Contents

FEATURES

Bad ideas, bitter fruit

Considering chameleons

The week Coleraine stood still

The wonder of reconciliation

Evangelising Coventry’s council estates

Darwin or design?

The verse that helped me become a more patient parent

COMMENT

GUEST COLUMN: Gresham Machen’s Captain

A SHRINK THINKS... Physical or mental? Part one

THINKING IT THROUGH: Christians and the authorities: second thoughts three years on

A WALK WITH MR O: I really want to serve the Lord!

CRUNCH POINTS: My daughter is in a same-sex marriage and pregnant. Should I be celebrating or sad?

NEWS

News in brief

Free speech victory as European Court kicks out ‘gay cake’ appeal

Nurse wins employment tribunal case over cross necklace

Former policeman wins free speech legal victory over trans tweets and ‘non-crime hate incidents’

‘Shameful day’ as Northern Ireland Assembly fails to protect disabled babies from new liberal abortion law

Children with learning disabilities offered DNRs during pandemic

Matthew Cox succeeds Roger Fay as chairman at Evangelical Times

Peer speaks out against assisted suicide, and UK Right to Life criticises new ‘suicide pods’ introduced in Switzerland

Haiti: Missionaries stage dramatic night-time escape

Afghanistan: UK barrister urges PM to rescue Afghan Christians

India: Christmas church services banned over security concerns

Finland: Trial starts for former government minister over her biblical view of marriage

Germany: Pro-life group in legal victory over ‘censorship zone’

Upton Baptist Church marks 150 years of God’s faithfulness

Newquay church leaves URC

Education conference hears Christian perspectives on environmental issues

Roger Carswell leads evangelism week in Cardiff

Newcastle seminary conference: Longing for revival

The Christian’s warfare surveyed at Stockton PRC conference

Matthew Clay inducted at Trinity Baptist Church, Tenterden, Kent

Baroness Cox speaks to hundreds at a Christian teachers’ conference

REVIEWS

How Christianity Transformed the World

Thriving in Grace: 12 Ways the Puritans Fuel Spiritual Growth

Corporate Worship: How the church gathers as God’s people

Grace and Glory: Sermons preached at Princeton Seminary

Mission to Soho: Where two worlds meet

FEATURES

Bad ideas, bitter fruit

Rob Henderson, a PhD student at Cambridge, has become known recently for his theory of ‘luxury beliefs’.

He remembers at age three trying to cling to his mother as two Los Angeles police officers dragged her away. He never saw her again. Sometimes as a child he would eat food foraged from bins. He was smoking weed by the age of nine. He could have ended up in jail.

Instead, he entered the Marines, where he learned to take responsibility and his gifts were nurtured. He advanced to further studies.

First at Yale and then at Cambridge, Rob perceived a ludicrous chasm between many of the ideas advanced by those in academia and the harsh realities of life for those outside that rarefied environment.

The elites can promote ideologies such as ‘free love’ or ‘defund the police’, but Rob had seen from first-hand experience that such ‘luxury beliefs’ are catastrophic when they impact those at the lowest income levels.

Bad ideas bear bitter fruit

Following our Creator’s instructions leads to human flourishing. Defying his good design results in disaster.

A series of lies have become embedded in the worldview of our culture. Like poison gas, these bad ideas cannot be seen, but they have deadly effects.

They have usually been promoted by elites who haven’t (at first) had to bear the greatest cost, but God is not mocked. Often those who persist in peddling lies are themselves, in time, ‘mugged by reality’.

‘There is no Creator God’

By the end of the 19th century, increased acceptance of evolutionary theory had contributed to a naturalistic worldview.

The logical deduction of evolution through random mutation and natural selection is that there is no absolute reason to protect human life above animal life.

Jacob Bronowski (1908–1974), presenter of the BBC series The Ascent of Man, insisted, ‘Man is a part of nature, in the same sense that a stone is, or a cactus, or a camel.’

This naturalistic worldview chipped away at the ethic of life based on the biblical idea that human life is to be afforded dignity because it is created in the image of God.

A culture of death gained ground.

Provision of abortion is described as ‘healthcare’ for women. Countless unborn humans are disposed of in the process of artificial reproductive technologies (and some ‘contraceptive’ methods).

In many nations there is pressure to legalise ‘assisted suicide’, or euthanasia.

Some radical environmentalists argue that selective genocide may be needed in order to ‘preserve’ the planet.

‘There won’t be a judgment’

Denying the existence of our Creator means that we’re not answerable to our Creator: there won’t be a judgment and we can decide our own ethical standards. That cleared the way for the ‘sexual revolution’.

People such as Margaret Sanger (1879–1966) saw themselves as saviours, liberating people from the repression of traditional morality.

Founder of Planned Parenthood, and a supporter of the eugenics movement, Sanger devoted her life to the cause of sexual liberation. Her personal life was disastrous: failed marriages, neglected children, numerous affairs, attempts to cover up her complicity with the Nazi regime, and desperate attempts to find meaning via occult activities.

David Cooper (1931–1986) was one of many 20th century academics who insisted that the married family stifled personal independence and sexual freedom. While writing The Death of the Family (Penguin, 1971), he suffered a mental and physical breakdown. His brother and sister-in-law cared for him devotedly through the crisis. Yet Cooper continued to demand the abolition of the very institution to which he had turned in his hour of need.

In a fallen world, freedom without boundaries ends up in dystopia, not utopia.

Sexual ‘liberation’ has resulted in family breakdown, historically unprecedented global rates of fatherlessness, and communal weakening.

Children are at highest risk of harm when there is a revolving door of father-figures, or when family break-up means they are taken into state care.

The vast scale of human trafficking and modern-day slavery created by the global pornography industry creates immeasurable misery.

‘Truth claims are power grabs’

The current worldview denies the moral claims of our Creator, so everyone must do what is right in their own eyes.

Autonomy is the supreme value (from the Greek words auto for self, and nomos for law). Each person is to choose their own law; any refusal to affirm their moral choice is taken to mean that we do not respect them as human beings, or even that we hate them.

Many hesitate to express views about morality in public. ‘Criticism is violence’ is a mantra used to shut down debate on university campuses.

Students may be told that truth claims are just grabs for power, used by oppressor groups to keep minorities oppressed.

Those in ‘victim’ groups have access to ‘their’ truth, which the privileged are not allowed to comment on.

The victim’s individual experience can never be contradicted. What if you use reason, logic, and science to make a truth claim? Some claim that they are tools of oppression.

Professor Garth Cooper, a distinguished scientist in New Zealand, is currently under disciplinary investigation for objecting to the idea that schools should give as much weight to Māori mythology as to science in the classroom. Such an objection, it’s said, hurts the feelings of indigenous people.

According to this worldview, Christianity is viewed as the religion of the ‘majority’ culture, which has oppressed minority groups, so Christians share the collective guilt of the privileged class.

This may sound bizarre. Many would prefer to pretend it’s not happening.

But that’s just a vignette of the culture of identity politics that many today are having to navigate.

We have to understand what’s going on – and how we got here – if we are to equip our young people (and others) to be confident in the truth of God’s Word.

‘Words have no universal meaning’

By the end of the 19th century, revolutionaries were calling for equality. Not equality of opportunity, but absolute equality – equality of outcomes.

But given that people are all different, exactly equal outcomes can never be achieved if individual liberty is respected.

In societies influenced by the biblical worldview, inequalities have been mitigated by the Christian virtues of generosity, compassion, and social responsibility, and injustices have been addressed by a variety of reform movements.

Radical activists of the 20th century viewed reform movements as papering over the cracks of the corrupt edifice of a hopelessly unequal civilisation. It needed to be pulled down, not reformed.

The first generation of Marxists pushed for violent revolution. Later, some ‘critical thinkers’ took a different tack.

Italian revolutionary thinker Antonio Gramsci set out to trigger a slow-burning, long-term intellectual revolution which would undermine the presuppositions which propped up the establishment.

Institutions, values, family, church, morality, philanthropy, law, and government – even ‘common sense’ – were all viewed as means by which groups with power and privilege oppressed everyone else.

They could be toppled – if you could get people to doubt the concept of truth and the meaning of language. Persuade them that ‘freedom’ and ‘dignity’ are ‘just words’, and ‘words have no universal meaning’. Convince them that transcendent and religious ideals are a fraud exploited by the powerful elites (the ‘hegemony’) to sustain their own selfish interests. They are ‘false consciousness’.

The virus of radical doubt

A leader of the deconstructionist movement was French philosopher and author Michel Foucault (1926–1984). He celebrated transgressiveness, regarded Christian morality as toxic, and claimed that knowledge is merely a ploy used to keep the privileged in positions of power.

Foucault believed that authorities exert domination through the ‘gaze’, whether of the warder in the prison, or the medics in a hospital or mental asylum. When, however, he himself was dying of AIDS, he was cared for with compassion in the Salpêtrière, a hospital he had previously dismissed as a bourgeois authoritarian institution. Theory had been mugged by reality.

But the damage has been done. First universities, then all the institutions of Western society, have been invaded by the ‘virus’ of radical doubt. Critical theory has hijacked certainty about everything.

Truth claims are routinely shouted down by those who view the West as inherently evil (racist, patriarchal, heteronormative, capitalist).

Some want to destroy the very structures which have created freedom and prosperity: ‘Smash the patriarchy’ (aka the family), ‘Smash capitalism’ (aka wealth creation and private property), ‘Smash heteronormativity’ (aka biological reality), ‘Smash the police’ (aka law and order); ‘Smash down the statues’ (aka our collective memory and history).

‘The truth will set you free’

God is the Creator, and the ground of truth, justice, and morality. The only firm foundation for the defence of human rights is the truth that we are all created in God’s image.

The Bible affirms the essential unity of humanity (rather than absolute racial divisions): we all share the same first parents. We are all endowed with conscience. All must give account to our Maker. We are all guilty (guilt is not restricted to certain privileged groups); but forgiveness is offered to all in Christ.

God designed family and work. Sexual complementarity is his good design. The married family should not be undermined. Property should be protected, and work should be rewarded.

Our Sovereign God is in control of history. He has promised that the seasons will endure until the coming of his Son. He calls us to be responsible in stewardship of creation, but he has richly provided the resources of this earth to be developed for our blessing (Psalm 104).

In a fallen, sinful world, where oppression and suffering are realities, we are all called on to love our neighbour and do good to others.

God appoints rulers to uphold justice, and civil authorities should be supported. They will be answerable to God for how they fulfil their trust.

We need to learn from the past with gratitude and humility, but recognising that all human endeavours are affected by sin.

The division of the world into nation states offers protection from the threat of global tyranny.

Today in the West, many have been deceived by lies: all those foundational biblical truths are under attack. But defying God ends in disaster for individuals and societies (Psalm 12).

As it becomes ever more apparent that bad ideas bear bitter fruit, we are to be confident that living according to God’s truth leads to individual and societal flourishing.

Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and he promises to all who come to him: ‘Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’ (John 8:32).

Sharon James works for The Christian Institute. Her latest book is The Lies We are Told, the Truth We Must Hold and follows on from How Christianity Transformed the World (both from Christian Focus Publications, 2021).

Considering chameleons

Chameleons are curious creatures with some unusual features. There are over 150 species of this amazing reptile. Some are as small as a thumbnail while others are the size of a cat. Some chameleons live in warm habitats, ranging from deserts to rainforests.

Their neck is so short that they can’t turn their heads. They have large eyes which can move independently so that they can look forward and backward at the same time, providing a panoramic view of their surroundings.

They have sticky tongues which are 1.5 to 2 times longer than their bodies, and their tongue can dart out in a third of a second to catch insects.

Coat of many colours

However, the most unusual feature of chameleons – and the best known – is their ability to change colour. The normal colour of chameleons that dwell in rainforests is green and the usual colour of those that live in deserts is brown. But remarkably, they can vary their colour and pattern at will.

So how do chameleons manage to change colour? The outer layer of their skin is transparent while beneath it are layers of special cells filled with pigment – the substance that gives colour to plants and animals.

To display a particular colour, their brain sends a message to these colour-producing cells, which release pigments which can mix to create various colours as required. For instance, red and blue pigment may mix to make the chameleon look purple.

Amazing, isn’t it? The process by which they do this is complicated and not easy for even experts to fully comprehend.

The colour-changing ability of chameleons can be used for camouflage to protect these small reptiles from predators. Changing colour also helps chameleons regulate their body temperature. By turning darker, they absorb more light and heat, which helps warm them up, while turning lighter tends to cool them down.

They also change colour to communicate with other chameleons. They tend to show brighter colours when displaying aggression or to attract potential mates, but display darker colours to indicate submission.

Chameleon Christians

When the Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land, God directed Moses to give them instructions on how they should live in their new homeland. These instructions included avoiding eating certain animals which were to be regarded as unclean.

One of these animals was the chameleon (Leviticus 11:30). God’s command to avoid chameleons (among other animals) had a spiritual application for the Hebrews, reminding them that they were to be distinct from the various nations living around them. They were to be holy (Leviticus 11:44).

I believe there is a spiritual sense in which Christians today should avoid chameleons, so to speak.

At some point or other, most Christians face the temptation to change ‘colour’ to blend in with whatever background they happen to be in. It can be tempting to be just worldly enough to blend in with secular society, while just religious enough to fit in at church.

Against a worldly background, chameleon Christians may talk like the world, act like the world, and maybe even dress like the world. But in a Christian setting, they know how to behave accordingly.

This chameleon approach may be adopted due to timidity about standing out in a crowd or just plain weakness. Of course, attempts are made to justify it. Chameleon Christians don’t want to be uncomfortable and they don’t want to make anyone else feel uncomfortable either.

All things to all people?

The concept of changing ‘colour’ for the sake of blending in with the background is a trend of much of modern Christianity. Some common terms bandied about to justify this approach are ‘acceptance, inclusive, non-judgmental, and seeker-friendly’.

The reasoning is that by adapting ourselves to those around us, we can establish affinity and trust more easily. This may pave the way for an opportunity to share something of the gospel.

One Bible verse that might be cited is Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:22-23, ‘I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.’

These verses and their context need to be considered carefully. The apostle Paul was willing to condescend to the prejudices of all types of people – Jews, those under the law, those outside the law, and those who were ‘weak’. Paul would do this where it was lawful and in good conscience so that he could more easily explain the gospel to such groups.

But Paul never hid his loyalty to Christ. He was no chameleon Christian. He defended the gospel vigorously in front of all kinds of people.

