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Everything under his feet - 21 July 2010 |
The title for the second essay for students on the Guided Reading Course is as follows:
How does Hebrews 2:5-9 develop themes found in Genesis 1:26-28, Psalm 8 and Galatians 3:19?
No more than 2000 words.
You may find it helpful to consult O. Palmer Robertson, The Christ of the Covenants; Peter J. Leithart, A House For My Name: A survey of the Old Testament; good commentaries on Genesis and Hebrews; and the chapter on angels in J. B. Jordan’s Through New Eyes.
But most of all, you’ll need to think hard about how the themes found in Hebrews 2:5-9 are developed throughout the Bible. Other biblical texts besides those mentioned in the title will be significant in helping you piece together the various strands of biblical material.
Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Guided Reading Course, Minister's Blog
Nothing is beyond repair - 21 July 2010 |
I don’t know whether this quotation appears in Agatha Christie’s original Appointment with Death, but it’s certainly in the screen version on the lips of Hercule Poirot: “There is nothing in this world so damaged that it cannot be repaired by the hand of Almighty God.”
Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Minister's Blog
Mocking the crucified Messiah - 11 July 2010 |
“God is not mocked” (Gal 6:7).
“Oh yes he is!” declared the Roman soldiers, the Jewish leaders, the robbers and the Jewish bystanders (Matthew 27:27-44).
Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Minister's Blog
An outline of Ruth 2 - 8 July 2010 |
For the benefit of the young people who’ll be looking at the book of Ruth in next week’s summer camp seminars, here’s an outline of Ruth 2:
A (1) Boaz introduced as a potential helper
B (2) Ruth offers to glean
C (3) Ruth gleans, and experiences God’s grace through Boaz
D (4-7) Boaz speaks to his men and hears of Ruth’s godliness
E (8-9) Boaz speaks with Ruth, assuring her of protection
F (10) Ruth exclaims, “Why have I found such favour in your eyes?”
G (11-12) Boaz speaks to Ruth about her godliness and the Lord’s reward
F’ (13) Ruth exclaims, “I have found favour in your eyes!”
E’ (14) Boaz speaks with Ruth, providing generously for her
D’ (15-16) Boaz speaks to his men and instructs them to help Ruth
C’ (17-18) Ruth gleaned, Naomi experiences God’s grace through her
B’ (19) Ruth reports her gleaning
A’ (20) Boaz described as a potential redeemer
Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Bible, Minister's Blog
Sacraments are symbols - 5 July 2010 |
Sacraments are sometimes described as “symbols.” That’s a biblical way of thinking, provided of course that we understand biblically what a “symbol” is. We need to avoid the mistake of thinking that sacramental symbols are dispensable things, unconnected with what they symbolise. For God has chosen to “use sacraments as a means to communicate what they symbolize” (Leonard J. Vander Zee, Christ, Baptism and the Lords Supper, p. 33). That’s why Jesus can say of the bread, “This is my body” – not because there’s magic in the Hovis Sliced Wholemeal, but because as we eat of the bread he feeds us on his flesh by faith.
Perhaps we might say that a sacrament is a symbol in something like the way that a wedding ring is a symbol. The ring is related to the reality of the marital devotion it symbolises. You couldn’t thrown away your wedding ring without upsetting your spouse, because the ring and the love are intimately connected. Of course it’s possible, in theory, to give or receive a wedding ring without loving your spouse, but that’s not how we define its significance. The ring symbolises love because your spouse uses the ring to communicate love. Through the gift of a ring your spouse says, “I love you.”
Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Meditations for the Lord's Supper, Minister's Blog
The re-evangelisation of Europe - 5 July 2010 |
Roughly 0.5 – 1 % of the French population attend evangelical churches. Last week I had the privilege of speaking at the first Huguenot Heritage Conference to a group of Elders, Ministers and others who are praying that God will be at work in the coming years to increase those figures a bit. Or, better still, a lot.
The theme of the conference was “Biblical Evangelism with a European Flavour.” Francis Foucachon spoke on how culture affects evangelism, and his talks will no doubt be made available online in due course at Huguenot Heritage. I gave a couple of talks, and you can listen online by following the links below.
