A debate on the 400th anniversary of the King James Version

A debate from Westminster Hall very much worth reading, as a couple of DUP politicans put the case for the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the King James or 1611 Authorised Version in 2011.

One does not have to be a daily user of the King James Version (I use the NKJV) to know that its influence upon British life has been quite staggering. It is a finest work of English literature ever penned. It contains memorable phrases. Furthermore, as the government will never acknowledge, it is the living word of the living God. May God bless the celebrations and bring many through them to read His word, perhaps for the first time.

The debate is here.

Seasonal busy-ness

Having recovered from a dodgy knee and swine flu, despite the protests of the gym staff I have not been back there… yet. I want to, I really do, but right now I don’t dare to – because there is too much to do this week and next, and any recurrances of injuries will be very limiting. As a church, we purchased 1000 copies of the evangelistic Christmas edition of Evangelical Times. This is the biggest outreach we have done, but probably with the fewest helpers, and so I am trying to cover half the work personally – which is why I’m not preaching this Sunday.

Each time I go out, I am praying for opportunities to talk to people, and for safety – but also that my knee will hold up until this work is done. In the past we have handed out about 500 Day One Calendars, but there are many people in the community around the church building who are at home all day, and I do believe that they will actually sit and read the paper (which contains an invitation to our evangelistic service on 20th December).

We are fortunate at church to have a faithful attender fromn Slovakia, who is adept at graphic design. His work is here on this post, and is displayed in A2 size outside the church. One of this years’ minor triumphs is being able to display posters on our church doors which can be seen from the road. Clare and I were visiting one of the older church members this morning, and on the way home we decided to get another street’s deliveries done. One lady waved her newspaper in anger at Clare and hurled it dramatically into her paper recycling bin. Another was heard shouting from inside the house ‘more rubbish!’. Judging by the number of pizza leaflets on doorsteps in the area I can see why some get upset. Nonetheless we pray that many will take up and read the many testimonies and stories, and come and hear the gospel.

If you’re interested, here is the sermon from last year’s ‘Carol’ Evangelistic Service, ‘The Death of Fear in the Birth of Christ’

A video worth watching

Firstly, sorry that this site is deader than a dodo. Other priorities are higher right now.

Many of you who drop by here may not be familiar with Tim Chester.  You might not much like the look of him with his shirt hanging out and his scruffy jeans, and you might disagree with some of what he says, but I thoroughly recommend to you his video hosted on his blog here, talking about ‘Mission as Lifestyle’.

Take the time. Yes, it is an hour long, but if you are concerned about the future of witness, the future of your local church, how to interact with those around you, and so forth – give it your time. The point he makes about how alien it is for most people to walk into a church building is absolutely vital. He showed this to his local church members by asking them to go and place a bet in a betting shop. He did it himself, and he didn’t want to be there. He felt out of place. He didn’t know how to behave or what to ask for. He hoped that the cashier would ask him no awkward questions and he hoped he could get out of there as soon as possible. And that is how many people feel walking into a church building.

Take the time.

Seeking to ingratiate oneself…

Here is a thought-provoking little post by Adrian Reynolds about the practice of  ’sucking-up to those we think are holding the cards’. Ouch, it certainly convicted me.

‘Fearless’ by Max Lucado

I’ll admit, I’ve not read a book by Max Lucado before. If this is his best offering, I doubt that I will be going through the back-catalogue.

I don’t want to be entirely negative about the book, but in my letter from the author, he said I didn’t have to give a positive review just because I’d had a free copy. This book is not outright bad, but there is so much out there that is better, and more helpful to Christians.

Lucado has written a comprehensive summary of all of our fears in life, and used some bibical examples of folk who faced these fears, laced with many witty anecdotes and modern-day stories also. It is certainly readable and in some ways quite enjoyable. He argues that fear is the great problem of our times, and that we need to be freed from it. The biggest issue I have with this book is that it is not distinctively Christian. You might be surprised at that, after all, it is full of Bible quotes.

