Ice cores taken from southern central Greenland and the summit of Greenland’s ice sheet have produced sediments suggesting that the island was indeed once green. DNA from organic fragments has been used to identify what plants and animals lived there in the past. The results, reported by the BBC, showed ‘that the area was…
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News in BriefHumanist weddings There were 434 humanist weddings in Scotland in 2006 following legal recognition of the service in June 2005. Figures obtained from the Humanist Society by BBC Scotland show an increase from 80 in 2004. Previously, a marriage service was only legally binding if carried out by a minister of religion…
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Nigeria plans UK 'flying bishop'The Church of England Newspaper has reported that Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola is planning to appoint a 'flying bishop' in England to represent disillusioned Anglicans. The new bishop under the auspices of Nigeria could even be consecrated before the next Lambeth Conference.A source describing himself as a 'worker in the…
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Ten wrong ways to listen by Gary Shepard'But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves' (James 1:22)Beloved, it is a wonderful blessing to any preacher's heart when those to whom he is called to minister love to attend and gather together to hear the gospel. It is encouraging…
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Holocaust survivors Around 240,000 Holocaust survivors live in Israel, most of them over eighty years old. However, one-third of those who survived the ghettos and concentration camps, or hid from the Nazis, are now living below the official poverty line of about £200 per month. Many find it difficult to pay for medication and…
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A tale of two covenantsBy David PhillipsIn July the General Synod of the Church of England agreed to engage positively with a proposal to draw up an 'Anglican Covenant'. This idea had been set out in The Windsor Report - produced in the aftermath of the appointment of an active homosexual as Bishop of…
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Castle Street Evangelical Church, TredegarRev. John Palmer was inducted to the pastorate of Castle Street on 16 June. This is a further manifestation of the Lord graciously blessing this fellowship with sound evangelical ministry; beginning in the late 1960s with Bruce Powell, then followed by Vincent Tracey and - when we were without a…
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Puritan reformed spiritualityJoel BeekeEvangelical Press475 pages; £14.95ISBN: 978-085234-629-7This book is subtitled A practical theological study from our Reformed and Puritan heritage - which correctly implies a diet that is attractive, suitable, satisfying and profitable. It takes some digesting in places but the meat is good and the menu interesting.There is much variety here. Although…
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International Christian College, GlasgowInternational Christian College (ICC) is an evangelical, inter-denominational theological college that came into being in 1998, through the merger of Glasgow Bible College and Northumbria Bible College. On Saturday 7 July 400 students, staff, family members and friends gathered at the Barony Hall in Glasgow to celebrate ICC's ninth graduation ceremony.…
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Underwater Stone Age settlementMarine archaeologists have been excavating what they believe to be a Stone Age site just off the Isle of Wight coast. Working at depths of 11 metres, divers are revealing evidence of habitation from a time before the English Channel was formed and when Europe and Britain were linked.Previous excavations have…
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China's one-child policyAuthorities in China are trying to improve the image of their one-child policy, started in 1979 to limit the country's population growth. The National Population and Family Planning Commission has published a list of 190 slogans to be used in advertising billboards around the country.The move, reported by the BBC, is in…
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The Spirit's incentivesThe Spirit's incentives for bringing about revival was the theme of main speaker, Dr Joel Beeke of Grand Rapids, at the Revival Conference held from 14-20 July at the Wales Evangelical School of Theology (WEST). Dr Beeke spoke most helpfully on 'Being filled with the Holy Spirit' (Acts 2:4) and 'Incentives for…
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Biblical youth ministryBrian GilleySomething is missing in modern evangelical youth ministry. In fact many things are missing but I want to point out just two ingredients that are missing in most evangelical church youth ministries. These ingredients are nothing new or revolutionary. The sad fact is that they have been sitting there since the…
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Which church is the true church?Many in the ecumenical movement were offended this July by a Catholic document published for the Vatican by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The offence was caused by (among other things) the declaration that Protestant churches are not proper churches of Jesus Christ.Structured around five questions…
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Twentieth anniversary of Pilgrim TabernacleWe thank the Lord for a well attended meeting on Saturday 7 July, when many joined the congregation of Pilgrim Tabernacle to give thanks for twenty years of its existence; and for its pastor, John Sherwood. The preacher on this happy occasion was Vernon Higham (Cardiff), who took as his…
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The famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright once said, 'I believe in God, only I spell it Nature'. His words sum up the tragic error of those who confuse worship of the created with worship of the Creator. The idolisation of nature (or Nature Worship) is nothing new, of course. Man has lived in…
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Uganda then and now Any first-time visitor to Uganda’ s capital city, Kampala, would find roads crammed with mini-buses, street vendors, motorbike taxis (boda-bodas), bicycles and people. The congestion inevitably bottlenecks at Kampala’s notorious Clock Tower roundabout. As vehicles jockey for position the confusion takes on a surreal quality when a perspiring street evangelist…