Transformed, not conformed

Paul also wrote, ‘Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect’ (Romans 12:2).

God has called us to be transformed, not to be conformed to worldly standards. When we are transformed, we influence those around us to some degree wherever we go. But when we allow ourselves to be conformed to this world, those around us influence us. Whenever we find ourselves in an environment where we are tempted to change ‘colour’ in order to blend in, it is best to leave.

If you had the opportunity to see a chameleon, you wouldn’t know quite what colour it would be. It could be pink, blue, red, orange, green, black, brown, light blue, yellow, turquoise, or purple. If you saw it again, it might be a different colour. It might even be invisible to you if it had the same colours as the foliage around it.

Chameleons are amazing because they can blend into their environment. But Christians are to be different from unbelievers around us. We are the salt and light of this world (Matthew 5). We must not lose our saltiness and we cannot hide our light. We are to be holy (1 Peter 1).

Admire the amazing chameleons by all means, but don’t try to emulate their background-blending technique.

Bill Allan is deacon at Marshalswick Baptist Free Church.

The week Coleraine stood still

On Tuesday, 7 June 1859, the town of Coleraine in Northern Ireland was visited by a supernatural phenomenon.

It didn’t involve UFOs or little green men or monsters from outer space. It was something far more amazing that affected many thousands of the people who lived in the town at that time.

It was something that had happened in other parts of Ulster and has since occurred elsewhere in the world, but on 7 June 1859, it happened in Coleraine.

‘Indescribable awe’

It started on what used to be called the ‘Fair Hill’ behind First Presbyterian Church. 6,000 people met for an open-air meeting to hear reports from different speakers of how they had been suddenly and dramatically converted by God in meetings that had been taking place throughout Ulster in recent days.

One speaker reported his experience just the night before in the neighbouring town of Portrush. As he listened to a preacher, he said he felt ‘an indescribable spirit of awe’ and was overwhelmed by a sense of the holiness of God and his own unfitness to meet him.

Later that night he tried to ignore the feeling and go to sleep, but in the end he had to go out to his barn and cry to God for mercy. Other speakers testified to similar experiences. As they spoke, many people in the large crowd started to cry out in distress.

Mass hysteria? That’s what one of the ministers in charge was worried about, Revd Canning of New Row Presbyterian. He decided to calm things down by reading a short speech from a script as unemotionally as possible.

The Chronicle (a local newspaper) reported on the meeting and the events following: ‘The ministers were… untiring in their attendance on the people, and… were kept out of bed all night that they might answer the calls of distracted friends, for assistance to dear ones in trouble. [There were] not fewer than 150 cases of decided conviction. There is not a street or lane in the whole town but can number three or four of those who have been enlightened.’

The Chronicle knew what it was talking about – three of its staff had been among those deeply affected by the meeting of that Tuesday night, and when they came to work the next day, the time was spent praying with the rest of the staff and talking about what God had done for them. As a result, the Chronicle was late going to press that week.

It wasn’t just in the newspaper offices that this kind of thing was happening. The Chronicle reported, ‘Trade, except in Bibles and Testaments, if not suspended, has been partially paralysed – those who conducted it having for the present given it up or became incapable of transacting it… Our readers will excuse us when they know the cause of delay, should they not receive the Chronicle at the usual time… when they read of the glorious things the Lord had been doing for our town and neighbourhood.’

‘Spiritual A&E ward’

On Wednesday evening (8 June) another huge crowd gathered in the marketplace to hear preaching.

While they were praying for the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit, a flash of light lit up the sky for a few seconds, bringing the whole crowd to its knees. Once again, many people were physically collapsing under the strain of their guilty consciences and longing for forgiveness.

A Methodist minister, coming down the town about midnight, worn out from telling so many people how to become Christians, found one of his Presbyterian colleagues busy at the same task with a group of people in the middle of the street.

On Thursday evening, after another large open-air meeting, the ministers of the town decided that they needed a venue to take people who were brought under conviction of sin – somewhere quieter and more private where they could receive the prayer and spiritual help from the Bible they needed.

The place they settled on was the brand-new Town Hall in the Diamond. Building work had recently been completed, and a grand Ball was planned for its opening. Instead, it was first used as a kind of ‘spiritual A&E ward’.

Some hundred people ‘agonised in mind through conviction of sin and entirely prostrate in body’ were carried into the Town Hall for counselling until the early hours of the morning.

The Chronicle wrote, ‘Instead of the joyous dance and stirring music of the ballroom, the walls of the hall gave back the almost despairing groans of the stricken sinner, the heart-felt prayer of a believing penitent, or resounded with the adoring thanks of a redeemed saint…’

Out of the mouths of babes

On Friday (10 June) took place what the Chronicle called ‘the most remarkable instance of the Divine power that has yet marked this spiritual and practical religious revival’.

It happened at the Irish Society school. One of the schoolboys was so deeply affected by the Holy Spirit at work in his conscience that he couldn’t do his work. His teacher sent him home to pray, along with an older boy who had become a Christian the day before.

On their way home they passed an empty house, which they decided to use for prayer. They stayed there until the younger boy had found peace with God. But then he wanted to go back to school to tell his teacher what had happened.

When he got back to class he said, ‘Oh sir, I am so happy I have the Lord Jesus in my heart.’ He was so earnest that the rest of the class was deeply moved.

One boy after another left the classroom to go out to the playground to kneel in prayer and ask God for forgiveness and mercy.

A contemporary describes what happened, ‘Their silent grief soon broke into a bitter cry. As this reached the ears of the boys in the room, it seemed to pierce their hearts as… they cast themselves upon their knees and began to cry for mercy.

‘The girls’ school was above, and the cry no sooner penetrated to their room, than… they, too, fell upon their knees and wept. Strange disorder for schoolmaster and mistress to have to control!

‘The united cry reached the adjoining streets, and soon every spot on the premises was filled with sinners seeking God.’

Ministers came and spent the day in the school. The last person didn’t leave until 11 that evening.

For weeks afterwards, open-air meetings took place every night, attended by thousands. The Town Hall was kept open all night until 5 a.m., and even then people were reluctant to leave.

A daily prayer meeting was begun in the Town Hall, which met every morning at 9.30, during the workers’ breakfast time.

Normally about 1000 people came along each day – one fifth of the population of the town at that time! They came to give thanks to God for his miraculous work in the town and to pray for more blessing.

Aftermath

There were many changes in Coleraine at that time because of this mighty work of God. Drunkenness, which had been a serious problem in the town, almost disappeared overnight.

The Saturday of this remarkable week was a market day – usually a day blighted by much drunkenness. But this week there wasn’t a single incident.

The Chronicle mentioned one pub which, until 3 p.m. that day, hadn’t sold a single glass of whiskey – unheard of on a market day in Coleraine! In fact, the most successful publican in the town had to close down because of the fall in demand for alcohol.

The revival led to a drop in crime in the area. ‘The Superior Officer of Police, who had work experience in most of the counties of Ireland, claimed he had never seen such a quiet town. There had been, in his view, a complete reformation in the habits of many people.

‘The Head Constable, with eighteen years’ experience in Coleraine, said the Petty Sessions held on 17 June 1859 was the first he had ever attended where nobody was prosecuted for both riot and drunkenness.’

Now and then

The 1859 revival in Coleraine was a spectacular, powerful, supernatural work of the Spirit of God.

A contemporary, the Presbyterian minister John Weir, wrote in 1860 that in Coleraine ‘the spiritual power of the Revival seems to have been manifested, in a degree, perhaps, surpassing any other place, at least up to that time’.

It wasn’t limited to any one class or personality or age. Old and young, rich and poor, religious and pagan were all alike brought to see that they needed to be rescued from the judgment of God upon them for their rebellion against him.

In their hundreds they cried to God for mercy, and, as he promises, God heard their cries and saved them. ‘For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.’

That was many years ago. By 1865 the Fair Hill, where it all began, had become a rubbish tip. Several years later the crime rates in Coleraine were extraordinarily high.

Many thousands of men and women and children were transformed forever by the 1859 revival, but the history of the following years is proof that every generation, every human being, needs to be born again by God’s Holy Spirit.

But we cannot live in the past, and the spring of 2021 witnessed some ugly, evil events in Coleraine. Following post-Brexit tensions, rioting, violence, and disorder gripped the streets of Coleraine and other parts Ulster.

It served as a stark reminder that Coleraine, like all our towns and cities, still needs the powerful, life-transforming work of God. Nothing else can change the human heart.

Warren Peel is Pastor of Trinity RPC in Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland, and Trustee of the Banner of Truth.

The wonder of reconciliation

In May 2019, 15-year-old Leah met up with a group of friends in a car park in her hometown of Northallerton.

Connor, who was 17 years old, supplied Leah with MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, a Class A drug. After taking the drug Leah collapsed and died. Connor was charged with supplying drugs and was sent to prison.

After the trial, Leah’s mother Kerry and Connor’s mother Tammy were introduced to each other through a restorative justice scheme, which brings those harmed by crime and those responsible for the harm into contact with each other with a view to finding a positive way forward.

As Kerry and Tammy talked, they were able to understand each other’s situation.

Kerry realised that they had both lost something. Tammy knew her son was involved with drug gangs and had tried, without success, to get help for him, including reporting him to the police.

She felt a deep guilt and shame over Leah’s death. Kerry told Tammy that Leah was her ‘best friend’ and that she felt ‘a lot of hatred’ about how she had died.

Following their meeting Kerry and Tammy decided to launch a campaign, ‘Do You Know MDMA?’, to get the message out that drugs kill.

Kerry says, ‘People will look at us and think it’s an unlikely friendship. They will see us as two separate people, but we are both grieving.

‘They are both our children. I feel if we can tell our story we can try to educate people. Leah died and I can’t let that be for no reason.’

Many people have been deeply moved by Kerry and Tammy’s story and pray that because of their campaign other young people will not die from taking drugs.

Reconciliation is a powerful thing and is at the heart of the Bible’s message.

All of us have sinned and rebelled against God, but through his Son Jesus Christ God has at great cost provided the way of reconciliation.

The Apostle Paul wrote, ‘For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. He gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ’ (2 Corinthians 5:19-21).

Peter Milsom is an elder at St Mellons Baptist Church, Cardiff, and Chairman of Associating Evangelical Churches of Wales.

Evangelising Coventry’s council estates

Andy Norris is an evangelist with Hillfields Church, Coventry. He shares with ET about his experiences working in deprived areas of the city.

ET: What’s the background to Hillfields Church?

AN: The church’s origin stretches back to 1849, when a group of believers gathered outside for worship in the yard of a wholesale grocer named Mr Barber. Among this gathering there was a desire to build a chapel where God’s people could meet.

The Lord wonderfully provided a space, and so the church was originally called ‘Rehoboth’ – meaning ‘room’. Christmas day 1857 was the date when the chapel was officially opened in Hillfields.

The first pastor was W. Garner. He was succeeded by T. Colsell (1881–1896), A. P. Brooke (1917–1924), P. M. Rowell (1965–1983), and Paul Watts (1985–2020). James Young and Simon Hook are currently joint pastors.

In 2011, the church launched a major fundraising appeal to increase the floor space in the church by over 70 per cent. The vision was to see God glorified and the gospel spread in Hillfields and the city as a whole. God kindly enabled us to raise the money, and the new building was opened in July 2014.

In 2017, the church wanted to respond to a request for help from Hillfields Evangelical Church. This led to the two churches amalgamating under the name Hillfields Church, with meetings taking place on both sites.

Having another site has given the church an ideal location to reach out to share the gospel in the local community.

ET: What is the area like?

AN: Hillfields is very diverse in its demographics. English working class, Muslims, Hindus, and many from Eastern Europe are common. It is the second poorest area in Coventry.

Prostitution, gang violence, alcoholism, and drug use are also common. There are several high-rise flats, many council houses, mosques, and Hindu temples in the area.

ET: Are there other evangelical churches in the area?

AN: Yes, there are several: Mosaic Church, and also St Marks. They also seek to reach out to the Hillfields estate with the gospel.

ET: What does your work involve?

AN: We’ve recently started an evangelistic outreach in the afternoon on Sundays at 4 p.m.

Anyone is invited to come along. We provide food and a gospel talk is given. There is also opportunity for conversation between Christians and non-Christians.

We want to love the people who come along and build friendships with them in the hope that they will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

Besides this, I spend my week meeting up with non-Christians for Bible studies, knocking on doors in the estate, and walking in the parks seeking to share Christ with the lost.

ET: How did you get into the work?

AN: I came to Coventry in 2009 to study criminology with the desire to train to be a probation officer. I was encouraged to do the internship course at Hillfields Church, and I’ve been here ever since, though my role has changed a lot since then. I now serve as the evangelist on the estate.

ET: What kind of challenges are common when evangelising in Hillfields?

AN: As anyone who is involved in the work of evangelism will know, people can be very dismissive of the gospel, and it can grow very challenging sometimes, continually sharing the gospel day after day when most reactions will be apathy.

But God is the one who sustains us through his Word and through his Spirit so that we may continue. I’m also thankful for the brothers and sisters at HCC who are praying for me.

Another challenge is that people can be quite aggressive sometimes. There was one occasion when I told a man that in order to enter the kingdom of God, he needed to be born again. He responded by tensing up with rage and shouting at me to leave immediately, because he said he was going to hit me.

Another man, after saying that there was nothing wrong with the immoral life he had been living, told me that I was wasting my time around here: ‘No one will ever believe!’ he said.

But I am comforted and encouraged by Jesus’s words when he said, ‘I will build my church.’ Nothing – not even the gates of hell – can stop Christ building his church.

Please do pray for the work in Hillfields, that we would see many lost people come to trust, love, and know the Lord Jesus.

ET: Can you share any recent accounts from your evangelistic work?

AN: Certainly. I was once out in Swanswell Park, and saw two men by the lake fishing.

I introduced myself and asked them both if they had ever considered why Jesus had died on the cross.

Steve replied, ‘That’s a load of rubbish, there is no evidence for any of this stuff. After all, there is no God.’

Kieran and Steve went on to share how they believed in aliens. They had seen footage on the internet which ‘proved’ that aliens were real.

Even if this is true, I said, what difference would the existence of aliens have on their lives now? Kieran replied, ‘It doesn’t really make any difference.’

I shared with them the parable of the Prodigal Son. As Kieran heard how the father in the story mercifully embraced his own son after he had blown all of his father’s money, Kieran commented how he could see something good and right about the father’s actions.

