EDITORIAL Electing an MP

BY THE TIME our next APC News advance. appears we will have a new If we were a truly Christian government. It is the Christian’s nation, then individual Party policy duty to vote. How should we vote? would perhaps be worth con- What principles should we apply? sidering. However, in practice we To say that there is no point in are very far from being a Christian voting because they are all a ‘bunch nation. Although our financial of crooks’, is not only untrue but situation is in a very serious state, it very silly reasoning. If they are all a is not the most serious matter in our ‘bunch of crooks’, then it is because land. The most important crisis in we, the electorate, have put them our country is the spiritual decline into power, either by our vote or by in Christian values and ideals. Until our indolence in not voting. this is recovered, Party policy The present concern about should not dominate our choice. sleaze and corruption among MPs, Our poor financial situation is ought to stir us up to be sure that we due to our neglecting the spiritual are not responsible for such people and moral aspects of life. Immor- holding such power. We ought to be ality is costing our nation billions of more industrious than ever that pounds each year. Because we have good people hold important office in abandoned God and His Word as the land. the only rule to direct us in our For the Christian, the primary journey through life, our nation has concern ought to be the upholding lost it’s role of leadership in the of God’s laws and the spiritual and world and is struggling to survive moral welfare of the people. with huge amounts of debts. Nothing, but absolutely nothing, The Bible insists that should deter us from that primary “Righteousness exalts a nation but object. Each Christian ought to find sin is a reproach to any people” out which candidate, no matter [Pro 14:34]. In the last two decades, what Party he may belong to, will our nation has legislated in preserve our Christian heritage and opposition to the very fundamental allow the kingdom of God to and basic standards of God’s Word.

! APC News No 140 Page 1 Mar/Apr 2010 Our laws are no longer in unison is not a necessary evil, politics is with God’s revealed will. We are necessary because of evil. Personal carving out a course after our own revenge is forbidden, but God has imagination. As Isaiah complained sanctioned the State to take revenge in his day regarding Israel, we “call on the wicked. That is why “The evil good, and good evil, who put Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any darkness for light and light for who found him should attack darkness” [Isa 5:20]. him” [Gen 4:15]. There was no State We are a “sinful nation...laden to take revenge against Cain, so he with iniquity...children who deal was to go free. We need the State to corruptly” and “have forsaken the protect us from the wicked. Lord” [Isa 1:4]. We are under We wholeheartedly agree that judgment, God has blinded our there are separate boundaries for eyes. Both church and state are in both Church and State, but they are spiritual poverty - our eyes are to work together in their respective blinded from seeing what the realms. God’s law relates to the civil problem really is “For the Lord has magistrate in that it must restrain poured out upon you a spirit of and punish evil doers and protect deep sleep, and has closed your human life and property and to eyes (the prophets), and covered provide justice for all people. That is your heads (the seers)” [Isa 29:10]. why Paul says the law was not made Our electorate system provides for the righteous but for the lawless us with ‘machinery’ to remove those [1 Tim 1:9,10] we do not wish to rule over us - the The civil magistrate cannot ballot box. We have a wonderful regenerate the heart. No group of opportunity to put into power the men can “by any means redeem his best person available. And if there brother or give to God a are no suitable candidates, perhaps ransom” [Psa 49:7]. Only God can we should offer our own services! renew the heart. Keeping the law Our Confession states clearly ‘It is cannot make people good - but it lawful for Christians to accept and can be a means of suppressing execute the office of a magistrate’. wickedness and protecting innocent It is impossible to separate people from suffering at the hands religion from civil matters. We are of evil doers. The Church is the constituted religious beings. We all organ God has appointed to have souls as well as bodies. proclaim His Word and truth and Religion and politics are along with the Holy Spirit, promised inextricably merged together and to the Church, God will bless His just cannot be separated. Politics is Word and it will not return to Him not dirty, it is politicians, and only void. some at that, who are dirty. Politics We are called to pray for our

! APC News No 140 Page 2 Mar/Apr 2010 civil rulers. God has appointed the for, their nation. We still have law State, and as Paul puts it “there is and order and there are procedures no authority except from God, and for rectifying abuses. Let us grasp those that exist have been instituted them before it is too late. by God” [Rom 13:1]. One reason As Christians we ought to be why we should pray for our civic unashamed of what we believe, and rulers is in order that we, the when opportunity presents itself we Church, can live a quiet and ought to state where we stand peaceable life and preach the gospel regarding spiritual and moral values [1 Tim 2:2]. The civil magistrate is and ideals. We ought not to be “the servant of God an avenger who apologetic about our convictions. carries out God’s wrath on the We have nothing to be ashamed of wrongdoer” [Rom 13:4], and ought and everything to rejoice in. to be prayed for as much as There are thousands of people ministers of the gospel. We need to milling around us today who are remember that God raised up Moses looking for the answers that and Daniel to be great Statesmen Christians can give them. The Bible and were used mightily in bringing is full of wisdom - yes, wisdom for blessing to their nations. They were this world as well as the next. God not priests but civic rulers. has not abandoned this world - He It is naive to think there could aims to make it a wonderful place not be revolution in our country. If which will bring glory and honour to that happens, as it has happened in Him. All nations will yet bow before other countries in the last few King Jesus. All nations will call Him decades, we could find ourselves ‘Blessed’. We are commanded to under the hands of a dictator. Such “Declare His glory among the judgments would not be the first to nations, His marvelous works come on a nation. among all the peoples” [1Chr 16:24] Having abandoned God as our All nations shall serve the Lord, Rock, our nation looks to the State and as each nation has it’s own to ‘save’ it from the troubles of life, identity and culture, and as we are and when the State fails to deliver, told that “the kings of the earth will there is no where to turn. The bring their glory into” the New hungry dictators of the world will Jerusalem [Rev 21:24], we need to not be slow to detect where there recapture our Christian identity and are opportunities to exploit a people remake our culture one of honour who are vulnerable and searching and glory to God. At the end of the for leaders who will promise them day, that is all that truly matters. what they want to hear. May God enable us all to choose All Christians have a duty to candidates who are most likely to pray earnestly for, and seek the best bring that honour about. ❐

