2008 Issue 3
"Why is proclamation the way of the Bible?
The advantages of direct words over all the alternatives proposed today.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18).
GOD'S CHOSEN and appointed means of communicating the glorious Gospel is by proclamation, which means - by words. All the evangelizing of the New Testament was by means of words, whether by preaching, personal witness, or writing. The world of those days was full of dramatic art and cultic symbolism, but the messengers of Calvary stood aloof from it all, and worked with words.
Scroll through the annals of history, and as you stop along the way to look at a particular society's culture, you will see that if they were living according to God's rules things were probably going well, and if they were living according to their rules, things probably weren't going well. The reason the word "probably" is used in the preceding sentence is because God doesn't usually reward or punish us immediately for our decisions and actions. This means that sometimes a society that is living according to non-Christian principles may not be cursed immediately because of the blessings that have accrued from the obedience of previous generations. Sooner or later, however, disobedient societies will fill up God's cup of wrath and will receive His perfect justice.
Jesus' Teaching About the Land and the Future of Ethnic Israel.
When Christ came two thousand years ago, the Biblical doctrine of the land experienced a radical advance. By inaugurating his public ministry in Galilee of the Gentiles along the public trade route (Isaiah 9:1, cited in Matthew 4:12-16), Jesus was making a statement. That land would serve as the springboard to all nations. The kingdom of God - the central theme of Jesus' teaching - would encompass a realm that extended well beyond the borders of ancient Israel. As Paul so pointedly indicated, God's promise to Abraham meant that he would become heir of the whole world (Romans 4:13). Jesus' pointing his ministry toward the whole of the world rather than confining it to the land of Canaan cleared the way for the old covenant "type" to be replaced by the new covenant "antitype."
We are probably familiar with several excellent Reformed works that focused on the Lord's Prayer as the framework for the book. One might think of Thomas Watson's excellent work on the Lord's Prayer. This book by Jerram Barrs looks at the wider range of Scripture to include both the teaching and the example of Jesus with regard to prayer.
Jerram Barrs is professor of Christianity and contemporary culture and resident scholar of the Francis Schaeffer Institute at Covenant Theological Seminary. The author and his wife worked with UAbri Fellowship for nearly 20 years. He also has pastoral experience before his present teaching post at Covenant. He has learned much about praying from the examples of Francis and Edith Schaeffer, indirectly from the example of Amy Carmichael, George Mueller, and Hudson Taylor. But most of all he looks to the example and teachings of Jesus, who answered the disciples request "teach us to pray."
Recently a number of leaders in the Protestant community of the United States have urged the endorsement of far-reaching and unilateral political commitments to the people and land of Israel in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, citing Holy Scripture as the basis for those commitments. To strengthen their endorsement, several of these leaders have also insisted that they speak on behalf of the seventy million people who constitute the American evangelical community.
It is good and necessary for evangelical leaders to speak out on the great moral issues of our day in obedience to Christ's call for his disciples to be salt and light in the world. It is quite another thing, however, when leaders call for commitments that are based upon a serious misreading of Holy Scripture. In such instances, it is good and necessary for other evangelical leaders to speak out as well. We do so here in the hope that we may contribute to the cause of the Lord Christ, apart from whom there can never be true and lasting peace in the world.
Winter has undressed autumn's splendor. Of myriad colors, we scarce remember. Seeds are in nature's custody even now, Brought to fruitfulness, we wonder how.
Season's gestation has run its course. Spring is birthed by an unseen force. God relegates dominion over the land But no creating by man's mortal hand.
Greetings in the lovely Name of Jesus: "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." All of the brethren of the Church in Buena Fe greet you.
We do thank the Lord for His continuous blessings upon us, His watchcare over us at all times. It is hard to believe that a month has past since we were in the States. We have been busy trying to get things rolling again. Certainly the memory of the two months we spent in the States will remain with us for a long time. I can truly say with the psalmist "It is good for me that I have been afflicted" CPs. 119:71). I thank the Lord for allowing us all the wonderful times spent with you all and permitting us such good fellowship. It was so refreshing for us, both physically and spiritually.
