Same-sex marriage

The latest bulletin from Affinity is available at http://www.affinity.org.uk/ . This has a most interesting article on same-sex marriage, looking at what has happened in Spain. The Spanish experience needs to be pointed out to MPs because there is every reason to believe that the same thing would be likely to happen here - so have a look!

Church Buildings

This is Newhaven Baptist Church in Sussex, the picture taken probably just before the second World War. My father was minister there from 1937 until the end of 1942 when we moved to East Acton in London. I have very few memories of Newhaven and I am not sure I can remember being in the church building, though I must have been many times. The congregation was not large, but it was often swollen during the war by soldiers. At least in the early period of the war Newhaven was in a restricted area and relatives had to get a permit to come and visit us. During the latter half of 1940 father remained in Newhaven on his own, while my mother, brother and I stayed in Bournemouth. We returned when there was more bombing of Bournemouth than of Newhaven!

The Hope in Hope Street

This book is just out and can be obtained from Amazon. It tells the story of 200 years of gospel witness in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent through two buildings on the same site. In 1812 the Hope Congregational church building was erected on New Hall Street. When later a street came to join it by the church this was called Hope Street after the building. The book provides an interesting and spiritually valuable record of the growth and progress of the church up to 1931 when the building became Bethel Temple following the ministry of Edward Jeffreys in the Potteries. In 1958 the name of the church became Bethel Evangelical Free Church, which it still retains. As it happens I was the pastor of the church from 1966 to 1994. The present building was opened in 1977. As far as I am concerned it is the early history which is so enlightening.

Adam

Can I recommend the lectures given at the recent conference at the John Owen Centre on Adam. I haven't listened to them all but what I have heard have been very stimulating. They can be accessed at [johnowen@ltslondon.org].

Vertical or horizontal

I have just been reading the opening chapters of 1 Chronicles again. In thinking of the way in which all the tribes are listed going through the generations I was suddenly aware that we look at things differently today. No longer do we think vertically in terms of different generations springing from the same family line in the way the Bible does. Nowadays we categorize people in large groups, children, young people, middle aged and the elderly. There are of course some reasons for this but it is a fundamentally different way of thinking and affects how we understand relationships. It also affects how we think of our churches. We struggle to cater for all age groups in our church life and worship because we think in unbiblical terms. We wonder how we can integrate the horizontal bands, but overlook our identity as all descended from Adam and all one in Christ. There is no easy way to recalibrate our thinking, and modern life militates against it in many ways, but we ought at least to try.

More from Muggeridge

I have now finished reading the biography of Malcolm Muggeridge. I was arrested by this sentence: 'To a younger generation growing up in a world which had less and less interest in the past, his name meant nothing.' Well, it is not surprising that a younger generation did not know his name, but I think it is true that that generation and now the present young generation, has less and less interest in the past. And that is serious for a historical religion like Christianity.

Malcolm Muggeridge

At present I am reading Richard Ingrams’ biography of Malcolm Muggeridge. One of the striking things it reveals is the antipathy to Christianity by the left-wing literary elite who were part of Muggeridge’s life. ‘… supporters of the Soviet Government welcomed its strenuous efforts to impose atheism and eradicate Christianity almost more than anything else that had been done.’ As A. J. P. Taylor wrote to Muggeridge, ‘… think of the fact that a new generation is growing up free from Christianity – that’s something worthwhile.’ It is the successors of that generation who are largely responsible for quite a measure of success in eradicating Christianity from Great Britain. One reason for our interest in Muggeridge is that we knew his eldest son Leonard well – a gentle, humble Christian man, a member of the Christian Brethren who studied at London Bible College in the early 1950’s, now into his eighties. He became a believer long before his father’s turn to Roman Catholicism.