1. “To the Ends of the Earth”: The Why of Evangelism
2. “Do the work of an Evangelist”: The How of Evangelism
Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Minister's Blog
Singing Psalms - 5 July 2010 |
The Bible says we should sing “Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16). So, each week at Emmanuel, alongside a couple of contemporary songs or older hymns, we sing a couple of Psalms to well-known hymn tunes. Since a few people have asked for a list of the tunes, sources of words, and so on, here it is.
The words for the Psalms are taken either from “Sing Psalms” (published by the Free Church of Scotland) or “Psalter Hymnal” (abbreviated “PH”; published by CRC). The name of the tune is in brackets, together with the number of that tune in some well-known hymnbooks (MP=Mission Praise; PR=Praise) and the first line of a famous hymn often sung to that tune (a helpful reminder if, like me, you don’t carry the names of hymn tunes around in your head).
As you’ll see, we are a long way from a complete collection of all the Psalms. We’re working on it, adding new Psalms every couple of months or so. If anyone has any favourites not listed here, please let us know.
- Sing Psalms 2 (t. Truro “Jesus shall reign where’er the Sun (2)”, PH-413)
- Sing Psalms 8 (t. Richmond “Praise the the holiest in the height”, PH-335, Pr-838)
- Sing Psalms 14 (t. Diademata “Crown him with many crowns”, PH-410)
- Sing Psalms 16 (t. Carlisle “Breathe on me, breath of God”, Pr-198)
- Sing Psalms 16 (t. Diademata “Crown him with many crowns”, PH-410)
- PH 18 (t. Aberyswyth, PH578)
- Sing Psalms 24 (t. Nativity “Come let us join our cheerful songs”, PH-359, MP-93)
- PH 25 (t. Genevan 25)
- Sing Psalms 26 (t. Forest Green “O Little town of Bethlehem, MP-503ii)
- Sing Psalms 28 (t. Church Triumphant “I know that my redeemer lives”, MP-278i)
- PH 28 (t. Spiritus Vitae “O breath of life, come sweeping through us” PH-28)
- Sing Psalms 30 (t. Kingsfold “I heard the voice of Jesus say”, PH-430)
- PH 41 (t. Kingsfold “I heard the voice of Jesus say”, PH-430)
- Sing Psalms 46 (t. Gerontius “Praise the the holiest in the height (2)”, MP-563)
- PH 46 (t. Noel “It came upon the midnight clear” PH-46)
- Sing Psalms 47 (t. Gonfalon Royal, PH-324)
- PH 48 (t. Diademata “Crown him with many crowns” PH-48)
- PH 54 (t. Abbots Leigh, MP-187)
- PH 57 (t. Massachusetts, PH 57)
- Sing Psalms 62 (t. Hereford “O thou who camest from above”, Christian Praise 341)
- Sing Psalms 63 (t. Rockingham “When I survey”, PH-178)
- Psalm 63 (t. Kingsfold MP-275ii)
- Sing Psalms 67 (t. Lux Eoi, MP-203)
- Sing Psalms 70 (t. Thornbury “Thy Hand O God has guided”, MP 705)
- PH 72 (t. Cruger, “Hail to the Lord’s anointed” MP 204)
- PH 76 (t. Temple Boro, PH-76 [or Westminster Abbey, MP-73])
- PH 80 (t. Yorkshire, PH-80)
- Sing Psalms 81 (t. Ebenezer “God has spoken by his prophets”, PH-387, Pr-325)
- Sing Psalms 82 (t. Merton, PH-332)
- Sing Psalms 85 (t. Ebenezer “God has spoken by his prophets”, PH-387, Pr-325)
- Sing Psalms 96 (t. Ellacombe “The day of resurrection – earth, tell it out abroad!”, PH-547)
- PH 99 (t. None but Christ, PH-99)
- Sing Psalms 100 (t. Diademata “Crown him with many crowns”, PH-410)
- Ps 110 (t. Pr-38 OR Pr-103b – not sure from Sue F note)
- Sing Psalms 110 (t. Franconia “Blessed are the pure in heart”, MP-934)
- PH 111 (t. Germany[=Fulda] “We have a gospel to proclaim”, PH-111)
- Sing Psalms 112 (t. Woodlands “Tell out my soul”, PH-478)
- PH 117 (t. In Babilone, PH-117)
- Sing Psalms 120 (t. Eventide (Monk) “Abide with me”, PH-442)
- PH 121 (t. Guide, PH-121)
- Sing Psalms 122 (t. Stuttgart “Come thou long-expected Jesus” PH-329)
- Sing Psalms 128 (t. Fulda=Walton “We have a gospel to proclaim”, Pr-632, MP-728)
- PH 132 (t. Blaenwern, PH-132)
- Sing Psalms 133 (t. St Magnus “The head that once was crowned with thorns”, PH-411)
- Sing Psalms 134a (Stuttgart “Come thou long-expected Jesus” PH-329)
- PH 134 (t. Old Hundredth “All people that on earth do dwell”, PH-134)
- Sing Psalms 138 (t. Duke Street “Jesus shall reign where’er the Sun (1)”, PH-412, Pr-544)
- Sing Psalms 142 (t. Old Hundredth “All people that on earth do dwell”, PH-134)
- Sing Psalms 143 (t. Little Cornard “Hills of the north, rejoice!”, Pr-218)