‘That’s the way things should be,’ he added. ‘Yes!’ I said, ‘and that is the way things are, because God is a loving Father who welcomes people like you and Steve to come home to him.

‘But the big difference (compared with whether or not you believe in aliens) is that if you do not believe this, you will be lost forever. One day you will not be able to come home to God.

‘But right now, today, God welcomes anyone to join his family, and he will make them his own son.’

They replied, ‘We will never believe, our minds are set, and you will never change us.’ I said, ‘You’re right, I can’t change you, but I know someone who can.’

Darwin or design?

A fundamental question posed by our existence is whether we are here by chance or design. It crosses the minds of almost everyone from philosophers to football supporters at some point in their lives and often goes unanswered.

It is usually assumed that the question is purely a religious one, but it goes deeper than that. It certainly has religious undertones and can lead to faith, but more fundamentally it poses a question about how we got here and why we are here.

It is a question that arises in science also. Given the complexity and precision of the universe and of life, can we detect real design from beyond nature or is it all a huge and meaningless accident?

Surprisingly, the latter is more or less the scientific consensus. Neo-Darwinism is said to have given us the evidence that all of life is the result of random mutations and natural selection, although there is the embarrassing problem of having no explanation for the emergence of first life.

Cosmologists also have their own evolutionary hypothesis. The universe somehow emerged from nothing and continues to expand on a mind-numbing scale. Is that it all sorted then?

A closed door to the divine

It took me a while to realise that, in this matter, the biologists and the cosmologists are not really dealing in scientific facts, but rather on speculations imposed on them. Mind you, I should have seen that sooner, because several scientists have been honest enough to admit it.

The late Richard Lewontin, one-time Professor of Biology at Harvard, for example, could hardly be more explicit: ‘It is not that the methods and institutions of science somehow compel us to accept a material explanation of the phenomenal world, but, on the contrary, that we are forced by our a priori adherence to material causes to create an apparatus of investigation and a set of concepts that produce material explanations, no matter how counter-intuitive, no matter how mystifying to the uninitiated. Moreover, that materialism is absolute, for we cannot allow a divine foot in the door.’

Now at one level you have to admire that degree of honesty, but at another it is quite shocking. What he is saying is that scientific conclusions are not ultimately based on empirical evidence but on the philosophical assumption of ‘materialism’ or ‘naturalism’. It is not that the evidence points in the direction of atheism; it is that scientists want it to be that way and have assumed that it is the case.

Chemical beauty

The first time I encountered Intelligent Design (ID) in detail was at a lecture I attended in Cambridge in 2005. It was given by the Cambridge-trained American philosopher of science Dr Stephen Meyer. He was describing his work on DNA and in particular what conclusions can be drawn from its information content, carried in the coded sequences of its chemical constituents.

I had often marvelled at the chemical beauty of the DNA molecule with its double helical backbone and base pair units embedded within its structure. Indeed, as a chemistry teacher, I had introduced sixth form pupils to the structure of DNA as an example of chemical precision and of the painstaking work of the scientists who elucidated its chemical structure.

What I had never heard before, and what in retrospect is blindingly obvious, is that the order of the chemical units in DNA carries digitally coded genetic information. In solving one mystery – the chemical structure of DNA – its co-discoverers, Crick and Watson, had uncovered another. What is the origin of the information carried by DNA?

Meyer argued that it is entirely scientific to explore the origin of that information, and that it is well within the scientific method to make an inference to the best explanation for it. To do so it is necessary to draw on our knowledge of processes currently in operation which are known to produce the result observed.

In all our experience, functional information, such as is found in print, film, or computer software, arises only from the activity of an intelligent mind. Hence, the best explanation for the origin of the information carried in DNA is that it is the product of something akin to mind or intelligence.

The sophistication of DNA’s information is never going to arise randomly or by chance, any more than intelligible newsprint could be produced by simply splattering ink on enough paper. As Henry Quastler, the pioneering information theorist, once observed, ‘information habitually arises from conscious activity’.

Darwin on trial

My openness to Meyer’s exposition of evidence for design in DNA was, in part, conditioned by an earlier lecture I had attended in Glasgow in 2004, given by Prof. Phillip Johnson, former law clerk to the Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court and Law Professor at the University of California in Berkeley.

He described how, on a year’s sabbatical in London in 1988, he encountered in the same bookstore two books about evolution: Richard Dawkins’s The Blind Watchmaker and Michael Denton’s Evolution: A Theory in Crisis.

He was intrigued that evolution could be the subject of such diametrically opposed treatments, and spent a good part of his year examining the subject closely. From a position of unquestioning acceptance of Darwinian evolution, he came to the conclusion that the evidence for it was not credible. He describes his findings in his book Darwin on Trial.

This was the first time I had heard such a devastating yet non-religious critique of evolution. Johnson explained that evolution, as popularly understood, is sustained primarily not by the scientific evidence, but by a prior commitment to the philosophy of naturalism.

Although I had been a science student, researcher, and teacher for 40 years, I had never appreciated that, in the area of origins, science is not neutral, but is underpinned by a philosophical commitment which rules out the existence of any agency beyond nature.

It is intriguing to note that scientists like Richard Dawkins assert the absolute certainty of evolution and at the same time say that no one has any idea about how life arose. Indeed, in an interesting interview with the American commentator Ben Stein in the DVD Expelled, he agrees that the biochemistry of life could be interpreted as showing evidence of a higher designing intelligence, arguing also that life may have been seeded on this planet from elsewhere.

He is in good company here, as one of the co-discoverers of the chemical structure of DNA, Sir Francis Crick, also proposed this solution, known technically as ‘panspermia’.

Lord Rees, the Astronomer Royal, on the other hand, offers the singularly unscientific explanation of the origin of life by suggesting it could be a once-in-a-universe ‘fluke’.

The absence of any credible explanation for the origin of life is a major problem for modern biology and calls into question the whole evolutionary framework. Until we know what factors were at work in life’s origin, we cannot assert with any confidence the nature of the processes by which life has developed. But the fact that scientists cannot contemplate what is staring them in the face – namely that life is run by immaterial information coded onto the chemistry of DNA and pointing to a designing intelligence – underlines the suffocating dominance of the philosophy of naturalism.

The obvious conclusion cannot be drawn because the philosophical rule of science can’t be violated. This clearly represents a breath-taking level of intellectual arrogance unworthy of true scientific investigation.

Following the evidence

Over the years I have not heard any credible rebuttal of Meyer’s argument about the evidence for intelligent design in DNA’s information content. I’ve heard plenty of ad-hominem abuse and uninformed dismissal, and the pathetically weak assertion that given time a naturalistic explanation will be worked out.

What scientists should do is accept the inference to the best explanation until something better is found. I doubt, though, if a better explanation for the origin of the information content of DNA will be found than that proposed by Dr Meyer.

The information content of DNA is, of course, not the only evidence for design in nature. Support for the design hypothesis is in fact widespread and comes from cosmology, biology, and, to some extent, psychology. The most common arguments are from what has become known as ‘cosmic fine tuning’ and biological complexity.

It is encouraging that a small but increasing number of scientists are beginning to recognise the severe limitations of Darwinian theory and, although not yet ready to embrace Intelligent Design, recognise the need for a much better theory of origins which takes account of the clear evidence of design in nature.

The writer of Genesis was not a scientist in any recognisable sense, but he certainly got it right when he wrote, ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth’ (Genesis 1:1).

Dr Alastair Noble is Director of the Centre for Intelligent Design.

The verse that helped me become a more patient parent

My parenting ‘playlist’ has multiple tracks on repeat: ‘Did you brush your teeth?’ goes out to four children at least twice a day. ‘Don’t forget your chores’ is the tune of every Saturday morning. ‘Please put your shoes away’ is in the queue more often than I can count.

To those I add, ‘Did you read your Bible?’ and ‘Remember, we’re doing family worship at 7.30’ nearly every day. You don’t have to stay long in my house before you’ll hear me repeat myself.

For me, this has been one of the hardest things about parenting. If you’d asked me before I had children, I would have told you that, sure, I’d probably have to repeat myself a few times with a two-year-old, but I would never have imagined that, fifteen years in, I’d still be reminding people to comb their hair.

Decades and kids later, parenting has starkly revealed my temptation to impatience. As the day goes on, my tone shrills with each repetition. My mouth grimaces as it forms the same words again and again. My scalp bristles with the affront of the third person in a row who wants to know, ‘What’s for dinner?’

Better systems or a better heart?

I could probably implement more efficient systems in my home to reduce the number of times I have to say the same thing.

I’m sure there’s an Instagram guru somewhere who would sell me a cute chalkboard with a daily checklist guaranteed to save my maternal breath.

But my kids aren’t an assembly line product, and I’m not sure I want to outsource the reiteration of important truths like: ‘I love you’ and ‘Look to Jesus’ and ‘Did you read your Bible?’ Some things just have to be said.

What’s more, even optimal family logistics won’t reorient my heart away from impatience. Having solved the problem of reminding people to hang up their jackets, I’m sure I’d move on to being upset about their need to be helped with maths or grammar during homework time.

I’d be frustrated by talking them through the steps of conflict resolution yet again. I might even resent the fact that they keep thinking salvation is something they have to earn by being good – no matter how many times I’ve told them it’s all of grace.

I can’t silence the fact that the problem I have with repeating myself is a problem with my own heart.

Paul, the patient parent

But in my impatient parenting the apostle Paul shows me a more excellent way. Right in the middle of his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul says, ‘To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you’ (Philippians 3:1).

Paul knew all about repeating himself. As he travelled throughout the known world, preaching sermons, planting churches, and writing letters, he told and retold the gospel message.

Only heaven will reveal exactly how many times Paul proclaimed ‘Christ and him crucified’ (1 Corinthians 2:2). In particular churches, he also had to review lessons that congregations had forgotten or ignored – or that were especially important.

With the Corinthians, he repeated the basics of the Christian faith (see 1 Corinthians 3:1-2). With the Galatians, he issued multiple warnings against listening to false teachers (see Galatians 1:9).

And with the Philippians, he commanded them four times in the space of four chapters to ‘rejoice!’ (Philippians 2:18; 3:1; twice in 4:4). Paul’s letters are filled with things he had already said. But, unlike me, he doesn’t repeat himself through gritted teeth.

So, what can we learn from Paul’s example that can help us become patient parents?

Keys to patience

First, in Philippians 3:1, Paul writes that repeating himself is ‘no trouble’. This is surprising because our impatience often stems from the fact that repeating ourselves seems like a great deal of trouble.

To regularly remind my kids to make their lunches, brush their teeth, and do their homework usually feels like a burden – and not a trifling one.

But Paul shows us that out of love for others, being patient should not be an imposition. Jacob laboured seven years for Rachel, and ‘they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her’ (Genesis 29:20).

Paul yearned for the Philippians ‘with the affection of Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 1:8), so it didn’t bother him to repeat himself a few times. We ought to value our kids so much that saying the same things again and again is no big deal.

Second, Paul says that his repeated exhortation is ‘safe for you’ (Philippians 3:1). Paul recognised that he could do great good to the Philippians simply by being patient with them.

Similarly, our patient words to our kids can encourage their hearts, equip them with truth, spur them to obedience, and point them to Christ.

To daily and gently remind my kids to be kind, to work hard, and to look to Christ is not incidental. I have to remind them because they – like me – are prone to forget. When I say it again, it shepherds their souls to a place of safety.

Jesus, the patient parent

Ultimately, the patient ‘parenting’ of Paul mirrors that of Jesus, of whom Isaiah prophesied, ‘a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench’ (Isaiah 42:3). If God had not been long-suffering with us, we would have been instantly consumed by his wrath.

But, as it is, our Lord has borne patiently with us: forgiving our sins, giving his Spirit to us, hearing our prayers, and instructing us in his Word again and again. He has done all these things as if they were ‘no trouble’ to him because they are safe for us, his beloved children.

And so, in Christ, I can field regular questions about snacks and repeated reminders about family worship with grace. To say the same things to my precious kids is really no trouble for me, and it is safe for them.

Megan Hill is an author and member of West Springfield Covenant Community Church, Massachusetts.

COMMENT

A welcome result, but vigilance is still needed

We welcome the decision by the European Court of Human Rights to throw out the appeal in the Ashers case. No one should be compelled to go against their conscience and promote political slogans they disagree with. But the determination of activists to push this all the way to Europe should be a warning to us all.

We very much hope the McArthur family can now put this legal nightmare behind them. They did not seek the spotlight, they were thrust into it by an aggressive prosecution pursued by the tax-payer funded Equality Commission. However, while the McArthurs did not seek the glare of the media and the courts, they handled it remarkably well. They were gracious, measured, and principled throughout.

The words of Jesus are trustworthy: ‘do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you’ (Matthew 10:19-20).

Yet eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. There are still many challenges to our freedom. The plans to outlaw ‘conversion therapy’ in England, Wales, and Scotland are still progressing. We must keep pressing the authorities to protect the ordinary and legitimate practices of churches and families.

In Canada, a similar ban on conversion therapy has been passed into law. The ban makes it potentially illegal to preach from the Bible on sexual ethics. So, in response, an initiative called the ‘Biblical Sexuality Sermon Sunday’ has asked churches to faithfully proclaim the biblical view of marriage, family, and sexual morality.

Such open defiance of the governing authorities does not sit well with most Christians, who are – quite rightly – generally peaceful and law abiding. But as Stephen Rees explains elsewhere in this edition ET, there are times when we not only may resist the government, but we must.

GUEST COLUMN: Gresham Machen’s Captain

John Gresham Machen was one of the great defenders of the evangelical faith in the 1920s and 1930s. Machen grew up in an evangelical home, and from an early age his mother taught him the Westminster Shorter Catechism. After completing his first degree, Machen went off in 1902 to study theology and philosophy at Princeton Seminary. After graduating from there in 1905 (he’d return to teach), he travelled to Germany to study for another year.

Germany was a leading centre of theological study, but Machen encountered there an anti-supernaturalist form of religion that was at odds with all that he’d been taught so far. His German teachers were learned, earnest, and kind but they had abandoned the Christian religion Machen knew and loved.

The miraculous had been removed from the Gospels and Jesus was instead revered as mankind’s great moral teacher. Machen found himself in agony of soul. Doubts surfaced that he knew had been there before. The question he realised he had to face was of the utmost seriousness, ‘Is the Christian religion true or is it not?’

