october 2007 Lessons from history

Iain Murray • Addiction • Darwin’s dogma GAA At The Coalface An introduction to Christian Presbyterian Eldership Education $6.60 Including 5 studies on 1 Timothy Resource Making Friends Centre for Life A workbook for friendship evangelism PTC Media, 10 studies in Philippians 684 Elgar Road, $8.50 Box Hill North 3129 Phone: 0400 880 515 The best selling Email: ptcmedia@ Westminster presbyteriancollege.org Confession of Faith for the (Please make all 21st Century — cheques payable to the Presbyterian Study Edition Church of Victoria) $15 + $3.50 pp — prepared by DJW Milne, Principal of PTC Melbourne. The Six Pack: for Sessions/Bible study groups 6 copies for $100 posted October 2007 No. 597

HISTORY’S LESSONS Fort Knox: Iain Murray ...... 4 Influential Scot: Mairi Harman ...... 10 editorial Hebridean hero: Peter Barnes ...... 12 s the study of history worthwhile? There has been no shortage of cynics who have questioned its value. Henry REFLECTION Ford is famous for his assertion that “history is bunk ”, while Voltaire demonstrated his jaundiced view of the We’re all addicts: Richard Phillips ...... 14 Ipast with his claim “that history is a pack of tricks that we play upon the dead ”. Others give nodding agreement to George BIBLE STUDY Hegel’s belief that the only thing that history teaches is that people and their leaders have learned nothing from history. If 20:20 vision Ford and his ilk are right, then the task of historical enquiry is 20 Bible studies in Psalms 79-89 and 2 Peter ...... 15 a fruitless exercise which yields nothing of lasting value. Fortunately, not everyone has succumbed to such despair NEWS about history. George Ladd reminds us that “the uniqueness of the Christian religion rests in the mediation of revelation 21 Across ...... through historical events ”. Clearly, in Ladd’s mind, the fact Around the World ...... 22 that God broke into our world in the incarnation of Christ is confirmation that history, especially those events involving 24 On the Agenda ...... God’s work of redemption, is enormously important. Other Christian scholars have endorsed this view, albeit CHURCH for various reasons. Augustine saw history as a valuable disci - Church recycling: Barney Zwartz ...... 26 pline because it vindicated the historical events upon which Christianity is based. Bede believed that history had a didac - CULTURE WATCH tic function and helped believers to make better decisions and to act more honourably. Darwin’s dogma: Michael Ireland ...... 27 Earlier, of course, the apostle Paul told the Corinthians that learning from the mistakes of others through the study BOOKS ...... 28 of history is a lot cheaper and less painful than making them ourselves (1 Corinthians 10:6, 11). He later informed the Too Wise to be Mistaken, Too Good to be Unkind: Cathy Steere church in Rome that history was meant for “our learning” My Seventh Monsoon: Naomi Reed (Romans 15:4). While modern historians are sometimes reluctant to mine Let Christ be Magnified: J. H. Merle d’Aubigne the past for contemporary spiritual guidance, Christian his - An Exposition of the Epistle of St Paul to the Colossians: torians of previous ages have shown no such hesitation. In this issue of AP we share their optimism that we have much John Davenant to learn from other periods of church history. For one thing, we can discover particular principles which will help us to PRAYER ...... 30 spread the power and the influence of the gospel throughout our nation once again . Further, history serves to remind us LETTERS ...... 31 that in an age where the influence of the church has been mar - ginalised , the way forward is to “Remember the height from ESSAY which you have fallen !” (Revelation 2:5). ap Alone before God: Peter Barnes ...... 32 Peter Hastie

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AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 • 3 HISTORY ’ S LESSONS Fort Knox The Scottish tradition provides a titanic legacy.

he Rev . Iain Murray was born in vast amount that we can learn when we Lancashire, England, in 1931, edu - Iain Murray plunge into old books . One of the things cated in the Isle of Man and at the talks to I have discovered from reading literature University of Durham , and from earlier periods is that where there eTntered the Christian ministry in 1955. Peter Hastie has been great spiritual blessing and He served as an assistant to Dr Martyn power in former times, Christians have Lloyd-Jones at Westminster Chapel history and their relevance for today. usually written lots of books about it. This (1956-59), at Grove Chapel, is certainly the case with respect to (1961-69) , and St Giles Presbyterian Iain, you say in your book, A Scottish . Church, Hurstville, in NSW (1981-84). Christian Heritage , that you have Although Iain remains a member of the been significantly influenced by the What is it that’s peculiar about old Presbyterian Church of Australia under reading of Scottish Christian books. books as opposed to new ones? I the Presbytery of Sydney South, he How important is the reading of old mean, somebody could say “Well, the presently lives with his wife, Jean, in books, especially Scottish ones? newer books have the advantage of Colinton, . Iain has a prolific It’s been my experience that while being able to process much of the writing ministry and for many years recent books are extremely valuable, older older literature. Wouldn’t it be more served as the editor of the Banner of ones play a vital role in giving us a broader beneficial to read the newer books?” Truth. He also engages in extensive con - perspective on the whole history of the It’s true that a book is not necessarily ference ministry around the world, partic - gospel and the church. The problem is better because it ’s old. In the past there ularly to pastors and Christian leaders. that contemporary Christian thought is were lots of inferior books so it would be Iain has written a number of significant largely influenced by what we have seen wrong to say , “ I just want to read old books on the Christian life and church and experienced in our own day. If we are books ”. Further, we need to remember history. He is respected for his perceptive to overcome this limitation , we need to that human knowledge and insights have insights on past and modern spiritual get into another era that gives us tests , been developing over time , so that as his - trends within the church. His most recent standards and examples that stretch our tory moves on we can expect to discover book, A Scottish Christian Heritage , minds so that we can assess the present by more. explores key chapters in Scottish church the standards of another age. So, there is a We know that in different periods of

4 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 church history God has revealed certain tury because biographies are a much later isn’t it? It leaves a definite mark on us . aspects of biblical truth with increasing development. Certainly, until the 18th clarity . So the Reformation , for example, century there were very few biographies Why is such a controver - rediscovered the great truths of justifica - or autobiographies in print. David sial figure these days? I mean, tion by faith, the priesthood of all believ - Brainerd’s Life , which was printed in 1758 , although he did so much for Scotland ers, and the doctrines of grace. The was one of the first Christian biographies. they have built a church car-park over Puritan period, with its emphasis on his grave at St Giles Cathedral! experimental Christianity, was particularly Is Scottish church history special in a I recently gave an address on John interested in the nature of true conver - way that other church history is not? Knox to some young people in sion. Puritans were concerned that many I mean, why have you specifically Edinburgh, and unbeknown to me there people who thought they were Christians chosen Scottish church history? was a lecturer from the university present. weren’t really converted at all . So, they In my preface to A Scottish Christian As soon as I had finished he was on his explored the question, “what is real con - Heritage I say that what makes Scottish feet claiming that Knox had persecuted version? What are the evidences of it? church history so valuable is not some - the Catholics. Naturally, it is impossible What is the difference between a real thing distinc - to consider Knox apart from his relations assurance and a false one? ” In that area , tively Scottish, to the Catholic Church. the Puritans are still the leaders. but something With people First, there is no doubt that the However, I am not sure that the that is true of all who have Reformation involved both spiritual and Puritans would necessarily be regarded as significant peri - political issues . As a movement, the experienced the best commentators on the Biblical ods of church Reformation was inevitably political in so books. They have their peculiar strengths, history. I am tremendous far as the Roman Church claimed control but I would not necessarily regard Puritan certainly not suffering, there over governments and armies. The Pope commentaries as the best available, unless, claiming that is often a real wanted the Queen of England, Elizabeth, of course, we were thinking of a particular the Scottish mark of spiri - deposed as monarch. So Christians who commentary on a book of the Bible. people have tual power in were Protestants were forced to some some unique their writings. extent into a political arena. Knox himself If that is the case, why does the contribution to suffered and was persecuted. So, patrio - Banner of Truth publish so many the field of tism and the gospel were interwoven, and Puritan commentaries? church history . that wasn’t always to the advantage of the Well, the Banner certainly publishes Nevertheless, there have been certain gospel . numbers of Puritan commentaries, but eras in Scotland’s history where John In my experience, I have discovered largely for pastoral reasons. When we Knox talks about “God raining men from that when people are opposed to Knox it publish a commentary by David Dickson heaven ” in which the Spirit of God was so is often because of a caricature of Knox on the Psalms we do so for a specific rea - powerfully at work that what happened that they have in mind. In some perverse son. We see pastoral value in a re-issue like and its after-effects are still moving read - way John Knox becomes the fall-guy for this because volumes like Dickson’s are ing . I remember that George Whitfield everything they dislike or despise about usually the results of the authors ’ preach - once commented about John Bunyan that Christianity . Some of the recent biogra - ing through these books. For this reason his writings have the smell of prison on phies about Knox, like Elizabeth they are very helpful to other preachers them. With people who have experienced Whitley’s The Plain Mr Knox , paint a because they are often so suggestive. tremendous hardship and suffering , there human and realistic picture of the man, Their one drawback is that they are usu - is often a real mark of spiritual power in which removes the caricature to some ally quite long and pastors find it difficult their writings which is not commonly extent . Helping people to see beyond the to get through them . However, we need found in other works. In other words, caricature is one of the first things we have to remember that they were written for their writings reveal that they were living to do to make people understand what people in the pew because they were orig - close to Christ and that they were men of John Knox was really like. inally preached in that context. prayer. There is a fragrance about their Obviously, newer commentaries are writing that continues to this day; and How did those early Reformers, like needed, and the has while some modern books have this spe - Patrick Hamilton and John Knox, published a couple of series of more mod - cial quality, it is not very common today. differ from many modern historians ern commentaries. What we need to in their view of the controversy in remember is that 19th century commen - Is this why there is some special qual - which they were involved? tators were writing more for ministers and ity that attaches to works by people The main difference is that they had a were therefore more succinct. They have like John Knox, Robert Bruce and very clear spiritual perspective which is tended to deal more directly with the orig - Robert Murray McCheyne? missing in many of the modern historians. inal languages. So, if you want more Yes, most definitely. The well -known They understood the events of their times detailed exegesis then you are more likely preacher Spurgeon said that he thought in terms of what Paul writes about in to find it in a 19th or 20th century com - that The Life of Robert McCheyne by Ephesians 6 , “ We wrestle not against flesh mentator rather than a 17th century one. Andrew Bonar is the best ministerial biog - and blood but against principalities, pow - Puritan commentators were focusing raphy that was ever written. Why? I think ers and spiritual forces of evil .” They real - more on application and how to use the it’s uplifting and moving because when ized that the conflict wasn’t simply about truths that had been revealed. you put it down you feel that you want to different views and opinions, but that Naturally, if you are looking for a biog - be a better Christian and more devoted to Satan is full of enmity against the gospel raphy you wouldn’t go to the 17th cen - Christ. That’s the test of a good book, and the church. They understood that the

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 • 5 HISTORY ’ S LESSONS

sufferings that they experienced were due people had to be free to hear the gospel mentioned in my book how when Knox to Satan’s hostility to the message of the and respond to it. Then, at the other level, was in conflict with the University of St gospel and the Spirit’s work in believers’ transformation had to take place on a Andrews, he told Christians to beware of lives. social or institutional level. Here Knox the universities and to make sure that Men like Patrick Hamilton, who were saw the need for schools and literature as Christ was put first in education. I think put to death, were at peace in their con - well as a system of law and government his views are very relevant today because sciences because they were suffering for that was based on God’s moral law. we often think that the way to gain influ - Christ’s sake. Today’s historians under - The first level of change was funda - ence with the world is to make sure that stand the events of the Reformation as mental. The Reformation only succeeded we have the right credentials and that we though they are simply a clash of different because large numbers of people became have ensured that our leaders have a uni - views and different beliefs. As far as the Christians and were profoundly con - versity education. However , while a uni - Reformers were concerned , the truths of verted. These versity education can certainly expand our the gospel are a matter of life and death, individuals then knowledge we must always keep Christ and a person had to know that Christ is The became a catalyst absolutely central in our understanding. the Redeemer, the only Saviour, Mediator, Reformation for change at a and that one’s life had to be lived for and only wider level. The Knox was a person who, in a sense, in Him. Unless a person believed that , succeeded reality of their was ahead of his times in that he had then the Reformers believed that he was because large conversions an international standing. Is that a on the broad road to destruction, regard - meant that they significant aspect of his leadership? less of his station in life. numbers of became a potent I am sure it was. One sees God’s prov - people became social force. In idence in Knox’s personal development Today most social reformers place Christians Jesus’ words, they and experiences , especially in the fact that their hopes for social transformation and were became “salt ”. Of Knox was compelled to spend so many in economic and political processes. profoundly course, there years outside of Scotland. He became a As a reformer himself, how does converted. were many nomi - prisoner in 1547 -48, and then was not Knox differ from others who want to nal believers as back in Scotland until 1559. Meanwhile , change the status quo? well. However , he was in England and in Europe. He I think Knox had a vision for reforma - the strength of the social force that they made friendships with Christians in all tion that worked at two levels. On one represented was due to the profound these countries. He was influential in level, he believed that the individual had to change that came over large sections of ensuring that the Geneva Bible, which was be transformed by the gospel if there was the population through powerful preach - produced in Geneva, became the Bible of to be any appreciable change in the direc - ing and the reading of Scripture. Scotland and the Bible of England too. So tion and quality of his life. This meant that Knox’s involvement in the wider interna - Although Knox is not a popular fig - tional Christian community was all - ure today, are there specific lessons important, and saved Scotland from an PREZRA from his life that we can learn from inward-looking provincialism . School of and appropriate for our ministry Theology today? We get the impression that the forces and PCA Ministries Probably one of the first things that of the Reformation were triumphant stand out was the seriousness with which in Scotland during the period of Please COME OVER and HELP US he took Christ’s command, “Fear not Knox and culminating with the in Adelaide and South Australia those who can kill the body, but fear Him Scottish Confession. Is that a real pic - who has the power to cast into hell. ” The ture of what was really going on? Did We need Ministers and Home Missionaries fear of God was a great reality to Knox, Knox ever really triumph? to come to Churches without a Pastor who will preach the Gospel, care for the flock and the practical effect of that was that his Well, that opens a big subject. As I have and reach out in Evangelism. attempts to bring about change in peo - already mentioned, the situation in Otherwise, come to Adelaide and study at ple’s lives were not grounded on what was Scotland was rather complicated because the PREZRA School of Theology and get regarded as expedient. there were all sorts of political and spiri - equipped in the Bible and the Christian Knox was principled. He believed in tual cross-currents which fed into the Faith for Practical Christian service. Prepare the clear-cut preaching of the truth – with movement for the Reformation. France, to become a Home Missionary, or a resident Supply Preacher, or a PCA Lay Ministries tenderness , yes, and with compassion – which was Roman Catholic, had tried to Worker. but with boldness and directness to the dominate Scotland. However, part of the PREZRA courses are FREE. They include the conscience. Further, he preached without motive for becoming Protestant in the Australian College of Theology’s ThA fear of consequence, which in his case eyes of many was that they now had a (Associate In Theology) and the Advanced could have involved death or imprison - means of throwing off French influence. Diploma of Theology (ThL) Diplomas, as well ment. This fearlessness and lack of con - So while many gave their support to the as the Home Missionary Certificate (HMCertif) and PREZRA’s Certificate of cern for his personal safety is what I find Reformation, it was not always for the Biblical Studies for lay workers. so striking, and, to a considerable extent, same spiritual reasons. Knox was very is missing in the modern church. painfully aware of this. He knew that the Contact: PREZRA / PCA Ministries I think Knox’s attitude is related to the reform movement was by no means wide - for 2007 Handbook: Rev Dr Reg Mathews fact that he lived prayerfully in the pres - spread. For instance, in the 1560s the [email protected] ence of God and gave very little weight to Scottish parliament made the small (08) 83 95 78 41 human opinions. In that connection, I Reformed congregations by legislative

