Reflections (5)Last month I emphasised that our gospel outreach witness should include sharing the gospel with members of various cults. Too often, we have ignored or neglected these people for a variety of reasons. But they really need the gospel.Occasionally I hear former cult members complain that no one had shared the gospel with…
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What makes serving the Lord in Mozambique so exciting is knowing that the gospel is reaching many areas for the very first time. The church is in her first generation, and work done now could have a lasting impact for generations to come. What an opportunity! Past and present Throughout the 470 years of…
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Benjamin Beddome Part 1 Part 2 Benjamin Beddome Part 3 In the third and final instalment of our study of Benjamin Beddome, we want to look at his hymnody. At the time of Beddome’s death in 1795, almost his only publication was his Scriptural Exposition. In the years that followed, however, a good…
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My father went to be with the Lord in 1995. He was an example of Christian love and service both to the church and his family. A few years previously he had informed me, his only child, where certain legal documents were kept.When he could see the end approaching, he called us to his…
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1. Marion VeitchMarion Fairlie, from Lanark in Scotland, was an attractive girl. As she grew to womanhood she was surrounded by many would-be suitors. But only one thing mattered to her - she must marry a man who shared her faith.These were troubled days for the Scottish church. With the Restoration of Charles II…
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This odd little book still occupies an honoured position on my bookshelves after over thirty years. ‘Little’ refers to its 4 by 7 inch format. It is not short, being almost 1.5 inches thick! I was an unsaved young man when I first encountered this volume in a bookshop. In my search for something…
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3. Characteristics of spiritual youthIn previous articles we considered the passage in 1 John 2:12-14 where the apostle addresses his readers as children, fathers, and young men. I suggested that John was not writing to three different groups within the church but to the whole church as having the characteristics of children (new life…
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Much of the current debate about euthanasia takes place on a largely philosophical level. As we weigh the arguments, discussing all the pros and cons in the abstract, we can easily miss the real issues. What are they?PeopleThe debate is about people, not abstractions. It is very easy to be taken up with the…
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In the 1300s, Arab slave traders colonised the north of Mozambique and people groups like the Yao, Makonde, Makwe and coastal Makuas were converted to a ‘folk’ Islam. Two centuries later this Arab Islamic influence gave way to Portuguese, Roman Catholic, domination. This continued for 500 years, until Portuguese colonialism was replaced by the…
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Portuguese is still spoken widely in Portugal’s former colonies such as Brazil and Mozambique. With this in mind, the Trinitarian Bible Society (TBS) undertook — around the time Mozambique gained independence in 1975 — to produce a major revision of the Scriptures in Portuguese. Updated edition The task of providing Portuguese Scriptures…
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In the Old Testament the Hebrews were constantly reminded of God. As a result, the concept and language of thanksgiving should have been prevalent in their lives. But, like us, they were often forgetful of the goodness of God.For example, ingratitude reared its ugly head when, after the exodus, Israel grumbled repeatedly about the…
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The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland is gaining increasing attention in the British evangelical scene. Unlike other Reformed and Presbyterian bodies, however, it is relatively unknown outside its own territory. The current state of the church was well illustrated at its recent annual Synod, held in June in Belfast. Delegates met in an atmosphere…
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The travel ‘advisory’ on Haiti from the US State Department is enough to put fear into any tourist: ‘Haiti continues to experience civil and political unrest. Protests and demonstrations, which can turn violent at any time, occur periodically throughout the country… There are no ‘safe areas’ in Haiti. Crime, already a problem, is growing’.…
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5. ForgivenessEven the slightest acquaintance with life, and with our own hearts, confirms the fact of sin. The Bible teaches that man is fallen. He is a sinner. He sins against other men. But above all, he is a sinner in the sight of God. David sinned in his immorality with the wife of…
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A UK drug-testing company at the centre of an intimidation campaign by animal rights activists has been given banking facilities by the Government at the Bank of England.It is understood that Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS), which carries out cancer and other medical research, will be given a bank account in an unusual move by…
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Worship todayThe most important thing about worship is that it should be oriented to God and not to man, though the wonderful thing is that, as we glorify God, he blesses us and deeply satisfies our souls.Reformed churches subscribe to the ‘Regulative Principle’, which means that what we do in worship must be authorised…
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