque and the McDonalds ”. analysis, criticism gave it to Muhammad and the early Essentially, it’s a clash of Islamic tradition and the right to leaders of Islam who followed him versus modernity. This is an internal battle choose. I think faithfully, they won every engagement on of values within Islam between those who the tension between wanting what the the battlefield. They defeated the nations want to hold on to their traditional values West has to offer in terms of its to the east and the Byzantines to the west and those who believe that Islam must technology and standards of living and because Allah was with them. adapt itself to the modern world. The rejecting its fundamental ideals represents For the last 30 years, Muslims have former believe that nothing within the a major clash for Muslims today. It’s a undergone a similar process of reflection Qur’an and the Hadith can change. The huge struggle for them. and analysis. They have been re- idea is that Muhammad represents the examining the golden ages of Islam and perfect model of life and this must be From AD 622 Islam has been engaged yearning for an end to the age of western implemented in its entirety. in territorial claims against other colonialism. They long to remove the However, there are clashes taking place societies. Are there any lasting shame and defeat of the past and seek at other levels too. For example, there are lessons on how the West should meet victory and honour in its place. This various clashes that are taking place and face those challenges? explains why they see the world in ways throughout Islam as a whole such as the Islam teaches that all lands belong to that seem so foreign to us. In their eyes , Sunni-Shiite conflict, ethnic conflicts, and Allah , who has given them to the it ’s Islam that will win. In the end Islam conflicts amongst the Kurds, Sunni and Muslims. The nations they don’t possess will triumph over the conspiracy of the Shia. All these clashes are having are theirs in theory and will gradually Jews, Americans, Europeans, and the rest significant effects on Islam. become theirs in practice. The conquest of the world. The point is that Muslims Finally, you have another major and subjection of territory has been a are driven by a conviction of ultimate conflict which is a conflict between Islam central teaching of the Qur’an and an triumph over their enemies and that the and the West. This is focused on values. integral part of Islam. world belongs to them . The Muslim sees Western culture as being The earliest Muslim leaders, beginning built primarily upon the sovereignty of with Muhammad, had a policy of Islam says that it stands for the tradi - the individual. They regard Western law as expansion. Muhammad captured Mecca tions of the biblical prophets and nothing more than an expression of the and then subjugated the whole Arabian regards Jesus Christ as the greatest will of the people as opposed to the will of peninsula. A few years after his death, prophet before Muhammad. Is there God. They view the West as culture based Muslims captured Damascus and then all some contradiction between on human autonomy – essentially to do Syria. This set a pattern for what was to Muslims’ claimed veneration for both whatever you like . Everything about the come. Within the next few centuries Islam Jesus and Muhammad? Why do they West is inimical to Islam, since Islam calls spread throughout many countries in think Muhammad is superior to for complete submission to Allah. Africa and Europe, then into the Indian Jesus? Although Muslims would claim that subcontinent and later into south -east Muslims place Jesus on a very high Islam allows substantial freedom, it is Asia . pedestal. They accept His virgin birth, His always a freedom within very strict limits . What we need to understand is that in sinless life, His miraculous deeds, His It is impossible to venture beyond those Muslim thought the past determines the ascension into heaven and His second limits. In Islam the community is always present which , in turn , determines the coming. That sets Him apart from

6 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 Muhammad. However, Muhammad still the case of Joseph Smith it was the angel up an earthly kingdom made up of ranks above Jesus because Muslims Moroni, but for Muhammad it was the Muslims and then lead them back to believe that he is God’s final messenger. angel Gabriel. Again Smith claimed that paradise. He delivers the final revelation. Therefore, the book of Mormon was written on So while there are some superficial in Muslim eyes, Muhammad surpasses tablets (in his case gold ones), and similarities, it is extraordinarily naïve to Jesus and every other prophet. He is also Muhammad claimed that the Qur’an was think, “Oh , isn’t it wonderful ; we both a man’s man. He isn’t weak. He has a written on tablets too. So the parallels are believe in Jesus .” One senior American sword, leads his people into battle, and has striking. These observations raise an issue evangelical recently suggested this in a a wife; in other words, he lives in the real which is very difficult to discuss, namely, public prayer. If you listen carefully to world, as a real person, engaging in real where do these “revelations” come from? what he said he referred to Jesus or ‘Isa – actions, and at the same time bringing the What was their source? This was a the Muslim form of Jesus – as the person final message. concern, dare I say it, for Muhammad who had changed his life. Ask yourself, In that sense, there is a sense of tension himself. It is alluded to in the Qur ’an and “What is the meaning of ‘Isa ?” ‘Isa in the between Jesus and Muhammad. Jesus has become embedded in the controversy. Qur ’an offers no salvation. He doesn’t almost seems too spiritual for life in this It is a critical area but it is almost save you from your sin because Muslims world . Muhammad, on the other hand, is impossible to explore in Islamic theology. believe that He didn’t die on the cross . portrayed as a perfect model for Now since it is only God who can save , humanity . Some Islamic theologians have the ‘Isa of Muslims is a very truncated gone so far as to claim that at the creation Islam actually Jesus. God made Muhammad first, then took a condemns sui - The problem today is that too many portion of him and created the world cide bombers Christians are playing the Muslim game of from it. In this sense, Muhammad is seen and terrorists; contextualising Christian theology into by some Muslims as the unifying principle what it does Muslim theology. What is often forgotten behind the universe. Others have actually is that the so-called “similarities” elevated Muhammad to a position where not condemn disappear on closer inspection. Indeed, he is an intercessor before Allah, so it ’s an is armed the differences are huge and if we fail to interesting tension that emerges between conflict (jihad) understand those differences we risk Jesus and Muhammad. Ironically, they performed in being swallowed up into Islam. My don’t see any tension because they simply the name present fear is that this is already ascribe a lesser role of intercession to of Allah. happening in much Christian theology. Jesus. What is it about Islam’s understand - But how do Muslims deal with the Is it a life-threatening issue? ing of God that differentiates it from miracles of Jesus? Don’t they estab - It ’s incredibly life -threatening! all the other religions? lish His credentials as the final Anyone who challenges the authority of Islam focuses on the utter prophet and the divine Son of God? Muhammad in today’s climate is risking transcendence and power of Allah. He is Muslims don’t dispute the many reprisal. Everyone has seen what has essentially a powerful force as in classical miracles that Jesus did. The Muslim happened to people like Salman Rushdie . deism. And since God rules with absolute concensus is that every prophet must will, then it is His power that’s important work a miracle. As far as Muhammad is What are the essential teachings of at the end of the day. We can only submit concerned, they believe that the great Islam and do they have anything in to that will. miracle which he wrought was to write common with Christianity? the Qur’an when he was illiterate. The essentials are very simple. Muslims What are the implications of such Nevertheless, miracles are not critical for believe in one God, as do Christians. The beliefs? Muslims despite the fact that at the problem is that we disagree about the Well, it means that the idea of fate moment there are a lot of books coming nature of God. While Christians are tends to become a working principle in out on Muhammad’s miracles. For Trinitarian, Muslims are virtually deistic. the believer’s life. Whatever happens to Muslims , the key element is the final They also believe that Muhammad is the you is according to God’s will. When your revelation. That is the greatest miracle. ultimate prophet of God. We cannot car breaks down, “it is the will of Allah” . accept that because we believe that God Personal responsibility becomes How does that separate Muhammad has spoken finally in the person of Jesus unimportant and the use of reason and from a self-proclaimed prophet like Christ. Further , Christians cannot accept analysis are often viewed with suspicion. Joseph Smith, the founder of the that the Qur’an is in any sense the word For example, we treat traffic accidents and Mormon church? of God. To do so would invalidate the road fatalities very seriously in the West. You have raised a critical area for claims of the New Testament that Jesus is However, in Saudi Arabia it’s not Islamic theologians: exactly how does one God’s final word to us. appropriate to talk about road accidents distinguish between a true prophet and a Again, although Muslims say that they or how many people were run over. It’s false one? The problem that Muslims believe in the second coming of Jesus, simply the will of God. If an airplane confront is that there are some definite Christians cannot agree that Jesus will crashes with a Muslim pilot at the parallels that exist between people like return as a Muslim. Instead, we believe controls, then is he responsible? The Joseph Smith and Muhammad. For that Jesus will return as supreme ruler to short answer is no; it is the divine will. example, scholars have pointed out that in judge all humanity. Nowhere does the The problem here is that Islamic both cases an angel acted as a mediator. In New Testament teach that Jesus will set theology has no real basis for engaging in

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 • 7 ISLAM

change. If all of life is subject to fate, what often debated in Islamic circles is whether meaningless words for those engaged in logical basis do you have to engage in jihad represents the sixth pillar of Islam? jihad. We need to let them define change? The contrast with Christianity is Certainly in the Saudi version of the themselves and then approach them on striking at this point. The Bible tells us Qur’an we read of jihad as being the sixth their own terms. Otherwise, we will never that we are made in the image of God and pillar. There jihad is understood as a address the issues that are at the heart of that we are also fully responsible for our “striving ” to the end of time for Muslim the conflict. The problem is that Islam actions. This means that it is possible to world domination. legitimises the concept of jihad and says make responsible choices and to bring Certain Muslims today – especially that it’s okay to go and defend other about fundamental change. We can use modern Wahhabis – have latched on to Muslims who are facing oppression. our minds and energy to great effect. It is this more radical idea and are giving it Indeed, it justifies violence and dying in these assumptions that have undergirded wider currency. The question that the cause of Allah. Until we address that the modern scientific enterprise and the confronts Islamic leaders is this: is it a issue we cannot begin to resolve the cultural advances of the West. Christian really legitimate interpretation of the problem. We are talking at cross- thought, which stresses the importance of Qur’an to have a theology of armed purposes. the mind and the need to make We need to realise that Islam actually responsible choices, has been the great condemns suicide bombers and terrorists; engine that has driven western progress. Muslims are what it does not condemn is armed Unfortunately, the reason why Muslim streets ahead conflict (jihad) performed in the name of societies are unable to experience the of the Allah. When the West condemns terrorist same kinds of transformation is that their Christian and suicide bombers, Islam agrees . The theological understanding of God, missionary issue we need to address is whether the themselves and the world does not permit effort in terms Qur’an really teaches the modern and it. This is what is missing in Islam. of radio, radical understanding of jihad, in which The other problem with an Islamic war and violence are justified. Currently television, and view of God is that if he is so sovereign, Islamic teaching on war is in a state of then how do you separate out his actions? influencing flux. The traditional doctrine of jihad is no Evil comes from him, but so does good. government longer all-pervasive and unquestioned; In Islam God becomes completely and society. new lines of interpretation of the Qur’an arbitrary. One day he can be kind to you and of the term jihad are being explored, and the next day he can be awful. That is although they are not nearly as influential not a satisfactory basis for a personal conflict and violence embedded in the text as the more radical views. relationship with his followers. with modern application, or should those texts be interpreted more fairly to Some might claim that you are just Can you explain jihad? Is it just a emphasise the original notion of jihad? playing with words? spiritual concept as some suggest, or This would enable Islamic scholars to No , I am not. Every Muslim who dies does the term also refer to actual war - teach that striving for righteousness and on the battlefield in jihad dies as a martyr. fare? holiness is good, that serving others is We need to understand that. When we The concept of jihad began in a legitimate, that education is desirable but call them criminals or terrorists we blind relatively positive way. The Arabic word that hurting others and waging war, ourselves to the real problem and obscure means “striving ”. It was used originally of whether in defensive or offensive the fact that the real issue is a theological striving to live a good and righteous life conflicts, is no longer a valid concept for one. What we have to do is address the and to worship God with all one’s heart Muslims in today’s world. Islamic principles of violence within their and mind. It’s a concept that refers to scholars really need to re-examine their religion. And this is why I have problems strong exertion in living a noble life. sacred texts and realise that the concept of with typical Western responses to Islam. However, with the passing of time, jihad should be interpreted in more They are not sufficiently theological. jihad took on more violent connotations. enlightened ways. There needs to be a They don’t relate to the core texts of This was inevitable because Muhammad revolution of understanding within Islam, Islam and question the claims of the had to defend his community against and they must come to terms with the radicals. enemies . At that point , he received relationship between reason and People often say to me, “Why do you revelations which allowed him to engage revelation. There is now a body of start with their religion ? Why don’t you in a defensive war and then in offensive scholarship which is saying that there just say that there are a few extremists out war. These revelations allowed him to needs to be such reconsideration , but there who are a bunch of criminals and justify his “striving ” (jihad) in a military those scholars are a very small minority. they don’t represent the religion?” And I sense against those who wanted to say, “Hang on. You can’t start there. You destroy him. Muslims are clearly operating with a have got to start with how Islam When some people say that Islam different worldview to the West. Is understands itself in terms of conflict. promotes peace, in one sense they are there anything wrong in seeing them How does it see the use of violence? How correct. But in another sense they are through exclusively western eyes? does it understand fellow Muslims who obscuring the fact that the concept of For example, should we be calling pursue violence?” Unless we begin here, jihad also has violent associations. The “mujahidin” terrorists or suicide we will make no progress in addressing fact is that both ideas are contained in the bombers? any of these issues. one word . No, I don’t think we should. The terms I think the best hope in the long-term Now one important question that is “terrorist ” and “suicide bomber ” are of confronting the problem of Islamic