Love me do

Yesterday the local news in the North West reminded us all that it was the 50^th anniversary of the Beatles first record, Love me do. Over 1600 hundred people gathered in Liverpool to sing the song and get their name into the Guinness book of records as the largest choir – or something like that. Whether that was quite as significant as Bill Hailey’s visit to this country or the first record by Elvis Presley is a moot point. What can’t be denied is that pop music has grown ever more important and dominated the life of teenagers – and others – at least from the Sixties onwards. I have often tried to decide what effect this has had on life in Britain, on moral standards, and on the whole culture. I have thought of preaching on the subject several times but have never been able to come to any decisive conclusion – mere condemnation does no-one any good. Yet I cannot but believe that much pop and rock music has had a seriously harmful effect on young people and so on the whole ethos and outlook of a couple of generations. Personally, I think it is also responsible for damaging Christian worship; in the first place at least, through the charismatic movement. Just when many churches were seeing the importance of reverence and seriousness in the worship of God a whole new emphasis began to be brought in and is still spreading its effects. I post these thoughts for any others who may wish to ponder the influence of the Beatles and many other popular groups before and since.

[I delayed posting this from last week for a reason but have now decided to put it on my blog.]

Same-sex Marriage

There is a very interesting, thoughtful and provocative article on Same-sex Marriage by Stephen Clark on the Affinity website under Table Talk. It can be accessed via http://www.affinity.org.uk/TableTalk.

The church mug

Yesterday, Saturday September 29^th, Mary and I went back to Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. From 1966-1994 I was the pastor of Bethel Evangelical Church in Hanley – the Stoke city centre. The mug in the picture – the only church mug I’ve ever seen, at least in the proper sense of the word! – shows the old church, originally Congregational, that dates back to its foundation in 1812. So yesterday there was an exhibition and lecture by Gervase Charmley, the present pastor, on the 200 years of gospel witness on the site. Going back brought back many memories, as well as the opportunity to meet many old friends. Over the years God has blessed his Word and brought many to faith in Jesus Christ. I was interested most of all to learn that in the early 1800’s three men went out to India as missionaries. In the nineteen fifties and sixties a number also went out as missionaries whom we knew well. One, David Mead, who laboured in Italy for many years, was present yesterday. We trust and pray that the church will prosper by God’s good grace.

After the Olympics

The Olympics and Paralympics are now over and many of us have enjoyed the sporting exploits that we have seen. Without wishing in any way to denigrate these events or sport itself I think there are some things that Christians ought to consider. It may be that young people will be enthused to go into sport but only a handful are ever going to take part in the Olympics, let alone win a gold medal. We need to emphasise the value of taking part and not just winning or becoming famous. Moreover, sport is not the most important thing in life; many other employments and activities are more necessary and more valuable to society as well as to the individual. I hope sport is not becoming the new religion. As far as the Paralympics are concerned while this summer may spur numbers of people with disability to take up sport, there are likely to be many disabled people who are not able to; these need to be respected and valued too. While our attitudes often do need to be examined and changed there will always be a need for thoughtful and understanding compassion. More worrying is the apparent trend to revert to a pagan approach to sport – after all that was the milieu of the original games. The Daily Telegraph spoke of the pagan style closing ceremony of the Paralympics, and the picture above is of the face of a fiery pagan god that appeared in that ceremony. The closing Olympic ceremony had a children’s choir singing Lennon’s Imagine, but maybe he wouldn’t have been too bothered about pagan religion. I look forward to hearing what fruit there has been from all the evangelistic activity that churches and Christians, especially those in the London area, were able to engage in.

'I Stand for Truth'

While preparing to write the biography of Ernest Kevan I found a reference in Ian Randall’s book on the history of London Bible College to an autobiographical book entitled ‘I Stand for Truth’ by Donald Guthrie, one of the tutors. However, I could find no mention of this book anywhere else. Just the other day I found it on the website of Ian White; www.whites.me.uk under the heading Donald Guthrie. There is also a brief description of how these chapters came to be discovered after Donald Guthrie’s death. I found it most interesting, which is why I am writing this post. At LBC I greatly appreciated Donald Guthrie both as a Christian man and a lecturer and I am very glad his book is available. Incidentally, ‘I Stand for Truth’ is the motto of the Guthrie clan.