6 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 decree the . By the the country Protestant that meant that all look back to was the Middle Ages and the sheer stroke of a pen more than 1000 the university lecturers theoretically had early fathers , whom they read carefully. parishes became the Church of Scotland to be Protestant. However , government That was certainly helpful to the Reformed. However, at the time there decrees don’t change people’s convic - Reformers and formed the basis for their simply weren’t the ministers or people to tions; many of these lecturers were only renewed understanding of the gospel. make up such churches. Naturally, this Protestant in name. St Andrews However, we need to remember that we introduced into the life of Scotland a University was very divided. The majority now possess a tremendous wealth and nominal sort of Christianity which of the faculty would really have favored heritage that they didn’t have. The strug - became a cause of controversy through all the old religion in all likelihood, whereas gle for the gospel in the 16th century of the following centuries. It just goes to only one college (and probably no more involved so much suffering that at times show that it’s impossible to create a than one) would have been in favour of people must have wondered whether the church by parliamentary decree. the Reformation. Gradually men with whole thing was going to be lost. But the Reformed convictions came into the uni - Reformers stood their ground and estab - So, from the very beginning, the so- versities in Edinburgh , St Andrews, and lished a new direction in biblical studies called Reformed Church was always later on in Glasgow. and theology that led to the formation of faced with enormous forces that were strong churches and the spreading of the unfriendly to its spiritual goals? gospel in unexpected ways around the Yes; and the same was true in England, world. which gave rise to the Puritans. We have the We also have the advantage of modern advantage of communications and transport in spread - Well, does this teach us any lessons modern com - ing the message of the gospel. Access to about how we define success in min - munications... one another and information is now istry and the likelihood of conflict but errors now almost instantaneous. However, that and controversy within the church? travel around strength is accompanied by the disadvan - Well, one of the Puritans said , “ They tage that errors now travel around the the world in are the best ministers who take most peo - world in mere seconds. The church all ple to heaven. ” And it’s in terms of the mere seconds. over the world today is struggling with eternal fruitfulness of a ministry that we the same kind of controversies that have have to judge. There are temporary dogged believers in previous generations , effects, but the long -term effects, the Knox is often portrayed as a tyrant. Is only these errors can be disseminated truly eternal effects , are the ones that our that a fair assessment of him? How throughout every continent with incredi - Lord speaks about so frequently. did he think of himself? ble speed. In the 16th century countries Remember His warning, “On that day Well, the way to understand Knox is to were much more isolated , and it was pos - many will come to me and say, ‘Lord, read his letters, and the strange thing is sible to get on with gospel ministry with - Lord, have we not preached in Your that although most people think of him as out being bombarded with falsehood and Name, have we not worked miracles …?’.” a great preacher, we have only one sermon error. Today we are under real bombard - So, Christ speaks of those working of his in print. However, there are scores ment from heresies and we need special miracles and casting out evil spirits, but it of letters. wisdom to distinguish between what is all comes to nothing in the end. This really true and important and what isn’t. means that successful ministry has to do Where do you get a hold of the let - with leading people to Christ and building ters? What are some of the traditions that them up in Christ. That is the supreme They should be re-printed. John we enjoy today that weren’t around thing. Paul says , “ What is our rejoicing Knox’s works were printed in six volumes in Knox’s day? What should our atti - but that we are with you on the day of during the 1850s. Sadly, they have never tude be towards tradition in the Christ Jesus? ” So, I think it’s getting that been re-published . Presbyterian Church? eternal view of things that has to be our measuring-stick, and this is the standard What, since 1850? by which we ought to judge the work of I don’t think so, no. Selections maybe. the Reformers. One of the problems is that the first two volumes are written in what’s called Visiting So, when people talk about the nation “Scots” or “Middle Scots” , which isn’t of Scotland turning to God at the easy to read. The rest is in much plainer time of the Reformation… English so people can understand. But in Melbourne? It’s a great overstatement. Parts of the his letters, written to his mother -in -law Worship with us at South country were not touched until 200 years and others, there is a helpfulness and a Yarra Presbyterian Church later. tenderness which show him to be a real 621 Punt Road counselor. He was by no means the stern, Every Sunday Can you tell us something about the cold figure that he is made out to be. universities of Scotland at the time of 10.30am & 5.30pm. the Reformation, and their attitudes What advantages does the church Session Clerk: towards the Christian faith? Has any - have today that Knox didn’t have? Mr Jack Adlawan thing changed? The church in Knox’s day had a lower Phone: (03) 9808 7391 When the Scottish parliament made horizon than we do today. All it could (Less than 3 kms from CBD)

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 • 7 HISTORY ’ S LESSONS

I am glad you brought this up because the danger has been, especially for movement. Men such as Knox were I think it’s an important issue. younger men, to think that when they see clothed in the power of the Holy Spirit Well, there are two things to be said. deadness in the church it must be attrib - like the first apostles. Their great concern The first is that a church’s tradition is not uted to tradition. in ministry was that they would experi - an issue of supreme importance. We Personally, I think it is best to be slow ence the power of the Holy Spirit. They believe that if people are born of the Spirit to discard traditions . I find that people understood what Paul meant when he of God then they belong to the body of who are quick to say “we believe only the said, “the kingdom of God is not in word, Christ. And this body of Christ is one in Bible ” are often superficial. They don’t but in power ”. all the world. So, in that sense I don’t understand where our traditions have Our great danger today is we think that think that denominational traditions, come from, how they have developed, and if we have well-constructed sermons and which represent different ways of giving how valuable they have been to the the appropriate form of words then we expression to certain elements of church church. Of course, at the end of the day will have good preaching. But there is life, are matters of supreme importance. our conscience has to be bound by more to preaching than just words; there Having said that, I still believe that tra - Scripture, but if we belong to denomina - is a spiritual dimension as well. Preaching dition plays a significant role in a denom - tions then it’s good to be loyal to their tra - should do something to people’s hearts . If ination’s life. While we all should be Spirit-empowered preaching was more agreed on the essentials of the gospel , we widespread today , I am sure that more know that Christians don’t think alike on Knox in one Christians would be discontented with every point of Scripture. We all come from just one sermon on the Lord’s Day. I different historical contexts which mean hour was able believe that if such preaching was more that occasionally we won’t agree on dif - to put more typical, Christians would be asking, “why ferent aspects of church practice. life into peo - can’t we have more? ” People sat up until I happen to believe that those of us ple than 500 midnight in the early church. Why? who share in the heritage of the trumpets blow - Because there was something in the Reformed and Presbyterian churches ing continually preaching that was gripping them. If peo - have some great traditions. We may not in their ears. ple are reluctant to come to church today, be able to proof-text all those traditions perhaps part of the reason may be that from the Bible , but we know that, for the preachers sometimes give the impression most part, those traditions have been that they are not ministering in the power adopted as a result of careful considera - ditions insofar as they don’t require us to of the Holy Spirit . If people were being tion and after much reflection on disobey the Bible. Certainly, as far as feasted they would say, “we want more ”. Scripture. This is why I believe it’s folly is concerned , we would So, if God helps us to be better preachers , for people to think that because a thing is need to be very sure before we put aside I think consequences will follow. We are traditional then it has to be old hat. In our practices that have been honoured over not seeing as much as we ought to see in Presbyterian code we have got a lot of such a long period of history. the modern church . wise tradition and many within the church find it painful when much of it is How significant was Knox’s preach - What does Knox’s ministry, as well as just ignored. In Scotland, for example, ing in actually advancing the the ministry of those who followed Reformation cause in Scotland? him like Robert Bruce, tell us about It was very significant. This is probably the kind of expectations we should the most remarkable thing about Knox – have with respect to struggle and suf - that one sermon delivered in one place fering in the ministry? Visiting could have such an effect. There were all I think Knox’s ministry is a reminder Outback these occasions at St Andrews , Sterling to us that the victories we gain are never and other places where people were on the permanent victories because the battle is Qeensland? verge of abandoning the Reformation ongoing. Sometimes it seems as though cause. The English ambassador once said the church is on the verge of making huge that Knox in one hour was able to put advances and then disastrous things hap - ?:? more life into people than 500 trumpets pen. That happened on a great scale in the Worship with us at blowing continually in their ears. 19th century . At the very point when the Unfortunately, we have only got one Free Church of Scotland seemed to be Charleville sermon of Knox in print, but when we carrying everything before it, with some St James Presbyterian Church read it we realise that Knox was not just an of the most able theologians in its faculty 76 Galatea St, Charleville, QLD orator or clever speaker; he was a man and with a powerful, worldwide mission - who was filled with the power and author - ary program, there was a counter -attack ity of the Holy Spirit. He was preaching from the forces of darkness, and within 50 : under the same influence as the apostles years the church was a shadow of its for - Worship Service Peter and Paul. When Knox was asked for mer self. And so, yes, each new generation an explanation of the Reformation in within the church has a battle to fight. If Sunday 9am Scotland he said : “ God gave His Holy we let up, if we fall asleep , we are going to Contact: Rev David Knott Spirit to simple men in great abundance. ” lose ground. This means that real qq(07) 4654 3100 It’s a wonderful quote , isn’t it? That quote Christian ministry is always going to be really summarises the whole Reformation involved in struggle.

8 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 Why should Presbyterians today be among young men. He emphasised that What are some of the abiding lessons acquainted with ? the work of ministry involved a life of that emerge from Chalmers’ life and Well, it ’s not easy for us to gauge why “prayer and the ministry of the word ” ministry? Chalmers had such influence within the (Acts 6:4). God raised him up and gave Chalmers set an important standard church and the wider community . I don’t him that burden and his prayer was for the cultivation of a ’s spiritual believe it was principally related to his answered. life. Each day he fed his own soul by writ - giftedness. I think it had more to do with ing comments on Scripture for his own his character. Thomas Chalmers was an What were Chalmers’ views on how use. In this way he gave a priority to nur - eminent Christian and a true spiritual to best prepare the next generation turing his own walk with God. These leader. The influence that he had on other for the advance of the gospel? notes were later published, although people’s lives in 19th century Scotland Chalmers Chalmers himself never intended them was remarkable to behold. He was a man believed that any for that purpose. His close walk with who preached to large numbers, but one effective ministry God was very apparent in his life, and of his great characteristics was his interest had to be He loved without that his influence would have in and affection for the individual. As a grounded in a people more been far less than it was. So I think parish minister he was outstanding as a deep knowledge Chalmers set a standard for the cultiva - pastor, visiting every home. One of his of Scripture. Our than he loved tion of one’s relationship with Christ famous sayings was , “ A home -going min - usefulness in preaching, and which was quite significant. It may have ister makes a church -going people ”. evangelism and it was because been the one factor above others that One of the main things we learn from pastoral work is he loved explains his influence. Chalmers is that it ’s love for people that fundamentally preaching that lies at the heart of effective pastoral min - tied up with our he loved So, he used to keep an account of his istry. He loved people more than he loved grasp of people so well. thoughts… preaching, and it was because he loved Scripture. Yes, he wrote observations on the preaching that he loved people so well. Someone said, Scriptures he was reading daily. He did There is so much we can learn from men “All Scripture this for quite a few years. Whenever he like Chalmers. The lessons that Chalmers seemed to be transfused into Chalmers. ” was reading his Bible he would be exemplifies are all in the New Testament, In other words, he was very close to the recording his thoughts as he reflected on but sometimes we don’t see them in the word of God. However, in addition to his the passage. I am not sure how he got New Testament until someone else saturation with the word he had a pro - time to do all of that considering every - reminds us of them. Then the New found sense of God’s presence. This thing else he needed to do. Nevertheless Testament becomes more meaningful to should have a profound effect on our he did it. Perhaps one of the things we us. characters. We are not simply to be need to do is deliberately concentrate on learned (we have to be in the right sense), a few things and do them well. We are When he became a minister the but more than that we have to be godly. often preoccupied with more things church was at a low ebb, but towards We certainly see this combination in than we can handle properly. It’s the the end of his life the church in Chalmers. The students that he trained, pace of life. And that is why reading Scotland had undergone a strong and he trained large numbers of them people like Chalmers challenges us to revival. What was his contribution? (some for work at home, some for mis - ask ourselves, “am I really putting first Well, he played a very big part in that sionaries) , had that stamp upon them. things first? ” ap turnaround from a human point of view. He had a vision for the revival of the church. He wasn’t prepared to accept the status quo. He himself was a minister 1SFTCZUFSJBO ǰFPMPHJDBM $PMMFHF before he was actually converted, and he believed that there were other ministers in A greatgrreateat learninglearning environmenteenvirronmentonment with a spiritualspiritual the same spiritual condition . This sad sit - ethos arisingarising fromfrromomm a full commitmentcommitment toto the uation had arisen because at the time of Scriptures.Scripturreses. the Reformation there were too many Join us forfor InformationInnformation NightNight on parishes to fill and so few qualified people OctOct 26th. FindFindd out howhow toto traintrain forfor who were properly equipped to pastor congregations. cross-culturalcross-culturall ministry;ministry; commencecommence Again, in the 18th century there were theologicaltheological studystuudy either atat bachelor many men who served as ministers in levellevel or mastersmasters level;level; prepareprepare forfor Scotland who were not biblically qualified full-time ministry;minnistry; developdevelop youryour to conduct an actual gospel ministry. ministryminnistry skillsskills They simply fulfilled a few perfunctory duties and then spent most of their week t ''VVVMMUJNFMMUJNF t 11BBSBSUSUUUJNFUJNF amusing themselves in a range of different pastimes which had nothing to do with t &&WWFOJOHFOJOH t **OOOUFOTJWUFOTJWF gospel work. So, Chalmers had a great burden to help men recover a sense of (03) 9898 938938484 wwww.presbyteriancollege.orgwww.pr.presbyteeriancollege.org calling to the ministry, and to impress that 684 ElgarElgar RRdd BoxBooxx HillHiill NthNth VicVic 3129 info@[email protected]@presbresbbyytteriaeriancollege.orrgg

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 • 9 HISTORY ’ S LESSONS Influential Scot A towering figure in early Melbourne set many examples.