8 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 violence is to re-examine the textual They see themselves as engaged on an I believe profoundly in the love of evidence and theological justification for eternal venture to transform the whole of Christ towards Muslims. I was once a it. Without an underlying theology to fuel society. Muslim , too , so I am fully committed to jihad , it will eventually shrivel and die. The sharing the gospel with them . best thing we can do in the West is to Are Muslims working to eliminate I think we must remember the spiritual encourage sincere Muslim scholars to Israel? dimensions of the struggle we face. If we pursue theological reform which re- This is what they say in public from want to share the gospel with them, examines and challenges the violent time to time. One of the most alarming nothing less than the power of God tradition of jihad and the connection of things that I have witnessed recently is a released by the Holy Spirit is adequate. Islam with the state. Such a strategy has growing convergence between Muslim In my experience, most of the Muslims the greatest potential to isolate those who and Christian attitudes towards the Jews. who come to Christ are not won over by are committed to violent jihad from their I am deeply troubled by the growth of intellectual arguments which challenge support base amongst wider Islamic anti-Semitism in the church, especially the validity of their faith. They usually society. Unless the West addresses the among evangelicals. It has surfaced have a personal encounter with Christ, textual legitimacy of radical Islam, then all recently over issues in Gaza. The Muslims often as they are reading the Scriptures, that the future holds is an endless struggle have very shrewdly positioned themselves particularly the New Testament. Others against dedicated Muslims who continue as victims. So they have said, “Come and have testified to the power of the love of to emerge hydra-like as a result of this help us !” Now a number of Christian Christ working through their Christian underlying ideology. leaders have friends. Sometimes the Lord uses crossed over to extraordinary means to reach Muslims Christian theologians have been support the pro- and speaks to them through dreams and engaging with Islam for 1400 years. Palestinian, anti- Sometimes visions. Do we have anything to learn from Semitic lobby. Christian While arguing with a Muslim is often the early apologists like John of While I am not not fruitful, knowing about Islam can Damascus, Thomas Aquinas and inviting anyone money has certainly help Christians answer some of Raymond Lull? to take a been used by their most frequent objections to the I think we have a lot to learn from particular side radical groups gospel. Christians need to know how to them . First, they remind us that theology on this issue, I to engage in answer the claim that we worship three is all-important. The problem that we face think some violence. gods and that the Bible has been today is that too many theologians and Christians are I have known corrupted by the Christian church. If missiologists think that culture is the vital being sucked of Christian Muslims believe that we have a good issue. So they study culture and tend to into an anti- money being understanding of their position , that will push theological issues to one side. John Israel position help our conversation and might of Damascus and the others took a which borders used by encourage them to be more open to different approach. They realised they on the anti- terrorists to Christianity. Have courage to share your were up against a theological system that Semitic. kill Christians. own testimony; believe in divine had to be addressed as such. They were Evangelicals are intervention. not only masters of Christian theology now being There are more Muslims becoming but they were also experts in the teachings duped by people Christians today than any other time in of Islam. at the very heart of their own community. history. In virtually every part of the This trend towards anti-Semitism became world , Muslims are turning to Christ in Is Islam engaging in a missionary very clear recently during the conflict growing numbers . I think this is an enterprise of its own in the West? between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. enormous encouragement. I have been Yes, it is – on a massive level. Western a Christian now for nearly 50 years and Christians have little idea how large it is. What happens when Christians give in recent years I have never seen so Islamic dawa (mission) is multifaceted. It funds, say, to the Palestinian govern - many Muslims being saved. There is no is also centrally organised on a prodigious ment? single effective approach. Many scale. The Saudis have spent over $100 Christians who make such donations become Christians through national billion between 1980 and 2000 on have no control over where their money is workers. Others hear about Christ establishing global dawa . They have spent. This is very sad because more and through radio or television ministry, poured money into the building of more Christian groups are working with never meeting missionaries but just mosques, the training of teachers, Islamic aid agencies such as in Pakistan. Christians in their local communities. developing literature, publishing and Christians must realise that once they give One Coptic Orthodox priest, Father media. It’s been done on a colossal scale. their money to such groups it can be spent Zachariah, has had a phenomenal effect Muslims are streets ahead of the in ways that would offend them. through television in leading Muslims Christian missionary effort in terms of Sometimes Christian money has been to Christ. The Muslims offered $60 radio, television, and influencing used by radical groups to engage in million to kill him because he has been government and society. They have a violence. I have known of Christian so successful. So the role of radio, clear goal within our society to Islamise money being used by terrorists to kill television and literature is crucial in it. There is a development of Christians. Christian evangelism. I think God is consciousness, organisational structure, doing wonders through a wide variety and engagement with authorities to bring How should a Christian approach of methods. It is just allowing the Lord about a community founded on Islam. evangelism and witness to Muslims? to use us for His glory. ap

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 • 9 ISLAM Hate and tolerance How some Christians have become obstacles to the eternal life of Muslims.

aradoxically, hatred and tolerance vengeance, and do not rob Muslim people are teaming up to take eternal life of truth and hope in this way. Christians from Muslim people. Jesus said – John would rather suffer to show the supreme and we say it with tears – “He worth of Christ. They crucify the craving Pwho believes in the Son has eternal life; Piper of hate in their own hearts. They long for but he who does not obey the Son will Muslims to see Jesus for who He really is. not see life, but the wrath of God abides and the truth, and the life; no one comes They know that eternal life is at stake – on him” (Jn 3:36). In other words, to the Father, but by me” (Jn 14:6). for both. nominal Christians, devoted Muslims, Unless Muslims – and all others who In reaction against indiscriminate hate pious Hindus, faithful Buddhists, deny Christ’s deity – hear and embrace there is now a stampede to pluralism and orthodox Jews, devout animists, sincere the good news that “the fullness of twisted tolerance. If Muslims are hated, agnostics, secular atheists – everyone who deity” dwells in Jesus (Col . 2:9 ), they then let us call ecumenical gatherings, and does not hold fast to Jesus Christ as the will be without let us all praise the virtues of Islam, and supremely valuable Son of God and eternal hope. the wisdom of Allah and the goodness of Savior – will perish and not have eternal This has always Muhammad. But let no one speak the life. “He who has the Son has life; he who Now the been true, but intolerable and indispensable truth that has not the Son of God has not life” (1 Jn new twisted today things are Jesus is the only way to God. 5:12 ). tolerance different. Two Whatever obscures this message for denies that seemingly nce upon a time tolerance was the Muslim people obstructs their way to there are any opposite forces Opower that kept lovers of competing eternal life. For them Christ is a prophet, competing gather to block faiths from killing each other. It was the but not the divine Son of God who said, faiths; the gospel from principle that put freedom above forced “Before Abraham was, I am” (Jn 8:58). they only Muslim minds. conversion. It was rooted in the truth For Muslims Jesus is not the Savior who First, there is that coerced conviction is no conviction. died for their sins and said, “I am the way, complement the fire of hatred, But now the new twisted tolerance denies each other. fanned by the that there are any competing faiths; they flames of only complement each other. It September 11. denounces not only the effort to force Second, there is a twisted tolerance fed by conversions, but the very idea that any the fear of man. conversion may be necessary for eternal My son called me from Chicago to say life. It holds the conviction that no that one of his Muslim friends had been religious conviction should claim beaten on the street. No reason. He just superiority over another. looked like one of “them” . The spirit of When Muslims are protected from revenge against Muslims in the United hate with this “tolerance”, they are cut off States (and much of the West) these days from eternal life. And what promises is indiscriminate. Rage boils just beneath deliverance proves to be death. If, in the the surface. This is not the way of Christ. name of this new tolerance, we are He calls his people to suffer for the sake forbidden to say of Jesus, “There is of love, not seethe with the fire of hate. salvation in no one else, for there is no “Christ suffered for you, leaving you an other name under heaven given among example, that you should follow in His men by which we must be saved” (Acts steps. When He was reviled, He did not 4:12), then eternal life is concealed and we revile in return; when He suffered, He did are cruel. not threaten; but He trusted to him who Therefore let us open the door of life judges justly” (1 Pet . 2:21-23). for all Muslim people by renouncing hate, Hatred from Christians keeps showing love, conquering fear, Muslims from seeing the superior worth commending the King of the universe, of Jesus Christ. The spirit of revenge Jesus Christ, and suffering willingly, if we sends the false signal that Christ is not an must. all-sufficient, all-satisfying Savior. We justify our own little jihad, and seek our Noted Christian writer John Piper is the pas - satisfaction by injuring the adversary. But tor for preaching at Bethlehem Baptist true Christians treasure Jesus above Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. ap

10 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 ISLAM The great betrayal Anti-Zionist Christians are allying themselves with Muslims who persecute Christians.

ast month Stephen Sizer, vicar of Fulcrum have denied any connection to Christ Church, Virginia Water , the Indigo Jo site along with any intention appeared at a meeting with an to discredit Sookhdeo. They say they Islamist called Ismail Patel. Patel Melanie merely wanted to provide a forum to Lhas not only accused Israel of genocide Phillips discuss the issues raised by his book. But and war crimes but considers Disney to be why use Ben White, who clearly knows a Jewish plot and supports Hamas, Iran little about Islam, to review a book by an and Syria. the Maranatha Ministry. Islam scholar? Sizer is a noted opponent of Christian A few weeks ago, Dr Sookhdeo A recurring thread of White ’s writing Zionism and of Israel, which he is became a spectacular victim of precisely is his hatred of Israel. He justifies reported to have said he hopes will such a discrediting process. Dr Sookhdeo, Palestinian terrorism against Israel as disappear just as did the apartheid regime an Anglican canon, a Muslim convert and legitimate self-defence to bring about the in South Africa (a charge Sizer denied last one of Britain’s leading authorities on decolonisation and liberation from month on his blog). He has also Islam, runs the Barnabas Fund, an aid occupation and Zionist apartheid. He says applauded Iranian President Ahmadinejad agency helping persecuted Christians. He he can understand why some people are for having looked forward to the day has written many books about Islam of unpleasant towards Jews because of when Zionism ceased to exist. which the latest is Israel ’s ideology of racial supremacy and Nevertheless, the appearance of an Global Jihad: The its subsequent crimes committed against Anglican churchman on a pro-Islamist Future in the Face the Palestinians and also the widespread platform in Britain is a new and significant of Militant Islam. There has long bias and subservience to the Israeli cause development. The Church of England In January the been a link in the Western media. recently banned its clergy from joining website of between the Enter at this point the non-evangelical, the BNP; should it not equally ban them Fulcrum, an Left and the secular Left in the shape of Andrew from siding with Islamic extremists? evangelical group, Islamists Brown, who joined White ’s onslaught Sizer ’s participation, however, must be carried a review because of against Sookhdeo on the Guardian ’s seen in the context of a disturbing of Global Jihad their hatred of Comment Is Free website. Brown claimed realignment : the emergence of an axis by Ben White, a of Sookhdeo ’s supporters that they between a body of evangelicals, the hard frequent con- Israel and the constructed a closed mirror-world of left, the Islamists and the far right. tributor to the West. What is hatred to stand against the Islamist one. Last July, a discreet meeting was held Guardian . His new is the Brown ’s article, too, seemed to be driven by a group of influential Anglican review rubbished presence of by hostility to anyone who supported evangelicals to co-ordinate a new church Sookhdeo’s evangelicals. Israel. approach towards Islam. The meeting was scholarship on convened by Bryan Knell, head of the the grounds that here has long been a notable missionary organisation Global he had identified Tcrossover between the Left and the Connections, and others from a group a theological problem with Islam when Islamists, who bury their considerable calling itself Christian Responses to Islam Islamic aggression was rooted instead in differences because of their all-consuming in Britain. The 22 participants, who met at global grievances, particularly the hatred of Israel and the West and in All Nations Christian College in Ware, existence and behaviour of Israel. To cap a which they find an echo in neo-Nazi and Hertfordshire, were sworn to secrecy. The farrago of ignorance and historical white supremacist groups. But what is aim of the meeting was to develop the illiteracy, White tried to damn Sookhdeo “grace ” approach to Islam, which tries to by association, citing “hard-line let Muslims interpret Islam rather than conservatives and pro-Israel right- telling them what their religion teaches. wingers” who endorsed his work as proof The meeting had in its sights those that Sookhdeo was beyond the pale. aggressive Christians who were increasing White then drew his review to the the level of fear in many others by talking attention of a blogger, Islamist and about the threat posed by radical Islam. Muslim convert called Indigo Jo. On his The aim was thus to discredit and stifle website, Indigo Jo anathematised those Christians who warn against the Sookhdeo as the “Sookhdevil ”. This Islamisation of Britain and Islam’s threat attack was reproduced on various other to the church. Those who do so include Islamist websites and Sookhdeo has the Bishop of Rochester, Michael Nazir- received a death threat as a result. Ali, the Africa specialist Baroness Cox, So why should Christians betray the Islam expert Dr Patrick Sookhdeo and another Christian to radical Islamists?

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 • 11 ISLAM

new in this explosive mix is the presence ancient Christian doctrine of one could ever win the presidential race of Christian evangelicals. What is supercessionism – the belief that because without the votes and the financial extraordinary, moreover, is the targeting the Jews denied the divinity of Christ, support of substantial sections of the by Christian missionaries such as Brian God transferred His favour to the Jewish community. ” Knell of Sookhdeo, a principal Christians . This doctrine lay behind It is a sobering fact that such a campaigner to end the death sentence for centuries of Christian anti-Jewish hatred subscriber to anti-Jewish prejudice should Muslim converts to Christianity. So why until the Holocaust drove it be so influential in the church. And such are such evangelicals trying to destroy underground. thinking has many followers, including people who are defending Christianity In his book, Chapman writes that Stephen Sizer. “The covenant between against Islamist aggression? violence has always been implicit in Jews and God, ” he has written, “was The answer lies in a profound split conditional on their respect for human among evangelicals: between Christian rights. The reason they were expelled Zionists who love Israel and want to from the land was that they were more defend the church against the predations interested in money and power and It is horrifying of radical Islam, and those who want treated the poor and aliens with Israel to be destroyed and radical Islam that so many contempt. ” appeased. Brian Knell, for example, in the church blames Israel ’s institutionalised terrorism should accom - any will be deeply shocked that the for the radicalisation of Muslims modate those MChurch of England harbours worldwide. He thus ignores Islamist who stand for individuals with such attitudes. But the statements about the innate perfidy of the persecuting church hierarchy is unlikely to act secular West, the cosmic evil of the Jews Christians and against them. Hostility towards Israel is throughout history and the need to the default position among bishops and impose doctrinal purity upon other the genocide archbishops; while the establishment Muslims in the face of Western of the Jews. line is to reach out towards Islam in an modernity. attempt to accommodate and appease it. The obsession with Israel is With Christians around the world fundamental to these evangelicals ’ desire suffering forced conversion, ethnic to accommodate radical Islamism. Zionism and that Jewish self- cleansing and murder at Islamist hands, Another participant at the All Nations determination is somehow racist. He also the Church of England utters not a meeting was Colin Chapman, the father subscribes to the canard of sinister Jewish word of protest. Instead, inter-faith of the UK movement against Christian power. He has written: “Six million Jews dialogue is the order of the day, with Zionism , whose animosity is rooted in a in the USA have an influence that is out of Canon Graham Kings , the theological theological prejudice against the Jews. all proportion to their numbers in the secretary of Fulcrum, a key player in Chapman ’s hugely influential book, total population of 281 million ... It is Anglican inter-faith work. And now Whose Promised Land , resurrects the widely recognised, for example, that no Israel ’s war against Hamas has had a pivotal effect. There is now a widespread sense that Israel must finally be defeated once and for all , and then the Islamists will calm down. It is horrifying that so many in the church should be preaching against the victims of Jew-hatred and Islamist violence and seeking to accommodate those who stand for the persecution of Christians, the destruction of western and Christian values and the genocide of the Jews. It is horrifying that the church is providing a platform for the dissemination of lies about Israel and ancient theological bigotry against the Jews. And it is horrifying that it contains people who are not just virulently hostile towards Israel but also towards anyone who supports it. Given the common but no less odious view that Jews who support Israel are guilty of dual loyalty, it would seem that the church is truly supping with the devil and setting the stage for a repeat of an ancient tragedy.

