DOCSLIB.ORG

October 1935

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
October 1935 > • :z ,...c( "'U,..) l.CV) z a: OCIJJ LlJ I> r- .., ­ :::>na: -0 CHRISTIA ..•;ry TODAY o ~ A PRESBYTERIAN JOURNAL DEVOTED TO STATING, DEFENDING III AND FURTHERING THE GOSPEL IN THE MODERN WORLD III SAMUEL G. CRAIG, Editor Published monthly by OCTOBER. 1935 $1.00 A YEAR EVERYWHERE THE PRESBYTERIAN AND Entered as second.c;:lass ma tter Ma y I L REFORMED PUBLISHING CO., Inc. 1931, a t the Post Office a t Phila delphia, 525 Locust Street. Phila .. Pa. Vol. 6 No.5 Pa., und er the Act of March 3, 1879. Editorial Notes and Comments mankind ~xecuted in time. But the doctrine are the inter­ pretation of the facts. The fact do not stand blank and THE CHIEF VALUE OF THE BIBLE dumb before us, but have a voice given to them, and a meaning put into them. They are a companied by living .,--;r=-tiHE chief value of the Bible lies in the fact that it speech, which makes their meaning clear. When John contains a record of the facts that lie at the basis declares that Jesus Christ is come in the :flesh, and is the of our salvation together with an absolutely trust­ Son of God, he i stating a fact, but he is none th Ie worthy interpretation of those facts. ompared with thi enunciating a doctrine. When Paul affirms, 'Christ died for the other value that attach to the Bible, though exceed­ our ins according to the Scriptures,' he is proclaiming the ingly important, are econdary. The Bible has value because fact, but he is at the same time giving an interpretation of its literary form; it has a much larger value becau e of it." of it ethical teachings; but that which gives it its supreme It is no doubt true, sad to relate, that there are those value, that which con titute its fir t and strongest and who call themselves Christians though they reje t both thp. most enduring claim upon u i the redemptive facts it facts and the doctrines to which we atta 'h such importance. records and its explanation of them. They maintain that the e sence of Chri tianity i inde­ It is impossible to say whether the fact or the doctrine pendent of both facts and doctrines. No doubt that is true (i. e., the fact or their interpretations) of the Bible are of their Ohristianity, or rather of what they call Chri ti­ the more important. Both are equally essential. It is not anity. It is no comfort to us, however, to be told that ome­ the facts apart from the doctrines or the doctrines apart one else's Christianity is independent of the fact and doc­ from the fact that make hristianity what it is. Either trines of the Bible when we know that these are the v ry without the other is valueles . The facts without the doc· warp and woof of our Chri tianity. What they call hris­ trines would be blind and unmeaning. The doctrines with· tianity has no more in common with real hristianity than out the facts would be empty and void. To reject the factual the counterfeit coin ha's in common with the genuine. There ba is of Christianity as it is recorded in the Bible is to may be a more or less superficial re emblance, but at heart reject hristianity itself. It is equally true, however, that and in sub tance they are a related a base metal and pure hri tianity i rejected when the Biblical interpretation gold. We have long been told that all that glitters is not of these facts is rejected. Hence it is a matter of the first gold. It is high time that it wa enerally realized that all importance that we not only have some knowledge of the that is called Chri tianity i not hristianity. Much of fact that lie at the basis of the Christian religion but also the confusion in present-day religious di cu sion has its some proper understanding of their significance. Many in­ ource in the fact that those who take part in it give radi­ terpretations of these fact are pos "ible. Historical Chris­ cally different answers to the question, What is Christi­ tianity is based on the belief that the Bible gives us the anity?-answers so different that if what the on call only correct interpretation of these facts. Give them an in­ Christianity is true, what the other call hri tianity is terpretation other than that which the Bible gives us and false. they will yield us something other than Christianity. Only The basic difference between those who make light of the to the extent that we give them the ame interpretation facts and doctrines of the Bible and those who find in them that the Bible give them have we a hi torical ri ht to call what is mo t essential, has to do with the question whether ourselves Chri tian . Here the words of the late James Orr Christianity is a religion that actually ave its adherents are much to the point: from the uilt and power and pollution of in. If our chief "The facts of revelation are before the doctrines built need is moral and I' ligiou instruction we need not concer"n on them. The go pel is no mere proclamation of 'eternal our elves very much over the question whether the fact truths,' but the discovery of a saving purpose of God for recorded a uch in the Bible actually happened-myths (A Table of Contents will be found on Page l~O) \. 