! APC News No 140 Page 3 Mar/Apr 2010 God is Always Good (2) by J Cameron Fraser

AS STATED IN MY previous article, soon before hers had prepared me I intend in this one to illustrate how to have at least some understanding my experience of cancer, and of what she and her family were particularly of a stem-cell going through. A close bond transplant, has helped me relate to developed, and many conversations one particular member of my were held, in person and by e-mail, congregation. Since I first wrote on what God’s purpose in all this that, however, several other might be. members have been diagnosed with August 2009 was spent by my cancer or other life-threatening wife, Margaret, and me (and for part illnesses. In particular, the woman of the time, by our younger son who loaned me the book A Bend in James) in Scotland. Right up until the Road, which I found so helpful, the time of departure from Canada, has herself been diagnosed with the I wondered if I would need to stay same type of lymphoma I had, behind to conduct Cassidy’s funeral. except in her neck rather than the While in Scotland, it was a joy to spleen as in my case. Being able to meet with family and friends who give answers to her many questions had been praying for me. We about the treatment she is facing encouraged prayer also for Cassidy, has been pastorally rewarding. and I spoke about her in a church Other examples could be given, on Skye. but my primary purpose has been to Cassidy’s story goes back to her focus on one particular person, a birth. She was born with a rare fifteen year old girl named Cassidy condition known as severe chronic Taekema. Cassidy does not and did neutropenia. This means that her not have cancer, although she would bone marrow produced no likely have developed an acute form neutrophils, which are the body’s of leukemia had it not been for a main defense against bacterial preventative stem-cell transplant. infection. She started a treatment of While the circumstances and details daily injections of something called were different from mine, I was granulocyte-colony stimulating struck by how my own experience so factor (G-CSF for short). I am going

! APC News No 140 Page 4 Mar/Apr 2010 to let Cassidy’s mother, Sonya, tell Life went on as normal. In late the story from there… August we met up with family in British Columbia for a camping ------holiday. We had a mostly fabulous time, minus some weather issues. In January of 2008, Cassidy One day I was at the local went for a routine blood test. The laundromat, when my phone rang. results showed, for the first time in I answered, and it was the her life, a completely normal blood haematologist in Calgary, informing count! Of course we had the test me that because of some anomalies redone, just to be sure, but over and that had shown up on the biopsy, over again they showed normal Cassidy needed to come up to neutrophil counts. We were ecstatic, Calgary--the sooner the better-- but and quickly shared the great news, to enjoy our holiday first. Oh, and with praises to God coming first. Cassidy had to go off of the G-CSF Cassidy’s paediatrician in completely, and immediately. Lethbridge kept a close eye on her, I was so glad I was alone at that and discovered that over repeated moment. The fear that had gnawed examinations, the swelling of her at me throughout Cassidy's life now spleen (which had been enlarged for roared and bared its ugly teeth. years) had also decreased Before I could panic, however, the substantially. This meant that, words, "Did I not say I would take though still needing to be cautious, care of you?" came into my she had more freedom of activity mind. Immediately I was calmed, and movement than she'd ever and phoned my husband to come experienced before. meet me. We discussed what had Her haematologist from Calgary transpired, cried and prayed called, and though an annual bone together, and went back to the girls. marrow biopsy had been done in We told them that Calgary had October, she wanted to do another called, and because of some test one, just to see what was causing results, Cassidy had to stop her the changes to the blood counts. injections. We didn't say the rest, Reluctantly, we agreed. We really because it was important for them wanted Cassidy to enjoy her new- to stay innocent and have carefree found freedom, and not continue to fun as long as possible. The be poked and prodded, but knew the following night we stayed in a very doctors needed to be cautious as posh hotel, uncertain when our next well. So in early July, she went in. chance would be to enjoy a vacation All went well, there were no together . complications, and preliminary On August 28th we headed to results showed no abnormalities. Calgary. Once there, we were

! APC News No 140 Page 5 Mar/Apr 2010 informed that Cassidy's for a minimum 100 days post- chromosomes had mutated, and if transplant. untreated, would become acute There are many risks associated myelogenous leukemia, which is with stem cell transplants, but the terribly difficult to treat. The only technology has advanced ten-fold realistic treatment presented was a since Cassidy was a baby, and we stem cell transplant. really felt God had protected her all Our world fell apart! Everything these years to get her to this point. had been going so well, it felt like Everything leading up to transplant the rug had been pulled out from worked so smoothly, it was under us! impossible not to see God's hand in And yet, there was the simple it. but profound notion that this was Cassidy went through a week of how Cassidy would finally chemotherapy, to which she didn't experience the miracle of complete react too badly. On December 23rd, healing, and having a disease-free she received the cells that would body. And that's the hope we clung change so much of her life. All went to as we moved forward to well, but for a fever in the middle of transplant. Cassidy never worried-- the night. She was put on she had a God-given peace all the antibiotics just to be safe, but it way through. ended up being a simple post- The process progressed rather transplant reaction, and she had no quickly. The bone marrow fevers afterwards. There were no transplant team started actively huge issues after that point--at least searching for a donor (no one in our nothing unexpected--and she immediate family was a match) in recovered quite well. Mucositis September, a process that takes became an issue briefly, but Cassidy anywhere from a few months to a continued to eat in spite of it, year. (The medical team is referred thanks in part to morphine. She to as the bone marrow transplant also needed one blood transfusion team, but the actual procedure is just to help boost her haemoglobin. called a stem cell transplant.) On On January 6th we were given November 5th we were informed the news that, for the first time in that they had found a perfect match! her life, Cassidy's marrow was From there, we had several more making its own adult neutrophils-- appointments in Calgary preparing without the aid of G-CSF! This for transplant, and on December meant that the marrow was indeed 14th Cassidy was admitted to the grafting. And things just continued oncology unit at the Alberta to get better from there. Her Children's Hospital. We knew going mucositis eased, she was able to in that we would remain in Calgary take all her medications orally, she