Something he considered and that helped him during this long and difficult time had been presented in a very vivid and clear-cut fashion by Francis Patton, one of his Princeton lecturers. Patton likened the man who faces the problem of living to a man who stands on the waterfront looking over the ships that might take him across the sea. He has to go, and the only question is, in which ship shall his voyage be made?

Two ships lie at the dock. One of them, he is told, is new and well-made, has a careful captain, and is rated A-1 by the insurer Lloyd’s. He is favourably impressed, but being a cautious man, he turns by way of comparison to the other.

That ship, he is told, is old and rotten, has a drunken captain, and is ready to be condemned. Will he then choose the first ship? ‘No,’ he says, ‘despite the evidence for the goodness of that ship, I cannot be certain of its goodness, and so I must choose the second ship after all.’ Such in effect, said Patton, is our conduct if we refuse to act on reasonable probability in this matter of religion.

We have no choice about undertaking this business of living and dying. We cannot but choose to make the voyage. The only question is, in which ship we shall go. One ship presents itself with evidences of safety far superior to those of all others. It is the ship of Christianity, the way of living and dying founded upon the supernatural revelation that the Bible contains.

Shall we desert that ship for one far less approved, simply because the evidence in its favour does not amount to absolute proof? Or, acting on the best evidence that we can obtain, shall we make the great venture of faith and launch forth into the deep at Christ’s command?

Machen was also comforted during this time of struggle by something his mother used to say to him: ‘Christ,’ she would say, ‘keeps firmer hold on us than we keep on him.’ That means, in worldly terms, said Machen, that we should distrust our moods. When dark moments come, a man should not desert the well-grounded convictions of his better moments.

But his mother’s assurance meant something far deeper than that. It meant that we are not saved because we keep ourselves at every moment in a perfect attitude of confidence in Christ. No, we are saved because, having once been united to Christ by faith, we are his forever.

Mark Richards Pastor of Newtown Baptist Church, Chesham.

A SHRINK THINKS... Physical or mental? Part one

‘You just think you are cold,’ said my wife. I mused. I felt cold. My bodily experience was of being quite chilled. But apparently this was only in my mind. If only I could think warm thoughts then presumably I would be warm and well!

And as a psychiatrist convinced from the Bible that human beings are psychosomatic creatures (composed of body and soul), perhaps I did just need to think harder or differently?

We all experience brief and varied symptoms which are difficult to explain, both mental and physical, such as aches and pains, sadness and anxiety, tingles and swellings. How we think about these affects our experience of them.

We are psychosomatic beings

Although the focus in creation is on man created in God’s image and not on his substance or structure, the Scriptures do reveal man to be both physical and mental. Human beings are both body and soul (or mind or spirit; these three words are used interchangeably).

In Greek, body is ‘soma’ and soul/mind/spirit is ‘psyche’. So the transliterated word psychosomatic is aptly used. We are psychosomatic beings. These two components are normally fused together and so we live as unified whole beings. It is the unnatural separation of body and soul at death which provides some of the strongest evidence that we are psychosomatic.

The close created union of body and soul shows they interact. The body influences the soul and vice versa. My mind can influence my bodily experience. I can tell myself that I won’t be cold for long and so should be prepared to endure some short-term discomfort.

I can distract myself by engaging in conversation with my wife (about something other than feeling cold!). I can reassure myself that the mild degree of cold I am experiencing will not cause any harm, noting that I have often been cold like this before.

Such an approach alters the meaning of my cold-experience and thereby enables me to deal with it better and to actually feel less cold, though my body temperature would be unchanged.

So with our varied symptoms, we can learn to understand them better and so live with them more effectively. We all experience a bewildering range of such symptoms, and some people worry more than others about them.

Placebos

The placebo effect is a fascinating one with complexities way beyond the scope of this article. But our conditioning by society about the benefits of medication and our related conviction that doctors are powerful healers mean that when a caring doctor prescribes you a tablet you ‘feel better already’.

This has frequently been demonstrated even if the tablet is a placebo (that is, it is biologically inert and so has no effects). The best placebos are small, red tablets and have a famous drug company brand on them. Perhaps this is because in our society we associate success with red (sports cars), and multinational companies and the history of small people as powerful(!).

The placebo paradox is that once people know they are getting a placebo it doesn’t work so well. This has led to ongoing ethical dilemmas about whether doctors should be able to prescribe placebos. But in any case you can’t say to someone: ‘I’m afraid there is no proven treatment that modern medicine can offer to help you, but if you want I can prescribe you a placebo’! It won’t work.

But a placebo could help you, if you believed it was a wonder-drug. Then having taken one you would probably feel better. This is the ‘meaning effect’, and a multi-billion pound industry marketing and advertising vitamins and ‘health foods’ thrives on it. If you are convinced that this multi-vitamin tablet or food supplement has therapeutic properties, then this by itself affects you. It alters your perception of your symptoms and illness and so you feel better.

Placebos and ‘health foods’ are different ways of changing the meaning of the experience. Like my reasoning about my cold-feeling, using them alters our perception and makes us feel better.

The pathology persists

It is a common observation among doctors that people respond very differently to what appear to be the same physical ailments. We examine an X-ray of Sam’s spine which shows a lot of arthritis and which appears to explain why he has back-pain. But then in comes John with what could pass for the same X-ray and yet he has no pain at all.

A rigid materialist might try to argue this is due to differences in the number of pain nerves and so on, but it doesn’t wash. Doctors have long attributed such differences to the mind: John has a more robust approach mentally to his back-pain.

As I should have learned to not whinge about the cold but thought through my situation (I’ve been colder before with no harm, it won’t last long, etc.), John has learned to cope while Sam has not.

The recognition that understanding your experience helps you to manage it better does not imply that such mental alterations abolish the underlying diseases. The pathology persists, the arthritic changes remain. But to be able to deal with them better and thus actually feel better is also important, and a real benefit.

As Christians, our appreciation of ourselves as psychosomatic creatures means we can learn how to manage our varied symptoms better. We all experience them and can become hindered by them. But learning to think them through like this enables us to function better and thus serve our Lord better.

Alan Thomas is Professor and Consultant in Psychiatry. Elder at Newcastle Reformed Evangelical Church.

THINKING IT THROUGH: Christians and the authorities: second thoughts three years on

OneBack in 2019, I submitted an article to ET about our duty to the ruling authorities. In that article I tried to show from the Bible that we must have an attitude of willing submission to the government, but also that there are situations in which we must be prepared to disobey its commands. Since then I – and perhaps all of us – have had reason to reflect further on the principles involved and how they work out in practice. So maybe it’s time to revisit the subject.

First, let’s emphasise once again how important it is to submit to the authorities. Romans 13:1-7 is the most often quoted passage on the subject. If you’re not familiar with it, get out your Bible and read it through carefully. But Titus 3:1 is equally clear: ‘Remind them [the members of the churches] to be submissive to rulers and authorities.’

And here is 1 Peter 2:13-14: ‘Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good...’

The message of these verses is very clear. Believers and churches should aim to submit to whatever government is in place.

However, that is not a simple command to apply. The Bible also makes clear that there are situations in which we need not, or must not, submit to the people who are in power. Let me list out seven scenarios, three in which we must disobey the government; four in which we are free to disobey the government if we judge it best to do so.

We must disobey governments if they tell us to do things which God has commanded us not to do.

Pharaoh ordered the midwives to kill every male child that was born to the Israelites. ‘But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live... So God dealt well with the midwives’ (Exodus 1:17-20).

Nebuchadnezzar ordered everyone to fall down and worship the golden image that he had set up (Daniel 3:8-10). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego gave their answer:

‘...be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up...’ (Daniel 3:18).

If a government orders its citizens to blaspheme, to commit cruel acts, to make statements that are untrue, or to worship idols, Christians must be prepared to disobey. Suppose the midwives had killed the baby boys and said, ‘We were only obeying orders.’ Would the Lord have accepted that as an excuse for murder? Surely not. They were right to disobey the ruler of the land.

We must refuse to cooperate with governments when their intention is to harm innocent people, and especially God’s people.

I am thinking of situations where the government is not telling us that we ourselves must do evil against the innocent, but it is requiring us to facilitate its evil plans. Again you will find many examples in the Bible.

Jonathan discovered that his father the king was determined to kill David. He not only refused to help his father; he actively helped David to escape (1 Samuel 20).

The governor of Damascus had set guards on the city gates to prevent Paul from leaving the city. The believers in the city let Paul down in a basket from a window in the wall (Acts 9:23-25; 2 Corinthians 11:32-33).

Rahab did not cooperate with the authorities in Jericho who were searching for the spies; instead she hid them (Joshua 2).

The wise men did not follow Herod’s instructions to report back to him; instead they returned to their own country by another way (Matthew 2:12).

When the authorities sent officers to arrest Jesus, the officers returned without obeying the command (John 7:43-48).

When the Nazi party came to power in Germany, should Christian policemen or soldiers have cooperated in rounding up Jewish people who would then be deported and murdered? Or should they have done what many Christians did and hide them away?

If a government were to pass a law requiring that elderly people who had become a burden on the state should have their lives terminated, should Christian nursing-home owners, police officers, or town hall officials cooperate with that law, or do everything in their power to frustrate it? I think the Bible’s answer is clear.

We must disobey governments if they order us not to do things which God has commanded us to do.

A clear example of this is the order that was issued by king Darius. He was persuaded to issue a decree saying, ‘whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions’ (Daniel 6:7). The decree applied to everyone, not just believers.

And it was amazingly comprehensive. It applied to every citizen and to every sort of petition. No one was permitted to make any request to anybody except the king. No one could go to their boss and ask for a pay-rise. No one could go to an official and ask for permission to leave the country. All requests, of any sort, must be addressed to the king.

No doubt, the reason given was to establish in people’s mind that Darius was indeed supreme. The officials who persuaded Darius to pass the decree will have told him that it was necessary for the good of the country. And they argued that it was only temporary: ‘Just thirty days, then life can return to normal!’

None of that made any difference to Daniel. He knew that God commands believers to pray. He could not stop doing what God had commanded, even for a limited period.

In fact he refused to alter his practice of prayer at all: ‘When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open to Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God as he had done previously’ (Daniel 6:10-11).

In the New Testament, the authorities in Jerusalem summoned the apostles and ‘charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard”’ (Acts 4:16-20).

They returned to their preaching and were soon arrested and questioned again as to why they were disobeying the command they had been given. ‘But Peter and the apostles answered, “we must obey God rather than men...”’ (Acts 5:27-29).

You will see the relevance of this principle immediately. Early last year, the Covid-19 virus reached the UK and we were plunged into a state of crisis. The government’s response to the threat of Covid was to introduce a host of laws, regulations, and recommendations telling us that we must not do all sorts of things.

The problem is that many of those things were things that God has told us that we must do. For example, during the first ‘lockdown’ we were told that all baptisms were forbidden. But the Lord Jesus has given us a clear command: we must ‘make disciples of all nations, baptising them’ (Matthew 28:19).

For months, people were forbidden to visit or care for elderly relatives, however great their need or whatever precautions were taken. But God has commanded us to do so (1 Timothy 5:3-8).

Some Christians said that we should follow the government’s do-nots, regardless. And they gave many reasons for saying it. ‘This isn’t persecution,’ they argued, ‘the rules apply to everyone.’

But that was true when Darius issued his decree. Daniel still knew he must disobey it. ‘But it’s only for a short time.’ Again, that was true of Darius’s decree. ‘It’s for the national good.’ But every government says that about every order it issues! We can be sure that Darius’s law was pushed on that basis.

It may be that in an emergency, we – as individuals or churches – would be right to suspend some God-commanded activities because we judged that they could not be practicably performed. God has commanded that churches should assemble regularly. But if a church knew that terrorists intended to attack its meetings, it might well decide that it’s not practicable to meet.

Likewise, there are times when we have to set aside one command of God in order to keep a greater command that he’s given. As churches or as individual believers we may have to decide which command takes priority. But it is for us to make those decisions. How can a secular government decide which of God’s commands takes priority in a particular situation?

We cannot accept that the government has the right to ban us from doing things that God has explicitly commanded us to do. If God has commanded us to do things, we must do them regardless of what the government says.

We may disobey governments if they forbid us to do things that God has authorised us as human beings to do.

No government has the right to forbid us to do things that God has already authorised us to do. Some of those ‘authorisations’ were pronounced at creation before any government was instituted.

Think about the words he spoke to Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:28-30). He authorised human beings to have children: ‘Be fruitful and multiply...’ He authorised them to move from one place to another: ‘fill the earth...’ He authorised them to work: ‘and subdue it’. He authorised them to govern the animal creation and to eat plants. God has given us as human beings freedom to do – or at least to attempt to do – these things.

At creation God gave human beings the right to marry: ‘A man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh’ (Genesis 2:24). He authorised us to stop working for one day in seven and to set that day aside as holy: ‘God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation’ (Genesis 2:3).

And there were other freedoms that he conferred at other times. After the flood he authorised us to eat meat, as he had earlier given us freedom to eat plants: ‘Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything...’ (Genesis 9:3).

Individuals may choose not to benefit from those permissions – for example, by choosing not to get married. But did God ever say that a government – even a democratic government – has the right to take away from its subjects the right to do what God had already authorised them to do?

If a government forbids its citizens to get married, or to set aside one day in seven as holy, or tells us all to stop eating meat, we are entitled to say, ‘God has already told us we can do these things. No government has the right to stop us.’

Sadly, the present government in the UK has decided that it can override God’s authorisations and take away even the most basic God-given freedoms.

Remember: for much of 2020, all weddings were forbidden. It was not just that there was a restriction on the number of guests: a man could not even leave his home in order to be married to his chosen bride. No government has the right to make such a rule. No Christian has the obligation to keep it.

We may disobey governments if they issue commands which are contrary to, or have no basis in, the law of the land.

When a king was crowned in Old Testament Israel, he had to accept that he would operate under the law of the land, and that he himself was not above the law.

‘When he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers...’ (Deuteronomy 17:18-20).

He had to realise that he was not ‘above his brothers’: he was subject to the law in just the same way as everybody else. The principle was clear. The government is under the law, not above it.

If the authorities, national or local, issue decrees which have no basis in the law of the land, do we have to obey them? We may choose to, if we judge it wise to do so. But if we believe that such mandates are unwise or unnecessary, we are free to resist them.

