13th May 2010 Edition

13 May 2010
Vol 72 No 20
$2
Print Post Approved
No 34918100419
Mercy Ships In Sierra Leone 2011
MERCY Ships has selected Sierra Leone for the 2011 Field
Service for the world’s largest charity hospital ship Africa
Mercy.
It will be the fourth time Mercy Ships has delivered free
world‐class medical care to the impoverished West African
nation.
Necessary protocols and Memoranda of Understanding
have been signed, providing the necessary collaboration
with the government of Sierra Leone relating to port, secu‐
rity, water and sanitation. The recent signing also opens the
door for advance teams from Mercy Ships to carry out pre‐
liminary work needed for the planned assignment.
Health care in Sierra Leone is unaffordable to most of the
population and often unavailable. The country ranks 180 out
of the 182 nations assessed on the 2009 Human
Development Index. Most of the population lives on less
than $2 a day. Infant mortality in Sierra Leone is 159 per
1,000 births. Dental care is another illustration of the lack of
health services, with only one dentist for every one million
people.
The ten‐month field service will again bring hope and
healing to the nation. The state‐of‐the‐art Africa Mercy,
with six operating theatres, will provide free surgeries
aimed at correcting disability, deformity and blindness.
Off‐ship eye and dental clinics will offer additional medical
services. Other volunteers will work with community groups
on a range of development projects. The hospital ship
serves as a platform for training African health care profes‐
sionals. These programs ensure that the positive impact of
Mercy Ships will continue long after the ship leaves Sierra
Leone.
Mercy Ships also works in partnership with the West
African Fistula Centre in Aberdeen, founded in 2004. The
clinic, now under the management of the Freedom from
Fistula Foundation, offers free surgeries to women suffering
from childbirth‐related injury. It has the capacity to serve
between 500 and 600 patients a year.
Since 1978 Mercy Ships has used hospital ships to deliver
services to those without access in the developing world.
Volunteers have worked in more than 70 countries. More
than 1,200 crew worldwide, representing more than 40
nations, are joined each year by 2,000 short‐term volun‐
teers. Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses,
health care trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers
and agriculturists donated their time and skills to the effort.
For more information, visit: www.mercyships.org.au.
‐Amos Bennett
GETTING THE WORD OUT
Thousands Of Christians Add Names And Voice For Justice
ON 21 June 2010 a giant scroll listing
the names of thousands of Christians
will be rolled out across the floor of the
Great Hall of Canberra’s Parliament
House, in a striking Voices for Justice
Signature Event.
The names featured on the scroll
represent the voices of Christians who
have committed themselves to the
fight against global poverty by signing
the Micah Call.
The Micah Call states in part: ‘This is
a moment in history of unique poten‐
tial... Where we have the means to
dramatically reduce poverty… We
commit ourselves, as followers of
Jesus, to pursue justice, act with kind‐
ness and walk humbly with God. We
call on Christians everywhere to be
agents of hope for and with the poor
…and hold our national and global
leaders to account to fulfil their prom‐
ise to halve global poverty by 2015.’
Micah Challenge is encouraging
Christians across the country who are
yet to sign the Micah Call to do so
today on the Micah Challenge website.
Please sign before 15 June, so that the
list of names on the scroll will stretch
as far as possible across the floor of
the Great Hall.
‘We want to see the number of peo‐
ple who want to be a voice for justice
continue to grow. The more people
that sign, the more powerful our col‐
lective voice will be’, said Micah
Challenge National Coordinator, John
Beckett.
‘We urge all followers of Jesus to
make a personal commitment to living
lives characterised by justice, mercy
and humility. Add your name to the
cause of halving global poverty by
2015 by signing the Micah Call today.’
So far, more than 111,000 Christians
in Australia have signed the Micah Call.
The Prime Minister and Leader of the
Opposition have been invited to
attend the Signature Event and receive
the scroll on behalf of our nation’s
leaders. As yet, neither Party Leader
has committed to attend, but many
Parliamentary Members and Senators
have confirmed their participation. All
politicians will be asked to add their
signature to a response, and recommit
themselves to the fulfilment of the
Millennium Development Goals.
To sign the Micah Call, visit:
www.micahchallenge.org.au/micah‐
call, and add your name to the grow‐
ing voice for justice.
Voice Of The Martyrs Launches New Youth Initiative
Voice of the Martyrs Australia has
launched an exciting new youth initia‐
tive called Thirteen Three. Inspired by
Hebrews 13.3, it aims to encourage and
equip young Australians to support
persecuted Christians by being Bound
With Them – supporting and praying
for persecuted believers as if we were
the ones being imprisoned or tortured.
‘We are thrilled to be launching
Thirteen Three because we believe
that the testimony of persecuted
Christians will inspire and challenge
young Australians to live courageously
for Christ,’ said John Wilson, Executive
Director for Voice of the Martyrs.