! APC News No 140 Page 6 Mar/Apr 2010 was eating enough that her long weekend. So, with fear and intravenous line could be safely trepidation, we made the return trip removed, and she sped right along to the place that had been our home to discharge, which was the 17th of for many months. January. Several doctors came to examine We moved into the Ronald Cassidy. They were looking to rule McDonald House. The following out graft versus host disease two and a half months had their ups (GVHD, a potential complication of and downs, but Cassidy remained stem cell transplants in which the healthy and strong. Around us newly transplanted cells attack the there were so many families going recipient’s body ). The rash's through their own trials, and we appearance and presentation were couldn't help but feel definitely not classic GVHD, but the extraordinarily blessed that she was doctors set up an emergency doing so incredibly well. So well, in appointment with a dermatologist, fact, that we were able to go home just to be sure. The dermatologist on April 1st, 2009--day 99. Thank was more certain it was GVHD, but you, Jesus! a very mild case, which, he assured The adjustment to being home us, was not a cause for great was not an easy one, though Cassidy concern. He sent us home with a was most enthusiastic about seeing prescription for topical steroid her friends before and after school, creams, and we left Calgary, once when her sister was being dropped again, for home. off or picked up. She was still much On Easter morning however, it too immunosuppressed to be out in was apparent that Cassidy's public, and was restricted in what condition was not improving, and foods she could eat, so that was a bit possibly deteriorating. She had challenging for her. As the first developed vomiting and diarrhea, week progressed, though, it got which are potential symptoms of easier for both of us. Until the 8th GVHD. So, after talking to the of April, when she woke up with a oncologist in Calgary, we decided to rash. make our way back up to the Initially I thought the rash was Alberta Children's Hospital. due to some jewelry Cassidy had On admission, it was obvious that been wearing overnight, but when it Cassidy was dehydrated, so didn't ease and started to spread, I immediately the staff started to called Calgary. The bone marrow infuse her with fluids. My husband transplant team member I spoke to Dave and our older daughter Kali advised us to come up the next day, left shortly, as he had work and she as Good Friday was on the 10th, and school the next day, and really, we she didn't want us to wait past the felt our stay would be a brief one.

! APC News No 140 Page 7 Mar/Apr 2010 Get the fluids in her, get the The endoscopy was mostly diarrhea and vomiting under successful but for a bit of bleeding control, and we'd be on our way. afterwards. And the results showed Little did we know... that, indeed, GVHD was the main The rest of that week was cause of Cassidy's symptoms. In tumultuous, to say the least. There fact, the GVHD was categorized as was much debate over Cassidy's grade 4 of the gut--the worst condition between members of the possible, but for the fact the liver bone marrow transplant team, the wasn't affected. gastro-intestinal specialists, and After the scope and biopsy, those dealing with infectious Cassidy started to expel blood, and diseases. There was the distinct blood only, through her stool and possibility of GVHD, but other vomit--this was terrifying! The plausible diagnoses included doctors continued treating her with bacterial, viral, or parasitic steroids and immunosuppressants, infections. Often these discussions the standard protocol, but it had were had while the doctors were little to no effect on her condition. standing around Cassidy's bed, And the pain she was in was heart which was unsettling and wrenching. frightening. This was extremely difficult for It was decided to start Cassidy Cassidy. She usually has a very on steroids and an good attitude about her illnesses immunosuppressant due to the and their treatments. Even going in likelihood of GVHD. She was also to transplant she was the least given a dose of an anti-parasitic worried of us all! I think the medication and started on a course uncertainty on the part of the of antibiotics just in case. And tests doctors, the lack of progress in on any other possible viral healing, and the general lack of infections were still pending. diagnosis and treatment really But things did not improve and, affected her spirit. Not the positive indeed, worsened. On the 16th of girl I was used to, so this was very April, after about a week without trying for me in that respect as well. the benefit of any food, intravenous Seeing her suffer and look at me nutrition was begun. The same day, wordlessly made me an emotional it was decided--rather suddenly-- wreck. that an endoscopy and biopsy of the On the evening of April 19th it gut needed to be performed. This was decided that Cassidy would be was terrifying for my girl whose started on a drug typically used for body had already turned against Crohn's patients, in hopes that it her. How much more would she would heal her badly damaged have to endure? intestine and stomach linings.

! APC News No 140 Page 8 Mar/Apr 2010 However, her condition was so realized this was really her last grave, and the effectiveness of this option for healing, and were more drug so questionable, that the than cooperative. doctors advised Dave to stay for the That day Cassidy also, for the next few days. Kali went home to first time, requested morphine for stay with family friends, as sitting her pain. Her pain was getting too around waiting and watching was much for her tired body to fight. not what we considered to be in her And that night she finally was able best interests. to get some sleep. April 20th, the doctors came to The afternoon of the 24th was us and told us about a new therapy the first of the mesenchymal stem undergoing clinical trials in the cell infusions. The plan was to States. It takes adult mesenchymal infuse these cells twice a week for stem cells, and after an infusion into four weeks. The cells worked as the patient, their job is to go to sites hoped, but not as quickly as we of inflammation, resolve the would have liked, so four more inflammation, and proceed to infusions over four weeks were rebuild injured tissues. (In Cassidy’s added. During that time, Cassidy case, the entire lining of her was also diagnosed with the stomach and intestines needed to be adenovirus, which was also a very regenerated.) However, this therapy serious complication, once again is not available in Canada, but the requiring drugs only Health Canada doctors were hoping to get could approve. And approve, they permission on compassionate did. grounds to use it on Cassidy. During this whole period, I e- This was the best news we had mailed daily updates to prayer heard yet, for obviously other supporters. Here is part of what I methods of treatment were not wrote on the 5th of June: working, and Cassidy was getting … It's amazing how priorities, and sicker, frailer, and her pain was what you consider blessings in your increasing. We knew something life, change when disaster strikes. had to be done, and finally had Last year at this time, we were some hope to hold on to. The celebrating what we thought was the doctors worked around the clock, healing of Cassidy's disease, clueless filling out forms, talking to officials, that it was just entering a new until April 22nd when they gained phase. We were finishing off a year approval from Health Canada, the of school, never dreaming that the university and hospital boards, and next one would be cut so short. We the pharmaceutical company in the were planning summer holidays, States to obtain the cells for activities, camping trips, and all Cassidy's treatment. All involved things (gloriously) frivolous,