98 CHRISTIANITY TODAY October, 1935 and legends may be rich in moral and religious instruc­ mere fact that Christ commanded it makes it obligatory on tion-but if our great need is salvation from sin, conceived those who acknowledge Him as Lord, just as the soldier is as guilt and power and pollution, either the death of Christ under obligation to carry out the orders of his superior as an atonement for sin, His res-qrrection and ascension, officer even though he be quite ignorant of their purpose. and the descent of the Holy Spirit are things that actually But while that representation contains much truth, it happened or this great need has never been met and no hardly contains the whole truth. Christ deals with His escape from the guilt and bondage of sin has been provided. followers as friends as well as servants. It is only a servant As DR. GEERHARDUS Vos once put it : "The difference between who "knoweth not what his lord doeth." To say that we those who think they can do without the facts and us who ought to be interested in missions because Christ com­ feel that we must have the facts, does not lie on the mands it is to raise the question why He commands it. periphery of the Christian faith: it touches what to us is To answer that question is to learn that even if that last the center. It relates to nothing less than the claim of our great command had not been given, we would be under holy religion to be a supernatural religion, and a religion obligation to do our part in evangelizing the world by which objectively saves from sin." 'This means that apart reason of the nature of the Christian religion. That is to from those great acts that God has wrought for our sal­ say, the missionary obligation is grounded not so much vation, according to the Bible, there is no Savior in the in the last command as in that which led our Lord to issue evangelical sense of the word. tha t last command. Ultimately the missionary obligation rests upon the in­ WHY CONTRIBUTE TO MISSIONS? dispensable worth of Christ as supplying a need common to all men. It is basic to the religion we profess not merely HERE may be a legitimate difference of opinion, that Christ is possessed of worth, but that He is possessed as we sought to make clear in our last issue, as to of indispensable 'Worth. Witness such Biblical statements how we can best contribute to missions. There is as the following: "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no room, however, for difference of opinion among Chris­ no man cometh unto the Father but by me"; "No man tians concerning the question whether the missionary enter­ knoweth the Father but the Son and he to whomsoever the prise should have their support. It is one thing to criticize Son willeth to reveal him"; "There is none other name a particular board or agency-that may be quite commend­ under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved." able. It is quite another thing to criticize the missionary In view of this, how can those who know Christ be indiffer­ enterprise itself. Dissatisfaction with a particular board ent to the question whether He is known by others? And or agency can never justify us in failing to support in some when in this connection it is recalled that the g~spel has way the missionary enterprise. And yet there is reason been committed to us as a trust to be used for the benefit to think that there are many who are simply doing nothing of others, not only love but honesty also demands that we in the way of supporting missions because they no longer be faithful to that trust. As stewards of the mysteries of have full confidence in the board or agency they once sup­ God, it is required of us that we be found faithful.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • SAY NO to the LIBERAL MEDIA: CONSERVATIVES and CRITICISM of the NEWS MEDIA in the 1970S William Gillis Submitted to the Faculty
    SAY NO TO THE LIBERAL MEDIA: CONSERVATIVES AND CRITICISM OF THE NEWS MEDIA IN THE 1970S William Gillis Submitted to the faculty of the University Graduate School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in the School of Journalism, Indiana University June 2013 ii Accepted by the Graduate Faculty, Indiana University, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Doctoral Committee David Paul Nord, Ph.D. Mike Conway, Ph.D. Tony Fargo, Ph.D. Khalil Muhammad, Ph.D. May 10, 2013 iii Copyright © 2013 William Gillis iv Acknowledgments I would like to thank the helpful staff members at the Brigham Young University Harold B. Lee Library, the Detroit Public Library, Indiana University Libraries, the University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library, the University of Louisville Archives and Records Center, the University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library, the Wayne State University Walter P. Reuther Library, and the West Virginia State Archives and History Library. Since 2010 I have been employed as an editorial assistant at the Journal of American History, and I want to thank everyone at the Journal and the Organization of American Historians. I thank the following friends and colleagues: Jacob Groshek, Andrew J. Huebner, Michael Kapellas, Gerry Lanosga, J. Michael Lyons, Beth Marsh, Kevin Marsh, Eric Petenbrink, Sarah Rowley, and Cynthia Yaudes. I also thank the members of my dissertation committee: Mike Conway, Tony Fargo, and Khalil Muhammad. Simply put, my adviser and dissertation chair David Paul Nord has been great. Thanks, Dave. I would also like to thank my family, especially my parents, who have provided me with so much support in so many ways over the years.
