tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82628196089245910072024-03-13T00:48:02.509-07:00Presbyterian PlodderComment from an evangelical presbyterian perspective and an orthodox confessionally reformed outlook.Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.comBlogger219125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-14172558211678891032018-04-10T05:33:00.000-07:002018-04-10T05:33:35.499-07:00Presbyterian Polity<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Presbyterian
Polity<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In
recently preaching a sermon on the biblical basis of Presbyterianism I was made
aware by a number of hearers that they had never heard a sermon on church
polity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had heard plenty of sermons
on the doctrine of the church, but had been left to suppose that Presbyterianism
was just a personal choice for some churches with no solid biblical basis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Dr
Thomas Witherow is a name perhaps known through his small work, “The Apostolic
Church, Which Is It?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://archive.org/details/apostolicchurchw00with">https://archive.org/details/apostolicchurchw00with</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">He
did, however, write a much more substantive work on church polity, “The Form of
the Christian Temple : being a treatise on the Constitution of the New
Testament Church.” (1889). It has recently been reprinted but is available free
online: <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nnc1.cr60083778;view=1up;seq=7">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nnc1.cr60083778;view=1up;seq=7</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">This
review by B B Warfield shows the high esteem in which Witherow and his work
were held.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have not edited the review,
despite its over long paragraphs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(The
abbreviation that is used, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sq</i>, is
from the Latin <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sequiturque</i>, which
basically, means “the following (next) page”; much as we would use <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ff</i>.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">From The Presbyterian Review (1890)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><i>The
Form of the Christian Temple : being a treatise on the Constitution of the New
Testament Church. By Thomas Witherow, D.D., LL.D., Professor of Church History
in Magee College, Londonderry. Edinburgh : T. & T. Clark ; New York :
Scribner & Welford, 1889. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We
welcome this valuable treatise the more heartily that we fear there is a tendency
among us to undervalue the study of Church polity. It may serve to remind us,
in the wise words of its author (p. vii.), " that Church polity is an important
portion of Christianity.” " Its main principles,” he justly continues, "are
divinely revealed ; its design is to conserve and to perpetuate truth, as well as
to secure decency and order in worship, in instruction, and in administration ;
while it is often on the side of Church government, and generally under cover of
indistinct and uncertain notions regarding it, that minute changes have crept into
the Church which have in the course of centuries blossomed out into serious error.”
Led by so just a conception of its importance, he has made a careful study of
the constitution of the New Testament Church, the conclusion of which<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>may be expressed in these words (although
they are not put forward as such) : “ Presbyterianism has the true bishop, the
true episcopal ordination, the' true Apostolic Succession, the true commission,
and the true ministry” (p. 386). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The
volume is divided into two very different parts. The first half is a stringently
inductive examination of the New Testament passages bearing on the organization
of the Church, with the intention and effect of discovering exactly<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>what the form of the New Testament Church was.
Here the controversial element is relegated to the background, although a hint
of it may obtrude itself in an occasional bit of dry humor (pp. 119, 167, 168,
196) or in an occasional intrusion into the inductive process of minor items of
a more modern flavor. How easy it is to introduce into our speech, regarding the
institutions of the first century, traits and forms of statement drawn from our
present habits or training, Dr. Witherow illustrates by a quotation from the
Tracts for the Times<span style="background-color: white;"> (<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">p.111, note).</span> </span>How hard it is wholly to avoid it, he illustrates by an occasional
slip of his own. Examples are the repeated assertion ( e.g ., p. 18) that Paul
was not appointed apostle until after the death of James of Zebedee ; the statement
that lay prophets were allowed only “ occasionally” to address the Church (p. 34)
; the assumption that Timothy’s work in Ephesus was “ exceptional ” (pp. 38, 40).
These are, however, rare motes on the surface of a generally successful stream
of pure induction. In the second half of the book the controversial element
comes prominently forward, although everywhere kept within due bounds by Dr.
Witherow’s unfailing exegetical insight and sober historical sense. Here we
have not so much a historical study of the origin of the human additions to the
temple, as a polemic examination of the asserted divine sanction for the chief ecclesiastical
growths of later times — the priesthood, penance, prelacy, apostolical succession,
and the papacy. In the multitude of details which are here brought forward, it
is not to be expected that all the opinions expressed will meet universal
acceptance — especially when they concern points of confessed difficulty. We
are most seriously at odds with the author in his denial of the genuineness of
the short Greek Ignatian Epistles, which we consider as unnecessary to his<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>general position as it is unreasonable in the
present state of the evidence. Nor can we accord with his criticism of Bishop
Lightfoot’s view of the position of James (who we do not believe to have been
an apostle) at Jerusalem. Dr. Witherow is especially to be congratulated on his
correct perception of the Presbyterian drift of the more recent Prelatic arguments.
He does not fall into the trap which some others have not escaped, of seeking
some extreme position from which these arguments may still be refuted. The fact
is that Dr. Lightfoot, for example, in the essay incorporated in his Commentary
on Philippians,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has defended the
apostolicity of Presbyterianism ; the threefold ministry, the <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">apostolic
sanction of which he has set himself, in that famous essay, to render probable,
is distinctly the threefold ministry of the Presbyterian and as distinctly not
that of the Episcopal Churches. To refute his position would be to refute Presbyterianism
; and we are glad to believe it to be irrefutable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">That
there is a divinely appointed polity for the Church, Dr. Witherow has no doubt
; and no one can doubt it who has given his attention to the Scriptural deliverances
in this sphere. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The opinion of all theologians
who have not carefully studied the subject,” he says pointedly, ‘‘is that no
system of Church polity is contained in the New Testament ; that if so, it
cannot be determined with precision ; or if it can be so determined, it is not
obligatory on the Church of after times, and, of course, is practically useless.
This opinion, it will be seen, we dispute in all its parts” (p. 2). It really admits
of no question that God has instituted the ministry (1 Cor. xii. 28, Eph. iv.
11), and this carries with it some elements of a Church polity ; or that the
apostles asserted God's right to order His own Church so as best to secure the
great purpose for which He established it (i Tim. iii. 15), and, acting of course
on Christ’s authority, appointed deacons (Acts vi.) and elders (Acts xiv. 23)
in the churches which they founded, determined their qualifications (1 Tim. iii.
1 sq , Titus i. 5 sq.), and defined their duties (1 Peter v. 1 sq.). In nothing
is the soundness of Dr. Witherow’s judgment more apparent, however, than in the
accuracy with which he draws the line between what in the organization of the
Church may be as-serted to have direct, divine sanction, and what has been left
to a more or less human development. In general we may say that the organization
of the individual Church was imposed upon it by the apostles ; while in all
that belongs to the association of the churches, we are left to a further
application of the principles of government which underlie the directly divine
institutions. To use Dr. Witherow’s well-chosen words : “ Association, whether
of Churches or of rulers, is a Scriptural principle. The association of elders
in the government of a local Church — that is, the congregational presbytery,
is a divine institution ; the association of the rulers of different
congregations for managing matters in common — that is, the district
presbytery, is simply a matter of agreement and consent, but is the outcome of
a principle that has received divine sanction again and again” (p. 187). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“When the Christian Church is organized,” he
says, in another place (p. 106), the name of presbytery ” is applied to the
Christian elders of a Church in their associated capacity. That it is not in 1
Tim. iv. 14, the associated elders of different congregations, is known because
there is not in the New Testament any clear example of such association in
ordinary cases.” The reference of the last phrase, ” in ordinary cases,” is not
obvious. Certainly when Dr. Witherow comes to treat formally of the “ council ”
of Acts xv. he has far too clear a historical sense to see in it an extraordinary
instance of such an association. “ There is not a line in the chapter,” he justly
writes, “ leading us to believe that any were present except the deputies from
Antioch along with the apostles, elders, and brethren of Jerusalem. ... To say
that it was a representative body, in the literal sense, is to view the transaction
from the standpoint of later times” (p. 192). If we are to apply to that “
council” language derived from our present usage, we should term it a meeting
of the Church Session of Jerusalem. This is not to belittle it. It was of
epoch-making importance, both at the time, in separating the Church from
Judaism and committing the whole Church to a universalistic policy ; and for
all time as a charter of freedom from the Mosaic law. Dr. Witherow most
admirably says in words which it would do us good to ponder : ” When told by
sceptics that we are bound by the Bible to pay tithes, to execute the idolater
and blasphemer, to put the Sabbath-breaker and witch to death, our answer is
that the apostolic decree sets us entirely free from these and all other peculiarities
of the old Jewish economy. They are not named among the exceptions, and
therefore are of no binding force upon Gentile believers” (p. 193). Whatever we
may think of the binding character of the ‘‘decree” then issued, this use of
the deliberations and conclusion is assuredly legitimate. Nor does this view of
the nature of that “ council ” destroy its normal character as a model Church
court. ” It is,” rather, in Dr. Witherow’s words, ”the true model of all
subsequent synods” (p 196). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are bound
to confess, indeed, our inability to follow him in his method of validating it
as the model of associated Presbyteries and Synods — viz., by speaking of it as
an “ assembly of Church rulers outside the local Church" (p. 198), as “ an
external tribunal of Church rulers, publicly deliberating in Jerusalem upon a
question affecting, in the first instance, the Church of Antioch” (p. 197).
