Proclaimer Blog
Saul’s evil spirit
Much ink is spilt over the evil spirit from the Lord that comes on Saul in 1 Sam 16.14. I came across this little paragraph in David Firth's excellent Apollos commentary and thought it worth repeating:
It should be borne in mind that the OT is seldom concerned with secondary causation, and since Yahweh is Lord of all, the spirit is seen as coming from him. But the narrative still holds Saul responsible for his actions while afflicted (18.10-11, 19.10), so although this statement is absolute, the wider narrative indicates that a more nuanced understanding is necessary. A specific psychological assessment of Saul is not really possible, and this first mention being expressed in terms of its absolute cause discourages the attempt. But we should note that the word usually translated 'evil' or 'grievous' in the OT does not necessarily have a moral force (see Amos 3.6) and this is almost certainly the case here.
Helpful!
Proclaimer Blog
A grudging admirer of liturgy
I'm not a fan – in general – of liturgy. That comes from a convicted ecclesiology. However, neither am I one of those stick-your-head-in-the-sand kind of non conformists and I dip into the prayer book from time to time in my own devotions (please keep this to yourself). I particularly like the Church Society's English Prayer Book and use it for funerals. The renditions of the Advent collects are particular favourites. This Sunday (so I am told, I don't really understand these things) is Advent 3. And the collect is almost a preachers' prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, who at your first coming sent your messenger John the Baptist to prepare the way for you, grant that ministers and stewards of your truth may so make ready your way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world, we may be found an acceptable people in your sight; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever, Amen.
Amen indeed.
Proclaimer Blog
New hymn misses the mark. Sadly.
Some hymns need updating, musically at least. And I am always cheered when groups who otherwise concentrate on modern songs try their best to revive a modern hymn. So I was mostly cheered the other day to sing Hillsong's Cornerstone (listen here and sheet music here). But I have two objections:
- one is musical. The song starts low so it can up the ante and sing an octave higher later on. I dislike this because most people can't sing a top F anyway and also it is the kind of device which is easy to use to whip people up. I guess you could sing the whole thing in a more moderate key.
- one is theological. The original hymn is about the security of standing on solid ground, not sinking sand. Indeed, this was the first idea that came to Strict and Particular Baptist pastor (and hymn writer) Edward Mote. It came into his head as "I went up Holborn." To replace it with the idea of Cornerstone (a good idea, of course, but a mixed metaphor in this context), seems a great shame. The hymn is diminished for its omission. I guess we could rewrite the chorus:
Christ alone, Solid Ground
Weak made strong in the Saviour's love
Through the storm, he is Lord, Lord of all.
Better perhaps, but still omits the original sentiment of security being found in Christ and no other – "all other ground is sinking sand".
Oh, and it omits one key verse (which is easily remedied)
His oath, his covenant, his blood
Support me in the o'erwhelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my strength and stay.
If anyone wants to suggest ways to improve, I'll happily hear them….
Proclaimer Blog
Interfaith. Nonsense. But believed nonsense.
Just watching the Mandela thanksgiving service in South Africa. Right at the start, there are prayers (contributions, really) from Rabbi, Hindu leader, Imam and Anglican Archbishop. Each is praying to "their" god with the unexplained assumption that each god is the same. It's nonsense really. They're contradictory in what they're saying – for example, the Muslim prays to Allah who is "unlike any other in all his attributes." I'm not sure what the actual participants believe – I take it that the Imam is unlikely to embrace multi-faithism.
But none of that seems to matter. The irony is that, to onlookers at least, the multi-faith approach is not inclusive. Rather, it diminishes every religion. For if all these (and presumably more) lead to god (whoever he/she is) then there are other equally valid lines to him too. So, holy men. We need none of you. This, it seems to me, is the absurdity of multi-faith approaches. Every one is ridiculed by it, and all emptied of whatever meaning they have.