So, for example, when the Israelites were fighting the Philistines, Saul ‘laid an oath on the people’, cursing anyone who ate anything before the battle was won (1 Samuel 14:24). When his son Jonathan ate some honey, Saul sentenced him to death. There was no legal basis for such an oath or such a sentence. It was simply an example of the king’s growing ego-mania.

Saul’s men would not allow him to carry out the sentence. ‘As the LORD lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day.’ Were they wrong to disobey Saul? No: his edict had no basis in the law of the land.

Or take a New Testament example. The authorities in Philippi broke the law when they ordered Paul and Silas to be flogged and imprisoned them without ascertaining their status or allowing them a formal trial. But then they added insult to injury by sending a message the following day saying that the missionaries could be set free to move on.

Should the missionaries have submitted meekly to their treatment and left without delay? That was not Paul’s view! ‘They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out’ (Acts 16:37).

Paul was not going to take any instructions from the authorities which had no legal basis. It was his right and duty to uphold the law even if that meant causing embarrassment and difficulties for the magistrates.

The fact that the authority of governments is subordinate to that of the law is recognised in the UK. There have been numerous occasions in recent years when the government has passed a law or issued a regulation, it’s been challenged in court, and the court has found that the government command has itself been unlawful.

In March 2021, the Scottish courts judged that the Scottish government had acted unlawfully when it told churches to stop meeting. Many legal experts would now say that the Westminster government was also acting unlawfully when it forbade churches in England to meet.

Some other aspects of the regulations brought in by the government have been of doubtful legality. In some cases the government simply issued orders to the nation. But the legislation to back those orders had not yet been passed by Parliament.

As Christians our loyalty is first to God, secondly to the law of the land, and only thirdly to the government. If the government issues decrees that have no legal basis, we may – and sometimes we must – disobey them.

We may resist governments – and work to overthrow them – if they have no lawful basis for their existence.

Imagine that you are living on a huge housing estate in a great city. For years it has been a hotbed of crime and violence. And finally the police have given up trying to police the estate. They have pulled out and left the locals to their own devices.

What happens? A gang of thugs take control of the area. They kill or beat up everyone who stands in their way. Shop-keepers pay ‘protection’ money or their premises are burned down. Anyone who disobeys an order from the gang-leaders gets kneecapped.

The thugs have become the effective government of the area. They make the rules. They drive out rival drug dealers. They punish burglars and car thieves. But they themselves are answerable to nobody.

Remember, there are places which are run in that way. For example, after the Good Friday agreement was signed, paramilitary gangs took over some areas of Northern Ireland and ruled them by force. And there have been many instances in history where a gang of criminals has taken over not just one housing estate, but a country.

Well, is it your duty to submit to such a ‘government’? When Paul said, ‘Let every person be subject to the governing authorities’, was he saying that Christians on that housing estate should be subject to that local mafia? The answer is no. The Bible distinguishes between constitutional, legitimate governments and self-appointed, unlawful governments.

A clear example in the Old Testament was the government of Athaliah. King Ahaziah of Judah was killed in battle. His mother (a princess from the rival state of Israel who had married into the royal family of Judah) seized the opportunity to grab power. She destroyed every member of the royal family she could lay hands on and installed herself as queen.

What was the duty of God-fearing people? Should they have said, ‘Well, she is now the queen, however she came to that position. We must now submit to her’? No. She was holding a position that she had no lawful right to hold. The law of the land was clear that the throne should have passed to one of Ahaziah’s sons.

The godly high priest Jehoiada knew that he must resist this unlawful government. Unknown to Athaliah, he hid away Ahaziah’s youngest son Joash. Six years later he launched a revolution, installed Joash on the throne, and executed Athaliah.

Read through the book of Judges. It recounts a series of episodes when foreign nations invaded the land of Israel and took it over. Were the Israelites to submit to their new rulers? No, they had gained power in unjust and illegitimate ways. The Israelites were entitled to reject them.

Read especially through chapter 9. It tells the story of Gideon’s son Abimelech who murdered his 70 brothers, hired a gang of ‘reckless adventurers’ and established himself as ruler of Israel for three years.

Should his fellow-Israelites have recognised his government and accepted his authority? Should the woman who dropped a millstone on his head and killed him have been prosecuted for rebellion and murder? Hardly. Abimelech’s government could not be regarded as lawful. Every Israelite had the right to work for its overthrow.

It may be that while an unlawful government holds power, believers may judge that it is right to obey the mandates it issues, in as far as those mandates are good in themselves. So, if the gang of thugs I pictured running an area were to enforce its own speed limits on the citizens, believers might do well to obey them.

But we must reserve the right – and at times duty – to take action to remove the unlawful government, if necessary by force.

We may judge for ourselves whether to submit to the government’s wishes when it offers advice rather than legal commands.

When the government tells me that I must wear a seat-belt, I have to obey. When it tells me that I must not use a wood-burning stove in a smokeless zone, I have to obey. These are legally binding commands.

But as well as commands, governments issue advice on all sorts of subjects. Eat five portions of fruit or vegetables every day. At the kerb, look left, look right, look left again. Stop smoking! Install smoke alarms and test them regularly! Use sunscreen if you’re outdoors on a hot summer day!

These may all be good pieces of advice. But that is all they are. They are not legally binding on us. Successive governments, including the present one, have listened to their advisors, weighed up the pros and cons on these matters, and issued these directives.

But it has decided that they should be optional. We have been left free to use our own judgment on all these matters. And we must. The Bible never suggests that we should follow every bit of advice that the authorities may issue. On many issues, the people in authority are no better qualified to advise us than anyone else.

The Lord hasn’t given wisdom only to government experts and advisers. Would you trust government experts when they advise you about how to discipline your children? Would you trust them when they tell you how to maintain ‘sexual health’ and avoid STDs? Their advice on these matters is based on what we know to be completely false premises.

In fact, on many issues, our government and its advisers are utterly unqualified to give sound advice. Especially that applies when they seek to advise churches. What do they know about worship and the part that it plays in the life of the believer? What do they know about the significance of the Lord’s supper or of baptism? What do they know about the way that Christ is present when believers meet together?

When the New Testament tells us to submit to the authorities, it does not mean that we should follow all the advice that the authorities give, however ignorant or whimsical. There are times when we should say, ‘Thank you for your advice. We have considered it carefully. But we have decided to act otherwise.’

So there you are. Seven situations in which we may or must, as Bible-believing Christians, defy the will of the authorities. None of them give us an excuse for selfish, wilful disobedience. I cannot disobey the government just for my convenience or pleasure. After thinking through all those scenarios, I know that I must still observe the speed limits. I know that I must pay my taxes. I know that I must not fly a kite in the airport flight-path. These are rules that the UK government has made and has the right to make.

But I cannot promise that I will obey every edict that any government may issue. To do so would be to give to government the obedience that is due to God alone. ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s’ (Mark 12:17).

How important it is that we as individuals and as churches should have these matters clear in our minds! We have lived through two difficult years in which we have faced many dilemmas. The decisions we have to make in coming months and years may be more difficult yet.

May the Lord grant wisdom to every believer and every church.

Bible quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, published by HarperCollins Publishers © 2001

This article first appeared in the monthly bulletin of Grace Baptist Church, Stockport.

Stephen Rees is pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Stockport

A WALK WITH MR O: I really want to serve the Lord!

Mr O, I really want to serve the Lord. But, to be honest, I don’t know where to begin.

And in answering you I don’t know where to begin either! But I am immensely encouraged that you want to talk about the subject. There are so many people in our churches who never mention it.

Would you prefer that we leave it for now, and talk about something else?

No, no. I think I can say something useful off the cuff. I’m going to suggest that you start by remembering four words: ‘Please hold my hand.’

You’ve lost me, Mr O, and not for the first time!

I’m thinking about our Lord’s experience in Gethsemane. As he entered the darkness of that terrible agony he said to Peter, James, and John, ‘Stay here and keep watch with me.’ Our Lord, fully human yet sinless, did not want to face Gethsemane alone. He craved for company. He wanted his closest friends near to him. And yet they couldn’t really do anything to help him. They couldn’t lighten his awful load. They couldn’t share his burden. But he knew that he would be comforted just by them being there. If you like, he was saying to them, ‘Please hold my hand.’

I’ve never thought about that before and I am in awe. What is more, I think I can see where this conversation is going.

Yes, in all of us, converted and unconverted, there is a little voice that can’t be silenced. ‘Please hold my hand,’ it cries. None of us wants to face life’s trials alone. A child who has a bad dream is instantly comforted by a mother’s touch. A hospital patient can endure their pain better if a friend sits beside them and literally holds their hand. Longing for someone to ‘be there’ for me is simply part of being human. This is something the Saviour wants us to recognise – and to act on.

To make everything clearer to me, could you give me some further examples?

Many older people live on their own and spend almost every hour of their week without seeing anyone. Is there someone in your church like that? Maybe there are a few. Why not pop in on them on a regular basis? Give them a definite time, so that they’ve got something to look forward to. Chat to them, learn from them, read the Scriptures and pray with them – and run some errands too. They will thank the Lord for you, seeing you as his messenger. And, incidentally, you will be a richer person because of it.

What about younger people? How does this ‘Please hold my hand’ principle work out with them?

You younger people are very good at networking and at following each other on social media. You know about each other’s experiences, hopes, fears, disappointments, joys, setbacks, and sorrows. Send helpful messages to everyone facing difficulty alone. But remember, three or four handwritten sentences on a plain white card will have infinitely more effect than all your electronic messages. Your friends will pin those cards on their bedroom wall, convinced by them that you really care.

Thank you so much. However, when I raised the subject of serving the Lord I was thinking more about evangelism.

You will never be any good at evangelism unless you are a caring person. Learn that first, and then evangelism will become second nature to you. In the meantime, why not also ‘hold the hand’ of those currently engaged in evangelism?

Once more, could you give me some examples of what you have in mind?

Perhaps there is a faithful man in your town who regularly preaches in the open air. Did you know that he is filled with trepidation every time he stands up to speak? Now you are not yet ready to preach. But you could stand with him, or stand listening to him. You could do something similar with those who go door-to-door visiting, or who go from your church to preach in other churches, or who run meetings for children, young people, or students. Hold their hand. Just ‘be there’ for them. It will mean more to them than they can ever express. And who knows what you will learn along the way?

Stuart Olyott is an actively retired minister and conference speaker. He preaches most Sunday mornings at Caergwrle Evangelical Church.

CRUNCH POINTS: My daughter is in a same-sex marriage and pregnant. Should I be celebrating or sad?

We all value biblical advice from our elders, the first ones to whom we turn for counsel. Jeremy Walker outlines the kind of answer he might give to a question received at the chapel door.

Well, I am delighted for you and I also know that you will have some concerns – perhaps that begins to answer the question! We knew that this day might come, didn’t we? I know how much you love your daughter, and I know how this has been difficult for you. There have been so many challenges along the way!

Every life is from God (Psalm 139:16). In that respect, I do think you can genuinely celebrate. You are going to be a grandparent, and that’s a special kind of love and a special privilege – and a special responsibility. It’s not wrong to be glad at God’s gift to you in this respect, and he has made no mistakes in this matter.

At the same time, I understand this isn’t the way you wanted it, and this isn’t the situation in which you wanted your grandchild to be raised. So there can be joy at new life in God’s image, even though there may be lament because of the way in which that life was brought about.

I am sure that you have many questions, and that this will bring some new difficulties which we may need to discuss down the line – we can do that when you are ready.

Remember, though, that the Lord is both merciful and mighty. Think of the sinful misery of Corinth, and how God was pleased to save many people there from all kinds of sin, including but by no means limited to homosexuality.

As I’ve always said, keep the channels of communication open with your daughter. Never give her (or her ‘partner’) the impression that you condone her sin; never give her a reason to doubt how much you love her and desire her true good.

Don’t ever stop being her distinctively Christian parent. Keep praying for your daughter; pray for the woman she lives with; pray for the man who has somehow contributed to this new life. And love that kid in her womb! Start praying for the child now, and when the baby is born, use every opportunity you can to show Christian kindness and affection toward him or her.

By all means, pour out before God your grief that your grandchild will be exposed to such a pattern of sin, but remember that the sin of men and women is not the final word where God is involved.

Use all your grandparent privileges wisely and sensitively. Hopefully your daughter will remember how you cared for her when she was growing up, and will be happy for you to invest in her child.

Remember that Timothy had a grandmother who loved him and instructed him from his birth (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15). Your grandchild may not have a Christian mother, but he or she will have a Christian grandparent who will never stop loving, caring for, praying over, and investing in them.

I know it’s painful, and will be difficult, but we trust in a sovereign God. Shall we pray now that the Lord would use even this marvel of new physical life to bring your daughter and all those involved to himself, and – in due course – your lovely grandchild?

If you would like an answer to a crunch question, please email crunchpoints@evangelical-times.org. We cannot guarantee an answer to every question.

Jeremy Walker, pastor of Maidenbower Baptist Church in Crawley.

NEWS

News in brief

BBC appoints religion editor

BBC News has appointed Aleem Maqbool as its new Religion Editor. Before the appointment he was BBC News’ North America Correspondent, based in Washington DC since 2014. He said, ‘I am delighted to take up a role that focusses on telling stories associated with faith and ethics.’ He will begin his new role in the spring.

Alcohol deaths at record high

The UK has seen a record rise in the number of deaths caused by alcohol misuse, which public health officials said was linked to the wider social impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Some 8,974 people died of alcohol-specific causes in 2020, 18.6 per cent more than in 2019 and the largest increase since records began in 2001.

Legal case over DIY abortions

Christian Concern has launched legal action to the European Court of Human Rights over the government’s decision to implement do-it-yourself abortions during the pandemic. The UK government initially approved the policy as a temporary measure during the first lockdown, but it has remained in place since March 2020.

Scots against trans plans

Most Scots are against allowing people to change their legal sex by self-identification. A poll of over 1,000 Scottish adults, conducted by Panelbase on behalf of For Women Scotland, found that 71 per cent believed people wishing to change legal sex should be assessed by a medical professional first.

Iran releases eight converts

Eight converts to Christianity have been temporarily released from prison in Iran. The men were arrested in 2019 and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for ‘acting against national security’. But they were released on 1st January pending a review of their sentences. It comes after a pastor was released in December.

US megachurch starts VR service

An American megachurch has started holding virtual reality (VR) worship services. In January, ‘Life Church’ began hosting Sunday services on Microsoft’s virtual reality platform AltspaceVR. The church has rejected criticism that real connections cannot be made in the metaverse, but others will be deeply concerned.