This is artificial. It amounts to little more than setting up an undistributed
middle — “ ex- ternal tribunal ” — as the tertium comparationis between this “
council ” and our Presbyteries —and an undistributed middle, let us add, which
is not a fair designation of either the one or the other. Let us confess that
the New Testament gives us no example of other than congregational presbyteries
; and rest our higher courts on the legitimate application in their formation
of the same principle of association which was divinely enacted in the congregational
government. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Among
the various puzzling questions that concern the organization of the local
churches, Dr. Witherow threads his safe way with his usual judiciousness and
sound exegetical tact. The nature of the eldership as an undifferentiated ruling-teaching
office, the nature of the diaconate as essentially an office of service rather
than of “ ministry” in its higher sense, the nature of the local presbytery and
its functions, the ground and mode of association of the Churches (one of the
best chapters), are all judiciously investigated. The only criticism of any
moment which we could bring against the findings of this whole half of the
volume, would be that the nature of the work of the apostles and the relation to
them of their travelling companions do not seem to be exactly realized. Paul was
not only a divinely appointed and divinely inspired missionary, he was a travelling
missionary-society , and his companions were his helpers in this work. He sent
them forth clothed with his powers and as agents to do his work ; wherever they
went they stood in loco apostoli and acted as his extended hand. Their
commission inhered not in any local organization, not even in the Church at
large, but in the apostle ; and their centre of authority was wherever he was. So
he left Timothy in Ephesus to act for him there ; and withdrew him from Ephesus
when he had other need for him, replacing him with Tychicus (2 Tim. iv. 12). In
like manner he left Titus in Crete and replaced him when he thought well with
Artemas (Titus iii. 12). In this connection, 2 Tim. iv. 9 sq. is a very instructive
passage. Paul desires Timothy to come to him. Not because the Church of Ephesus
had no further need for him ; he carefully provides for a successor to him
there ( v . 12). Not because he is himself lonely ; he is surrounded by Roman
friends ( v . 21). But because, as he states, the most of his helpers are away
— some by desertion, some on commission, and Luke alone of them all is with him
( v . 10 sq.). He needs more help in the work than Luke can render, and so he
calls Timothy, and with him Mark ; and he adds the reason,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“
For he is profitable to me for ministering." This gives us a great outlook
upon Paul's labors as the care of all thechurches rested upon him. Even while
he was in prison, Luke was inadequate for the labors of his office ; he
required at least two secretaries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Benjamin
B. Warfield.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-955959912732674142018-03-08T08:44:00.001-08:002018-03-08T14:03:31.180-08:00Some Resources on the Psalms<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;">Some Resources on the Psalms<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Some old, some new -
but we should constantly be returning to the study of the Psalms. I said in preaching to my home congregation
recently, “Read the Bible. Read all of
the Bible, but saturate yourself in the Gospels and the Psalms.” We can never
be too much in the Psalms!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Firstly in terms of
music I have discovered the wealth of Psalm versions produced by My Soul Among
Lions. They have a musical style that I
particularly enjoy:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=my+soul+among+Lions">https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=my+soul+among+Lions</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">These will sit
alongside my Ian White renditions of the Psalms, based on the NIV<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Ian+White+Psalms&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3AIan+White+Psalms">https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Ian+White+Psalms&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3AIan+White+Psalms</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Written resources
that I have enjoyed recently:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">“The Psalms : their
history, teachings, and use” by William Binnie (1823-1886)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://archive.org/stream/psalmstheirhisto00binn#page/n0/mode/2up">https://archive.org/stream/psalmstheirhisto00binn#page/n0/mode/2up</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">The Psalter
Reclaimed: Praying and Praising with the Psalms by Gordon Wenham<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BFW3ETQ/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1">https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BFW3ETQ/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Singing the Songs of
Jesus: Revisiting the Psalms by Michael Lefebvre<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Singing-Songs-Jesus-Revisiting-Psalms/dp/1845506006">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Singing-Songs-Jesus-Revisiting-Psalms/dp/1845506006</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">150 Questions about
the Psalter: What You Need to Know about the Songs God Wrote by Brad Johnston<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/150-Questions-about-Psalter-Songs-ebook/dp/B019IXR0K2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1520526962&sr=8-1&keywords=150+questions+psalter">https://www.amazon.co.uk/150-Questions-about-Psalter-Songs-ebook/dp/B019IXR0K2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1520526962&sr=8-1&keywords=150+questions+psalter</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">The Flow of the
Psalms: Discovering Their Structure and Theology by O. Palmer Robertson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Flow-Psalms-Discovering-Structure-Theology-ebook/dp/B00YD5XCXA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1520527020&sr=1-1&keywords=Flow+of+the+Psalms">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Flow-Psalms-Discovering-Structure-Theology-ebook/dp/B00YD5XCXA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1520527020&sr=1-1&keywords=Flow+of+the+Psalms</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-62745135680194663282018-03-08T08:17:00.002-08:002018-03-08T08:17:35.534-08:00Abusing Matthew 18<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Excellent article by
Don Carson on Abusing Matthew 18:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><a href="http://themelios.thegospelcoalition.org/article/editorial-on-abusing-matthew-18">http://themelios.thegospelcoalition.org/article/editorial-on-abusing-matthew-18</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-68956438813982223732018-01-18T09:59:00.000-08:002018-01-18T10:06:24.351-08:00Serve to Lead<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Serve to
Lead<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1NZPCAttrT6B6WmsLcScMmqri8GWRzCp5CJ28Oe3PClXCgmtPXaPFjC7X_HlSKgHQdXndtyL9tEGWPN7yik-kjLp24ds5P7Aehh0SgTtsJg2y6Lo3-n4Ci8xrHHmUF97QJ0uvPjnoED1/s1600/sandhurst.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="189" data-original-width="266" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1NZPCAttrT6B6WmsLcScMmqri8GWRzCp5CJ28Oe3PClXCgmtPXaPFjC7X_HlSKgHQdXndtyL9tEGWPN7yik-kjLp24ds5P7Aehh0SgTtsJg2y6Lo3-n4Ci8xrHHmUF97QJ0uvPjnoED1/s400/sandhurst.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt;">My
son posted some pictures on Facebook this week of 400 Troop, Royal Logistic
Corps, clearing snow at their barracks. The post said “All hands on deck at 400
Troop this morning to clear heavy snow from the access road to Helles Barracks.
