An excellent post here on the Rugby Union ‘Bloodgate’ scandal over at Against Heresies. Martin writes:
‘Ever since the Fall, when our first parents sought to re-write the constitution of the universe, human beings have both been on the run from God and incapable of escaping the reality of being God’s creatures living in God’s universe.’
To read more visit his Blog.
Next year the main morning addresses will be given by Dr Ralph Davis. He is the Pastor / Teaching Elder of Woodland Presbyterian Church. Sermons are available to download via their site. On the website welcome page you will read what I think is an excellent piece of writing and lays out some principles that fly in the face of Evangelical ‘activism’. It tells you something about the Church and Dr Davis. Here it is:
Welcome
If you are looking for a church home, we invite you to come to Woodland Presbyterian Church. We won’t plead, hassle, or bug you. We won’t twist your arm to become members. We aren’t out to run up statistics.
I think the best way for you to get a feel for Woodland is simply to worship and fellowship with us—that is, marinate with us. We operate on the idea that a church ought to have something to do with religion, particularly the Christian faith. The “offense” of the gospel stands at the heart of our life: we make no apology for worshiping a crucified Jew.
Our focus as a church is on worship and teaching. Much else goes on, but that is the heart of our life. We want to develop a hunger and thirst for the living God. For this reason, we try not to be a “full service church,” with something for everyone. We try to keep church life simple and to keep church activities to a minimum; we assume that godly homes are more likely to be built if people are at home most nights rather than run ragged by various church functions.
Should you like more explanation about Woodland, please refer to a our Reformed Primer.
Now I must warn you. This church is full of sinners. Everyone who comes here is one. You’ll need to remember that if you associate with us – or you may be unnecessarily disappointed.
Warm regards,
Ralph Davis
Teaching Elder/Pastor
Not a bad introduction – a model for other Churches to follow perhaps.
At our prayer meeting this evening the following was read. I have simply copied & pasted it from the Elam Ministries website.
MARYAM AND MARZIEH: “We will not deny our faith”
In a dramatic session before the revolutionary court today in Tehran, Maryam Rustampoor (27) and Marzieh Amirizadeh (30) were told to recant their faith in Christ. Though great pressure was put on them, both women declared that they would not deny their faith. Maryam and Marzieh were originally arrested on March 5, 2009 and have suffered greatly while in prison, suffering ill health, solitary confinement and interrogations for many hours while blindfolded.
On Saturday August 8, Maryam and Marzieh were summoned to appear in court on Sunday August 9 in order to hear a verdict on their case. The chief interrogator had recommended a verdict of ‘apostasy.’ However, when they arrived, no verdict was actually given. Instead, the court session focussed on the deputy prosecutor, Mr Haddad, questioning Maryam and Marzieh about their faith and telling them that they had to recant in both verbal and written form. This made it clear that in the eyes of the court, Maryam and Marzieh’s only crime is that they have converted to Christianity.
Mr. Haddad, asked the two women if they were Christians. “We love Jesus,” they replied. He repeated his question and they said, “Yes, we are Christians.”
Mr. Haddad then said, “You were Muslims and now you have become Christians.”
“We were born in Muslim families, but we were not Muslims,” was their reply.
Mr. Haddad’s questioning continued and he asked them if they regretted becoming Christians, to which they replied, “We have no regrets.”
Then he stated emphatically, “You should renounce your faith verbally and in written form.” They stood firm and replied, “We will not deny our faith.”
During one tense moment in the questioning, Maryam and Marzieh made reference to their belief that God had convicted them through the Holy Spirit. Mr. Haddad told them, “It is impossible for God to speak with humans.”
Marzieh asked him in return, “Are you questioning whether God is Almighty?”
Mr. Haddad then replied, “You are not worthy for God to speak to you.”
Marzieh said, “It is God, and not you, who determines if I am worthy.”
Mr. Haddad told the women to return to prison and think about the options they were given and come back to him when they are ready (to comply). Maryam and Marzieh said, “We have already done our thinking.”
At the end of the session, Mr. Haddad told them that a judge will give them his verdict, though it is not clear who will be the judge in their case now. He also allowed Maryam and Marzieh to have a lawyer represent them in the case for the first time since their arrest.
Both women are back in Evin prison tonight. During their five-month ordeal, both have been unwell and have lost much weight. Marzieh is in pain due to an on-going problem with her spine, as well as an infected tooth and intense headaches.She desperately needs medical attention. Two months ago the prison officials told her the prison had proper medical equipment and that they will attend to her, but so far no proper treatment has been given.