AGM of Grace Publications

Last October, the Management Committee of Grace Publications held their AGM. Positive reports were given of new book projects and book sales. Interest continues in its long-standing devotional series Geneva Bible Notes. The AGM also heard reports about the overhaul of Grace Publications’ website, which now allows readers to order directly from the publisher.

Reformation distribution

Reformation Lighting, an imprint founded by Jonathan Pountney for creative Christian writing for young readers, recently signed a US distribution deal with JPL Books in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The city is a hub of conservative Christian publishing. JPL will hold stock of all Ref Light titles, shipping them to their growing North American customer base.

MP interviews church pastor

Dr Stephen Lloyd, a creation scientist and pastor of Hope Church, Gravesend, was recently interviewed by Adam Holloway, MP for Gravesham, Kent. The interview formed part of Mr Holloway’s ‘Remarkable people of Gravesham’ series on his website. Among other topics, Dr Lloyd explained why he left a science career at Cambridge to pursue pastoral ministry.

80 years of distribution

Last November, Christian Literature Crusade celebrated 80 years since its founding in 1941. Its beginnings were humble: two Christian couples (the Adamses and the Whybrows) began the initiative in wartime Colchester to help distribute Bibles and Christian literature in the UK. CLC now operates in 57 countries worldwide and has over 700 workers.

Free speech victory as European Court kicks out ‘gay cake’ appeal

The European Court of Human Rights has rejected an appeal against the UK Supreme Court’s decision in the Ashers bakery case.

The Ashers Baking Company, which is owned and managed by Christians, declined to bake a cake with the slogan ‘support gay marriage’.

The taxpayer-funded Equality Commission for Northern Ireland pursued them through the courts.

The case made its way through the UK judicial system, eventually ending in victory for the Christian bakery.

In what was widely hailed as a victory for free speech, the UK Supreme Court ruled that the bakery was rejecting the message, not the customer.

But gay rights activists wanted to take the case to Europe, claiming that the UK’s decision was a breach of their human rights.

However, the European Court ruled the application to be ‘inadmissible’ and that Lee was asking the Court ‘to usurp the role of the domestic courts’. The decision is final.

The decision now draws a final line under the case, and the UK Supreme Court decision stands.

It means the McArthur family, which owns the bakery, can finally put the legal case behind them.

Simon Calvert, spokesman for The Christian Institute, which has supported the McArthurs since 2014, said, ‘This is the right result.

‘The UK Supreme Court engaged at length with the human rights arguments in this case and upheld the McArthurs’ rights to freedom of expression and religion.

‘It was disappointing to see another attempt to undermine those rights, so it is a relief that the attempt has failed.

‘I’m surprised anyone would want to overturn a ruling that protects gay business owners from being forced to promote views they don’t share, just as much as it protects Christian business owners.

‘The ruling in October 2018 by five of the country’s most distinguished and experienced judges was welcomed by lawyers, commentators and free speech experts from across the spectrum.

‘They all knew of the implications for freedom of speech and religion, had the decision gone against Ashers.

‘This could have included a Muslim printer being forced to print cartoons of Mohammed, or a lesbian-owned bakery being forced to make a cake describing gay marriage as an “abomination”.

‘This is good news for free speech, good news for Christians, and good news for the McArthurs.’

See also Comment

Mike Judge, Editor

Nurse wins employment tribunal case over cross necklace

A nurse who says she was bullied for years by NHS bosses because she wore a cross on a necklace has won her employment tribunal claim.

Mary Onuoha said other staff were allowed to wear hijabs and go to the mosque four times a day, but her cross was deemed ‘dangerous’.

She claimed that she was effectively forced out of a job she loved ‘because of her religion’.

Now she has won her case against Croydon NHS Trust on the grounds of harassment, victimisation, direct and indirect discrimination, and unfair dismissal.

The judge, Daniel Dyal, ruled that the trust had created a ‘humiliating, hostile and threatening environment’ and that when Mary complained, the response had been ‘offensive and intimidating’.

Mary said, ‘I know there are other Christians across the country experiencing similar issues to me – and I hope this encourages all of them to be courageous.’

She was supported in her legal battle by the Christian Legal Centre.

A spokesman for Croydon Health Services NHS Trust said, ‘We would like to apologise to Mrs Onuoha.

‘It is important that NHS staff feel able to express their beliefs, and that our policies are applied in a consistent, compassionate and inclusive way.’

Former policeman wins free speech legal victory over trans tweets and ‘non-crime hate incidents’

Former police officer and Fair Cop campaign founder Harry Miller (pictured) has won a case challenging police guidance on recording ‘non-crime hate incidents’ (NCHI).

Miller said he took the case to the Court of Appeal in order to challenge how NCHIs are reported, when they are ‘perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice’.

In 2019, Miller was visited by Humberside Police at his workplace after a complaint was made that he had sent transphobic tweets, and that his office was therefore ‘not safe for trans people’.

According to the BBC, Miller posted several tweets between November 2018 and January 2019 about transgender issues.

In one tweet, he joked that he was a ‘fish’ and had been ‘mis-specied’; in another, he quoted a limerick. These were among others reported to Humberside Police as being allegedly transphobic.

But after a court battle, the High Court ruled in Miller’s favour in February 2020, with the judge Justice Julian Knowles comparing the actions of the police to George Orwell’s novel 1984 in chasing ‘thoughtcrimes’.

However, the High Court found at the time that police merely recording the incidents was lawful.

It was this decision that was referred to the Court of Appeal, which has now ruled in Miller’s favour.

Miller, who now runs the Fair Cop campaign site for the promotion and protection of free speech, has been quoted as saying he was ‘the wrong man to accuse of a hate incident’.

In her judgment at the Court of Appeal, Dame Victoria Sharp said, ‘There is nothing in the guidance about excluding irrational complaints, including those where there is no evidence of hostility, and little, if anything, to address the chilling effect which this may have on the legitimate exercise of freedom of expression.’

Outside court, Miller made a statement, in which he said, ‘Being offensive is not, cannot, and should not be an offence…only when speech turns to malicious communication or targeted harassment against an individual should it be a problem.’

As reported previously by ET, Miller had taken his case to the Court of Appeal after challenging Humberside Police for its investigations into his tweets, concerned that the NCHI records, ‘without proof and without any recourse for the accused, could show up on a criminal records check’.

This could have given Miller and others like him difficulty when applying for jobs. As his defence team commented, this means that all it could take is an accusation of hate and a person could end up on a police database for six years.

‘Shameful day’ as Northern Ireland Assembly fails to protect disabled babies from new liberal abortion law

Christian charities and pro-life campaigners have slammed a decision by members of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLAs) to vote down a law that would have removed disability discrimination from abortion legislation.

In December, the Severe Fetal Impairment Abortion (Amendment) Bill was defeated by 45 votes to 43 at consideration stage by the MLAs.

This was despite strong support for the central aim of the proposals at previous stages which would have removed a rule in the 2019 abortion regulations allowing abortion up to birth in cases of a ‘severe fetal impairment’.

In Great Britain, this rule has been interpreted to include babies with disabilities such as Down’s syndrome and cleft palate.

Ross Hendry, chief executive of CARE, said the organisation was ‘deeply saddened’ that the proposal was voted down, given that it should have been ‘uncontroversial’.

He commented, ‘As well as providing greater protections to preborn disabled babies, [voting for the bill] would have sent a strong message that the lives of people with disabilities are just as valuable as those who are considered able bodied.

‘The bill before Stormont should have been uncontroversial. It was about providing very limited and specific protections to disabled babies – protections that are supported by campaigners, human rights experts, and a huge majority of people in Northern Ireland.’

His comments echoed arguments made during the proceedings, when debates from the floor heard how it was important to end disability inequality in NI.

Christopher Stalford MLA stressed that NI abortion provisions, as currently drafted, compound disability inequality.

He said, ‘The law, as currently drafted, affords greater protection to human beings in the womb who are deemed to be able bodied than it affords to human beings in the womb who have non-fatal disabilities, like Down’s syndrome.

‘The reality is because of this law people with disabilities in our society feel less valuable, and [this] encourages our society to view people with Down’s syndrome and other non-fatal disabilities as less valued.’

NI First Minister Paul Givan, who was the original sponsor of the bill before becoming First Minister, said, ‘This bill gives us an opportunity to say to [people with disabilities], that we in this House place a high value on their lives.’

He also hailed the campaigning work of people such as Heidi Crowter for continuing to challenge the UK government’s abortion policy.

After the vote, Carla Lockhart MP (pictured), DUP member of parliament for Upper Bann, tweeted, ‘The message from Stormont today is if you have a disability your life is of lesser value. A shameful day.’

Children with learning disabilities offered DNRs during pandemic

Do Not Resuscitate’ orders were offered during the pandemic to families who had children with learning difficulties.

A DNR order means if a patient’s breathing or heart stops, medical staff will not try to restart it.

The Daily Telegraph has reported that two families were offered DNRs during routine appointments, which they say was only due to their child’s learning disability.

The revelations have fuelled discontent at the way DNRs have been used during the pandemic.

Some authorities have been accused of applying them in a ‘blanket’ fashion across some groups of vulnerable individuals.

Karen Woollard said she was asked the question as she attended a check-up with her now 16-year-old son Toby, who has Down’s syndrome.

She said, ‘To be asked this question makes you feel like your child is at the bottom of the tree.

‘A child with a learning disability has to fight for so much, do they now have to fight for their life too?’

Debbie Corns’s son Oliver, who has a form of autism, was asked the same question in an appointment she attended.

When asked about whether he wanted a DNR order applied, Oliver, then aged 15, initially agreed.

But his mother corrected him, believing he did not properly understand the question.

Debbie shared how she was ‘devastated’ by the question, and that she ‘collapsed on the floor crying’ when she arrived home.

She and her husband asked Oliver the same question later ‘with the right language, support and time’.

In response he stressed that he would not want a DNR order applied, telling his father, ‘Dad, save my life.’

Matthew Cox succeeds Roger Fay as chairman at Evangelical Times

Matthew Cox (pictured) has been appointed as the new chairman for Evangelical Times by the board of directors.

He is currently the Pastor of Bethersden Baptist Church (formerly Union Chapel), near Ashford in Kent, and Book Reviews Editor for ET.

He will continue to edit the Book Reviews pages, and he is due to take up his new role as chairman in May.

He succeeds Roger Fay, former Editor of ET, who will be stepping down as chairman after several years in the post. Roger will continue as a director.

Andrew Rowell has also announced his decision to step down from his roles as a director and Online Editor of ET.

Andrew is the Pastor of Grace Evangelical Church, Carlisle, and began working with ET in 2008.

The staff and directors would like to thank him for all his hard work, and for his continued support for the newspaper.

Last year, Angela Geary was appointed to the role of Digital Media Specialist, with a view to exploring new digital opportunities for Evangelical Times.

In addition, ET is currently seeking a Business Manager. An advertisement for the post, with more information, is published elsewhere in this edition of ET.

Although it has been a time of change and transition, ET remains committed to the dissemination of the never-changing truth of biblical Christianity.

Peer speaks out against assisted suicide, and UK Right to Life criticises new ‘suicide pods’

A member of the House of Lords has called for legislators to listen to the vulnerable amid the latest attempts to make assisted suicide legal in the UK.

Lord McColl (pictured), writing in The Times, hit out at the ‘growing obsession with death as a solution’, which he said ‘denies hope and care to those who are fighting to live’.

Baroness Meacher’s assisted suicide bill is currently being considered by the House of Lords. In Scotland, Liam McArthur MSP is also pressing ahead with his plan to legalise assisted suicide.

Lord McColl said, ‘Suggesting medically-assisted suicide as complementary to a compassionate society is a dangerous masquerade and one that threatens to undermine the fundamental ethic at our nation’s core.

‘The majority of doctors, society’s preservers of life, want no part in the procurement of premature death.

‘Our medical workforce is already severely overstretched and exhausted trying to save lives and prevent suicides.’

He explained that when assisted suicide is legalised, it does not become one choice among many, but increasingly becomes the default position.

He said, ‘Canada has seen clinicians diverted away into assessing eligibility for lethal drugs, leaving some patients with even less care and fewer options in accessing what they need to live as they want.’

Meanwhile, the Right to Life UK group has hit out against new ‘suicide pods’ which have been legalised in Switzerland.

The coffin-like machines allow a person to climb inside, close the air-tight lid, and press a button to quickly reduce the levels of oxygen.

‘This “suicide machine” is like something out of a dark science fiction novel,’ said Right To Life UK spokesperson Catherine Robinson.

The pods have been developed by Dr Philip Nitschke, the founder of Exit International, a pro-euthanasia group.

He told a Swiss news website the machines can be ‘towed anywhere for the death’ and one of the most ‘positive’ features of the capsules is that they can be transported to ‘idyllic outdoor settings’.

‘The person will get into the capsule and lie down. It’s very comfortable,’ Nitschke said. After death, the pod can be used as a coffin.

Haiti: Missionaries stage dramatic night-time escape

Christian Aid Ministries (CAM) supporters have thanked God for the safety of a group of 17 Christian missionaries and children – including a baby – who had been abducted by a murderous gang in Haiti.

All the missionaries, from America and Canada, had been captured at gunpoint and held hostage in October last year by the notorious 400 Mawozo gang.

According to The Independent, the abduction happened in Ganthier, which lies in the gang’s area. The CAM missionaries were abducted shortly after leaving an orphanage.

The Haitian capital Port-au-Prince has become notorious for gang activity and the country has a record of kidnapping, sometimes with the hostages ending up dead.

Two of the hostages had been released in November, and three more in early December, but the remaining 12 had been kept in a locked room by their captors, with no certainty of release.

However, at a press conference on 20 December the captives – workers from US-based CAM – outlined how they had successfully slipped away from their captors during the night of 15 December.

As reported by Barnabas Fund, the 12 hostages – including a 10-month-old baby and two young children – were able to escape through an open a door that was usually kept closed and blocked, and made it out of the small room in which they were being held without guards noticing.

The group travelled under cover of darkness for two hours through ‘woods and thickets, working through thorns and briars’. The baby was wrapped in a blanket to protect her from the thorns.

One of the twelve said they were ‘in gang territory the whole hike’, yet they were able to avoid re-capture.

Towards the morning, the terrified group was able to contact the authorities and were flown back to the US on 16 December.

