Vol. 90 No. 1,058 March 2020 TESTIMONY For the study and defence of the holy Scripture 81 Unwelcome developments in the Brotherhood Also in this issue: The race of life 86 The problem of Exodus 6:3 95 Who was Ahasuerus? 105 Bible workshop: 2 John 115 Contents TESTIMONY Publishing Editor: JEREMY THOMAS. 22 Kingswood Close, Kings Norton, Birmingham, B30 3NX. Tel. 0121 444 6810; email: [email protected] Contents Section Editors: Publishing Editor’s column Your Letters DAVID BURGES. 7 Whitehead A matter of honesty (1) Behold, I come as a thief 104 Drive, Wellesbourne, Warwick, Jeremy Thomas Lost sheep CV35 9PW. Tel. 01789 842692; 81 105 email: [email protected] “My God, my God, why have “At the citadel in Susa” Science; Archaeology You forsaken me?” (Ps. 22:1) 2. Identifying Ahasuerus (1) Jamie Whittaker 84 Jeremy Thomas 105 REG CARR. York House, 34A High Street, Tutbury, DE13 9LS. Running the race Behold, I come as a thief Tel. 01283 521463; email: Mike Lewis 86 4. Out of the mouth of the [email protected] dragon Exhortation “My servants the prophets” Jonah: confronting corruption Mark Allfree 111 SHAUN MAHER. 5 Birch Court, with God Bible workshop Doune, FK16 6JD. Jacob Shilvock 88 The Second Letter of John 115 Tel. 01786 842996; email: [email protected] Ahithophel Is seeing believing? Watchman 1. The man 7. The external muscles of Jordan Walton 91 the eye ERIC MARSHALL. The Pines, Peter Forbes Ling Common Road, Castle The Yahweh name and the 116 Rising, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, Patriarchs The secret of Jewish PE31 6AE. Tel. 01553 631279; Bruce Bates 95 survival (Review) email: [email protected] Paul Maplethorpe Exposition Ezekiel’s temple vision 118 Geoff Henstock 96 P.S. JEREMY THOMAS (see above) Cultural shifts Principles, preaching and problems Harmonising Egyptian history with the Old Testament Mark Vincent 119 GEOFF HENSTOCK. 13 Alpha 3. The curious pattern of Bible trees Crescent, Panorama 5041, biblical archaeological 9. The willow S. Australia. Tel. 8277-0730; email: evidence Rebekah Dwyer VI [email protected] Michael J. H. Brown Australia Editor; Prophecy; 100 Testimony books Reviews Articles for publication Articles to be considered for publication are welcome and should be Testimony website: forwarded to the Publishing Editor (in Australia, the local editor) in the http://testimonymagazine.com first instance. Publication of articles in the Testimony does not presume editorial endorsement except on matters of fundamental doctrine, as defined in the Birmingham Amended Statement of Faith. V “The ostriches’ wings flap joyously with the pinion and plumage of love, for she abandons her eggs to the earth and warms them in the dust, and she forgets that a foot may crush them, or that a wild beast may trample them” (Job 39:13-15, NASB). The Arabian ostrich used to be very common in the Middle East. Due to overhunting and the lack of habitat, this subspecies of ostrich became extinct around 1966. At times, Bible translators have found it difficult to translate words for animals and birds into English, but the ostrich appears to fit the description in Job 39:13-18, as the female bird lays her eggs in a simple pit in the dust of the ground. This pit is communal, being shared by a number of birds. Cover picture: Arabian ostrich, Jim Willey. Publishing Editor’s column A matter of honesty (1) EMBERSHIP OF the Christadelphian I suspect that, for many members of our com- community is defined by an acceptance munity, part of the challenge in considering this Mof a common understanding of Bible topic is that it is perceived to be part of a wider teaching—including the Bible’s claims about its problem. Much of what has previously been ac- own authority. It also carries a responsibility to cepted as a faithful reflection of Bible teaching, uphold and defend that understanding. There can in both practical and doctrinal terms, now seems be no doubt that some parts of our community to be ‘up for grabs.’ This extends well beyond are failing in this responsibility, and that this is peripheral aspects of life in the Brotherhood, allowing unsound teaching and practice to be to include the promotion of beliefs that have promulgated. hitherto been regarded as incompatible with the A number of Christadelphian ecclesias are cur- essential teachings of Scripture, as summarised in rently being exercised by the question of which our principal statements of faith. Amongst these roles in ecclesial life may legitimately be under- views are the following: taken by baptised sisters. For years now, there has • that belief in theistic evolution as a means been a trend in some parts of the brotherhood by which humans came into existence is to allow sisters to