june 2001

Mind*body*spirit • The biter bit • Helen Roseveare Rejoice! Walk in the Way

The Hymnbook for today’s church. Walk in the Way is a collection of songs for use in the public • contemporary worship. It is the result of the work of a large number of • Christ-centred people who are concerned to provide the Church with suit- • suitable for all ages able resources with which to worship God. Colin Spragg has written these songs so that the people of God may sing to • more than 43,000 copies sold since 1987... His praise and to the encouragement of their fellow Editions available: Christians. Full Music and Words: $19.00 Walk in the Way Music Book $21.05 Organist: $40.00 (Includes overhead transparency masters) Words Only: $16.00 Walk in the Way CD Vocal $19.95 Melody Line Only: $16.00 Walk in the Way CD Instrumental $12.95 Also available: (ideal for use in congregational singing) Companion to Rejoice! $3.00 Special Offers Plastic covers $1.00 Offer 1: Buy Music Book plus CD Vocal for the reduced HymnBase for Windows $80.00 price of $37.95 All prices quoted in this advertisement are inclusive of GST. Offer 2: Buy Book plus CD Vocal plus CD Instrumental for All orders plus postage and handling. the reduced price of $47.95 Offer 3: Buy multiple copies of Music Book in one purchase: first copy $21.95, subsequent copies at $18.95 (For all offers postage is extra) Worship Produced by the Public Worship and Aids to Devotion Committee of the The Book of Common Order Presbyterian Church of Australia of the Presbyterian Church of Australia Available From: Baptism ¥ LordÕsSupper ¥ Marriage ¥ Funerals ¥ Ministry Miss Mary Beavan, 58 Williwa St, Portland, 2847 Book $29.95 Phone (02) 6355 5063 Fax (02) 6355 5783 Email: [email protected] CD-ROM Version $34.95 Victoria: Presbyterian Resource Centre (CD-ROM includes Worship Book in Adobe Acrobat format and all RTF 156 Collins St, Melbourne, 3000 type files that allow editing of text to suit individual needs. Suitable for PC Phone (03) 9527 3270 and Mac users.) Email: [email protected]

COOLOOLA CHRISTIAN K. M. SMITH COLLEGE Funeral Directors — since 1877 Gympie, Queensland 53 BROOKES STREET, BOWEN HILLS Co-ed: P to 12 TELEPHONE (07) 3252 2031 1- 1/182 Bay Terrace, Wynnum, (07) 3548 4133 PRINCIPAL For prompt courteous and considerate attention to your Funeral requirements we are available 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK. Applications are invited from suitably Our Head Office is located at 53 Brookes Street, Bowen Hills — with ample off-street qualified and dedicated Christian parking available. If it is more convenient, our trained staff will make funeral arrange- persons for the above position to ments in your home. If you prefer, the arrangements can be made by telephone. commence in January 2002 FREECALL 1800 819 938 Application packages are available from To: K.M.Smith, Freepost 202, PO Box 2170, Fortitude Valley, Qld, 4006 the Board Secretary: P 0 Box 872, Gympie 4570 ------Phone enquiries to Ian Richards, Please send me information on pre-arrangement of Funerals. Chairman, Staff Committee: Phone/Fax 07 54829588 Name: ...... Closing date.. 4.00 pm July 2,2001 Address: ...... This College is a ministry of the Baptist, ...... Church of Christ, Presbyterian and Wesleyan Methodist Churches of Gympie...... June 2001 No. 527

PRISON MIND*BODY*SPIRIT

Justice that restores ...... 5 On the front line...... 22 It’s time for a new emphasis, Charles Colson tells Peter Hastie. Granville Pillar took up the New Age challenge Traditional virtues ...... 9 FAITH Peter Hastie goes back more than 3000 years to find some answers.

Progress barred ...... 10 The biter bit...... 23 Prison is the university of crime. There’s a better way, Barney Zwartz Theology must bite, suggests Scott Kroeger. And when it did, he suggests. found himself in a fierce battle against hate.

Inside out ...... 11 CULTURE WATCH A former prisoner tells Tracy Gordon of his challenge. TV Watch ...... 24 FAMOUS CONVERSIONS Phil Campbell takes a reality check.

Helen Roseveare ...... 12 LETTERS ...... 25 How childhood memories returned

PRAYER ...... 26 CHURCH DIRECTORY

Presbyterian churches, state by state ...... 13 BOOKS ...... 27

The Westminster Confession for the 21st Century NEWS Horizon is Where Heaven and Earth Meet Focus on Victoria ...... 17

Home Front ...... 18 The Man Who Made the Millennium

Across Australia ...... 19 Daily Prayer and Praise

World News...... 20 Slouching Towards Gomorrah

DEVOTION ESSAY

Practice makes perfect ...... 21 Not my fault ...... 28 Robert Mayhue on worship, today and forever. Peter Barnes explores a curious Christian paradox.

THE AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN (ABN 81 498 399 755): The national magazine of the Presbyterian Church of Australia. Acting editor-in-chief: Robert Benn. Editorial committee: Robert Benn (NSW), Stuart Bonnington (WA), Peter Hastie (NSW), Guido Kettniss (Queensland), Barney Zwartz (Victoria). Graphic Design: Sandra Joynt for A&J Moody. Advertising and subscription inquiries: Walter Bruining, PO Box 375, Kilsyth 3137; Phone: (03) 9723 9684. Subscription: $32 a year + GST; bulk (minimum of five copies to one address) $29 each + GST. Overseas: $A43. 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 Robert Benn. 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 EDITORIAL Halting the avalanche Crime’s accelerating slide is not inevitable.

hristians must have an interest in bought a fleet of new, high-speed ambu- community. Being created in the lances. However, drivers still crashed FIRST image of the One who is Trinity through the rails and plunged off the means that we are communal mountainside. Cbeings who should be concerned about Then a contrarian thinker offered a novel ASIA the welfare of society. suggestion: “I’ve heard that in another One of the issues, therefore, that we country they have tried an alternative,” he cannot ignore is the problem of social said. “In the town of Reality they had the PACIFIC order: how can people live together har- same problem as ours. But they spend mil- moniously without paying a high cost in lions preventing the accidents by re-grading CONSULTATION the other things that we value such as lib- the road and constructing concrete retaining ON erty? Since human nature sets limits on walls on the mountainside. In Reality only a DISCIPLESHIP the sort of societies we can have, this few of the drivers were hurt. Wouldn’t that means that all serious thinking about be a better idea?” he said. social order and its opposite — crime — Heads shook, “No, no,” they said. Kota Kinabalu, must begin with an understanding of “That makes no sense at all. It will cost human nature. too much and lots of people in the town Sabah If we believe that people are naturally rely on the hospital for work. It makes good, we will expect that the problem of better sense to provide for better hospital order will be solved rather easily. services in Utopia.” MALAYSIA However, if we believe that human beings So the contrarian fell silent. But the are intrinsically corrupt, then we face con- crashes continued, more drivers were 25 — 28 JULY, siderably more difficulties. Alternatively, killed, and nothing changed. if we think that human nature is essen- In this issue of Australian Presbyterian tially pliable, we may consider that the we want to suggest the need for a more 2001 problem of order can be solved by any realistic policy on crime control. Utopian number of plans that offer us a range of policies have failed. We need some con- options. trarian thinking. Read on. FEATURING Since all societies have experienced the Renowned Speakers problem of crime, this is a difficulty that Peter Hastie ap won’t easily go away. Thus, a modern parable may help us to understand the pre- Strategising Sessions sent impasse that social theorists have reached in their efforts to reduce crime. I CHRISTIAN Motivating Workshops call it the “parable of the alpine ambu- BOOKS lance”. For Sale/Wanted Networking Once upon a time there was a town called Utopia, nestled in a valley sur- We stock a wide range of new Opportunities rounded by a towering mountain. The & secondhand Evangelical & only way to enter the town was down a Reformed titles For further Information: steep road called Breakneck Boulevarde, Catalogues available Email Dr Charles Lee which curved around the mountain and Hours: led into the main street. Sadly, many dri- Open Mon-Fri 2:00pm-5:30pm [email protected] vers found Breakneck Boulevarde too & Sat 10:00am-1:00pm or difficult to negotiate and crashed Rockdale Dr Graham McLennon through the rails down the hill. Most Christian Books [email protected] were killed. However, while some sur- 11 Watkin Street vived few made a complete recovery. Rockdale NSW 2216 The good citizens of Utopia were Tel (02) 9568 2813 Christians from over perplexed, “What shall we do?” they cried. One bright spark, a sociologist at Fax (02) 9590 3268 20 Nations Email [email protected] the University of Utopia, suggested that or visit our web site at: Participating. a better hospital and an improved ambu- www.rcb.com.au Matthew 28:19 lance system were the answer. So they RCB is supported by Bexley- spent millions on the hospital and Rockdale Presbyterian Church

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 4 PRISON Justice that restores Deprived needn’t mean depraved, and crime needn’t mean prison.

What are your credentials for speak- cerated, thousands and thousands of ing on prison reform? times over. So I think I can make an I have a first-hand working knowledge important contribution on such a vital of the criminal justice and prison system subject. in the United States both as a legislator and as a convicted criminal. As you know, Why has crime risen so sharply in I was caught up in the biggest scandal in western democracies in the past few American history and spent seven months decades? incarcerated for a Watergate offence to Charles Colson I think there are a number of factors which I pleaded guilty. So I know what it’s talks to Peter Hastie involved here, all of which have con- like on the inside of jails. tributed to the problem. High on the list When I was released from prison in of causes is the significant demographic 1975, I vowed never to return to prison shift that took place when large numbers again. God had other things in store for I have also visited more than 600 pris- of baby-boomers hit their crime-prone me. I felt a conviction to begin the min- ons in 40 different countries. Some of teen years in the ’60s. Another cause has istry known today as Prison Fellowship them are notorious — like the Garcia been the misguided policies of successive and Prison Fellowship International, Moreno Prison in Quito, Ecuador. It’s governments in the 1960s and 1970s now chartered in 88 countries around the even worse than some of the most which were shaped by the assumption world. As a Christian organisation, we appalling prisons in the Soviet Gulag, that poverty is the cause of crime. This have thousands of volunteers who visit remote parts of India, Sri Lanka and approach simply excuses crime by blam- prisons, conduct Bible studies and pro- Zambia. I have looked crime in the eye. I ing it on the environment. Around this vide one-to-one mentoring. Through have talked to enough offenders to have a time drug-use was also soaring, causing a our Christmas gift programme called real sense of the wrong moral choices domino-effect of crime. Angel Tree, we contact nearly half a mil- people make that lead to crime. Another important factor in accelerat- lion young people each year who belong I have also seen the utter futility of the ing the crime rate in America has been the to prisoners’ families. So I have some prison system and, gloriously, I have seen introduction of the Great Society welfare idea of the social impact of imprison- the transforming power of Christ at work programmes, which have weakened the ment. in the lives of the men and women incar- family structure and led to gangs of

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 5 PRISON poorly parented juveniles roaming the Wilson, advanced what became known as punishments and rehabilitation. It’s to streets. As a result, our inner cities have the “broken-window theory”. They dis- help people live together according to become combat zones. From 1960 to covered that if a broken window in a God’s moral order in peace. Where this 1992 violent crime grew by 70 per cent. building is left unrepaired, soon all the happens there is civility and harmony. Property crime grew as well by 284 per windows are knocked out. Why? Because The biblical basis for this approach is cent. damage left untended sends out a message the doctrine of creation, which tells us we But there was another significant cause that no one cares. A single broken win- were created for community. Because we of the surge in crime. In the 1970s and dow soon attracts the kind of people who are made in God’s image, and God in 1980s, the courts introduced a novel con- will smash more windows. essence is Trinity, we discover that we are cept of civil liberties that transformed dis- Likewise, a community that allows made for reciprocal love and communica- orderly and disruptive public behaviour pockets of public disorder, starting with tion. God has made us as inherently com- into a civil right. Most significant were graffiti and litter, is sending out a message munal beings, and the God-ordained insti- two Supreme Court cases, one in 1972 that the authorities don’t care or don’t tutions of society make rightful, moral and the other in 1983, striking down want to enforce standards of behaviour demands on us that we should fulfil. statutes against vagrancy and loitering. for their citizens. Once a city sends out In the 1972 case, Justice William that message, it’s all over. Law-abiding cit- Didn’t Augustine teach this in the Douglas waxed lyrical about the rights of fourth century in his classic work The “rogues and vagabonds” to roam the City of God? countryside as “loafers and litterers” as if Yes, he did. Augustine taught that they were merely romantic wanderers. peace (shalom) is the “tranquility pro- The courts seemed to forget that the laws duced by order” (tranquillitas ordinis). He against vagrancy and loitering had been said that a political community can enjoy targeted against drifters and transients peace and harmony only by following the who rebelled against family and career moral order. Therefore the primary role of commitments and preferred a rootless, the state is not to chase down criminals roaming existence, sleeping in public after they’ve committed their crimes but places and begging from responsible citi- to nurture the “tranquillitas ordinis”, using zens. The aim of the vagrancy laws was to its unique powers of coercion to that end. uphold public order and personal respon- Pursuing tranquillitas ordinis is also the sibility. Now the courts were abandoning duty of every Christian, for though our their role to uphold that public order. sights are set ultimately on the “City of Naturally, a domino effect followed God”, as long as we live in the “City of from these cases, as lower courts over- Man”, it is morally imperative for us to turned state and municipal laws that had work for the peace of that city. This is not given police authority to restrain behav- optional; it is the only way to keep evil in iour in public places. Before long, the check. streets, parks and subways of our cities This philosophy influenced the original were filled with loiterers and drunks. As a principles of policing laid out by Sir result, law-abiding citizens began to move Robert Peel in 1829. The first job of the out of the inner city areas, while law- police, said Peel, is not fighting crime but breakers moved in. keeping the peace. Seventy years later, in If we want to restore our cities, we the first New York city charter, the same must understand and critique the world- principles were repeated: “It is hereby view that unleashed this disorder. It’s a made the duty of the police department to worldview that rejects the biblical doc- especially preserve the public peace ... trine of creation which teaches that we are izens leave and the criminal element takes remove all nuisances in the public streets meant to live in community and in a state control. … restrain all unlawful and disorderly of order. Instead, the secular worldview In the early 1990s, New York Police conduct.” As a result, at the turn of the says that individuals are the ultimate real- Chief William Bratton took the broken- century it was the police who developed ity and individual rights trump all others. window theory to heart and persuaded the the first food and soup lines; they built It claims that personal rights outweigh the Mayor, Rudolph Guiliani, to give the the- police stations with extra space where need for public order. Unfortunately ory a try. The police went out to “fix” bro- migrants could stay until they found today civil liberties are defined in exces- ken windows. The police adopted a policy work; they referred beggars to charitable sively individualistic terms which deny of zero tolerance for any violation of pub- agencies; and yes, they even helped lost communities the right to promote their lic order, and in the process discovered children find their way home. values or to insist on standards of public that there is a seamless web between con- behaviour. trolling petty crime and restraining major What does the biblical approach look However (and it’s important to note crime. like in practice? this), the solution is not simply sending all Let me give you an example. In these people to prison. Are you suggesting that the best way Newport News, Virginia, police grew to reduce crime is to discourage it weary of constantly answering calls about So what can legislators do? before it happens by creating an burglars and drug dealers in a run-down I think the answer to that question ordered and civil community life? housing project, and the entire project came in the early 1980s when two social Yes, I am. The best way to reduce crime was finally scheduled for demolition. To scientists, George Kelling and James Q. is not to react after it’s happened with get ready for the new construction, the