Despite the concentrated effort of officials to pressure them into recanting their faith, Maryam and Marzieh love Jesus and they are determined to stand firm to the very end no matter whatever happens. They have demonstrated their love for Jesus and would offer their lives for Him if they were called to do so. After today’s court session they said, “If we come out of prison we want to do so with honor.”
Maryam and Marzieh’s case is a clear and harsh violation of human rights and religious liberty by Iran’s authorities. They deserve the support of all those who respect human rights and to be released without charges so they can pursue a life of freedom.
POSTED: August 9, 2009
While still in Aberystwyth the EMW (the leader may have been a UBM evangelist) held an Open-Air evangelistic meeting on the sea front at 4.00. I like to support these events when possible so it was off to the sea front. Although only a few gathered at the start it was encouraging to see a crowd of about 200 people by the end of the meeting. After a few introductory remarks he then introduced to us three interviewees. They were good to hear. But one of the the interviews stood out to me. Or one specific line of questioning did anyway.
It was this: He interviewed a taxi driver who had become a Christian about 3 years ago – and his wife too about 6 months later – from a non-Christian background. The evangelist asked him ‘how did it feel’ and our taxi-driver friend floundered a little at this and didn’t really know what to say ‘I don’t really know’ so he asked him again ‘yes but what did it feel like’. I thought ‘Oh dear – what a question’. But then came the answer ‘I don’t know – I just knew it was the truth’. I said quietly ‘Good answer’. Lest you get the wrong idea I’m by no means advocating an emotionless automated Christianity. I just thought this line of questioning was really unhelpful to a young Christian and maybe to those listening.
Perhaps a better question to ask would be: what did you think, or what did you know. I have yet to hear that question in any interview context. 
It seems a given that we must convey to the unbeliever that something will happen to them that is felt, tangible, internal. I remember an old open-air preacher saying to me ‘it’s better felt than telt’. Conveying the Gospel through experience is better than doctrine, truth, objectivity. Is it? I do not believe so. All religions have an experience – based on lies. If Christianity is competing on those grounds it’s on a loser. Put very simply – the Gospel is True. It is Truth. Why should we feel the need to try and justify the truth through ‘the testimony’ as if we were saying ‘hey, look it works – it must be true’. False religions have testimonies of changed lives – even atheists could say ‘since I ditched religion my life is one of peace’.
There are several problems with a focus on experience or feelings. For one, our assurance of faith cannot rest on what we felt like at conversion (or what we thought was the moment of conversion). Feelings come and go, and in dark days (that will certainly come) we will question them – was I deceived by those feelings. More importantly, in the second place the Gospel can come across as being about us – it’s not! As the hymn-writer says:
Not the labours of my hands
can fulfil thy law’s commands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Saviour, or I die.
We are saved purely and only on the basis of an act that took place outside of ourselves. Namely, the death and resurrection of The Lord Jesus Christ. All our preaching and testifying must point only to Him, who alone is able to say ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me’.
In a sermon ‘How to Read The Bible’ by Stuart Olyott we hear the following:
‘Look for Him who is the way – Because Jesus Himself taught us that He is there in all the Scriptures. And if I can open a passage and not see Christ some way or other, explicitly, implicitly, visible or scarcely visible, obvious or less obvious, that if I can’t see Christ in the passage I’m not understanding it you know. It’s a book about Him.’
This is an excellent principle for young Christians to grasp as soon as possible – a great help when reading the Bible.
The following broadcast is from a couple of weeks ago, but here is a most fascinating interview with atheist Bruce Sheiman author of “An Atheist Defends Religion”. This is a great interview by Todd Wilken on Issues etc. This is a ‘how to’ on interviewing an atheist.
What came over to me – several callers said the same – is the profound sadness of this man. This is a refreshingly honest interview. He makes the point that he’s not a pretend atheist – he really is one. I’m sure every single Christian hearing this audio will pray for this man. Your heart will just ache for him.
[Audio http://www.issuesetc.org/podcast/284073009H2p.mp3]
Here’s a link to the website ‘An Atheist Defends Religion‘ by Bruce Sheiman.
Here’s a picture not often seen – a group of Christians by shear numbers blocking the road as they pour out of Church after worshipping the living God. Pastor Geoff Thomas of Alfred Place Baptist Church was preaching.
This was the Sunday of the Aberystwyth Conference week. Gary Brady is at the conference – I’m not – and will I’m sure have up to date posts of each day over at Heavenly Worldliness.
Upon reflection my previous post (Salvation – It’s Free!) needed a brief follow up. We rejoice greatly that Salvation is indeed free, but it’s not without cost. You could say it’s not free at all.