The Self-avenger

I came across these words while reading John Owen on ‘The Glory of Christ’. They occur in a chapter in which he is contrasting seeing the glory of Christ by faith in this world and seeing it by sight in that to come. Here he is speaking about the heavenly vision: ‘The mouth of iniquity shall be stopped for ever, and the voice of the self-avenger shall be heard no more. Wherefore, the vision which we shall have in heaven of the glory of Christ is serene, - always the same, always new and indeficient, wherein nothing can disturb the mind in the most perfect operations of a blessed life.’ Although I have quoted these two sentences, to add the positive to the negative, what struck me forcibly were the words ‘the self-avenger’. Who or what is this? It can hardly be the devil, though he may involved somewhere in encouraging what the self-avenger says. It cannot surely be conscience pure and simple. Conscience, however, can be over-scrupulous; it can condemn where no condemnation is required, it can trouble where it ought to be satisfied. Conscience is affected by sin, just as every other faculty is; it is never perfect in its judgements, and while it can be too lenient and too easily quietened in some, it can also be over-zealous and trouble a believer unnecessarily. What a blessing it will be to find the self-avenger silenced for ever.

Necessary words from Dr Lloyd-Jones

From his book 'Born of God': Love is not incompatible with respect; indeed, they should go together. It is not love unless there is respect also. Take the sloppy sentimentality of the romantic film. That is not love, that is lust, some silly infatuation. Where there is love, there is respect: supremely, in love to God. Where you get the true father-child relationship, the child not only loves the father, but has respect for the father, looks up to the father and tends to think that the father is omniscient and all powerful and so on. Respect is inevitably a part of this whole relationship.

London Lyrics

 I've been rather busy recently but seeing Lyrics London on Gary Brady's 'Heavenly Worldliness' blog reminded me that I wondered if 'Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner' would feature in the Olympic finale. As I didn't watch much of it I'm not sure, but I don't think so. If my memory is correct it goes like this: Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner/ That I love London so/ Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner/ That I think of her wherever I go/ I get a funny feeling inside of me while walking up and down/ Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner/ That I love London town. It was written by Hubert Gregg (I think) early in 1944 and sung by Bud Flanagan. I remember some time towards the end of 1945 (I would be 8) walking near Westminster Bridge and suddenly feeling overwhelmed by the song and immensely proud that I was a Londoner - well, we'd lived in East Acton since the start of 1943. But that was because we had survived and won the war. That was better even than the Olympics!

A reunion

This view is taken from the roof of the school I attended and left in 1955. The tent was for a school reunion some years ago; I attended another a week ago but have no up to date photo. In any case I like this one because it shows the superb position of the school and the view we were able to look out upon, especially from the sixth form common room. Every reunion (they were every five years, but the last one was three years ago; the school closed in 1974 so we are all getting older and our numbers are reducing) includes a short service. We begin with 'Lord, behold us with thy blessing', have a Scripture reading, this year from James 2, sing 'God be in my head', say the Lord's Prayer (traditional version) and conclude with the school commemoration hymn. There is also the reading of a list of those who have died since the last reunion - quite a long list this time. After this there is a prayer which has been my responsibility for three reunions and has to be partly related to the passing of old friends. I do not find it easy to prepare for this. There are some fine Christians amongst the old scholars, but nearly everyone present joins in and there is a respectfulness which I don't always find within church services these days. As I left a friend said, 'See you in heaven or at the next reunion'. 'God be at my end, And at my departing'.

Church Buildings 3

The photo is of Parkstone Evangelical Church in Poole, Dorset. I think the photo dates back to the 1950’s, in which case the church would have been known as Newtown Evangelical Free Church. If I remember correctly it came into being as a result of a mission led by Eric Land (brother of Leslie Land), sometime in the 1930’s. I was baptized in that building in 1954. If I am correct about the date of the photo, the building to the right at the back was made of wood or asbestos and it was where we met for Bible Studies, Prayer Meetings and Young Peoples’ meetings. Behind this a smallholder kept pigs and, depending on the wind direction, the smell varied from the tolerable to the considerable, but while people grumbled about it at times, I’m not sure that it kept anyone away. At one time young people’s camps were held in a field on the edge of Poole so I can remember our summer congregations sometimes suddenly swelled by a hundred or so youngsters. One visiting preacher, suddenly confronted by such an unexpected multitude, changed his sermon and preached simply, and effectively, on the first Passover in Exodus. It is some years since I last paid a visit but I hope to do so soon.

Proclaiming God's attributes

The Psalms display the vast array of God's attributes, which are the divine perfections of his character and essence that distinguish him as God. The sum total of God's glorious being may be expressed in the many divine attributes that he possesses. With this in mind the expositor's preaching should be a direct reflection of his view of God. As it was said of the Puritans, 'How they saw God determined how they saw themselves in their pulpits'. These divine characteristics are the intrinsic qualities that identify, distinguish, and reveal his glory to man.