    [Show full text]
  • TIMOTHY TOW MEMORIAL LIBRARY Thanksgiving & Dedication Service Friday, 13 November 2015, 7.15 Pm
    TIMOTHY TOW MEMORIAL LIBRARY Thanksgiving & Dedication Service Friday, 13 November 2015, 7.15 pm Order of Service Call to Worship: The Rev Dr Jeffrey Khoo Hymn: “Our God Is a Loving Father” (T Tow; RYF Lee) Invocation & Gloria Patri: The Rev Tan Kian Sing Scripture Reading (2 Samuel 22:1-25): The Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy “David’s Vow In Distress” (T Tow): FEBC Choir Word of Welcome Sermon: Remembering Our Teachers (Hebrews 13:7-8) The Rev Dr Quek Suan Yew Hymn: “Faith of Our Fathers” (T Tow; HF Hemy) Dedication of the Timothy Tow Memorial Library Dedicatory Prayer: The Rev Stephen Khoo College Anthem (T Tow; MD Buell) Benediction: The Rev Dr Koa Keng Woo Ribbon cutting by Matron Ivy Tow follows immediately at the Timothy Tow Memorial Library. All are welcome to tour the newly renovated premises of Far Eastern Bible College, 9, 9A, 10 Gilstead Road. Timothy Tow Memorial Library The Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC) Library was originally located at three places: the second storey of the L-extension block beside the Greek/Hebrew classrooms (open library), the second storey of the church sanctuary at the rear balcony (reference library), and the mezzanine floor of the bell tower. The library rooms were small, shelf and study spaces were limited. Providentially, the High Court of Singapore on 27 November 2014 issued a scheme to regulate the use of the premises at 9, 9A and 10 Gilstead Road by Life Bible-Presbyterian Church (LBPC) and FEBC. Since then, the space allotted for FEBC’s exclusive use has undergone extensive renovations.
    [Show full text]
  • Lithe FREE PRESS II
    liTHE FREE PRESS II VOL I-No.8 1630 S. Hanover St., Baltimore 30, Md. May 4, 1956 The Meeting in St. Louis "Catholic, Visible Church" The meeting which was held in St. used as pressure against brethren. The The Form of Government of the Louis will go down in the history of the meeting in St. Louis has illustrated just Bible Presbyterian Church, Chapter 2, Bible Presbyterian movement as a tragedy how men, when they are stirred with deep "Of the Church," says, in paragraph 1, and a disgrace to the name of Presbyte­ emotion, can go beyond the protective "Jesus Christ, who is now exalted far rianism. bounds of 'constitutions. History is full of such transgressions. above all principality and power, has 1. erected, in this world, a visible body First, the Synod should be called a Another act of lawlessness had to do which is His Church." "lawless" Synod. This lawlessness was with the Presbytery of New Jersey. A manifest particularly in the adoption of call for a pro re naitil'nutil}g to be held in Paragraph 4 reads, "The Bible Pres­ the resolution against the Committee for St. Louis was issued by the stated clerk Tru~ Presbyterianism. The constitution and sent by him to all the members of the byterian Church declares itself to be a gives no such authority, and this mandate, Presbytery. According to the constitution branch of the catholic visible Church of as it is properly called, parallels in the of the denomination, a request for a pro Christ and further declares its willingness strangest fashion the mandate of the Gen­ re nata meeting must be submitted first to hold Christian fellowship with all to the moderator who is to handle the eral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church other such branches of the Church." in the U.S.A.
