Dr Ernest Kevan

Today I came to the end of writing a biography of Ernest Kevan, the first Principal of London Bible College. The first draft was completed not far off a year ago, but new information, a different approach and a rigorous (I hope) attention to clarity and style has meant that it was not finished earlier. Of course, I have had one or two other things to do over the past months as well. Whether what I have written will ever be seen in book form depends on whether it is published, but I would like to think it will be. It is now 45 years since Kevan died and he is unknown to many Christians today and only a name to many others. Most of us who were at LBC in his day thank God for him and his influence upon our lives. For many reasons he deserves to be better known than he is. Canon Frank Colquhoun wrote this about him: ‘He was beyond question one of the truly great Evangelicals of our day. Others will, I am sure, write more fully about him as scholar, teacher, administrator, and leader of men. For my part I like to recall that, with all his rich and varied gifts, he was at heart a very simple Christian believer, a humble man of God, and a most lovable and gracious friend.’

Not too pleasant...

On Tuesday I made my way to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary for a colonoscopy. For the uninitiated this involves an examination of the colon by the insertion through the anus of a narrow tube with a light at the end and the ability to excise and remove any polyps that are found. Though there are more congenial ways of spending an hour than lying like a fish on a slab watching your innards on a screen I am very grateful for the medical care I have received over the past 11 years. It was at the end of 1998 that my brother phoned me to say that he had rectal cancer. After many operations, much pain and great bravery he died four years ago. Just 2 or 3 months after his phone call I had some bleeding which I put down to piles but, with his example in mind, I went to the doctor to check things out. Now, 5 colonoscopies and several other procedures later, all is well, because though I seem to produce polyps regularly, some of which could turn cancerous in time, they are discovered and removed before they can become harmful. As bowel cancer comes in men’s top ten health threats it as well to be forewarned and to check out any possible symptoms. (I wondered about including a picture, but decided against it!)

Pope and faith

So the Pope has arrived in Britain and the Coalition government ‘do God’ and recognizes the importance of faith, though presumably Nick Clegg is an exception. Should we be sceptical or thankful? Perhaps a qualified thankfulness is called for. The Bible has no knowledge of Popes and there is much of the Pope’s teaching that no-one who believes the Bible can recognize as Christian truth. But he does stand out clearly against the militant secularism of our day and has clear views on the morality that befits human beings, and in this he contrasts with the mealy-mouthed clerics that we are more used to in this country. As far as faith is concerned the statements have not been very helpful. Everyone has faith; atheists believe that God does not exist. Faith in itself is nothing, it may make us feel better, but that can be a delusion. What counts is what, or rather, who we believe. To believe in fairies has no value; in fact it wouldn’t have even if they existed unless they have powers to help us in some way. The only true object of faith is Jesus Christ and mercifully those who truly believe in him are saved and brought to God in spite of being muddled on other points. Perhaps, just perhaps, the events of these days will mark a shift in the relentless secularism and hedonism of our country and perhaps, just perhaps, this will create an opportunity for the gospel. Let’s pray that it will.