From Steven J Lawson, Preaching the Psalms

A word to bankers - and everyone else

‘Integrity is not a natural, universal human trait. Any economic system built on trust is bound to collapse without the spiritual resources that served as its foundation.’

Vishal Mangalwadi

JUNE 27 2012

Today is my 75^th birthday. I think I ought to be able to say something about reaching such a milestone, but I find it difficult to do so. Clearly, I am very grateful for much in the past, for my parents, wife and family, and to the Lord who is over all my ways. I have to say that there is much that depresses me: the spiritual, moral and intellectual state of our country; the gospel churches with, too often, their disunity, their adaptation to the spirit of the age, their pettiness, the lack of true worship and spiritual power; and then there is myself, but that is between me and the Lord. I would love to think I had learned valuable lessons over the years to pass on to others but they are all on the pages of the Bible anyway. I see the danger of relying on past blessings and of being too self-satisfied. I know, with another Paul, that life must be lived ‘by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me’. There is no other satisfactory way to approach the end of one’s days, whenever that may be.

Ernest Kevan

You will find this book on the Banner of Truth website, though its British price has not yet been given. Ernest Kevan was the first Principal of London Bible College (now the London School of Theology).

Church Buildings 2

This is an old photo of Alder Road Baptist Church - I'm not sure whether, strictly speaking, it is in Poole or Bournemouth. The boundary between the two used to run more or less down the middle of the road, and I suppose still does. This was what we today would call a church plant from West Cliff Baptist Church in Bournemouth. I'm not sure when this actually took place but in 1929 my father became student pastor while he was in Spurgeon's College. It was here that he met my mother so I ought to be very grateful for his ministry there. In the past I have visited and also preached there. Appropriately, perhaps, his funeral service was conducted there in 1993. I heard recently that it now belongs to 'New Frontiers', which seems rather anachronistic.

John Owen on the Glory of Christ

When the sun is under a total eclipse, he loseth nothing of his native beauty, light, and glory. He is still the same that he was from the beginning, - a ‘great light to rule the day’. To us he appears as a dark, useless meteor; but when he comes by his proper course to free himself from the lunar interposition, unto his proper aspect towards us, he manifests again his native light and glory. So it was with the divine nature of Christ… He veiled the glory of it by the interposition of the flesh, or the assumption of our nature to be his own; with this addition, that therein he took on him the ‘form of a servant’ – and of a person of mean and lowly degree. But this temporary eclipse being past and over, it now shines forth in its infinite lustre and beauty, which belongs unto the present exaltation of his person. And when those who beheld him here as a poor, sorrowful, persecuted man, dying on the cross, came to see him in all the infinite, uncreated glories of the divine nature, manifesting themselves in his person, it could not but fill their souls with transcendent joy and admiration. And this is one reason of his prayer for them whilst he was on the earth, that they might be where he is to behold his glory; for he knew what ineffable satisfaction it would be unto them for evermore.

Look back with thanksgiving

I remember that at the end of dinner hour at school we were all told to assemble in the hall and before we even got there the rumour spread that the King had died – someone always seems to get to know these things beforehand. Sure enough, the headmaster confirmed the news: ‘The King has died, long live the Queen’. We had the afternoon off; simply, I suppose, as a mark of respect. Well, the Queen has lived long and I think we have a lot to be thankful for as we consider her reign and all the changes through which she has lived and served the nation and Commonwealth. We may theoretically be in favour of republicanism, but we cannot surely deny her stabilising influence as a focal point above and beyond politics, the media and the national and international hurly-burly. I would draw attention to two things. First, she was still quite young when she became the heir to the throne and from that time on she was being prepared, and preparing herself, for service as Queen. Though that hour came much sooner than might have been expected events have proved that she was ready to serve. Whether we like it or not that was a benefit of the hereditary system. Second, and similarly, she did not enter into office because she belonged to a particular political party, she did not have to fight a presidential campaign and raise endless amounts of money, she did not have to make friends of all the influential people she could find. The system could, and has, put unworthy people on the throne, but no other system could produce someone so unspoilt by the jockeying for power that goes on endlessly and so dedicated to her task. We should thank God and pray for her and the future of the nation.

Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor

Gary Benfold has reminded me of Don Carson's bio of his father with the above title. Yes, it's an excellent book which in found very enjoyable and helpful, published by Crossway. I should have remembered it... but there it is!

A biography of an 'ordinary' pastor?

I am enjoying reading Iain Murray's biography of Archibald Brown - no relation! That Brown was obviously an exceptional man in a number of ways - and I'm not referring to the fact that he had four wives, in succesion of course. It is interesting, and instructive, to note some of the problems that arose in the Metropolitan Tabernacle after Spurgeon's death. These were partly because Spurgeon himself was also an exceptional person. I rather wonder if it would be a good idea to have a biography of a very 'ordinary' pastor - of whom there have been very many, with an honest account of the difficulties and mistakes he faced; a 'warts and all' biography, in fact. In every generation the vast majority of pastors are ordinary and only have ordinary success - if that is the right word to use. It is wonderfully interesting to read about the Browns and Spurgeons but I'm not so sure their biographies are as useful as that of an 'ordinary' pastor might be.

The Pastor for Pastors

In the FIEC's Spring Together magazine there is an article on pastoring pastors. Obviously it is concerned with how pastors can be pastored by other pastors, elders and the church, but I would like just to add another dimension. I think it is always valuable to remember that Jesus Christ is the supreme pastor of us all: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. We teach this to our people, but those who are pastors must also exemplify it in their lives. However much we value the advice, guidance and prayers of others our Lord Jesus is the best pastor of all. I would have to say that there have been one or times in my pastoral experience when I felt I had no one else to go to except the Lord and, looking back, I am glad that was the case. Pastors are surely called to prove the reality of the loving care of the Saviour so that they can testify out of their own experience that everyone, whatever their circumstances and needs, can safely and fully trust his shepherdly care. 'When all things seem against us, to drive us to despair; we know one gate is open, and you will hear our prayer.'

The influence of the Bible

Last year celebrated the 400^th anniversary of the King James Bible and saw the publication of many books explaining its virtues and influence. The following is a review I wrote for Evangelical Times of one such book (in full).

Among the many books written on the King James Bible this year it may come as a surprise to see one by Melvyn Bragg (Baron Bragg of Wigton in Cumbria), the well-known writer and broadcaster. Some may have seen his programme on the same subject on television, or read a recent article of his, My first steps back on the road to faith. For several reasons, therefore, it is likely that some readers of Evangelical Times will also read this book. It must be borne in mind, then, that it is not written by one who is a Christian believer. He says himself: ‘The whole idea – God, Genesis, Christ, Resurrection – is now to me a moving metaphor, a poetic way of attempting to understand what may forever be incomprehensible.’ But he adds: ‘When I was six it was the truth about all of life.’

The book is inevitably like the proverbial curate’s egg, good in parts. There is much that is interesting and informative, and sometimes surprising. The twenty-five chapters are divided into three main sections: ‘From Hampton Court to New England’; ‘The Impact on Culture’; ‘The Impact on Society’. Quite rightly he emphasizes the contribution of William Tyndale in the production of the early English Bibles: ‘As for his English it reads like a rare, perhaps transcendent gift.’ Bragg is good, as would be expected, on the literary quality of the King James Bible and its enormous influence on nearly all the major English speaking literary figures right up until quite recently. He even has a chapter on Richard Dawkins, who does not impress him.

However, although he recognizes the immense influence for good that the Bible has been over the past four centuries – the abolition of slavery, the rise of democracy, even its influence on science – he nevertheless sees it as a mass of contradictions. He also seems to me to attribute to a translation what actually belongs to the Bible as Bible. We must be deeply grateful for a translation used to change so much in the world, but it is the fact that it was the Word of God that was translated that is vital. The worst chapter in the book, in my opinion, is entitled ‘The Bible and Sex’: ‘The modern secular world has reached back to the classical world and the waters have closed over certain unsustainable prejudices in the Bible.’ And is the modern secular world the better off for it? Surely not!

If he sees contradictions in the Bible there is also a fundamental contradiction in his book. Granted that the Bible has been misunderstood, misapplied and misused by fallible humans, it is nevertheless a contradictory position to maintain that a book as flawed as he sees it to be can actually be such an agent for good as he shows that it has been. I cannot recommend this book to the average Christian reader but I do pray for its author.