- PH 144 (t. St Denio, “Immortal, invisible” PH-144)
- PH 145 (t. Jerusalem, PH-145)
- Sing Psalms 146 (t. Austria, CC-124)
- Sing Psalms 148 (t. Gopsal “Rejoice, the Lord is King”, Pr-495)
- PH 149 (t. Hanover “O worship the King all-glorious above” PH-149)
- Sing Psalms 150ii (t. Neander, MP-103, CC-115)
Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Minister's Blog
Jesus is illegal in Scotland - 1 July 2010 |
It’s official: The Scottish Parliament have criminalised Jesus.
Members of the Scottish Parliament yesterday passed a new law which (among other things) makes it illegal to speak in a threatening manner about matters likely to cause a “reasonable person” to suffer fear or alarm (HT: Christian Institute).
It’s hard to find a page of the Gospels where Jesus isn’t alarming someone, and the “reasonable” Pharisees certainly found him “threatening.”
But it’s still possible to laugh at the sheer incoherence of this amateurish piece of tyranny. For since countless Christians will suffer “fear and alarm” at this “threatening” legislation, its immediate impact will be to declare Scottish law a violation of itself.
Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Minister's Blog
Holiday church - 29 June 2010 |
As Christians – perhaps especially evangelical Christians – we are not always very good at maintaining unity. This becomes evident in lots of different situations, but one example that’s particularly relevant at this time of year is when we go to church on holiday. We find ourselves in a different place, with people following traditions that differ from our own, and we don’t quite know how to handle it. The danger is that we focus simply on the differences from what we’re used to, and end up complaining about the perceived failings of our new-found holiday church:
“I didn’t much like that song.”
“Why did they have to repeat it 6 times?”
“The sermon was a bit short.”
“The notices were very long.”
“And they used a strange version of the Bible.”
Of course different churches will do things differently. But let’s keep things in perspective. After all, you’re probably only there for a couple of Sundays at most. There are many issues that ought to be hammered out at length within our regular congregation, but which can safely be left to one side when we’re occasional visitors somewhere else. If you’re able to find a Protestant church where Jesus is worshipped, why wouldn’t you be delighted to worship with them?
To my mind, if you’re able to find an evangelical church anywhere near where you’re staying on holiday (like within an hour’s drive, if you have a car), then it would be great to go along. Even if you’re in a foreign country and don’t speak the language very well, wouldn’t it be a great gesture of fellowship in the gospel to join with them anyway? You’ll meet them on the last day; why not get to know them in advance?
Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Godliness, Minister's Blog
Killing babies - 26 June 2010 |
A recent report by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists claim that unborn children cannot feel pain before the 24th week of pregnancy. They are “undeveloped and sedated,” in “a state of induced sleep, like unconsciousness.” Consequently, say the RCOG, there is no reason to reduce the current 24-week abortion limit.
There’s a lot of things one would like to say to the pro-abortion lobby, but let’s try to focus narrowly (for now) on the matter in hand.
The logic of the RCOG’s report is alarming. Just look at the reasoning: such young children can’t feel pain (being “unconscious and sedated”), therefore there’s no reason to stop killing them (I understand “terminate the pregnancy” is the preferred phrase, but let barbarous things have barbarous names). Even if this research were accurate (and it’s disputed by other doctors), perhaps the RCOG would be kind enough to explain why the inability to feel pain should have become a criterion for allowing a child to be killed. After all, “a state of induced sleep” can easily be induced artificially. Would the RCOG apply the same logic in those cases? If not, why apply it here?
Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Current affairs, Minister's Blog