Salvation, though free, is the most costliest thing ever. The Apostle writes … the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. What a marvellous thing it is, what a mighty act of unmerited favour, what love, that God should send His Son to die in the sinners place, in the place of proud arrogant worms that have no control over their next breath. For while we were still weak (without strength), at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
That’s right – Christ, the beautiful sinless one died for sinners, the ungodly – people like me – and you. And what sort of death was it? It was through the most hideous and painful means devised by sinful man – the Cross. But if that weren’t bad enough “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! He was made sin and bore the sins of multitudes in His righteous soul. As one put it ‘the soul of His suffering was the suffering of His soul.
So, I trust you can see, though Salvation is free – it’s not without cost.
However, that’s not the end – He rose from the dead to never die again that He may be able to save all that come to Him. We do not worship a dead Lord & Saviour but one that is very much alive and coming in Power and Glory to judge the world.
I’ve been in Aberystwyth for a few days enjoying the rain and sometimes the sun. Next week is the ‘Aber Conference‘ and several hundred Christians gather to hear excellent Bible ministry. We will not be there though. I think last year we came to Aber as everyone was leaving the conference – but this year we are leaving when everyone is arriving!
But there is another gathering – if I understand correctly – happening next week here in Aber. Several – not sure how many – Jews gather for a conference. There are a number of Jews on display. I say display because they stand out like the proverbial sore thumb. 
What is so tragic about seeing them and their families is not in the way they dress but what the dress represents. The strict adherence to the law of God in order to obtain – or maintain – favour with a Holy God. I couldn’t resist taking the picture on the right of a Jew on his mobile phone outside the gift shop. They have the scriptures, they have the history, yet they will not have the Messiah – The Lord Jesus Christ. All of their works are so unnecessary when one has come to fulfill all righteousness – the demands of a righteous Holy God.
However, the Jews are not the only ones going about establishing their own righteousness – it’s the default position of human nature. And it may be your position. In spite of the Jews rejecting The Christ, many Jews have come to put their faith in the Only Saviour – the one we all need to call upon – The Lord Jesus Christ.
The Shield ended a little while ago but is one of the most intense ‘cop’ programs I have seen. The lead character is a hard detective by the name of Vic Mackey – played very effectively by Michael Chiklis. He leads an experimental group of four ‘cops’ known affectionately as the Strike Team; working exclusively with street gangs in a suburb of LA. They take money off the gangs and justify it by the amount of arrests made; these are often rivals to the gangs that pay them. Suspected of corruption an undercover detective joins the Strike Team in order to bring them to justice. Unbeknown to him Vic knows he is investigating them and kills him during a drug bust blaming his death on one of the gang members at the bust – he is killed as well. That is early on – in the first episode I think. I very quickly gave the series a title of my own ‘Be Sure Your Sin Will Find You Out’. The series ran for a total of 7, all leading to the possibility of Vic and the team being found out.
In spite of his killing a fellow police officer Vic is a kind of Anti-Hero getting the job done and cleaning up the streets in the process. However, over time the lies and deceptions get more and more complex as Vic continues to protect the team and his own skin.
The last series finds Vic confessing to his crimes in exchange for full immunity. His plan is to continue as an undercover cop with full immunity. However, the conditions for his immunity are that he makes a full confession and that only those crimes he confesses receive immunity from prosecution. The special squad have no idea of the full extent of his crimes and especially the murder of a police officer. Vic begins to go through his crimes. It’s a powerful scene when we finally get to hear and see his full confession. Good to their word he receives full immunity – though only for himself. They are shocked at Vic’s crimes and clearly regret their move.
It was Vic’s confession that – to me – made the sharpest contrast between his lies and scheming with the free and full salvation offered in The Gospel. The deal for Vic was that he had to list every crime committed for full immunity. If at a later date un-confessed crimes came to light the immunity would end and he would be prosecuted to the fullest extent.
How different this is to the Salvation purchased by The Lord Jesus Christ. On the Cross He made full satisfaction. The immunity for Vic was only for what he had done – but not for what he was. And not for future crimes either. Salvation in Christ goes much much deeper – changing our very natures and forgiving and pardoning to the fullest extent. For past sins, for future sins and our very nature. Vic got his immunity – but he lost everything including family and friends. Those that call upon the name of the Lord – gain everything, even the full forgiveness of sins, the righteousness of God and life eternal. All this is freely achieved for the sinner by the Saviour – praise God. It’s not something we have to do, by our scheming or good works – it’s something done for us. Now that’s real immunity!