    [Show full text]
  • Conservative Presbyterians Without a Common Foe by D
    Article After the Breakup, Heartbreak: Conservative Presbyterians without a Common Foe by D. G. Hart In the 1930s, conservatives in the PCUSA believed that their cause against liberalism in the denominations’ agencies provided a common understanding of what it meant to be a Presbyterian in America. But once these conservatives formed their own communion, they experienced a series of controversies that revealed significant differences about the nature of American Presbyterianism. These conflicts, in fact, led to further divisions among conser- vatives. This article reviews the difficulties that afflicted the Orthodox Presbyterian Church during the first decade of its existence after 1936 and suggests that having a common foe is insufficient for agreement on a common identity. n June 11, 1936, J. Gresh- Princeton Theological Seminary, O am Machen declared had his own ideas about the before the first General Assem- correct way to proceed and led a bly of the Orthodox Presbyte- smaller group of conservatives rian Church, “We became into the Bible Presbyterian members, at last, of a true Pres- Synod. Even this rupture would byterian Church.” 1 The fifty or not relieve the pressures that so ministers and elders gathered bedeviled Machen’s followers. likely heard in Machen’s pro- Throughout the 1940s, the new nouncement the relief of a man denomination lost members and who had been engaged in de- ministers to other communions, nominational disputes and thanks to internal disputes over ecclesiastical intrigue for the J. Gresham Machen, 1881-1937. Photo denominational relations with better part of two decades. by Marceau (RG 414, Presbyterian non-Presbyterians.
    [Show full text]
  • I the Free Press I
    ITHE FREE PRESS I Vol. 2-No. 2 1630 S. Hanover St., Baltimore 30, Md. November 9, 1956 Statement of Issues BY CARL McINTIRE In a few simple words we desire to or certainly in the dark, are unaware of founded on the basis of confidence and state the main issues that confront each what has happened in this regard. liberty thalt the Collingswood Church individual church and each individual This tyranny, however, is further rati­ should be told by the J udicial C~mmi~­ member in t~le Bible Presbyterian fied and established by the decision of sion that it is in danger of b~mg m Church. The crisis which confronts the the Judicial Commission of the Synod contempt, when, as a matter of fact, church bas been brought about over a on September 14, 1956, as reported in the Collingswood Church has. nev~r had period of time by four main factors. the Majority Opinion. Both the Col­ an opportunity to prese?t Its sl.de of I. lingswood Church and the Presbytery of the story or to defend Itself ag3:mst a New Jersey are warned that unless they judgment of contempt. The. Scnpture.s INCREASING POWER OVER TRE LOCAL say that a man is not to be rejected untIl CReRCH. The group in the church obey the directives of Synod they, are 3It least after the second admonition. which has sought for Synod control has in danger of being found in contempt! resorted to the "courts" of the church It is indeed a strange spectacle in the To us it is almost unthinkable that a to enforce their desires and decisions.
    [Show full text]
  • “Bible Presbyterian Distinctives - Historical Roots”
    April to June 2018 Teenz RPG Series on “Bible Presbyterian Distinctives - Historical Roots” Do pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance before you begin your devotional time, for unless the Spirit reveals the meaning, we cannot understand scripture (1 Corinthians 2:10). Then you must read the scripture text; please don’t be tempted to read the devotional alone without reading the Bible. Memorizing the scripture text will help you meditate upon it (Psalm 1:2), even long after you have finished your devotional time. After reading the devotional, always end with self-reflection: compare yourself against the standard of God’s Word, and humbly yield to the Holy Spirit to direct you towards that standard (James 1:23-25). Be ye doers of the Word, not hearers only! At the end of this series, may you be able to say as David said “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.” (Psalm 63:1) May all glory be God’s alone! Dn Milton Ang On behalf of the Teenz RPG committee APR 1 Psalm 78:7 Memorise Psalm 78:7 “That the generation to come might know them” IS HISTORY IMPORTANT? The Bible is replete with the history of the nation of Israel and how God dealt with His people. The history of the church as recorded for us, starting from the book of Acts and through the corridor of time to the Reformation is just as precious and instructive.