This is an edited version of an article that first appeared in The Spectator on 4 March. ap

12 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 BEIVBALNE GESTLUISDM Y

e cannot ignore the fact that false religions such as Islam are making a Our best disturbing impact throughout the world, especially in Western countries wWhere for so long the Christian gospel has had a argument strong foundational influence. We can meet this challenge in two quite different ways: by speaking out against the evils of the false religions; or by 20 daily Bible studies in addressing the main reason why they are flourish - the Book of Acts ing, which is our own failure to understand, declare and live out the truths of our faith in the Bible and in Christ. It is not hard to work out which of these is the most effective in the long run (and even the short one!). Muslims have very good reason for wanting, “in the name of Allah”, to take over countries that are being ruined by public immorality and pornography, and by economic failure due to greed and dishonesty. Some years ago we had in our backyard a large, beautiful tree that was gradually wasting away by disease. I rang the Forestry Commission and was told that the only possible way to save the tree was to feed it well and make it stronger, not by trying to attack the disease directly. I think there is an important lesson for us here. The Bible studies this month are a reprint of the AP November 2002 studies. We have much to learn from the way the early church faced its task as we seek to fulfil our mission at a time when other religions are making major inroads into our land and culture. The first 13 studies go through Acts 1:1 to 4:31 and the remaining 7 pick out particular evangelis - tic events and speeches in chapters 5, 7, 8, 14, 17 and 20. Bruce Christian

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 • 13 BIBLE STUDY

DAY 1 Armed with powerful truth . THE PASSAGE ACTS 1:1-11 • Jesus told His apostles they would be empowered to be His THE POINT Luke wanted Theophilus to be thoroughly con - witnesses near and far, but that they were to wait in Jerusalem vinced about the historical fact of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection for the (soon) baptism of the Holy Spirit before they did any - and ascension to heaven; and of His gift of the Holy Spirit to thing. the Church to empower her to bear witness to these truths • The job of witnessing belonged to the apostles; the results, until Jesus returns. timing and fulfilment of their task belonged to the Father THE PARTICULARS alone. • Acts continues the Jesus story where Luke’s Gospel left off. • The apostles’ idea of Kingdom still centred on national Israel. • In the 40 days between His resurrection and His ascension • Jesus will return in the clouds just as He went in the clouds. Jesus left His disciples in no doubt about the reality of His life, TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY death, and resurrection, or about their meaning for God’s What is our task today – to wait? to watch? or to witness? Are Kingdom. you fully convinced of all the historical facts of the Gospel?

DAY 2 Prayer and Scripture . THE PASSAGE ACTS 1:12-26 • The apostles recognised how Scripture had predicted Judas’ THE POINT In obedience to Christ, the apostles waited. But betrayal of Jesus (Psalm 69:25) and the need for his replace - it was not idle waiting: it was spent in constant prayer together ment among them (Psalm 109:8). The choice of Matthias was and in seeking to know God’s will through the study of the a merging of common sense (21-23) and divine intervention Scriptures. (24-26). THE PARTICULARS TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY • The apostles waited together in Jerusalem in constant prayer. • What priority do you give to spending time with God each • There were already about 120 believers for whom the apostles day? Do you make use of group prayer and Bible study accepted leadership responsibility as the new people of God. opportunities? • The apostles recognised Scripture as their authority and • Have you found a good balance between exercising common source of wisdom for future guidance, without Jesus’ bodily sense (not waiting for God to do what He has already equipped presence. you to do) and prayerful trust (not rushing in ahead of Him)?

DAY 3 Power from on high . THE PASSAGE ACTS 2:1-13 appeared to be a “tongue” of fire “sitting” on each apostle. THE POINT On the Jewish Day of Pentecost (50 days after • God’s timing was just right: the first missionary enterprise Passover, ie 10 days after Jesus’ ascension) Jesus’ promise of consisted of God bringing a fertile mission field to the Church! baptism with the Holy Spirit was spectacularly fulfilled. The The gift of “tongues” was the supernatural ability to communi - outward effects of this baptism were clearly supernatural, and cate across language barriers without human assistance. God far-reaching in terms of giving impetus to the early Church’s thus reversed both effects of the curse of Babel (Genesis 11:5- task and mission. 9). THE PARTICULARS TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY • The baptism of the Holy Spirit was the spontaneous gift of • In the light of Pentecost, what are you praying for the God and was not induced by human effort or manipulation. Church today? What temptations or pitfalls might we face • The actual physical manifestation of this spiritual event was today if we try to turn accounts of historical fact into a recipe hard to describe but it involved loud, wind-like noise and what for practice? DAY 4 Listen carefully .

THE PASSAGE ACTS 2:14-21 and loudly to the people in the marketplace what God was THE POINT What happened at Pentecost was exactly what doing. God said would happen through the prophet Joel some 700 • We need to “listen carefully” when God acts in history. years earlier. Any attempt to explain away the “tongues” phe - • There was a note of urgency to respond positively and quickly at Pentecost. There will be a note of urgency when nomenon as intoxication on the part of the apostles was there - Jesus returns! fore inappropriate – apart from the fact that it was only the • God always responds positively to all who call on Jesus’ early part of the day. God’s unmistakable actions in history, in name. fulfilment of the clear predictions He has made in His Word, TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY must not just be “written off” – they demand our careful atten - • Do you think we should be more forthright today in the tion. public proclamation of God’s truth? What opportunities still THE PARTICULARS exist for us for marketplace evangelism? Why don’t we use • Peter, in the power of the Holy Spirit, proclaimed publicly them?

14 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 BIBLE STUDY

DAY 5 These are the facts . THE PASSAGE ACTS 2:22-31 God-approved miracles and signs and wonders was well-known THE POINT Peter stood within easy walking distance of to Peter’s hearers; everything he said was undeniably true. where Jesus was crucified and buried only 7 weeks earlier. The • Jesus’ death on the cross, while part of God’s pre-determined crowd he was addressing were familiar with these events. It plan and purpose, was still a wicked, unconscionable act. would be a simple thing for them to check on the fact of the • God raised Jesus from the dead in fulfilment of Psalm 16:8- empty tomb. And all this was predicted in their Scriptures. 11. David seemed to be speaking of himself in Psalm 16:8-11 but it was also easily verifiable that his dead body remained buried TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY nearby. He was therefore clearly speaking of his descendant, • Why do people still question the historical facts of Jesus’ life, the Messiah Jesus. death and resurrection? Is it really surprising, when many of THE PARTICULARS Peter’s hearers, who were eye-witnesses, refused to believe? • The fact of the existence of Jesus of Nazareth, and of His Will God excuse unbelievers because there is lack of evidence?

DAY 6 Jesus=Jehovah+Messiah. QED . THE PASSAGE ACTS 2:32-36 when the OT was translated into Greek in about 160 BC. He THE POINT Peter ends his speech with the undeniable con - was leaving no room for doubt among his Jewish hearers that clusion that the crucified Jesus now rules at God’s right hand as they had just crucified their God, their promised Messiah Israel’s promised, conquering Messiah who will one day bring (Christ)! everything into subjection to Himself, as had been predicted in TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY Psalm 110. • How do you think you would have felt if you had been one THE PARTICULARS of the God-fearing Jews in the Jerusalem crowd at Pentecost • Jesus’ resurrection was God’s proof of His true identity and when Peter came to this point in his speech? Had you known the apostles stood as living eye-witnesses of the fact (cf 17:31). • The clear consequence of this is that Jesus now rules in the historical facts about Jesus very long before the proverbial heaven. penny actually dropped and you turned to Him in repentance • The word Peter used for “Lord” in verse 36 is the word the and faith? Have you actually taken this step? If not, why not Jews used to translate God’s name “Jehovah/Yahweh/LORD” do it now?

DAY 7 Only bad people go to heaven . THE PASSAGE ACTS 2:37-41 • The gifts of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit were given on THE POINT About 3,000 of those present accepted the unde - the basis of their repentance and faith. Baptism was the out - niable evidence about what they had just done to their Messiah. ward sign of the reality of this inner working of the Holy Hard as it was to admit their sin, they repented and cried out Spirit. for help. By doing this they discovered the Good News that • God “calls” His elect: the initiative lies with Him. It is on forgiveness was freely available and they received baptism and this basis that believing parents can take hold of the covenant the Holy Spirit. How sad it is that all who refused to admit promises on behalf of their children (39). (Presumably, if cir - their guilt in the face of the evidence never found this out and cumcised Jewish children had been excluded from the remained God’s enemies! Pentecost baptismal ceremony, Peter would have had to explain THE PARTICULARS why!) • Many in the crowd drew the right conclusion from the facts TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY Peter had put before them and responded appropriately. • How can we “save ourselves from this corrupt generation”? DAY 8 A good pattern for the Church .

THE PASSAGE ACTS 2:42-47 Scriptures and the teaching of Jesus, eventually being set down THE POINT Luke gives us a sketch of life in the early Church in the NT. following Pentecost. It was characterised by commitment to 4 • They shared everything together so that no-one was in need. things: the study of God’s Word, sharing together, the Lord’s • They shared the Lord’s Supper together and prayed together. Supper, and prayer. This was the spontaneous result of their • God’s blessing was reflected in community goodwill and new-found faith, and their sharing together even went as far as growth. communal living. The outcome of all this was the incidence of apostolic signs and wonders, general goodwill in society, and TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY daily growth in numbers. • We can’t reproduce the particular circumstances of the early THE PARTICULARS Church, especially the obvious impact of the proximity of the • The early Christians devoted themselves to the apostles’ Easter events, but what can we learn from this account that will teaching. This was Holy Spirit inspired, based on the OT help us make our Church life more vital and God-honouring?

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 • 15 BIBLE STUDY

DAY 9 Jesus taught Peter well . THE PASSAGE ACTS 3:1-16 • Peter saw the danger (as he’d noticed Jesus had done in John THE POINT When Jesus fed the 5000, great crowds followed 6) of people only being attracted by the signs and wonders. So Him. When He challenged them about who He was and why he immediately took the opportunity to confront them with He came, they left (cf John 6). The cripple’s healing by Peter the truth of the Gospel and of Jesus’ true identity as their and John had a similar effect, and that crowd too had to face Messiah! “You killed the author of life but God raised Him the challenge about Jesus. from the dead.” THE PARTICULARS • Peter took no credit for the power to heal the man or even • The apostles continued to go to the Jewish Temple to pray. the “goodness” to be God’s instrument; all the credit was to • The man crippled from birth was seeking alms but in the Jesus. name and power of Jesus Peter and John were able to give him legs instead. TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY • The beggar and the people were greatly impressed by the • Do we run the risk today of trying to attract people to Christ miracle. but avoiding the offence of the cross? Why is this a problem?

DAY 10 Never too late to repent . THE PASSAGE ACTS 3:17-26 the OT. THE POINT Orthodox Jews today believe that if they all keep • The only way forward to refreshing and blessing was through all God’s Commandments for one day Messiah will come. repentance from sin toward God, and receiving His forgive - Peter tells them something quite different: it is their failure to ness. acknowledge the crucified Messiah that is excluding them from • The (now Second) Coming of Messiah Jesus is awaiting this. this blessing, and from being the source of blessing to all the TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY nations as God had promised to Abraham. However, it is • In the light of what Peter says in this sermon, what is the never too late to repent! only solution to the seemingly unresolvable conflict in the land THE PARTICULARS occupied by Israel today? Pray that Christians there will pre - • The act of crucifying Messiah Jesus was done in ignorance. sent clearly the true Gospel centred on the Cross, and that • The suffering and death of Jesus at the hand of the Jews was many Jews and Arabs alike will repent and turn to Jesus as the just as God had foretold through Moses and the prophets in only Saviour.

DAY 11 No other Name! . THE PASSAGE ACTS 4:1-12 the number of believers – now 5,000 men (+ women and chil - THE POINT The fast growth of this new “Jesus” sect, with its dren). claim that God had raised Him from the dead, together with • Annas’ involvement showed how concerned the Jews were. the fact of obvious miracles being performed in His name, was • Like Jesus, Peter’s only “crime” was helping needy people! becoming a major problem for the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. • Peter again made it clear (this time from Psalm 118:22) that By seizing and questioning Peter and John they gave the apos - the man Jesus, who had just been crucified by the leaders stand - tles another opportunity to declare Jesus as God’s Messiah and ing before him, was God’s promised Messiah, who had been mankind’s only Saviour. raised to life again and was the only source of salvation for all THE PARTICULARS people. • The apostles’ emphasis on the resurrection was particularly TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY disturbing to the Jewish leaders (because it could be verified?). • What must v.12 imply for Jews, Moslems, Buddhists, etc • The Jewish opposition was matched by continued growth in today? DAY 12 None so blind...! .