In general, the advice about dealing with fear is good. The constant encouragement to trust in Christ for life and for eternity is good too. But more than this is needed – sin is rather overlooked and downplayed, and the standard Arminian ‘say this prayer and all will be ok’ insertion in chapter three is as light-hearted as the chapter title, regarding the fear that ‘God is ticked off at me’. No, sinner, God is more than ‘ticked off’. Sin is serious, salvation is amazing, and Christ is a wonderful Saviour. I fear (pun intended) that this book, as well-intentioned as it may be, falls at the very first hurdle. If you want to be fear-free, you’ll need more than watered-down theology. This book is good for inspiration, illustration, and encouragement. But then again, so are many secular books.  The fact that one of the endorsements quotes Obama’s catchphrase ‘Yes we can!’ rather says it all.

Were Spurgeon and Ryle et al legalists and pharisees?

Here is an excellent article by Jim Savastio. He says things that others should be saying, and pushes buttons that perhaps we would prefer to be left unpressed.

Book Review: Christianity in Crisis 21st Century by Hank Hanegraaff

This book is a marvellous introduction to the dangerous theology of the ‘Word Faith’ movement.

In sympathetic style, Hanegraaff first lifts the lid on the extent of the false teaching, and then introduces the main personalities behind it. He considers in detail the major errors, and then provides scriptural answers in each case. He further equips readers with a framework, and a biblical way of thinking, so that everyone can discern truth from error for themselves.

Whilst he is uncompromising in condemning those who lead thousands astray for their own gain, he is sympathetic and helpful to those who follow them.

If you are a well-taught Christian, you may not need his chapters explaining how to read the Bible, but every believer will benefit from the clear teaching regarding the ‘Word Faith’ movement. If you are in ministry, or know anyone who is caught up with these errors, the book is a great aid.

This book truly opened my eyes to understand that the ‘Word Faith’ preachers are not just another branch of slightly erratic Christianity, but a heretical and dangerous movement, who preach and teach a false gospel which cannot save a single soul – because they do not preach the triune and sovereign God of the Bible, and have created for themselves ‘another Jesus’ who is no Saviour.

This book is sorrowfully, but strongly, recommended.

2 copies of Bibleworks 8 in free giveaway on Cal.vini.st

Pop over to the excellent Cal.vini.st blog for details:

And get your entry in!

Is John Piper really ensnared with ‘worldliness’?

Here is something he has written, short and worth your time. I’m not JP’s biggest fan, but I appreciate a lot of his work.

Why I don’t have a television and rarely see movies

A book review is coming soon. I promise!

Book Review: Holding Fast by Karen James

Note: This is the first review I have done for Thomas Nelson. It has taken a long time to get done because it took three months for the book to arrive!

‘Holding fast’ is a true story, told by the wife of Kelly James, an architect and keen mountaineer who died following a tragic accident on Mount Hood, (near Portland, Oregon)  just before December 2006. The book is well-written, engaging and intriguing. I read it in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it. It has a number of colour photographs, some poignantly from the camera of Kelly James which was recovered after his death.

The account is pretty harrowing and very real, and the pictures help to bring the words to life. As it is not known precisely what happened to Kelly and his two friends who perished, there is a little artistic licence in the opening of the book which struck me as odd initially, but it began to make sense as the evidence for events was unfolded. I’m being guarded here because I don’t want to spoil it for a potential reader.

The one point I feel is a little weak in the work is the lack of explanation of precisely why Kelly James and his wife believed themselves to be Christians. The book is tragic, and the faith of the family shines through, especially in the dignified public statements of Kelly’s brother, himself a former professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. The book is inspiring and encouraging. It is profound and worth your time – but I would say that due to the vagueness of sentiment regarding the way of salvation that I’d not recommend it to a non-Christian friend in the hope of it pointing to Christ. That said, I commend this book. Buy it, read it, weep if you will, be inspired by the testimony, and give God the glory.