    [Show full text]
  • Lithe FREE PRESS I
    liTHE FREE PRESS I VOL. I - No.5 1630 S. Hanover St., Baltimore 30, Md. March 6, 1956 St. Louis Ultimatum-Resign or Get Out A Parallel The St. Louis ultimatum, and such IS us as a people and upon the Synod as a The Bible Press, published by the First exactly what it is, for it tells men to do cer­ whole. After a very lengthy but orderly Bible Presbyterian Church of St. Louis, tain tinngs or else they will do. cer­ and God-pleasing discussion, the vote was tiin thing~, which means that the church is Mo., the Rev. Donald MacNair, pastor, called for. By this time there were 65 vot­ to be split, parallt>ls in striking fashion the reports the action o~ the congregation as ing-members still present (which is a large attitude .of the Presbyterian Church in th~ follows: voting percentage of our roll). The vot­ U.S.A. 22 years ago toward the Independ­ ing was 61 in favor, ·three against, and one ent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Mis­ "A motion was approved that the Ses­ cast a blank ballot. sions. sion ask ·the Congregation for authority to "The pastor would like to say that he withdraw from the Bible Presbyterian is very happy that the Lord . so evidently In 1933, the Independent BoarJ for Synod, provided that at the close of the led in the decision before us. If it had Presbyterian Foreign Missions was formed, 19th General Synod of the Bible Presbyte­ been a very close vote, there would have free from the direction, "review, and con­ rian Church, the present group now in con­ been evidence of problems that might arise trol" of the Presbyterian Church in the in the future because of the feeling ex­ trOl of the Independent Board for Presby­ U.S.A., and incorporated under the laws of pressed.
    [Show full text]
  • Carl Mcintire and the Politicization of Fundamentalism
    No Uncertain Trumpet: Carl McIntire and the Politicization of Fundamentalism A Thesis Submitted to the Temple University Graduate Board In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF ARTS By Paul Matzko May, 2010 Thesis Approvals: David Watt, Thesis Advisor, Department of History Jonathan Wells, Temple University Department of History ABSTRACT Fundamentalist preacher Carl McIntire played an important role in the politicization of fundamentalism. His political beliefs and activism complicate the standard accountings for the rise of modern conservatism and the New Christian Right. Hispolitics were inherited from Gresham Machen and were rooted in the nineteenth century tension between evangelical Whigs and confessional Democrats. McIntire’s libertarian political philosophy coalesced during the denominational politics of the fundamentalist – modernist controversy of the 1920s and ‘30s.He criticized theological modernists for supporting an expansion of federal government authority and being “soft” on communism. He gained national attention for his campaigns to purchases airtime on radio stations. McIntire influenced a number of prominent fundamentalist leaders, like Billy Hargis, Fred Schwarz, and Francis Schaeffer. McIntire’s political consciousness can be used to describe the concepts of “ideological creep” and “mainstreaming.” i TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………………………….i CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………...1 2. BIOGRAPHY AND DENOMINATIONAL POLITICS……………………………….7 3. GRESHAM MACHEN
    [Show full text]
  • A Study in American Religious Fundamentalism Thesis
    AI f THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT: A STUDY IN AMERICAN RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM THESIS Presented to the Graduate Council of the North Texas State University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS By Thomas John Ferris, B.A. Denton, Texas August, 1963 TABLE OF CONTENTS Chatpter Page . ... .. I. INTRODUCTIONCTIO.0...0. 0 1 II. BILLY JAMES HARGIS AND THE CHRISTIAN CRUSADE 15 I II. EDGAR C. BUNDY AND THE CHURCH LEAGUE OF AMERICA -.-0.*.*.0.0.*.0.0.0.0.0.*.0.0.0.0.9 54 IV. CARL McINTIRE AND THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHES .*.,*..*,0.0***0 97 V. CONCLUSION . * . , . * . * . , . 119 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 125 APPENDIX . 0 . 0 . 0 . BIBLIOGRAPHY 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 **. 00 0 0 0 . 0 0 139 iii CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Conservatism in America declined during the 1930's, then in the post-war years began to revive in what has been termed a "wonder"l and the most surprising development of the post-war period. Yet an even more surprising develop- ment has been the re-emergence of an important American phenomenon within conservatism: the far right. 3 Far right activities gained national attention during the McCarthy era, and again in 1960 as a result of the controversy over the Air Reserve Center Training Manual, the San Francisco student riots against the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), the possibility of a young liberal Roman Catholic's becoming president of the United States, and 1 Clinton Rossiter, Conservatism in America: The Thankless Persuasion (New York, 1962), pp.