This is almost certainly the way public events are going in the UK. We already see seeds of this. And it will be accepted without a twitch by the UK public because this nonsense is what is believed anyway. If there is a god (and I accept that many would dispute that), then my way to him is as equally valid as yours. It may be nonsense, but it is believed nonsense.
Which all goes to show, Mr Preacher, how those of us who have the high calling of publicly proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Saviour must do so without compromise. We must not be afraid to say that Christianity is unique and not just one amongst many ways. We need to tackle that directly and proclaim the uniqueness of Christ as his Scriptures teach.
Proclaimer Blog
Are you a visiting preacher in your own church?
I don't normally reference other blog posts – I take it you have better things to do than read the same thing over and over. But one particular post caught my eye this week because I've been thinking about something similar, although not quite the same. I saw the link on Challies blog (where else) to this post by Tom Rainer, CEO of Lifeway. Essentially, he was making the point that pastors should not make the mistake of ignoring what materials are being used in church. Hey, guys, if you use Lifeway materials, then you're on solid ground.
OK, I'm being facetious, but he's got a point. Although, to be fair, it's a point those of us in UK sized churches will have little trouble over – most of us can keep an eye on what happens in our small groups. What got me thinking was a slightly broader question. What are your people hearing? Let me put it another way: where are your people getting taught?
I'm not into the kind of heavy shepherding that tells people where they go or what they can listen to online. I can't imagine how you'd ever police that anyway. But pretty much every Christian has some input outside of church:
- perhaps they use Bible reading notes?
- perhaps they visit certain sites or blogs and download audio?
- perhaps they support certain Christian organisations who hold certain lines?
- perhaps (this is almost certainly the worst!!) they watch Christian TV which means (in the UK) Revelation TV or GOD channel?
- perhaps they attend an external group
You can't possibly (and nor should you, I would suggest) shepherd all of this input. But still, it's good to know – even wise to know – the sort of thing people are hearing. It's not always easy – I've been trying to find out some more detail about a reasonably well known external study group – but have been fobbed off and told by participants that I can't see their notes as it's not allowed (that kind of thing rings all sorts of alarm bells, despite the fact that I know that this group is pretty orthodox). So, how do you know what people are hearing?
Here's my radical notion. You spend time with them. You talk to them. I know, pretty far out, isn't it? Start small: you have them to lunch and you can ask them what they've been up to this week. What have they been learning in their notes and so on. We used to call this pastoring and it's a key element of ministry, often lacking today. For it shapes what you do in the pulpit. Any preacher knows that preaching as a visitor at another church is a bit of a hit and miss affair. You don't know the people. But without knowing what your people are going through in general terms, and also in the specificas, how can you be anything other than a visiting preacher to them? More specifically, how can you preach to your own people unless you know what they're hearing?
Proclaimer Blog
Living Out
When biblically faithful resources come along to help Christians who are struggling with same sex attraction, I'm happy to commend them. More than happy. The current media's trend to normalise everything and anything to do with sexuality issues has the effect of diminishing and detracting from the real pain and struggle that some people feel. We mustn't let that happen. And so, it's a privilege to reccomend Living Out. This video explains a little more.
You can also catch up with our EMA session here.
EMA 2013 Engaging with an alien world (2) – same sex attraction – Dan Strange, Ed Shaw and Charlie Skrine. from The Proclamation Trust on Vimeo.
Proclaimer Blog
Job Opportunity at PT – please pass it on
We're a happy family here at PT, I tell my staff that it's a great place to work and – generally – they seem to agree. However, our famous singer Crystal (last seen on X factor last weekend) has only gone and decided to have a baby. We're thrilled at the imminent arrival of baby Williams who will add a new angle to her television appearances. And that means we're looking for a maternity cover for her role for 9 months starting in February 2014. If you're in or close to London, maybe there's someone in your church who is looking for work or a new role and this would suit their talents? We'd love to hear from them. Please let them know. Here's the job ad. Closing date is 10 January 2014 and you can find out more info by emailing pt@proctrust.org.uk. Thank you. Thank you.