All ranks were involved in the effort using shovels and spreading grit manually.” He, a Captain, was working there alongside
his troops. One comment quoted the phrase,
“Serve to Lead”.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Serve
to Lead” is the motto of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, where British
Army officers are trained. </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt;">John
Keegan, writing in the Telegraph, says:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“The Academy’s
motto is “Serve to Lead”, a paradox if ever there was one. But this seeming
contradiction is precisely at the heart of what makes Sandhurst a very special
place. It teaches, above all else, that an officer must lead by the force of
his unselfish example; it explicitly emphasises the centrality of leadership
rather than man-management.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This
would also be a very suitable motto for ministry. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Our Lord says, “I am among you as the one who
serves.” (Luke 22:27) Indeed the very
term minister derives from the term for a servant. Ministry is not primarily about our status,
authority, and importance. We are called
to lead, but that leadership gains its acceptance through our service. Those
whom we lead hear our actions as much as our words. When we display an arrogance that demands
acceptance but does not earn it by service, we show that we are not motivated
by the example of Christ or led by his Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-86309397212196470132017-12-07T13:18:00.000-08:002017-12-07T13:18:49.660-08:00All That Is in God<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">All That
Is in God<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></b></div>
<h1 style="background: white; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="a-size-large"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">All That Is in God:
Evangelical Theology and the Challenge of Classical Christian Theism</span></span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <span class="a-size-medium"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">– July 13,
2017</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">by <span class="a-declarative"><span data-a-popover="{"closeButtonLabel":"Close Author Dialog Popover","name":"contributor-info-B006SY11KU","position":"triggerBottom","popoverLabel":"Author Dialog Popover","allowLinkDefault":"true"}" data-action="a-popover" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span data-width="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #0066c0; text-decoration-line: none;"><a data-asin="B006SY11KU" href="https://www.amazon.com/James-E.-Dolezal/e/B006SY11KU/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">James E. Dolezal</a></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span class="a-declarative"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This important study on the
simplicity of God has certainly generated a lot of discussion in Reformed
circles. Dealing with the issue of the immutability of God he defends the
traditional orthodox and catholic view against revisionist arguments. Those he interacts with (or rather against)
include Donald Macleod and John Frame, so it should be of interest to those in
the Free Church of Scotland. Amazon are offering the Kindle version at an
amazing discountof £3.70 :<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span class="a-declarative"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/All-That-God-Evangelical-Challenge-ebook/dp/B075MMC3M7/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1512680774&sr=8-1-spell">https://www.amazon.co.uk/All-That-God-Evangelical-Challenge-ebook/dp/B075MMC3M7/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1512680774&sr=8-1-spell</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-30917925442263036682017-12-07T10:58:00.000-08:002017-12-07T10:58:11.607-08:00The Preacher, The Pastor and the Theologian.<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The
Preacher, The Pastor and the Theologian.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">You
can be an excellent theologian but a poor preacher. You cannot be an excellent preacher but a
poor theologian. </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt;">You
can be an excellent theologian but a poor pastor.</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt;">You cannot be an excellent pastor but a poor
theologian.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Both
preaching and pastoring are nurtured and developed by a thorough acquaintance with
God’s word and an awareness of confessional theology. Sadly, when we focus on
producing so-called popular preachers or practical shepherds, to the neglect of
foundational theological and biblical knowledge, what we produce is a caricature
of both true preaching and faithful pastoring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-26843677451812811192017-12-07T10:47:00.002-08:002017-12-07T11:00:57.412-08:00Keeping Spiritually Fresh<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Keeping Spiritually
Fresh<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Sometimes
things just come together – what I am reading, what I am listening to, and what
I am discussing with others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This
week I have been catching up on the White Horse Inn podcasts, listening to the
excellent current series on Worship:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://www.whitehorseinn.org/radio/">https://www.whitehorseinn.org/radio/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
have also been listening to an excellent address given by the Rev Ian Hamilton
at a fraternal this week in Glasgow. His
theme was “What is the Church For?”, and his emphasis was that the church is
the gathered assembly of God’s people engaged in glorifying God collectively in
their worship. This was in
counterbalance to an inaccurate evangelical idea that the church assembled in
worship is of somewhat secondary importance, and the main purpose of Sunday worship
is to teach God’s people and encourage them.
Ian emphasised that it is when we are worshipping God and glorifying him
in our collective devotion that we will be most blessed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Then
I was at a local church meeting where the theme was “Keeping Spiritually Fresh.” The video and teaching materials, (from an
Anglican source), suggest that there are six ingredients for a healthy
devotional life:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Keep an
open Bible.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Be
ruthless with sin.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Think
much of Christ.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Pray
often.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Make the
most of other Christians.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Maintain
a regular quiet time.</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Now
these in themselves are excellent things, and I commend all of them. But they are essentially individualistic and
pietistic. What is missing? The very emphasis that Ian was underlining,
the place of corporate worship on the Lord’s Day – the ministry of the Word,
Sacraments and Prayer. We sometimes call
them the<u> ordinary</u> means of grace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In
Reformed theology and practice it is more usual to speak of piety than
spirituality. In Reformed practice piety is not merely individualistic, it is
rooted in our union with Christ and the expression of that union in the
collective worship of the church:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><i>“We
believe that the way in which Christ communicates the benefits of His mediation
to those who are united with Him “are all his ordinances; especially, the Word,
sacraments, and prayer” (WLC 154). That is to say, the means of our spiritual
growth—the very engine of Presbyterian piety—is worship.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(A
Heart Aflame: Understanding Presbyterian and Reformed Piety by Dr. Sean Lucas;
accessed at <a href="https://www.covenantseminary.edu/a-heart-aflame-understanding-presbyterian-and-reformed-piety/">https://www.covenantseminary.edu/a-heart-aflame-understanding-presbyterian-and-reformed-piety/</a>
)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Modern
evangelicalism is essentially individualistic; it struggles to find a place for
the corporate worship of God’s people on the Lord’s Day, sitting under the authoritative
preaching of the Word and celebrating the Lord’s Supper. This is why in the USA among so-called
evangelicals church attendance averages once or twice a month. Church worship
services are side-lined - twice a month rather than twice on Lord’s Day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">What
we need to keep us spiritually fresh and maintain biblical piety is not an
either/or approach but a both/and approach.