CAM spokesman Weston Showalter said, ‘In their mind, the true hostages are those who took them. Our prayer is that the hostage-takers be transformed. We choose to extend forgiveness to them. We would love for them to become brothers in Christ.’

One of the missionaries, 24-year-old Canadian Dale Wideman, told the Toronto Star in January that he had been ‘ready to die’ at the hands of his captors.

Meanwhile, in Haiti, there was an attempt to assassinate the Prime Minister when he attended a church.

Gunmen unsuccessfully tried to kill Ariel Henry during an event on Saturday 1st January commemorating the Caribbean country’s independence.

Afghanistan: UK barrister urges PM to rescue Afghan Christians

British barrister Paul Diamond (pictured) has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to plead for help for 200 Afghan converts who are living under the threat of death.

According to Mr Diamond, the Christians, who are all converts from Islam, have become trapped in Afghanistan since the Taliban took over in 2021.

He said he is in contact with the converts, who claim their pleas for evacuation and resettlement have been ignored not only by the British Embassy in Kabul, but also the embassy in Islamabad and the Home and Foreign Office in the UK.

Mr Diamond said there are an estimated 12,000 Christians in Afghanistan. He claimed that, since August 2021, the majority are in hiding after being hunted down, and dozens have been murdered.

The Cambridge-based barrister expressed disappointment that the UK government is yet to reveal its ‘Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme’, despite questions raised last year during Prime Ministers’ Questions by Fiona Bruce MP, the special envoy for freedom of religion and belief.

He said the situation bears much resemblance to what happened in the case of Christian Syrians during the many years of civil war and unrest.

Mr Diamond said, ‘The experience of many of us who were involved in the Syrian Vulnerable Resettlement Scheme is that for people of faith, the UNHCR is the least efficient route to process those from religious backgrounds.

‘Its lack of understanding and willingness to engage with the very real needs of people of faith has led to many being left stranded in Syria, and many dying.

‘I am in daily contact with Christians in the crisis-led country, all fearful for their lives and desperate to leave.’

Mr Diamond also expressed concern with how long the bureaucratic process has been taking when there have already been high-profile rescues and resettlements of people and even dogs and other animals.

In a statement Mr Diamond added, ‘The UK owes these Christians a duty of care because the UK Armed Forces (and Allies) held and exercised control over Afghanistan where they were able to live peacefully and practise their religion.’

India: Christmas church services banned over security concerns

Church services were banned in several Indian states over the Christmas and New Year period, as police warned of increasing violent attacks from Hindu militants.

According to Release International and Barnabas Fund, police in Karnataka, India, clamped down on Christmas meetings in churches, halls, and even people’s homes.

This followed an invasion by Hindutva nationalists of a church in Hubballi, Karnataka, and the attack last December on its pastor, Somu Avaradhi, which was one of 39 violent incidents recorded by the EFI fact-finding team.

Release partner Archbishop Joseph D’souza, said, ‘The situation in Karnataka, India, is tense.’

Finland: Trial starts for former government minister over her biblical view of marriage

A member of the Finnish Parliament, who was also a former government minister, is due to stand trial for ‘hate speech’ following public remarks she made about her biblical beliefs on marriage.

Päivi Räsänen (pictured) was shocked to learn that she was accused of committing a ‘hate crime’ for publicly voicing her deeply held beliefs on marriage and human sexuality.

This edition of ET went to print ahead of the start date for her trial, due to begin on 24 January.

She is being prosecuted for having published a pamphlet on marriage in 2004, for taking part in a discussion on a radio show in 2019, and for tweeting a picture of a Bible passage.

The Finnish Prosecutor General is bringing three criminal charges against Päivi Räsänen, the former Minister of the Interior.

Räsänen said, ‘I will defend my right to confess my faith, so that no one else would be deprived of their right to freedom of religion and speech…The more Christians keep silent on controversial themes, the narrower the space for freedom of speech gets.’

Germany: Pro-life group in legal victory over ‘censorship zone’

A court in Frankfurt, Germany, has struck down a censorship zone around an abortion centre, which means pro-life advocates may again assemble for silent prayer.

The 40-Days-For-Life prayer group had taken their case to the Administrative Court of Frankfurt, Hesse.

The appeal had been made after the local municipality had suddenly denied permission for their group to hold vigils near a Pro Familia abortion organisation back in 2019.

Twice a year, approximately 20 people usually gathered to pray for the women facing abortion and for the lives of their unborn children. The vigils would take place for 40 days – silently and peacefully.

According to ADF International, which is supporting another group undergoing a similar ban in Pforzheim, Germany, the group was not preventing anybody from entering the building, nor were they blocking the pavement in the surrounding area.

Regardless, the municipality banned them from praying in sight of the Pro Familia abortion advisory centre.

As ET reported in 2021, Pavica Vojnović (pictured) and her 40-Days-for-Life prayer group from Pforzheim also recently received permission to appeal in her case, which raises similar issues.

In November, the Administrative Court of Appeals in Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, said it would hear the appeal against the prohibition on silent prayer gatherings in the proximity of the clinic in Pforzheim.

Dr Felix Böllmann, senior counsel at ADF International, said, ‘We welcome the court’s ruling in Frankfurt, which protects the fundamental freedoms of speech, expression and assembly.

‘We are hopeful that this ruling will set a positive example for cases such as Ms. Vojnović’s.’

ADF commented that the court’s decision in Frankfurt sets a positive example for further free speech and free assembly cases.

In its reasoning, the court affirmed that the law guarantees the holders of fundamental rights the right to determine the place, time, nature, and content of their meeting.

Upton Baptist Church marks 150 years of God’s faithfulness

A church anniversary is always a special occasion as members and friends give thanks for God’s faithfulness.

For Upton Baptist Church, Chester, their anniversary service last September was a very special time: it celebrated 150 years since the church’s founding in 1871.

Formerly known as Grosvenor Park Baptist Church, it experienced, like many churches, periods of prosperity as well as decline.

By the 1960s the numbers of members had fallen to an all-time low, but in 1971 a new pastor’s expository preaching and outreach work saw many young people coming to faith in Christ and joining a growing fellowship.

In the mid-1970s, their Grade II listed building was in urgent need of repair, but the costs were prohibitive.

The building was consequently sold, and a plot of land was found and bought in Upton — an area of the city where there was no evangelical witness.

Renamed Upton Baptist Church, the fellowship met in an adjacent school until the new building was opened in October 1987.

We’re grateful that Stuart Olyott (pictured) was free to preach at our anniversary service on 19 September.

Stuart testified that it was in this church that he first heard evangelistic and expository preaching when he attended as a teenager.

He took John 3:16 as his text, reminding us of God’s great love and mercy for the world, and how whoever believes in the Lord Jesus Christ shall not perish but have eternal life.

Greetings from supported missionaries and other local fellowships were read out and a display of photos illustrated various events from the church’s history.

How good it was to be able not only to look back, but also to look forward with confidence in our God and his promise that ‘I will build my Church.’

Ian Williams

Newquay church leaves URC

Newquay Evangelical Church’ recently opened its doors after believers in the town decided to leave the United Reformed Church, buy their building, and worship under a new name.

Members of the church voted to leave the URC on biblical grounds. For years, the fellowship had operated in a largely independent way but felt that a complete break was needed.

‘We could see the URC was on a different path and felt we must become independent. Our members voted accordingly,’ said Matt Bray (pictured with Alan Inger), one of the church elders.

‘In fairness to the URC, they were gracious in their dealings with us and over the terms of the sale; we are very grateful to God for this.’

In late summer, they purchased their building, which occupies a prime spot, opening onto the tourist town’s busy main street.

The main room with its balcony can seat around 150 people. The property also includes a former hotel with space now used for meetings and Sunday school.

‘The thought of purchasing the building might have seemed overwhelming,’ said Matt, ‘but members trusted God and we can rejoice. As Psalm 126:3 says: “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”’

Newquay Evangelical Church now hopes to extend its outreach locally, and signal very clearly to Christians who have never considered the fellowship before that it is a Bible-believing church.

‘The Lord has blessed us with this building and our prayer now is that he would send godly labourers to join us,’ said Matt.

Steve Fountain

Education conference hears Christian perspectives on environmental issues

While Covid has dominated public life in recent times, an increasing return to ‘normality’ has meant reemergence of discussions around the environment.

At the National Conference of Christian Values in Education, held towards the end of last year, Professor Andy McIntosh (Truth in Science) spoke on ‘A biblical understanding of the environment’.

He offered a scientifically-driven answer to the question, ‘Who controls the climate?’

Prof. McIntosh challenged believers to be faithful and to put Christ to the fore in living life as environmentally-aware and responsible citizens.

As Christians we have a responsibility and an accountability to steward the resources which the Lord has given us, including the environment.

We should also be conscious that it is God who sustains the universe, and that in his providence this world will one day cease to exist.

The conference also featured a talk from Matthew Seymour, pastor and parent, who spoke on ‘Relationships and sex education: taking a stand’, drawing on his experiences successfully confronting the curriculum at his local primary school.

CViE faced several challenges in planning the conference and gratefully acknowledge the good hand of the Lord in answering prayer and going before us in making a way through setbacks that arose.

CViE exists to equip Christians to stand fast on the Word of God in education today.

Lord willing, the 2022 conference will be held on 24 September.

Tim Wills

Roger Carswell leads evangelism week in Cardiff

Author and evangelist Roger Carswell (pictured on left) recently visited South Wales to work with Heath Evangelical Church for a week of evangelistic events.

Taking place last October, the event saw Roger leading church meetings throughout the week and conducting interviews with various Christians in the evenings.

On the Tuesday morning, Roger joined our regular seniors’ coffee morning.

That evening, he spoke winsomely from Scripture to a group of over thirty students at a ‘Pizza and Ping Pong’ event.

Later that same evening, Roger interviewed Maureen Wise. She recounted her journey from an unchurched background to faith, and how she is now engaged in Christian service in eastern Europe among the disabled. Some 150 people were in attendance, with many more watching via YouTube.

On Wednesday, Roger took the regular Women’s Bible Study via Zoom. His subject was the danger of drifting spiritually.

The interview that evening featured Nigel Clifford, a man converted from a drug-dealing, hippy background. The sermon following was from 1 John 4 on God’s love. On Thursday evening, Roger spoke to 30 children of primary school age, following some games (but before food in the form of chips!).

In the church building, the interviewee this time was Jeremy Marshall, a successful banker struck down by terminal cancer. We watched his moving testimony on screen, as Jeremy was too ill to travel to Cardiff. Nonetheless, his passionate concern for lost souls had a profound impact.

On Friday, the ‘pre-meeting’ was for secondary school children before pizza was once again shared around. Roger interviewed one of the youth leaders, Andy Jones, and then brought a challenging gospel message.

In the main meeting, ‘Saaraa’ was interviewed about turning away from Islam and finding Christ through the brave witness of her personal trainer. She, her husband, and her children had to flee to the UK.

On Saturday, Roger spoke at a seniors’ lunch, and in the evening interviewed Tamar Pollard. Her parents were brutally attacked in Hungary while on a humanitarian trip. Her father was murdered and her mother left for dead. By the grace of God, her mother forgave the killers, and, in the course of time, so did Tamar.

On Sunday morning, Roger rounded off his labours with a powerful sermon on Isaiah 52 and 53.

Looking back, we thank God for the opportunity to hold the mission. Many attended, prayers were answered, and we trust there will be lasting fruit.

As for Roger Carswell, he was still smiling as he left for Leeds on the train home!

Kerry Orchard

Newcastle seminary conference: Longing for revival

By 1539 an estimated 50,000 copies of Tyndale’s New Testament were circulating secretly in the British Isles. You could be put to death for owning just a page or two of those translations – and numbers were.

‘Here was a movement that was spreading, advancing – not by any support from the leadership of the nation, but in spite of it – and was progressing at a remarkable rate. It was a spiritual awakening.’

The occasion was Westminster’s sixth annual conference last October; the address, ‘Reformation as Revival’; the speaker, Iain Murray (pictured). At 90, the revival historian has lost none of his vigour.

He spoke without apparent reference to notes, and he held his audience spellbound as he traced the real causes of the transformation of England in the 16th century.

‘Reformation occurred in England in spite of Henry VIII, not because of him.

‘Every true revival begins with a rediscovery of the Word of God, and the power of the Holy Spirit accompanying the Word.’

Speaking the following day, Pastor Geoff Thomas drew from his earliest memories to share first-hand what it was like to live in the aftermath of revival in Wales.

Ian Hamilton, Brian Edwards, Jeremy Walker, Warren Peel, and faculty members also traced the work of God across the centuries and around the globe.

We don’t despise the day of small things, but neither should we be content with the state of the church in Britain today.

In times of revival the Holy Spirit makes extraordinary use of the ordinary means of grace so that prayer and the Word of God have a new power.

At such times God answers the prayers of his people by raising up leaders: men of conviction, men whose emotions are engaged, and men of action who are willing to suffer for the gospel.

The weapon they wield is prayer-soaked preaching – preaching that honours God, exalts Christ, and is dependent on the Spirit.

The impact is a transformed church: instead of entertainment there is devotion; there is a heightened wonder and awe in the public worship of God; the unity of the people of God is palpable; thousands are added to the church.

The 2021 conference was a joyful occasion, delegates coming in person from the UK, Europe, and America, and joining online from as far away as Australia.

Maurice Roberts brought the conference to a close with a solemn and joyful call for the church to pray for, long for, and expect revival in our own day. May that prayer be answered!

Jonathan Winch

The Christian’s warfare surveyed at Stockton PRC conference

Last September, the Presbyterian Reformed Church at Stockton-on-Tees held an internet conference on ‘War a good warfare, pandemics or not’.

There were three presentations and two question times. The first paper was given by pastor Roger Fay (pictured) and entitled ‘A fight to the finish’.

He reviewed biblical data on Christian warfare with particular focus on Ephesians 6:10-20.

Roger spoke of the Christian’s war itself; the cause that goes back to Eden; the enemy that continues the warfare; the enemy’s strategies, such as wiles, plots, frontal attacks, persecutions, and siege; the equipment Christians need, such as sandals, shield, helmet, and the sword of the Spirit; and maintaining morale.

The second address concerned SASRA and was given by Major Andrew McMahon. ‘Proclamation during the pandemic; SASRA’s ministry to the Army and RAF during national lockdown’ was his topic.