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 6 PRISON police decided to clean up the area. They change. the reason why a government cannot do carted away trash, removed abandoned What we advocate in Prison Fellowship this is that it doesn’t have the means to cars, and filled in potholes. To everyone’s is the concept of restorative justice. We eliminate sin and its consequences. And surprise burglary rates suddenly dropped consider this to be the biblical approach. that means that you can’t eradicate by 35 per cent. The police had inadver- Restorative justice is a concept that takes poverty completely. You may be able to tently stumbled on the broken-window crime seriously. It seeks to address a situ- reduce poverty, but that’s a different issue. theory. Similarly, Baltimore police worked ation where the peace of a community has The Bible tells us that the poor will always with local agencies to clean up a housing been shattered by finding a way to be with us. It’s a sad fact of life that as a estate — to upgrade street lighting, trim redemptively punish the crime. At the society advances, some people will always shrubbery, clean laneways — with the same time, it seeks to restore the criminal be on the lower end of the economic scale result that burglaries were reduced by 80 and the victim as well as the peace, or the — it’s just inevitable. When politicians per cent and car theft by 100 per cent. shalom, of the community. This usually claim to be able to eradicate poverty, it’s Restoring order really does create “a tran- involves restitution of some sort. And just a part of the utopian rhetoric that has quility of order”. that’s the heart of restorative justice. become one of the classic socialist myths I have a book that’s out now, Justice of the 20th Century. Is there any evidence to show a direct That Restores. It’s based on one of the lec- connection between the influence of tures that I was going to give in 1999 in Yet you have suggested that the state Christian faith and crime reduction? England. And these lectures are intended can change the way in which people I’m glad you asked that. Several recent to lay out the case for restorative justice. relate to one another by making peo- independent studies have shown that ple more responsible to their families. crime is highest in neighbourhoods with Bob Hawke as Prime Minister Yes, I have. Take penal reform, for the most bars and liquor stores, and low- promised Australia that under his example. If the state requires offenders to est in areas with the most churches. A government no child would be found make restitution for their wrongs, say in landmark study by Richard Freeman of in poverty by the year 1990. Is it pos- the form of community service, then it’s Harvard found that young people who are sible for governments, through legis- doing something redemptive for the com- active in church are more likely to finish lation and programs, to get rid of munity. That process alone has a greater school, avoid pregnancies out of wedlock, poverty and reduce crime? tendency to produce peace in the commu- keep a job and stay out of trouble with the No. No socialist government has ever nity than simply hauling someone away, law. In preventing crime, church atten- done it. Of course, governments can putting them in a jail cell, forgetting about dance rates even higher than family struc- reduce crime. In a totalitarian state, if you them for 20 years, and then letting them ture — a highly significant finding, given use enough pressure, you can hold crime back out. I also believe that if you can that growing up in a fatherless home has down. They did it in the Soviet Union, for meet with people when they come out of also been proven to have a serious nega- example. But after the Soviet Union fell, prison, which we do in Prison Fellowship, tive impact. The power of religion comes crime went up quite dramatically because and then help them to get back into the from the fact that it instills a sense of pur- all the restraints of the oppressive police community, back into church, back into a pose and value to life; it also teaches a state were removed. Until Gorbachev job, then you’re doing something to standard of morality that acts as a restraint introduced his reforms, the Soviet Union restore that community. It’s not enough on antisocial and criminal behaviour. was essentially a prison. Since everyone simply to release somebody after 20 years was effectively in prison, that reduced in prison. To what extent can crime and social crime. disorder be regulated or remedied by But, no, no system of government can What can the government do in government intervention? eradicate crime and poverty entirely. And terms of encouraging men to take Well, I think that crime can be reme- died in the sense that you can incapacitate people who are dangerous to society. I believe in prisons for isolating and quar- Teach English Overseas antining people who are anti-social in their behaviour and need to be punished (South Korea) for sinful behaviour. I believe strongly in Qualifications: Bachelor Degree (Any kind) the principles of justice and punishment Native English Speaker which C.S. Lewis outlines in his famous essay: The Humanitarian Theory of Good Communication Skills with Children Punishment. In this essay Lewis says that We Provide: Airfare (Return) the main reason why crime needs to be Accommodation punished is because justice requires the Health Care (in Korea) from A$30.000 (Negotiable) balancing of the scales. 12 Month Contract You Provide: Full-time (5days per Week) So retributive justice has its place? Work experience & references That’s correct. The notion that we can Welcome to beginners & introduction to Christianity rehabilitate offenders simply by putting Contact: For interview, contact Mary Lee: them in prison and trying to re-educate Phone (02) 8765 8118; Mobile 0412 828 255 them doesn’t work. It’s based on a thera- E-mail: [email protected] (in Sydney) peutic model of human nature which fails [email protected] (in Korea) to take account of the nature of sin and what is required for lasting behavioural Dea-Jung International Language School, Korea

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 7 PRISON

their responsibilities as fathers more single precinct had the lowest crime rate. seriously? That was Chinatown, in San Francisco. I’ve written about that at some length. This was largely because the family struc- I think the liberalisation of the divorce ture amongst the Chinese was so strong laws has been a terrible thing that has that their kids just didn’t commit crimes. encouraged a lot of parental irresponsibil- It was substandard housing, and many of ity. the families lived below the poverty line. In that sense, it was terribly deprived. But Has it promoted crime? it wasn’t depraved, because the Chinese It certainly does encourage crime! kept their family units strong. Crime is a moral problem; so anything crime. Fortunately, George Bush has that causes the breakdown of the moral promised to change it. That’s part of his In Australia, liberals focus on rehabil- structures of society is going to lead tax bill, and I hope it goes through. itation and conservatives call for inevitably to crime. And we know that tougher penalties and mandatory kids who are on the street without proper You say people today assume crime sentencing. Who’s right? supervision, without being trained at and poverty indicate that the govern- There is a right answer. The right answer home in a family environment during ment isn’t doing enough. Does this is to reform the moral structures of society. their morally formative years, are going to create a victim mentality? Encourage moral reformation, which has fall into crime. So, the more society Yes, it has definitely created a victim to be cultural as well as political. If you breaks down, and the more the family mentality over the past 50 to 70 years or have a moral reformation, then you’ll do breaks down, the more you’re going to so. If we say that poverty is the cause of something about crime. And the state have crime. crime, then that means that if you’re poor needs to think more in terms of sentencing But, again, government can only make you can say, “well I’m free to commit a that is redemptive like restitution, commu- it harder for the family to break down. It crime”. Then people start to think that nity service and work projects for non-vio- can’t restore the family. That’s a cultural they have an excuse for committing crime lent offenders. We need to be able reinte- question that involves cultural values. on the grounds of their poverty. It’s a ter- grate these people back into the commu- However, the government can remove rible slander on the poor. And the fact is nity once they’ve paid for their crimes. certain disincentives to family life. For that empirically you can’t validate that The problem with conservatives, and I example, the government could case. was one of them, is this: tough talk does- strengthen family life by amending the tax In poor inner city neighborhoods, n’t solve the problem. It’s easy to lock peo- policy which we have in America today. If what some people might describe as ple up, but it doesn’t stop them re-offend- you live together, unmarried, you get a “ghetto neighbourhoods”, there have ing. The recidivism rate remains absolutely lower tax than if you were married. That’s been a number of studies conducted in unchanged. So you can lock up lots of peo- a bad law because it undermines the fam- recent years. And do you know what they ple, but when they get out they are often ily and penalises those who want to get found? They discovered that 90 per cent more likely to commit new crimes. married and remain committed to each of the kids who come out of intact fami- Rehabilitation doesn’t work, either. other in a stable family relationship. It’s lies do not commit the crimes whereas 90 We’ve had lots of studies on that showing also a dumb policy, because it’s discourag- per cent of kids who come out of broken that you just can’t rehabilitate a criminal ing marriage, discouraging the family, and families do. So, the common factor is the using a therapeutic approach in prison. it leads to having more kids out on the state of the family, not poverty. Prison is the worst possible environment street unsupervised, and therefore more Interestingly, in one study the poorest to try and rehabilitate anyone. It’s not a good environment to try to get somebody off drugs either — which is a chief con- tributing factor causing crime. So, neither Sutherland Shire Christian School tougher penalties nor rehabilitation works. PRINCIPAL You need restorative justice. You must have punishment because justice requires The board of Sutherland Shire Christian School is inviting applications for it, but it ought to be redemptive punish- the position of Principal. Due to illness this position is expected to become available in the near future. ment that gets people back out on the We will be seeking a mature Christian person of reformed streets. This is what my new book is persuasion with extensive experience in and vision for Christian education, about. including the areas of administration, curriculum, staff development, pastoral care and policy. Charles Colson is the chairman of Prison Sutherland is a Christian parent controlled, Kindergarten to matriculation, Protestant, Fellowship Ministries and award-winning coeducational school with enrolment in 2001 of 770 students and a staff of over 70. author of such best-sellers as Born Again, Buildings and facilities are all modem and well equipped. The school is located at Barden Ridge in a delightful bush-land setting 25km south of Sydney. Life Sentence, Loving God, Kingdoms in Conflict, The Body and How Now Shall For more information about the school or the role of Principal, please contact either the Business Manager, We Live? In 1993 he was awarded the pres- Bob East on 02 9543 2133 (BH) or 02 9521 4632 (AH) or the Board President Greg Jones on 02 9521 3088 tigious Templeton Prize for Progress in (BH) 02 9520 8738 (AH) or visit our web site at: www.sscs.nsw.edu.au Religion, given for extraordinary leadership We see ourselves as an extension of the home, so that Christian teaching given in the home is and originality in advancing humanity’s reinforced by the school in a non elitist caring environment. Our aim is to strive for excellence in the academic and personal life of all students so that they may reach their potential to the glory of God understanding of God. and the enrichment of life. Peter Hastie is the issues editor of AP. ap

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 8 PRISON Judge — but not for yourself The moral of the story is what counts.

was walking out of Fisher Research familiar? With a change of a few dates and Library at Sydney University recently place names, we could well be writing when I was stopped by a rather nosey about the significant changes of world- student. He had noticed that I was view that took place in the 20th century. Icarrying an armful of books on criminol- The results of abandoning biblical faith ogy. I think the title of the topmost book in Israel were catastrophic. After their must have caught his eye. It was the land- spiritual defection, they experienced a mark work, Crime and Human Nature, shocking moral collapse. As the nation by James Q. Wilson and Richard J. Peter Hastie went into ethical free-fall, crime mush- Herrnstein. roomed around them (see Judges “Are you a psychology student?” he 19:25–30). The incidence of sexual asked, rather imperiously. homes may contribute to the problem of assaults and violence spiralled as the cul- “No,” I said, “I’m not.” juvenile delinquency, there is also substan- ture of self-expression flourished. “Then what are you studying?” he tial evidence that finds no direct relation- Scholars of social history with an inter- inquired. ship between single-parent families and est in the past two centuries have noticed “Theology and philosophy,” I said. crime. a similar phenomenon in some English- “Bah!” he exclaimed. “What’s that got Further, while it’s true that a rising speaking countries from about 1830 to do with crime?” number of young males in a population onwards. In America particularly, there Then, before I could give him a reply, will lead to an increase in crime, this does was a significant increase in crime in the he turned on his heel and stormed up the not shed any light at all on why the age- 1830s and ’40s that was followed by a dra- stairwell. Although he took off at a rapid specific crime rate (that is, the number of matic decrease in the crime rate from the pace, his question has lingered in my crimes committed by young males of a 1850s to the early 1900s. mind: does the Christian faith have any- given age) can also rise or fall from one James Q. Wilson, Ted Gurr and Eric thing to say about the burgeoning crime period to another. For instance, since Monkonnen, to mention just a few crimi- problem? handguns have been available in America nologists, have produced a number of Over the past few decades, criminolo- for decades, what really lies behind the studies that seem to confirm the conclu- gists have argued about the reasons for the recent spate of high school shooting mas- sion of the Book of Judges. They suggest recent surge in crime in Western democra- sacres by young teenage boys? Age can’t that the best explanation for the falling cies. With prison populations exploding at be the real reason. crime rate in the latter half of the 19th a frightening rate — for instance, in the This is where the Book of Judges may century lies in a massive effort from all USA there has been a tenfold increase in be of some help to us. In the last five levels of society to engage in moral uplift. the past 25 years, now with two million chapters of the book (17 to 21), the writer They note that this came through many inmates — there is obviously a desperate relates a number of gruesome stories with routes — religious revivals, the Sunday urgency to re-examine some of the theo- an express purpose in view — to remind school movement and the widespread ries that have been used to formulate our us what happens when we turn away from push for temperance. This effort had the policies on crime and punishment. true religion and personal virtue instilled support of the intellectual and social What is it that lies at the heart of the by God’s Word. elites. escalating crime rate? In no issue of mod- On the other hand, Wilson notes that ern life are we more in need of better One verse, which is repeated twice in when the intellectual elites abandoned answers. For several decades now, social these chapters, is the key, not only to this religious and moral uplift as a social ideal theorists have been conducting a vigorous section but to the whole period of the from the 1920s onward, the crime rate debate over the significance of such fac- judges. We discover it first in Judges 17:6: began to climb. It took off from the ’60s, tors as poverty, family breakdown, popu- “In those days Israel had no king; every- when the culture of self-expression came lation change and softer judicial penalties one did as he saw fit.” In the final verse of to full flower. as the major causes of crime. the book (21:25) the writer emphasises The upshot of all this should be obvi- For example, those who see poverty as the lesson by repeating the statement. ous: the crime rate is particularly sensitive the key factor can certainly point to the This is a vital insight that has a direct to the effectiveness of religious and moral fact that street crime is more common in and contemporary relevance. The prob- education in society. It seems that the best disadvantaged neighbourhoods. But they lem with Israel, the writer complains, is way to keep crime under control is to cannot explain why the crime rate that without a strong authority they aban- redirect our efforts and resources to culti- remained stable or declined during the doned the civilising revelation of God and vating traditional virtues in each rising Great Depression but rose sharply during adopted, in its place, a philosophy that generation. the prosperity of the ’60s. emphasised personal rights, instant grati- Again, while it’s possible that broken fication and radical individualism. Sound Peter Hastie is issues editor of AP. ap

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 9 PRISON It’s pay back time Prison is the university of crime. Justice should focus on restitution.

t Port Arthur stands an appalling paratively innocent lawbreakers among reminder of the useless cruelty we those who are hardened, cynical or can so readily perpetrate, especially despairing, where drugs and abuse and in the grip of ideology. I don’t fear are constant companions. Amean the memorial to the 35 slaughtered by English lifer Erwin James writes: Martin Bryant, though it is hard to imagine “Prison is designed to disempower. a more futile viciousness, but a much older Everyone in jail is vulnerable, to a greater institution: the separation prison. or lesser extent. Prisoners live at the Now a tourist attraction among the Barney Zwartz mercy of those in charge, and of each convict settlement ruins, here victims other, and dignity is a scarce commodity were held in solitary confinement, unable … It is when prisoners feel they are not to utter a word to another living soul for you have to become a feral animal. And being afforded respect as people that the months, even years. On Sundays they the same is true for prison.” cynical prison culture thrives.” would shuffle to the chapel to be locked No one denies prisons are necessary, He also claims: “Prison life is mostly a into individual cubicles, wearing long caps but the vast majority of people locked continuous repetition of the same day, with face guards pulled low, lest they inside them need not be there. over and over again. Finding a purpose received the comfort of eye contact. Traditionally, there are four purposes of and a meaning beyond ‘punishment’ can Jailers would guard against a whisper or punishment: retribution by society on the be a struggle. Often, people are not in the touch of another hand. offender, to deter him and others, to pro- prison long enough to discover anything For one hour a week they would hear tect the innocent, and to rehabilitate the worthwhile beyond a new set of criminal other human voices, and be able to lift their offender so that he can become a useful alliances. Or they end up inside for so own in the hymns. At other times commu- member of the community. long that any good that might have been nication was by gestures and bells. Meals achieved along the way is undermined by were passed through a trap in the cell Perhaps most important is the protec- bitterness and resentment. doors. Guards and prisoners even wore felt tion of the community, or quarantine, and “The paradox of prison lies in society’s cloth over their boots to ensure silence. here prison is the right option. Child expectations. The community wants retri- Part of being made in the image of God abusers, psychopaths and violent crimi- bution but also rehabilitation. For many, is that we are beings who relate, who need nals are obvious examples. sending people to prison is not enough, company and conversation. The separa- Next, I suggest, comes rehabilitation. they must suffer while there. But only tion prison seems to me sick and dehu- We who have received grace are to impart somebody who has never been to prison manising. Yet this horror was deemed it. God takes no pleasure in the death of would believe that jails are ‘soft’ places.” enlightened, an advance in penal theory, the wicked, but when they turn from their an improvement on the floggings and ways and live (Ezek. 18:23). The second Australia’s prison population is rising. irons and cruel labor. It was modelled on principle, deterrence, is found in 1 Victoria, which has the smallest prison Pentonville jail in London, under the Timothy 5:20, “those who sin are to be population, per capita, nevertheless found belief that prisoners who had no escape rebuked publicly, so that the others may the prison population grew 27.8 per cent from their thoughts would eventually find take warning”, and punishment is there from 30 June 1995 to 30 June 2001. Of repentance and moral reform. The goal too (eg, 1 Pet 2:14 tells us that governors these 94 per cent are men, two thirds of was rehabilitation. are sent by the Lord for the punishment whom have been in prison before, and the It was not spectacularly successful. of evil-doers). recidivism has rate increased steadily. The People in prison, then as now, did what However, the Christian view of reha- Victorian Government promised four they must to get by, and put it behind bilitation is quite different from modern new prisons in the state budget in mid- them when they got out. secular approaches, the extreme version of May, taking $194 million of a $334 million But the prison system today is scarcely which is the behaviourism exemplified in increase in the corrections budget, but more successful. Recidivism stands at up the Kubrick film A Clockwork Orange. recognised the need for rehabilitation pro- to 70 per cent. Hardly anyone comes out Here aversion therapy — linked to the grammes to reduce reoffending. of prison a better person than he went in; only thing the protagonist loved, the Reduced discretion for judges in sen- jails are universities for crime. music of Beethoven — was used to tencing is the biggest factor feeding the Edwin John Eastwood (Victoria’s change the conditioning and produce dif- prison explosion, along with drug laws Faraday primary school kidnapper) said ferent reflexes. The result was a monster (more than 80 per cent of people behind on the eve of his release: “I liken jail to a — or a cripple — of a different sort. bars are for crimes involving alcohol or family abandoning a pet in the forest. The essential thing in rehabilitation is other drugs). They wouldn’t recognise the pet two breaking habits or inhibiting habits about The fact that judges cannot take the years down the track because to survive to form. It is not the best plan to put com- seriousness (or otherwise) of the crime