Now I want to draw attention to another: The Book that Made Your World, by Vishal Mangalwadi. Here he is how he almost ends – I say ‘almost’ because he finishes with verses of Scripture: ‘Rome’s collapse meant that Europe lost its soul – the source of its civilizational authority – and descended into the “Dark Ages”. The Bible was the power that revived Europe. Europeans became so enthralled with God’s Word that they rejected their sacred myths to hear God’s Word, to study it, internalize it, speak it, and promote it to build the modern world. At the dawn of the twenty-first century, the West is again losing its soul. Will it relapse into a new dark age or humble itself before the Word of the Almighty God?’ This is a big boys’ (and girls’!) book, and the more impressive being written by an Indian.

Preaching to People

At the recent Leicester Conference for ministers there was a session entitled, Where are all the Preachers? I wished to add to the discussion the fact that there is more to preaching than getting a text and preparing an accurate exposition. We must take into account the congregation; we must think of their needs and if we are pastors we should know what they are. So I have put on my other blog Writings and Ramblings a fraternal address - partly in note form, given a few years ago.

A strange, strange, world

A person who clearly has a male body but who feels he ought to be female can easily get help which may result in a sex change. A person who is gay but who would prefer not to be may not be able to get help because advertisements for such help can be banned.

Easter poem

THE STONE ROLLED BACK

Such stones as this -

shaped, rounded, massive -

are the boundary stones

between life and death;

holding at bay the sight

and stench of corruption.

In the garden, trees and flowers

reach up in the light,

bowing in the breeze;

life budding and blooming,

wakened by Spring.

Just as a grass blade

pushes through tarmac

with the strength of weakness,

so this stone -

beyond women’s power to move -

rolls at the touch of an angel’s finger

as life invades

the dark night of the tomb:

and Christ, Jesus, man, God, is alive

and death is dead

and the stone rolled back for ever.

Church buildings 1

This is an old picture of the Metropolitan Tabernacle. My paternal grandmother's family had seats in the Tabernacle for a year while Spurgeon was still there, though I am not sure how old she would have been then. They moved further out to the suburbs so they ceased attending there. If only walls could speak. I have no idea whether my grandmother was a believer at that time or not, but I think she must have benefited from such a year.

Testimony

If you are not someone who attends Grace Baptist Church, Lancaster you will find it a great encouragement and blessing to go to the website of the church and listen to the testimony of Walu Sitale, given at his baptism the Sunday before last. www.freegracelancaster.co.uk

Charles Simeon by Derek Prime

Derek Prime’s biography of Charles Simeon already has some warm and enthusiastic commendations and these are thoroughly deserved. This is certainly a most helpful and heart-warming book, which will be of particular usefulness to all preachers of the Word, especially those in the early days of their ministry. There is a great deal to instruct and help those who have not yet got too set in their ways of sermon preparation. I like the sub-title, An ordinary pastor of extraordinary influence, though I confess that if Simeon was an ordinary pastor I am not quite sure where that leaves me! Simeon’s interest in missionary work was already known to me, but I had not appreciated his concern for the evangelization of the Jewish people and his place in stimulating mission work amongst them. I note that while he was convinced of the future restoration of the Jews, he at the same time ‘consistently and steadfastly refused to speculate about the details’. Sometimes I have felt that some societies that work amongst the Jews have made too much of such details. It is one thing to hold one’s own convictions strongly, but a missionary society looking for support could press the main point with which all Christians ought to agree and leave it at that in its deputation and literature.

Every chapter has its value, but in addition to what has already been said I found the chapters on ‘Weaknesses and strengths’ and ‘Simeon’s spiritual legacy’ extremely helpful. One chapter where I think Derek Prime perhaps should have been a little more critical is that called ‘Simeon and the principle of balance’. Overall Simeon’s spirit and moderation shine out (and the author’s) and nothing should be taken away from these. However the principle that ‘the truth often exists in both extremes and not in the middle’ seems somewhat doubtful. This is fine if the ‘extremes’ are divine sovereignty and human responsibility, but not if they are hyper-Calvinism and Open Theism (and these are the real extremes). Moreover the ‘golden mean’ generally means finding the precise point of balance between extremes and not both held together. I do personally wonder if there is not a touch of ‘Anglican fudge’ in some of Simeon’s sentiments. Read the book and see what you think yourself. Overall it is excellent, but it is good to be made to think carefully as well.

