Curtain: Poirot's last case

I meant to comment on the final TV version of the Hercule Poirot books with David Suchet in the lead role. As it happens we only looked at the opening moments, but I know the basic story anyway. The intriguing thing is that the ‘murderer’ in this case is actually not the person who commits any act leading to death. In fact, the ‘murderer’ is a clever man who insinuates ideas into the minds of others. How far that might be possible in the real world, and how you would deal with such a person who only plays on the anger and desires of others without actually mentioning murder to them, are moot points. But I think Agatha Christie had real insight when she wrote this book. What especially intrigues me is that this is surely one of the ways in which the devil works. I am not thinking particularly of murder here, but of all the subtle temptations he suggests and the way he plays on our own weak points. How this actually takes place I cannot say, but I have no doubt that we have a wily enemy who is able to stir up and play upon our own temperaments and weaknesses. In the name of Christ we are to refuse his suggestions and put him behind us, looking in faith to the Saviour.

Book of the Year

As Christmas approaches some newspapers are recommending various ‘books of the year’, depending on what subject is one’s interest. My book of the year has to be Garry Williams ‘Silent Witnesses’ (Banner of Truth). A selection of addresses and essays on ‘theology, life, and the church from Christians of the past’ it is diverse, instructive, encouraging and orthodox.

This year sees the centenary of the Spanish Gospel Mission. It began with the labours of Percy Buffard. My parents went to Spain with the SGM in 1932 and returned after the Second World War to resume in 1947. Centred on Valdepeňas about two thirds down the peninsula, more or less equidistant from the Mediterranean and Portugal the work has always been fairly small. Most of the workers have always been Spaniards, which is as it should be. It is now really a partnership between Christians from Britain and Spain. The number of evangelicals in Spain is a very small proportion of the population. May it please the Lord to prosper the work of the Gospel in that country. There is a day of thanksgiving a week today in Valdepeňas.

What is the greatest need of the churches in our country as we approach a new year? Revival.

Some random thoughts

There is much in the news, and about the world that we live in, to cause the Christian to feel despondent. Crimes and evils are constantly brought before us and the shift in our society to an utterly godless outlook and the behaviours that spring from this can easily seem to overwhelm us. Christian periodicals sometimes seem to dwell overmuch on the gloom of the present day and even prayer meetings can be burden rather than an inspiration when there is too much bemoaning of the state of our country. For this reason I have it in mind, when I next preach, to take as my text John 16:33: ‘These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world’. Peace and good cheer through Christ and his work – that’s more like it!

In November’s Grace magazine the – alas – contentious subject of the Lord’s Day is dealt with from several different viewpoints. What surprises me is that no-one seems to realise that the fourth commandment arising from the divine creation pattern of Genesis 1 to 2:3 is the only basis that there is for a seven-day week. Ancient societies had a variety of ‘weeks’ and the anti-Christian revolutionaries in France and Russia both attempted to do away with the seven day week, though neither alternative lasted long. It is baffling to me that some evangelical Christians – of all people – are now effectively doing the same thing, though I don’t think they realise it. Surely God’s creative pattern should apply to the whole created earth and not just to1400 years or so of Israel’s history. With the spread of the Christian faith the seven-day week also spread far and wide, with all the benefits it brings when it is appreciated and kept appropriately.

I have been reading ‘Engaging with Keller’ (EP), as I have to review it. At first I found the last chapter ‘Looking for communion in all the wrong places: Keller and the doctrine of the church’ of little interest or significance to an Independent like me. And then I began to think of developments in this country like the rise of Gospel Partnerships, the promotion of ‘missional churches’, and all the confusion which comes from churches of this, that and the other flavour being planted here, there and everywhere without any thought of other churches that might already exist. I suddenly realised that it is actually raises one of the most urgent issues of our day.