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 10 into account, nor the circumstances of the face to face with those they damaged and covetousness), and not every crime is a sin offender, lies behind much of the contro- confront them with the reality and impact (for example, witnessing in countries versy of the Northern Territory’s manda- of their crime have been quite successful. where Christian evangelism is illegal). tory sentencing laws. There people have A wider system of community service What they have in common is that the been jailed for stealing pencils, or a box of orders would be appropriate for many corruption begins within, so the offender biscuits. Some of them, bewildered and who are now locked up. cannot make any progress until he recog- despairing, have killed themselves. Working in food banks and with charity nises his own responsibility, that the prob- The 19th century penal theorists were organisations is better than tidying road- lem begins with himself. right that the key to rehabilitation is for sides. What about young offenders work- the offender to take responsibility for ing in supervised teams to fix up the homes what he has done and recognise the harm or properties of the elderly and handi- My plea for alternatives to jail is not he has caused. The key lies in serving the capped? Not only is it useful work, which directed at serious crime, where retribu- community, and restitution is a vital benefits the community, but there are psy- tion is important, where the community aspect. chological benefits. It can break down the indicates its refusal to condone such Under our present system, crime is alienation, as each group becomes real, behaviour by removing the offender, and against the state. The state jails the human, to the other; they are in a relation- where society’s wellbeing demands his offender, the state takes the fine. Victims ship. A cup of tea, scones and a chat could removal. And these comments are the often feel deserted and bereft. The biblical be a natural accompaniment. merest sketch of a way forward, for which method is restitution: the offender must Yes, the caseworkers and other costs many qualifications and caveats are repay the victim, plus a penalty (e.g. Ex would be significant, but surely not more needed. But the guiding principle is clear: 22). This is not always possible but — than cost of keeping criminals in jail: at God is quick to restore the penitent (1 Jn especially with minor crime — it is possi- present, more than $50,000 a year each. 1:9). He is slow to anger, but abounding ble much more often than it is done. Theologians have traditionally distin- in lovingkindness (Ps 103:8). That should We know that rehabilitation must guished between sin, vice and crime, as be our ambition too. involve the whole person. Conversion is offences against God, oneself and others the best guarantee, but we can work to (clearly, sin usually encompasses the other Barney Zwartz is production editor of AP change lives of non-believers too. two). But not every sin is a crime (it is and a senior journalist with The Age in Programmes that bring young offenders impossible to legislate against greed or Melbourne. ap Inside out A former prisoner talks to Tracy Gordon about the challenges inside and outside jail.

The place of authority “When I came to know Christ, it was only Those brought up in a supportive and nur- M always knew that he had done the then that I realised how much was lacking turing family structure tend to have more wrong thing — so didn’t really have a in the state’s approach to rehabilitating choices for paths in later life, and good role problem with authority. But he says that criminals.” models. the type of authority you encounter while Offenders need to come to a point in prison is very different from outside. where they understand what they have Common denominators On the inside, it is imposed — basically done. And victims need to understand the There appear to be some common the authority structure is in place and you backgrounds of offenders — not that this threads running through the backgrounds have to abide by that. Once you get out, in any way excuses them. Without Christ, of offenders, including low levels of edu- that structure is largely removed. the whole process becomes reduced to cation, fractured families, lack of good role Submitting to authority becomes a volun- “payback”. models and teaching on morality, and high tary thing. M finds it has been and is a levels of sexual, physical and verbal abuse. learning experience, to understand and Jail as a deterrent There also tends to be a transition tak- find joy in submitting to God, and those Jail, to many offenders, is a way of life. ing place amongst offenders. The old whom God has put in authority. They become accustomed to it, and school, hardened criminals, stick together, believe it is only a matter of time before M says. They adhere to a strict code, for The role of the state they will be back behind bars. For others, example there are certain types of people The state could always do more in the it is very foreign — something they never you would not commit a crime against. area of criminal justice — but it really really think about. So jail does not really The new school, which is growing, com- comes down to individual choice, says M. act as a deterrent, M believes. prises younger criminals, who behave in a For example, M had to make changes in wild fashion, are highly independent, and his life to ensure that he wouldn’t commit Family and upbringing tend to follow American culture quite the same crime again. He saw psycholo- The family environment does have an closely (vocabulary, dress, and outlook on gists, psychiatrists and counsellors in impact on the life of possible offenders. crime). Their motto is survival of the prison to learn as much as he could. However, it is not the sole determinant. fittest. ap

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 11 FAMOUS CONVERSIONS Helen Roseveare

From 1953 to 1973 Dr Helen Roseveare that God had so loved me that he had served as a medical missionary with the given his only Son Jesus Christ to suffer Worldwide Evangelisation Crusade in the death on the Cross for my redemption — Congo, spending five months in captivity to save me from my sins, to take upon during the rebellion in 1964. himself my punishment and all that I deserved. t was cold as we trudged from the bus- “A full, perfect and sufficient sacrifice, stop to the church, the lightly falling oblation and satisfaction for the sins of snow muffling our footfalls and the whole world” was made by Christ at adding to our sense of loneliness. In ger. She moved away from me, up to the Calvary, because he loved us. Ithe large empty church, the flickering can- communion rail. “The body of our Lord The mystery of that great sacrifice still dle light hardly penetrated the darkness of Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, stirs my soul to its depths. That the Son that early December morning, as I knelt, a preserve thy body and soul unto everlast- of God could so love me that he would shivering seven-year-old, beside the quiet ing life. Take and eat this in remembrance give himself for me, still stirs a sense of figure of my Mother. She had come to that Christ died for thee, and feed on him awed wonder. thank God for the birth of another little in thy heart by faith with thanksgiving.” There was no other good enough to pay sister into our family. I did not fully under- “Christ died for thee.” For a brief sec- the price of sin: stand why we were there, and yet, in a ond, in that solemn moment of awed He only could unlock the gate of Heaven strange way, I knew it was right. silence, I heard the spirit say those words and let us in. The verger turned the lights on, and I to me, in my heart. The well-known words of childhood closed my eyes to shut out the hard glare, The moment passed. Scarf wound hymns became more precious, more and to retreat back into the mystery of tightly round my neck, beret and knitted meaningful, as one sought to enter into darkness. mitts pulled on against the damp winter any understanding of the Mystery. The minister was praying. I glanced up chill, I followed Mother out of the quiet If he so loved me that he was willing to at mother: her face looked lovely and her church, and we made our way home. die for me, whatever could I do for him eyes shone. I tried to listen, to under- “Mummy, what is an oblation?” even to begin to show my heart’s longing stand, but I was shivering and felt afraid. Perhaps she was startled out of her to thank him? “A full, perfect and suffi- Mother put an arm round me and drew own line of thought, taken by surprise, or cient Sacrifice” — sufficient, sufficient for me closer to herself, and suddenly I knew perhaps she just did not know. Maybe the the sin of the whole world. So no more that she needed me, and I loved her. I fol- question jarred against the stirrings of could be offered. The only possible lowed her finger in the prayer book, and faith, making her question that which she acceptable sacrifice was complete. Christ we were praying together. The rector’s wanted to accept. I do not remember had sacrificed himself, once for all — once voice was hushed and barely audible as he what she answered, except that it seemed for all time, once for all people, once for prepared for the communion service. For short and curt. all sin. No further sacrifice was needed or perhaps the first time, my restless spirit For some reason, deep inside of me, I possible. God had shown himself satis- was stilled momentarily by a sense of the felt hurt, so I did not ask again, yet I fied by that perfect offering, when he Presence of God. needed to know the answer. brought back the Lord Jesus Christ form “We are not worthy....” reached through the dead, raising him to life again that first to my understanding, and made me feel Ifound her prayer book later that day, and Easter morning. guilty. I shrank yet closer to Mother. the marker was in the Communion I could add nothing to the efficacy of “Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Service. Slowly, laboriously, I found my his sacrifice: I could do nothing to save who of Thy tender mercy didst give Thine way through to that particular prayer, and myself from the penalty of my sins. He only son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon read and reread the first paragraph. I learnt had done it all. Yet there was a striving in the Cross for our redemption: who made it by heart. For months, I used to recite it my inner being to do something to there (by his one oblation of himself once to myself in bed at night before falling express my heart’s response to his great offered) a full, perfect, and sufficient sac- asleep. The words had a beauty, a fascina- love for me. His Spirit in me stirred that rifice, oblation and satisfaction for the sins tion, that reached down towards an inner unrest, planting in my heart the desire to of the whole world; and....” need: yet so much was incomprehensible. respond to an insistent demand made Mother had forgotten her seven-year- What was redemption? What was an obla- upon me by that “one oblation of himself old, her heart and mind drawing strength tion? I looked the words up in a dictio- once offered”. and comfort from the well-known prayer. nary, but the flat explanations spoilt the She ceased to point.... and no longer lis- mystery of the incomprehensible. This extract is taken from Living tening, I reread that beautiful phrase that It was many years later before I gave in Sacrifice, by Helen Roseveare (Hodder seemed underlined by her stationary fin- to the promptings of the Spirit, to realise & Stoughton, 1979). ap

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 12 CHURCH DIRECTORY

Come worship with us! If you are passing through or moving nearby, feel free to ring the Minister, Clerk or Elder.

14-16 Bibbys Place. 9.30 am. (English) & I.M. Rev F. Monckton (02) 6977 1642 11.00 am. (Mandarin) COWRA australian S.Clerk: Stanley Chen (02) 9753 2073 46 Macquarie St. Also Gooloogong, capital territory BOWRAL — MITTAGONG Morongla. Bowral: 20 Bendooley St. 10.30am. Rev John McClean Ph (02) 6342 1467. Kid’s Church: 9.30 am. 1st & 3rd Sunday CRONULLA CANBERRA, BELCONNEN Mittagong: Cr Alice & Edwards Sts. 9.00am. 13 Croydon St. 9.30am. Cnr Gatty St. & Ross Smith Cres, Scullin. Rev. Doug McPherson: (02) 4872 4052. Rev. Russell Stark (02) 9523 5875. Sunday Service 10:00 am BURWOOD EAST MAITLAND Elder: Mr R Howe (02) 6247 9586 48 Belmore St. 9.15am (English) George St. Beresfield: Beresford Ave. CANBERRA, FORREST (St Andrew’s) Burwood: 11.00 am (Cantonese) Raymond Terrace: Irrawang St. 1 State Circle (opp Parliament House). 5.00 pm (English). Rev Donald Smith (02) 4933 7443. Service Times: 9.30am. & 7.00pm. Rev Jim Elliott (02) 9745 3935. EPPING Church Office: (02) 6295 3457 Rev. Dennis Law (02) 9715 3889 Bridge & Rawson Sts. CANBERRA, TUGGERANONG CAMPBELLTOWN Rev David Tsai (02) 9876 1188. Isabella Plains: Isabella Plains Primary School, 34 Lithgow St. 8.30 am. 10.00 am. 6.30 pm. FORSTER/TUNCURRY Ellerstone Ave. Worship Service & Sunday Rev. Greg Goswell (02)4625 1037 Bruce St. Forster, 11.00am. School 10.00am. CANTERBURY CITY Rev John Thompson (02) 6552 1082. Rev Tim Abbey (02) 6292 6772 Earlwood: 40Collingwood Ave. 5.00 pm. GILGANDRA (St Stephens) GUNGAHLIN-NORTH BELCONNEN Lakemba: 1005 Canterbury Rd, 9.00am. 14 Myrtle St. 11.00am. & 9.00am. (4th Sun). Ngunnawal Primary School 10.00am. Sunday School (Lakemba) 10.30am. Also at Gulargambone, Tooraweenah. Enquiries: (02) 6253 8257. Rev Colin Dubi (02) 9558 3284. GOSFORD CARINGBAH 17 Mann St. Church, 8.00am 9.45am 6.30 pm. 393 Port Hacking Rd. Gosford: Office: Ph/Fx (02) 4323 2490. Rev Graham Flick (02) 9524 6406 (O). Rev Rod Mallinson (02) 4385 5231. new south wales CASTLE HILL Yth Pst. Steven Soldatos (02) 4368 6415 247 Old Northern Rd. 9.30am. & 6.00pm. GRIFFITH Rev Dr Ron Keith (02) 9634 2911. Opp. Collina Oval, Blumer Ave. 9.30 am. ANNANDALE CESSNOCK (St Andrew’s) Rev. Peter Gobbo (02) 6962 4827. Hunter Baillie, Johnston & Collins Sts. Cnr King & Cooper Sts. Dr L. Thorpe (02) 6962 1934 10.00am, Rev Colin Alston (02) 9969 8071. 9.30am. & 7.00pm. GUNNEDAH Welsh Church: Chalmers St, Surry Hills. Enquiries: (02)4992 2412 Marquis & Barber Sts. 3.00pm. each Sunday. CHATSWOOD Boggabri: Court House ARMIDALE St Andrew’s, Anderson St. HURSTVILLE Faulkner St, 9.30am. & 7.00pm. 9.00am.& 7.00 pm. Cnr. Park Rd. & McMahon St. English: Rev. Richard O’Brien (02) 6772 3093 Lane Cove, St James, Farran St. 11.00am. 9.30am. & 6.30pm. Indonesian: 4.00pm. ASHFIELD Rev. Jeff Read (02) 9419 5932 (W) 2077 (H) Rev Kevin Murray (02) 9153 8176. Liverpool Rd. & Knox St. CHINESE CHURCH KIAMA (Scots’) Rev Peter Hastie (02) 9798 6572. Cnr Crown & Albion Sts. Surry Hills. Terralong St. 9.00am. BEACON HILL-NARRAWEENA Ph (02) 9331 4459, Fx (02) 9360 6020, Jamberoo: (St Stephen’s) Allowrie St, 244 Warringah Rd. 9.30am. & 7.00pm. English/Cantonese/Mandarin/ 11.00am. (2nd Sun). Session Clerk: Rev. Andrew Clausen (02) 9451 5076. Bilingual Services. Joyce Schweitzer (02) 4232 1020. BEECROFT Rev John Ting (02) 9331 4459(O). KOGARAH Mary St., 8.45am. 10.30am. & 6.30pm. Rev Joe Mock (02) 9642 8861(H). Cnr Kensingrton & Derby Sts. Rev Martin Levine (02) 9876 2478. Rev. Daniel Ng (02) 9331 4459 (O) 9.30am. & 7.00pm. Session Clerk: Ray Dunlop (02) 9876 2478. Parish Wkr Mrs Irene Chang (02) 91814996. Rev Ray Osborn (02) 9587 5577. BEGA — EDEN Chinese Church (Burwood) KOREAN, SYDNEY (Young Nak) Bega -Upper St; Eden — CWA Rooms, 46-48 Belmore St. 11.00am 7-9 Manson St, Telopea. 9.30am. 11.00am. Imlay St. Clerk: Mrs J Gill (02) 6495 6062 Rev Dennis Law (02) 9331 4459 (O) 3.00pm. Rev Charles Kim (02) 9684 2090(C), BLACKTOWN (EAST) COFFS HARBOUR (St Andrew’s) (02) 9150 7939(H), (02) 9816 3807 (S.Cl.). Gallop Grv. & Heffron Rd. Lalor Park, 187 High St. 8.00am. 9.45am. & 6.30pm. LEETON Service Times: 10.30am. & 6.00pm. Rev Peter Moore (02) 6652 3183(O). Cnr. Sycamore & Cypress Sts. 10.00 am. Rev Stuart Coulton (02) 9626 0866. CONCORD Rev. Phillip Strong (02) 6953 3579 BONDI Cornerstone Community Presbyterian Church LISMORE (St Paul’s) Cnr. Castlefield & Miller Sts. 10.00am & Meets Concord Public School 9.30 am. 188 Keen St. 9.00 am. & 7.00 pm. 7.00pm. Rev John Graham: (02) 9365 5388 / Cnr Burwood Rd. & Stanley St. Concord Rev Peter Playsted (02) 6624 7050 (02) 9597 5214 Rev. C S Tang (02) 9688 7880 (H) MACQUARIE BONNYRIGG COOTAMUNDRA (Scots) Herring &Abuklea Rds, Marsfield Western Regions Chinese Church Cnr Parker & Francis Sts 11.00 am. Rev. Rex Swavley (02) 9878 4202