Wisdom from Charles Simeon

I hope sometime soon to say something about Derek Prime’s excellent book on Charles Simeon (Day One). For the moment here is this extract:

A considerable part of my ministerial usefulness has consisted, to instruct young ministers how to read easily, naturally, distinctly, impressively. This is indeed a kind of instruction which no man gives, and no man desires: but it is greatly needed, and of vast importance, as well to the health of the ministers, as to the edification of their flocks. How often are the prayers of our Church spoiled, and good sermons rendered uninteresting, by bad delivery in ministers! I thank God, I could specify many, some that were in a very hopeless state, who have been exceedingly benefited by my poor endeavours.

Mountain prayers

As someone who loves mountains, though I haven't been to any top for some years, I was pleased to come across the following in Derek Prime's book on Charles Simeon. Simeon and James Haldane climbed one of the more memorable mountains of Scotland - 'when they arrived at the top of Ben Lomond Simeon records "then we went to prayer and dedicated ourselves afresh to God."' Having been recently in North Wales I remember when in the RAF on a Moral Leadership course, early in the morning we went to the top of Conway Mountain for a prayer meeting. Our prayers rose with the sun! (The picture is of Tryfan in North Wales a fortnight ago).

A Concert of Prayer

Last Saturday, 11th, a group from three churches met at Grace Baptist Church, Lancaster, to join in the concert of prayer for revival being held in Yorkshire and beyond. There were twenty-five of us, meeting for an hour and a half (because of parking restrictions). There was a good spirit of prayer and towards the end we widened our horizons to consider the nations of the world - especially bearing in mind that revived churches here would result in a greater missionary spirit and desire for the spread of the gospel world wide. While there is no particualr virtue in meeting at the same time as others, and we know many pray for the gracious and powerful working of God's Spirit at other times and in their own prayer meetings, yet the sense of unity with others in prayer was real and we hope to be able to meet again in the future. May the Lord grant us all prayerfulness and gracious answers to our prayers.

Encountering Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones 5

This will be the last of these for the time being.

An overlooked ministry

It is, I believe, commonly recognized that the Doctor had a hidden ministry of personal counselling. I think much more significance should be given to this, and more thought given to the influence this had on him. After the Sunday services and Friday evening addresses on Romans the Church Parlour could be filled with as many as 20 to 30 people waiting to see him. It was just like being in a doctor’s waiting room at his surgery. One by one people would go in to his vestry. The Doctor sat. He usually had a cup of tea or coffee to drink – I’m not sure which – and a Kitkat to eat. Those who came in stood. He would listen to the problem; sometimes he would anticipate what was going to come next – he must have heard much the same sort of thing time and again. He would give his advice; clearly and succinctly. There were others waiting. Occasionally he would see people at other times – I once went to see him on a Thursday afternoon. In addition to this there were those who phoned him up, these were more likely to be fellow ministers. Others wrote letters and these were answered promptly – at least the two or three that I wrote to him were. His preaching ministry and his general understanding of the needs of the times must surely have been influenced by the things which he heard by the many who sought his advice.

Encountering Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones 4

The Christian life

Without wishing to present an inaccurate stereotype I do think that in the period I am referring to as well as the negatives already referred to, the positive side of the Christian life was too much pictured in terms of witnessing and personal evangelism. Gregarious extroverts exhorted everyone to be witnessing or handing out tracts practically all the spare time you had – as they sometimes still do. I remember in one of my few conversations with the Doctor saying that where I lived I sometimes passed groups of lads in the evenings and felt convicted that I ought to speak to them, but I was not sure about it. My memory may be faulty, but I think that he replied that a lot of harm could be done by Christians zealously buttonholing others who then felt victimised and were put off rather than helped. He suggested I prayerfully attempted to approach them and see how I got on. This I did and as a result decided that while others did had much more of a gift of getting alongside strangers this was not something which I was generally able to do fruitfully. The Doctor’s view of the Christian life was far bigger and more rounded than that of some of his contemporaries. Of course, being ready to confess one’s own faith and being unashamed of the gospel is a vital part of Christian witness, as is a readiness to befriend those you are brought into contact with. It also requires time and wisdom to build fruitful gospel relationships from scratch.