ames Forbes, the first minister to Forbes’ manse was the second brick build - settle in Melbourne, became a ing in Melbourne. greatly admired and hugely influen - Immediately he arrived he showed that tial man as a tiny village grew into a Mairi he had come as a Christian pastor and that Jmetropolis. Harman he was devoted to carrying out an evan - I need to tell you something about gelical ministry. Some early setbacks James Forbes and Melbourne before deal - didn’t deter him. Access to a communal ing with lessons from his life for today. He While at sea Forbes took turns in church building was denied, and so he and was the first of 10 children born to Peter preaching and he and other teachers gave the group of worshippers he gathered and Margaret Forbes, though five of those classes daily to the children of emigrants. decided to build their own church in died in childhood. The family lived in the Because some passengers succumbed to Melbourne. By the end of the year their New Braes Farmhouse near Alford, just scurvy , the Portland had an extended stay church and school were functioning well. over 40 kilometres west of , in Albany. Because of this he developed a The Presbyterian cause went from Scotland. His home was a sturdy stone deep interest in Western Australia that he strength to strength. Many crossed from one and it is still in use today. maintained for the rest of his life. After Tasmania at this time, about 1000 came Forbes was a clever boy (a lad o’ pairts, about one month in Sydney he finally overland from Sydney, while numerous as we Scots say) and after being taught in arrived in Melbourne on the steamer others arrived from Britain. the parish school, he completed his educa - Forbes happened to be the first minis - tion in Aberdeen. He enrolled in the arts ter of any denomination in Melbourne. course at university in Aberdeen in 1826 When Forbes He realised the need to get local support, when he was only 13 years old. It is likely arrived but also that more ministers were needed that he acted as a tutor during his student Melbourne was quickly for the growing population. By days , as by doing that he had access not just a village the end of the year he was appealing to the only to a lovely home in which to stay but with a handful Colonial Committee of the Church of also access to a good library. On comple - of huts and Scotland for more clergymen. Forbes tion of his first degree he enrolled as a described the type of person that was divinity student. two wooden needed — committed evangelical pastors, As the divinity sessions were particu - houses that men who put Christian ministry before larly short, especially at Aberdeen, stu - served as wages, and who were happy to spend and dents also could teach. Employing divin - hotels. be spent in the service of Christ. He ity students meant too that there was not added the caveat that if possible they a shortage of teachers. The Bible and the James Watt on 20 January 1838. should be married men who could ride a Shorter Catechism remained the most When Forbes arrived Melbourne was horse! important textbooks in parish schools in just a village with a handful of huts and Scotland until the mid-19th century. two wooden houses that served as hotels. orbes’ second great concern was to The first land sales had been held just two Fprovide schooling. Within five big change came in Forbes’ life months before when a hundred half acre months of arriving in Melbourne he wrote Athrough the time he spent from 1832 blocks were sold for £2500. Land in the to the Colonial Secretary in Sydney about to 1835 teaching at the Royal Grammar rest of the Port Phillip District was very the need for education of all the young School at Colchester , in the south of suitable for newcomers because the people in Melbourne and the new districts England. One of his duties was to accom - Aborigines had a practice of setting fire to being settled in the country. By pany the students to church where he lis - the land to improve their food supplies. November that year he had opened his tened to fine evangelical preaching by a Instead of dense forests there were areas first school in the newly built Scots good minister of the . of grasslands. Church (not the present building but one He was converted under that preaching Early Melbourne was a rough place, of its predecessors). He wrote long arti - and returned to Aberdeen to finish his characterised by the absence of women cles in the local papers about education, training for the ministry. This spiritual and the small number of old men. Anyone and drew upon his own experience of change affected all that he did during the over the age of 30 was considered old. It teaching in England and Scotland. From rest of his life. also lacked a water supply and useable 1838 till his death in 1851, he was contin - Forbes was ordained by the Glasgow roads. Consideration was even given to ually active in founding schools. His most Presbytery on 29 June 1837 for work in using a punt or two for transporting peo - enduring legacy is Scotch College, the the Port Phillip District of Australia. He ple and goods in Elizabeth Street in win - school he planned but did not live to see left from Greenock on 24 July on the bar - ter! Six months after Forbes’ arrival there open. que Portland along with eight other clergy - were 300 houses for 1800 people, and In writing about education Forbes con - men, including Dr . within 12 months 500 for 3000 people. stantly made the point that education was

10 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 much more than just imparting knowl - tral aspects of cultural life in early disease, a complete change in diet, and edge. For him it involved setting out the Melbourne. rum all took their toll. principles of action and the formation of The fourth area in which he set an In his preaching and writing Forbes character. To achieve that, he maintained, example was his attitude to the encouraged the support of missionary Christian teachers were needed who Aborigines, his support for them, and his activities to the Aborigines, such as the could with all the other subjects also teach desire to see them being reached with the Baptist Yarra Aboriginal Mission, or the the Bible and impress on the children the gospel. He knew about the Aborigines Wesleyan one at Buntingdale on the need to follow biblical precepts. and their need from Dr John Dunmore Barwon, just outside the present town of The third area of concern for him was Lang even before Birregurra. general involvement in community affairs. he left Scotland, What do we see in James Forbes that Because of his participation in many phil - and probably had Because of his should stimulate us in our Christian wit - anthropic activities he became very popu - read a sermon by participation ness today? A devoted Christian who lar not only with Presbyterians but also Rev. William in philan - gave himself wholeheartedly to his pri - with many in the wider community. He Hamilton of thropy he mary task as evangelist and pastor, a keen put himself wholeheartedly into many Goulburn advo - advocate of Christian schools and an good causes, even though the first signs of cating mission became very example in his zeal in establishing them, illness (probably tuberculosis) were work among the popular not someone with real understanding of the beginning to appear. Aborigines. From only with needs of the wider population and ready the outset he Presbyterians participation in many community inter - is interests were varied and his activ - showed that he but the wider ests, and a defender of the Aborigines and Hities time -consuming. He and his didn’t believe the community. the need to reach out to them in Christian wife gave accommodation to many young Aborigines were love and concern. single Scots who arrived as immigrants , degraded or of Forbes’ gravestone can still be seen in then moved into the country. He was a lower intelligence. In fact, the record of the Melbourne General Cemetery on the frequent visitor of those in need, and his first school lists two aboriginal chil - northern side of the University of helped to establish the first hospital in dren as prize winners, which suggests that Melbourne. Part of the inscription sums Melbourne. Sensing the absence of good probably more were enrolled in addition up his life: “Amidst bodily weakness he reading in most homes, he established a to these two. was abundant in his labors for many years. library that was moved around country The number of Aborigines in the Port A man of inflexible integrity. A minister towns. For relaxation he took part in the Phillip District was estimated as 15,000 in of untiring devotedness.” Debating Society, of which he was vice- 1838, but by 1840 Forbes thought that president, and it formed one of the cen - only 1500 to 2000 were left. Introduced Dr Mairi Harman is a church historian. ap

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 • 11 HISTORY ’ S LESSONS Hebridean hero Secular historians are too quick to judge John Paton.

here was a time when the mission - later Peter also died. Paton buried his wife ary exploits of John Gibson Paton and child in the same grave and lamented were legendary in evangelical cir - Peter that Mary Ann had not been left on cles. To evangelicals, he was spo - Aneityum during the rainy season. Paton Tken of in the same breath as William Carey Barnes himself was in a distraught condition, ill and David Livingstone. He even had his with fever, beset with loneliness and grief, portrait painted by Tom Roberts. If his - on 16 April 1858 with his new bride Mary and fearing that he was losing his reason. tory is meant to teach us lessons, what can Ann , to finally reach the southern island Nevertheless, neither Paton’s faith nor his we learn from the life of J. G. Paton? Aneityum on 30 August. Paton’s upbring - courage failed: “I do not pretend to see One lesson is the value of a godly ing clearly paid a large part in his becom - through the mystery of such visitations – upbringing. We never stand alone in life. ing the missionary that he became. wherein God calls away the young, the God has placed us in households, and His God often tests before He blesses. promising and those sorely needed for covenant promises are transmitted Three missionary couples – the His service here; but this I do know and through those households. Mathesons, the Patons, and the Johnstons feel, that in the light of such dispensa - Paton was born on 24 May 1824 near – were sent to occupy the difficult island tions, it becomes us all to love and serve Dumfries in southern Scotland, one of the of Tanna , to the north of Aneityum . All our blessed Lord Jesus so that we may be 11 children of James and Janet Paton. looked promis - ready at His call for death and Eternity. ” James, the father, was a stocking manufac - Modern ing at this stage, turer, and a member of the strict scholarship is and on 1 January aton’s faith was indeed tested in the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Young 1856 John Pfires of adversity. Nor was this the end John remembered the fervent prayers of critical of the Geddie on of the times of troubles. Measles and his father, and the four -mile walk each missionaries Aneityum wrote dysentery epidemics decimated the south - week to public worship. Such an upbring - for destroying in his journal ern islands . Approximately one-third of ing is not looked upon with favour by Melanesian with a thankful the whole population of Aneityum and of many modern historians, and Ron Adams culture. heart: “We have Tanna perished. All in all, the turmoil dur - is one who claims that “For John G. However, scarcely anything ing the period 1859-62 saw the deaths of Paton, the heavenly father was to remain reality is but mercies to three missionaries, three missionary wives an extension of the earthly father – ‘the record. Our trials (including Mrs Paton) and two missionary rather more Lord God of my father’ – whom he so have been few children (including Peter Paton) . Three loved and feared. ” Biographies of complex. and our comforts mission stations were abandoned – two on Christians would be much improved if many.” But the Tanna and one on Erromanga. Paton was biographers ceased to take Sigmund mission was about to suffer a series of learning that it is through tribulation that Freud so seriously. Paton himself recalled hammer blows . we are made useful in the kingdom of God. of his childhood: “We were ruled by love Paton took up work at Port Resolution The wisdom of modern scholarship is far more than by fear. ” on the east coast of Tanna . The heathen critical of the missionaries for being pater - As Paton made his way to Glasgow to Tannese themselves seemed an unattrac - nalistic or worse in their treatment of the begin his theological studies, his father tive peoples , not only to the missionaries. islanders, and of being destructive of walked with him for six miles, weeping Lieutenant Herbert Meade, of the Royal Melanesian culture. However, reality is with emotion, praying fervently, and giv - Navy, considered that the Tannese chiefs rather more complex. While in Australia, ing his son godly counsel. Finally, the time were “the ugliest, the most indecent, the Paton denounced the ill-treatment of the came for the two to part. Paton wrote most grotesque, and the most utterly bar - Aborigines by the white population. The later: “I watched through blinding tears, barous both in appearance and actual fact, novelist-clergyman Charles Kingsley till his form faded from my gaze; and of any people whom we have yet seen. ” believed that the Australian Aborigine then, hastening on my way, vowed deeply Paton too suffered from culture shock: and the African Negro had sunk so low and oft, by the help of God, to live and act “Had I given up my much-beloved work that they would not receive the gospel and so as never to grieve or dishonour such a and my dear people in Glasgow, with so must perish off the face of the earth like father and mother as He had given me.” many delightful associations, to conse - brute beasts. Paton replied that “they who crate my life to these degraded creatures? ” say so blaspheme Human Nature ”. He aton felt the divine call to go to the These feelings soon passed and Paton went on to urge compassion and evange - PNew Hebrides , then wondered if it threw himself into the work. lism for the Aborigines whom, he were only a headstrong wish of his own, Yet he scarcely had time to begin when thought, were dying out: “Australia has before coming to the conclusion that the tragedy struck. On 12 February 1859 but short time to atone for the cruelties of Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20 Paton’s first child, Peter Robson Paton, the past, and to snatch a few more jewels was his “marching orders ”. After being was born, but on 3 March Mary Ann, from amongst them for the Crown of ordained on 23 March 1858, Paton set sail Paton’s young bride, died , and two weeks Jesus our Lord. ”

12 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 From 1866 Paton served on the island The whole enterprise turned sour doubt John Geddie emerges with most of Aniwa. Here he met with some encour - when the Curaçoa reached Port credit from the whole episode, but Paton aging responses, and finally, on 24 Resolution, Paton’s old station on the east need not be demonised. October 1869, the first church on Aniwa coast of Tanna. After giving adequate J. Graham Miller contends that Paton was constituted. Twelve Aniwese were warning so that the natives could move to came to Aniwa a changed man: ‘The admitted to the Lord’s Supper, and the a safe place, Wiseman shelled two villages. severity of the earlier years disappears children of two of them were baptized. A few days later about six native lives were from his speech, his writings and his atti - Paton recorded: “At the moment when I lost when a shell that was being stripped tudes ... Love and gentleness flow from put the bread and wine into those dark for lead suddenly exploded. When news him in all his relationships with the peo - hands, once stained with blood of of this episode reached the Australian ple.’ There is something in this, but also Cannibalism, now stretched out to receive colonies, the press responded with squeals considerable continuity, both in terms of and partake the emblems and seals of the of moral indignation. The Empire love and of severity, between Paton on Redeemer’s love, I had a foretaste of the declared, inaccurately, that over 20 natives Tanna and Paton on Aniwa . joy of Glory that well nigh broke my heart to pieces. I shall never taste a deeper bliss, niwa presented Paton with the usual till I gaze on the glorified face of Jesus Aset of missionary problems. He pub - Himself. ” Later in life, Paton devoted Paton tackled licly denounced infanticide, “the darkest much time and energy in combating the heathenism and most hideous blot on Heathenism ”. kanaka trade, which he denounced as “a immediately Polygamy and wife murder were also con - mere euphemism for South Sea slavery ”. by building his fronted with decisiveness and success. Paton’s style tended to be more con - house on a Modern historians have painted harrow - frontationist than was that of Geddie on ing pictures of missionaries exercising a Aneityum. Heathen religion was not par - sacred site. heavy-handed authority over the native ticularly systematic, but there was a wide - New Hebrideans, but Paton tried to avoid spread belief that sacred men could obtain such a situation. He wrote : “ In all my a piece of the intended victim’s dress or must have been killed on Tanna by work amongst the Natives, I have striven food (such as a banana skin) and cause Wiseman, in addition to those killed by to train them to be self-supporting, and disease by burning it with a special sacred the exploding shell. Finally, John have never helped them where I could leaf. Only presents to the sacred man, Dunmore Lang and Robert Steel organ - train them to help themselves. ” Paton was who would then placate the spirits (nat - ised a public meeting where they read out not keen to become the governor of a new masses) , could cure the victim. Paton Wiseman’s exoneration of the missionar - social order: “I never interfered directly, challenged this belief head on by taking a ies. After that, the excitement began to unless expressly called upon or appealed bite out of three pieces of fruit and giving subside. to. ” the rest to three sacred men who would However, serious divisions appeared In 1875 Paton ordained four elders and then try to kill Paton by nahak (sorcery). for the first time within the mission itself. three deacons on Aniwa, and an unknown The next week Paton returned to them The Presbytery of Sydney held a special number of Aniwese became teachers dur - hale and hearty. meeting at which both Paton and Geddie ing Paton’s stay on Aniwa. The translation Paton tackled heathenism immediately were present. Paton’s record of Geddie’s of the Word of God into the vernacular by building his house on a sacred site. He actions indicates the seriousness of the language was always a missionary priority, banned feasts after worship on the dispute: “Whether the tide of abuse had and in 1899 Paton sailed for Aniwa with Sabbath (Sunday) even though atten - turned my dear fellow-missionary’s head, the New Testament recently published in dances then fell to about two or three. He I cannot tell; but, on being asked to make the Aniwese language. also adopted the tactic of threatening to a statement, he condemned the missionar - Finally, on 28 January 1907 Paton’s leave if the Aniwese were not more ies for acting as interpreters, and wound long and busy life came to an end in responsive. up with a dramatic exclamation that Melbourne. His name has come to be ‘rather than have had anything to do with much extolled in the world of evangelical he Curaçoa affair provides an insight the Curaçoa ‘s visit, he would have had his Protestants and to be much maligned in Tinto Paton’s vigour, and perhaps also hand burned off in the fire ’.” the world of secular historians and his capacity to misinterpret events. The The court applauded Geddie’s speech, anthropologists. mission had presented a memorial to and called on Paton to promise solemnly Commodore Sir William Wiseman of not to have anything to do with a man-of- Dr Peter Barnes is a church historian and H.M.S. Curaçoa on his arrival in war again. Paton was in no mood to agree minister of Revesby Presbyterian Church, Aneityum in August 1865. The missionar - to such a request, and instead reaffirmed NSW. ap ies were convinced that “unless some his right to appeal to Caesar. steps, firm but discriminating, be taken to Those who are keen to condemn mis - convince them (the Erromangans) of sionary work have been quick to rush into British power being employed for the pro - print on this issue. Kerry Howe even Christian Singles tection of British subjects no white man’s writes that Paton was “only too happy to life will be safe. ” The missionary ship, the see the Royal Navy blasting away at the Any nice singles can join! Dayspring , was sent to accompany the treacherous heathen ”. However, Herbert Send for FREE colour brochure: Curaçoa , and it was commonly reported Meade, who was present, recorded that PO Box 122 WALLSEND 2287 Ph/Fax: 02 4955 5445 that there were three Presbyterian mis - Paton wept when he could not bring mat - www.christiansingles.com.au sionaries on board to act as interpreters. ters to a peaceful solution on Tanna. No

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 • 13 REFLECTION We’re all addicts Christians are hooked along with everyone else – but not hopelessly.