THE PASSAGE ACTS 4:13-22 worse! THE POINT As in John 9, the Jewish leaders are again faced • Somehow they thought that demanding silence of Peter and with a miracle, with eye witnesses convinced by the evidence John would change the reality – like a child covering his eyes so pointing to Jesus as Messiah, and with no alternative explana - as not to be seen, or an ostrich burying its head in the sand! tion! So they adopt the same ploy now as then: closing their • Peter and John made it quite clear that they were men under eyes and ears! There is none so blind as he who doesn’t want to God’s authority to proclaim the Good News about Jesus. They see. But as convinced men on God’s mission, the apostles were not peddling a religious idea; they were reporting eternal could not but speak out. truths based on historical facts. No threat could stop them THE PARTICULARS speaking. • The Jewish leaders were as much amazed by the apostles’ lack TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY of the right background as by the miracle itself. They recog - • How real is your faith to you? How would you react if it nised them as having been Jesus’ disciples, which only made it became illegal here to try to convince others to follow Jesus?

16 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 BIBLE STUDY

DAY 13 ...the peoples plot in vain? . THE PASSAGE ACTS 4:23-31 Saviour. Eventually every knee must bow to Him as God’s THE POINT Rather than silencing them, the Jews’ threats only anointed Son. The world’s active opposition to Jesus’ encouraged Peter and John and those with them all the more to rule does not take God by surprise. The Church must pro - see God’s sovereign hand at work. What was happening was claim the absolute Lordship of Christ without compromise in exactly as God had planned and foretold in Psalm 2, so they spite of much opposition. used this as a framework for prayer for greater boldness to • God answers specific believing prayer consistent with His speak with the accompanying signs and wonders. God will. answered their prayer powerfully. TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY THE PARTICULARS • Peter and John reported back to the Church; it was a team • Are we really convinced about the absolute uniqueness of effort. Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour? Are we too accommodating • Fervent prayer was an essential part of the Church’s mission. of other religions like Islam, Buddhism, Judaism? What • Psalm 2 makes quite clear that Jesus is the only Lord and should we do?

DAY 14 God’s Word is not chained . THE PASSAGE ACTS 5:17-28 • God told the apostles to witness in the heart of the enemy THE POINT The Jewish leaders tried to prevent the spread of camp. the Gospel by putting the apostles in the public prison. They • The Jewish leaders again refused to acknowledge the obvious. were released by the Lord’s supernatural intervention and were • The Jewish leaders had previously recognised their condem - instructed to go on preaching right in the heart of enemy terri - nation in Jesus’ teaching; they were now seeing it in the apos - tory. In spite of this clear proof of God’s approval of the apos - tles’. tles, and of their increasing popularity among the ordinary Jewish people, the Sanhedrin added to their guilt of Jesus’ TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY blood by more threats. • Are we too easily frightened off by opposition, not wanting THE PARTICULARS to offend those who oppose us? • The apostles’ ongoing success made the Jewish leaders jeal - • Do we ever let jealousy cloud our judgement concerning ous. Gospel work that is enjoying God’s blessing? What tests • Prison bars cannot impede God’s work (see 2 Timothy 2:9). might apply?

DAY 15 But if it is from God... . THE PASSAGE ACTS 5:29-42 cost. THE POINT The persistent boldness of the apostles in • Jesus rules as Prince and Saviour, the source of forgiveness of preaching the Gospel, together with their outspoken accusation sin. concerning the recent crucifixion of Jesus, angered the • The apostles’ obedience to all they had seen and heard guar - Sanhedrin to the point where their own very lives were in dan - anteed the Holy Spirit’s affirmation of what they were saying. ger. This did not worry them because they saw suffering for • Gamaliel’s wise suggestion had the opposite effect to what he Christ as a badge of discipleship. Gamaliel’s logic, which gave expected. (Was he, or another Sanhedrin member, converted them a stay of execution, also provided further proof that they were obeying God – their purpose and activity has not failed as a result? Is that how his advice became known to Luke?) for 2,000 years so far! • The apostles rejoiced to be privileged to suffer for Jesus’ sake. THE PARTICULARS TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY • The apostles were committed to obeying God despite the • Do we always rejoice, trusting God to protect His Church? DAY 16 ...like Him in His death... .

THE PASSAGE ACTS 7:30-39, 51-60 THE PARTICULARS THE POINT [We have moved on to Stephen and pick up his • The whole history of the Jews showed unrelenting opposi - tion to, and harsh treatment of, God’s prophets. They did the speech in the middle. It would be good if you have time to read same to the promised Messiah, Jesus, and now to godly all of Acts 7.] The main point that Stephen makes through - Stephen also. out his speech is that, in spite of God’s repeated miraculous • Stephen accused the Jewish leaders of being stubborn like provision for His people since the time of Abraham, they per - their fathers, and even of being spiritually non-Jews (uncircum - sistently rejected His spokesmen. Stephen then accuses the cised). Sanhedrin and high priest of disobedience, resisting the Holy • Stephen was a true reflection of his Master in his death. Spirit, and doing exactly the same thing with the ultimate TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY spokesman, the promised Righteous One, Jesus! As a result • What was it that enabled Stephen to speak with such courage, the Jews did to Stephen what they had done to Jesus, and to face death rejoicing, and to seek forgiveness for his murder - Stephen reflected Jesus’ attitude in his death. ers?

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 • 17 BEIVBALNE GESTLUISDM Y

DAY 17 Good News travels fast . THE PASSAGE ACTS 8:26-40 • Isaiah 53 is an excellent and effective starting point for shar - THE POINT Philip is the second of the appointed deacons ing the Gospel; apparently Philip used other OT Scriptures as listed in Acts 6:5. (The first was Stephen whom we met yes - well. terday.) The sovereign Lord orchestrated the whole interac - • Baptism was the appropriate sequel to the eunuch’s response tion between him and the influential Ethiopian. Philip was of faith: his conversion was clearly the work of the Holy Spirit. able to explain the Good News about Jesus from the OT TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY Scriptures and the official believed and was baptised: he thus became the first missionary to Ethiopia! • Philip was obviously dealing with a very different situation THE PARTICULARS from that of Stephen before the Sanhedrin. What are some of • Philip’s obedience to the Holy Spirit’s leading led to a Gospel the contrasts in the way Philip presented the Gospel here? opportunity with very far-reaching consequences. • When did you last ask God to give you a witness opportu - • The Lord prepared the eunuch’s heart before he met Philip. nity?

DAY 18 One God, one Gospel . THE PASSAGE ACTS 14:11-22 THE PARTICULARS • Crowds can often be more attracted to the messenger than to THE POINT Paul and Barnabas were faced with a situation the message. Preachers need to resist this danger (as Paul where they could easily have promoted themselves instead of did). Christ. But they focussed their hearers back onto the only • Paul used natural theology to draw his hearers to the Gospel. true and living God, the Creator and sustainer of the Universe. • Verse 16 implies that the time of forbearance is now past and They showed the futility of worshipping any other “worthless” the day of accountability has now come (see Acts 17:30 tomor - row). human ideas. The Good News they had preached (verses 6-7) • There is enough evidence in nature to prove God’s gracious and confirmed with a healing miracle (verses 8-10) could not be provision to all people (see Paul’s comment in Romans 1:20). divorced from this God of nature whose common grace TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY brought blessing to all men. Jewish opposition persisted, as • How might you use “nature” to explain the Gospel to a did the apostles’ resolve to preach! friend?

DAY 19 Go... and make disciples! . THE PASSAGE ACTS 17:16-34 • Paul used an element of their beliefs to gain attention and THE POINT Paul was troubled about the lost state of the then made clear that there is only one God who controls all Athenians. He came to them in the marketplace where they human history with the purpose of bringing people to faith in were. He spoke in their terms, leading them from where they Christ. were spiritually to God’s revelation in the Gospel. He chal - • God will judge all men on the basis of our relationship to lenged them strongly with the need to repent, emphasising that Jesus. the fact of Jesus’ death and resurrection has left all men accountable to Christ as Judge. TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY THE PARTICULARS • How do verses 26-27 help us to deal with the modern ques - • Paul was very troubled by the spiritual blindness of Athens. tioning of the legitimacy of colonisation? What right did • Paul sought to win Jews and Gentiles to Christ by going to Europeans have to take Australia from the indigenous people? where they were and challenging them, not waiting for them to Do Christians have a right to be anywhere if they are not evan - come. gelising?! DAY 20 Soldiers of Christ, arise! .

THE PASSAGE ACTS 20:17-38 25-32) THE POINT Paul made clear to the Ephesian elders that his • Read again Paul’s blueprint for Christian ministry. (verses 33- life’s mission was to challenge all men, Jew and Gentile, to 38) repent and trust in Jesus (21). He used every possible means TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY to do this, knowing the dangers. He taught them everything • Reflect on what we have seen in Acts about how the Early God had revealed to him and warned them against destructive Church saw itself and its mission. What must we learn for forces that would arise even from within the Church itself. He saw that we can never rest from the spiritual warfare to which today? we have been called. - What did it see was the source of its power? THE PARTICULARS - What options did it think it had about whether to evangelise? • Read again Paul’s account of his apostolic passion. (verses 18- - What options did it think it had about whom to evangelise? 24) - What were the basic elements of its message? • Read again Paul’s concern for the Church’s future. (verses - Was it confrontational or apologetic in its approach?

18 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 NEWS

At the carol service , the team added sig - needs; and second, the ability to fund long Across nificantly to the quality of the music and term maintenance and management costs Australia ministry. for large complexes. ” While one such development – the Bilingual baptisms Kirkplace church and medical suites PCS launches library building at Kogarah – is within six months Nine adults and one baby were baptised of completion, a number of other major Last year the Presbyterian Counselling – two fully immersed in a wading pool – developments around the state have Service (PCS) began the “In touch with and three children were dedicated in a recently been given the green light. These those who are hurting” program. This unique bilingual ceremony at Bonnyrigg include commercial office space at program, funded by the Presbyterian Church Western Region Chinese Charlestown , retail outlets at Women’s Association 2007 market day , Presbyterian Church on Sunday 8 Shellharbour and seniors living at is based on the understanding that the February. Chatswood and Hurstville . Presbyterian Church of Australia in NSW Bonnyrigg is a small congregation encourages faith in Christ and depen - which has ministry to second generation Allowah extension dency on God for healing and reconcilia - Asians and Mandarin speakers and is cur - tion. rently seeking a church planter to develop The children of Allowah Presbyterian One of the initiatives supported by the the evident potential for the gospel in the Children’s Hospital in Sydney moved “In touch” program was the Growing area. The baptism was performed by Rev . into their brand new extension on Strong Conference organised by the John McClean . Monday February 23. The move came Presbyterian Theological Centre . A The baptism candidates – all but one exactly five years after Allowah was pur - number of the presentations from the new attendees in the past 12 months – chased by the Presbyterian Church and conference have now been released as a were prepared by Kwong Choi and will be celebrated at the Presbyterian DVD. The DVD series focuses on min - Stanley Chen . Ladies College , Croydon, on May 23. istry with families covering areas such as Presbyterian Social Services CEO parenting skills, families in crises, rebel - Kingdom assets Colin Llewellyn said the newly renovated lious teens and much more. The “In specialist hospital for children with mod - touch” program has also launched a PCS The Presbyterian Church of NSW is erate to severe physical and mental dis - lending library of books, videos and CDs rolling out its policy of helping congrega - abilities was a far cry from its original etc, open to all members of PCNSW. For tions better use their assets for kingdom state. “The spaciousness of the wards and more details, contact Jenny Creelman, work. General Manager Wayne Richards the state of the art equipment allows the Presbyterian Social Services, Ph: 02 9690 said in some cases this was just finding a dedicated hospital staff to better care for 9328 or email [email protected]. way to finance needed physical expansion the children’s needs,” he said. All counselling service enquiries should be resulting from physical growth. In other made to Elizabeth Harris on 1800 818 examples, he said, it was assisting congre - Plant flourishing 133. gations who may be income poor but asset rich to become revitalised through Cornerstone Presbyterian Community Macquarie mission funding ministry staff. Church’s two congregations from “This may mean incorporating com - Concord and Eastwood came together to In early December a team of young mercial viable facilities into new church celebrate the 15th anniversary of the adults descended on Port Macquarie to do developments where possible to ensure planting of the church last month. More mission, the second year of a joint min - that ministry work can be funded into the than 300 people gathered at Eastwood istry of the Chinese Presbyterian future. The NSW Property Trust is able to Heights Public School to give thanks for Church and Presbyterian Youth . In fact, encourage growing congregations to con - God’s grace to a church plant which began the multicultural team had representatives sider their site’s opportunities so that wise with 33 people and has multiplied 10- fold . from 10 churches. Over eight days the development can support long term out - NSW Moderator and superintendant team visited local schools, nursing homes comes; first, for addressing their ministry of Ministry and Mission Bruce Meller and supported events run by the church. Scott Donnellan , the minister at Port Macquarie, said the mission would have a lasting impact in retirement villages and Youth & Outreach Worker schools. “While the church doesn’t rely Blacktown Christian Reformed Church (Western Sydney) is seeking a suitably gifted and qualified person to on the mission to do its ministry”, he join our ministry team in the full time position of Youth & Outreach Worker. said, “the week allowed the seed of the The role will be (1) to provide suitable ministries for the young people of BCRC with the desire to bring them gospel to be spread in a more extensive to faith in Jesus and help them to grow in maturity, commitment and service; and (2) to instil a passion for evangelism and outreach at BCRC so that it becomes a natural and central part of our lives as individuals and way.” as a whole congregation. With the extra help provided by the Essential qualities include: (1) strong faith in Christ, commitment to the truth of Scripture and agreement with team, Scott’s congregation could focus our Reformed understanding of the gospel ; (2) passion for young people, a heart for the lost, a love for God’s on people rather than logistics. For church and vision for kingdom growth; (3) experience in youth and outreach ministries and an ability to lead, instance, by catering for the women’s train and motivate others ; (4) Bible College training along with gifts in and suitability for preaching; (5) ability to work in a team ministry and an understanding of the culture of our church and community. dinner and the men’s breakfast, the team enabled congregational members to focus For more information, please contact Pastor Jack Kapinga, (02) 8807 4656, [email protected] , PO Box 418 Blacktown NSW 2148 . on the friends they invited to each event.

