October 2002
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october 2002 Colossians Shadows and reality The great debate • Philip Yancey • Balancing act youth pastor The Certificate of part time GAA Christian Studies Christian Old Testament (G.Goswell), epping presbyterian church New Testament (K. Martin), Epping Presbyterian Church invites applications from men and women for the posi- Education Church History (P. Barnes), tion of part-time Youth Pastor (approximately 20 hours per week). Biblical Theology (D. Geddes) The position’s mission is twofold: Resource • To lead, coordinate, counsel and nurture the volunteer and part-time leaders of being offered in 2002 at $60 ea. the Church’s youth groups Centre • To reach out into the community via scripture classes in high schools The best selling youth groups Westminster The existing youth groups are Fellowship, PYE (Presbyterian Youth Epping), Ground 621 Punt Road Zero, Mustard Seed, Keziah (young women’s Bible study) and Hyrax (young men’s Confession Bible study). South Yarra 3141 of Faith for the 21st high school outreach 03 9867 4637 [email protected] Century — Study Scripture teaching and outreach at Epping Boys’ High and Cheltenham Girls’ High. Edition youth strategy (Please make all $15 + $3 pp — To strengthen the Church’s outreach to youth and encouragement of Christian growth. cheques payable prepared by DJW Milne, Principal To encourage the transition from Ground Zero to PYE and Fellowship and on to to GAA Christian regular Church attendance. Education Committee) of the PTC Melbourne. conditions of employment The Six Pack: for • Theologically trained, with diploma or degree Sessions/Bible study groups • Able to communicate effectively with youth of high school age and upwards • Able to lead and inspire youth leaders 6 copies of the WCF-21C • Emotionally mature for $92 posted! • Able to plan youth activities • Able to attend youth activities Remuneration will be negotiated accordingly. Walk With The Lord The Youth Pastor will be a member of our Ministry team, consisting of our Minister Rev David Tsai, Pastoral Associate Deaconess Pam Vaughan and Family Daily Bible Reading Notes, cur- Worker Al Burke. rently written by Rev Dr Greg for further enquiries Goswell, Old Testament lecturer Please contact Al Burke Tel: 02 9868 2210 or Ross Ferrier Tel: 02 9869 2875. at the PTC, Victoria. Please send applications addressed: Youth Pastor application, Epping Presbyterian Church, Bridge St, Epping NSW 2121. Closing date 6 November 2002 CHRISTIAN BOOKS For Sale/Wanted We stock a wide range of new& secondhand Evangelical& Reformed titles Catalogues available Hours: Open Mon-Fri 2:00pm-5:30pm & Sat 10:00am-1:00pm Rockdale Christian Books 11 Watkin Street Rockdale NSW 2216 Tel (02) 9568 2813 Fax (02) 9590 3268 Email [email protected] or visit our web site at: www.rcb.com.au RCB is supported by Bexley-Rockdale presbyterian Church October 2002 No. 542 COLOSSIANS No extras please: Ian Smith . .4 editorial Off the track: Paul Barnett . .8 A first-century model: Stuart Bonnington . .10 here is little more frustrating than returning from a bookshop with a new book only to discover that you DEVOTION had it all along. It was always sitting there on your shelves; it’s just that for some mysterious reason you A joyful throng: John Piper . .12 Tforgot that you had it. This is not hypothetical, it has hap- pened to me. The second time I did it I began to have serious BIBLE STUDY doubts about my state of mind. Fortunately, it hasn’t hap- pened again for quite some time. Nevertheless, it has served 20 studies in Colossians . .13 as an expensive warning that I must remember what I have, lest in my desire for something more I forget what I already NEWS possess. The quest for “something more” is a tendency that we all Home Front . .17 share, but it becomes particularly dangerous when we allow Across Australia . .18 it unfettered expression in the spiritual realm. In Colossians Paul reminds us that believers, whether discour- World News . .19 aged by their inconstancy or stirred by pride, may yearn for spiritual resources that they already have. Whatever the rea- DEFENDING THE FAITH son for wanting more than Christ, it arises from the false assumption that our faith in him provides insufficient The Great Debate: Tracy Gordon . .21 resources to transform and prepare us for a God-centred life. WORSHIP Church history has shown us that this thirst for something more than Christ has led people to seek a higher life through Would Jesus worship here? Philip Yancey . .23 such things as mystical visions, tongues, rebaptism and self- denial. All these alternatives to simple faith in Christ are BOOKS touted as holding the key to that elusive “something more”. But they can’t, as Paul reminds us. To possess Christ is to have Soul Survivor . .24 “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (2:3); it