an Christians be addicted? I hope, indeed, even the promise, of ulti - always like a question to which I mate deliverance. can give a direct answer, and the Richard Let me say a word of encouragement, answer here is “Yes”. We live in therefore, to all you sin addicts. Maybe it Cbodies, and with hearts and minds, that if Phillips is a substance addiction, like alcoholism, exposed to sin are often brought into or maybe a certain sin that has taken root bondage to those sins. Different people spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under in your flesh, in your mind, in your have different predispositions to addic - sin. I do not understand my own actions. heart. It could be pornography; it could tion. For some it is alcohol, for others it For I do not do what I want, but I do the be vicious speech. In all of these cases, is pornography or nicotine, for yet others very thing I hate… I have the desire to you can be delivered by the power of God it is homosexual lust. So prone are we to do what is right, but not the ability to through Jesus Christ and the working of sinful addictions that we can turn other - carry it out. For I do not do the good I the Holy Spirit. wise good things into bondage, things like want, but the evil I do not want is what I Christians can go beyond the mere chocolate or success in the workplace. keep on doing.” coping offered by groups like Alcoholics So, yes, Christians, like everyone else, can What that Anonymous – groups who offer people become addicted, because as Jeremiah Sinners are means is that we real help but not deliverance. You can be 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all addicted to need to be cured delivered because of the power of God things, and desperately sick.” sin itself. not merely of an available in Jesus Christ. Indeed, all who Let me point out here, however, that addiction but of have come to Jesus are being delivered not If you think when we ask “Can some people be the addiction, just from this sin or that, but from sin addicted?” we run the risk of greatly mis - that is not that of our whole itself. Jesus Christ is leading us out of understanding the nature of sin. true, then lives to sin. Paul our sinful state even now, sanctifying us According to the Bible, not only can sin I invite you went on to progressively so that we are becoming lead to addiction but it always does; not simply to stop explain how he more and more holy. only might we fall into addiction to sin, sinning. came to know we all have done so. Our Lord taught, deliverance from rogressive deliverance from sin is the “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who addiction, what he called “the law of sin Pnormal experience of a growing commits sin is a slave to sin.” It is not and death,” and how we can, too. In Christian. For those areas where we as that every sin leads to an automatic addic - Romans 8, he writes, “For the law of the individuals are particularly under sin’s tion to that sin – although the potential Spirit of life has set you free in Christ influence, we need to turn to God in faith for this ought to fill us with dread. The Jesus from the law of sin and death. For and prayer, asking for a new work of point is that sinners are addicted not just God has done what the law, weakened by power in our lives. In God’s timing, hav - to this sin or that, but to sin itself. the flesh, could not do. By sending his ing waited on the Lord, we will be deliv - If you think that is not true, then I own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and ered. invite you simply to stop sinning. But of on account of sin, he condemned sin in But, even better, the day is coming course, you can’t. In fact, the more you the flesh, in order that the righteous when we will be completely cured, com - try not to sin, the more you will sin. This requirement of the law might be fulfilled pletely delivered, all our loathsome, filthy was the experience of one famous addict in us, who walk not according to the flesh bondage to sin broken, in the light of the to sin, the apostle Paul. He wrote, in but according to the Spirit” (vv. 2-4). glory of heaven. The apostle John wrote, Romans 7:14-19: “We know that the law is Paul means that God sent Jesus Christ looking forward keenly to that day: to remove the guilt of our sin by dying in “When he appears we will be like him, our place, and then sent the Holy Spirit to because we shall see him as he is.” What deliver us from sin’s power. The power glory that will be, to be free, to be like of the Holy Spirit, working in our lives Jesus. Looking forward to it even now Visiting through faith, has the purpose of breaking helps us to break the bonds of our addic - the power of specific sins and ultimately tion to sin. John thus concludes, “And Ballar at? of sin in general. This is why God’s Word everyone who thus hopes in him purifies can say to all who trust in Jesus: “Sin will himself as he is pure” (1 John 3:2-3). Worship with us at Ebenezer have no dominion over you, since you are Presbyterian Church. not under law but under grace” (Rom. Rev. Richard Phillips is the chair of the Every Sunday 10.30 am. 6:14). Law means the working of your Philadelphia Conference on Reformed 214 Armstrong Street South. strength in the flesh, by which there is no Theology and senior pastor of First Rev. Dr John Woodward hope for deliverance. But grace is God’s Presbyterian Church Coral Springs, Margate, Phone: (03) 5334 2909 mighty power, through which we have the Florida. ap

14 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 BEIVBALNE GESTLUISDM Y

ne of the most helpful features of the Psalms for the church today is that they 20:20 look both backwards and forwards. They look back to the lessons of history – what tOhey teach us about God’s character, His promises, vision His methods of dealing with His unreliable people, His church. They look forward to the only possible solution to the dilemma presented by history: How 20 daily Bible st udies in can God be faithful to His promises to His church, Psalms 79-89 and 2 Peter while at the same time remaining true to His warn - ings about punishing rebellion? This solution is the provision of a Saviour – a Messiah King who will be faithful and obedient in everything, and who will suffer the punishment deserved by His church. In many ways the church today is in the same posi - tion as the church was when these Psalms were writ - ten – except we have the advantage of being able to look back on how amazingly God solved the riddle, while they could only peer forward through the shadows to a largely incomprehensible Messianic figure. Like them, we are also looking forward to the time when the Messiah will come in power and might as the final Judge of a wicked world, when all men will bow before Him, and when the church will be seen by all as His beautiful, victorious bride. In the meantime, like them, we struggle with contradic - tions and human frailty, the “now but not yet” sce - nario of the New Testament. Let us learn from their history how to live with such a scenario. Peter will help us put all this together in his sec - ond letter as he too anticipates the coming of the King and the implications of this event for the church and the world. Bruce Christian 

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 • 15 BIBLE STUDY

DAY 1 Faith in the furnace . THE PASSAGE PSALM 79:1-13 security. Could God use militant Islam today in the same way THE POINT The Church is always under attack, but there are He used Babylon? (1-4) times when it seems that God has deserted His flock, and its • The question, “How long?”, reveals a ray of hope, the hint of cause is lost to the forces of evil; such experiences serve as a faith that refuses to admit the possibility of final defeat (5-7). reminders of who He is, who we are, and how much we need • The plea for God to intervene on behalf of His Church to Him to forgive and defend us. rescue it must be in the context of confession of sin and repen - THE PARTICULARS tance; to our shame, we always need His mercy and forgiveness • God’s people found the destruction of Jerusalem and the (8-9). Temple in 587BC incomprehensible in the light of His power • God’s just character is at stake when His people suffer (10- and faithfulness, and their place in His eternal Plan for His 12). world; today the Church has Jesus’ firm promise concerning its • Verses 12-13 anticipate the Good Shepherd (cf Jn 10:11-18). ultimate victory (Matthew 16:18), but we would do well to TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY heed the lesson of history and not be complacent about our • Would your faith survive a repeat of the 587BC events today?

DAY 2 How long, O LORD? . THE PASSAGE PSALM 80:1-7 (the Ark) (1-2). THE POINT At times in its history the Church realises how • The cry for help intensifies as a new aspect of God’s relation - vulnerable it is – sometimes under attack from a hostile world, ship with Israel is added with each refrain: addressed simply as and sometimes due to its own weakness and sinfulness. This God (3); then God Almighty (his military power, 7, 14); then psalm reminds us our only hope is in God, encouraging us to LORD God Almighty (Yahweh = His special covenant name, keep on crying out to Him for help until He answers us. 19). Although He is just, He is also the God of love and mercy – • We realise that God Himself must take the initiative to save and we are the people of His covenant! us: it is He who must do the “shining” and “restoring” (3, 7, THE PARTICULARS 18b-19). • The “Rachel” tribes always camped to the west of the Ark of the Covenant in the wilderness and followed immediately TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY behind it whenever it moved (Num. 2:17-22); so Asaph is • Can you identify with verses 4-6? Has God forgotten/ appealing to God’s soft, passionate side as well as His power rejected His Church? Why do we often feel so ineffective in (the cherubim) and His covenant relationship based on mercy evangelism?

DAY 3 Why, O LORD? . THE PASSAGE PSALM 80:8-19 deliberate acts of God’s providence as part of His Plan of THE POINT The psalmist’s questioning of Israel’s covenant Salvation centred on His covenant people (8-11); the question God now moves from “How long?” to “Why?”; and yet his cry then is: Why was He aborting this Plan prematurely (12-13, isn’t one of hopeless despair because he also anticipates the 16)? The Church has asked this same question many times answer: the sending of one who will be a Saviour. He is point - since, especially in the light of Jesus’ promise in Matthew 16:18 ing forward to Christ. and Revelation 21:1-7! THE PARTICULARS • There can be no doubt that the root planted by God’s right • The imagery of God’s people as a vine that failed in its pur - hand and the son/branch (15), and the man at God’s right hand pose is used by the prophets (eg Isaiah 5:1-7, Jeremiah 2:21, and the son of man (17) are direct pointers to the etc) and Jesus (eg Mark 12:1-12) to illustrate both God’s loving Messiah/Christ. care for His people and their inappropriate response to such • God’s sending of a Saviour has always been Man’s only hope. care (8ff). TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY • The exodus from Egypt and the conquest of Canaan were • Are you pleading with God to revive His Church today? DAY 4 If music be the food of love... .

THE PASSAGE PSALM 81:1-16 do this (1-5). THE POINT God has given His covenant people, His • Music/song/praise is a form of communication that tran - Church, more than ample proof of His love for them and of scends the language barriers that can so easily divide/isolate us His desire and power to satisfy all their needs. Two things (5b). therefore grieve Him: our failing to come together regularly • A moment’s reflection on God’s past goodness should be and enthusiastically to praise Him with (instrumental) music enough incentive to keep us from putting other things in His and voice; and our failing to respond to His abundant goodness place (6-10). with submissive and obedient hearts. • God longs to defend and bless us, giving us wonderful things THE PARTICULARS to enjoy; but if we refuse to submit to His ways He must act • God has made us in such a way that our whole being, espe - against us in judgement – so why do we? (11-16; cf Romans cially our emotions, resonates naturally to music. Since we are 1:24, 26, 28) made in His image it is not surprising to find His Word, Old TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY and New Testaments, commanding us to praise Him whole - • How enthusiastic are you to meet for worship ... then to heartedly. He has given us voices and skill with instruments to sing?

16 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 BIBLE STUDY

DAY 5 Every knee will bow . THE PASSAGE PSALM 82:1-8 brought against Him by His accusers for claiming to be God THE POINT The main problem in this psalm is to identify the (John 10:31-39). If, in His infallible Word, God was prepared “gods” of verses 1 and 6. Are they leaders among God’s peo - to apply the term “gods” to created beings (because they are ple who have claimed an authority they don’t have, as Adam His “sons”, made in His image and likeness), what is wrong did in the Garden? Are they spiritual powers, fallen angels in with the one who has proved Himself to be truly God by His the service of Satan? Are they Israel collectively as the custodi - miracles, adopting it too?! ans of God’s Law? Are they the false man-made “gods” of • God’s just judgement will expose leaders/rulers in particular Canaan? Whatever answer we settle on, the point of the psalm who abuse their position to violate the weak and helpless (3-5). remains the same: the Most High God, the Creator, the author • All pretenders (in heaven and on earth) are without sub - of Scripture, presides over all other pretenders to His throne as stance, knowledge and power, and like all men are merely mor - their Judge, Ruler and disposer! tal (5, 7). THE PARTICULARS TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY • Jesus used this psalm to defuse the claim of blasphemy • How does Psalm 82 anticipate Jesus (cf Ephesians 1:18-23)?

DAY 6 A prayer for the Church . THE PASSAGE PSALM 83:1-18 from the strife happening. This is a hard but important lesson THE POINT The nation of Israel today could easily identify to learn (1-3). with this psalm as the surrounding Arab nations (listed in • Like Israel’s, the Church’s history has ample evidence of verses 5-8) join in the chorus of verse 4. But until the nation God’s power to save us from all the forces attacking us. An of Israel acknowledges Jesus as their Messiah it remains important aspect of Scripture is to remind us of this (9-12; cf estranged from God’s covenant, and the Church, also con - Romans 15:4). stantly embattled by the world’s forces of evil, can itself take up • Although God’s judgement on His enemies may seem harsh this prayer. Do we long for the day when every nation, includ - to us, its ultimate purpose is always that men will seek Him ing – and especially – modern Israel, will bow at the feet of (13-16). Jesus, the Christ, “whose name is the LORD”? • Jesus has come as Saviour; He will come again as Judge (17- THE PARTICULARS 18). • God cherishes His Church; crying out to Him to act on our TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY behalf when we are in trouble deepens our relationship with • Is the Church today committed to this psalm’s view of Him more than if He always took the initiative to protect us prayer?

DAY 7 Longing for God . THE PASSAGE PSALM 84:1-12 on the way, and the joy at the end, make the journey a real THE POINT The person who can make this psalm his earnest blessing (5-8). prayer is truly blessed; to rest secure in God’s presence through • Verses 8-9 call on God in the same terms as Psalm 80: the the provision of His “anointed one” (Messiah) is to know true God of Jacob (there, Rachel’s children), the covenant LORD blessing/peace. (Yahweh), God Almighty; but they give the title “Anointed THE PARTICULARS One” (Messiah) to the one referred to there variously as the • The more God’s image is restored in us by the sanctifying root/son/man at your right hand/son of man you raised up for work of the Holy Spirit, the more we’ll long for His presence; yourself/etc. His care for even the little birds, and their dependence on Him • Being accepted into God’s presence (trusting in Christ to save for it, are a picture of how He designed us to be (1-4; cf Matt. and being accepted as “blameless” in Him) is such a blessing that 6:25-34). just being a doorkeeper there for a day eclipses all else (10-12). • Our pilgrimage to Zion may be tough (“Baca” suggests TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY weeping), but the strength and refreshment the Lord provides • Does verse 10 express how you feel about following Christ? DAY 8 Salvation recharge .

THE PASSAGE PSALM 85:1-13 One who saved us by His grace to act to revive our spirits (4-7). THE POINT This psalm is similar to David’s prayer in 51:12 – • This psalm is full of powerful words expressing God’s saving “restore to me the joy of your salvation”. The psalmist knows grace in Christ and the basis on which we can be sure of eternal what it means to be saved by grace, but his way is hard, and he fellowship with Him: Saviour/salvation (4, 7, 9 – the root of longs for this same grace to revive his spirits, enabling him to the name “Jesus”); love/mercy/kindness (7, 10); rejoice again. faithfulness/truth (10, 11); peace (8, 10 – shalom); righteous - THE PARTICULARS ness (10, 11 – “right-with-God-ness”). They come to us as a • Christ’s death is the only basis on which God can turn from package-deal. His wrath and forgive our sins; the covenant He made with • Our salvation is something we already possess, and yet there Jacob (Israel, His Church) can only work as a covenant of is a sense in which we still long for it (4, 7, 9 – cf Romans grace (1-3). 13:11). • At times our spiritual life can become a real struggle; we feel TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY the pressure of God’s seeming disapproval and we long for the • Are you in need of some “salvation tonic”? (cf Rev. 2:4)

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DAY 9 Love and faithfulness . THE PASSAGE PSALM 86:1-17 • He knows also that such a response is possible because his THE POINT When we are struggling spiritually – whether God is the only God, and without rival – Lord of all nations (8- under attack from those opposed to the Gospel, or because we 10). have let sin get the better of us – the only effective remedy is to • Unquestioning obedience is the only valid response to such a focus back on God and be reminded of who He is and what He God; but we need Him both to teach us and to enable us (11- has done for us. 13). THE PARTICULARS • “Love (mercy)” and “faithfulness” occur as a matching pair in • We can only really know God and trust wholly in Him when 28 places in the OT, 14 of which are in Psalms; God’s love we realise our spiritual poverty and need (1-2); this is the point (“mercy” KJV) and faithfulness are sinful man’s only hope and Jesus was making in the first four beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-6). protection, his only defence against his accusers, without and • It is because David knows his God to be a loving, merciful within (14-17). and forgiving Master that he can call out to Him confidently TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY when in trouble, knowing that he will be listened to and • When struggling spiritually, do you run from God or to answered (3-7). Him?