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 • 19 NEWS

expressed his appreciation for the deep from St Andrew’s to suburban Canberra, forcible or fraudulent conversion, but involvement of the church in the wider there was now a healthy Presbyterian they are popularly misunderstood as denomination, despite it being a congre - presence in Canberra with suburban con - criminalising conversion in general. gation without its own physical building . gregations at Gungahlin , Belconnen, India’s constitution provides for free - Senior pastor and church planter C .S. Weston Creek and Tuggeranong . dom of religion, but Karnataka Minister Tang preached from Philippians 1:3-26. for Law, Justice and Human Rights S. Bathurst breakfast Suresh Kumar recently said in a Hindu More aged care extremist publication that the state’s Christian motor racing fans planning to Bharatiya Janata Party government “is Presbyterian Aged Care (PAC) has head to Bathurst for the annual Bathurst set to frame an anti-conversion law, as received new day respite funding under 1000 on 10 October have been invited to innocent Hindus are getting converted to the National Respite for Carers attend a special breakfast at Bathurst other religions” . Program to provide a mixture of in-home Presbyterian Church . Guest speaker will Dr Sajan K. George , national presi - and day centre respite services based at be the V8 racing chaplain Gary Baker . dent of the Karnataka-based Global PAC Ashfield and in-home respite ser - The breakfast has been running for the Council of Indian Christians , expressed vices in Newcastle and areas to the north past six years, attracting visiting anguish over reported plans to introduce a based at PAC Wescott , Stockton. The Presbyterians from throughout Australia law that has a history of misuse by new service will be known as PAC as well as non-Church. extreme Hindu nationalists. Wescott Day Respite Service. Compass Direct Belconnen anniversary Dobson steps down

Moderator General Robert Benn and Around Focus on the Family’s James C. Mrs Laurel Benn helped the Belconnen the World Dobson has stepped down as board chair - congregation celebrate its 25th anniver - man of the ministry he founded 32 years sary in February. Rev . Peter Davidson ago . said “ 25 years ago there was only one 10% of Indians Christian His wife, National Day of Prayer Presbyterian congregation remaining in chairwoman Shirley Dobson , has also the ACT after 1977 events – St Andrew’s According to Mission News Network , left the Focus on the Family board. They Church ,” he said. As a result of outreach the number of Christians in India has have been elected to the positions of massively increased in the last 20 years, founder and chairman emeritus and direc - going from just 3% of the population to tor emerita, respectively, for the nonprofit PREZRA 10 to 11 %. More than 800 pastoral leaders ministry they started in 1977. School of gathered last month for two Frontline According to a new release from Focus Theology Shepherd conferences in India to tackle on the Family, the Dobsons’ decision rep - and PCA Ministries the subject of evangelism in a predomi - resents the “next step in a transition plan nantly non-Christian country and the begun six years ago, when he stepped problems posed by anti-conversion laws. down as president in order to lessen his Please COME OVER and HELP US in Adelaide and South Australia David Shibley of Global Advance said administrative burden”. Executive leader - that the conference encouraged people to ship was handed to Don Hodel in 2003, We need Ministers and Home Missionaries be both bold in their faith, but also to and then to Jim Daly in 2005. Dr Dobson to come to Churches without a Pastor who show cultural sensitivity. had been board chairman until now. will preach the Gospel, care for the flock He said : “We are not suggesting that Dr Dobson’s other responsibilities at and reach out in Evangelism. we be bombastic or culturally insensitive the ministry will not change significantly. Otherwise, come to Adelaide and study at in the proclamation or the gospel. At the He will continue the “Focus on the the PREZRA School of Theology and get same time, we are not to close our Family” radio broadcast, and handle other equipped in the Bible and the Christian mouths, and we are not to back up in the duties as in the past. He will also continue Faith for Practical Christian service. Prepare proclamation of the gospel. So yes, this to write the newsletter, sent to 1.6 million to become a Home Missionary, or a resi - does present a dilemma and a spiritual people a month. He and Mrs. Dobson say dent Supply Preacher, or a PCA Lay challenge for pastors in those places where they are anxious to devote themselves to Ministries Worker. there are anti-conversion laws. “ the joys of grandparenting. PREZRA courses are FREE. They include the Christian Today Assist Australian College of Theology’s ThA (Associate In Theology) and the Advanced Anti-conversion law spreads Church improves fidelity Diploma of Theology (ThL) Diplomas, as well as the Home Missionary Certificate (HMCertif) and PREZRA’s Certificate of The Hindu nationalist government in Attendance at religious services is tied to Biblical Studies for lay workers. the southern Indian state of Karnataka , improved rates of fidelity in marriage, which recorded the second highest num - according to research from Fuller Contact: PREZRA / PCA Ministries ber of attacks on Christians last year, is Theological Seminary . The researchers for 2007 Handbook: planning to introduce the kind of “anti- speculated that attending services means Rev Dr Reg Mathews conversion” law that has provided the pre - an individual is more likely to hear reli - [email protected] text for anti-Christian violence in other gious teaching on marital fidelity and the (08) 83 95 78 41 states. Such laws are designed to thwart importance of marriage. Also important:

20 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 NEWS

church attendance implies a shared com - interests: contemporary and historical Tiptoeing through TULIP mitment by spouses and a strong network perspectives, missionaries and local of social support. Researcher David C. Christians, church structures and connec - Commotion arose in February over Atkins summarised the study: “We think tions to other faith communities, political reports that Calvinists teaching at that sharing similar values, incorporating and social engagement, and more. Southwestern Baptist Theological values and practice into marriage and fam - “Apart from providing valuable links Seminary (SWBTS) in Fort Worth, ily, and being part of a worshipping com - to academics working in related fields, Texas, might be in danger of losing their munity” are all factors. we also hope that the network will make jobs. it easier to rectify some of the distorted Pastor Wade Burleson of Enid, Christian made judge images of the Middle East in the main - Oklahoma, raised the alarm in a blog post stream media”, explained Dr Michael alleging that SWBTS president Paige In a landmark development, a Pakistani Marten , a historian and political scien - Patterson had met professors and implied Christian lawyer has been appointed as a tist at the University of Stirling’s that the seminary, which is facing eco - judge of Lahore High Court following School of Languages, Cultures and nomic problems might first target the efforts of the Christian Federal Religions , and one of the founders of Calvinist professors if it had to resort to Minister for Minorities, Mr Shahbaz the network. layoffs. Bhatti . The Christians in the Middle East web - Seminary officials said the Calvinism The appointment of Christian judges site, with details of how to subscribe to flap was a “non-story” based on false in Pakistani courts had become almost the network list, is at www.cme.stir.ac.uk information. Greg Welty , an SWBTS pro - unimaginable after the late military dicta - Ekklesia fessor for six years and a five-point tor, General Zia-ul-Haq , started imple - Calvinist, said Calvinist professors had menting his radical agenda of Islamising 11 die in Nigeria received no such warning, and urged Pakistan in late 1970s. Burleson to “repent of your lies and slan - Mr Jamshaid Rehmatullah , the new At least 11 Christians have died in a wave ders” . judge, described the development as a of violence that has swept Bauchi city in Burleson did not repent. He told “positive omen” for Pakistani Christians central Nigeria, while eight vicarages and Christianity Today that he received the as well as for other religious minorities of several Christian homes were also information from professors who had Pakistan. He also had advice for Christian destroyed. been in the meetings. Burleson believes lawyers and students in the country. According to a report from religious his report caused the seminary to tem - “They should work hard instead of sink - rights group Christian Solidarity porarily retreat from the alleged plan. ing into disillusionment .” Worldwide (CSW), hundreds of Christianity Today Assist Christians are now homeless and a curfew has been declared in order to forestall fur - Better-value weddings Sponsorship rising ther destruction of live and property. “About 4500 people were forced to flee Bishop of Birmingham David Charity ActionAid has reported a surge their homes and seek refuge at two army Urquhart tried to help engaged couples in people wanting to sponsor a child in barracks in the city,” said a spokesperson slice a huge chunk off the cost of their India since the Oscar triumph of the for CSW. wedding at the National Wedding Show in movie Slumdog Millionaire . Action Aid Assist Birmingham last month, introducing visi - said it is having to rush the contact details tors to the “three Vs ” for choosing a of scores of Indian children to its offices Converts tortured church wedding: venue, vicar and vows. in Britain. Bishop Urquhart said weddings in one It normally fields around 500 enquiries International Christian Concern of the Church of England’s 16,000 places a week for child sponsorship, including (ICC), a Christian human rights group, of worship costs from as little as £350 those who wish to sponsor a child in says Libyan intelligence officials have ($A727), and that couples could save even India. But the number of child sponsor - detained and tortured four Christians for more by holding their reception at a ship enquiries has soared to 1400 after converting from Islam , adding that the church. Slumdog Millionaire won eight Oscars, Christians have been imprisoned for the The other two Vs, vicar and vows, including best picture. past seven weeks in Tripoli, Libya’s capi - refer to how the Church is in a unique “We’re calling it the ‘Slumdog’ effect,” tal. position to offer support up to and said fundraising director Richard Turner . A spokesperson for ICC said “Libya’s beyond the big day, and give couples the “We haven’t seen such a high level of External Security Organisation is meaningful vows (“for richer for interest in one country for a long time.” believed to be behind the detention and poorer...”) that are the ideal way to begin torture of the Christians, according to our married life. Middle East website sources. The security agents have barred “The credit crunch has left us all reass - the families from visiting the detained esing our values and priorities, not just Academics in Scotland have created a converts and are putting severe physical our financial situation,” says Bishop new international research network that and psychological pressure on the Urquart. “A church wedding reminds us aims to help draw attention to many of Christians in order to force them to reveal that love is a priceless gift from God. the diverse studies taking place on the the names of other converts. Fearing for That’s why I’m encouraging people to subject of Christians in the Middle East. their lives, other converts from Islam are ‘think church’ when they are planning Scholars from a variety of backgrounds on the run. ’’ their wedding.” are involved, representing a wide range of Assist Christian Today

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 • 21 NEWS

devastation. We took part in the local foetal kidneys grew very quickly when On the combined church service which Evan led, transplanted into adults. Agenda and I preached on Psalm 22, “My God, Currently there are 8000 people in the why have you forsaken me?” and from UK waiting for organ donations, around there looked right at the cross where the 7000 of whom are waiting for kidneys. Fire aid greatest suffering ever took place, the Just People waiting for kidneys have only a By Robert Benn One dying for the unjust ones to bring us one in three chance of receiving a kidney to God. The congregation overflowed during the year and hundreds are dying Black Saturday is now part of our lan - with mutual care in the midst of severe every year because of the shortage. guage. We associate it with deep grief for suffering. Ministry on that day was a Sir Richard said of his proposal, “It is our Victorian fellow-citizens relating to sobering privilege. probably a more realistic technique in the fires on 7 February. Immediately after But the help to these folk of which I dealing with the shortage of kidney that terrible weekend, I wrote a pastoral have spoken? That came from so many donors than others,” reports the Daily letter to our ministers , one of sympathy quarters of our church, and for that we Mail . and concern for those who had been so offer our thanks to you and praise to our He said the proposal “is something traumatised by the events, had lost prop - God for the 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 type gen - that could be done but it’s not something erty, friends, loved ones or had been very erosity. $72,000 has already been distrib - that’s talked about much… It is at least a close to those who did. uted, and $250,000 has been made avail - temporary solution”. Victorian Moderator Douglas able, and will be distributed little by little Christian groups have opposed the Robertson , in consultation with col - as needs are identified and as those who idea as immoral. Dr Peter Saunders of the leagues , immediately launched an appeal are consulting in this matter make corpo - Christian Medical Fellowship said that to help fellow Christians and their neigh - rate decisions. unborn children deserved “protection, bours. Our church responded and respect, wonder and empathy”. directed monies and goods both through Robert Benn is Moderator General of the Josephine Quintavalle from church channels and the Red Cross . Presbyterian Church of Australia. Comment on Reproductive Ethics , Since that time four assembly officers reportedly said: “At what stage do you say have been consulting and signing off on Call to harvest foetuses to the woman who is to have an abortion, distribution of funds, to a large extent By Anne Thomas ‘Can we have some organs for trans - through Evan Prentice , minister of plant?’” She described the idea itself as Whittlesea . This money has helped fam - Christians have reacted with horror to a “absolutely horrifying” . ilies who have lost homes, farm equip - suggestion by an Oxford professor that ment, stock and fences; tradesmen their the organs of aborted foetuses should be ‘Extreme deprivation’ tools and equipment; and congregations used in organ transplants for the seriously By Jenna Lyle their goods. Another part of the distrib - ill. ution has been to the community of Sir Richard Gardner , a stem cell Bishop of Chichester John Hind says churches in the Whittlesea area to make expert from Oxford University , said that Christians in the Middle East are facing money and goods available through a local using the organs of foetuses was a realistic “extreme deprivation”. Speaking in a shop front. way of solving the problem of a shortage debate on religious persecution in Laurel and I had the opportunity of of freely given organs. He also said that Britain’s House of Lords , Bishop Hind visiting Whittlesea and saw first hand, the experiments on mice had shown that said, “In places where different faiths have

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] Visiting Melbourne?