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Down the slippery slopeby David F. WellsWhen we think of life in terms of the self, we enter a psychological world. When we think of life in terms of the biblical God, we are in a moral world. We in the West have moved from the latter to the former - from one worldview…
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Lowestoft Air Festival witness Over two days at the end of July, about 260,000 people descended on Lowestoft, Suffolk, for the 11th annual Seafront Air Festival - Europe's largest free air show. For the first time, Oulton Broad Free Presbyterian Church had organised a Good News stand on the promenade.In all, 3500 copies of…
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Kosova today Although Kosova is still officially part of Serbia, about 95% of its population are Albanian – and about 96% of these are Moslems. Traditionally, Albanian Islam has maintained a tolerant attitude towards Orthodox and Catholic minorities, but since the 1998-99 war in Kosova Islamic radicals have adopted a more militant and aggressive…
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Are the mentally ill responsible for their actions? Do health professionals make excuses for antisocial behaviour? Are psychopaths beyond help? These are some of the questions that this book seeks to address. Antisocial behaviour is a hot topic at present. Sociologists, psychologists and politicians have plenty to say on the subject, yet their efforts…
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This most enjoyable book is in the Face to Face series, and by the time I had finished it, I felt I had indeed come face to face with this king of Assyria, who reigned some 2,700 years ago. Although he is mentioned in the Bible, few people today have heard of Sennacherib –…
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This is a rich thematic survey of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation in which the author searches out and expounds the Christology – whether typology, prophecy, promise, precept, poetry or history. He thus follows our Lord’s example throughout his earthly ministry and this work should encourage all preachers to do the same! The preface…
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The general aim of the Africa Bible Commentary (ABC) is ‘to make the Word of God speak relevantly to African realities today’ and certainly that is the case. The editor has done a remarkable job of bringing great diversity generally within sound Scriptural parameters. In addition to biblical commentary, ABC covers issues ranging from…
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This book is short, very readable, helpful and stimulating. It is written for both believers and unbelievers. The purpose for believers is to say, ‘Look at this! Such a Saviour! Such a cost! Do you not want to do better in serving him?’ And to say to unbelievers, ‘Look at what Jesus did for…
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Robert Murray McCheyne (1814–43), one of evangelicalism’s most august figures, died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 29. His public ministry was condensed into an eight year period – beginning with his first sermon on 1 July 1835 and reaching its zenith in a glorious revival in Dundee, where he was minister of…
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This is a book of four stories for girls – each one complete in itself but all having the same central character, a girl called Amy. Though hardly action-packed and full of adventure, they are well written and maintain interest. Each story involves a different event in Amy’s life. The cover describes Amy as…
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Floods devastate South AsiaUp to 1200 people have been killed and 19 million displaced from their homes across Southern Asia as a result of the worst monsoon flooding in living memory. Large parts of India as well as two thirds of Bangladesh and areas of Nepal have been devastated.With food and shelter in short…
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ACT OF FOLLYThe ruby anniversary of Britain's 1967 Abortion Act falls on 27 October this year but there is nothing to celebrate. Since its inception this legislation has sanctioned the death of some seven million unborn children.Abortion is a ghastly practice, unworthy of any civilised society. The whole nation should be ashamed that we…
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Ministers soften their languageA shift has been taking place in UK government ministries as to the terminology used to describe the terrorist threat faced by Britain. The Foreign Office has advised ministers to abandon the use of terms such as 'war against terror', 'Islamic terrorism' and 'Islamist terrorism'.The idea is that these terms antagonise…
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The 1857 national revival USA by John Thornbury The Old Dutch North Church at Fulton and Williams streets in New York City had a decision to make. The church had fallen on hard times. Many families had moved out of the metropolis to safer and more pleasant communities. The neighbourhood was being taken over…
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Receiving a deputation by Daniel Grimwade At the end of Paul’s first missionary journey, he and Barnabas returned to Antioch – the church that had commended them to the grace of God and sent them out to preach the gospel. Luke describes this first missionary deputation meeting: ‘And when they arrived and gathered…
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The new EuropeThe World Reformed Fellowship (WRF) was formed in 2000, when the World Fellowship of Reformed Churches and the International Reformed Fellowship joined together. It has denominations, congregations, institutions and individuals in membership. The WRF promotes a reformed world and life view, fosters mission and theological education, and seeks to advance reformed thinking…
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The gospel to the Greek There is a large Greek-Cypriot community (300,000) in the UK, concentrated mainly in northern London. On a rainy weekend this June large numbers gathered at the Cyprus Wine Festival and Business Exhibition, held annually at Alexandra Palace.They came to recapture something of the homeland - its warmth, hospitality, music,…