! APC News No 140 Page 9 Mar/Apr 2010 unaware that life would change for four months. In that time she had us so soon. lost a significant amount of weight I'm a little envious of that family (going from an already lean 104 - of all they took for granted, of the pounds down to a paltry 69), and minutiae they thought was so most all of her muscle mass. important, of the freedom they Cassidy was discharged from the experienced in their life. Alberta Children’s Hospital 125 days I do not know what the next after being readmitted, and we minutes, days, weeks, etc., hold for stayed in Calgary at the Ronald us. And I really don't want to know. McDonald House for another 103 Through all of this I've learned the days. This made our total stay, beauty in seeing all the little minus some weekends, and the blessings, savouring the small Easter break, 347 days. Christmas moments of joy, tasting God's decorations were being hung as we greatness and grace, and deeply packed to leave, and we were so feeling his presence in all that is life. grateful not to have to stay for a I wish it hadn't taken these second Christmas. We had circumstances to open my senses to experienced every holiday of the this. But knowing that he is in year either in hospital or at the control gives me great peace. So I House. will hold onto him, wherever this Almost a year post-transplant, we journey takes us, trusting that he came home. Cassidy is doing will see us safely through, and schoolwork by correspondence, hopefully learning the lessons along getting together with friends the way. His way. periodically, and life is becoming So, though I wish my sweet child normal, though it is a new normal, and family hadn't been given these including regular check-ups in trials, and pray that they will be Calgary and ongoing changes to over soon, I am thankful for the medication doses as new challenges lessons being learned along the way. are faced and dealt with. The future And I wouldn't want to be the is still very uncertain--with still person I was last summer. some evidence of GVHD present But I would like a little taste of that today--but we are grateful for all frivolity again. Because I would we’ve been blessed with, and count savour it that much more…. each new day a gift. It took a number of weeks or As for me, I live and view life months to re-teach Cassidy’s differently. I plan less, and wait digestive system how to process more. I speak less, and listen food. In fact, from the time she was more. I judge less, and love more. admitted to hospital, to the day she I’m calmer, less likely to react was able to truly eat a real meal was impulsively, more

! APC News No 140 Page 10 Mar/Apr 2010 introspective. And this is in large redeem the pain for our good and part due to very special people God his glory.... When I put the has put in my life along the way. I sovereignty of God beside his also know that every person has unfailing love, my heart can rest.-- their own set of trials, and though Verdell Davis many of ours were and are very And, more importantly, from visible and public, one cannot Romans 8: And we know that in all assume to know what is going on in things God works for the good of another’s life, nor presume to know those who love him, who have been how they should respond and react called according to his purpose… to either blessings or adversity. For I am convinced that neither But this I know for sure: death nor life, neither angels nor God is doing a greater work in us, demons, neither the present nor the and that can only come as we learn future, nor any powers, neither to trust him no matter how dark the height nor depth, nor anything else days and sleepless the nights. And it in all creation, will be able to is only as we have been through the separate us from the love of God darkness with him that what we that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” know with our heads slides down What beautiful and eternal into our hearts, and our hearts no comfort, in what can be a less-than longer demand answers. The ‘Why?’ beautiful but very temporal life. becomes unimportant when we And to this my response is grati- believe that God can and will tude. For God is always good. ❐

IN OUR HAPPIEST TIMES we do not want to die. The wish for death rises only when our sufferings seem unbearable. What we really want in these times is not death but relief. We would love for the good times to come again. We would like the pain to go away...We want life and happiness... We are kidding ourselves when we romanticize death as the climax of a life well lived. It is an enemy. It cuts us off from all the wonderful pleasures of this world...The longing of the human heart is to live and to be happy. God made us that way.“He has put eternity into man’s heart”[Ecc 3:11] ...... We are made to live forever. And we will. The opposite of eternal life is not annihilation. It is hell. Jesus spoke of it more than anybody, and He made plain that rejecting the eternal life He offered would result not in obliteration, but in the misery of God’s wrath...So eternal life is not merely the extension of this life with its mix of pain and pleasure. As hell is the worst outcome of this life, so ‘eternal life’ is the best. All that is evil and harmful in this fallen creation will be removed. All that is good, all that will bring true and lasting happiness will be preserved and intensified. J Piper