Worship with us at South Yarra Presbyterian Church 621 Punt Road Every Sunday 10.30am & 5.30pm. Session Clerk: Mr Jack Adlawan Phone: (03) 9808 7391 (Less than 3 kms from CBD)

22 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 NEWS

coexisted for centuries we see the rapid statement of Caroline Petrie , the Government of Sudan that ended the 20- attrition of the Christian church in its Christian nurse who was suspended after year civil war between North and South ancestral homelands,” reports Religious offering to pray for a patient. Sudan. In recent months, the SPLM has Intelligence . According to the Bishop, a spokesman accused the central government of not He said: “In Iraq, Christians have suf - for a Muslim forum in his diocese abiding by the agreement . fered extreme deprivation, sometimes due described the decision to suspend her as Samaritan’s Purse , the Christian relief to sheer religious hatred, sometimes just “crazy”. The Bishop described it as “a wel - organisation headed by Graham, has caught in the cross-fire, sometimes come sign of how faith communities can worked extensively in both South Sudan because, amazingly and quite wrongly, hold together in the face of a growing and in Darfur. they are regarded as representatives of a hostility to faith”. President Omar al-Bashir expelled western faith. So we cannot disown our Christian Today the 13 largest aid groups operating in own particular responsibility and the pres - Darfur in response to the ICC arrest war - sure on Christians in some parts of the Save Sudan: Graham rant that charged him with crimes against world.” By Ethan Cole humanity in Darfur. Aid groups estimate The bishop noted that not all forms of that the expulsion will threaten the sur - persecution were violent or even illegal. American evangelist and humanitarian vival of more than two million Sudanese He said, “Just across the border from Iraq, leader Franklin Graham has called on who depend on the aid. in south-east Turkey, a part of the world President Barack Obama to immediately “I urge President al-Bashir and the gov - that I know particularly well, court cases appoint a special envoy to Sudan to help ernment authorities to stop NGO (non- are alleging the theft of land from local vil - resolve the growing threat of chaos there government organisation) expulsions and lages by monasteries in Tur Abdin which after the International Criminal Court allow those expelled to return,” Graham have stood there since the late fourth cen - issued an arrest warrant for Sudan’s sitting said. tury. president. The situation in Sudan appears to be “There is a certain degree of ridiculous - Graham, who was in Sudan last month, worsening, after the US Embassy in ness about some of this, but that does said the United States must take the lead Sudan authorised nonessential staff and actually affect the sufferings of those in solving the Darfur crisis as well as mak - family to leave the country. Anti-Western Syriac villagers and others who are suffer - ing sure the Comprehensive Peace rhetoric has risen sharply along with the ing so greatly.” Agreement (CPA) is implemented. danger of violence against Westerners, and Bishop Hind also commented on what The CPA was a peace agreement the embassy has received information of some have dubbed “persecution” within signed in 2005 by the Sudan People’s threats . the UK. He said he welcomed the rein - Liberation Movement and the Christian Post

FROM THE MODERATOR – GENERAL IN REGARD 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 support - and revival of the existing churches in a city. Nothing else – not ive 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 April 2009 • 23 REFLECTION Hard going For the Christian, difficulties point to a higher purpose.

o you think that the Christian life principles of godliness nor by the is hard? If so, what makes it hard, ordinances of divine grace that we are and if not, why does it seem so William saved. It is by the person of God through hard for so many professing the ordinances of His grace. DChristians? Harrell Jesus calls us to come to Him and We can begin to consider this matter in promises us that He will give us rest. terms of the context of the question and But there is more to this matter than While we can only truly come to know in terms of our defining what we mean by our faithful appropriation of the truths Christ and His will and provision for us the word hard . Regarding context, the and promises of God’s Word and the through His written Word, we should Bible alerts us to the fact that it is through enabling grace that He ministers to us by ever bear in mind that above that written many tribulations that we must enter the His Spirit. There is something intensely Word stands the living Word. It is that kingdom of God. The sufferings of the and essentially personal that transforms living Word who has loved us and given apostles in the Book of Acts illustrate the pain of our sufferings into the Himself for us. It is that living Word who some of the sufferings of the faithful. blessedness of glory. has reconciled us to God and brought us Yet, do we always suffer? Is our calling into His loving family and given to us in Christ always to be under the yoke of glorious, eternal, abundant life. stress, straining, persecution, affliction, There is and sacrifice? And are these things the something e should learn to perceive in the only elements that compose the Christian intensely and Wwritten Word of Scripture not only life? The true context in which we face the essentially the propositional directives and declared challenges and difficulties inherent in our personal that truths, incentives, commands, and pilgrimage of faith is one composed of transforms the prohibitions of God, but also the trials and triumphs, sorrows and joys, powerful and intensely pleasing aroma, pains and holy pleasures. Therefore, when pain of our the sweet, refreshing breath, the loving we understand that the Christian life sufferings into hand, the compassionate and merciful contains such mixed elements, we cannot the blessed - heart of our God. Although Scripture and should not think or characterise the ness of glory. informs our prayers, we do not pray to life of faith as being hard in the sense of it the Bible, but to the living God who has being unalloyed pain and suffering. We are not simply called to be revealed Himself to us in Scripture. When While the Bible is clear that the nourished on grace and hope but rather to Paul says that he can do all things, he does tribulations of the saints can be many, be strengthened by these qualities as they not say that he does so through the varied, and at times exquisitely painful and come to us in relation to their source, directives of Scripture alone, but rather profoundly perplexing, the Word of God namely, our living and loving God. It is through the Christ whose loving divine is emphatic in stating that all of our pains God’s grace that enables us not only to person and reconciling work form the serve useful and sanctifying purposes in endure our thorns in the flesh or resign central testimony of all Scripture. our lives. The thorns we cry to our God to ourselves to them, but also to rejoice in God has given us His Word, not so that remove from our flesh serve as prods to them. It is the hope that God gives us that in it we might find the ladder of our direct us to the abundantly sufficient feeds and fills us with joyful anticipation performance that leads to heaven, but grace of our Lord. The afflictions we of the day when we shall see the face of rather so that we might apprehend the endure come upon us by no accident or our Redeemer, whose loving self-sacrifice beauty of our holy, loving, and redeeming negligence on God’s part, but are has washed away all of our sins, whose Lord. It is our God who has made and ordained by Him for the production in us healing hand shall wipe away all of our redeemed us for Himself. Our hearts are of an eternal weight of glory. It is when we tears, and whose glorious beauty shall restless and our lives appear hard, until we appropriate the divine grace that we begin perfectly and perpetually captivate us and find our rest, our peace, our contentment, to rejoice and boast in our afflictions and hold us in the matrix of the holy love that our joy, our all in Him, in whose yoke we weaknesses, seeing the connection blessedly holds the three persons of our find felicity throughout our pilgrimage on between them and God’s glory and our triune God in most perfect and joyful earth (Mt . 11: 28-30), and in whose good. It is when we feed upon the sure unity. presence in glory is fullness of joy, and hope of that glory in view of which all of There is a priority that we should ever enduring pleasures (Ps . 16:11). our sufferings should be considered as observe when we live our lives in Christ. momentary, light, and, in fact, beneficial There are principles of godliness and William Harrell is pastor of Immanuel producers of glorious gain, that we begin ordinances of divine grace, but above and Presbyterian Church, Norfolk, Virginia. This to count ourselves blessed when we suffer before these is the living and loving article first appeared on the Banner of Truth for Christ’s sake. person of God. It is neither by the website, www.banneroftruth.org. ap

24 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 LITERATURE The poets’ faith Attitudes to Christianity changed significantly in the 19th century.

n the preface to the second edition our sins and mistakes, and enable us to of his Bampton Lectures of 1866, live and die in Peace. ” the Anglo-Catholic H. P. Liddon Ultimately, in Dickens’ view, Christ commented on “the existence of a Peter is our Saviour because He taught us Iwidespread unsettlement of religious Barnes how to become our own saviours. belief ”. It has become commonplace to The poets Tennyson and Browning refer to “the crisis of faith ” in Victorian also struggled with orthodox Britain, although recently Timothy the essence of Jesus’ religion as His Christianity. The traditional doctrine of Larsen has sought to counter-balance sweet reasonableness. In Dover Beach everlasting punishment was a particular this by writing of the “crisis of doubt ”. he wrote of his own religious position: difficulty for many at this time . In It was not all one-way traffic – if pro - The sea of faith 1850 Lord Tennyson, grieving over the fessing believers became doubters, so Was once, too, at the full, and round early death of his friend Arthur H. too did anguished doubters become earth’s shore Hallam, wrote In Memoriam, and professing believers. Lay like the folds of a bright girdle famously expressed the hope that ulti - The century began in the aftermath furl’d; mately all God’s creatures would be of the dechristianisation program asso - But now I only hear saved: ciated with the French Revolution. Its melancholy long withdrawing roar . Behold, we know not anything; Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William It became an I can but trust that good shall fall Wordsworth had initially welcomed the easily-recognised Ultimately, in At last – far off – at last, to all, French Revolution, with Wordsworth’s theme in And every winter change to spring. oft-quoted words: Victorian litera - Dickens’ view, ... Bliss was it that dawn to be alive ture. Christ is our So runs my dream: but what am I? But to be young was very heaven. In 1849, 21 Saviour An infant crying in the night: Wordsworth was actually in France years before his because He An infant crying for the light: for a time, and in Paris came to observe death in 1870, taught us how And with no language but a cry. Robespierre’s Reign of Terror. The rise Charles Dickens to become our ... of Napoleon finished off any lingering wrote The Life own saviours. The wish, that of the living whole love for all things French and revolu - of our Lord No life may fail beyond the grave tionary. Wordsworth and Coleridge bat - specifically for Derives it not from what we have tled their way back from any Utopian his children, not for publication. Hence The likest God within the soul? hallucinations to some kind of Anglican it was only published in 1934. Dickens’ ... orthodoxy. Coleridge was in fact the religious views seem to have owed I stretch lame hands of faith, and grope, youngest of 13 children of an Anglican more to Unitarianism and broad church And gather dust and chaff, and call clergyman, but he grew up to embrace Anglicanism than to historic To what I feel is Lord of all, political radicalism and Unitarianism , Christianity, but in his Life, he writes And faintly trust the larger hope. before in 1805 he was struck by the of Thomas’ profession of Christ’s deity truth : “ No Christ, no God! ” and of the teaching that Christ will ennyson described Hallam: Wordsworth’s Christianity was come to judge the world. However, he T always somewhat mystical, but managed to omit any hint of atone - Perplext in faith, but pure in deeds, Coleridge’s was philosophical and sub - ment. At last he beat his music out. jective, with the emphasis not on objec - “Remember ! – It is Christianity to do There lives more faith in honest doubt, tive truth so much as Christianity’s good always – even to those who do evil to Believe me, than in half the creeds . capacity to “find ” us. Hence Coleridge us. It is Christianity to love our neighbour It was the age of Romanticism, with declared that what was inspired was as ourself, and to do to all men as we more emphasis on feelings than on rea - what inspired him. He wrote, in his would have them do to us. It is son. In many literary circles, the his - own Germanic style : “ How can I com - Christianity to be gentle, merciful, and toric creeds were not so much scruti - prehend this? How is it to be proved? forgiving, and to keep those qualities nised and discarded as marginalised. To the first question I should answer: quiet in our own hearts, and never make a Browning can be compared to Christianity is not a Theory, or a boast of them, or of our prayers or of our Tennyson in many ways. In Pippa Speculation; but a Life. Not a love of God, but always to shew that we Passes , Browning finishes the poem Philosophy of Life, but a Life and a liv - love Him by humbly trying to do right in with the well-known lines: ing Process. To the second: TRY IT. ” everything. If we do this, and remember God’s in his Heaven – Matthew Arnold, an archetypal the life and lessons of Our Lord Jesus All’s right with the world! Victorian, saw religion as “morality Christ, and try to act up to them, we may This is often misunderstood to touched by emotion ”, and portrayed confidently hope that God will forgive us reflect a complacent Victorian belief in

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 • 25 LITERATURE

inveitable progress and divine blessing marriage. She lived with George Henry kindness as an ideal but was unable to on the status quo. In fact, there is both Lewes without the benefit of matri - fulfil it in his own life. If Milton aimed irony and faith in Browning’s words. mony , until his death in 1878. When “to justify the ways of God to men”, He was a firm believer in evolution, Lewes died, Eliot was too grief-stricken Hardy sought the reverse. and would speak of love as the victory. to attend his funeral, and could only In spiritual terms, the 1880s proved The dying Paracelsus cried: “Truly there turn for consolation to Tennyson’s In to be a critical decade. In 1888 Mrs needs another life to come! ” Browning Memoriam . Humphrey Ward wrote her best selling struggled with Christianity, and wrote: In 1885, the novelist Thomas Hardy novel, Robert Elsmere , which told of an But Easter-Day breaks! But wrote: “I have sometimes had a dream Anglican clergyman who lost his faith Christ rises! Mercy every way – a kind of Pilgrim’s Regress. Mrs Ward Is infinite, – and who can say? Swinburne’s was a granddaughter of Dr Thomas Victorians came to love question other great Arnold of Rugby, a niece of Matthew marks. obsession was Arnold, and the offspring of a father Other Victorian literary figures were who twice converted to Roman flagellation, more emphatic in their unbelief. A. C. Catholicism while being married to a Swinburne made constant use of and like woman who refused to live with a Christian imagery in order to mock F. Scott papist. It was historical criticism that Christianity. Perhaps his most infamous Fitzgerald and eroded Robert Elsmere’s faith . Mrs lines are: Dylan Thomas, Ward’s message was dogmatically Glory to man in the highest! he wrote better simple: Jesus has no more divine For Man is the master of things . – or at least sonship than the rest of humanity and Swinburne’s other great obsession more – while miracles do not happen. was flagellation, and like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Dylan Thomas, he wrote he was drunk. ther novelists had a different better – or at least more – while he Omessage. Patrick Brontë arrived at was drunk. that the church, instead of being dis - Haworth in Yorkshire as the new George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) endowed, could be made to modulate curate in 1820. His wife Maria died in sought to undermine Christian ortho - by degrees … into an undogmatic, non- 1821, and in 1825 he lost two school- doxy by translating David Friedrich theological establishment for the pro - aged daughters, Maria and Elizabeth. Strauss’ Life of Jesus in 1846. This sup - motion of that virtuous living on which The only son, Branwell, wasted his posedly scientific work rejected all of all honest men are agreed. ” This was gifts and died in pathetic circumstances. Jesus’ miracles as Jewish myths. positivism’s religion of humanity. The The three other daughters – Charlotte, Furthermore, George Eliot deviated Christian ought not to be surprised that Emily and Anne – enjoyed astonishing from orthodox notions of Christian Hardy remained attracted to loving success as novelists but all died prema - turely. In the preface to the second edi - tion of Jane Eyre , Charlotte Brontë took issue with a “carping few” who saw the work as an attack on Christianity. Miss Brontë responded with some vigour: “Christianity is not morality. Self-righteousness is not reli - gion. To attack the first is not to assail the last. To pluck the mask from the face of the Pharisee, is not to lift an impious hand to the Crown of Thorns. ” She went on to speak of “the world-redeeming creed of Christ ”. Back in the 18th century, John Wesley had prophesied that “in a cen - tury or two, the people of England will be fairly divided into real deists and real Christians. And I apprehend this would be no loss at all, but rather an advan - tage to the Christian cause ”. Wesley probably only got this half-right. The Victorian era, and the Victorian church for that matter, was one which, for the most part, limped between two opin - ions. Not surprisingly, this is reflected in its literary output.