serve in roles which in earlier compatible with the apostles’ teaching on the days were reserved for baptised brothers. It is my atonement (amongst other passages, Romans impression that this trend has escalated consider- 5:12 and 1 Corinthians 15:21,22 show clearly ably of late. At one extreme, some ecclesias now that it is not) encourage sisters to participate in the full range • that homosexual relationships are a legitimate of ecclesial activities, including teaching and alternative to heterosexual marriage for Chris- public preaching, with little (if any) distinction tian believers (on the contrary, 1 Corinthians between tasks that may be undertaken by male and female members. A relatively high volume of correspondence on this topic has been published 1. See, for instance, “Letters to the Editor: All one in J e s u s ,” Christadelphian, vol. 157, no. 1,867, Jan. 2020, pp. Christadelphian 1 in the letters section of the . Re- 5–7, and no. 1,868, Feb. 2020, pp. 53–7. cently, the Testimony published an article which 2. John Botten, “Male and female in the Lord: biblical set out some of the biblical principles that are principles and instruction,” Testimony, vol. 90, no. 1,056, at stake.2 Jan. 2020, p. 3. Testimony, March 2020 Contents 81 Inspired history “While it might be conceded that prediction is beyond human power, the contention has been confidently put forward that inspiration is not necessary for writing accurate history. In view of the doubts that exist concerning the accuracy of human historical records even this might be ques- tioned; but it must be boldly denied when we examine the history written in the Bible. We are told that ‘God saw the wickedness of men’ (Gen. 6:6); that God ‘saw the affliction of His people’ (Ex. 3:7); that God ‘multiplied’ the numbers of Israel (Deut. 1:10); that God ‘delivered’ their enemies into their hands (Josh. 10:8); at the division of the kingdom the Chronicles declare that certain actions were done ‘for the cause was of God’ (2 Chron. 10:15). These are typical phrases chosen at random, but it is clear that Bible history is written from God’s point of view. If the words quoted were the recorded utterances of men’s opinions they might be merely an accurate record of men’s thoughts: but the language employed throughout the record of the events expresses a statement of fact. Either the view is the subjective opinion of the writer and so only pious thinking, or the history is of divine origin, for only if God guided the writers could such statements be accurate. There is no middle ground.” John Carter, “Inspiration (2)—the effect of inspiration,” Our Sure Foundation (The Christadelphian, 2016), pp. 73–4 6:9,10 warns that such relationships will ex- is the work of the Holy Spirit if this definition clude us from God’s Kingdom, if they are not of inspiration is valid? Why would the Spirit of repented of) God be required to compile a selection of writ- • that large sections of the history of the nation ings which are untrue? We could produce such of Israel as recorded in certain Old Testament a selection ourselves. passages did not happen (see box above). The Bible’s clearest definition of inspiration Some readers may be shocked to learn that is that the Holy Scriptures consist of words that such things have gained a foothold within the are ‘breathed out’ by God (2 Tim. 3:16). Let us ask Christadelphian community. Yet it seems that, in frankly, therefore: Can God breathe out words some quarters at least, these beliefs are not only that are not true? I hesitate even to word it like tolerated but actively promoted. this, but—contrary to Titus 1:2—can God lie? If, as seems inarguable, He required His people in New definitions earlier times to believe all the words of the Bible, It is clear to me that these and other unsound which constitute His revelation to mankind, on teachings have something significant in common: what basis are we entitled to suggest that He no they can be accepted only if we alter our stance longer requires us to believe them? Which parts on the inspiration of Scripture—the Brotherhood’s of the Bible are now to be accepted as true and foundation doctrine, on which depend all our which as untrue, and on what criteria? With its other doctrines and, consequently, our fellowship ‘pick and choose’ approach to the Bible, this new within a community that owes its existence to an definition of inspiration is fatal for a belief in the agreed common understanding of Bible teaching. things taught by Christ and his apostles, and I have observed that some of these new teach- which the Christadelphian community, from its ings require us to change the basic meaning of very foundation, consequently embraced as true.