Commitment to and worship in the local church each Lord’s Day is the
primary and essential means to maintain spiritual health.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-64040938940705106342017-11-21T09:44:00.000-08:002017-11-21T09:44:22.832-08:00I’ve Been Jammed<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I’ve Been
Jammed<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Alisdair
Smith introduced me to the concept and has done an excellent job in producing
the videos for the National Day of Prayer: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/freechurchofscotland/videos/1645961345463605/">https://www.facebook.com/freechurchofscotland/videos/1645961345463605/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">May
I encourage others in Scotland to engage in biblical prayer for the nation on
St Andrew’s Day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-50106219972078663152017-11-21T09:28:00.000-08:002017-11-21T09:28:28.633-08:00 Overview of the First Four Commandments<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Overview
of the First Four Commandments<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">An
outline from last Sunday, as we looked at the first four commandments
concerning our duty to God, (Exodus 20). </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">That duty is summed up in the
requirement to love God with the totality of our being. Love demonstrates itself in obedience. The first four commands are essentially
concerned with the worship of God. We therefore show our love by keeping God’s
commandments regarding his worship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">1<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">WHY we
worship – v1, 2. He is our personal
God and powerful redeemer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">2<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">WHOM we
worship – v3. There are to be no other
gods before God’s face. This excludes the worship of false gods, (paganism),
the worship of a god of our own imagination, (pseudo-christian liberalism), and
the worship of those less than God, (Mary and saints).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">3<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">HOW we
worship – v 4 – 7. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">3.1<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Not by the use of images or icons, which can not
represent the infinite God. Icons of
Christ fail to truly represent his deity – we worship the whole Christ, not
merely his humanity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">3.2<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Not by insincerity in worship. We use his name in vain
when we do that in worship that he has not commanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">4<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">WHEN we
worship. This is a principle imbedded in
the very heart of the moral law. For
Christians the day has changed but the principle has been preserved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">5<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Conclusion
– we view these four worship commandments
through the lens of Christ, his person and
work. He is the reason <u>why</u> we worship, our personal God and powerful
redeemer. He is the one <u>whom</u> we
worship alongside the Father and the Holy Spirit, the Triune God. He is the one who directs us <u>how</u> to
worship, in spirit and truth, and in simplicity and sincerity. We need no visual representation because
Christ, the reality is present by his Spirit. He is the one who dictates <u>when</u>
we worship, on the Lord’s Day or Jesus’ Day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">When we preach the commandments we guard the purity of
the worship of God. Ignorance of the
first four commandments is the reason that so much evangelical worship is
sub-biblical. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">This is simply a skeleton. Personal application was imbedded throughout.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-88467042216827060382017-10-31T05:19:00.001-07:002017-10-31T05:23:59.139-07:00<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Pro-Smacking
Fundamentalism<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
online propaganda sheet for secularism, rabid Scottish nationalism, LGBTism etc,
the Herald, has sunk to new depths with its headline, “Revealed: Pro-smacking
lobbyists funded by Christian fundamentalists.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15626142.Revealed__Scotland__39_s_pro_smacking_lobby_funded_by_Christian_fundamentalists/">http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15626142.Revealed__Scotland__39_s_pro_smacking_lobby_funded_by_Christian_fundamentalists/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In
its “exclusive” revelation it uncovers the fact that Christians are against
criminalising loving parents who occasionally physically chastise their children. Shock, horror, outrage!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
language is interesting, It speaks of the “pro-smacking” lobby and does not
call them the “anti-criminalisation of parents” lobby. This gives the impression that Christians
spend their energy thinking of ways to abuse their children and traumatise them
by physical punishment and should be defined as pro-smackers. Of course when it comes to a similar issue,
say the protection of unborn lives, the Herald will not speak of the “pro-life”
movement, but use derogatory terms such as anti-abortion of anti-choice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Then
again, why speak of "Christian opposition" when you can bring in the catch all scare
word, “fundamentalist. It seems that anyone now who is a Bible believing
Christian is a “fundamentalist”. (This
in contrast to the acceptable face of Christianity seen in the Church of
Scotland which is anti-smacking, pro-gay, and most definitely not Bible
thumping – good liberal values acceptable to the secular mafia)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">See:<a href="http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news_and_events/news/2017/church_backs_smacking_ban">http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news_and_events/news/2017/church_backs_smacking_ban</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Of
course, if you can castigate these fundamentalists, such as the Christian
Institute, as also showing their rabid fanaticism in opposing the draconian
State Named Person legislation - which seeks to appoint a state guardian for
every child in Scotland who will determining if the child’s well-being is being
furthered or hindered by parental care, instruction and example - so much the
better. You see these pro-smackers are
also anti-child protection, the very essence of evil, or so the Herald would
have us believe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Any
opposition to the SNP’s support of criminalising loving parents is ipso facto
proof that the opponents are fundamentalists, who are daring to do the
unimaginable, namely, argue from the Bible as well as argue from common sense,
history and the consensus of popular opinion.
The gay marriage activist and anti Christian Green MSP, John Finnie, is
quoted as being very concerned with the </span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">view that
there may be a “theological basis” to arguments against a smacking ban. It
seems you are not permitted to argue from theological premises, but it is
perfectly acceptable to do so from anti-theological or atheistic premises.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This
is why Christian commentators who say that this is not an issue that the Church
should campaign on are mistaken. It is
simply yet another club that atheistic secularism will use to beat Christian
parents. If this passes, (and due to the
duplicity of the SNP who have renegaded on previous assurances that they will
not legislate on this matter but now support the Bill, it will pass), it does
not take a soothsayer to prophesy that among the first to be target will be
Christian parents. Just as the gays have
not targeted Muslim bakers, photographers and printers, so the secularists will
focus their anti-smacking enforcement on Christian families. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
can imagine a Named Person, already appalled that little Johny’s parents have dared
to teach him that in God’s eyes marriage can only be between a man and a woman,
that homosexual conduct is sin and that we cannot change our gender just
because it feels right, interrogating the helpless child and asking, “Has Mummy
or Daddy ever smacked you or in any way threatened your well-being by sending
you to the naught-step or temporarily withdrawing TV privileges?” By coaxing
the hapless child to incriminate parents the secular State enforcement machine
will take another step in the battle against the destructive influence of
Christianity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Write
to your local and regional MSP to express your opposition to this proposed legislation,
pray against it individually and corporately and STOP BUYING THE HERALD!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-43645202834578998382017-10-26T07:48:00.001-07:002017-10-26T08:38:36.876-07:00Innovations in Worship<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Innovations</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Following on from my commendation in the last posting on the Ten
Commandments, I read this amusing anecdote concerning the Rev William B Robertson, (1820 – 1886), who
was minister of the United Presbyterian Congregation in Irvine, (1843 – 1886):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“During his whole
ministry Dr. Robertson took a warm interest in the devout expression of the public
worship of the Presbyterian Church. He had no sympathy with the idea of
ministers being required to follow a prescribed liturg ; but, on the other hand,
he was often pained by the slovenly manner in which the various parts of public
worship were conducted. From time to time he introduced minor changes into the
forms </span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">of the service in his
own church, as he found that the people became willing to acquiesce in them. A
lady who was connected with another congregation in Irvine said to him one day
: " I hear that you are introducing some dreadful innovations into your
church service." "Indeed," he replied ; "what innovations?"
"Oh," she said, "I am told that you read the Ten Commandments at
the communion table." "Is that all you have heard of? " he
rejoined ; " We have introduced a far greater innovation than that." "What
is it ? " asked the good lady somewhat anxiously. "We try to keep
them," was his reply.”</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Scottish Clerical Stories and Reminiscences” by Jerdan,
Charles, Edinburgh 1920<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://archive.org/details/scottishclerical00jerd">https://archive.org/details/scottishclerical00jerd</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-9950339888506497342017-10-25T03:52:00.000-07:002017-10-25T03:52:19.596-07:00Displaying the Commandments<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 21.3333px;">Displaying the Commandments</span></h2>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I
was preaching in Perth Free Church last Sunday on the theme of the Law of God.