DAY 10 Zion, City of our God . THE PASSAGE PSALM 87:1-7 1 Corinthians 3:17; 6:19). Yet Psalm 87 speaks clearly of what it THE POINT Psalm 87 is the inspiration for Newton’s great means to the believer to know he has membership in God’s hymn, “Glorious things of thee are spoken”, its theme being Church (1-3, 5-6). best captured in the lines: “Saviour, if of Zion’s City, I, through • This psalm anticipates the time when Gentiles will be grace, a member am, let the world deride or pity, I will glory in included alongside Jacob’s descendants as members of the thy name.” It speaks of being safely and securely enfolded in Church (4-5). God’s City, His Church. • It also recognises God’s electing grace and the reality of its THE PARTICULARS expression in a new birth (4-5; cf Jn 3:3, Rev. 13:8; 17:8). • David had longed to build a permanent “dwelling place” for • All this is an occasion for music and praise, telling of the his God so He would not just be the God of Jacob, the wan - Church’s Saviour as the fountain of life (7; cf Revelation 22:1f). derer (2), but God had not allowed him to do so (2 Samuel 7). TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY The Temple Solomon built became the symbol of the institu - • Is Church membership important to you? How do you tional Church, a symbol later revised by Jesus (John 2:19-21; cf show it?

DAY 11 Darkness, my closest friend . THE PASSAGE PSALM 88:1-18 hope to be had! (1-2, 9b, 13). Our cries to God for help are THE POINT Heman the Ezrahite (cf 1 Chron. 6:33) speaks of most authentic when they come from a heart that feels utterly the God-forsakenness of the grave. For any of us who have lost. experienced some degree of depression he speaks for us. But • Nothing is more devastating than feeling we have been he also speaks for a Saviour who cried out from the cross, “My deserted by our close friends (8, 18); but perhaps this drives us God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”, who died bearing to God! His Father’s wrath for our sins, whose closest friends deserted • Experience of life on earth can lead us to imagine that life ends Him, and for whom there was no escape from this “cup” (Matt. at the grave (5-6, 11-12); it will take the resurrection of Jesus, 26:39,42). and His promises, to reassure us that there is life after death. THE PARTICULARS TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY • The psalmist writes from a position of feeling utterly without • Do you suffer from depression, too? Take heart from this hope; but the fact that he cries out to God from this position is psalm! clear evidence that, in spite of how he feels, he knows there is • What is implied here about those who don’t know Christ? DAY 12 From the foundation of the world .

THE PASSAGE PSALM 89:1-18 • The wonder of Creation leaves no doubt as to the supremacy THE POINT Of the 14 places in Psalms where “love/mercy” of its Creator, the God revealed in the Bible (5-8; cf Romans and “faithfulness” are linked together, 5 are in Psalm 89! 1:20). God’s love and faithfulness are seen in the wonder of • The LORD has absolute rule over all of His Creation and all Creation; but they are supremely seen in His covenant with its operations: His ‘victory [over Egypt = Rahab] is as central David whose throne He established forever – the promise to the Old Testament as Calvary [is] to the New’ (Kidner) (9- finally fulfilled in David’s true son, Jesus . 14). THE PARTICULARS • The only way to survive in this cosmos is to be at one with • The eternal covenant with the chosen one, David, ie with its Maker. This is achieved through His righteousness, His Jesus, was established by God – in heaven, at Creation: Jesus’ justice, His love, His faithfulness – all fulfilled in Jesus His death as Man’s substitute for sin, and His resurrection and King (15-18). ascension are God’s Plan A; they were never a Plan B devised as TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY a result of Adam’s Fall (1-4, cf Ephesians 1:3-6; Revelation • Does your view of God’s Plan of Salvation do justice to Ps. 13:8; 17:8). 89?

18 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 BIBLE STUDY

DAY 13 If... but anyway... . THE PASSAGE PSALM 89:19-37 also appoint him my firstborn” (27); “I will establish ... his THE POINT This report of God’s revelation to David con - throne as long as the heavens endure” (29) – statements which cerning the future of his throne (2 Samuel 7), embellished by are only true of Jesus. other Scriptures, becomes far more lofty than we could imagine • Verses 30-37 deal beautifully with the tension expressed in being fulfilled just in human terms. It is therefore Messianic in other parts of Scripture between God’s sovereignty and Man’s the highest sense, pointing clearly to the One who is not only responsibility. God’s promise is simultaneously unconditional the son of David but the Son of God (cf Jesus’ appeal to Psalm (33-37, where God’s holy name is at stake), and conditional on 110 in Mark 12:35ff). David’s son’s obedience (cf Genesis 18:18f, Philippians 2:12f). THE PARTICULARS • Jesus was both faithful, and the one who was punished (30- • The claims of verses 19-29 were only true of David to a lim - 32)! ited extent, and the language suggests an “anointed” one, a “Messiah” (20) of quite a different genus – eg: “I will set his TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY hand over the sea, his right hand over the rivers” (25); “I will • Could this Plan have had its origins in Man’s wisdom?

DAY 14 The “for ever” Servant King . THE PASSAGE PSALM 89:38-52 THE PARTICULARS THE POINT From our NT perspective, Psalm 89 is clear • This section of the psalm opens (38) and closes (51) with a specific reference to the Messiah (anointed one) being under proof of the divine inspiration of Scripture – its fulfilment in God’s judgement and mocked by men, instead of being victori - Jesus could have been neither expected nor connived by Man’s ous as promised. What an accurate description of the true mind (cf 1 Cor. 2:6-14). But from the OT perspective from Messiah! which the psalmist was writing, the promises to David pre - • The Messiah King (51) is also referred to as a Servant (50). sented a major problem: Israel’s actual experience wasn’t even TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY on the same page as the promises! The Messianic line was in • How many things in these verses can you identify as being big trouble. What was taking place in the history of God’s the opposite of what God promised? How many applied to nation couldn’t be more diametrically opposed to 2 Samuel 7 if Jesus? it tried. It was as if God was applying the promises, but to the • What encouragements/challenges can the Church today derive wrong team! How long?! from this psalm? Are we really pleading with God in this way?

DAY 15 Make your calling sure . THE PASSAGE 2 PETER 1:1-11 • That all is of grace doesn’t mean we have nothing to do! THE POINT Peter is very excited about God’s sovereign grace Rather, because I have received grace, and not in order to that saves us. But it is not the “cheap” variety that lets us sit obtain it, I must make every effort to reflect the life of Jesus, and do nothing. and thus be of use to Him in the work of His Kingdom; to do THE PARTICULARS otherwise would indicate a failure to see God’s cleansing work • Jesus’ “chief” disciple had learnt well from his Master: he sees in me (5-9). himself first as a servant (slave), and then as an apostle (1). • It is significant that Peter uses the highest word for “love” at • Our faith is precious because it is a gift of grace based on the the end of verse 7 – he wasn’t able to do this back in John righteousness of Christ who is both our God and our Saviour; 21:15-17! through Him we can really know God and therefore have • Obedience can never be the basis of assurance for the elect; peace; the source of our ability to live lives that please Him in a but there is no assurance for the wilfully disobedient (10-11). rotten world, in spite of our fallen nature, is His divine power TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY (1b-4). • How are you progressing with Peter’s list in verses 5-7? DAY 16 God’s Word is Truth .

THE PASSAGE 2 PETER 1:12-21 • Peter could testify from personal experience that the man THE POINT The truth that God has revealed to us in His Jesus he spent a few years with on earth was in fact the “Son of written Word is absolute and reliable because it is His Word; it Man” figure who came with all the glory of God the Son; he’d is neither human wisdom (the unreliable musings of Man’s seen His divine power at work and had heard God’s voice when mind) nor Man simply “bearing witness to” God’s Jesus’ countenance was changed on the mountain (Mark 9:2ff) wisdom/truth – it is God’s truth in written propositions that (16-18). we can take hold of with confidence. • Just as Peter could be relied on because he was an eyewitness THE PARTICULARS to the truth, so the OT prophets could be relied on because • Even if it is the last thing he does before he dies Peter wants they spoke/wrote God’s words under the Holy Spirit’s inspira - us to recall a balanced view of the doctrines of grace. He tion; what we have in the Scriptures is not human wisdom (19- knows how easy it is to become theologically complacent and 21). so to slip into “antinomianism”, “Arminianism” or “legalism” TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY (12-15). • How does your view of Scripture compare with Peter’s?

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 • 19 BEIVBALNE GESTLUISDM Y

DAY 17 God has fixed a Day... . THE PASSAGE 2 PETER 2:1-12 • Peter had no time for dangerous heretics whose lives bore out THE POINT Heresy is destructive to God’s truth; He deals their false teaching. History teaches us that God is a God of with it decisively. judgement, destroying the ungodly (angels/men – cf eg Genesis THE PARTICULARS 6:1-4) while rescuing those who belong to Him, and this stands • Man’s sinful nature (arrogance, greed, etc) makes false as a solemn warning to the Church in every age (4-9). prophets and teachers inevitable; our task is to be vigilant, since • Fallen Man, acting as if he is God instead of just being happy heresy is introduced secretly and subtly from inside the Church to be made in God’s image/likeness, is so unrestrained in his (1-3). arrogance that he lives by the law of the jungle, so by this same • Jesus died specifically for the sins of the elect (Eph. 1:4-8). law he will die; this is how God’s justice works in practice (10- Peter’s phrase, “denying the sovereign Lord who bought them” 12). is therefore only referring to what their outward profession TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY might indicate, not what was in fact an inner reality; which is • What do we learn from Peter’s assessment of Lot in verses 6- what makes these false teachers so dangerous (cf Matt. 7:21-23) 9?

DAY 18 Slaves to freedom? . THE PASSAGE 2 PETER 2:13-22 • Balaam’s immediate sin was greed (Num. 22-24), but later in THE POINT The nature of the heresy Peter is dealing with is 31:16 we are told it had an ongoing ripple effect leading to the antinomianism: the teaching that is so bent on avoiding legal - gross immorality of Israel at Peor. Unchecked sin has an abil - ism and advocating grace that it becomes licence to do anything ity to affect every part of our lives – and the lives of others (15- 16). and everything. Its adherents become slaves to their freedom! • There is nothing worse than something that isn’t what it It is so harmful to the proper outworking of the Gospel in the claims to be. Peter uses examples from nature to show how believer’s life that Peter condemns it, and its exponents, in the bad it is if a professing Christian is actually a slave to sinful strongest possible terms. behaviour: it would have been better never to have known free - THE PARTICULARS dom in Christ. True freedom is total submission to Christ • Greed and immorality were the salient consequences of the (17-22; cf Romans 6). false teaching. Given the state of our own society, and its TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY influence, we ignore Peter’s call to holy living to our peril (13- • Has the Church today become more infected by the ways of 14; cf 3:11). the world than it realises? What can we do to address this?

DAY 19 Two big discontinuities . THE PASSAGE 2 PETER 3:1-7 THE PARTICULARS THE POINT Scientific evidence to support evolutionary the - • Peter sees the solid unity of the OT Scriptures, the commands of the Saviour, and the Apostolic witness; he therefore sees the ory depends on the Law of Uniformity (that everything has disastrous effect divergence from this truth would have (1-2). always been as it is now). Peter points to the Flood as a seri - • When the Church today challenges the world with the fact ous discontinuity in the past (affecting things like carbon dat - that Jesus is coming back there is no shortage of mockers. ing and the whole basis for interpreting the fossil record!) to Modern Man cannot stand the thought of having to give demonstrate the feasibility of another serious discontinuity in account of his life to a moral Judge on the basis of revealed the future: the Return of Christ with the total destruction of truth, deliberately ignoring the overwhelming evidence of the present world order. We have Jesus’ own promise that He Flood geology! Is it any wonder, therefore, that he so scoffs at is coming back, firmly supported in the whole Biblical record. Christ’s promise (3-7)! A Biblical world-view affects the way we look at everything: TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY science, ethics, climate change, etc. • What part does the Bible play in the way you view the world? DAY 20 Endtimes exhortations .

THE PASSAGE 2 PETER 3:8-18 but each person’s most pressing concern should be repentance THE POINT We are not far off 2 millennia since Peter wrote (8-9)! this letter, so if people then were doubting the promise of the • Christ’s return will be sudden; it will also involve heat, which Second Coming, how much more so now? It is good there - is consistent with the Second Law of Thermodynamics (10, 12)! fore to be reminded of Psalm 90:4 in order to see time from • In the light of all this, holiness must be our one aim (11, 13-15). God’s perspective. Yes there is delay, but it is for our benefit • Peter gives a final exhortation to be true to the Scriptures, that we might have more time to consider what God is saying now even identifying Paul’s letters with them and so anticipat - and repent. God is very patient. ing the later acceptance of a NT canon; but warning also of THE PARTICULARS those who in every age twist God’s Word to their own advan - • God has history very carefully planned; we must serve as tage (15-16). good stewards of the resources He has given us, but we must TO PONDER ... AND TO PRAY not fret about population growth, climate change, etc. We can • Are you looking forward to, and ready for, the Lord’s be sure He has given us enough to last until Jesus comes again, Return?

20 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 NEWS

John on TV news, newspaper and radio. tion. They are available via Pastor Cor Across During the week John was able to speak Vanderhorn , 9311 1661; or Session Clerk Australia to 50 year 10 and 11 science students at Gilbert Bell , 9311 4103. the Mount Gambier High School and to 75 year 9, 10, 11 students at Grant High Malvern church expands Message of reconciliation School, plus three public meetings were held over three nights during the week. Moderator General Bob Thomas Emmanuel Kopwe , Pan -African Each attracted more than 100 people. The preached at the service in which the Director for Reconciliation for African church plans to build on its success with Malvern congregation celebrated opening Enterprise (AE) , will speak at a public another week of outreach next June. its new foyer and crying room. For the meeting to be held in the Scots Church, first time in the history of the 100-year- Melbourne , Upper Hall on Monday 15 Heidelberg church gutted old building complex it was possible to October at 7.30pm. Emmanuel was born walk from the church building to in Tanzania and his work of evangelism A fire gutted the Heidelberg “Church House ” under cover for morn - and reconciliation has taken him through - Presbyterian Church , Melbourne on 21 ing tea. The service was also a means of out Africa and the world. In Australia September. The blaze began at 2.30am on giving thanks for the complete refurbish - until 22 October , Emmanuel’s message is Friday morning and razed the Hawdon ment of the church complex over the last that a deep commitment to Christ should Street split-level brick building and an several years. Works included the painting result in a deep commitment to work for adjoining two storey building. It is not yet of both buildings, significant roof, floor reconciliation. The majority of his work in known whether the fire was suspicious. and structural repairs, new carpet, heating, recent times has been fostering reconcilia - Firefighters took 40 minutes to bring the wiring, lighting and seating. The comple - tion amongst the political and church blaze under control and while the building tion of the works sees the culmination of leadership in the war torn nations of is still standing it has been extensively the hopes and prayers of godly people in Burundi and the Democratic Republic damaged. No one was inside at the time the Malvern congregation over many of Congo . and no one was injured. Damage is esti - years . mated at $500,000. PFA reunion New minister Slice of Scotland Rich fellowship, fond memories, great The Rev . Chris ten Brooke was food and uplifting worship were the key The Moderator of the Church of inducted as minister at the St Andrews ingredients for the highly successful PFA Scotland, the Rt. Rev. Sheillagh Kesting , Presbyterian Church , North Adelaide, reunion of nearly 400 people in Brisbane met ministers, elders and members of the The Rev . P. Mercer preached . on 11 August. People travelled from as far Presbyterian Church of Victoria at a as Melbourne and western Queensland to lunch -time function held at the the Creek Road Presbyterian Church for Presbyterian Theological College , the reunion. Organiser Everald Compton Melbourne , on 26 September. led the roll call, identifying dozens of con - gregations represented, and the happy, Sunshine celebrates Visiting noisy mingling at the fellowship tea Western showed the bonds of Christian fellowship Sunshine Presbyterian Church, McKay had endured. Worship in the auditorium Memorial , held a week of events from 23 Qeensland? was led by co-organiser and conductor June to 1 July to celebrate its centenary . David Cahill and the PYC Choristers . Tribute was paid to the memory of the ?? Guest speakers Bob Grice and Alan well known industrialist Hugh Victor : O’Hara presented the challenge of main - McKay , whose philanthropy and inven - Worship with us at the taining active witness for God based on tive genius was used by God in the estab - the firm foundations and strong bonds lishment of Sunshine and the founding of maranoa that PFA days gave to our lives. Sunshine Church. The name Sunshine was inspired through a sermon heard by presbyterian church Creation outreach Hugh and preached in Ballarat by Dr roma, opposite police station Thomas Dewitt Talmage , a Presbyterian evangelist from the USA. Festivities The Mount Gambier Presbyterian included a barbecue for the wider com - : Church held a successful week of out - munity, of whom 200 turned up, and a Worship Service reach with John Mackay from Creation dinner for 90 local and interstate guests Research from 5 to 12 August. The aim of including mayor Cr Margaret Giudice, Sunday 9am the week was for pre-evangelism, that is Professor Allan Harman, Dr Mairi raising an awareness of God as Creator Harman, Victorian Moderator Rev Contact: Rev. Walter jones which is hoped will lead to introducing Grant Lawry and Anne Lawry . at miles on (07) 4654 3100 Him as Saviour. A historical booklet and CD were pre - Free temporary accommodation is Extensive TV, radio and newspaper sented by Bronwen Merrigan and Joan available for visiting ministers or lay advertising promoted the week of out - Vanderhorn who had spent many preachers of the reformed tradition in reach as well as excellent interviews with months of intense research and prepara - return for preaching arrangements