We were given some insight into the speaker’s background and motivation, the extensiveness of SASRA’s ministry, its unique evangelistic opportunities, its funding, recruitment, and challenges as it seeks to expand its ministry.

All of this was punctuated with real-life accounts of workers, soldiers, and converts. We were left in no doubt that the repeated opportunities to reach the same young people was a great advantage.

A Q&A session on both papers followed. A third address was then given by Mr Fay, entitled ‘The war to end wars’, based on Revelation 19:11-21.

After a brief introduction to interpretative approaches to Revelation, the main topics considered were conflict, the catastrophic defeat of the enemy, the certain and total victory of Christ, and the practical encouragement of comfort, hope, and anticipation.

This paper was followed by a brief question time concerning related content. All three addresses are available on the church Facebook page (prcstockton).

Roy Mohon

Matthew Clay inducted at Trinity Baptist Church, Tenterden, Kent

Last September, Trinity Baptist Church, Tenterden, rejoiced as they gathered for the induction of their new pastor, Matthew Clay.

The church had suffered a very sad division following the retirement of the previous pastor at the end 2019, and had been seeking a new pastor throughout the Covid pandemic with all the associated challenges.

God’s grace in leading the church to Matthew was clear, and the way in which all the necessary arrangements were fulfilled was clear evidence of the Lord’s good hand.

At the induction, thanks was expressed for the church at Great Harwood, which had been very kind in releasing Matthew to us.

Matthew himself spoke of how he and his wife Hannah had been led to return to the south of England after some nine years in the northwest at Great Harwood.

While it was sad to leave the folk in Lancashire, he too was clear about the Lord’s leading in this matter, and the whole family were now looking forward to serving the community of Tenterden.

Keith Johns, Chairman of Grace Baptist Mission and former pastor of Caterham Baptist Church, led the induction and the laying on of hands. Matthew Hopkins prayed for Matthew Clay and the church.

Keith then preached warmly and clearly from Jonah, showing that although the Lord’s purposes may be mysterious, his Word is powerful and his patience inspiring.

We were encouraged to seek to reach out with the good news of salvation in Christ alone, no matter how difficult the circumstances and challenges may be.

John MacDonald

Baroness Cox speaks to hundreds at a Christian teachers’ conference

Last October, Christian Concern in collaboration with the Christian Schools’ Trust held an inspiring online conference.

Over 240 attendees from nine different nations were booked in. They connected with 13 different events over two days.

The conference was entitled ‘Further up, further in: going deeper’ and followed up an equally successful event in February 2021.

Sessions were taken by Christian Concern’s Chief Executive Andrea Williams, head of public policy Tim Dieppe, educational law expert Roger Kiska, and Wilberforce Academy director Revd Dr Joe Boot.

Canon J. John, Baroness Caroline Cox, UCB’s Mike Beaumont, and the BBC’s Sheridan Voysey also brought excellent keynote talks which inspired and encouraged teachers.

Among some excellent equipping sessions, support was given to Christian teachers in the areas of Special Educational Needs, discipleship, online safety, teacher approaches, changing communities, and curriculum approaches.

The online platform allowed for multiple chat room conversations, as well as engagement with exhibitors’ booths for several organisations. A total of 1,592 messages were sent among delegates!

The conference was rounded off by a true heroine of the faith, 84-year-old Baroness Cox, chair of the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust, who spoke of the importance of education.

One delegate commented, ‘Baroness Cox’s vision, passion and commitment shone through. Her challenge that we must not ‘do nothing’ really stood out as the conference highlight for me.’

Christian teachers continue to be in a crucial position in schools where Christian influence has never been more needed.

Steve Beegoo

REVIEWS

How Christianity Transformed the World

Sharon James

Christian Focus Publications

208 pages; £7.99

ISBN: 978-1-52710-647-5

BUY

This book is a splendid tonic for anyone who has become jaded by the anti-Christian bias which is so common today. Sharon James has given us an excellent introduction to the history of how the church and individual Christians have ‘gone about doing good’ over twenty centuries.

In ten short, easy-to-read chapters, we learn how Christians have affected the world for good in areas including freedom, justice, the dignity of women, healthcare, and education. Yes, there are sins that we deplore, but there is also much good that has been done. Everyone from older children to adults could benefit from this book, Christians and non-Christians.

We are reminded that the idea of human rights can be traced ultimately to the Bible’s teaching that we are created in the image of God. Christianity and Freedom, a symposium by a team of international scholars, concluded that ‘free institutions hardly ever developed in places that were not influenced by Jewish and Christian ideas’ (p.23).

Christians began the first genuine hospitals in the Roman Empire and also in Britain. Thomas Sydenham, ‘the father of English medicine’, was motivated by his Christian faith. 19th century Britain was known for social reformation, due in part to evangelical Christians like Wilberforce, Shaftesbury, and Barnardo. Sociologist Rodney Stark, who describes himself as ‘personally incapable of religious faith’, wrote that ‘of all the world’s religions, including the three great monotheisms, only in Christianity did the idea develop that slavery was sinful and must be abolished’ (p.25).

The book is filled with encouraging facts which can also be an effective answer to those who simply don’t know all that God has done through his people. I would encourage you to buy one for yourself, and maybe one to give away!

Dennis Hill

Hull

Thriving in Grace: 12 Ways the Puritans Fuel Spiritual Growth

Joel R. Beeke & Brian G. Hedges

Reformation Heritage Books

220 pages; 11.99

ISBN: 978-1-60178-784-2

BUY

There is a good number of Puritan samplers available at present, but this is certainly one of the best.

The chapters cover in turn a Puritan perspective on the Bible, God, sin, Christ, grace, holiness, spiritual warfare, prayer, providence, pastoral counselling, heaven and hell, and zeal. The volume is replete with quotations from numerous 17th century theologians and preachers, including quite a few lesser-known figures.

The arrangement results in what is almost a mini systematic theology, perfectly illustrating how, for the Puritans, spiritual growth and practical Christian living flow from a sound grasp of biblical doctrine. Both authors have a comprehensive understanding of their subject and a passionate desire to help their readers grasp the unique value of the Puritan approach to the Christian faith.

In this they succeed admirably. Every believing reader must leave this book either determined to follow up its many intriguing leads or, at the very least, painfully aware that, somehow, they have been missing out big time.

The huge gulf that lies between the theology and preaching of the Puritans and that of so much modern-day evangelicalism is constantly laid bare. This chasm struck me particularly while reading the chapters on the sinfulness of sin, eternal realities, and sacrificial zeal – but it is evident throughout. The chapters on prayer and providence are among the simplest to read but are especially full of profoundly practical instruction.

Never before have the writings of the Puritans been so extensively, cheaply, and easily accessible. The book concludes with a very helpful guide on how to proceed into this treasure trove.

Jonathan Stephen

Bridgend

Corporate Worship: How the church gathers as God’s people

Matt Merker

Crossway Books

176 pages; £11.99

ISBN: 978-1-43356-982-1

BUY

This very useful book appears at an important moment in history as so many churches and believers have had to consider what to do under lockdown restrictions. Matt Merker offers timely insights into Scripture and advice as to the centrality of being together regularly for the worship of God. He gives us plenty to think about regarding how we could engage with this in different cultural and church traditions.

The book looks at fundamental questions such as, ‘What does God intend the local church to be and do?’ and the basic question, ‘Do we need to gather?’ We are introduced to the rich implications of God’s Word for the church when it does come together, the author quoting from David Peterson: ‘Worship is an engagement with God on the terms that He proposes, and in the way which He alone makes possible.’

Merker moves on to consider why God gathers us to worship, what we should do when together, and how the whole church participates in the gathering. In each area there is refreshing guidance to help us think through what we do and why!

The theological stance is Reformed and Baptist, but it includes other church backgrounds in the discussions. The ‘regulative principle of worship’ that was espoused by the Reformers and Puritans is explained helpfully and discussed at some length.

The book is at a level suitable for a large majority of church members, taking us all back to the Word of God and the glory of God. No one will agree with all that is said, yet the whole book stands as a stimulating discussion to help us towards a biblically healthy understanding of corporate worship. Highly recommended.

Peter Ninnis

Penzance

Grace and Glory: Sermons preached at Princeton Seminary

Geerhardus Vos

Banner of Truth

304 pages; £12.50

ISBN: 978-1-84871-918-7

BUY

Geerhardus Vos is often described as the father of Reformed biblical theology, a subject to which he devoted his considerable gifts and a lifetime of study and teaching, mostly at Princeton Seminary from 1893 to 1932.

Biblical theology, as taught by Vos, follows the development of key biblical themes as they are progressively revealed in redemptive history recorded by Scripture. The principles of his thought are laid out in what is perhaps his most famous book, Biblical Theology.

Grace and Glory is a collection of sermons preached at Princeton chapel. Six of these have been published before, but this new edition includes ten which are published in book form for the first time. In these sermons the reader will find the principles of Vos’s writing illustrated and exemplified, and presented with rich eloquence and warm devotion. They are like ‘worked examples’ of the theory laid out in his larger writings.

That is not to say that they are easy to read. As Sinclair Ferguson writes in his introduction, ‘We may be tempted to ask, “What group of people – even of theological students – could have taken in the substance of any of these sermons at one hearing?” Perhaps the answer is “very few, either then or now”.’

But a slow, careful, meditative reading of these sermons will bring great blessing. We are commanded to add knowledge to our faith (2 Peter 1:5). It is good to have our minds stretched and the horizons of our understanding broadened and to be humbled by a sense of the infinite glory of God. And at the same time we will be filled with fresh wonder that such an unspeakably glorious God should be so unutterably gracious.

Let me illustrate this with just one example of Vos’s preaching, from the sermon entitled ‘Rabboni’, to whet your appetite and stir your soul.

‘The first person to whom [Jesus] showed himself alive after the resurrection was a weeping woman… The time was as solemn and majestic as that of the first creation when light burst out of chaos and darkness… it was the turning point of the ages… Jesus felt himself the central figure in this new-born universe, he tasted the exquisite joy of one who had just entered upon an endless life in the possession of new powers and faculties such as human nature had never known before.

‘Would it have been unnatural, had he sought some quiet place to spend the opening hour of this new unexplored state in communion with the Father? Can there be any room in his mind for the humble ministry of consolation required by Mary? He answers these questions himself. Among all the voices that hailed his triumph no voice appealed to him like this voice of weeping in the garden.’

Warren Peel

Newtownabbey, NI

Mission to Soho: Where two worlds meet

Michael Toogood

DayOne Publications

170 pages; £8.00

ISBN: 978-1-84625-671-4

BUY

‘Brash, aggressive and often threatening’ are not always words one thinks of when it comes to church planting. But by page 15 of Michael Toogood’s story of how God called him and his late wife Pam to plant a church in the depths of Soho in the 1980s, the reader gets the picture.

Brian Edwards, in his introduction, calls this book the ‘story of urban church planting with its raw and realistic challenges’ (p.5). And it is raw and realistic, presenting a gritty account of how the couple started from a tiny, urine-soaked, blood-splattered basement flat to plant a church in Soho (which ended up in a building nestled between two sex shops), as well as planting a church in Covent Garden.

Toogood talks of the long-term hard slog of door-to-door ministry and getting to know the always colourful and often terrifying neighbours. He describes how he made inroads with the local Jewish community, who ‘got to hear of the Christian who was willing to get his hands down the loo’ (p.27); and how his wife’s ‘broom, bucket and big bottle of bleach opened doors’ (p.31).

At the time, this element of church planting in the UK was not taught at college, and yet it was the practical, honest, daily living of the Toogood family that won over many people’s affections, even if it did not always lead to church attendance and conversions. But as the author says on page 58, ‘Building anything to last involves digging deep trenches in the process of laying a solid foundation.’ One is reminded of the work of pioneer missionaries in similar situations.

This book is useful for anyone wanting to start a church plant. You cannot simply send a bunch of families to land crash-bang in the middle of a town and hope people attend your services. There are years of discouragements and years of blessing. Planting takes time. It takes patience. It could even take rolling up your sleeves and cleaning up a neighbour’s drunken vomit.

It can also lead, therefore, to an ‘absence of courtesy and brotherly love’ from fellow Christians and churches (p.125), with criticism from those who do not have experience of church planting. Some of the anecdotes in this pacy book will therefore sit uncomfortably with readers who are unfamiliar with the hard realities of inner-city life and witness.

Simoney Kyriakou

London

Table of Contents

FEATURES

Bad ideas, bitter fruit

Considering chameleons

The week Coleraine stood still

The wonder of reconciliation

Evangelising Coventry’s council estates

Darwin or design?

The verse that helped me become a more patient parent

COMMENT

GUEST COLUMN: Gresham Machen’s Captain

A SHRINK THINKS... Physical or mental? Part one

THINKING IT THROUGH: Christians and the authorities: second thoughts three years on

A WALK WITH MR O: I really want to serve the Lord!

CRUNCH POINTS: My daughter is in a same-sex marriage and pregnant. Should I be celebrating or sad?

NEWS

News in brief

Free speech victory as European Court kicks out ‘gay cake’ appeal

Nurse wins employment tribunal case over cross necklace

Former policeman wins free speech legal victory over trans tweets and ‘non-crime hate incidents’

‘Shameful day’ as Northern Ireland Assembly fails to protect disabled babies from new liberal abortion law

Children with learning disabilities offered DNRs during pandemic

Matthew Cox succeeds Roger Fay as chairman at Evangelical Times

Peer speaks out against assisted suicide, and UK Right to Life criticises new ‘suicide pods’

Haiti: Missionaries stage dramatic night-time escape

Afghanistan: UK barrister urges PM to rescue Afghan Christians

India: Christmas church services banned over security concerns

Finland: Trial starts for former government minister over her biblical view of marriage

Germany: Pro-life group in legal victory over ‘censorship zone’

Upton Baptist Church marks 150 years of God’s faithfulness

Newquay church leaves URC

Education conference hears Christian perspectives on environmental issues

Roger Carswell leads evangelism week in Cardiff

Newcastle seminary conference: Longing for revival

The Christian’s warfare surveyed at Stockton PRC conference

Matthew Clay inducted at Trinity Baptist Church, Tenterden, Kent

Baroness Cox speaks to hundreds at a Christian teachers’ conference

REVIEWS

How Christianity Transformed the World

Thriving in Grace: 12 Ways the Puritans Fuel Spiritual Growth

Corporate Worship: How the church gathers as God’s people

Grace and Glory: Sermons preached at Princeton Seminary

Mission to Soho: Where two worlds meet