! APC News No 140 Page 11 Mar/Apr 2010 A Land of Many Idols

TODAY, BRITAIN may well be not something that fits comfortably described as a pluralist society. in a pluralist society. It is not Pluralism is the position that many encouraged. It is in fact different religions are acceptable, discouraged, to the point where not just one. This is the spirit of the laws of the land may be made day—people should be free to against it. We hope and pray this practice their own religion. As does not happen. But even if it does, Christians we benefit from this. It the truth remains. Jesus says, ‘I am means that we are able to gather the way, the truth and the life, no together in our homes and in our one comes to the Father except churches to worship God. We are through me’ (John 14:6) There is no free to do this, and for that we are to salvation outside of Christ or along- be thankful. But it raises difficulties side Christ. He alone is able to save. for the Christian as well. Ideally we Today, Christians do what God’s would live in a Christian society, a people have always done in the past society where the laws of the land to understand their own times—we are based upon God’s commands. look to the Word of God. Looking to That reality however lies in the the Scriptures helps us to future when God will announce the understand our situations, to see arrival of the new heaven and the what God demands of us, and also— new earth. At that time ‘the former perhaps most importantly—to see things will have passed how we might expect God to act in away’ (Revelation 21:4). Until then our times. When we read the we ought to expect difficulties and Scriptures we find that pluralism is tensions, ‘the birth pains’ of the new not a new idea. Indeed it was the order (Matthew 24:7–8). prevalent attitude of the nations— A pluralist society suits those examples are Egypt and Babylon in who say they believe in every the Old Testament and Asia and religion and those who believe in no Europe in the New Testament. Our religion. It also suits those whose situation in Britain today is not a religion is entirely arranged around world-first. It is, rather, one that self—the worldview that says ‘my God’s people have found themselves beliefs don’t affect anyone else!’ But in throughout the ages. We can to have a faith that dismisses the therefore learn a great deal about claims of every other religion, and what God thinks and how he acts in dismisses them as idolatrous— such a situation when we read the which is what Christianity does—is stories of Israel’s exodus and exile

! APC News No 140 Page 12 Mar/Apr 2010 in the Old Testament, and the turn of events 2 Chronicles 36:22– missionary journeys of the apostles 23 (also Ezra 1:1–4) tells us, “Now in the New Testament. in the first year of Cyrus king of One such story from which we Persia, that the word of the LORD can benefit is recorded at the end of by the mouth of Jeremiah might be 2 Chronicles and the beginning of fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the Ezra. The Jewish people were spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so captured and taken away from their that he made a proclamation own land. No longer did they live in throughout all his kingdom and their own country where they could also put it in writing: “Thus says freely gather together and worship Cyrus king of Persia, ‘The LORD, the God. The Temple, indeed the whole God of heaven, has given me all the of Jerusalem, had been destroyed. kingdoms of the earth, and he has Many were put to death. Friends charged me to build him a house at and families were broken up. Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Possessions were lost and confusion Whoever is among you of all his reigned. What was God doing? Had people, may the LORD his God be he forsaken them? They were now with him. Let him go up.’” living among a people to whom God When we read this decree we was, at best, one among many idols. might think to ourselves, ‘What a The Jewish people were foreigners godly man Cyrus was!’ However, in the Gentile world. Twenty-first Scripture tells us something else. It century Britain strikes similar tells us in Isaiah 45:5 that Cyrus did chords with the land to which the not know God. He was not one of Jews were exiled. Our nation is a God’s covenant people. As far as he Gentile society too. It is one where was concerned the God of the there are numerous idols. It is Israelites was just one among many therefore a land in which it is easy gods. Cyrus was a pluralist and he to wonder what God is doing— was king over an expanding especially when the pluralist screws pluralist empire. Indeed, it is are tightening harder and harder in thought his empire increased to a bid to make Christians conform. such an extent that resources for The same questions arise: What is maintaining order were stretched to God doing? Has he forsaken us? the limit. In such a political Answers to our questions are found situation it makes more sense to in Scripture. For there we find God’s give people the freedom they desire answers to the same questions than hold them against their will. posed by previous generations. He therefore acknowledged those in In Babylon it seemed as though his empire with religious God had turned away from Israel. convictions and permitted the Jews But he hadn’t. And in a remarkable to return to Jerusalem. This may

! APC News No 140 Page 13 Mar/Apr 2010 well have been one factor that God opportunities to provide for those used to cause Cyrus to do his will. In needs. God’s people therefore must any case, Cyrus’s personal religious be ready to share the gospel when convictions, or lack thereof, did not the doors open for it, which they stop God. Even though Cyrus was will, for today God continues to stir not one of God’s people, God up the spirits of those who do not ‘stirred up his spirit’ to accomplish know him. This is, after all, what he his will. has done for us—as Jesus said, our The first lesson for us to learn knowledge that he is the Christ is therefore is that a pluralist society ‘not revealed to you by flesh and does not prevent God from blood, but by my Father who is in executing his plans. It is true that a heaven’ (Matthew 16:17). As God pluralist society is not ideal. There cleared the way for the Second will be no idols in heaven. But for Temple to be rebuilt as Cyrus now, God’s plan is that we live in a decreed, so today he will clear the pluralist society. And as was true of way for his church to be built as the days of the exile, so it shall be Christ decreed (Matthew 16:18). Not true of our days too—it is God’s will even the gates of hell shall prevail that shall be done. It is his repeated against that. promise that the idols of the world In our society we will find many shall pass away. opportunities to share the hope of A second lesson for us is that a the gospel with those around us. pluralist society opens up Our land is one of many idols, yet it opportunities for Christians to is only God that can satisfy the share the gospel. In his infinite longings of the human heart. The wisdom God engineers situations in promises of the world’s gods are the world to accomplish his will. He empty. Therefore Christians can arranges circumstances so that his expect those around them to will is always done. Today the become disillusioned with the command God gives us is not to world. Are we ready for these times? build his temple, but rather to build Are we ready to speak into the crises his church. This takes place that people enter into: when people whenever we share the gospel. It find that the world is unable to comes by sowing the seeds of the make good on its promises? The good news of Jesus Christ’s victory people of God need to be ready and over the grave in the lives of those willing to offer those around us that we meet. A pluralist society is one which is made good—the promise of that is opposed to the gospel, but a Christ—‘Come to me, all who labour society that opposes the gospel is and are heavy laden, and I will give also one that needs the gospel. And you rest’ (Matthew 11:28). In every where there are needs, God gives circumstance the gospel is needed.