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 • 21 NEWS

Shepparton hall service will be led by members of the egates joined Adventists at Adventist Presbytery of Melbourne West . world church headquarters in Silver Spring, The first stage of the new church devel - Maryland after pitching the idea of a con - opment project at the Shepparton Commentary launched versation with US Adventist leaders. Presbyterian Church , Vic., was opened This time, delegates discussed the on 2 September before a congregation of There will be a special book launch on church’s respective understandings of the nearly 130 people from several churches . the Tuesday evening of the Victorian law and the gospel, referring to the writ - Victorian Moderator Grant Lawry General Assembly (9 October at ings of both Ellen G. White , an early preached. The new church is needed 5:15pm) of the new commentary on Adventist church co-founder, and John because of growth in the church and the Daniel (EP Study Commentary published Calvin . deterioration of the old building. The by Evangelical Press) written by Dr Allan Adventist and Presbyterian delegates Healthy Churches Committee recognis - Harman. affirmed the authority of Scripture and ing Shepparton’s strategic importance in agreed the law should guide Christian liv - evangelism, approved a grant that ing. They also discovered a common allowed stage one of development. The emphasis on individual conscience in reli - congregation is now praying and plan - gious matters. But they said the meeting ning for stage two of the development Around was “just a conversation” and that no which will see a larger church building the World attempt was made to unify doctrine. with the newly opened building eventu - Adventist Press Service ally becoming the hall and rooms for the Sunday School and meetings. Presbyterians-Adventists link Staines murderer sentenced

Set apart Delegates of the Seventh-day Adventist The convicted murderer of missionary Church of North America met leaders of Graham Staines has been sentenced to The Presbytery of Melbourne West the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) at the life imprisonment for the murder of a invites Presbyterians to a commissioning Presbyterian Church’s national headquar - Catholic priest. According to Salem Voice of a missionary service at Melton. The ters in Louisville, Kentucky, in August to Ministries News Service , Dara Singh, alias Rev. Rob Duncanson will be set apart as affirm common beliefs and dispel stereo - Ravinder Kumar Pal , and three others the full time missionary worker to lead types. were sentenced last month to life impris - the Darwin Presbyterian Church at a The Louisville meeting marked the sec - onment for the murder of 35-year-old service at the Mowbray College drama ond conversation between the two denom - Catholic priest Arul Doss . hall at 7.30pm on Friday 12 October. The inations. Last November, Presbyterian del - Dara Singh is already undergoing a life sentence in Baripada Circle Jail for burn - ing to death Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two minor sons Philip and Timothy , while they were sleeping inside their vehicle outside a church in January 1999. A trial court in 2003, sentenced Dara Singh to death for his role in the killing, but a higher court later saved him from the gallows by com - muting his sentence to life imprisonment. Arul Doss was killed in September 1999 in Jamabani village in Orissa’s Mayurbhanj district. He was attacked and chased while attending a function and struck down by arrows. Four were con - victed, but 17 others were acquitted for lack of evidence. Korean refused to convert

The youth pastor who was leading the group of 23 South Korean aid volunteers in Afghanistan was killed for refusing to convert to Islam, the head pastor of the church revealed after the final 19 former hostages arrived home. According to a report on the Christian Today website, “Among the 19 hostages who returned (on 2 September), some were asked by the Taliban to convert and when they rejected, they were assaulted

22 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 NEWS

and severely beaten,” reported Park Eun- official discrimination against the coun - Test case for twins jo , pastor of the hostages’ home church, try’s Baha’i minority topped the report’s Saemmul Presbyterian Church in list of violations. A spokesman for An Egyptian court has adjourned the Bundang, just south of Seoul. “I heard Egypt’s foreign ministry said he regretted hearing of young Christian twins legally from the hostages that they were threat - “fallacies” in the report, according to forced to take Islamic education after ened with death . Especially it is known semi-official daily al-Ahram . The official their estranged father became Muslim. that the reason Pastor Bae Hyung-kyu did not elaborate on any of the report’s Mario and Andrew Medhat Ramsis was murdered was because he refused the purported mistakes. unwillingly “became” Muslim after their Taliban’s demand to convert.” A hospital father converted to Islam and used his chief also said on Monday that some of Vale James Kennedy legal right to change the religion on their the five South Korean men freed from birth certificates. The boys’ mother dis - captivity last week reported being beaten Dr D. James Kennedy , the pastor of covered that they had been placed in by their Taliban abductors for refusing to Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Islamic education classes at school to convert to Islam and for protecting their Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and a respected reflect their father’s choice, though the female colleagues, says the Christian author and TV host, has died aged 76. He Muslim man was no longer living with his Today report . passed away at home on 5 September, just Christian family since his conversion and There were conflicting accounts about 10 days after announcing his retirement, remarriage in 2002. The Ramsis twins’ whether any of the women had been from complications from a heart attack future hinges on whether the court applies raped. The report said medical examina - last year. His popular television ministry, civil law, which allows them to remain tions showed no signs that the last 12 the Coral Ridge Hour , regularly reaches with their mother, or certain interpreta - women were raped and none reported 3.5 million viewers each week and is tions of Islamic law, which stipulate that being sexually harassed despite reports broadcast on 400 stations and four cable children belong to whichever parent is from the first two released hostages – networks. Muslim. both women – who said they were repeat - Kennedy also hosted a 90-second radio Compass Direct edly raped by their captors. Mirajuddin program, The Kennedy Commentary , as Pathan , the governor of Ghazni province, well as Truth That Transforms , and wrote Setback for Turkish Christians had also said he received reports that “var - more than 50 books, including The ious Taliban commanders were fighting Evangelism Explosion . A Turkish judge has withdrawn from the over the women hostages” and that “they Dennis James Kennedy was born in case of two Christians charged with were abused over and over,” according to 1930 . He briefly attended the University “insulting Turkishness.” Judge Neset ABC News. The original group of 23 of Tampa and was an instructor for the Eren said at a hearing on 12 September Korean Christian volunteers were kid - Arthur Murray Dance Studio , where he that he was quitting to “distance the napped by Taliban militants on 19 July met his wife, Anne . In 1953, Kennedy had court’s decision from any form of indeci - while on their way to provide free medical a transforming experience. He heard the sion or doubt” . Eren’s announcement aid to poor Afghans. gospel on the radio one Sunday and he came after the plaintiffs’ ultranationalist dedicated his life to Christ shortly there - lawyer submitted a written request that he Egypt denies oppression after. He was invited to preach at a resign; Kemal Kerincsiz accused Eren of Presbyterian church and was asked to be failing to deal impartially with the case. Egypt has denounced a US report on its the interim minister. Other church Eren had been expected to deliver a ruling worsening condition of religious freedom. appointments followed. that day. Hakan Tastan and Turan Topal The State Department’s annual He held 10 college degrees, receiving have been charged with insulting Turkish International Religious Freedom his PhD in 1979, founded two schools, identity, but at a previous hearing, State Report , released on September 14, says and was a member of the National Prosecutor Ahmet Demirhuyuk said that within the past year the Egyptian Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame . there was “not a single piece of credible government’s respect for religious free - Assist evidence” against the two converts from dom had “declined” . Harsh treatment of Islam. converts from Islam to Christianity, Low-caste party promises freedom ongoing difficulties building churches and In May, the Bahujan Samaj , one of the few low-caste political parties in India, won Indian state assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. Party leader Ms Mayawati The Capricorn Coast vows to use her five-year term to increase Charge education for Dalits, maintain religious freedom and uphold justice for the Seeks a Church Planter. oppressed. 1 Jj ! Uttar Pradesh borders Nepal and, with more than 160 million residents, is India’s Contact Rev. Jon Chandler most populous state. A large percentage 07 49221825 of Dalits and low castes live there. It is also one of the most influential states in [email protected] Indian politics. Gospel for Asia

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 • 23 NEWS

dent of the Fellowship of West Indonesian courts to cover up TNI On the Papuan Baptist Churches . He is a coura - involvement in the killings (thus protect - geous, outspoken critic of Indonesia’s ing Indonesian, TNI and US Agenda genocidal policies and human rights interests). The TNI has proposed that a abuses in the province. On Sunday third infantry division be sent to the Indonesia targets church evening 29 July, a group of Indonesian province to monitor separatists and patrol police, soldiers and intelligence officers borders. Furthermore, the Javanese By Elizabeth Kendal harassed and threatened him at gunpoint Muslim immigrant population increases outside the Baptist Church service in by some 5000 weekly. Ones Keiya , 31 was found dying beside a Jayapura. Paula Makabory of the The Papuan genocide is essentially road in Nabire, West Papua, on the Institute for Papuan Advocacy & about greed, corruption and exploitation evening of 23 July . He died in hospital Human Rights warns: “My organisation of Papuan resources. However, it is also hours later from injuries that included is very concerned about Sofian Yoman’s about Islamic imperialism and Javanese deep lacerations to his head, hands and feet personal safety.” Muslim religious and racial hatred of the as well as a smashed skull. Keiya was a local According to Yoman, Indonesian mili - predominantly Christian indigenous indigenous Papuan farmer and member of tary intelligence has infiltrated the church Papuans. Whilst the Papuan genocide is the Maranatha Kingmi Protestant and is working to subvert and divide it. being perpetrated by Indonesian hands, Church . On 7 August, Matius Bunai , 29, West Papua News and Information reports Western democratic “Christian ” govern - a youth worker with the Kingmi church, that on Sunday morning 2 September, ments that promote liberty and rights was also found dead with injuries the same Indonesian military, police and intelli - are complicit. Though they once facili - as Keiya’s. He had been ambushed the gence agents distributed leaflets through - tated the evangelisation of the Papuans night before on his way home from a out Jayapura picturing and defaming (one of the great mission stories of the church meeting. A church worker says the Sofian Yoman and Agus Alue-Aluay , 20th century) they are now by their police are refusing to investigate the chairman of the Papuan People’s silence supporting the Papuans’ annihila - killings which the Papuan community is Council (Majelis Rakyat Papua ). tion, as economic and geo-strategic inter - certain were committed by Indonesian Since granting Special Autonomy to ests are deemed more important security forces. Papua in 2001 the Indonesian than human life or moral integrity. Indonesia has closed West Papua to the authorities have increased their repression outside world and murdered its nationalist and terrorisation of Papuans. The Iranians grow restless leaders. Security is controlled by known Indonesian military (TNI) frequently abusers of human rights and killers such as provoke clashes and fake incidents which By Elizabeth Kendal Colonel Burhanuddin Siagian , indicted they then cite to justify killings, for crimes against humanity in East Timor. massacres and ethnic cleansing. The Iran’s Islamic theocracy was created In the midst of this dangerous, volatile and Freeport killings at Timika in 2002 are one through the union of Shi’ite activism and repressive environment, courageous such example. Rev . Ishak Onawame and Marxist revolutionary thought. In Iran church leaders risk their lives and use their two of his church workers, Esau Christianity is severely repressed. networks and international connections to Onawame and Yarius Kiwak , are among Citizens who are “born” Christian (non- keep getting news of the Papuan genocide seven Papuans languishing in Cipinang Persians: traditionally-Christian ethnic out to the world. Prison, Jakarta, after being betrayed by minorities such as Armenians and Rev. Sofian Socratez Yoman is presi - the FBI (USA) and framed by the Assyrians) are “protected” (graciously

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24 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 NEWS

permitted to live) as long as they remain more open to the gospel than ever before. Canterbury Rowan Williams . subjugated. It is forbidden for Christians The Internet and satellite television are The leaders of the 2.3 million US to share their faith, and it is forbidden for giving people greater access to the mes - Episcopalians said they made the decision a Muslim to change his religion. sage of Christ. “with the hope of mending the tear in the While the 1979 Islamic Revolution “On a recent Tuesday afternoon, CBN fabric” of the communion. promised much, Iran’s Shi’ite revolution - News met a group of young Muslim girls “We all hope that our sacrificial actions ary regime has delivered little but poverty, who talked about their encounters with and our united actions at this meeting repression, decline and despair. As noted Jesus. “I know a lot of Muslims who go to once again demonstrate to the wider com - in a recent CBN news article by George church,” one said. “I go there to find munion that we treasure our membership Thomas , Iranian youths – 70 per cent of peace. I cannot explain this peace to you. ” and we treasure the other members of the the population is under the age of 30 – are World Evangelical Alliance Anglican community,” Jefferts Schori said restless. Religious Liberty Commission at a press conference. Amir (not his real name for he is a con - The Episcopal House of Bishops reaf - vert from Islam) told CBN: “More than US Anglicans back down firmed its decision to “exercise restraint 80 per cent of them (Iranian youths) are by not consenting to the consecration of depressed. They are disappointed. They The US Episcopal (Anglican) Church any candidate to the episcopate whose feel like they have no future. They are so has agreed to halt ordination of gay bish - manner of life presents a challenge to the angry that no good thing has come from ops and the blessing of same-sex unions, wider church and will lead to further the Islamic revolution.” straining to try to prevent a painful split in strains on communion” . Another convert tells CBN that Iranian the global Anglican Communion . The church leaders also pledged “not youths feel like Islam only condemns The church leaders who bowed to to authorise or use in our dioceses any them, imposes restrictions put on them, international pressure on those issues, public rites of blessing of same-sex unions and dictates to their life. She says that however, also vowed last month to con - until a broader consensus emerges in the mosques that were often filled before the tinue to fight for the recognition of the Communion or until (the) General revolution are often empty today. “The civil rights of homosexuals. Convention takes further action.” young people say that they don’t have any “I have no doubt that the General But it was not clear whether clergy religion, they don’t have any belief. Some Convention (in 2009) will revisit these would be allowed to carry out unautho - of them even say they are not Muslim!” issues,” said Presiding Bishop Katherine rized blessings of same-sex unions. The CBN article notes that because the Jefferts Schori , head of America’s The statement meant to clarify the traditional ethnic Christian churches do Episcopalians . church’s position noted that clergy have a not (normally) actively seek out new The more liberal stance of the pastoral duty to “respond with love and believers, the government tolerates them. Episcopalian leadership has divided con - understanding to the people of all sexual However, the number of evangelicals is gregations within the United States and orientations... (and) maintain a breadth of growing and these are mostly Muslim- threatened a split within the 77 million- private responses to situations of individ - born Iranians, ethnic Persians, who have member worldwide communion. ual pastoral care.” converted to Christianity often as a result “This resolution really is the result of The Anglican church has been divided of dreams and visions. CBN notes, “For finding common ground to stand on,” since Gene Robinson , an openly gay these people, life is often more challeng - Jefferts Schori added. “Not everyone was priest, was elected as bishop of New ing. Amir elaborates: “The price for con - 100 per cent happy with every word in Hampshire four years ago, outraging tra - verting can be everything. But as Christ this document, as you might imagine. But ditionalists, particularly in Africa. said, if you want to be His follower, you together we believe that we have found a Tensions were further heightened last year have to forsake all, including your life.” place that all of us can stand together.” when the Episcopal Church elected Thomas writes: “In the last decade, The 25 September decision came just Jefferts Schori, a woman, as its leader. several Iranian believers have paid the ulti - days before a deadline imposed by global Conservative US clergy who disagree mate price. The majority of those killed leaders who had threatened that relations with the Episcopal Church approach to were former Muslims. Several remain would be “damaged at best” if the US gays have recently been consecrated to behind bars for hiding their conversions church did not reverse its liberal stance on African bishoprics to allow them to min - to Christianity. homosexuality. It followed two days of ister to traditionalists in the US church. “Despite the challenges, Iranians are crisis talks with Archbishop of AFP