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 13 CHURCH DIRECTORY

MANLY (St Andrew’s) 10 am. Rev Keith Walker (02) 6762 5759 PEACE PRESBYTERIAN Raglan St. & Augusta Lane. 9.45am. 5.30pm. Manilla: Court St. Student Centre, Deception Bay State High May/Sept; 7.00pm Oct/April. Rev. Vic Johnson (02) 6785 1627. School 9.30am. Rev Tony Lang (02) 9976 2801 TAREE Pastor Bob Whiting (07) 3886 7367. MAROUBRA, Kingsford Albert St. 9.00am. CABOOLTURE 8 Robey St, Maroubra. 9.30 am. 7.15 pm. Rev John Thompson (02) 6552 1082(O). Cottrill Rd. 10.00am. & 6.00pm. 94 Houston Rd, Kingsford 11.15am TENTERFIELD I.M. Rev. W McKinlay (07) 3285 2104 Chinese Service, Maroubra 4 pm. 117 Logan St. CAIRNS Rev Johnnie Li (02) 9349 1312 TERRIGAL (Scots Kirk) 85 Sheridan St. 9.15 am. & 6.30 pm. MOREE (St Andrew’s) 2 Willoughby Rd. Rev Donald Broadwater, (07) 4036 0421(H). Cnr Albert & Auburn Sts, 10.00am. Rev Phillip Paul (02) 4385 2240. Rev Russell van Delden, (07) 4054 3241 (H). Rev. L. Fowler (02) 6752 1083 WAHROONGA Pastor Ron Lyons. (07) 4055 1769 (H). MOSMAN (Scots Kirk) Wahroonga Presbyterian Church, CALLIDE VALLEY Belmont Rd. (nr Military Rd), 9.00am. Cnr. Illoura Ave. & Stuart St. 9.30am. Biloela: Cnr. Kariboe & Melton Sts. Rev R J McCracken (02) 9969 6101. Rev. Murray Fraser (02) 9489 3690 10.00am. & 6.00pm. MURWILLUMBAH (St Andrew’s) WEE WAA Jambin: Three Ways 8.30am. Wollumbin St. 9.00am. & 7.00pm. Mitchell St. Pastor Walter Posthuma (07) 4992 1441 Tyalgum: 11.00am. (3rd Sun). Mr Mark Powell (02) 6795 4259 CALOUNDRA Rev. Philip Strong (02) 6672 1088 WENTWORTH FALLS (St Andrew’s) Cnr Kalinga & Ormutz Sts. 9.30am. & NEWCASTLE (St Andrews) Falls Rd. 9.00 am. Session Clerk: Mr Bernie 7.00pm. Rev N. Thomason (07) 5493 3594 Cnr. Laman & Auckland Sts 9.15am & 7.00pm. Tucker (02) 4757 3518 CAPALABA Office: (02) 4929 2857 WENTWORTHVILLE 74 Lyndon Rd. 8.30am & 6.00pm NORTH SYDNEY-GREENWICH 7 McKem St. Girraween: 15 Tungarra Rd. Rev B Enchelmaier (07) 3824 0958 (St Peter’s) 234 Blues Point Rd. 10.00am. Rev. David Griffin Phone: (02) 9896 3297. CHARLEVILLE & 6.45pm. Wednesday 1.15pm. WESTLAKES Galatea St. Rev Terry Sadler, (07) 4654 3188. Greenwich: (Taylor’s Memorial) Warnervale Community Hall, Warnervale Rd CHARTERSTOWERS 86A Greenwich Rd. 10.00am. S.School 8.30 am. Service 9.30 am. Blackthorn Hall, Thornburgh College, Rev Dr Paul Logan (02) 9955 1662. Rev. Esa Hukkinen (02) 4393 5530 King St. Mr. S. Mcdonald (07)4787 3395 Assistant Rev A B Clark (02) 9638 7471 WEST WYALONG CLAYFIELD (Scots Memorial) PARRAMATTA CITY Pioneer Memorial, Court St. 9.00am. & 29 Bellevue Terrace, 9.30am. Cumberland High School, Dunmore Ave. 11.00am. Also at Barmedman, Mahda, Rev W. Savage (07) 3262 1230 (O). Carlingford. Rev. Luke Tattersall. Talimba & Weethalle. CLEVELAND S. Clerk: Mike Whiteman (02) 9484 1240. Mr. Lance Jackson (02) 6972 2143. Cnr Bloomfield & Ocean Sts. 10.15am & PENRITH (St Andrew’s) WOLLONGONG (St Andrew’s) 6.00pm. Rev Brian Enchelmaier Doonmore St. near High St, 9.00am. & Cnr Kembla & Burelli Sts. 9.45am. & (07) 3824 0958 7.00pm. Rev William Morrow (02) 4721 2440. 6.00pm. Rev Bruce Hammonds (02) 4226 COORPAROO PORT MACQUARIE (St Andrew’s) 1458(H) (02) 4226 1725(O). Emlyn St. 10.00am. & 7.00pm. Cnr William/Munster Sts, 9.00am., 10.30am WOOLGOOLGA Rev Jorge Lievano (07) 3219 8012. Rev S Donnellan (02) 6582 2505 Cnr Scarborough St.& Landrigan Close. CREEK ROAD RANDWICK Rev Peter Moore (02) 6651 2301. PCYC Centre, 27 Narracott St., Carina Alison Rd. & Cook St. 10.00am. & 5.00pm. WOONONA 9.00 am & 5.30 pm. (02) 9399 3183. 7 Gray St. Rev Peter Currie (02) 4284 4057. Rev Peter Barson (07) 3398 3607. ROSE BAY (St Andrew’s) WOY WOY Rev D. McDougall (07) 3397 5244. Cnr Dover Rd.&Carlisle St. 10.00am& 6.00pm. 120 Blackwall Rd. 9.00 & 10.30 am. DALBY Rev Bruce Christian (02) 9388 1206(O). Rev. Jamie Newans (02) 4342 2856 Condamine St. (cnr. Patrick St). RYDE Rev Roland Lowther (07) 4669 7074 Bowden & Squire Sts. Putney: Douglas St. EUMUNDI Rev Andrew Unwin (02) 9809 3197. Memorial Drive, 10.45am. (weekly) & SOUTHERN CROSS queensland 6.30pm. (2nd & 4th Sunday). Park Ave. East Lismore Rev Desmond Morris (07) 5441 3053 Rev. Stephen Cree (02) 6621 3655 GAYNDAH SPRlNGWOOD ACACIA RIDGE Warton St. 10.00am. 160 Macquarie Rd. 10.30am. & 7.15pm. Cnr. Mortimer & Beaudesert Rds. Pastor Errol Shepherd (07) 4161 1916. Winmalee: 481 Hawkesbury Rd. 9.00am. 8.45am. & 6.00pm. Pastor Stephen Teale, GLADSTONE (St Andrew’s) (02) 4751 1188(O). (07) 3277 0010, (07) 3344 5022 (H). 149 Goondoon St. 10.00am. & 7.00pm. Ron Green (S Clerk) (02) 4751 2369. ASCOT Rev. David Secomb (07) 4972 1058 STRATHFIELD (St David’s) 68 Charlton St. (Near Airport). Tannum Sands: Barker Rd. & Marion St. 10.00am. & 6.30pm. Rev Guido Kettniss (07) 3216 4151. Cnr Pacific Drive & Ocean St. 8.00am. Rev Robert McKean (02) 9746 8123. Rev Les Hall (07) 3267 0558 I.M. Rev. J. Chandler (07) 4922 1825 SUTHERLAND BALD HILLS GOLD COAST Cnr Flora & Glencoe Sts. 9.30am & 6.30pm 58 Strathpine Rd. 8.30am. & 7.00pm. Arundel: 132 Allied Drive 9.15am. SYDNEY (Scots Church ) Rev Peter Bloomfield (07) 3261 4305. Rev Bob Carner (07) 5545 0947 142 Chalmers Str., Surry Hills (temporary) BRISBANE KOREAN Robina: Cnr University & Cottesloe Drives Service Time:10.30 am. 145 Ann St. 8.00am. 12.00 noon, 7.30pm. 10.00 am. & 6.30 pm. Session Clerk: Mr P Moore (02) 9958 1887. Rev Dr M. M. Y. Kim (07) 3300 3132 Rev. Kevin Ridley (07) 5571 1416 TAMWORTH (St Stephen’s) BRISBANE (St Paul’s) GYMPIE 23 Matthews St, also at Moonbi. 53 St Pauls Tce. Spring Hill. 11 Crown St. 9.30am. Woolooga 11.00am. 9.00am. & 6.30pm Rev A. Gardiner (07) 3831 7458(O). Rev. D Cranney (07) 5482 7629(O). Rev Stuart Andrews (02) 6765 8754. BUNDABERG (Scots’) HERVEY BAY (St David’s) Tamworth Community Presb Church, Cnr. Water & Alice Sts. 9.00am & 7.00pm. Denmans Rd, Scarness, 9.30am. & 7.00pm. Oxley High School Piper St Nth T’worth Rev David Newman (07) 4153 2954 Rev. John T Roth (07) 4124 7018.

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 14 CHURCH DIRECTORY

IPSWICH Rev B J Harrison Phone (07) 4984 1550. SEACLIFF Cnr Limestone & Gordon Sts. 8.20am. TEWANTIN Kauri Pde. Seacliff. 9.30am. 10.00am. 6.30pm. Coominya: 8.00am. Anglican Church, William St. 11.45am. Rev Wally Zurrer (08) 8296 0801. Forest Hill: Church St, 9.00am. Rev Keith L. Mayers (07) 5445 9209. WHYALLA Rev John Langbridge (07) 3294 7999. THE GAP 28 Ramsay St. 9.00 am. Rev Wesley Redgen (07) 3282 9829. 1195 Waterworks Rd., 9.00am. S/ Clerk: Helen Mashford ITHACA Rev David Niven (07) 3300 2987. (08) 8645 0818 100 Enogerra Tce, Paddington. THURINGOWA -TOWNSVILLE Service: 9.30 am. 6.30pm. John Calvin, Carthew St. Kirwan. Rev. Robert Herrgott (07) 3300 6158 Condon: Rev Bill Lutton (07) 4723 8022. MACGREGOR TOOWOOMBA NORTH (St David’s) tasmania 268 Padstow Rd. Eight Mile Plains 8.30am. Mary St. Also at Geham Rev Jorge Lievano (07) 3219 8012. TOOWOOMBA WEST MACKAY St Andrews: 57 West St. 9.00am. & 5.00pm. DEVONPORT (St Columba’s) Cnr Harvey St. & Evans Ave. Mackay. Glenvale Rd: 35A Glenvale Rd. 8.00am. Edward St. Don: Waverley Rd. 9.30am. & 7pm. Rev R. Sondergeld (07) 4633 4188. Rev. Donald Geddes (03) 6427 8753 Sarina: Sarina Beach Rd. 7.30am. Mr Ross Turner (07) 4634 6053 HOBART Pinnacle: Red Cross Hall, 4.00pm. (1st & Mr Mike Stone (07) 4635 0651 (St John’s) 10.00 am & 7.00 pm 3rd S’day). Rev. Jim Brown (07) 4955 3829. Mr Wayne Harrison (07) 4634 9066 188 Macquarie St. (03) 6223 7213 MALENY TOWNSVILLE (St Andrew’s) Rev. Robert White (03) 6278 1370 Cedar St. 9.00am. 113 Wills St. City. 9.30am. & 6.30pm. LAUNCESTON Rev. David Grace (07) 5441 3053 Rev Archie MacNicol (07) 4771 2460. (St Andrew’s) Civic Square. MAROOCHYDORE VICTORIA POINT Church Office: (03) 6327 2590. Okinja Rd. Alexandra Headland. 164 Colburn Ave. 8.30am. Yth. Pastor: Brett Rutherford (03)6331 2584 9.00am. & 7.00pm. Rev Brian Enchelmaier (07) 3824 0958 I.M. Rev. Donald Geddes (03) 6427 8753 Rev Keith Mayers (07) 5445 9209. WYNNUM MOLE CREEK MARYBOROUGH Cnr Bay Tce & Cedar St. 9.00 am & 6.00 pm. Int. Mod. Rev. D. White (03)6278 1370 523 Alice St. 9.00am. Rev Dr George Logan (07) 3893 1712 MONTROSE Pastor John Tucker (07) 4123 5920. Cnr. Islington Rd. & Walker St. 10.00 am. MILES Rev. Steve. Warwick (03) 6272 2608. Miles 80 Murilla St., 9.00am. RIVERSIDE Dulacca Temple St.,2nd & 4th Sunday south australia Eden St. Also Glengarry & Winkleigh. Condamine 1st & 3rd Sunday S’time 7 am Int. Mod. Rev. D. White (03) 6278 1370 W’time 11am Manse: (07) 4627 1180 Pastor D. L. Christie (03) 6330 2231. MONTO ROKEBY Bell St. 10.00am. & 7.00pm. (2nd & 4th ADELAIDE (St Andrew’s) Presby. Community Church, Tollard Dr. Sunday). Abercorn 11.45am. (1st Sunday). 92-98 Archer St. North Adelaide. 10.30 am. Rev. Dr. David Mitchell (03) 6223 4860. Kalpowar: 7.30pm. (3rd Sunday). Session Clerk: Mr. Jim Petrie (08) 8395 6252 SCOTTSDALE Pastor Brian Hoy (07) 4166 1441. Largs North, Brenda Terrace. 11.00 am. George St. Bridport: Westwood St. NAMBOUR Rev R. Burns (08) 8267 1056. Mod. Rev. R. White (03) 6278 1370 21 Solanda St. 8.45am ELIZABETH STANLEY (St James) Rev Des Morris (07) 5441 3053. 106 Goodman Rd, Elizabeth South. 9.30 am Fletcher St. Rocky Cape, Mawbanna NORTH PINE Session Clerk: Mr Bob Arstall (08) 8825 5226. Mod. Rev. D. Combridge (03) 6425 9525 57 Old Dayboro Rd. Petrie.10.00am. & MILLICENT ULVERSTONE (St Andrew’s) 6.30pm. Rev Neil McKinlay (07) 3285 2104 Cnr Fifth & Sixth Sts. 10.30 am. 65 Main Rd. 10.00am. NUNDAH Rev Andrew Slater (08) 8733 2062. Rev Daniel Combridge (03) 6425 9525. 14 Rode Rd. Rev Guido Kettniss MT BARKER WEST TAMAR (07) 3216 4151. Rev L Hall (07) 3267 0558. Hutchison St. 10.30 am. Auld Kirk Sidmouth. REDCLIFFE PENINSULA Pastor Rupert Hanna (08) 8391 3151. Mod: Rev. John Britton (03) 6339 4480 WoodyPoint, Cnr. Ellen & Hawthorne Sts. MT GAMBIER 9.30am. & 6.00pm. Allison St. 10.00 am. 6.30 pm. Also Allendale, Scarborough: Jeays St. 8.00am. Glenburnie, Nelson (Vic), OB Flat. Rev. Peter Whitney (07) 3284 2578. Rev R. Waterhouse Ph/Fx (08) 8723 9028 ROCKHAMPTON (St Andrew’s) MURRAY BRIDGE victoria Cnr. Bolsover & Derby Sts. 10.00am. & Masonic Hall 5.00pm. (1st, 3rd & 5th S’day) 6.00pm. St John’s: Parnell St. 8.30am. Rev Wally Zurrer (08) 8296 0801. Rev Charlie Kennedy (07) 4922 8241. NARACOORTE ARARAT ROCKHAMPTON (John Knox) Church St. 10.00am. Cnr. Campbell St. (Pyrenees H’way) and Rundle St. 10.00 am. & 7.30 pm. Rev Rudi Schwartz (08) 8762 1035 Queen St. 10 am. Mr Norman Sharp Rev. Jon Chandler (07) 4922 1825 NORWOOD (St Giles) O.(03) 5334 3747 H. (03) 5352 4054 ROCKHAMPTON ( St Stephen’s) 79 The Parade. 9.15 am & 7.00 pm. ASHBURTON Burnett St. Nth Rockhampton, 8.30am. Rev Dr Reg Mathews (08) 8395 7841 Junction of High St. and High Street Rd. Rev Jon Chandler (07) 4922 1825 PARA HILLS near Warrigal Rd. 10.15am. Mt Morgan: St Enoch’s, East St. 9.00am. 174 Maxwell Rd. 10.45 am. Rev Peter Orchard (03) 9889 6034. Rev Gilbert Jansen (07) 4938 2485. Rev Dr Reg Mathews (08) 8395 7841 ASPENDALE SANDGATE PENOLA Cnr Station St. & Lyle Grv. 9.00am. & Loudon St. 9.00am. & 6.00pm. Portland St. 10.45 am. Rev. Alan Clarkson 6.00pm. Rev A. Campbell (03) 9580 0530. Rev John Gilmour (07) 3261 7804. (08) 8737 2984 Also Dergholm, Kalangadoo AUBURN SPRINGSURE PORT AUGUSTA Cnr Rathmines & Station Sts Charles St. 10.30am. Jervois St. 11.00 am. Hawthorn East 10.00 am. Emerald: High School Frazer St., 8.30am. Rev Laurie Peake (08) 8648 6777. Rev S P Swinn (03) 9882 5256