! APC News No 140 Page 14 Mar/Apr 2010 God is always at work. Therefore his to be the correct one. Having been people shall find opportunities to turned away they rejected this share the gospel in all situations, opportunity to repent of their sin whether at a personal level, local and turn to God. No longer did they level, national level, or even at a want to help build the temple. global level. The gospel applies to Instead they continued in their every situation, and is needed in sinful opposition to God and began every situation. bribing officials in their efforts to At the same time we have to destroy it. notice that living in a pluralist Similar issues confront the society requires a spirit of Christian Christian Church today. A pluralist discernment. In a pluralist society society encourages people to follow not everything is always what it first Jesus. However at the same time it seems. During the building of the also encourages the following of Second Temple there was a most figures from other religions too. For illuminating example of this. this reason the church in society has Zerubbabel, who was the governor to be discerning. Had Zerubbabel of Judah and chief supervisor of the permitted these men to take part in rebuilding project, was approached the building of the temple then they by a number of men who said, ‘Let would have destroyed the Lord’s us build with you, for we worship work. We would expect the same your God as you do, and we have from like-minded men today. been sacrificing to him ever since The circumstances we find the days of Esarhaddon king of ourselves in today are not so Assyria who brought us here’ (Ezra different from those that have faced 4:2). This request was promptly God’s people in the past. This ought rejected. Why did Zerubbabel reject to fill us with confidence in God. He their offer? He did so because he has demonstrated his sovereignty in recognised that while they may well ages past and he will do the same have worshipped God, they did not again for us today. More than mere worship God alone. God was not the historical records, these passages of only one they sacrificed to. These Scripture provide us with the were men who bought into the spirit assurance we need that God is with of the day and who therefore also us. Here, in the Word of God, we sacrificed to the idols of the discover God’s will for our own surrounding lands. God does not situations and the assurance we permit the worship of any god need that our obedience to him is before him or beside him—that is not in vain. the first commandment, and these John C. A. Ferguson men were unrepentant for breaking University of Aberdeen it. Zerubbabel’s decision was shown

! APC News No 140 Page 15 Mar/Apr 2010 Congregational News

DUNDEE more about Christ and our own “The prayer of a righteous person hearts. Christianity Explored is an has great power as it is working” excellent occasion for fellowship. [Jam 5:16]. That is how our We look forward to the Special congregation feel with the passing Easter Service for the community of our dear friend Mr Quinn. We and have the literature ready. The miss him and his prayers. Mr Quinn theme is ‘The Ultimate Sacrifice’, has worshipped with us since about and is based on Christ’s death on 15 years and has been ill for the last the cross as the greatest sacrifice the few months in hospital. He passed world has ever seen. away on 5 February. We feel in need of reviving Our minister was privileged to power amongst us. We have a lovely be with him one hour before he fellowship but are in need of more died. His family had been up all the spiritual vitality and energy. Do previous night with him and had pray that we will be a blessing in our gone home for a rest. He was all community. alone, unconscious, when our minister spoke to him but he made no response. He prayed over him EDINBURGH and sat in silent prayer with him for 10 minutes, and then left. Thankfully, the Christianity He often told us about his Explored Course is now in the 7th conversion - it was on Dens Road week and the attendance, though just up from the church and pointed small, is very encouraging. The out the very spot to us. He was a opposition towards anyone great encourager and often had a becoming a Christian, was comforting word for us. We will highlighted in the shop the other miss his wisdom as well as his day, when somebody said to one of prayers. those attending the CE course, we'll Please pray that God would not be friends with you if you raise up others in his place to be a become a Christian. help and blessing to us. Two Faith Mission ladies, Becky We are still enjoying our and Elizabeth, are helping at Christianity Explored Course and Transformers for a few months. It is finding that all of us are learning a matter for constant thankfulness

! APC News No 140 Page 16 Mar/Apr 2010 when people come around to help When we heard the following and yet we pray for more help here prayer, we thought we should share and in every corner of God's it with those who would read this kingdom. article. ‘May the love of the Lord The attendance at Jesus draw you to Himself; May His Transformers, was alarmingly low peace guard your heart; May His joy the other week but there was an fill your soul; May His power equip outstanding attentiveness. The you for His service. May the following week's attendance was blessing of God almighty, Father, very good and there were attentive Son and Holy Spirit descend and ears, but some children had to be rest upon you now and always, told to leave early. May God, in His Amen’. infinite love and grace, "set apart" JR all of the children to be followers of Christ. We had an evening meal and PORTREE review with the transformer leaders and some of the questions we On the 9 March at our Presbytery in discussed were: Why are we doing Inverness, the Revd A M Cattanach transformers? Why are you doing the minister of our Portree transformers? What's the best way congregation sent in his resignation. that we can do transformers? What It was accepted with sadness. Mr are you prepared to commit to Cattanach has been unwell since achieve this goal? How can we help some time, and has now had to one another achieve this goal? What move to the Budhmor Home in would you suggest to improve Portree. transformers? This kind of exercise The Presbytery in December helps leaders to appreciate one had appointed a delegation to go to another and very importantly, Portree to see how they could help makes us focus more clearly on Mr Cattanach and the congregation. communicating the gospel to the However, Mr Cattanach’s health children. deteriorated and was too ill to be What a debt of thanks we owe to visited. all who support and pray for the The delegation were able to work here. To God be the glory. meet the congregation and Pray especially for "one or two" encourage them in the Lord. So, the children from here that may get congregation are now without a sponsored for attending a Christian pastor and we ask for prayers camp. It is proving to be a very regarding the future. May God delicate situation. provide for the congregation. ❐

! APC News No 140 Page 17 Mar/Apr 2010 Points for Prayer...