Dr Peter Barnes, a church historian, is min - ister of Revesby Presbyterian Church, Sydney. ap

26 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 SOCIETY Pell’s peal Cardinal says tolerance laws are being used to promote intolerance.

he West has become scared to crit - God create us or did we create God?’ The icise Islam and accepts death limited scope that secularism is prepared threats by Muslim extremists as Barney to concede to religious beliefs is based on normal, Cardinal George Pell has the assumption that we created God. As sTuggested in a speech in England. Zwartz long as faith is understood as a private The outspoken Catholic Archbishop therapeutic pursuit that can be picked up, of Sydney said laws intended to promote were the victims. changed or discarded at will, it is permis - tolerance were being used to stifle debate, It was strange how some of the most sible. But when people insist that faith is which was “fermenting intolerance under permissive groups easily became repres - more than this and that the supremacy is the surface’’. sive despite their rhetoric about diversity not ours, it is resisted; increasingly In the March 6 speech at Oxford and tolerance, he said. through the law,” he said. University, he also attacked global cam - “Opposition to same-sex marriage is a “The use of anti-discrimination law paign of “bullying and intimidation’’ by form of homophobia and therefore bad; and human rights claims to advance the secular groups trying to drive Christians but Christianophobic blacklisting and autonomy project is not new in itself, but from public debate and stop churches intimidation is passed over in silence.’’ the withholding or retrenchment of providing schools, hospitals and welfare. Cardinal Pell said discrimination laws exemptions for church agencies and con - “Many in the West have grown used to had been used to redefine marriage and science provisions for individuals is a practising self-censorship when it comes the family. newer and dangerous trend.” to Islam, just as we seem to accept that ex- Children could Cardinal Pell said Christians urgently Muslims who criticise Islam and extrem - now have three, needed to deepen public understanding ism, such as Ayaan Hirsi Ali, require four or five par - Believers need about religious freedom. round-the-clock police protection,’’ he ents, relegating to call the “Believers need to call the bluff of what said. the idea of a child bluff of what is, even in most parts of Europe, a small “You can be persecuted for hate speech being brought up is, even in minority with disproportionate influence if you discuss violence in Islam, but there by his natural most parts of in the media. This is one of the crucial is little fear of a hate-speech prosecution mother and tasks for Christians in the 21st century.’’ for Muslim demonstrators with placards father to nothing Europe, a reading ‘Hamas, Hamas, Jews to the gas’.’’ more than a small minority. This article first appeared in The Age, for He said the expense and time of majority adult whom Barney Zwartz is religion editor. ap defending frivolous hate speech allega - preference. tions and the anxiety from “being “Until relatively recently anti-discrimi - enmeshed in a legal process straight out of nation laws usually included exemptions Kafka’’ stifled robust discussion. for churches and other religious groups so No one in the West today would sug - that they could practice and manifest their Visiting gest that criticism of Christianity should beliefs in freedom. These exemptions are Outback be outlawed,’’ he said. now being refused or defined in the nar - “The secular and religious intolerance rowest possible terms in new anti-dis - Qeensland? of our day needs to be confronted regu - crimination measures, and existing larly and publicly,’’ he said. exemptions are being eroded or “strictly Some secularists wanted a one-way construed” by the courts,” he said. ?:? street, and sought to drive Christianity not only from the public square but form he cardinal said last year’s Victorian Worship with us at providing education, healthcare and wel - Tlaw decriminalising abortion made a fare to the wider community. “Modern mockery of conscientious objection, Charleville liberalism has strong totalitarian tenden - which had been attacked as merely a way St James Presbyterian Church cies.’’ for doctors and nurses to impose their 76 Galatea St, Charleville, QLD Cardinal Pell said a Californian refer - morality on their patients. endum which rejected same-sex marriage “The great question which exercises had been a focus for demonstrations, vio - modern culture is the meaning of human : lence, vandalism and intimidation of autonomy and especially sexual freedom. Worship Service Christians. But this struggle is fundamentally a strug - He said “this prolonged campaign of gle over a religious question, which can be Sunday 9am payback and bullying’’ received little formulated in various ways and revolves Contact: Rev David Knott media attention. It would have been quite around the reality of a transcendent order, (07) 4654 3100 different if same-sex marriage supporters or its denial. One way of putting it is: ‘Did qq

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 • 27 SCIENCE Faith and works Studies on the link between religion and good deeds are not very revealing.

n the scientific community, there has were told to rush or take their time pro - been a significant increase in sight - duced differences in helping rates”. We ings of articles and studies on the Douglas may have learned something there: reli - “science” of religion. Various points gious variables aside, we all respond to the oIf view, and occasionally overt agendas, Anderson rush of modern life and sometimes lose emerge from the research. If a Templeton- our sensitivity to be an empathic and car - like foundation is funding the study, for tion of clinical practice. I am both a ing community – all of us. instance, the perspective seems to be a test Christian and a clinical scien - That “active members of modern secu - of the hypothesis: God is “up there ”, and tist/neurosurgeon who silently prays lar organisations are at least as likely to we will prove it to you (at least insofar as before and sometimes during surgery. I’m report donating to charity as active mem - measured by statistically significant out - also struggling to obtain funding for a bers of religious ones” should not be a comes), with the following randomised, clinical trial of a brain tumour vaccine to surprise. For what and for whom this double blind clinical trial. supplement the inadequate therapies we information might be useful is open to Several years ago there appeared A presently have. question. Clearly, more generosity is Randomised, Controlled Trial of the Effects I’m not sug - needed from all of us. of Remote, Intercessory Prayer on gesting that stud - The authors suggest that more Outcomes in Patients Admitted to the Behavioural ies of religion’s research is needed to “establish the spe - Coronary Care Unit . The study showed studies search - intersections cific conditions under which costly reli - that “prayer may be an effective adjunct to ing for a good with science gious commitment could evolve as a sta - standard medical care”. However, the crit - Samaritan shouldn’t be ble individual strategy and whether these ical reader was also warned that there were effect in an done or are not models need to take into account inter - several limitations to the study. One prob - anonymous important, but group competition”. They also suggest lem was that there was no way to deter - attempting to put that “the extent to which religion is impli - encounter mine whether others might have been God on the wit - cated in human cooperation, and the pre - praying for the control group, those not experiment ness stand, cise sequence of evolutionary develop - supposed to be the beneficiaries of inter - showed no demanding an ments in religious prosociality” are cessory prayer. relation with accounting, and important questions. Another problem was that the main religiosity. then suggesting result of the study was a rather meagre that something hese research interests might well be “10% improvement” in the short-term has been learned, Tinteresting for the fields of theology, cardiac health for those in the group for is, in my opinion, wasteful of resources psychology and sociology among others, whom prayer was offered, as measured by that might better be employed elsewhere. and as the authors note, “this is an area of a score that was “an estimate of the over - A different type of scientific analysis no small debate, but scientific attention is all CCU (cardiac care unit) course”. appeared recently in the widely read jour - needed to examine precisely how individ - One wonders what God was thinking nal Science : The Origin and Evolution of uals and groups determine who are the while deciding how to weigh in on this Religious Prosociality . Religious proso - beneficiaries of religious prosociality and exercise! If I sound cynical, it’s because ciality is “the idea that religions facilitate who its victims.” clinical randomised trials are notoriously acts that benefit others at a personal On the other hand, after reading sam - expensive and difficult, and yet can be cost”. In this review and synthesis of ples of research on the nature of religious very influential in the definition and direc - nearly 50 articles, we learn that there is experience, examining the design of “an association between self reports of experiments and techniques used to probe religiosity and prosociality” but that the these complex questions, one wonders, association “emerges primarily in con - what do we really learn? The concern of texts where reputational concerns are scientists that “the same mechanisms heightened”. involved in ingroup altruism may facilitate Further, behavioral studies searching outgroup antagonism” may just as well for a “good Samaritan” effect in an anony - apply to the scientific community as the mous encounter experiment document religious. that “unobtrusively recorded offers of help showed no relation with religiosity in Douglas Anderson is a neurological surgeon this anonymous context”. It is telling and associate professor of neurological surgery from the article that only one variable at Loyola University Medical Center, USA. produced a change in the behavior of This article first appeared on the Ekklesia study participants: “Whether participants Christian website. ap

28 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 LETTERS

revealed Word of God by Scripture itself, Conversely, that those who do not the Westminster Confession of Faith, as respond to medication must not be gen - well as our own Code. Yet for the past 150 uinely ill? Letters years Christians have turned mental gym - For the sake of those genuinely suffer - nastics trying to accommodate unproven ing from depressive illness, the publica - theories of evolutionary scientists many tion of articles of this nature are unhelpful Myanmar’s desperate need of whom, like Dawkins, are rabidly anti- and serve only to reinforce the reluctance Christian. and stigma that many sufferers of depres - Some believers feel that evolutionary sion already feel in seeking medical assis - or 15 years Australian Presbyterian theory over-rules or re-interprets the nar - tance. FWorld Mission has been developing a rative of the first three chapters of A medical article assisting people to partnership with our sister churches in Genesis. In recent years I have heard min - determine the difference between medical Myanmar . Many of our folk have visited isters claim that the creation/evolution depression and normal “unhappiness ” is Myanmar to teach and fellowship with debate should be avoided as a divisive or a the least that could have been included our fellow-Christians there. side issue or, conversely, that evolutionary alongside Dr Dalrymple’s paper to pro - Dr Thang Bee visited us a couple of theory and Christianity are reconcilable. vide a degree of objectivity and assistance years ago. Then there was the devastat - Are any of these approaches really com - for those who suffer, and for the carers of ing cyclone Narjis which claimed some patible with Scriptural interpretation? hurting members of our community. 150,000 lives. Our church was able to In considering this issue I think we Felicity Lum Mow, make generous gifts to our dear friends should fix our eyes on Jesus. As our Lord North Strathfield, NSW there to bring relief in their suffering and and Saviour He taught as an eye witness, help in the process of rebuilding. and more, of creation. His understanding And now we have further disturbing and interpretation of the Old Testament Lofty standards news from Dr Thang Bee, who says: “Our should be final for us. His teachings on people in Chin state are severely suffering the Law (Mt 5:17-18), Moses’ authority for the need of food because of rats. (Lk 16:19-31) and creation (Mt 19:4) are read with both interest and concern at People are now really terribly suffering consistent with Genesis 1-3 being a true, Ithe submission by Stan Gliszczynski and starving. None of the young people simple and factual account. Although (letters, AP , March). Initially he makes are left in the villages because there’s no Jesus’ teachings should all be considered much fanfare of the magazine for its qual - food to eat. They have all run away to in context, it is clear that He regards cre - ity as a great Christian periodical but then wherever they can survive ... some to India ation and particularly the creation of the proceeds to denigrate those very people and some to other states. Only older peo - first man and woman as instantaneous who in a very large part are responsible ple and children are left in the villages and acts and not the result of billions of years for putting this magazine together. they are starving. Every letter that I have of evolution. If it is Christ’s view, it should I would dispute his claims about received recently is about asking help for be ours too. Or do we know better than the Presbyterian Church built on any - food. It is very severe , more than tongue Jesus? thing but Scripture – I will grant him the can express. We’ve never ever experienced Ron Green , fact that there are some churches that are this kind of famine in the past. Most peo - Mt Wilson , NSW aptly described by his article but to simply ple in the villages are wandering in the jun - apply those points in his article to gle every day seeking the food which has “Sad? That’s life” all Presbyterian churches is incorrect and been left by rats. The rats have eaten all unfair to the members of the ministry the green crops. The Reformed Bible who labour in the Lord around the clock . Institute is now on holidays and some stu - E Theodore Dalrymple ( AP , March), Much of the good they do in the Lord’s dents have gone back to see their parents RI have come across a number of peo - name will never be witnessed by Stan to help with food... ple who have been prescribed anti-depres - Glyszczynski. I would certainly hope that Yours in His love, sant medication since being diagnosed Stan can live up to the same standard he Thang Bwee. with bi-polar disorder in 1995. These peo - seems to have imposed on the rest of the Robert Benn , ple know they are unhappy, however the church. Moderator General , diagnosis of depression and the idea of Steve Davis , Presbyterian Church of Australia being on medication is something they Menai, NSW most strenuously resist. Simple history The statement that there is collusion on part of the doctor with the patient to really appreciated reading the February hand over a pill is a generalisation of the Iedition of AP , particularly the inter - medical profession. Patients are often Visiting view with Noel Weeks on the authority of counselled about life-style changes and the Scriptures and the comments by Peter the benefits of regular exercise. In addi - Ballarat? Barnes relating to Richard Dawkins and tion, they are often referred to counselors Worship with us at Ebenezer the Darwinian theory of evolution. The and psychologists, neither of whom pre - Presbyterian Church. two articles are, in my opinion, related and scribes medications. Every Sunday 10.30 am. need rational discussion in the wider Where is the evidence to support the church, including our own denomination. assertion that some patients who 214 Armstrong Street South. As a Bible-believing reformed church improved upon taking medication would Rev. Dr John Woodward we are bound to the Scriptures as the have benefited equally with a sugar tablet? Phone: (03) 5334 2909