(<a href="https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=10221786380">https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=10221786380</a>)
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">One
of my introductory remarks was on the general ignorance of the ten commandments
in society at large and in the church in particular. I mentioned that I had
never ever seen the commandments displayed in any church, and there was a kind
response from one older member who told me that in some Church of England
congregations the commandments were displayed on a plaque at the entrance to
the church. A quick Google image search
confirmed this, with some rather imposing examples.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">So,
why should we not display the Ten Commandments somewhere in our church
facilities. I can already hear the
counter argument, “Why the Ten Commanments; why not the Beatitutes, or the Lord’s
prayer, or 1 Corintians 13 on Love?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">This
is not an either or situation. There are
many possible biblical passages to display and perhaps a rotating display where
the posters were changed monthly might be appropriate. However, I still think there is a valid
argument for a permanent display of the Ten Commandments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">They
need not be engraved in stone. Modern technology
allows us to print them off, our local high street print shops can expand them
in full colour A3 poster size for next to nothing, and you can buy a nice A3
poster frame on Amazon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Of
course, we can also re-introduce the reading of the Law back into our worship,
and this site provides a number of examples of responsive readings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let’s hit back at ignorance
by display, instruction, and liturgy.</span>Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-49294870757448043332017-10-04T03:57:00.004-07:002017-10-06T04:28:07.442-07:00Beatitudes and Responses<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Beatitudes
and Responses (Psalms of David)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Occasionally, in place of the
Reading of the Law before the Prayer of Confession, it would be appropriate to
use the Beatitudes. Indeed, it would be
possible to frame the prayer of confession on the basis of the Beatitudes. I recently read in a 19<sup>th</sup> century
American Episcopalian work on the revision of their liturgy a reference to the
Beatitudes with responses based on Psalm 51, (which the writer thought was
rather artificial), but have not been able to trace this,.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">These responses, based on the
Psalms are appropriate. I have edited
them from some suggestions in: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://tidesandturning.wordpress.com/2013/03/09/the-beatitudes-in-the-prayers-of-king-david/">https://tidesandturning.wordpress.com/2013/03/09/the-beatitudes-in-the-prayers-of-king-david/</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Matthew
5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Psalm
70:5 But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my
deliverer; O LORD, do not delay!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be
comforted.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Psalm
30:11 You have turned for me my mourning
into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Matthew
5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they
shall inherit the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Psalm
37: 3, 11 Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend
faithfulness. The meek shall inherit the
land and delight themselves in abundant peace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Matthew
5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall
be satisfied.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Psalm
63:1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my
flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Matthew
5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they
shall receive mercy.</span></i><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Psalm
18:25 With the merciful you show yourself merciful;
with the blameless man you show yourself blameless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Matthew
5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall
see God.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Psalm
51:10, 11 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a
right spirit within me. Cast me not away
from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Matthew
5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for
they shall be called sons of God.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Psalm
34:14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Matthew
5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for
righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Psalm
31:15 My times are in your hand; rescue me from the
hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-32658929119483279612017-09-16T00:41:00.002-07:002017-09-16T00:41:54.380-07:00Slow Down and Read 2 <br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">Solw Dwon and Raed </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">One of the diecufliifts in unsig the rcih adaunnbce of toioahgclel luiatterre taht has now been dstiieigd and is abillavae trhuogh the itirchnntreaeve.org and ohetr seits is taht smeotmies the OCR is lses tahn peecrft. Coumpetr stafwroe is not as good as the haumn bairn in inirepenrttg achirac txet. Ieendd, smtmoiees it is taltloy uesless and the txet is mroe or lses unbadlraee. In taht csae I adboann my mboi (kdnile) txet and rrseot to the pdf igmaes. It is lses ufusel, canont be seeahrcd or cnanot be cut and pteasd as txet, but it is rbldeaae. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">Mroe otfen the OCR is smpily %E2%80%9ogCddy%E2%80%9D and wtih a lttile pscreaenerve can be raed rbansolaey wlel. Waht is deos do is mkae me solw dwon and raed retahr tahn sacn the txet. By dnoig so I tkae mroe in and tnihk mroe cllfueray abuot waht I raed. I uesd to hvae a psoter in my calss room in wchih a parpagrah of txet was jbulmed up, but the fisrt and lsat lettres of ecah wrod wree in the crcreot palce: </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">%E2%80%9niccorCAdg to a rcrecshaeh at Cbmgiadre Urensivity, it deson't mteatr in what oerdr the lertets in a word are, the only iepmrtont thnig is that the frsit and last letter be at the right pacle. The rest can be a tatol mess and you can siltl read it wutihot polrbem. This is baeusce the haumn mind does not read every lteetr by ilestf, but the word as a wolhe.%E2%80%9D </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">Waht azaemd me was not how mnay puplis cuold raed the txet, but how mnay of our pilups wtih dxeislya cuold rades it! Puipls wree aslo iniugetrd taht tcahrees cuold raed txet upidse dwon, or at lseat I cuold, wchih was vrey useufl in syniervug tehir oongnig wrok. (Try it; it cmeos wtih ltilte pciracte.). Rraecesh aslo sohws taht a beurrld or gryeed txet is prelcfety rlbedaae and taht it aiagn mekas you solw dwon and tihnk as you raed. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">Sniowlg dwon to raed any txet is of bfnieet; swonilg dwon to raed Srtpurice is of eronumos bfeenit. We semtmieos seped raed our bilebs as if mroe is bteter and qkuicer is cdmlaembone. I smtmeeios feed docetunms itno a Srtpiz rdeear, (http://siptnzirc.com/ ), and trhee can be a pcale for tihs wehn lrgae anoutms of txet hvae to be dstegeid qucikly. I was not srusiperd to fnid taht trhee is a smrat pnhoe app taht uess the tohglonecy to raed the blibe, %E2%80%9C BbGiilset %E2%80%93 Stpriz the Blbie%E2%80%9D. I do not tinhk tihs is how the bilbe sluohd be raed. Nor do I tihnk taht lesiintng to the bblie txet at x1.5 or x2 seped is waht sholud be dnoe. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">Rev. Jhon T. Csroan, a frmoer mtoeordar of the Petryrsbiean Cuchrh in Ianerld, ocne seyatd wtih us on Aarrn. He srhaed taht for his devotnoial rneiadg of Srtrpicue he uesd Sricputre Uinon noets, but the Fnecrh langague voeirsn. Tihs had cmoe auobt by acncidet wehn he was viitnsig in Cadnaa and neeedd new nteos but olny the Fncerh lanaugge vesiron was abiavalle. He fnuod taht uisng the Fencrh S.U. neots sleowd him dwon, mdae him tihnk mroe auobt waht he was rieandg and deevploed a depeer daenvootil icnittareon wtih Sprcurite. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px;">I am not aincovtdag taht we nsrescelaiy raed our Bbelis in a fioregn lgunagae, raed tehm trgouhh the meidum of bad OCR or raed the txet upidse dwon. Waht I am adocvaitng is taht we solw dwon, thnik, pary, and medattie as we raed Suticprre. Eualqly, wehn we are rineadg toihlgecoal lutitraree we slouhd solw dwon and dgiset waht we are redniag. We may not get tghuroh as mcuh, but waht we raed wlil be of mroe beeifnt to us. </span>Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-68036367840443401872017-09-15T06:31:00.001-07:002017-10-06T03:12:29.670-07:00Slow Down and Read<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Slow Down and Read<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">One
of the difficulties in using the rich abundance of theological literature that
has now been digitised and is available through the internetarchive.org and
other sites is that sometimes the OCR is less than perfect. Computer software is not as good as the human
brain in interpreting archaic text.
Indeed, sometimes it is totally useless and the text is more or less
unreadable. In that case I abandon my
mobi (kindle) text and resort to the pdf images. It is less useful, cannot be searched or
cannot be cut and pasted as text, but it is readable.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">More
often the OCR is simply “dodgy” and with a little perseverance can be read
reasonably well. What it does do is make
me slow down and read rather than scan the text. By doing so I take more in and think more
carefully about what I read. I used to
have a poster in my class room in which a paragraph of text was jumbled up, but
the first and last letters of each word were in the correct place:<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it
deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt
tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be
a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the
huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">What
amazed me was not how many pupils could read the text, but how many of our
pupils with dyslexia could reads it!
Pupils were also intrigued that teachers could read text upside down, or
at least I could, which was very useful in surveying their ongoing work. (Try it; it comes with little practice.). Research also shows that a blurred or greyed
text is perfectly readable and that it again makes you slow down and think as you read.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Slowing
down to read any text is of benefit; slowing down to read Scripture is of enormous
benefit. We sometimes speed read our bibles as if more is better and quicker is
commendable. I sometimes feed documents into a Spritz reader, (<a href="http://spritzinc.com/">http://spritzinc.com/</a> ), and there can be a
place for this when large amounts of text have to be digested quickly. I was not surprised to find that there is a
smart phone app that uses the technology to read the bible, “ BibleGist –
Spritz the Bible”. I do not think this is how the bible should be read. Nor do I think that listening to the bible
text at x1.5 or x2 speed is what should be done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Rev.
John T. Carson, a former moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, once
stayed with us on Arran. He shared that
for his devotional reading of Scripture he used Scripture Union notes, but the
French language version. This had come
about by accident when he was visiting in Canada and needed new notes but only
the French language version was available.