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 • 25 CHURCH Church recycling Selling churches is painful, but it funds new growth.

t’s taken 30 years, but the “for sale’’ just gone through that painful process, sign is up in front of the John Knox closing down St Columba’s at Edithvale church in Brighton. The former Barney and combining the two congregations at Presbyterian church, manse and ten - St Nicholas’. It went as smoothly as pos - nIis courts, expected to fetch at least $2 Zwartz sible, yet it still brought pain and some of million, is just one of more than 350 the the St Columba’s people left in protest. Uniting Church in Victoria and Tasmania congregation to find it. Selling properties Jennie Savage, the parish priest, says expects to sell over the next 40 years. is the only possible way for Uniting the closure was on the agenda for a When the Uniting Church was formed Church to fund repairs and, more impor - decade. “We struggled to keep both 30 years ago by a merger of three denom - tantly, build big new multipurpose facili - churches going, but it became obvious we inations, Brighton was left with three sets ties, including kindergartens or aged care couldn’t keep up the maintenance of two of church buildings and one congregation, centres, in Melbourne’s growth areas. sets of buildings, let alone bring them up but deciding which to keep proved too “Over time we’ve had to work very to date. painful until now. hard at dealing with property grief,’’ Mr “We have to look to the future for our Sales of church properties are on the Preston says. “It’s the loss of a sacred site, ministry and how we serve the commu - rise. But every “for sale’’ sign is a cause of an important memorial and activity place. nity. It’s not just the buildings,’’ she says. grief for parishioners and sometimes oth - It’s all about their ers in the community. It is also a symbol community and hurch treasurer Lois Dennington was of massive cultural change for Australia’s “Over time their history.’’ Cbaptised in St Columba’s in 1934, as mainstream Christian churches as they we’ve had to Other big were her children and their children. Her switch attention from emptying inner city work very denominations parents are buried there, and she and her churches to big ministries in the outer hard at are in the same family felt part of their life went with the suburbs. plight. The church. But, she says, she could see the The Uniting Church in Victoria and dealing with Anglican church practical side as well as the emotional side. Tasmania has 870 churches today. By property grief. has 300 parish “You have to move on, but you still 2050, state property manager John It’s the loss of sites in the don’t forget. We’ve all got our memories Preston estimates, that number will be a sacred site.” Melbourne dio - and they don’t fade. Now we have to hope down to 500. JOHN PRESTON cese, and prop - we can keep St Nicholas’ viable.’’ The state Uniting Church has a erty manager According to John Preston, the sales deferred maintenance bill of $165 million. Sally Petty has no are a positive thing. For example, at That’s the sum needed to replace rooves, idea how many will have to go. One, how - Brighton, the congregation will keep a fix spires and pollution-damaged walls, ever, is St Paul’s in Ascot Vale, where the heritage-listed church, fund their aged- rewire, enable access for disabled people Anglicans have two churches close care ministry and be able to build a pre- and a host of other repairs. Many of those together. The church, hall and vicarage, on school centre. churches have state or local council her - three blocks are expected About 10 Uniting churches are sold a itage restraints. to fetch about $2 million. Some of this year, and comparatively few are demol - Some of the big churches have bills of will go into capital development at the ished. Some are adapted creatively, more than $1 million – and perhaps a cou - second church, some for a vicarage, and Preston says – residential developments, ple of dozen mostly elderly people in the some will be used to buy land in outer art galleries, bed and breakfasts, design areas. centres – and some are bought by other The churches are aware of heritage val - denominations and kept as churches. He ues, she says, but they value the congre - likes the former Glasgow church that gations and their needs over the buildings. became a rock climbing centre. “What I see is the desperation of people And, of course, they are prime real trying to do good things.’’ estate. Michael Ebeling, a director of real The Anglicans built a modern complex estate agent R.T. Edgar, says church con - at Keilor which involved closing three versions are popular because people like churches, and local residents objected. open spaces. He should know: he sold an “It’s a bit offensive when people who East Melbourne apartment in the former haven’t contributed or worshipped object. Cairns church in Hotham Street recently There’s enough hurt without them com - for $2.35 million. ing out of the woodwork and saying ‘you can’t do that’,’’ Ms Petty says. Barney Zwartz is religion editor of The Age, The Anglican church at Mordialloc has where this article first appeared. ap

26 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 CULTURE WATCH Darwin’s dogma Many scientists tolerate no dissent from evolutionary orthodoxy.

en Stein, the American television representing one side of the story. The personality, actor and former film confronts scientists such as Richard White House presidential speech Michael Dawkins, author of The God Delusion , writer, is on a journey to answer influential biologist and atheist blogger Bone of the biggest questions ever asked: Ireland P. Z . Myers and Eugenie Scott, head of “Were we designed or are we simply the the National Centre for Science end result of an ancient mud puddle For example, Stein meets Richard Education. struck by lightning?” Sternberg, a double PhD biologist who The creators of Expelled crossed the Stein, who is also a lawyer, an allowed a peer-reviewed research paper globe over a two-year period, interviewing economist, an author and social describing the evidence for intelligence in scores of scientists, doctors, philosophers commentator, is stunned by what he finds the universe to be published in the and public leaders. The result is a startling on his journey. He discovers an elitist scientific journal Proceedings . revelation that freedom of thought and scientific establishment that has traded in Not long after publication, officials freedom of inquiry have been expelled its skepticism for dogma. from the National Centre for Science from publicly funded high schools, But even worse, along the way, Stein universities and research institutions. uncovers a long line of biologists, “The incredible thing about Expelled is astronomers, chemists and philosophers that we don’t resort to manipulating our “Scientists are who have had their reputations destroyed interviews for the purpose of achieving and their careers ruined by a scientific supposed to the ‘shock effect,’ something that has establishment that allows absolutely no follow the become common in documentary film dissent from Charles Darwin’s theory of evidence these days,” said Walt Ruloff, co-founder random mutation and natural selection. wherever it of Premise Media and co-executive “Big science in this area of biology has may lead, no producer. lost its way,” says Stein. “Scientists are matter the supposed to be allowed to follow the implications.” eople will be stunned to actually evidence wherever it may lead, no matter ‘Pfind out what elitist scientists what the implications are. Freedom of BEN STEIN proclaim, which is that a large majority of inquiry has been greatly compromised, Americans are simpletons who believe in a and this is not only anti-American, it’s fairy tale. Premise Media took on this anti-science. Its anti-the whole concept of Education and the Smithsonian difficult mission because we believe the learning.” Institution where Sternberg was a greatest asset of humanity is our freedom In Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed ,a research fellow began a coordinated smear to explore and discover truth,” Ruloff film to be released in February, Stein and intimidation campaign to get the said. discovers a high school science educator promising young scientist expelled from The film is being marketed by Motive who teaches a theory as indisputable fact his position. This attack on scientific Entertainment, the company that has and reveals that university professors freedom was so egregious that it spearheaded significant Hollywood unmercifully crush any fellow scientists prompted a congressional investigation. blockbusters, including The Passion of the who dare question the prevailing system On his journey, Stein meets other Christ, Polar Express and The Chronicles of of belief. scientists such as astrobiologist Guillermo Narnia. Rocky Mountain Pictures, an Gonzalez, who was denied tenure at Iowa established distribution company, which news release about the movie State University in spite of his has enjoyed numerous box-office Aexplains: “This isn’t the latest extraordinary record of achievement. successes, will distribute the film. Hollywood comedy; it’s a disturbing new Gonzalez made the mistake of The extensive grass roots campaign for documentary that will shock anyone who documenting the design he has observed Expelled , spearheaded by Motive thinks all conservative leaders, those who in the universe. There are others, such as Entertainment president Paul Lauer, will believe creationism to be true and Caroline Crocker, a brilliant biology include nationwide screenings and scientists are free to follow the evidence teacher at George Mason University who endorsements with key leaders, and their own personal faith wherever it was forced out of the university for briefly promotional materials, a promotional may lead.” discussing problems with Darwinian resource DVD, publicity, radio The film uncovers that educators and theory and for telling the students that promotions and Internet. scientists are being ridiculed, denied some scientists believe there is evidence of For more information on Ben Stein’s tenure and even fired in some cases for the design in the universe. The list goes on journey visit www.expelledthemovie.com. fact that they believe there is evidence of and on. This film is not yet rated. “design” in nature, challenging the idea Unlike some other documentary that life is a result of random chance. films, Expelled doesn’t just talk to people Assist News Service ap

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 • 27 BOOKS

a baby to a toddler and into school age , early and at home, and the eventual excite - closing with Drew at five years old. Each ment at finding an organisation that might Books stage in Drew’s development is shared, be able to help. One of the most insight - Cathy’s focus on teaching Drew obedi - ful sections concerns Cathy’s description ence, and the difficulties encountered, of her experience in observing an occupa - from Drew hating Cathy singing to him tional therapy session, where the child Too Wise to Be and expressing this in screams and crying; drove the agenda . “Who knows better Mistaken, Too Good his physically recoiling from her trying to than the child what he wants to do and hug him ; to the pain she experienced in what he doesn’t want to do” is the expla - to Be Unkind trying to leave him in the crèche during nation given . Cathy leaves convinced that Christian Parents Contend church, her sitting waiting to hear his her choice of treatment for Drew is the With Autism screams knowing she needed to rescue the right choice. Cathy Steere crèche staff, and eventually not attending The final chapters of the book cover Grace & Truth Books, 2005. church to avoid this altogether . the intense struggle that the early stages of Reviewed by Don Kerr For any parent these are normal/daily this chosen program are for Cathy, the situations, but Cathy’s account gives us a balance and encouragement David helps real insight into life with an autistic child, to bring to her, and the progress they or many parents , receiving a diagnosis including the questioning of one’s parent - make with Drew. There are many differ - Fthat their child is on the autism spec - ing skills, and a lack of understanding ent treatment approaches outlined, and trum is an entry to an unknown world, from others . In Drew’s early years there Cathy adopts some as additions to the one filled with denial and ignorance. was no official diagnosis,which increased core program she is working on. Through Likewise for many educators, relatives the anguish, with Cathy left questioning all this she continues to train and expect and friends , seeing these families and chil - whether it was the way she loved Drew. obedience from Drew, but now has a bet - dren presents a disconcerting, con - As Drew passes his third birthday, ter understanding of how Drew’s brain is fronting and confusing time. Cathy and David see an interview on TV “wired”. Cathy Tripp writes openly and with with an autistic lady. Her description of When Drew was four years and two emotion, revealing the personal and fam - how she views the world and how she acts months of age, Cathy commenced this ily trauma brought by her first son, Drew. describe Drew so clearly that they are dri - program. Two months later she finally has Starting from his very birth Cathy opens a ven to act. The next day phone calls are Drew toilet trained, and she began to see vivid window on her , and her husband made and the mid -section of the book dramatic improvement in his language David’s, experience with Drew – a child outlines the testing and diagnosis process. ability and a reduction in his anxieties – all who made no eye contact, rejected physi - In the midst of this Cathy clearly resulting in an improvement in his behav - cal affection and only expressed dissatis - describes how this impacts her: “My iour. These chapters chronicle the faction with any situation, even in matters plunge into the pit of despair picked up progress Drew makes up to his fifth birth - of food and clothing. There were invari - momentum with every book and article I day, and the improvement noted by the ably reactions from Drew consisting of read .” program therapist through to his Sunday screams of pain. The reader is taken into She also tells where her true source of school teacher. Cathy’s world of parenting Drew. comfort comes from, quoting a Samuel In the final chapter Cathy summarises Within this emotional and detailed Rodigast hymn : “My Father’s care is her learning; “The ugliest thing about account there is the defined foundation of round me there, He holds me that I shall autism is that you can’t see its source. David and Cathy’s absolute faith in the not fall, and so to Him I leave it all .” Tucked away and hidden behind a per - sovereign purpose of the one living and Cathy describes the heartache of trying fectly normal looking face is an injured true God. The book follows the chronol - to cope with Drew through this period, brain. Injured so horribly it produces only ogy of Drew’s development, starting from her view of autism as “the hidden mon - what it can: bizarre and confusing behav - the final days of pregnancy through the ster”, the various therapists whom she iour... As Christian parents we have a duty very early months of his life, his growth as consulted, her focus on schooling Drew before God and a responsibility to the children He has given us. We must con - sider all this life from a theological per - spective ... I would never say that a certain The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church method or therapy is the ‘biblical’ one or of Australia has established a committee to investigate isn’t, but I can say the method of parent - whether or not there is substance to concerns ing or treatment of autism springs forth expressed in media reports and literature about certain from someone’s philosophy and world view.” alleged behaviour within Trinity Presbyterian Church, Cathy’s concluding paragraph reveals Camberwell. again how intensely an autistic child impacts a family: “With Drew’s emer - gence into our world has come my own If you wish to speak with the Committee about the matters it is investigating, emergence from the dreadful pit of please contact: The Rev . Chris Balzer by 31 October 2007 . despair. There are still areas in which to preferably by email in the first instance: [email protected] or Phone (02) 4822-2344 improve, of course; there may always be. or mail: PO Box 160, Goulburn NSW 2580 But I know that normalcy now outweighs oddity; and Drew’s personality shines