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 • 29 EEVVAAPNRNAGGYEEELLR IISSMM

Bev Elliot, and the Samoan congrega - St Mary’s charge western Sydney with tion. about 70 c&a, 20 yf and 5 e. 29 Sandy mission partners (APWM) 9 Andrew and Fleur Letcher mission worker from Epping, Sydney, involved partners (APWM) workers from in ministry with Overseas Missionary Eltham, Vic. at Wycliffe Bible APRIL 2009 Fellowship in East Asia, recovering Translators HQ, Kangaroo Ground, 21 Presbytery of Darling Downs, Qld 7 from a broken foot. involved in management. charges and 12 home mission stations 30 Sorrento charge including Rye, bay - 10 Parkes-Forbes-Peak Hill charge, west - totaling 34 congregations with about side Melbourne with about 70 c&a, 5 ern NSW. Craig and Sonia Bland. 1730 c&a (communicants and adher - yf and 1 e; John and Michele Brennan. 11 Presbytery of Melbourne West 5 ents) and 630 yf (younger folk – charges and 2 home mission stations Sunday School and youth), 1 school MAY 2009 totaling 11 congregations with about chaplain, 2 theological candidates and 1 Robert and Julie Finster who recently 715 and 150, 1 missionary, 2 ministers 2 retired ministers. Graeme McKay began ministry at Mount Barker home under jurisdiction. Richard O’Brien clerk. mission station in the Adelaide Hills clerk. 22 John and Betty Thompson exercising with about 45 c&a, 5 yf and 7 e and 12 Annandale-Leichardt charge Sydney an Intentional Interim Ministry in Stefan Slucki, moderator. with about 70 c&a, 10 yf and 7 e; Lismore charge far northern NSW 2 Presbytery of New England, northern Peter and Jane Dunstan. with about 290 c&a, 20 yf and 21 e. NSW – 6 charges and 2 home mission 13 Fayek and Samira mission partners 23 Cheltenham charge Melbourne with stations totaling 13 congregations (APWM) workers from about 110 c&a, 30 yf and 8 e; David with about 725 c&a and 210 yf, and 1 Campbelltown and Revesby working and Roslyn Brown; and the Sudanese retired minister. Lance Jackson clerk. among Middle Eastern people. (Nuer) congregation with about 90 3 Asheigh and Sarah mission partners 14 Benalla Regional charge, Vic. including c&a and 110 – Choul Yat. (APWM) workers from Croydon Balmattam and Thoona with about 24 Pray for the moderator Ivan Ransom Hills, Melbourne in the Middle East 150 c&a, 35 yf and 9 e; Peter and and preachers in the vacancy in with MECO involved in computing Connie Stanton. Concord/North Strathfield charge and hospitality ministry. 15 Willows charge, Townsville, Qld with Sydney. 4 Beacon Hill charge northern Sydney about 100 c&a, 100 yf and 7 e; David 25 Thank God for His protection in with about 60 c&a, 20 yf and 5 e; and Elizabeth McDougall. wartime and those who have Trevor and Penny Cheetham. 16 Daniel and Tammy Priest mission part - defended us, and pray for defense 5 Church and Nation committees ners (APWM) workers from personnel, overseas and at home and preparing and circulating statements Westlakes, NSW in PNG with the work of our full-time (2 RAN, 3 on moral and other public issues – Pioneers involved in medical ministry. Army, 1 RAAF) and 10 part-time Conveners Stefan Slucki, GAA, Peter 17 Students and staff at the Presbyterian chaplains. Greiner; NSW, Les Percy Qld, David Theologlcal Centre, Burwood, Sydney. 26 Pray for the students and staff of Palmer, Vic., and Rod Waterhouse, John Davies principal. Brisbane Boys College (Graeme Tas. 18 Reservoir charge Melbourne with McDonald principal) Clayfield 6 Pray for the Interim moderator, about 90 c&a, 45 yf and 6 e; Ross and College (Brian Savins), Somerville preachers and filling of the vacancy in Sue Tucker. House (Ness Goodwin) and Sunshine Trundle charge; NSW. Including 19 Nicky Stock mission partners Coast Grammar School (Nigel Tottenham and Tullamore with about (APWM) worker from Mitchelton, Fairbairn) conducted by the 75 c&a, 45 yf and 5 e. Brisbane in South Asia with Presbyterian and Methodist Schools 7 Jason and Renee Budden mission part - Interserve, nursing children with Association. ners (APWM) workers from Dalby learning disabilities. 27 Wandoan home mission station Qld Qld with WEC International involved 20 Church Extension plans in the Bass with about 15 c&a, 4 yf and 1 e; in drug rehabilitation, who lost all presbytery, northern Tasmania – min - Laurie and Gwen Peake. their goods in the Marysville bushfire. istry in the rural midlands, the 28 Campbelltown charge; NSW with 8 Pray for the Interim moderator, Prospect area of Launceston and the about 115 c&a, 40 yf and 3 e. Jim and preachers and filling of the vacancy in expansion of a small work in Burnie.

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 ...... 30 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 BOOKS

with opponents of the Christian faith. murdered by a gang of Muslim thugs. Margaret Sanger declared that “no As a seeker after God, Botross would Books woman can call herself free who does use a razor to cut his toe whenever he not own and control her own body ”. felt remorse over sin, but by 1964 he The Harvard Genetics Professor, had come to embrace a more biblical Richard Lewontin, is of a similar ilk, and evangelical understanding of justifi - The Devoted Life: and asserts: “We exist as material beings cation by faith. Even the early Fathers, An Invitation to the Puritan in a material world ... We cannot allow notably Cyril of Jerusalem, helped him a Divine Foot in the door. ” Then there in this regard. This led to his being Classics is Richard Rosenblatt’s pronouncement suspended by his church in 1968 and Ed. Kelley M. Kapic and Randall C. Gleason IVP: 2004 that God does not take sides between again in 1978. At times one wonders Reviewed by Stuart Bonnington Islam and Christianity. Against this, the about what Robinson tells us about apostle John tells us: “Whoever has the Botross, notably his miracles, and his Son has life; whoever does not have personally painting a giant icon of eard of the Puritans? Want to learn the Son of God does not have life ” (1 Christ in Brighton in England. One Hmore about them and from them Jn 5:12). Ryken proves himself an can only wince at the somewhat pre - while wishing to remain a Christian in insightful guide through the minefield dictable and corny ending: “If God has the 21st Century? If so this is the book of competing claims in our confused done such extraordinary things through for you. The Devoted Life gives the modern world. His style and grasp of an ordinary person like Zakaria, He can reader an introduction to the Puritans in each subject make for easy but stimu - certainly do the same through you!” general and then by way of individual lating reading. Yet, for all that, Botross’ website has chapters on key works of Puritan writers, attracted thousands of Muslims, and leads us into the vast spiritual wealth that Peter Barnes is books editor of AP apparently won thousands to the the Purtians have thereby left to the on- gospel. He has also attracted numerous going generations of the Christian Defying Death: death threats and mocking replies. I Church. looked up one Islamic website which Many chapters stand out, some on well Zakaria Botross, warned “Beware of the dog ”, with known, others on less known works. Apostle to Islam Botross’ face superimposed over that of Look at The Parable of the Ten Virgins by Stuart Robinson a dog. Not very clever and not very Thomas Shephard (1605-1649) by R.C. Upper Mt Gravatt: subtle, but an indication, one hopes, CityHarvest Publications, 2008. Gleason; A Method for Prayer by Matthew that he is being effective in some cir - Reviewed by Peter Barnes Henry (1662-1714) by J. Ligon Duncan cles. This is an encouraging book, and III; and Human Nature in its Fourfold one trusts that the Spirit of God is Estate by Thomas Boston (1676-1732) by akaria Botross is a Coptic priest indeed at work in this ministry. P.G. Ryken. The Afterword: The Puritans Zwho has exercised a remarkable and Spiritual Renewal by R.F. Lovelace is ministry in Egypt, Australia, England, All books reviewed are available from the also very valuable. There is so much in this and the world by means of his much- Reformers Bookshop – Phone: (02) 9569 book to feed the soul and inspire fresh used website. His half-brother was 9857 or visit www.reformers.com.au ap love for the Lord Jesus Christ, it is there - fore highly recommended.

Stuart Bonnington is minister of Scot’s Kirk, Fremantle, WA. He Speaks to Me Everywhere Philip Graham Ryken Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2004. Reviewed by Peter Barnes

n this collection of short essays, IPhilip Ryken – James Montgomery Boice’s successor at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia – deals with a variety of subjects : family, sports, sci - ence, social issues, politics, feasts, the Bible, church history, and the magazine Christianity Today . In little more than 200 pages we find biblical fidelity, com - mon sense, insight, and food for thought and action. Ryken has no trouble interacting

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009 • 31 BACK PAGE Doctrine bears repeating Evangelicals need to brush up on basic Christian teachings.

e have now sunk to a depth churches. More than ever, Christians at which restatement of the need to be able to speak intelligently and obvious is the first duty of Charles courageously about the hope that lies intelligent men.” Written in within. ‘W1939, George Orwell’s words might well Colson Personal faith is of course vital, but it is be addressed to the leaders of today’s bib - not sufficient. And yes, doctrine has often lically illiterate church. nal life. The results were so unexpected been taught so that it comes across as dry The most obvious thing to be said that Pew repeated the survey, asking more and dusty. But as Dorothy Sayers noted, about Christianity is that it rests on his - specific questions. The answers were vir - once we grasp what Christian doctrines toric facts: the creation, the incarnation, tually unchanged. Astonishingly, about teach, “The Dogma is the Drama” . and the resurrection. Since our doctrines half believed that everyone, atheists The determination to restore orthodox are truth claims, they cannot be mere included, was going to end up in heaven. faith — the faith “that was once for all symbolism. This is important to remem - Heaven for the godless? That’s the old entrusted” (Jude 1:3) — brought about ber as we celebrate the resurrection, which heresy of universalism. the Reformation, of which we are heirs. A is often clouded by the pageantry of Indifference new emphasis on orthodox doctrine Easter. More than to the truths of could also transform the church and cul - It is obvious to me that doctrine mat - the gospel is seen ture today. ters. Some years ago, I visited Sri Lanka, ever, in many other just after Anglican Bishop David Jenkins Christians spheres, such as ome years ago, I visited Athens and was reported to have dismissed the resur - need to be among those who Smounted the slippery rock called Mars rection as a “conjuring trick with bones” . able to speak champion “deeds, Hill. At the top, I stood where I imagined (It was later revealed that he had been intelligently not creeds” (I do Paul had confronted the Areopagus, the misquoted.) Our ministry leader, who and the deeds of wise men of the cultural center of the escorted me through the country’s pris - courageously prison ministry world. Paul challenged them by referring ons, told me the news had cost many con - because I believe to their own literature and false altars, and about the versions, because Buddhists and Hindus the creeds), and then boldly proclaimed the gospel, con - used it to convince people that hope that in endless discus - cluding that God had raised Jesus from Christianity is based on a mere trick. lies within. sions about new the dead. Clearly, when we stop taking seriously ways to “under - It’s the same message I preach in pris - the historical truths of the church, we stand” or “do” theology. Some embrace ons today. I think it’s far more exhilarat - undermine our witness, often with far- another old heresy, that doctrines must be ing to stand on a belief that has survived reaching consequences. For example, extracted from inward experience—that 2000 years of persecution than to flit from Muslim student groups today proselytise is, personal feelings. That’s a version of one fad to another. with pamphlets asserting that Christians gnosticism. Few people accepted Paul’s invitation worship three Gods: Father, Mother, and Still others want to make Christianity that day to follow Christ. But billions Son. Where did they get that idea? From “fit” the postmodern era or “work out” have followed him ever since, because seventh-century Egyptian Christians who their theology in public, with non- Christ has an unstoppable power. He has gave up on the Bible and embraced this Christians helping to shape the outcome. the power to break Satan’s hold on our heresy. Yes, we need to contextualise the message souls and joyfully transform our lives. Last June, a Pew Forum on Religion so that hearers in a given time and culture Orwell was right: In a crisis, we often and Public Life survey found rampant can grasp the truth we proclaim. But that have a duty to restate the obvious. And doctrinal ignorance among American is radically different from changing the Easter is a good time for Christians to Christians. Fifty-seven percent of evan - definitive, concise summary of Christian remind their doctrinally confused gelicals believed people who follow reli - truth the early church fathers accom - brethren of the obvious truths of gions other than their own can enjoy eter - plished in their councils. Christianity. As one reporter noted, even when The greatest challenge for serious Christians know correct doctrine, they Christians today is not re-inventing Christian Singles are afraid of speaking the truth for fear of Christianity, but rediscovering its core offending others. What right have I to teachings. Any nice singles can join! impose my beliefs on others? is a thought Send for FREE colour brochure: that shapes too many of us believers. From Christianity Today, April 2009, PO Box 122 WALLSEND 2287 This is why J. I. Packer, on his 80th reprinted with permission of Prison Ph/Fax: 02 4955 5445 birthday, said that the greatest challenge Fellowship, P.O. Box 1550, Merrifield, VA www.christiansingles.com.au of evangelicalism is to re-catechise our 22116, www.pfm.org ap

32 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN April 2009