CHRISTIANITY SIDELINED better than many others. It is clear that we must stand up against this The former Archbishop of marginalising of faith. We must Canterbury, Lord Carey, in February constantly remind society of its warned that Christianity is being Christian roots and heritage.’ sidelined in the UK as never before. Christian Broadcasting Council He said ‘We have reached a point where politicians are mocked for SCRAP CHRISTIAN PRAYERS merely expressing their faith. I cannot imagine any politician British Airways check-in operator expressing concern that Britain Nadia Eweida in January appealed should remain a Christian country. against a ruling which said that she That reticence is a scandal and a did not suffer religious discrimi- disgrace to our history.’ He issued a nation. On February 12m Nadia, call for Christians to become more who was temporalily banned from assertive about their faith and work for wearing a silver cross, lost heritage: If we behave like her appeal against the Employment doormats, don’t be surprised if we Appeal Tribunal decision that she are treated as though we are. It is was not a victim of indirect time to return to the public square.’ discrimination. The committed The meeting heard that some 250 Christian was off work without pay million Christians around the world for six months. suffered persecution, and more had Bible Society’s Newswatch been martyred for their faith in the last century than at any other time. LILLIAN LADELE CASE Lord Carey said that while there could be no direct comparison The UK Supreme Court has turned between the pressure put on down an appeal application in the Christians in the UK and the violent case of Lillian Ladele, a Christian persecution of many believers registrar who was disciplined abroad, he identified a ‘strident and because of her stance on civil bullying campaign’ to marginalise partnerships. The nation’s highest Christianity in the UK being waged court dismissed her appeal, by atheists in the name of political claiming it ‘does not raise an correctness. ‘The bullying campaign arguable point of law of general seeks to ban faith schools, despite public importance’. Gay rights are evidence that faith schools perform trampling on the the rights of

! APC News No 140 Page 18 Mar/Apr 2010 Christians. Miss Ladele is actively September 25, 2009, preventing the considering taking her legal fight to church from amplifying its music or the European Court of Human sermons to the congregation on Rights. It is vitally important in the threat of prosecution. Although the new Parliament after the election church has been at its current that we continue to campaign to location for over 45 years, a small protect the rights of conscience of number of residents began Christian employees. complaining to the Council about The Christian Institute noise levels shortly after the church began a leaflet drop in the local community. SKIRTS VIOLATE EQUALITY? Christian Legal Centre

Making girls wear skirts as part of SACKED TEACHER their school uniform is ‘potentially unlawful’, equality bureaucrats said Olive Jones, a Christian supply in February. It may discriminate teacher from Weston-super-Mare, against female pupils who have in January was offered the gender dysphoria and believe opportunity to return to her old job themselves to be boys, according to after Somerset Council recognised a 68-page report. Officials at the that it can be appropriate for a tutor Equality and Human Rights to share his or her faith with a pupil Commission released their guidance or a family, depending on the in expectation that the new Equality situation. Bill will become law. Mrs Jones was dismissed in The Christian Institute November 2009 after attending a meeting with her employers who had received a complaint from a parent that Olive had shared her ...and Praise faith with a sick pupil and asked the pupil’s mother whether she could CHURCH VICTORY pray for the pupil. As a result of intervention by the Christian Legal Centre and A 600-member-strong London extensive media coverage, the Church on January 12 won its legal Council arranged to meet Olive in battle against Lambeth Council in a the new Year. Andrea Williams, last-minute out-of-court settlement. Lambeth Council served the All director of Christian Legal Centre, Nations Centre in Kennington with said ‘We are delighted with this a noise abatement notice on outcome...Common sense has

! APC News No 140 Page 19 Mar/Apr 2010 prevailed...We will continue to the family facing unplanned support people like Olive, who pregnancy or post-abortion issues, should never have to face this kind the trafficked girl, the disabled and of disproportionate action and the elderly. discrimination for merely living out At the time of the exile in their Christian faith’. Babylon, Jeremiah’s words are Christian Legal Centre fascinating. He exhorted them to get married, build houses, have children - get on with normal life. CARE’S VISION That’s really powerful. They were building community. “Let your light shine before others We must balance our ‘holy rage’ that they may see your good deeds against the injustices of our nation, and praise your father in heaven” with love. It comes back to living [Matthew 5:16]. out our faith and using the talents God has given. We have huge CARE (Christian Action Research & opportunities. Society is crying out Education) exists to support the for answers and the Church is best Church to be informed, active and placed to offer those solutions. equipped in key areas of concern in That is why I get so excited a changing society. Nola Leach, when I hear stories of Christians Chief Executive of CARE, writes: making a real difference and CARE’s vision is to be a radical and maintaining a clear witness, relevant organisation, maintaining a whether through working with reasoned and compassionate Care-Confidential or our ground- Christian voice to government and breaking sex and relationship society on crucial issues such as: the programme evaluate, or living out promotion of healthy marriages; the their faith in their homes, schools, education of our children;the value the business world, the media or of life from its beginning to its local government. natural end and human dignity. In many ways our society is CARE has recently received a broken. Yet as Christians we have a high profile within Westminster and message of hope. We may feel as if beyond. I believe that this is because we are ‘aliens and strangers in a of the calibre of our Public Affairs foreign land’. It is our real privilege team and the fact that what we say to work with you to bring that is relevant. It is not only backed up message of hope. by good quality research, but May you know God’s richest accompanied by care for the blessings in all you do for Him. vulnerable members of our society - Nola Leach in CARE Today

! APC News No 140 Page 20 Mar/Apr 2010 Assisted Suicide Bill Published Margo MacDonald recently published her End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill. The Bill will be discussed by the Scottish Parliament within the next 3 or 4 months. It is important that Christians pray and take all necessary action.

The Bill would self-administer. But any method would apparently be The proposals in the Bill are legitimate. The ambiguity probably unbelievably wide. In addition to results from a mixture of careless allowing people with a recognised drafting and a desire to avoid terminal illness to seek assisted spelling out what is involved in suicide, the Bill would permit the ending someone’s life. same facility to people ‘permanently There are a number of so-called physically incapacitated to such an safeguards written into the Bill to extent as not to be able to live ensure compliance with the law, in independently and who find life part to preclude the practice of intolerable.’ It doesn’t take too ‘euthanasia tourism’ - people much thought to realise that this coming to Scotland just to die. definition could include anyone who Anyone applying for assisted suicide has a disability, ranging from must have been registered with a tetraplegia to blindness, or deafness Scottish medical practice for at least or a degree of immobility that 18 months. However because the makes them dependent on support Bill does not specify an NHS from other people. Worryingly, too, medical practice there is the chilling there is no legal definition of what it prospect of practices being set up is to find life ‘intolerable’. solely to facilitate and encourage The Bill is surprisingly silent on assisted suicide. what kind of end of life assistance The most worrying aspect of the would be legalised. It is presumed, Bill is what is not spelt out. but not specified, that it would be a Although purporting to allow cocktail of drugs which the patient assisted suicide (where a patient