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 15 CHURCH DIRECTORY

BAIRNSDALE ESSENDON SORRENTO — RYE 7th Day Adventist Church, 149 Nicholson Cnr Wilson & McPherson Sts. Rye: St David’s, Col’wood & Lyons Sts.9.30am St. 10.00 am. 1st of Month 5.00pm. Moonee Ponds 9.30am. & 7.00pm. Sorrento:St Andrew’s, Kerferd Rd.11.00am. S/school 9.00 am. Rev. Paul Ridgewell (03) 9370 1281 Rev. Robert Boan (03) 5984 2078. Past. Laurie Leighton (03) 5153 1669 FRANKSTON SUNSHINE BALACLAVA 30 Radiata St. 10.30am. & 6.00pm. McKay Memorial, Anderson Rd. 10.00am. & Hotham St. & Denman Ave.10.00am. Rev David Kumnick (03) 9786 2976. 7.00pm. Rev Cor Vanderhorn (03) 9311 1661 Rev Mike Wharton (03) 9527 3270. GLEN WAVERLEY–KNOXFIELD SURREY HILLS (St Stephen’s) BENDIGO (St John’s) Highvale Primary School, Canterbury & Warrigal Rds. 10.15am. & Forest St. 10.30am. Ashton St. Glen Waverley 9.30am. 7.00pm. (2nd Sun: Youth Service 7.00pm). Rev Andrew Clarke (03) 5443 6189. Rev. Trevor Cox (03) 9764 9141. I.M. Rev. Peter N Orchard (03) 9889 6034 BLACKBURN HAMILTON UPPER YARRA — WARBURTON 53 Gardenia St. 11.00am. St Andrew’s, Gray & McIntyre Sts. 10.00am. 3471 Warburton H’way. 10.30am. & 6.00pm. Rev P Locke (03) 9725 6417 & 5.00pm. (last Sunday of month) Powelltown: Main Rd. 9.15am. BUNDOORA Rev Keith Bell (03) 5572 1009 (03) 5966 2309. Bundoora Hall, Noorong Ave. 10.00 am HAWTHORN WANGARATTA — REGIONAL Admin: Mrs M Goodson (03) 9431 1851 580 Glenferrie Rd. 11.00 am. & 7.00 pm. PARISH BURWOOD Rev Dr Graham Lyman (03) 9819 5347. Wangaratta, 158 Rowan St. Yarrawonga, (Chinese Presbyterian Church) 11.00am. KANGAROO GROUND 47 Orr St. Myrtleford , 78 Standish St Cnr. Greenwood &Tennyson Sts. 265 Eltham-Yarra Glen Rd. 9.30am. Rev. Neil Harvey (03) 5721 6444 Rev Dr John Elnatan (03) 9801 7645. S. Clerk: Dr R.Baldock. (03) 9437 1265 WARRNAMBOOL (St John’s) CAMBERWELL- Trinity KOREAN Warrnambool: Cnr Spence & Manifold Sts. cnr Riversdale & Waterloo Strs. 10.00am. 16 Walnut Rd. North Balwyn. 10.00am & 7.00 pm. Sunday Night Life 5.30 Rev. Philip Mercer (03) 9836 4102 English language service. 11.00 am South Warrnambool: McDonald St. 9.30 CAMPERDOWN-TERANG LEONGATHA Woodford: Mill St. 11.00 am 9.30 am Aug — Jan. 11 am Feb — July Cnr. Bent & Turner Sts. 10.00am. Warrnambool Office: (03) 5562 2029 Terang: 1 Warrnambool Rd. Session Clerk: (03) 5662 4734 Rev Chris ten Broeke (03) 5561 5373 Camperdown: Campbell & BrookeSts. MALVERN Rev. Philip Burns (03) 5561 7899 I.M.Rev. C Ten Broeke (03)5562 2029 161-163 Wattletree Rd. 10.30am. & 5.00 pm. WAVERLEY — KNOXFIELD CANTERBURY Rev John S Woodward (03) 9509 7373. Highvale Primary School Ashton St. 146 Canterbury Rd. 10.30am. & 7 pm. MELTON Glen Waverley 9.30am. Rev. Grant Lawry (03) 9836 4601. Mowbray College, Centenary Ave. S. Clerk: Mr W. Vandenberg (03) 9878 0494. CANTERBURY JAPANESE Rev Peter Owen (03) 9747 8195. WEST FOOTSCRAY 146 Canterbury Rd. 10.30 am MOE — YARRAM 141 Essex St. (Scots) 10.00 am. Rev. Hugh Price (03) 9894 2384 Moe: 34 Fowler St. 10.00am. Session Clerk: Ms J Swift (03) 9687 5701 CAULFIELD-ELWOOD Yarram: Cnr. Dougherty & Montgomery WILLIAMSTOWN (St Andrew’s) Caulfield: Neerim/Bambra Rds. 11.15am. Sts. 2.00pm. Rev Jared Hood (03) 5127 1296. 87 Cecil St. 10.00am. Elwood: Scott/Tennyson Sts. 9.15am & NOORAT-DARLINGTON Rev. Bruce Riding (03) 9397 5338 4.00pm. Rev Stephen Tay (03) 9505 3013. Noorat: Cnr Mc Kinnons Bridge & WODONGA-RUTHERGLEN Assistant: Mr John Cho (03) 9571 5218 Glenormiston Rds. 10.30 am. 59 Mitchell St. Wodonga. Rutherglen: CHELTENHAM (Pioneers’ Memorial) Darlington: Hall St. 8.45 am. (1st & 3rd Community Centre, Sheridan’s Bridge Rd. 8 Park Rd. Cnr. Charman Rd. 9.30am. Sundays) Rev. Barry Oakes (03) 5592 5220 Pastor Ian Leach (02) 6024 4028. CLIFTON HILL NUMURKAH WOORI YALLOCK Cnr Michael&McKean Sts North Fitzroy. 58 Saxton St. 11.15am. Tallygaroopna: Healesville Rd. 9.15am & 5 pm, (7pm DLS) 10.30 am Victoria St. 9.30am. Cobram: Cnr High Rev David Brown (03) 5964 6014. Int.Mod. Rev Peter Phillips (03) 9481 4642. and Pine Sts. (Anglican Church) 2.30pm. CROYDON HILLS Pastor Trevor Cox (03) 5862 1621. Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School RESERVOIR 53-57 Plymouth Rd. Croydon. 81 Edwardes St. 10.00 am. & 7.00 pm. western australia 10.00am. & 6.00pm. Rev Chris Siriweera (03) 9460 9523 I.M.Rev. John P Wilson (03) 9898 9384 RINGWOOD-HEATHMONT DANDENONG Cnr. Waterloo St. & Canterbury Rd. BICTON 51 Potter St. 10.00am. Heathmont 10.00am. & 6.30pm. Harris St. & View Tce. 9.00am & 7.00pm. Rev Henri Joyeux (03) 9792 4252. Rev Ken Brown (03) 9870 6161. Rev Stuart Bonnington (08) 9339 3542. DONVALE ROCHESTER FREMANTLE (Scots) Cnr. Springvale & McGowan’s Rds. 8.30am, Cnr. Victoria St. & Echuca Rd. 11.00am. & Cnr South Tce & Parry St. 10.00 am 10.30 am & 6.30pm. Rev Gerald Vanderwert 7.30pm. Timmering 9.30 am Chinese Worship & Sunday School. 3.00 pm. (03) 9842 9493. (03) 9841 7020 (O) ST KILDA Rev James Nocher (08) 9319 2208. DROMANA — MORNINGTON Cnr Alma Rd. & Barkly St. 11.00am & WHITFORDS (St Mark’s) Dromana: St Andrew’s, Gibson St. 9.00am. 7.00pm. Rev Bob Thomas (03) 9537 1642 (O) Anglican School, St Marks Dr Hilarys. Mornington (TheChapel) Cnr Strachans SHEPPARTON Rd.& Nepean Hwy. 11.00am. Cnr. Hayes & Leithen Sts. 9.00am. & To register your church in this section of the Rev Andrew Venn (03) 5975 9514 7.00pm. Also Stanhope, Kyabram. Australian Presbyterian is an easy, low cost DROUIN Rev John Sutherland (03) 5831 6494. exercise. Facsimile the AP office on: Church St. 9am. 10.30am. 7.30pm. Sept- SOMERVILLE (03) 9723 9685 or E-mail us at: April; 7.00pm. May-Aug. Cnr Jones Rd. & Park Lane. [email protected] I.M. Rev. J.C. Hood (03) 5127 1296 Mr Ian Brown (03) 5977 5469 ELTHAM SOUTH YARRA The Annual Fees are: 23 Batman Rd. 10.00 am 621 Punt Rd. 10.00 am. & 6.30 pm. Congregations under 50 $45.00 plus GST Rev. Don Elliott (03) 9439 9720 I.M. Rev. M. Wharton (03) 9527 3270 Congregations 51 -99 $55.00 plus GST Congregations 100 or more $65.00 plus GST

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 16 NEWS

Henk de Waard, principal of Reformed in the Royal Children’s Hospital. In focus on Theological College (where the Minister prison chaplaincy, the committee has Rev. Philip Daffy graduated); and the worked to develop a good relationship victoria church’s longest-serving minister, Jim with Prison Fellowship Victoria to gain Stewart, officially retired but very actively entrance into Victoria’s prisons. We have a preaching where needed. Mrs Maisie handful of minsters and lay people regu- Hamill sang Holy City, followed by sev- larly going into both the men’s and the eral classical items played on the piano by women’s prisons. Prison chaplaincy is a Report from Donvale Mrs Sharon Daffy. small part of our work at the moment but by God’s grace we hope to see it develop. The Donvale parish in eastern Celebrating Federation Thirdly, the six police chaplains are work- Melbourne has grown solidly in the past ing with people under tremendous pres- few years. “God has continued to bless With the theme Federation, St. sure. They have found they can fulfil a the work of the gospel and has brought a Andrew’s Reservoir congregation’s vital role in confidential debriefing and diversity of people of different ages and annual church camp at ADANAC support for officers and their families. cultures,” says minister Gerald Vander- Christian Lodge in March was a great suc- wert. “Just six years ago we extended the cess again. More than 50 people took part, Broken in Swan Hill church building, and are at a stage now with messages from Rev. John Stasse where we find that we have outgrown it, from Ballarat West. Various members of Swan Hill is a rural city of 16,000 in and have to move to two morning services the congregation led the singing, the north-west Victoria. It was therefore in addition to the evening one. We now children’s programs and brought devo- something of a surprise, reports minister meet at 8.30am, 10.30am and 6.30pm. We tional thoughts and grace before meals. Martin de Pyle, to open the local paper seek to be a caring community, and new- The ever-popular flying fox, trampolines, last November and read that a committee comers who become part of the family slippery water slide and canoes were well had been formed to hold a homosexual maintain that the reason they do so is due patronised, as were walks, chat sessions, ‘Break Out Festival’ in the town. The to the faithful teaching and the warmth reading and games. planned festival was about celebrating gay and friendliness of the people.” and lesbians who live in the country and The youth leaders meet each Tuesday Chaplaincy organisers were expecting a crowd of at for Bible study where they prepare what least 2000. They saw it as an opportunity they will then teach the youth group on The Health and Community to educate the community, celebrate Sunday evenings at 4.45pm before a com- Chaplaincy Committee of the PCV diversity, launch a survival guide for gays munal dinner and the evening service. works in three main areas, reports the and lesbians living in the country, and They also run a social evening fortnightly convener, Rev. Peter Owen. In hospital “have a party”. on Fridays. Gerald says, “I’m surprised chaplaincy, it oversees the 50 or so hospi- The church had to be clear on the facts. that we have more young people at the tal chaplains, both ministers and lay peo- For example, considerable misinforma- weekly Bible study on Sundays, than we ple, who work throughout the state’s tion that continues to be presented as do at their social nights!” The primary age major hospitals. Most of these chaplains indisputable includes that 10 per cent of kids are also catered for through the KO receive a minimal remuneration to cover the population are homosexual, that they (Kids Only) Club, which meets fort- their costs and many work for nothing. were born that way and that they cannot nightly on Fridays. Rev. Theo Fishwick is working full time change. We also had to be clear as to what Other important areas of the parish’s ministry are the fortnightly Saturday morning prayer meeting, now 11 years old, and the nine home groups, which FROM TEA BILLY BOY meet for Bible study, and prayer. Three years ago the congregation appointed Dr Tony Bird to help with the preaching. TO MODERATOR The Biography of REVD.RONALD WILLIAM TRAILL 154, and going strong A detailed account of the life of one of one of our ministers emeriti. Born in Boort in 1921. Recalls his childhood in Melbourne's industrial area. On Sunday 6 May Scots Presbyterian Employment in industry. His Call to the ministry. Ordained 1955.Served in Church, Armstrong Street, Colac, held a parishes in Victoria & South Australia. millennium service to celebrate the start of Elected Moderator of Victorian Assembly in 1988. the 154th consecutive year of Presbyterian Now retired and living in Ballarat. ministry in Colac. About 160 people attended from as far as Benalla, Geelong Cost incl GST and Postage $28.00 and Apollo Bay. A special guest was Rev. MAIL ORDER: TO Rev.R.W.Traill 10 Cordonia Crt, Ballarat. 3350 Colin Harrison who, as moderator in 1982, laid the present church’s foundation stone. Other guests included the Mayor of Name ...... Colac-Otway Shire, Cr Warren Riches, and three other councillors; Professor Address ......