He found that using the French S.U. notes slowed him down, made him
think more about what he was reading and developed a deeper devotional
interaction with Scripture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
am not advocating that we necessarily read our Bibles in a foreign language,
read them through the medium of bad OCR or read the text upside down. What I am advocating is that we slow down,
think, pray, and meditate as we read Scripture. Equally, when we are reading theological literature we should slow down and digest what we are reading. We may not get through as much, but what we read will be of more benefit to us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
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Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-51987539974161406182017-09-06T04:03:00.000-07:002017-09-06T04:03:10.956-07:00<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Dodderidge
and Prayer before Preparation<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Philip
Dodderidge’s “Lectures on Preaching” may be dated, but it still contains a
great amount of biblical and practical wisdom.
Before beginning any sermon preparation Dodderidge wisely counsels
prayer:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“<i>Begin the work with a solemn address to God.
This will lay you in the way of his blessing and assistance ; and will
naturally </i></span><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">have some good influence to awaken, compose and
encourage your soul. It will direct your minds to right ends and views, which is
a matter of vast importance. Perhaps a form of prayer might not be improper for
that purpose; yet varied with some particular regard to your subject.”</span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The
editor provides such a form of prayer from Dodderidge’s own hand:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“Blessed God ! It is thou that gavest me a rational
soul, and upon thee do I depend entirely for the continuance of those capacities with which thou hast endowed me. I am not sufficient of myself, so
much as to think anything as I ought, but all my sufficiency is of thee. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I am now engaging in a work of singular importance, in
which I would desire to be sensible of the need I have of thy gracious
assistance. I beg that thou wilt command my attention to the affair before me.
May no vain or intruding thoughts break in upon me to hinder a steady
application to my business. </span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Direct my mind to proper thoughts; and to the
most agreeable manner of arranging and
expressing them.</span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">And may my heart be inflamed with pious affections; that
divine truths coming warm from my own soul may more easily penetrate into the
souls of my hearers : May I remember that I am not to compose an harangue to acquire
to myself the reputation of an eloquent orator ; but that I am preparing food for
precious and immortal souls; and dispensing that sacred gospel which my
Redeemer brought from heaven, and sealed with his blood. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">May I therefore sincerely endeavour to give my
discourse </span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">the most useful turn, and do thou direct me so to form
it, as best to promote the great purpose of christian edification.</span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">And grant, O Lord, that I may receive present refreshment
to myself, and future edification from the study of those divine truths I am
entering upon. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">May this be one of the most delightful employments of
my life. While I am watering others may I be watered myself also and bring forth
daily more and more fruit, proportionable to the advantages which I enjoy, to
the glory of thy great name and the improvement of my everlasting felicity, <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Through Jesus Christ. Amen." </span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The
language may be dated; the thoughts are timeless!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-66852119679129466542017-09-05T07:36:00.000-07:002017-09-05T07:36:12.534-07:00On the Blessing of Bridges<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">On the Blessing of Bridges<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I see
from the Church of Scotland’s website that the Moderator of the General
Assembly was involved in the opening ceremony for the Queensferry Crossing, the
spectacular new bridge across the Firth of Forth<i>: <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“The Moderator of the General Assembly
of the Church of Scotland has blessed the Queensferry Crossing. Right Rev Dr
Derek Browning said bridges were “symbols of inclusion and hope”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">(</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><a href="http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news_and_events/news/recent/bridges_are_symbols_of_inclusion_and_hope_-_moderator_blesses_queensferry_crossing">http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news_and_events/news/recent/bridges_are_symbols_of_inclusion_and_hope_-_moderator_blesses_queensferry_crossing</a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> )<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Now
as someone who regularly crosses what I assume to be unblessed bridges such as
the Clackmannanshire, Erskine and Kingston bridges, this causes me some
concern. The Moderator has not said the
sacred words, <i>“God bless this bridge; God
bless this [Queensferry] Crossing, And all who travel on it” </i>over my
bridges! Am I to assume that as I travel
on them I remain unblessed because the engineering marvels themselves have not
been blessed?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">It
is an interesting yet predictable analogy the Moderator makes about bridges
being symbols of inclusion: <i>“For people
of faith, bridges remind us that faith is also called to connect people,
overcome barriers and span divides.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">It
so happens that I also used the opening of the new Queensferry Crossing as a
spiritual illustration when I spoke to the children on Sunday morning. I spoke of <u>Christ</u> as the bridge
between man and God, “<i>For there is one
God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who
gave himself as a ransom for all…</i>” (2 Tim 2:5,6) </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">However I also pointed out that whereas there
are now three spectacular bridges across the Forth – the railway bridge, the
old road bridge and the new bridge – there is only <u>ONE</u> bridge to God for
“<i>there is salvation in no one else, for
there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.</i>”
(Acts 4:12) Somehow I do not think that
if the Moderator had spoken of Christ as the exclusive bridge to God, rather
than a vague idea of social and religious inclusion, his part in the proceedings
may have been quite so welcomed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Nevertheless,
now that I am retired I can see a new and unique opportunity presenting itself –
could I become a bridge blesser for hire, (viaducts and culverts also
included.) No; I am perfectly content to
pass over unblessed bridges in unblessed buses and cars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-77828213093830691662017-09-05T07:02:00.000-07:002017-09-05T07:02:43.018-07:00Steve Chalk and the Nashville Statement<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Steve Chalk and the Nashville
Statement<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I
would not have imagined that the former evangelical Steve Chalk could have
signed the Nashville Statement on Biblical Sexuality. (<a href="https://cbmw.org/nashville-statement/">https://cbmw.org/nashville-statement/</a>
) However he has surpassed himself in his flight from biblical ethics in
becoming one of the first signatories of the Nazareth Statement. (<a href="http://www.christiansunitedstatement.org/">http://www.christiansunitedstatement.org/</a>
).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The
Nazareth statement is, of course, for <i>“those
who have been on the leading edge of the Holy Spirit's sanctifying work”, </i>through
fully embracing the agenda of LGBT+ community.
Indeed, Chalke is actually one of the editors who produced the Nazareth
Statement and not merely a fellow traveller.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">When
you move from biblical orthodoxy it is inevitable that you not only reject a
biblical understanding of the atonement, you will invariably reject a biblical
understanding of sexuality. I see that the former PCA minister Rev. Fred
Harrell is also among the initial signatories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">This
is simply a further illustration that liberal progressive pseudo-christianity is
another religion that cannot co-exist with true biblical Christianity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-65426106741494595082017-07-24T02:48:00.001-07:002017-07-24T02:48:53.464-07:00Some Sermons Online<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Sermons Online<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I
don’t normally have my sermons online. However,
over the last two Sundays I have been preaching at Knox Church, Perth, (Free
Church of Scotland), and the sermons are now online:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><a href="http://www.knoxchurchperth.com/sermons.html">http://www.knoxchurchperth.com/sermons.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">There
you will also find the excellent messages of the Pastor, Paul Gibson.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I
have to say my visit to Perth was a blessing to my own soul and the warm
welcome and hospitality of the members was deeply appreciated. I heartily
commend the work of Knox Church and can recommend it as a spiritual home for
those in the greater Perth area who are looking for a church that is Christ
centred and biblically based.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-33725815095933488272017-07-11T01:28:00.001-07:002017-07-11T01:28:34.451-07:00<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Code of Ethics for Ministers<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I thought this was an
excellent statement of ministerial ethics, clearly defining what is expected in
terms of godly conduct. Given that it is
from a source most Scottish Presbyterians would not be aware of, it is
certainly worth sharing. Given that it is from a congregational source, we as Presbyterians
could replace “Conference” with “Denomination” and substitute our own
particular denomination’s name as appropriate for "<o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 21.3333px;">Conservative Congregational Christian Conference".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 21.3333px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 21.3333px;">The one question I might have is revealing a confidence shared with us; sometimes we are required by law to do this in the case of child protection. We are not priests and it is wrong to give a promise of non-disclosure, although in general we should be discrete and not reveal what is shared with us without grave biblical reasons.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Sometimes things just have
to be spelled out clearly and not assumed.