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New regional director for Daylight 'David, I have a challenge for you!'Bill Salmon, Chaplain of Belmarsh prison, was speaking; as many friends and members from David Fortune's home church (Coldharbour Evangelical Free Church, Eltham) and three other local churches were gathered for the commissioning of David Fortune as a regional director of Daylight Christian Prison…
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Korean Christian hostages Twenty-three Korean Christian aid workers, most of them women, were seized by Taliban gunmen in Ghazni province in Afghanistan on 19 July as they travelled by bus. Two men from the group have been killed, including the group's leader, Bae Hyung Kyu, aged 42, who according to Barnabas Fund had been…
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Don Carson on EvangelicalismRecently I attended stimulating seminars at St Bartholomew's Church, Bath, led by Don Carson on the subject of 'What is Evangelicalism?' They were arranged by Bath Word in Action.Don Carson emphasised that evangelical theology rests on the authority of Scripture. He showed from 1 Corinthians 15:1-19 that the gospel is: Christ-centred…
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Sri Lanka’s perils by K. Muraleetharan The Lord reigns in Sri Lanka – in spite of the chaos and poverty! Not a single day goes by without violence and abductions, and the churches face all this and other issues. In this article we review some of the problems confronting believers in Sri Lanka and ask…
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Creation study in BarnstapleSaturday 2 June at Whiddon Valley Evangelical Church, Barnstaple, was spent considering the greatness and goodness of God. Prof Stuart Burgess spoke on the marvels of creation, under the titles of: 'The origin and purpose of beauty'; 'The design and origin of man'; and 'The design argument'. As a lecturer in…
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Just Bible termsby Don Fortner'Let's just use Bible terms'. That sounds good, doesn't it? But whenever men back themselves into a corner by defending an erroneous doctrinal position (and are unwilling to acknowledge their error) you almost always hear them say, 'Let's just use Bible terms'. Some 150 years ago a disillusioned Scottish Presbyterian…
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Londonderry encouragements Open-Air Mission (OAM) evangelists and helpers undertook a week of gospel ministry in the centre of Londonderry, in early July, at the invitation of the Association of Baptist Churches of Northern Ireland. The team was well looked after by Londonderry Baptist Church and included young people from various Baptist churches - some…
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Helping police an 'Islamic duty'British Muslims have been told it is their 'Islamic duty' to help police ensure the safety of British citizens - Muslims and non-Muslims. The statement was issued by the Muslim Council of Britain following a 'lively' two-and-a-half-hour meeting in London from which the media were excluded. More than 200 people,…
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150 years on in CoventryOn 15 September we are holding the 150th anniversary service of Lower Ford Street Baptist Church. In 1857 when 'Rehoboth' chapel was opened in Hillfields, it was in an area of terraced housing for weavers, watchmakers and the like. Much of Coventry was destroyed during the heavy bombing of the…
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Adoption charity closing Catholic Care, a leading Roman Catholic adoption charity, is to end its century-old adoption service that places 20 children a year with families. The move follows the imposition of the Government's new Sexual Orientation Regulations earlier this year. The laws were rushed through Parliament despite opposition from many MPs and religious leaders.…
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Preparing for marriagePete JacksonThe Good Book Company; 64 pages; £6.00ISBN: 978-1905-56436-1This marriage-preparation course has been produced for use with couples who are not Christians. It is unashamedly evangelistic and is based on the premise that if those intending to marry are not relating to God in a right way, then they will not relate…
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Forty years at Pontefract by Bill Dyer When I became minister of Pontefract Congregational Church in 1968 it was a typical mid-20th Century liberal denominational church, near to closure. Pontefract had a reputation for being spiritually 'hard' and was almost without gospel witness. All attempts by other churches in Yorkshire to plant a gospel work…
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Light and darknessin Slovakia I recently made my fourth visit to Slovakia since 2000, this time accompanied by my wife Jean. I preached nine times in six days and the rest of the time was spent travelling, visiting believers in their homes and sightseeing in that beautiful country. We flew from Manchester to Bratislava.…
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Mountain plants face extinctionScientists believe that climate change and increasing average temperatures are causing wild mountain flowers to move to higher altitudes. A long-term study of plants in the Italian Alps suggests that some have climbed 1400ft in the last 48 years, in response to a 1.5 degC rise in temperature.All 52 separate plant…
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Caring for orphans and widowsby Keith McFarlandChristians know instinctively that it is good to care for orphans and widows. It is because the church provides both missionaries and funding in needy cross-cultural settings that ministries to orphans like New Hope Uganda can exist. The global AIDS pandemic has created further awareness and compassion regarding…
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The threefold purpose of spiritual giftsDavid WengWhat are spiritual gifts? Last month we examined their nature, distinguishing between the miraculous 'sign gifts' and 'normal' spiritual gifts such as teaching, administration and helps. We now we turn to the purpose of spiritual gifts, considering first the extraordinary sign gifts and the much debated question of…
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