Proclaimer Blog
Asleep in Jesus
Getting to the end of my first draft for a short book on sleep, and so it's time to write the conclusion. I've been doing that this morning and saving up this Victorian gem. A bit sentimental you might think, but actually it describes the reality of final sleep very well indeed. Margaret MacKay (the authoress) was lived from 1802-1887.
Asleep in Jesus! blessed sleep!
From which none ever wakes to weep;
A calm and undisturbed repose,
Unbroken by the last of foes.
Asleep in Jesus! Oh, how sweet
To be for such a slumber meet;
With holy confidence to sing
That death has lost its painful sting!
Asleep in Jesus! peaceful rest!
Whose waking is supremely blest;
No fear, no woe, shall dim that hour
That manifests the Saviour's power.
Asleep in Jesus! Oh, for me
May such a blissful refuge be;
Securely shall my ashes lie,
Waiting the summons from on high.
Asleep in Jesus! Though far it seems
Your kindred and their graves may be;
But there is still a blessed sleep,
From which none ever wakes to weep.[i]
[i] A hymn by English hymnwriter Margaret MacKay. It appeared first in The Christian's Annual published in 1832 and can be found in many Victorian hymnbooks.
Proclaimer Blog
Worship God conference
It's interesting to see that Bob Kauflin is over next March for the first Sovereign Grace worship conference. (Please no emails. You know what I mean by worship.)
It's the same time as our Wives Conference which is a shame for me, because it looks really stimulating. I've been to things that Bob has run before and they are always good value. You don't need to agree with everything to get a whole load out of it. This might well be something you or your guys should book in. I particularly like the variety of seminars: some of these are very niche – but just what we need; how to run a PA desk, for example! I can see at least half a dozen I'd really like to attend as both a musician and a leader.
It's good to have Mike Reeves, Tim Chester and Philip Percival (St Ebbes) alongside Nathan Smith representing UK input. There's always a danger with these things that we simply try to import US models, and I'm glad to see they've worked hard to avoid that. I wish I could say "see you there". I really do. But as I am unable to go, perhaps you would and let me know how it goes?
Proclaimer Blog
What has Hilary of Poitiers got to do with PT? Quite a lot as it turns out.
‘We look to Thee to give us the fellowship of that Spirit who guided the prophets and apostles, that we may take their words in the sense in which they spoke and assign its right shade of meaning to every utterance.’
That is from Hilary of Poitiers’ De Trinitate (c. AD 350). I came across it this week, quoted by Douglas Kelly, learned Patristic scholar and Professor at RTS in Charlotte, in vol.1 of his Systematic Theology. It comes early on in Kelly’s book (p.50 – this is a book where p.50 really is early on). It’s in the middle of a beautiful section of ten pages or so on ‘Faith and Prayer’, setting out the centrality of prayer for all knowledge of God from a sample of godly men in Scripture and Christian history.
- It did my soul some good, and perhaps a this list of the different things it made me think of may do you some good too:
- I came across this in a learned book of systematic theology, and the focus on prayer was a surprise. Why was I reading this book? So I would have opportunities to drop some of its learning into future conversations and teaching and thereby feel good? Or was I at some level reading with a desire to be drawn to praise God more deeply?
- What PT aims to focus on is an ancient and thoroughly orthodox thing. Here’s part of our aim, Hilary-style: to assign the right shade of meaning to every utterance of Scripture, and to do so by taking the words in the sense in which they were first spoken.
- Wherever that task becomes merely the accumulation of techniques, and is not prayer-full from start to finish, it has become a horrible aberration.
- Expository preaching is a thoroughly Holy Spirit-dependent task. He spoke through those who wrote the Bible, and we as preachers need him now. Every expository preacher is doing no more (and no less!) than putting his energies in line with the consistency of the Holy Spirit’s past and present actions.
- We ought not to be shy of telling people that that’s why we’re doing what doing. We ought not to be thought of as those who speak much less about the Spirit in relation to our preaching than others do; differently maybe, but certainly not less.