This is certainly the case in ministerial conduct. There is also an adage from business, “It is
not what is expected that is done, it is what is inspected ! “ Perhaps there is a case for both
self-inspection, mutual inspection with a mentor and corporate inspection with
our fellow elders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Here is the Code of Ethics:</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In My Own Life<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I will always devote time
to seeking the will of God through reading the Scriptures and prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I will endeavour to keep
myself physically and emotionally fit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I will seek in all ways
to be Christ like in my attitude and conduct.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I will seek mutual
accountability and spiritual friendship with fellow Christians for personal
encouragement and nurture in order to ensure faithfulness to my calling as a steadfast
follower and competent servant of my Lord Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In Relationship to My Family<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I will consider each
member of my immediate family as precious gifts from God, and will carefully,
lovingly and responsibly meet their needs as a sacred obligation before Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I will give spiritual
leadership in my home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I will be faithful and
loyal to my family members, loving them as Jesus Christ loves His Church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In Relationship to the Church<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt;">I will remember that I am
called to lead, but also to serve.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I will never violate a
confidence given to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I will be diligent in my
duties as pastor, never lazy, but with God as my judge and my Shepherd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I will be Biblical in my
preaching, presenting the whole counsel of God, speaking the truth in love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I will strive to
introduce people to Christ, and to build His Church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I will consider my call
to the church a sacred responsibility and stand by my commitment to the church and
leaders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I will seek the unity of
the church and resist any attempts to divide the congregation, either by
supporting factions within the congregation or by my own initiative.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In Relationship to Other Ministers<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I will be a brother in
Christ to my fellow ministers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I will not seek to build
the church I serve at the expense of another church, nor my ego at the expense
of another minister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I will not speak
uncharitably of either my predecessor or my successor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I will refrain from
pastoral contacts with former parishioners except with the knowledge of thepresent
pastor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In Relationship to the Conference<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I will participate in the
larger fellowship of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference, and
seek to support through prayer and action its aims and objectives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In Relationship to the Community<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I will seek to be
responsible in my personal finances.</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt;">I will seek to build a
positive relationship with the community without sacrificing my ministry to the
church.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Source: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><a href="http://www.ccccusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Code-of-Ethics-Ministers.pdf">http://www.ccccusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Code-of-Ethics-Ministers.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-33891531277834469212017-07-05T14:28:00.001-07:002017-07-06T01:25:46.005-07:00“Prefaces to the Westminster Confession of Faith”<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Prefaces to the Westminster Confession of Faith”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Part of my summer reading in St
Andrews is in preparation for our presbytery’s examination of our students on
the Confession. I am enjoying reviewing
the standard commentaries on the Confession and listening to various series of
lectures on the Confession featuring a Scotsman, an American and a New
Zealander. What is interesting is that
all of the lectures begin with the first chapter, “Of the Holy Scriptures”. That is natural and to be expected. Indeed, I noted that the OPC and FCS editions
of the Confession have neither of the prefaces by some of the puritan
divines. These prefaces are not part of
our confessional standards, but they are important nevertheless and well worth
reading.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">What is interesting is that while
we think of the Confession as a church document, and associate its use with
teaching and ruling elders, both of these prefaces are addressed to ordinary
members in general and fathers or heads of households in particular.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Manton writes, <i>“I do therefore desire, that all masters of
families would first study well this work themselves, and then teach it their
children and servants, according to their several capacities.” <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">We do a disservice to our church
families when we assume that the Confession is only for office-bearers! In
doing so we deprive them of a biblical and practical theology textbook that can
enrich their understanding and warm their hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Some practical suggestions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">1<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Read the two
prefaces to the Westminster Confession.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">2<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Read the
Confession in a systematic and regular manner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">3<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Read one
of the modern language editions of the Confession. My two preferences are the Modern Study
Version produced by the OPC, and the excellent edition by Roland Ward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://www.opc.org/documents/MESV.html">https://www.opc.org/documents/MESV.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt;">Yes, our
students, ministers, and elders should know the Confession.</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt;">Would that the day would come again when our
members and families can also be assumed to know and love the Confession.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">See the two prefaces, with
somewhat inaccurate OCR, at:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt;"><a href="http://www.reformed.org/documents/wcf_standards/p005-to_head_of_families.html" target="mainframe"><span style="color: #dd0000;">To The Christian Reader,
Especially Heads of Families</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.reformed.org/documents/wcf_standards/p009-manton_to_the_reader.html" target="mainframe"><span style="color: #dd0000;">Mr. Thomas Manton's Epistle to the
Reader</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-79305160504256665762017-07-03T13:39:00.000-07:002017-07-05T08:58:34.429-07:00“The Worship of the Presbyterian Church”<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“The Worship of the Presbyterian Church”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This short work by David Douglas
Bannerman, published in 1884 is based on lectures that he gave in Perth and
Glasgow. Bannerman, the Free Church
minister of St Leonards in Perth for most of his ministerial career, produced this
succinct biblical and historical defence of the use of an optional liturgy,
showing that this was the historical position of the Presbyterian Church of
Scotland from the Reformation until the watering down of her practice with the
adoption of the Westminster Directory for Public Worship. The guidance of the Directory was only
adopted to try and facilitated a closer union with the Reformed church in
England, but that hoped for unity of practice in worship never truly emerged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Bannerman shows that Knox’s Book
of Common Order was the standard guide in the Scottish Church, outlining a rich
but not prescribed and binding liturgy.