is to be united with the One in whom “dwells all the fullness of deity LETTERS . .25 in bodily form” (2:9). The New Testament is at pains to point out that faith in PRAYER . .26 Christ is the key to abundant life. It is from the fullness of Christ’s grace that “we have all received one blessing after another.” (John 1:17) And Peter tells us that “his divine CULTURE WATCH power has given us everything necessary for life and godliness Lights, camera, action! Phil Campbell . .27 through our knowledge of Christ.” (2 Peter 1:3) Since we are made complete in him (Colossians 2:10), the mature Christian will rejoice in the simple gospel. ESSAY ap Balancing act: Peter Barnes . .28 Peter Hastie THE AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN (ABN 81 498 399 755): The national magazine of the Presbyterian Church of Australia. Editorial committee: Peter Hastie (NSW) Themes Editor; Barney Zwartz (Victoria) Production; Walter Bruining (Victoria) News Editor; Tracy Gordon (NSW), Stuart Bonnington (Vic.), Graphic Design: Sandra Joynt for A&J Moody Design. Advertising and subscription inquiries: Walter Bruining, PO Box 375, Kilsyth 3137; Phone: (03) 9723 9684. Subscription: $35.20 a year inc. GST; bulk (etc) $31.90 each inc. GST. Office: PO Box 375, Kilsyth 3137. Phone: (03) 9723 9684. Fax: (03) 9723 9685. Email: [email protected] Printed: Newsprinters Pty Ltd, Melbourne Road, Shepparton 3060. Published: Monthly except January by the National Journal Committee of the Presbyterian Church of Australia; Convener Peter Hastie. Opinions expressed are those of the contributor and not necessarily those of the PCA, the editor or the committee. Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement. Contributions: Submitted articles are welcome. The deadline is the first of the previous month. Donations are always welcome. Print Post approved 34918100384. www.presbyterian.org.au AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 3 COLOSSIANS Just as it comes The base-model gospel is perfect. No extras are needed. aul’s letter to the Colossians new revelation from God in some form speaks to a spiritual problem with Ian Smith other than the Scriptures. which believers in the church of talks to I’ve lost count over the years of the the 21st century continue to number of conversations that I’ve had Pwrestle. It’s the quest of always seeking Peter Hastie with people who have talked about how something more than we already have in God has guided them through experi- the gospel. Sadly, those who are on this plete series on Colossians is that by and ences, dreams, and other sorts of phe- quest are unaware of their spiritual large they find it hard to understand the nomena as though these are superior resources in Christ. Believers who are precise nature of the error with which forms of guidance to the Scriptures. There influenced in this way are always on the Paul is dealing. Until you understand are Christians in all denominations who lookout for more of the Holy Spirit, more something of the error that had arisen in think like this. It’s not an error that is par- ecstatic visions, more special powers and the church, it becomes very hard to grasp ticularly confined to the charismatic the like. the overall message of the book. churches. I think we are more mystical Ian Smith, a former pastor and mis- than we think we are. sionary, now teaches New Testament at What is the underlying message of The difficulty with this type of so- the Presbyterian Theological Centre in Colossians that has special relevance called “higher revelation” is that it’s so Sydney. Over the past five years he has to the church today? subjective. How do you determine made a special study of Colossians. He The main message of the letter is about whether such revelation is really from has recently submitted his PhD thesis to Christ’s complete sufficiency to meet all God? Paul writes to remind us in the let- Sydney University on the Colossian error. our spiritual needs. In every generation ter that God locates the fullness of his rev- AP spoke to him about this widespread the Church has been faced with different elation and blessing in the person of spiritual quest for something more. errors where people have tried to suggest Christ and in his saving work upon the that having faith in Christ is simply not cross. Since we only learn about these Why don’t people often preach on enough. So today, for example, there is no things in the Scriptures, we need to Colossians? shortage of mystical movements within remind ourselves that we only attain full- One of the main reasons, I think, why the church which claim that the mark of ness of blessing as we meet Jesus Christ in ministers find it difficult to preach a com- superior spirituality is to seek and find the Scriptures and rely upon his work for AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 4 us upon the cross.