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 17 NEWS

we were seeking to accomplish, especially records and business) to meet in the dently into the future. Several events are our responsibility to speak up. We tried to interim months. planned. On Sunday 19 August there will show that it was a moral issue about which All members of presbytery serve on at be a celebration service with a special God has clearly spoken, to address the least one committee and there is every morning tea, followed on 25 August by an health issues and risks associated with the attempt to maintain parity of elders on anniversary dinner and on 7 September a lifestyle, correct the misinformation, and each committee. Each standing commit- ladies’ dinner, ending on 15 September inform the community that there was a tee has been directed by presbytery to with a family concert. “way out” from the homosexual lifestyle. present a set of documents that will We wrote letters to the local paper and include a vision statement, goals over the Armidale doubles that were interviewed by radio, television and next few years and plans to achieve them... the printed media. Much time was spent for approval. This has been most helpful St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, on the phone responding to people’s not only for the individuals serving on Armidale, NSW, is commemorating 150 questions and concerns. Sadly, we found committees, but to the presbytery as a years of Presbyterian ministry in the area. that the media mostly distorted our mes- whole as it examines its whole role and In this period there have been 15 minis- sage and tried to undermine our witness. strategy for kingdom building. Business ters, with one, Rev. Dr Thomas It was encouraging, though, how many during the now bi-monthly meetings has Johnstone, serving for 46 years. people saw through their deception. We also been revamped. Items of correspon- Celebrations are planned for 12 to 14 received threats to people and to burn dence are no longer presented and dis- October, and past members and friends of down the church. The police warned us cussed on the floor of presbytery, but are St Paul’s are invited to contact Gwenda that our church would be subject to a relegated to the appropriate standing Lewis, PO Box 32, Armidale, 2350 or demonstration during the Sunday morn- committee for action, as soon as they are email: [email protected]. ing worship service, but in fact the organ- received by the clerk of presbytery. isers could not get a single person to Except for extraordinary cases and emer- Peppermint’s fresh start demonstrate. gencies, no new business comes before In all, the festival provided a marvel- presbytery unless it has first passes On Easter Sunday afternoon, the first lous opportunity. Because we as a church through a standing committee. service of the new Japanese congregation were prepared to speak on the issue it These changes were initiated under the was held at St Columba’s Presbyterian provided us with many valuable ministry watchful eye of assembly moderator Rev. Church, Peppermint Grove, Perth. It was opportunities. Many people who were a Peter Phillips, who gave up his position as an encouraging afternoon with about 60 part of the homosexual community came clerk of presbytery to perform his moder- in attendance, more than half Japanese. in contact with us, some of whom were atorial duties in favor of Rev. Bruce The service was taken by Rev. Stephen genuinely looking for answers and help. Riding. Young, a minister of the Presbyterian Of course there were many abusive and Church of America who is working in hostile calls but these again were taken as cooperation with the PCA in Western an opportunity to talk and minister in a Australia. He was born in Tokyo and way that reflected the grace and love of speaks Japanese fluently. God. Within the community we gained In March Stephen began conversa- respect for our preparedness to show tional English classes and Bible study at leadership and contribute in an informed home St. Columba’s and at two other way to the debate. Nearly everyone in the Presbyterian churches, Fremantle and church was provided with fresh opportu- West Leederville. Some of the students nities for the gospel, stronger bonds of have already started to attend the English unity were formed within the church. .front language service. Melbourne East remodels Penshurst nears century The Presbytery of Melbourne East has Penshurst Presbyterian Church invites changed the way it conducts business at all who have been members and friends to its meetings. Examining its practices over help celebrate 100 years as a congregation several years, the presbytery was embar- on 8 to 10 September 2001. rassed to find long meetings that never Services were first held at Dumbleton accomplished much, no new church (Beverly Hills). For further information, plants, struggling churches, few new can- contact the secretary, 118 Penshurst St, didates for ministry training, a less than Penshurst, 2222; ph (02) 95802491. studied reception of new ministers into Mitchelton turns 75 our fellowship and a spotty approach to Appointements missions. The moderator of presbytery, Rev. Scott Kroeger, consulted members Brisbane’s Mitchelton Presbyterian Rev. Vic Johnson of 1 Hill Street, of presbytery and presented a whole new Church celebrates its 75th anniversary in Manilla NSW 2346, has been appointed lay-out for conducting business. Now it August. The occasion will be a time for clerk of the Presbytery of New England. meets bi-monthly, which allows the five members to reflect on the solid founda- Contact him at 02 6785 1627, fax: 02 6785 standing committees (strategies & tion provided by many dedicated people 0174, or email: growth, missions, students & credentials, over the past 75 years and to move confi- vicjohnson@bigpond. com

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 18 NEWS

Rev. Keith James Walker was inducted English broadcasts, four hours to the as minister of the Tamworth South Pacific and five hours to Asia. Community Presbyterian Church in across April. His address remains the same. Leprosy expert visits Melbourne Moses Joonhee Hahn was ordained at Ashfield Presbyterian Church, Sydney, on Dr Grace Warren, a Christian surgeon 10 May. Worship was led by the australia renowned in the field of leprosy and Moderator, Rev. Johnny Li, while Rev. reconstructive surgery, told Leprosy Greg Goswell preached. Mr Hahn will Mission staff of treating leprosy patients serve as assistant at Ashfield. across the globe for more than 40 years. Sydney-based Dr Warren addressed Toowoomba centre shifts Leprosy Mission staff, supporters, doc- tors and Rotarians in the Box Hill head- West Toowoomba Presbyterian quarters during a seven-day visit to Church plans a new worship centre in Container to Sudan Melbourne. She also gave specialist con- response to church growth. It has bought sultations during this time. five acres for $180,000, and David Gallez, Middle East Reformed Fellowship’s a Christian architect and project manager Australian coordinator, Les Percy, advises Christian radio expands from the Gold Coast, offered his services that MERF plans to send another con- in fitting out the building over three days. tainer of clothes, shoes, toys, Bibles, United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) If all plans are approved, the slab and books and garden tools to Lokichoggio has bought many low-powered radio fre- walls and roof should be erected over the in Kenya, having been told by the MERF quencies throughout Australia. They are next five months. Once the basic shell is South Sudan Committee that a similar similar to the tourist information frequen- ready, the members of WTPC and other container sent last year was useful. cies found in many country towns, and volunteers will do a three day fit-out from Please phone Lyn or Fred Bohn (07 will cost $4000 to set up with a satellite the 13 to 15 September. Members invite 3288 5156 or 0412 878 003) to arrange receiver and transmitter that takes less all within the wider church family to join collection of donations. power than a light bulb. The North them in their work over these three days. American-based Calvary Network has Meanwhile the church is meeting at Shortwave licence for HCJB also bought more than 200 frequencies Fairholme College. along the eastern seaboard of Australia. HCJB World Radio-Australia has been Nearly 40 stations are now receiving Launceston’s new minister granted one of the country’s first two pri- “Vision” FM, such as Albany in Western vate international broadcasting licences, Australia, including isolated communities Rev. Peter Thorneycroft has been potentially expanding the influence of like Kununurra. Queensland has the most inducted into the charge of St Andrew’s, Christian radio among millions of people operating so far, with stations to the far Launceston. The service was conducted across Asia and the South Pacific. north, East Palmerston, Tully, Cowley, by the moderator of Presbytery, Elder The licence, approved by the Moresby, Mourilyn, Babinda and Innisfail David Turner, Rev. Robert Benn Australian Broadcasting Authority and as well as others inland such as Longreach preached, and Rev. Robert White charged the Australia Communications Authority and Kingaroy. the newly inducted minister and the con- on 19 April, opens the way for a short- gregation with their duties and responsi- wave transmitting site on donated land in Help needed in NSW bilities. Kununurra, a rich mining area near the Mr Thomeycroft has moved to St northern tip of Western Australia. A sec- UCB hopes Christians will respond to Andrew’s Launceston from Inverell, ond license went to Christian Voice the vision to cover Australia with NSW, where he served nearly 16 years (Australia) Ltd, a radio ministry based in Christian radio and defeat “the prince of after moving from Wales. Darwin, about 400 kilometres north-east the power of the air”. Frequencies avail- of Kununurra. able in NSW to go to air immediately “To say we are excited is an understate- include such large towns as Armidale, ment,” says HCJB World Radio-Australia Batemans Bay, Ballina, Bowral, Lithgow, director David Maindonald. “We are Macksville, McLean, Nambucca Heads, absolutely thrilled at the door and oppor- Gritfith, Cowra and Casino, plus smaller tunity God has opened. Gaining this towns including Byron Bay, license is the culmination of more than Cootamundra, Deniliquin, Glen lnnes, four years of prayer, hard work, tears and Gunnedah, Inverell, Leeton, Moree, lots of discussion with government and Menindee, Mudgee, Murwillumbah, government departments.” Broadcasts Narrabri, Yamba, Young and Mount could begin as early as the end of this year. Victoria in the Blue Mountains. Plans are to install a 100 kw shortwave UCB managing director Ian Warby transmitter which could reach more 6500 says if UCB doesn’t establish these sta- kilometres, taking in much of Asia, tions this year the frequencies that are not including the teeming millions of India, used will have to be relinquished, accord- Mrs Marie Dinnen presenting flowers China, South-East Asia and the entire ing to federal regulation. If you can help, to Mrs Maureen Thorneycroft South Pacific. Initial plans are for daily phone 1800 068 204.

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 19 NEWS

In the past three years there has been a Generation X: Attitudes and Lifestyles 6 per cent increase to 58 per cent of peo- show that Christians in the 18 to 35 age world ple who now “strongly support” overseas group are more likely to see cohabitation aid. Some 35 per cent of Australians as an acceptable first step towards mar- believe that the current spending on over- riage. The 46 per cent approval is even news seas aid is “not enough” which is almost more shocking when contrasted with three times the number of those that the results of similar research in 1995, believe Australia gives too much to over- showing 28 per cent accepting cohabita- seas aid. tion. Anglican Media Sydney The survey confirms that this new atti- tude is a minefield for church leaders, who Staines accused sought ‘lesson’ want to uphold the validity of marriage as the basis for monogamous heterosexual A witness in the murder case of mission- relations, but don’t wish to exclude the ary Graham Staines has told a court in currently under-represented 20s and 30s Bhubaneswar, India, that the main age groups from their congregations. Your $1.60 a week accused, Dara Singh, had sought his help Matt Bird, the Evangelical Alliance’s 18- to assault Christians. Bidyadhar Mohanta, 35s consultant, believes it throws up a Some 85 per cent of Australians support 24, told the court that Dara Singh and serious challenge to the church in disci- Australia’s overseas aid program accord- another accused Dipu Das were upset pling young adults about relationships ing to a nationwide survey that was com- with the mass conversions being carried and marriage. “Cohabitation is clearly not missioned by AusAID, the government’s out by the missionaries in Orissa. the best demonstration of a lifelong com- overseas aid agency, and the Australian Graham Staines and his two sons — mitment between a man and a woman, Council for Overseas Aid (ACFOA), Philip and Timothy — were burnt alive and it certainly isn’t the most stable con- released last month. by a mob allegedly led by Dara Singh on text in which to bring up children,” he 23 January 1999 at Manoharpur while said. they slept in a jeep. “Dara Singh told me Both Christian (97 per cent) and non- about his plan in December 1998. He said Christian (84 per cent) Generation Xers he wanted to teach the Christian mission- agree that getting married should be a life- aries a lesson,” Mohanta told the court. time commitment. Separation was rated Anglican Media Sydney OK by 57 per cent of non-Christians compared to just 22 per cent of Christians Bush on liberty and divorce by 55 per cent compared to 19. US president George W. Bush recently Missionaries shot down AP spoke to the American Jewish Committee in Washington on religious An ABWE (Association of Baptists for family liberty. He said America, from its birth, World Evangelism) plane travelling in had been committed to religious toler- Peru was shot down by a military plane ads ance and religious freedom, and over two while traveling from the Peruvian border ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– centuries “Washington’s rejection of reli- to the city of Iquitos. The ABWE plane, Would you like us to mind or gious bigotry has matured into a guiding piloted by veteran missionary Kevin rent your 2/ 3 BR home in the doctrine of our foreign policy”. Donaldson, was able to make an emer- Sydney area for approx 3 weeks? The President took direct aim at Iraq, gency landing. Donaldson was severely Mature-age, postgraduate history Iran, Burma, Cuba and Afghanistan for wounded in the leg and missionary pas- student researching at the State their mistreatment of Christians, Jews, sengers Roni Bowers and her infant Archives and State Library of and other religious minorities, and espe- daughter Charity were both killed, NSW requires family cially China, which, he said, vandalises according to confirmed reports. Roni’s accommodation close to public churches and mosques, and puts religious husband Jim and son Cory were not transport between 22 Sept. leaders under arrest. But the President’s injured. to 17 Oct. this year. strongest words were aimed at the gov- ernment of Sudan, “a disaster area for New light in PNG Contact Angus or Heather on: human rights”. (03) 5591 8258 Christianity.com New Tribes Mission missionaries to –––––––––––––––––––––––– Nakui, Papua New Guinea, Tim and AP Family Ads is THE cost-effective way A living dilemma Diana Askew and Greg and Heidi of informing the Presbyterian Family of Greenlaw have seen more than 20 Nakuis God about your news or needs. For third of Christian young adults come to faith. Since January 8, the mis- ONLY $25 you have 12 lines or 45x60mm A and support this information ministry. questioned in a major new Evangelical sionaries have been teaching Bible lessons Phone: 03 9723 9684 Fax: 03 9723 9685 Alliance survey say they would be five mornings a week, and have spent PO Box 375, Kilsyth VIC 3137 happy to “live in sin” prior to getting years studying the language and culture of Email: [email protected] married — directly challenging tradi- the Nakui people in order to communi- tional biblical teaching. The findings in cate God’s Word in their language.