The prayers of the Book of Common Order were both models and guides to
enrich Presbyterian worship. They were
the framework used by Rutherford, Dickson and Henderson and beloved by the
Scottish Covenanters who resisted the imposition of Laud’s liturgy not because they
were opposed to a liturgy per se, but because they were opposed to a liturgy
that was inflexible and Popish in character and had no consent from the General
Assembly of the Church of Scotland.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Bannerman is not blind to the
dangers that even a non-prescriptive liturgy could cause, but he gently
balances this with a discussion of the advantages that such a liturgy could
bring, not least a historical continuity with the worship of the Scottish
Reformers and the wider Reformed church in continental Europe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“The
historical position of the Scottish Church in this matter, deliberately taken
up by her best representatives both of the first and second Reformation, was
that of a discretionary liturgy, regarded and used as at once a basis, guide,
and stimulus for the exercise of free prayer on the part of her ministers,
elders and people.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">There is a growing sense within
Presbyterianism that our worship needs to return to our Reformed roots,
combining freedom and form, enriched by the liturgies of the Reformation and
the ancient church. There is equally a
growing danger that Presbyterian worship becomes less Reformed, reflecting the
vacuous style of much modern evangelical and charismatic confusion, rather than
the traditional decency and order of our forefathers. Bannerman is a voice from the past calling us
to reconsider how we approach worship, and a voice that deserves to be heard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://archive.org/stream/worshippresbyte00banngoog">https://archive.org/stream/worshippresbyte00banngoog</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-11839230115691148242017-05-25T12:33:00.000-07:002017-05-25T12:33:17.552-07:00Good Start, Disastrous Conclusion? - The Church of Scotland General Assembly<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 150%;">Good Start,
Disastrous Conclusion?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">At the beginning of this week’s General
Assembly of the Church of Scotland one leading evangelical messaged:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Good start to
the General Assembly today as the Council of Assembly moved the following
motion, which was unanimously approved by the General Assembly: 'Issue a call
to the Church of Scotland to pray that God will do a fresh work amongst us as
God's people and instruct Presbyteries and Kirk Sessions to consider how best
to respond to this call.’<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">My immediate response was to wonder whether
this normally acute theology professor had lost his powers of analysis and
discernment. Firstly, this motion had
passed unanimously. That either
indicates that the G.A. was of one mind on this matter, or that the motion was
such that various parties could put their own spin and interpretation on the
words. Given that the Church of Scotland
is a predominately theologically liberal body, were the majority understanding
the words in a different sense from the good Professor?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Theological liberals have developed the art of
using orthodox and even pietistic language in a non-biblical manner. They are happy to affirm confessions that
they totally reject, to recite creeds that they dismiss and to quote even the
Bible in ways contrary to its original meaning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">What does it means to pray that God would do “<i>a fresh work amongst us as God's people”? </i> Do we mean that God will bring the church to
repentance over its theological and moral apostasy, that he will reinvigorate
it with a new confidence in the biblical gospel of Christ’s atoning and
renewing sacrifice, that it will rediscover a new boldness to preach that
individuals need to be born again, and a new commitment to the great truths of
the Reformation expressed in the solas of Sola Scriptura (“Scripture alone”),
Sola Fide (“faith alone”), Sola Gratia (“grace alone”), Solus Christus (“Christ
alone”) and Soli Deo Gloria (“to the glory of God alone”)? Certainly that would be the good Doctor’s
interpretation; but is that how the larger body of the Assembly interpret this
call to prayer for a “fresh work”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">We know that for many <i>“a fresh work amongst”</i> us means a new openness to homosexual
practices and gay marriage, a new ecumenism that fully embraces Rome and is indeed a multi-faith
ecumenism, a new theology that casts off the doctrinal restrains of Scripture
and the Reformed confessional tradition, a new understanding of the cross that
excludes penal substitutionary atonement, and a new universalism that
guarantees the salvation of all individuals with or without faith in Christ as
Saviour and Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">The enthusiasm of the Saturday over the prayer
for a <i>“fresh </i></span><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">work amongst us”</span></i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> has to deal with the reality of the Thursday and the decision of the
General Assembly to continue on its revisionist trajectory in accepting and endorsing
homosexual marriage and openly rejecting the authority of Scripture by an
appeal to an ephemeral word behind the Word that may contradict the text of
Scripture and be more attuned to the spirit of this present age and moral
culture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">In political discourse the term “useful
innocents” is sometimes used to speak of those naive individuals who are susceptible
to manipulation in the support of a cause and who fail to see the reality
behind their enthusiastic endorsement of a particular movement. For the Church
of Scotland evangelicals are the “useful innocents” who provide money and
manpower to maintain a liberal edifice that despises their theology, mocks
their morality, and longs for their eventual demise. Talk of “reconciled
diversity”, “constrained differences”, or “mutual flourishing” will prove to be
empty rhetoric on the part of the liberals – it should be equally unacceptable
to evangelicals who believe that there is a “faith once for all delivered to
the saints” to be defended, anathemas to be pronounced against any who preach a
different gospel, and discipline to be exercised against those who support,
encourage or practice sexual immorality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-33745753654482457972017-05-25T01:19:00.000-07:002017-05-25T01:29:41.898-07:00Differentiation among Elder<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 150%;">Differentiation among
Elders<u1:p></u1:p></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">It has
become common in Presbyterian circles, on the basis of 1 Tim 5:17, to speak of
Teaching Elders and Ruling Elders. </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">The
text says, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honour,
especially those who labour in preaching and teaching.” (ESV)<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> Alternatively, “The elders who
are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially
those who work hard at preaching and teaching.” (HCSV)</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">All
elders rule – they shepherd the flock. (1 Peter 5:2)<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> All elders are able to teach, (2
Tim 2:24). <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Some elders rule
particularly well, and some do so through preaching and teaching. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>This suggests that some elders have
particular shepherding gifts and others have particular teaching gifts, but the
roles are not mutually exclusive.<u1:p></u1:p></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Interestingly,
while we accept salaried teaching elders, it is less common to find salaried
ruling elders. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Why should
we not have full-time shepherding ministers who are counsellors, pastoral
encouragers, personal mentors, education co-ordinators, administrators or
discipleship co-ordinators? <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Conversely,
why should we not have non full-time teaching elders or non stipendiary
teaching elders? The New Testament pattern allows for flexibility and a rich
variety of elder leadership patterns.<u1:p></u1:p></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">We speak
of one office, with a differentiation of function, (teaching or ruling
elders). <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Might it not be
best to speak of a differentiation of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><u>“focus”</u><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>rather than of function? We should be
training our ruling elders to develop their teaching ability and we should be
training our teaching elders to develop their ruling ability. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>It is not unknown for a competent
preacher to lack experience or strength in ruling, and of doing so within the
plurality and parity of the local session. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Indeed, we have within presbyterian
practice the anomaly of men with no general experience of eldership becoming
teaching elders, but never having worked alongside their fellow elders in a
local church session. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>That
was my own experience, and I wonder how many local churches would never consider
calling a man as an elder at twenty-three years old but would consider calling
him as a minister?</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Thankfully,
I learned on the job, but it was not necessarily the best route to take. If a
church has not called a young man as an elder locally, why are they willing to
recommend him for training as a teaching elder / minister? <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Surely they need to recognise that
“elder” is a term acknowledging spiritual wisdom and maturity rather than
merely chronological age. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>If
a man shows the gifts and aptitudes, and desires the work of eldership locally
then age is not necessarily a barrier. Put him on the Session, with
congregational approval, and let him gain experience in the trials and joys of
local church eldership. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>This
is not to go down the route of those churches that think that youth in and off
itself is an adequate qualification and therefore have youth delegates in
presbytery and assembly to represent the voice of the next generation, whether
or not these persons are biblically qualified as elders.<u1:p></u1:p></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">If local
eldership can involve differentiation of focus then there is an ongoing
necessity to sharpen that focus without neglecting the other aspects of
eldership. Using resources such as those found at<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://biblicaleldership.com/">https://biblicaleldership.com/</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>would be a good place to start.<u1:p></u1:p></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262819608924591007.post-32378267752475428772017-05-23T04:02:00.001-07:002017-05-23T05:30:24.568-07:00 The Scriptural Basis of Biblical Presbyterianism<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The Scriptural Basis of Biblical Presbyterianism<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
was preaching last Lord’s Day on the theme of biblical presbyterianism, Christ’s
gift of rule in his church. What was interesting was that the congregation had
never heard a sermon on presbyterianism and why we in the Free Church of
Scotland adopt this form of government.
If we demonstrate our love to Christ by obedience to his commands, and
if Christ in his Word has given us basic principles for church government, then
it is part of our corporate sanctification to follow the teaching of Scripture
on this matter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
emphasis was not on justifying in detail the current practice of the FCS, but
in showing that there are basic principles that we work out in our practice. </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt;">We
looked at the local and the regional aspects of biblical presbyterianism.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">At
the local level we saw that there was to be a plurality of elders, a parity
among the elders, and popular election of these elders, recognising their call
by Christ and gifting by the Holy Spirit. Application was made to both our elders and our people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">At
the regional level there was connectionalism, consultation and constraint. (Why do we refer to Acts 15 without Acts 16:4
: <i>“As they travelled from town to town,
they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem
for the people to obey.”</i> ?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Does
this justify our monthly regional presbyteries and our annual national
assembly? We have no text and verse for
these but base our practice on sanctified common sense rooted in the biblical
principles. Other patterns might equally
be compatible with the biblical principles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">What
is important is that the principles are worked out in the life of the church
locally, regionally and nationally. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Can
such truths be preached? Of course. Is Christ exalted in such preaching? Yes, if
the emphasis is on the fact that his guidance on government is based on his divine
wisdom, grace and love. Can such a
sermon be evangelistic? Well, I concluded
with reference to the joys of Presbyterianism experienced by Christ’s people,
and the importance of being not only in church but in the Church, not merely in
the building but in the Body, with an appropriate evangelistic application.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Rbtwalker1http://www.blogger.com/profile/10894662152348808387noreply@blogger.com0