! APC News No 140 Page 21 Mar/Apr 2010 self-administers lethal drugs the procedure. Most importantly it supplied by a physician) it would is the impact on wider society that actually also permit euthanasia would be the greatest concern. (where a physician administers Dr Stephen Hutchison of the death to a patient directly). This Highland Hospice lays out the means that Margo’s prediction, on dangers clearly: ‘What patients want the basis of assisted suicide only, of in response to their distress is the number of Scottish people likely loving, compassionate and to take advantage of the new law is a competent caring — rarely huge underestimate. Based on the physician-assisted suicide or experience of the Netherlands, euthanasia. The huge problem is where euthanasia is permitted, the that if, for this tiny minority who number could be as high as 1500. advocate it I was to have the option Margo predicts 55. of providing assisted suicide, my ability to openly acknowledge and The principle address the concerns of the majority would be severely compromised. What underlies most attempts to Patients, already fearful and legalise assisted suicide are two vulnerable, would simply not be notions. The idea of autonomy - it’s able to talk about their distress my life and I can do what I like with without fearing that assisted suicide it; and the suggestion that only by would be on the agenda. Fears thus deciding the timing of one’s own suppressed would fester. The needs death can one die with dignity. Both of the majority would have to give are flawed notions. way to the wishes of a minority.’

Autonomy Dignity Autonomy is seen to over-ride any The word ‘dignity’ has been hijacked other consideration as if taking by those wanting to legalise assisted one’s own life had no impact on, or suicide. ‘Dignity in Dying’ is the involvement with, anyone else. ‘No organisation forcing the assisted man is an island,’ said John Donne suicide agenda. The implication is – a tailor-made phrase for this that medical care which does not issue. Deciding to take one’s own include assisted suicide in some way life has an impact on many people lacks dignity. around the patient. Medical staff ‘Human Dignity is inviolable. It who supply or administer the must be protected and respected,’ cocktail of drugs, and family says Article 1 of the European members who may be against the Charter of Human Rights. assisted suicide are all drawn into Interpreting this statement is one of

! APC News No 140 Page 22 Mar/Apr 2010 the main battle grounds between If you do not have access to the advocates and opponents of assisted internet, phone 0141 332 7212 suicide. Those opposing assisted (CARE for Scotland) for information suicide argue that human dignity is and help. protected and respected when care, compassion and treatment are Please pray for MSPs as they offered; in doing so we affirm the consider this crucial legislation; inherent human dignity of a person. pray especially for Margo To offer to terminate someone’s life MacDonald that she may experience implies, mistakenly, that they have healing and a changed opinion on lost dignity and that their life is no the issue of assisted dying. longer worth living.

Please consider writing to your Care Not Killing, is a UK-based MSPs (you have 8) expressing your alliance of individuals and concern about the Bill. organizations. It brings together You can find out who your MSPs disability and human rights are by going to organisations, healthcare & www.scottish.parliament.uk palliative care groups, and faith- and clicking on ‘MSPs’. You’ll then based organisations, with the aims be asked to enter your post code of promoting more and better Get guidance on what to write from palliative care and ensuring that the Care Not Killing web site existing laws against euthanasia and (www.carenotkilling.org.uk – and assisted suicide are not weakened or go to ‘Scotland’). repealed. ❐

Scottish Reformed Conference 2010 This year’s Scottish Reformed Conference will be on Saturday 8th May at Hamilton College. Registration starts at 9:15 am, and the conference ends at 3:30 pm. The speakers will be Dr Ralph Davies and Rev Kenneth Stewart. Ralph Davies is pastor of Woodland Presbyterian Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA. Before taking up his present position he was Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson. Kenneth Stewart is minister of Dowanvale Free Church of Scotland, Glasgow and has previously served churches in the west of Scotland and Canada. This year’s conference fees have again been maintained at £5, with students only £4 and under 17’s free. There is a crèche provided and children’s activities so that families can attend. Last year over 500 attended, making it Scotland’s largest family friendly preaching conference. Full details at http://www.scottishreformedconference.org/

! APC News No 140 Page 23 Mar/Apr 2010 Subscriptions & Renewals Publication Details for APC News ‘The APC News’ The APC News is published is published 6 times per year on the 6 times per year, beginning with the first weekend of the second month January/February issue. The cost is £10 per year including postage January/February March/April Note for Congregations May/June July/August Each congregation must contribute a September/October minimum of £180 per annum towards November/December the APC News Fund as arranged with the treasurer Mr Donald M Fraser. This is to be considered as a donation towards the Copy deadline dates are the sustaining of the magazine. 1st day of the 1st month Congregations can, if they so wish, (eg for May/June magazine, charge for their own distribution of the last copy date, 1st May) magazine, or give them away free. Cheques should be made out to All the views expressed in this ‘APC News’ magazine are not necessary those of the and sent to the address below. editor or the denomination. Please state if acknowledgement of The articles are meant to stimulate and donation is required. provoke a serious study of Holy Scripture. All articles not attributed to an author are by the editor. Mr D M Fraser, Publications Treasurer, Articles can be sent by email (preferable), ‘Stratharris’, or on CD in Microsoft Word. Daviot, by Inverness, IV2 5XQ Clearly printed manuscripts, double Telephone 01463-772253 spaced in one column is also acceptable. Email: Photographs can be sent [email protected] by post or by e-mail in .jpeg format. There is no copyright on any of the Name...... articles that do not bear the author’s name, and such articles may therefore Address...... be reprinted, with or without credit...... Other articles may require the permission of the authors......

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! APC News No 140 Page 24 Mar/Apr 2010