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 20 DEVOTION Practice makes perfect The body must be honed for heavenly worship, instructs Richard Mayhue.

well-known worship leader, true worship. commenting on contemporary Observation 3: Praise for God laces the worship in America, said in my IN THE worship of heaven. On at least five occa- presence recently, “People play PRESENCE sions the participants burst forth with ado- Aat their worship, worship their work, and ration: 4:8; 4:9-11; 5:9-10; 5:12; and 5:13. work at their play”. How tragic — how OF GOD Observation 4: Truth about God pro- true! A.W. Tozer observed that “worship vides the context of worship. Not ser- acceptable to God is the missing crown monettes that entertain, not platitudes jewel in evangelical Christianity”. that produce goosebumps, but reality If any one of these major life activities about God that changes lives marks heav- — worship, work, or play — falls prey to enly worship. The character of God (4:8), error, then the other two will likely be the creation (4:11), God’s sovereignty affected also. So it’s imperative that we (4:11), salvation (5:9, 12), and the king- understand God’s desire for our spiritual dom (5:10) comprise the truth touched activities, sustaining energies, and social upon. outlets. Observation 5: All of God’s living Obviously, worship becomes the place entourage are united in worship. The four to begin since God is our highest priority. is having spiritual fellowship with God (1 living creatures (4:6-8; 5:8,14), the multi- The word worship originated with the John 1:3). tude of angels (5:11), and redeemed Anglo-Saxon weoscrip, meaning “that to What will worship in heaven be like? humanity represented by the 24 elders which we ascribe worth or value”. In a Revelation 4-5 paints the most vivid and (4:4; 5:8, 14) all joined in corporate wor- religious sense, it can be directed to an active picture of heavenly worship in ship of God. unlimited number of created objects or Scripture. What we perceive in heaven Observation 6: The essence of heav- persons. However, in a biblical context, should be at the heart of our practice on enly worship provides the model for worship ascribes ultimate eternal worth to earth. Six observations prove especially earthly worship — “Your kingdom come, God alone; and that is why God jealously important to shape our worship. your will be done, on earth as it is in demands to be the exclusive object of Observation 1: Worship is the exclusive heaven” (Mt. 6:10). worship. activity. The scenes in both Revelation 4 Corporate worship will flesh out dif- Scripturally, the prominent Hebrew and 5 conclude with a summary statement ferently in separate congregations and on and Greek terms translated “worship” about worship: The 24 elders will fall different occasions. But these six elements derive from the ancient practice of bow- down before him who sits on the throne, should always be the framework. ing oneself to the ground as an outward and will worship him who lives forever and One final thought. No greater experi- sign of reverence. In a broad sense, then, ever, and will cast their crowns before the ence of worship comes than at times of worship expresses the recognition and throne (4:10). And the four living crea- baptism, which celebrates new life and sal- celebration that God is the one, true, eter- tures kept saying “Amen”. And the elders vation (Mt. 28:19) and the reproduction nal Sovereign upon whom we are totally fell down and worshipped (5:14). of the Upper Room experience, which dependent and to whom we ascribe Observation 2: God is the exclusive celebrates Christ’s death and its results absolute spiritual allegiance. focus of worship. The Father (4:2) and (John 13:17). These always prove to be True worship can be personal and cor- the Son (5:5-6) both feature prominently blessed times of family worship in the porate, but true corporate worship will in the scene. The object and attention of local church. always be preceded by the personal side. worship is not the congregation, the pas- For our immediate purpose, let me tor, the musician, or peripheral features. This extract is taken from Seeking God by broadly define worship as living in the Worship that is centred anywhere and Richard Mayhue (Christian Focus presence of God according to his will for upon anyone other than God alone is not Publications, 2000). ap his pleasure and glory. Put another way, it Arncliffe Studios ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Third generation since 1906 Stained Glass • Windows/Leadlights • Design and Restoration ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– K J Little, 17 Barden St, Arncliffe, NSW, 2205 Phone (02) 9567 7348

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 21 MIND* BODY* SPIRIT The whole truth On the front line, you need a gospel for the whole person

he title of the book commemo- First, I learned to listen. I am a person rating the Paralympic Games in who talks a lot, especially if I want to tell Sydney is entitled Body Mind people about Jesus and how he can change Spirit. What a coincidence that one’s life. Personal evangelism entails a Tthis is similar to the name of one of the conversation, not a monologue. In our world’s largest New Age festivals: Mind* zeal to tell people about Jesus being the Body*Spirit. This festival is held each May only way to true contentment and fulfil- and November at Sydney’s Darling ment in this life and the one to come, we Harbour. It just goes to show that there is Granville Pillar need to listen to what the seeker believes no copyright on the human anatomy and and why, before we launch into what we psyche when it comes to trying to catch done nothing for them and which has have to say. Only then can we direct our the attention of the public. fallen far short of meeting their intellec- line of dialogue in an informed and mean- But isn’t it sad that many Christians tual, physical and spiritual needs. ingful way that will create an atmosphere tend to shy away from this fundamental There were also those who had no diffi- which will open their hearts, souls and notion of the wholeness of the person culty in talking about God the Creator and minds to what you have to say. when it comes to engaging the unbeliever? Jesus the great Prophet, Teacher and The second lesson I learned was not to They mistakenly view a holistic approach Master. Many even called themselves prejudge a seeker because of what he or to spirituality as being “too New Age”. Christians and saw no problem in pursuing she believes, even though I may sense that This neglect of the importance of all our other paths of spirituality to satisfy their it is false or evil in the eyes of God. We are functions as human beings is primarily the quest for healing and meaning. I observed all sinners and we would do well to result of ignorance of what the Scriptures that some women even wore gold or silver remember Jesus’ advice that we need first say about us being made in God’s image to chains which bore both crucifixes and to take the plank out of our own eyes, so share a relationship with him, with the emblems associated with New Age. that we can see clearly to remove the heart, soul and mind (Mt. 22:37). In my interaction with seekers and speck from the eyes of others (Mt. 7:5). As disciples of Jesus Christ, we need to devotees of New Age, I covered a myriad engage these faculties of seekers if we are of topics: who is Jesus; did Jesus go to The third lesson I learned was to treat the going to win them to Christ. There is no India; is the Bible true; astrology in the seeker with respect and to show him or her better place anywhere in Australia than Bible; the significance and function of courtesy. I was an ambassador for Christ at the Mind*Body*Spirit festival for angels; the Resurrection of Jesus; the his- the festival, and it was my mission to be Christians to engage thousands of people tory and message of Tarot cards; Saint there to learn about what people believe whose hearts, souls and minds are open to Patrick’s mission to Ireland’s pagans. I and to engage them in dialogue. With an air listening to what disciples of different prayed with people who sought healing. I of mutual respect, I was able to answer beliefs and movements have to offer. spoke to practitioners of witchcraft, their questions about the Scriptures, God I was there as a disciple of Jesus Christ, paganism, accelerated learning, gong heal- and Jesus, and to share with them the working with fellow Christians at The ing and the occult, and with clairvoyants, truths of the Gospel. The Bible tells us that Community of Hope booth, to listen to psychics, witches and aromatherapists. we are to be prepared to give a reason for New Age seekers about what they In all of these interactions, I was struck the hope that we have, but to do it with believed and to talk to them about the by the hunger these people had to know gentleness and respect (1 Pet. 3:15). teachings of Jesus. What struck me was who they were, where they came from Many Australians are starving for the the willingness of so many people to tell and where they are going, and what was truth. As Christians we have the truth in me what they felt, what they believed and available now to make them a success Jesus Christ, so we need to be where these why, and what it had done for them. within themselves and to others. They starving people are coming to be fed. In all really believed that they were in charge of our evangelistic efforts, we must never Visitors to our booth were not shy in their own destiny and anything that loose sight of the fact that it is the myste- opening up about what they thought of worked for them was worth holding on rious work of the Holy Spirit which the Church and mainstream religion. to, no matter what the cost. brings new birth to the unbeliever. But we Unfortunately, most of these discussions I learned three significant lessons from must also remember that he uses us as his painted a negative picture of religion and my four days at the festival. I pray that co-workers to help clear away the deceit depicted the Church as hypocritical and these observations will also help you in and lift the darkness from the lives of lacking in the practical outworking of your approach to engaging your family, those whom he elects to save. some of the basic teachings of Jesus. In friends, work colleagues or neighbours their eyes, Christianity has become more who are involved in the New Age move- Dr. Granville Pillar is a final year student at like “Churchianity”. Hence their reason ment or who are pursuing some alterna- the Presbyterian Theological College, to seek beyond that institution, which has tive spiritual path. Burwood. ap

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 22 FAITH The biter bit Amid intolerance to Christianity, theology must bite. But there’s a cost

niversities are funny places to people were offended by it. Not wanting work in. They claim to be places to alienate the colleagues in my workplace that engulf and encourage the I removed the pages from the website. free exchange of ideas, wisdom Calm returned — until the Student Uand knowledge. This hopefully will lead Union magazine, Catalyst, featured a full- one into vocational training, education and page, rather bent version of the facts and integration with an ever increasing plural- painted me as a homophobe and vilifier of istic and tolerant society ... worldwide. Yet homosexual rights. Student Union repre- in recent times, many universities are Scott Kroeger sentatives demanded I be dismissed and experiencing a culture of intolerance to called on students to write to the Vice those who are intolerant of intolerance. It Chancellor directly. seems that if you disagree with what is University, I am also webmaster of their The next day posters a metre high and socially or politically correct and you think Internet site. This contained a section wide were spread around the campus, that some people just may be absolutely, called the “Controversial Stuff”. There advocating my immediate dismissal. A positively, without-a-doubt wrong ... well, were three sections dealing with ethics, week later I received in the mail six then you will not be accepted. Of course politics and religion. I published here arti- bumper stickers saying such things as this is not logical, but who cares about that cles gleaned from newspapers, e-mail, and “RMIT’s Homophobic Chaplain has to if you can push your particular viewpoints the Internet which challenged politically Go ... Fundamentalism off campus now!” and get away with it? and socially correct viewpoints. The pages all courtesy of the RMIT Student Union’s More to the point, how does one put changed every few months and I sought queer department. The queer department up with being a Christian worker in a uni- to have feedback of views and opinions of has recently received its own room and versity that is plagued with issues of a which I published (all) on the web. part-time staff worker on campus, funded multi-cultural, multi-faith pluralism set Several weeks ago, in the political sec- by money from student’s compulsory against a backdrop of postmodern, post- tion was an article by Jason Morris enti- fees. I thank the Lord for the gracious feminist, hedonistic, sexually liberated, tled, “Why the gay community will suc- support I received from the Christian beer-drinking, party-happy, “what, study? ceed”, (which you can see at: www.next- community, especially the Christian stu- I’m having too much fun” kind of stu- wave.org/feb01/succeed.htm) The article dent groups, ministers, colleagues and dent? How and where does your theology reflects upon the recent progress of the family who not only prayed about the sit- bite into the surrounding culture? gay community in both social and politi- uation but who also took the time to write Jeremiah 1:9-10: “Then the LORD cal arenas, and is written from a Christian to the vice chancellor of RMIT University reached out his hand and touched my perspective. and balance the pendulum of student mouth and said to me, ‘Now, I have put opinion. The vice chancellor’s office has my words in your mouth. See, today I No one said anything for a month, until responded to correspondence as follows: appoint you over nations and kingdoms a student presumably did a word search of “Thank you for your email regarding to uproot and tear down, to destroy and RMIT’s website and found this article chaplain Scott Kroeger. Professor Dunkin overthrow, to build and to plant’.” among the hit list. I then received a bar- has asked me to respond on her behalf. Jeremiah’s task was the same as it is for rage of hate mail coming in from all cor- There has been a recent controversy God’s workers/ministers today: it is to ners of Australia. I put some of the regarding the chaplaincy website, which uproot, tear down and destroy mankind’s responses on the web, but much of it was arose when complaints were received supreme self-confidence in themselves so foul I could not. I received word from about the content of the website. These and in their own perceived way of salva- the RMIT’s Administration that a student issues have been successfully resolved. tion — to overthrow it! Two thirds of the had filed a complaint directly to the Vice The vice-chancellor and executive con- faithful chaplain/Christian worker/minis- Chancellor’s office. As the complaint tinue to support the important role of the ter’s work is the destruction of worldly travelled down the official chain of com- RMIT chaplaincy in providing spiritual systems of belief. Little wonder that cam- mand, I was called on to the carpet to guidance and support to RMIT students.” pus chaplains or Christian workers are explain. It has been a stressful time ... in a fight that often disdained by the academics that sur- After discussions with senior RMIT I didn’t necessarily look for. And yet, I round them. As Jeremiah was hated, per- administration officials (some of whom suppose if you are not in battles such as secuted and rejected, so you will be ... if were sympathetic) I was told to take the these, you have to query whether your you are doing your job! offending pages down. I responded with theology has a rather soft palate. The Word of God calls for us to root better disclaimers dissociating RMIT and Theology is supposed to bite! out and destroy any confidence we have in the chaplaincy as officially holding these ourselves for our salvation. Theology is view, but in the end was told that I had Scott Kroeger is a chaplain at RMIT supposed to bite! As a chaplain of RMIT “violated university policy” in that some University, Melbourne. ap

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 23 CULTURE WATCH TV Watch Reality Check

Phil Campbell

t’s easy to break the illusion of “reality television.” Just meet someone who’s been there. Fancy the excitement of a whole new look for your house? A Ifew weeks ago, I met a real-life couple who survived Changing Rooms. The screen ver- sion looks terrific: in just under 30 minutes, Paul and Lyndall’s lounge room was trans- formed from drab to chic. Friendly trades- men traded jocular remarks, Susie Wilkes above: Big Brother flashed her beaming smile, and they all lived left: The tribe has spoken happily ever after. What you don’t see, of course, is the and microphones catch every word. exhaustion that comes from working Edited highlights go to air each evening, through a whole weekend with very little while a “mature audience” version airs at a sleep. Nor do we appreciate the fact that later time each Thursday. Three members the small-screen specialises in playing of the house are nominated for eviction visual tricks. So how much of the new each week, and an audience phone-in décor remains, two years after the event? Survivor II — The Australian Outback, determines who leaves the house. “It all came down in weeks,” says Paul. “It had viewers glued to their screens all over Most reviewers agree that the daily was tacky. They renovated our room with the world. Including my place. reality is mundane. That’s life. And the sort of stuff that might look great on But again, how real is the reality? Some nightly ratings reflect it. More popular is TV, but it was rubbish.” All that remains is newspaper reports have suggested that the the Thursday night special. I guess there a small plush-black stuffed toy. “We made million-dollar outcome of Survivor II was are plenty of young Aussie guys who hap- it with the fabric they used to re-cover the “fixed”. “Colby might have just been pily entertain the idea of sharing a group lounge,” says Paul. “That’s all it was good doing his best Miss America runner-up bedroom with a bunch of young women for.” routine when he pumped his fist in cele- who want to do nothing but sit around bration of his loss,” said columnist Steve talking sex, and apparently sometimes Sometimes, reality television is not quite Johnson, “but something about it felt even doing it. Maybe we’re meant to think as good as it seems. But — if world-wide unnatural.” So was there a “secret deal” that’s “normal”. rating trends are any indication — the behind the scenes? new breed of viewers just loves to watch It seems to me, though, that the ultimate “real life” unfolding. Sure, Hollywood In a further blow to “reality”, producer spin has been put on the series already. script-writers are on strike, and it’s rela- Mark Burnett has admitted body-doubles This is a manufactured reality — and the tively cheap and easy to produce the were used in many of the stunning wide- manufacturing happened in the choice of unscripted drama of Survivor, or Big range views employed on the show. The house-participants. Of the 14,000 young Brother, or Boot Camp. But the reality is, Herbert river swimming race scene, for Australians who volunteered to take part, they rate. example, was restaged with stand-ins so a the producers have hand picked a group Sure, Ten’s Big Brother was slow to helicopter could shoot uncluttered aerial that included a self confessed “domina- take off. Recently, though, Big Brother shots. Good viewing — bad reality. “I trix” and a massage parlour operator. This Live — the episode where one resident of don’t know what the line is in determin- is a group purpose-built to “make enter- the camera-riddled house is voted into ing what kind of manipulation is accept- tainment”. viewer oblivion — made it into the week’s able,” says Burnett. “I’m just making Even so, my guess is that there’s disap- top-10 programs. And the grand finale of entertainment.” pointment in the control room that even Likewise, the US version of Big the “spicy bits” are really rather tame. And Brother has attracted criticism for re- in a touch of real reality — or the ultimate enacting scenes, and so completely irony — isn’t it funny that the first house- betraying the concept of showing the mate evicted by public vote was none Fit to be tied “real lives” of the caged house-mates. But other than sex-kitten Andie? Somehow, once more! the real deception runs far deeper. the real world out here didn’t want her Let’s think for a moment about the around. And yet without her, according to “reality” regular viewers can dip into each newspaper reports, Big Brother Uncut is The date for orders of Centennial night at 7pm on Channel 10. If you losing sex appeal, slipping to 44th position celebration ties and scarves has been haven’t caught it, the concept is simple. on the weekly ratings. Maybe that’s a real- extended! Please ensure your orders Twelve strangers are locked in a large, pur- ity check. are in by June 14th (refer to insert). pose built “house” at Dreamworld, on the Gold Coast. Cameras watch every move, Phil Campbell ministers at Mitchelton