28 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 BOOKS

Darren, who had been a top squash player, Calvin’s Christianity was not merely con - brighter that the glare that ever came from almost dies of a heart condition, and cerned about correct doctrine, rather he that horrid monster. By the grace of God, Naomi suffers five miscarriages to go with had a burning zeal to glorify Christ in the we have hope for the future.” her three live births. In all this , God whole of life. I would strongly recommend this reigns. The 500th anniversary of Calvin’s birth book to any whose extended family is Naomi has produced a book that is a is less than two years away, on 19th July touched directly by autism and for any delight to read. This might read like an 2009. It will be marked by many celebra - teachers or parents in a school or church odd appraisal but it reminded me of the tions and publications honouring Calvin. community with children diagnosed on ancient Christian work, the Epistle to This little book by Banner may help clar - the autism spectrum. The insight that Diognetus which describes the Christian ify in your mind who Calvin was and what Cathy Steere will provide you into the as a pilgrim: “Any foreign country is a he taught , for you may be one who has lives of the parents and children should motherland, and any motherland is a for - given heed to Calvin’s critics without equip you with a level of empathy to sup - eign country. ” Read and enjoy and learn of knowing the facts . port and serve (practically and prayer - God’s ways in this wayward and wonder - fully) these children and their parents. ful world. Greg Goswell lectures at the Presbyterian Theological College, Melbourne. Don Kerr is the father of an autistic child. Peter Barnes is books editor of AP. An Exposition of My Seventh Monsoon Let Christ be Magnified the Epistle of St Paul Calvin’s Teaching for Today Naomi Reed to the Colossians North Sydney: Ark House Press, 2007. J. H. Merle d’Aubigne John Davenant Reviewed by Peter Barnes Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2007. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1627, reprinted Reviewed by Greg Goswell 2005. Reviewed by Peter Barnes his tells of Darren and Naomi Reed, Ttogether with their three boys, who he bulk of this slim book of 53 pages live out the truth that to everything there Tconsists of a speech by the ohn Davenant was the bishop of is a season (Eccles. 3:1-11). Life is an illus - Reformation historian d’Aubigne, given JSalisbury from 1621 to 1641, and in tration of the Pierre de Caussade maxim: in Geneva, on the occasion of the 300 th 1627 he produced an 850 -page commen - “Regardless of how things appear at a anniversary of Calvin’s death on 27 May tary in Latin of Paul’s epistle to the given moment in time, all of history will 1864. Calvin’s name and memory has Colossians. By any standards, it is a mas - ultimately serve to accomplish God’s pur - been slandered even to the present day, sive effort, but well worthwhile. There are pose on earth. ” and d’Aubigne seeks to set the record quite a number of typographical errors, The Reeds work as physiotherapists in straight. He has no desire to turn Calvin especially concerning Scripture refer - two different cultures – Nepal and the into a Protestant saint, admitting that ences, and not all the references to the Blue Mountains, with a six -month inter - Calvin had his faults . early Fathers would pass the authenticity lude for training in south India in 1993. D’Aubigne sums up the motivation test. In addition, Davenant finds allusions Naomi writes in a wonderfully descriptive and teaching of the great reformer under to baptism in places where it is not specif - style, laced with an understated laconic four headings: glory to Christ’s word, ically mentioned (e.g. 1:2; 3:3, 13). On humour. Her first child, Stephen, was glory to Christ’s person, glory to Christ’s some of the contested passages, Davenant born in Nepal in 1995, and Naomi com - grace, and glory to Christ’s life. Calvin comes down on the side of more tradi - ments that “there is nothing quite so lived to glorify Christ. This speech, how - tional readings. For example, he considers lovely in the middle of labour as a Western ever, is not so much an exposition of that 2:8 refers to the elementary ABC, toilet ”. Calvin’s teaching as it is a spirited attack not any occultish attachment to the stars Naomi tells of their sense of inade - on modern deviations from the faith once (as Dick Lucas thought), and he takes quacy and helplessness in India, of a 10- delivered to the saints , of which Calvin 2:18 as a reference to people who worship hour bus trip from Kathmandu to was a great champion. It is a clarion call to angels, not those who want to observe Pokhara with goats on top of the bus return to the faith as expounded by angels worshipping God. Interestingly dropping pellets into their laps, and of the Calvin. He tells us what Calvin would say enough, he defends the lawfulness of Nepali practice of eating only twice a day. (using quotations from Calvin’s writings) Christmas and other festivals, and does Nepal is a country that has been beset by about the present state of the church. not see 2:16 as an argument against them. a Maoist insurrection, and a resultant civil In the spirit of Calvin, d’Aubigne cele - Some of the discussion strikes the war. But it is also a country where the brates the unique power of Christ’s word modern reader as dated. On 3:20, for church is growing, despite the fact that to to convict and subdue the stubborn example, Davenant spends what we change one’s religion is a serious step human heart. He magnifies the person of might regard as too much time on the indeed. A Hindu priest was converted to Christ who is fully God and fully human. question as to whether children can take Christ, became a pastor, set up a Bible cor - He exalts the grace of Christ toward sin - monastic vows without parental consent. respondence course, and in five years ners and clears Calvin of the charge of On 3:5 he deals very extensively, albeit (1992-7) some 180,000 people had teaching that God predestined some peo - both with frankness and delicacy, with the requested it. ple to evil. What Calvin actually taught subject of fornication. There is sadness and joy, struggle and (following Scripture) was that a person’s For all that, there is much that is very triumph, apparent trivia and the issues of damnation is due to their own sin and so a helpful in this work, and its size should eternity, all interwoven into this story. just condemnation by a Holy God. not frighten the intrepid reader.

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 • 29 EEVVAAPNRNAGGYEEELLR IISSMM

31 Presbytery of Northern Rivers NSW: 3 PIM Patrols with about 675 c&a and OCTOBER 2007 14 parishes totaling 22 congregations 205 yf, 2 country ministry field work - 21 Wisdom for all electors and God’s with about 1615 c&a and 585 yf, 1 ers, 3 missionaries, 3 retired ministers overruling so that honest, able and retired minister and 1 under jurisdic - and 2 under jurisdiction. Stuart godly men and women will be put tion. Hamish Burke clerk. Bonnington clerk. into our national parliament. 11 Leederville parish, Perth with about 50 22 Presbytery of Central Queensland 6 NOVEMBER 2007 c&a and 15 yf; Seong-Mo and Lee parishes and 1 home mission station 1 Mt Barker home mission station Byun. totaling 18 congregations with about Adelaide with about 55 c&a, 3 yf and 12 Drummoyne parish Sydney with 800 c&a (communicants and adher - 5e; Rupert Hanna. about 95 c&a, 2 yf and 2 e; Craig and ents), 279 yf (younger folk – Sunday 2 Rob mission partners (APWM) Cathy Tucker. School and youth) 1 retired minister worker from Croydon Hills, Vic. In 13 Students, lecturers and other staff at and 1 under jurisdiction. David Central Asia with Pioneers involved in the Presbyterian Theological Centre, Secombe clerk. evangelism, church planting and disci - Burwood, NSW; John Davies princi - 23 Ballina parish far northern NSW with pleship training. pal. about 170 c&a and 50 yf, and 5 e 3 Carisbrook-Maryborough home mis - 14 Armidale parish northern NSW (elders); Hamish and Jo Burke, Jeff sion station, Vic. with about 65 c&a, including Wollomombi with about Keighley. 12 yf and 3 e; John and Rosalie 195 c&a, 30 yf and 9 e; David Seaman, 24 Miles parish western Qld including Gething. state moderator, and Alison. Dulacca and Condamine with about 4 Terrigal parish north of Sydney with 15 North Queensland patrol of the 120 c&a and 12 e; Wal and Christine about 130 c&a, 6 yf and 9 e; Glenn Presbyterian Inland Mission – David Jones. and Lyn Samuel. Rodgers, based in Townsville. 25 Kids Weekender Camps in 5 Joseph mission partners (APWM) 16 Manly parish Sydney with about 180 Queensland the coming weekend and worker from Victoria in Asia and his c&a, 25 yf and 23 e; Derek and November 2-4, and the Jumpstart family. Barbara Bullen. NSW. Schoolies camp 19-23; John Mansfield 6 Pray for the moderator, preachers and 17 Elspeth Slater mission partners director. filling of the vacancy in Coolah home (APWM) worker from Canterbury, 26 Fellowship, debates and decisions at mission station western NSW includ - Vic. in Burkina Faso, west Africa with ing Dunedoo with about 60 c&a and 3 the Western Australian General SIM International involved in work Assembly meetng at Bassendeen; e. among pastors‚ wives and other Stuart Bonnington moderator, Glenn 7 Ballarat South parish Vic. comprising women. Muskett clerk. Ebenezer, St David’s and Scarsdale 18 Wangaratta Regional parish Vic. 27 Pray for the Interim moderator, with about 75 c&a, 15 yf and 12 e; including also Yarrawonga and preachers and filling of the vacancy in John and Lyn Woodward. Myrtleford with about 80 c&a, 11 yf Leongatha home mission station Vic. 8 Heidelberg congregation, northern and 3 e; Neil and Barbara Harvey. with about 50 c&a, 8 yf and 4 e. Melbourne, which recently lost its mission partners 28 Sandra mission partners (APWM) church building to fire – with about 19 Chandra Smith worker from Epping NSW in East 45 c&a, 2 yf and 4 e; Alan and Virginia (APWM) worker from Stanthorpee, Asia with Overseas Missionary Every, K B and Mrs Lee. Qld in Ecuador with SIM Fellowship involved in teaching. 9 Nicole Linklater mission partners International involved in rural health 29 North Albert (Beenleigh) home mis - (APWM) worker from Epping NSW and evangelism. sion station Qld with about 30 c&a in Chad, west Africa with WEC 20 Granville/Merrylands home mission and 6 yf; David and Jane Johnston. International involved in literacy and station, western Sydney, including 30 Dandenong parish Melbourne with rural health. Canley Heights with about 95 c&a, 8 about 40 c&a, 10 yf and 3 e; John and 10 Presbytery of Western Australia 6 yf and 9 e; Peter and Ayumi Tamsett. Heather Rickard. parishes, 3 home mission stations and Pete Magee.

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backs to the wall over this issue and deriding how I live and think? If Barney shouldn’t be fighting one another. Zwartz’s article (AP , August) brings out a Letters David Palmer , little of their hatred for me as a funda - Sandringham, Vic. mentalist Christian, I just meditate on the foolishness of God. How foolish that the Holy God Compact riches Insightful, in the main should love me and name a bastard, as I, a son (Jer 17:9) . Even think upon me more I would like to express my long -overdue Congratulations to David Palmer for his than the grains of sand (Ps. 139:18), not thanks to the Rev . Bruce Christian for his excellent account of the two pastors in account iniquity to me (Ps. 32:2) and set commitment and dedication to faithfully Victoria, “Pastors Vindicated” me free (Jn 8:36). How foolish that the writing the Bible study segment month by (AP , August). maker of the Sun, the moon, the earth, month, year by year – short and concise, His attached comment is also very Andromeda, should die naked on the yet so rich and meaningful. helpful. Because of the importance of the cross for me. How foolish that Jesus is Thank you very much and may our God subject I believe every minister and elder not ashamed to call me a brother (Heb. bless you richly. should read this article if not every church 2:11). How foolish that the Father and Lorraine Nixon , member. Perhaps sessions could provide the Son should dwell in me, hear my Cootamundra, NSW copies for their members. We are in David complaints, grant my requests, direct my Palmer’s and the Victorian church’s debt steps (Jer. 10:23). for their interest in this matter. Knowing this , I conclude that the Agreed on marriage We can also thank him for an alterna - universe itself and history is made not tive view on climate change. I disagree for the atheist but for the sons of God. I see that Professor Burcham continues with him on the relationship-register I am not afraid. God will perfect that to take me to task over my article on civil question. In my view, everything put for - which concerns me (Ps. 138:8). I have this unions, in the process of which he both ward by the gay lobby is subservient to sense of destiny I will contribute to his - misrepresents my position and accuses me their goal of having their lifestyle accepted tory, to the consummation. (and the Victorian Assembly) of advanc - in every possible way as a legitimate and Now the atheist says I should get rid of ing the “secular values and relativistic valid alternative. this crutch, be intelligent, trust in the big worldview of 21st century postmoder - John Woods , bang, where 92 naturally occurring ele - nity”. Winmalee , NSW ments were wonderfully formed in a “cre - While no doubt I can be faulted on any ative explosion” . Go back to smoking, number of accounts, I do believe mem - drunkenness and debauchery. But can I? bers of the Victorian Assembly would Who needs a crutch? My atheist companion in these things consider that I seek before God to be long ago took his own life. faithful to my ordination vows. Am I concerned that an atheistic scien - Neil Cadman, I think our dispute is not whether I tist or philosopher portrays me as an Norman Park, Qld subscribe to Hebrews 13:4 – “let marriage intellectual cripple, needing a crutch, be held in honour among all” (I most cer - tainly do), but whether relationship -regis - ter legislation such as that in force in Tasmania can be equated to marriage. This appears to be Professor Burcham’s opin - ion, but it is not mine. The whole thrust of my article which Professor Burcham seems to have totally missed was the protection of the institu - tion of marriage. I will do everything in my power as Convener of the Victorian Church and Nation Committee to work for the preservation of marriage as “the union of a man and a woman to the exclu - sion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life”. Now, Professor Burcham may wish to argue that relationship registration must be opposed because it will inevitably lead to marriage or civil partnership legislation for homosexuals. I can’t deny that as a possibility but neither can Professor Burcham affirm that opposing relationship registers will stop civil partnerships coming. With current societal trends, we really do have our

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007 • 31 ESSAY Alone before God Loneliness is the most devastating malady of the age.

ne of the most affecting lines I Me ” (John 16:32). Lesser mortals, exem - have ever read appeared, of all plified by the Puritan, Thomas Brooks, places, in the New York Times of Peter have experienced something similar: 20 May 2007. A man called “Though my comfort is gone, yet the ORichard Guthrie received a number of Barnes God of my comfort abides. ” those irritating phone calls from telemar - This is a fallen, fractured, and alienated keters , who then sold his name to con Athanasius did, that Christ alone is the world. We are not what we were created to artists. divine Saviour, when even the religious be, and this affects all relationships. In the What was extraordinary was Guthrie’s world is obsessed with compromise, was present expression of the new creation, attitude to the telemarketers, and what and is a lonely business. Then, as now, the there should , however, be some substan - this led to. Guthrie explained: “I loved world is surprised when Christians do not tial healing of that sense of alienation. The getting those calls. Since my wife passed join it in debauchery, and it maligns them Christian is restored to a right relation - away, I don’t have many people to talk (1 Pet. 4:4). ship with God and with his fellow with. I didn’t even know they were steal - Christians are not made of cast iron , Christians. He is, says Paul, “one new ing from me until everything was gone. ” and the apostle Paul himself, when impris - man in place of the two ” (Eph. 2:15). Advances in telecommunications have oned and await - Before there was the old Jew-Gentile hos - not led to advances in any sense of com - ing execution, tility, but in Christ that is transformed. munity or a reduction in the number of felt his vulnera - This is a The new community in Christ is to be lonely people. No wonder the Beatles bility as a human fallen, frac - where there is compassion, kindness, sang in Eleanor Rigby of all the lonely being. His sec - tured, and humility, meekness, patience, and forgive - people, and no wonder Paul Tournier ond letter to alienated ness (Col. 3:12-13). As Dick Lucas com - referred to loneliness as “the most devas - Timothy con - world. We are ments: “it is God’s purpose that in the tating malady of this age ”. tains the local church should be seen a glimpse of Poor Richard Guthrie illustrates the poignant not what we the new man .” truth that for most people “it is not good request: “Do were created In Christ and with His people, the that man should be alone ” (Gen. 2:18). your best to to be, and this effects of the fall will remain, but there is Hence we also read that it is God who set - come to me affects all also healing and blessing in this broken tles the solitary in a home (Ps. 68:6). soon. For relationships. world. Grace leads to brothers dwelling Being with the wrong company can Demas, in love together in unity (Ps. 133:1). It is true, as deceive us and ruin our morals (1 Cor. with this present world, has deserted me Bonhoeffer put it, “Self-justification and 15:32), but being alone – even being alone and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has judging others go together, as justification in a crowd – can be a devastating experi - gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke by grace and serving others go together. ” ence . alone is with me ” (2 Tim.4:9-11a). The Pharisees thought they were right - On the night before His crucifixion, eous before God and so despised others riendship is one of the consolations of even the Lord Jesus Christ looked upon (Luke 18:9); the Christian stands on grace Fthis vain world: “Two are better than His disciples with deep affection as “those alone and so seeks to serve others. one … for if they fall, one will lift up his who have stayed with Me in My trials ” fellow. But woe to him who is alone when (Luke 22:28). They failed to measure up Peter Barnes is minister of Revesby he falls and has not another to lift him as friends as three times they fell asleep Presbyterian Church, Sydney. ap up! ” (Eccles. 4:9-10). A friendship when He had asked them to watch and betrayed is a particularly hurtful experi - pray (Mt. 26:36-46). In His humanity, our Ministry Opportunity ence (Ps. 41:9). It is natural to look for Lord craved human company as He pre - comforters, and devastating when there pared for the next day when He would be Interested in Gospel work are none (Ps. 69:20). forsaken by God and man . the other side of the mountains? Jeremiah writes of the isolation that Paul and even Jesus longed for com - Bathurst Presbyterian Church can come from being a child of God in a pany in their trials. Paul notes that at his is seeking to employ a F/T Bible College sinful and rebellious world: “I did not sit first defence no one came to stand by trained assistant minister to start next year. in the company of revelers, nor did I him, then he adds: “But the Lord stood by A heart for God’s Word, His Son, His people and the lost is obviously essential. rejoice; I sat alone, because Your hand was me and strengthened me ” (see 2 Working amongst young families, upon me, for You had filled me with indig - Tim.4: 16-17). Christ too commented: young adults and uni students nation ” (Jer.15:17). The story of “Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has would be a key focus. Athanasius is often recounted in terms of come, when you will be scattered, each to Contact Tim Abbey, minister Athanasius contra mundum – Athanasius his own home, and will leave Me alone. 6334 3482, 0411 846 050 (m) against the world. To believe as Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with [email protected]

32 • AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN October 2007