    [Show full text]
  • Open Dissertation.Pdf
    The Pennsylvania State University The Graduate School College of Communications CARL McINTIRE AND HIS CRUSADE AGAINST THE FAIRNESS DOCTRINE A Dissertation in Mass Communications by Patrick Farabaugh © 2010 Patrick Farabaugh Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy May 2010 The dissertation of Patrick Farabaugh was reviewed and approved by the following: Russell Frank Associate Professor of Communications Dissertation Adviser Chair of Committee Errol Henderson Associate Professor of Political Science Patrick Parsons Associate Professor of Communications Ford Risley Associate Professor of Communications Head of Department of Journalism John Nichols Professor of Communications Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research *Signatures are on file in the Graduate School. ii ABSTRACT This dissertation examines the role that fundamentalist radio commentator Carl McIntire and his station, WXUR, played in the demise of the Fairness Doctrine. McIntire’s “crusade” against the Federal Communications Commission and the Fairness Doctrine brought national attention to the doctrine. This attention influenced the FCC, and in 1987, the Commission repealed this regulatory policy. WXUR is the only radio or television station in American history to be denied license renewal by the FCC as a direct result of Fairness Doctrine violations. This dissertation argues that McIntire and WXUR are underappreciated factors that contributed to the demise of the doctrine. Introduced in 1959 when Congress amended the 1934 Communications Act, the doctrine required radio and television stations to meet two requirements: (1) devote a reasonable percentage of broadcast time to discussions of issues of public importance within the community the licensee served, and (2) design and provide programs so that the public had a reasonable opportunity to hear different and opposing views and arguments on the public issues of interest within that community.
    [Show full text]
  • History of the Neoevangelical Movement Meaning of Evangelicalism Evangelicalism Is a Term That Transcends Denominational And
    History of the NeoEvangelical Movement Meaning of Evangelicalism Evangelicalism is a term that transcends denominational and confessional boundaries. The movement “emphasizes conformity to the basic tenets of the faith and a missionary outreach of compassion and urgency.” An evangelical is therefore a person who believes and proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is a very biblical term. Like every terminology, it changes with the times. The word is derived from the Greek noun euangelion translated as “glad tidings,” or “good or joyful news,” or “gospel” (from a derivative of the Middle English godspell, a discourse or story about God). The verb euangelizomai means “to announce good tidings of,” or “to proclaim as good news.” These Greek words appear nearly one hundred times in the New Testament and have passed into modern languages through the Latin equivalent evangelium. Evangelicalism has a theological and a historical meaning. Theologically, evangelicalism believes in: (1) The sovereignty of God, the transcendent, personal, infinite Being who created and rules over heaven and earth; (2) Scripture as the divinely inspired record of God’s revelation, the infallible, authoritative guide for faith and practice; (3) the total depravity of man thus denying the enlightenment doctrine of man’s innate goodness; (4) God Himself provided the way out of the human dilemma by allowing His only Son, Jesus Christ, to assume the penalty and experience death on man’s behalf; (5) salvation is an act of unmerited divine grace received through faith in Christ, not through any kind of penance or good works; (6) preaching the Word of God is an important feature of evangelicalism.
    [Show full text]
  • REVIVAL PLOWING a by Mark W
    “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). VOLUME 6, NUMBER 1 u Winter 2014 “Floods Upon the Dry Ground” REVIVAL PLOWING A BY MARK W. EVANS STRAIGHT FURROW Scottish Presbyterian described revival with these words: “It is the life-giving, light-imparting, quickening, regenerating, and sanctifying energy of the Holy Spirit, converting the hardened sinner, and re- IN 2014 claiming the backsliding or dormant Christian. No one who deserves BY JACK HeNDRICKS Athe name of a Christian will deny that these are the operations peculiarly as- cribed in the Scriptures to the agency of the Holy Spirit, and that it is the duty t the beginning of a new year, the of all to pray for, and the privilege of all to expect tendency for many of us is to think them in answer to earnest believing prayer — nay, back over the past. Both “good” that there cannot be Christianity without them….”1 Athings, as well as those not so good, The gracious work of God’s Spirit that brings tend to linger in our minds. The former true revival is missing in our land today. This sad may make us wish for such events and feel- fact is cause for concern and prayer. There were ings to recur, while the latter can cause us revivals in both the Old and New Testaments. Fol- to be fearful of moving forward in 2014. lowing His death, burial, resurrection, and ascen- Either way, we do ourselves injustice. sion, our sovereign Christ poured out the Holy “The best way to destroy today is Spirit on the day of Pentecost.
    [Show full text]