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 24 LETTERS

longer a home mission but a sanctioned in number and finding publishers is a dif- charge, and we now have four elders ficult task. Keith has recently written letters counting Rev. Henry Joyeux. Saints and Patriarchs which is the story of I’d also like to say I’m enjoying God at work as Keith and Betty have Australian Presbyterian immensely, and I experienced. find the articles each issue never fail to be Bishop Dudley Foord, who wrote the both informative and on occasion chal- foreword to the book, says of it: “It is the lenging. story of missionaries, their trials, their suf- ferings, their joys and their triumphs. Shane Williams, Often facing overwhelming opposition Dandenong, Vic. that would cause even the most robust person to quail yet exhibiting indomitable It should be written courage and perseverance. But it is much more than that. “It is the sovereign God bringing Compass to the wrong way Mission is the central theme of the Africans to new birth in Christ and then Bible. The evangelisation of all peoples is causing his church to expand. A faithful linked to the return of our Lord and God, always providing for the needs of his Many thanks for the latest issue of AP Saviour Jesus Christ. servants.” which gave us some insight into the New But, generally speaking, interest in This book should be published, and Age movement. So many things which world mission is at a low ebb in our Australian Presbyterian World Mission have been worrying me in connection churches today. While God has been at has undertaken to help with the project. I with the way the Christian Church has work, and the church is growing across am writing to ask if you will help us. been going and, to me, seemed to be going the world, there are today 10,000 people Publishing will cost $10,000. By helping wrong, have been explained. Some of my groups out of a total 22,000 which are you can contribute to raising missionary greatest concerns have been the trivialis- considered “unreached”. These have awareness and responsibility across the ing of the work of the Holy Spirit, the either no Christians or insufficient church. diminishing of the sovereignty of God Christians to constitute a viable church. We would be very grateful if you would and the losing of the awe of God in our This is the challenge we face today. share this matter with other interested worship of him. Worship has devolved Keith Black has been involved in mis- people and pray that the need will quickly into entertainment in many churches and sion for half a century. Together with his be met so the book can be published. we are treating Jesus not as the Son of the wife, Betty, he served in Africa for 22 years Please send your gift to APWM, 8 Living God but as a buddy, a mate, a good with Sudan United Mission, now called Sylvan Grove, Picnic Point NSW 2213, friend. Of course he is some of this but, Action Partners, and for a further 18 years clearly marked “Funding for above all, it was his sacrifice on the cross as Director of that mission for Australia Publishing”. Please make cheques and our acceptance of this act for our sal- and New Zealand. He has also been payable to APWM. vation which makes us different to any involved in the missionary program of the other religion in the world. Presbyterian Church for the past 13 years. Robert Benn, Feeling good about ourselves and not While some missionary books have National Director, realising the true role in this of the work been written by Australians, these are few Australian Presbyterian World Mission of the Holy Spirit, of Jesus and of his Father and ours — well we are just good people (and not so good people) living in the world and being part of it and letting the influences of this world, including Eliza Ferrie Lectures 2001 New Age practices, affect us more than the atoning grace of our God. MA in Theology Subject Again thank you for having the courage to address such a serious prob- lem in the way that you have and con- “Righteousness and Justification in Paul” tinue the good work in alerting us to our ––––––––––––– proper role in the world as followers of Christ. 20-24 August 2001

Dorothy Posthuma, Toowoomba, Qld Lectures given by Professor Don Carson from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield Park, Illinois, USA. Dandenong’s leap forward For more information please contact: Presbyterian Theological Centre It was really nice to see our church listed 77 Shaftesbury Road Burwood NSW 2134 in the prayer points. Unfortunately they Phone: (02) 9744 1977 Fax: (02) 9744 5970 were a little bit out of date. We’re no Email: [email protected]

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 25 EVANGELISMPRAYER

Brian Johnson, ; Clerk. 11 Presbytery of Darling Downs ,Qld; 9 parishes and 9 home mission stations JULY totalling 46 congregations with 1366 1 North Adelaide - Largs North parish; communicants and adherents, 1 about 75 communicants and 10 elders; school chaplain, 1 P.I.M. worker, 3 vacant, Wally Zurrer interim modera- retired ministers ,4 under jurisdiction; tor; John and Audrey Watson, and David Knott, Clerk. JUNE Bob and Lillian Burns, supplying 12 Central Sydney parish - Darlington 21 Riverside home mission station 2 Upper Blue Mountains parish and the new Surry hills (Glengarry and Winkleigh), northern (Blackheath, Leura and Wentworth congregation;the communicants and Tasmania ;about 15 communicants Falls); about 50 communicants and 6 elders; David and Kathy Thurston and and 6 elders; Don and Annette elders; vacant, Mathew Oates interim their fellow-workers. Christie; Robert White, moderator moderator 13 Children's work in your own and 22 Narrabri parish, north western 3 Carisbrook/Maryborough home mis- neighbouring parishes - Sunday N.S.W.; about 70 communicants and sion station, Victoria, including School, Kid's Club, Boys Brigades etc 10 elders; John and Leanne Smeaton; about 55 communicants and - and especially the home training in Neasey. 6 elders;David and Sue McMahon the things of God. 23 Robin Watson S.I.M. as he settles in (supplying), and David Stewart, mod- 14 Relations between aboriginal and at Djibo, Burkina Faso , West Africa, erator other groups in all parts of Australai, learns the Fulfulde language and han- 4 David and Maxine Cook and Neil and and the progress of the Gospel of dles requests for food aid. Jayne Chambers in their work at Christ among them. 24 Presbyterian Youth, Queensland - the Sydney Missionary and Bible College 15 Mt Isa home mission station, camping prgramme and the Central (Croydon) and their wider opportuni- Queensland; about 15 communicants; Queensland Liason officers Mel ties for ministry - and all the S.M.B.C. vacant, Arch. McNicol, moderator Jackson and Emma Papworth. staff and students.. 16 Scots Kirk Mosman, northern Sydney; 25 Carol Whipp form Somerville. Vic. 5 Noel and Vetta Thomason and the 6 about 200 communicants and 19 WEC worker in India as she seeks the elders of Caloundra parish, north of elders; Richard and Audrey Lord's guidance for her future work. Brisbane; the 55 or so communicant McCracken. 26 P.L.C., Armidale, N.S.W. - Mrs J members and all church activities. 17 Tatura regional parish, Victoria, Sholl, acting Principal, all staff and 6 The vacant Condobolin parish N.S.W.; including also Rushworth and students. the 50 or so communicants and 7 Girgarre East; David and 27 Graham and Irene Haywood form elders; Russell Vandervelden, interim Isabel Shultz, and about 115 commu- Hurstville, Sydney, who have been moderator. nicants and 14 elders. involved with W.B.T. since 1972 trans- 7 Graham and Sue Single (he is from 18 The 31 million people of Kenya, east lating the Scriptures for the Maleu- Epping, Sydney, she from N.Z.) Africa of whom 10% follow tradi- Kilenge people of P.N.G., and in vari- W.E.C. workers in Spain in adminis- tional religions, 6% Islam, 11% ous other roles. tration, musical and pastoral ministry. indigenous cults and 26% are R.C. 28 P.W.M.U. Victoria - Winifred Allen, 8 The Woodford home mission station and 45% Protestant -including 1 mil- President, Sue Bartlett, Secretry, Joan on the N.S.W. Blue Mountains; about lion Presbyterians. Milne, Treasurer; and the local 20 communicants and 4 elders; vacant, 19 Presbytery of New England, N.S.W; branches and Presbyterial Bruce Logan moderator 4 parishes and 2 home mission sta- Associations. 9 The serious social, economic and spiri- tions totalling 18 congregations with 29 Grant and Anne Lawry and the 5 or tual problems of Jamaica, of whose 2.6 836 communicants and adherents, 1 so communicants and 6 elders at million people 4% are non-religious, ministerial candidate. Canterbury parish Melbourne, and the 10% spiritist, 4% involved in local 20 Religious education classes and other work of the Japanese congregation cults, 11% R.C. and 70% Protestant. Christian activities (eg I.S.C.F.) in pri- there - Hugh and Hannah Price. 10 The three congregations, about 100 mary and secondary schools and the 30 Presbytery of Penola S.A.; 4 parishes communicants and 8 elders of witness of Christian staff members totalling 11 congregations with 548 Parkes - Forbes - Peak Hill parish, and students. communicants and adherents, 1 licen- western N.S.W. (vacant ) and the tiate and 1 minister under jurisdiction. interim moderator, Bryson Smith.

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AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 26 BOOKS

story and yet at the same time builds His opportunity to display His power and within the reader a deep respect for the His love. While God is God, let no Aboriginal race and culture. This book is believer fear.” books easy to read, informative, and challenges This is a work which will profit anyone one’s attitudes to many cultural differ- who wishes to study the Psalms. ences in our society. Slouching Towards Gomorrah: The Man Who Made the Modern Liberalism Millennium, and American Decline John Blanchard Robert H. Bork Darlington: Evangelical Press, 2000. New York: Regan Books, 1996. Reviewed by Peter Barnes Reviewed by Peter Barnes

This is a revision of the best seller Why William Butler Yeats wrote of a people Y2K? which apparently sold more than which “slouches towards Bethlehem”, but 82,000 copies in seven months. As we Robert Bork sees modern America as The Westminster have come to expect from John slouching towards Gomorrah. His bleak Confession of Faith for Blanchard, this is a clear and straightfor- thesis is that “if we slide into a modern, the 21st Century ward presentation of the case for believing high-tech version of the Dark Ages, we Prepared by Rev. Dr Douglas Milne in Jesus. It is excellent, and should be will have done it to ourselves without the Strawberry Hills: Christian Education placed into the hands of as many non- assistance of the Germanic tribes that Committee of the PCA, 2001 Christians as possible. destroyed Roman civilisation”. Radical Reviewed by Peter Barnes egalitarianism and radical individualism Daily Prayer and Praise: are leading to the twin results of chaos and tyranny. Of the making of study guides to the Psalms 1-75 The liberal establishment of the 1960s Westminster Confession, there are many, Henry Law was hollow to the core, and only knew but this is the I have come across. It has Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2000. how to surrender. As a result, the radicals been prepared for the centenary of the Reviewed by Peter Barnes of the ’60s no longer paralyse society; they PCA, and it has everything. It is clear, it is are running it. user-friendly, and it is ideal for study Henry Law was a Dean of Gloucester in One of the chief culprits in all this is groups. It would be particularly useful for the 19th century (not the 18th, as the back the judiciary. In 1973 the Supreme Court sessions or for the training of would-be cover says). His work on the Psalms was found a right to abortion in the right to elders. Some of the familiar language has intended for private or family use, privacy, although there is not even a stated been modernised, e.g. “God’s Eternal although it is probably more appropriate right to privacy in the American Decree” (III) becomes “God’s Eternal for the individual who is working his way Constitution. Similarly, the Supreme Decision”, the word “Sabbath” through the Psalms. There are a few errors Court of Hawaii found homosexual mar- (XXII,viii) is replaced by “day of rest”, — a worm is not a reptile — but more sig- riage to be constitutional. If words have and so on. nificant is the somewhat inconsistent way no meaning, a constitution is just a piece But I was thrilled with this. May it be the Psalms are applied to Christ, David or of paper, such as one finds in a lavatory. used to ground many in the faith of the the Christian believer. The result is bizarre — educationists Westminster Confession, and, more Psalm 8, for example, is applied imme- destroy education, the judiciary under- vitally, of the Scriptures. diately to Christ (see Hebrews 2:6-8), mines the law, the legislature is increas- when I would have thought that it would ingly irrelevant, the arts are degraded, and Peter Barnes is books editor of AP. have been better to apply it to all men, the Church promotes unbelief. then to Christ as “the proper man”. Psalm Bork’s work is not for the faint- Horizon is Where 72, on the other hand, is applied first to hearted, but his razor-sharp analysis of Solomon, then to Christ whereas it rather American culture needs to be used to acti- Heaven and Earth Meet obviously goes rather beyond anything vate a counter-attack, which needs to Diana Williams, that was fulfilled in Solomon’s day. Psalm come sooner rather than later. ap Sydney: Bantam Books, 2001. 18 is applied first to David, then Christ, Reviewed by Sue Godfrey but from verse 37 David’s enemies sud- denly become our spiritual enemies. Christian Singles Diana Williams tells of the struggle of Psalm 40:12 is applied to Christ but verse her remarkable marriage which spans both 17 is applied to us. All of this is valid, in Any nice singles can join! the Western and Aboriginal cultures. With the long run, but it might have been done Send for FREE colour brochure: a great faith in God and a commitment to rather more tidily. each other, a relationship is built on tears, Having said this, Law’s work is most PO Box 122 frustration, patience, and persistence. The incisive and vigorous, and is full of apt WALLSEND 2287 author has a great capacity to share comments. One such comment must suf- Ph/Fax: 02 4955 5445 insights into the tragedy of the Aboriginal fice, on Psalm 71:7-9, “Man’s inability is www.christiansingles.com.au

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 27 ESSAY Blameless Since the garden, it’s always been someone else’s fault.

ne of the first evidences of the said would help ease his client’s re-entry Fall concerns the universal into society on his release from prison. human reluctance to confess our As you well know, this is not an iso- sins. I am usually ready to con- lated incident. A man in Florida in 1996 fessO yours, but I am not at all keen on con- drank himself into a stupor, then broke fessing mine. When God confronted into a fenced, gated, and locked sub-sta- Adam, the man was quick to shift the tion, climbed up a transformer, and was blame: “The woman whom you gave to be blasted by 13,000 volts of electricity. He with me, she gave me of the tree, and I Peter Barnes survived, but sued the electricity company ate” (Gen. 3:12). Eve adopted a similar and the six liquor stores which had sold tactic: “The serpent deceived me, and I him the alcohol he had consumed. ate” (Gen. 3:13). In each case, every word I went to my psychiatrist to be psycho- According to the Scriptures, we have is true, but the intention is obviously to analysed, to find our why I killed the cat, an enemy, the devil, who seeks to mislead shift the blame for sin on to the next per- and blackened my wife’s eyes. us (Gen. 3:1), and we have companions son. However, it is not only the serpent He put me on a downy couch to see what who can corrupt us (1 Cor. 15:33). These who did not have a leg to stand on! he could find, and this is what he dredged up things are true, but they do not exonerate Nothing much has changed since that from my subconscious mind. us. As Paul told the Corinthians: “No first sinful day in the garden. As Moses When I was one, my mummy hid my temptation has overtaken you except such was on Mount Sinai receiving the law of dolly in the trunk. And so it follows natu- as is common to man; but God is faithful, God, the people became restless for a god rally that I am always drunk. who will not allow you to be tempted whom they could see, and so they pre- When I was two, I saw my father kiss the beyond what you are able, but with the vailed upon Aaron to build a golden calf. maid one day. And that is why I suffer now temptation will also make the way of Returning from the mountain, Moses from kleptomania. escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 called his brother to account, but Aaron’s When I was three, I suffered from Cor. 10:13). excuses are less than convincing: “And I ambivalence towards my brothers. So it Or, to cite James: “But each one is said to the people, ‘Whoever has any gold, follows naturally I poisoned all my lovers. tempted when he is drawn away by his let him break it off’. So they gave it to me, I’m so glad that I have learned that lesson own desires and enticed” (James 1:14). As and I cast it into the fire, and this calf it has taught, that everything I do that’s much as I would like to, when I sin, I can- came out” (Ex. 32:24). Aaron tried to wrong is someone else’s fault. not blame the devil, my wife, my children, make the whole sorry episode sound like Actually, this refusal to accept the my place of work, the stress of modern something that just happened, like a slip blame for sin is having serious effects on living, the trade unions, the government, on a banana skin. Somehow, the golden the administration of law in modern or the fact that when I was a youngster I calf just popped out of the fire. Western societies. Recently, a murderer was smacked with a wooden spoon. Over the years humanity has become who had holed up in the Cascade very adept at shifting the blame. The Mountains of Washington state was As the old adage tells us, we are our own youngster in the nursery will readily point arrested by the police. The murderer was worst enemies. And we have no valid the finger at his sibling for the paint on armed with knives and handguns, so the excuses. To receive mercy from God, we the wall. This is a trait that we do not read- police used a police dog to subdue him. must confess and forsake sin (Prov. ily lose as we become older. Often the After his arrest, the murderer sued the 28:13). The Christian way is paradoxical process of blame-shifting can be dressed county for the use of excessive force in his but true: when we try to shift the blame, up in psychological terms to appear quite arrest. It seems that in the skirmish the it remains with us; when we own up to it, justifiable. police dog mangled his foot. The extraor- it is removed. dinary thing — which is no longer sur- Anna Russell poked fun at this in her Peter Barnes is minister of Revesby Psychiatric Folksong: prising — is that the murderer won a $412,500 settlement, which his attorney Presbyterian Church, Sydney. Bethel Funerals The caring Australian alternative –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– A unique Christian Funeral Company supporting the work of missions 24 hour 7 day service Pre-arranged and Pre-paid Funerals Phone: 03 9877 9900 (all hours) fax: 03 9877 0544 SERVICING ALL SUBURBS

AUSTRALIAN PRESBYTERIAN • 28