‘Christian young people have so much
to offer in service of persecuted broth‐
ers and sisters through their time,
energy, prayers and enthusiastic sup‐
port. Thirteen Three is a way that
young people in Australia can connect
with and learn from their persecuted
brothers and sisters in Christ.’
To celebrate the launch of Thirteen
Three, Voice of the Martyrs will hold a
special youth fundraising event at St
Paul’s Grammar School,
Cranebrook,NSW on Friday 14 May
2010 at 7.00pm.
Voice of the Martyrs has invited Pastor
Daniel Lam from Vietnam as keynote
speaker. Pastor Lam spent two years
in hiding, separated from his family, in
order to escape arrest for his evangel‐
istic activities and involvement with
Vietnam’s underground church, and he
will be sharing a powerful message
with youth about how God is at work
in Vietnam and how Australian youth
can live courageously for Jesus. Voice
of the Martyrs is challenging youth to
donate $10 to support Vietnamese
underground Bible school students
who face persecution from govern‐
ment authorities. Many of these stu‐
dents have experienced harassment
and threats from the local police. One
young girl, Rachel, was arrested and
interrogated when she was only 14
years old. ‘I thank the Lord that He has
given me the privilege to share in His
sufferings,’ Rachel told Voice of the
Martyrs contacts.
‘I think that this is a great opportu‐
nity for us to have a huge impact in the
lives of Vietnamese students,’ says
Brad Konemann, Youth Director for
Voice of the Martyrs Australia. ‘They
are willing to risk absolutely everything
to proclaim the Gospel in Vietnam.’
Voice of the Martyrs is also pleased
to welcome Taani Kruik, a team mem‐
ber of Underground Reality: Vietnam,
to speak at the youth event. Taani
said, ‘I am looking forward to sharing
with Aussie youth about my experi‐
ence smuggling Bibles and meeting
the underground church in Vietnam. I
am heaps excited about the launch of
Thirteen Three’s Bound With Them
campaign – this is a great way for us to
support persecuted Christians and
underground Bible school students
with our time, money and, most
importantly, with our prayers.’
Youth groups from across Western
Sydney, the Hawkesbury and the Blue
Mountains are warmly encouraged to
attend. ‘I’m so excited about this youth
event,’ said Brad Konemann. ‘This is a
fantastic opportunity for us to see how
God is working in a restricted nation
and hear how we can support perse‐
cuted Christians.’
To find out more about Thirteen
Three, please visit www.thirteen‐
three.org.au.
NEW LIFE – 13 May 2010 – Page Two
Who Can You Invite
to Subscribe to
‘New Life’?
MATTERS FOR PRAYER ...
IRAN: Praise And Prayer For Christian Prisoners
A number of arrests and releases of
Christian prisoners in Iran have caused
mixed feelings among the Christian
community, according to Farsi
Christian News Network (FCNN).
Three women (Maryam Jalali, Mitra
Zahmati and Farzan Matin) were final‐
ly released on 17 March after being
held for 80 days in Evin Prison, Tehran.
They were arrested along with 12
other Christians on 24 December as
they gathered at a private residence to
celebrate Christmas. The others were
released on 4 January.
On 11 April Reza, an Azeri‐speaking
Christian, was released after spending
50 days in detention. He was arrested
at his home in Tabriz and accused of
‘leading a home‐based church, pas‐
toral services given to members,
teaching the Bible to converts’ and
other offences. Reports suggest that
the judge from the Islamic court
ordered the conditional release of
Reza, but the family were unable to
pay the extremely large sum; the court
reduced the bail and released him,
pending a future trial date. Reza has
been banned from contacting his
friends and fellow Christians.
Maryam and Marzieh, who were
released on 18 November 2009, were
in court during the week of 13 April
facing charges of propagating
Christianity and apostasy. It is reported
that both women have been in poor
health since their release from prison.
At the time of writing, there had been
no further updates on the trial.
Despite these good news stories,
FCNN have also reported on the con‐
tinued imprisonment of Hamid Shafiee
and Reyhaneh Aghajary, who have
been held for 45 days without charge
(see April Prayer Focus Update).
•Continue to pray for Christians in
prison in Iran. Pray that the Lord will
be their comfort and protector during
their detention.
• Praise the Lord for the recent releas‐
es of a number of Iranian Christians.
Pray that any charges against them
will be dropped so that they will be
free to continue worshipping the Lord
without fear.
NEW LIFE – 13 May 2010 – Page Three
‐Barnabus Fund
CURRENT COMMENTS – CLIFFORD WILSON
Quakes And More Quakes
In Matthew 24.3 we read that the
disciples came to Jesus and asked Him,
'When will these things be? And what
will be the sign of Your coming and the
end of the age?' In answer the Lord
said to them 'You will hear of wars and
rumours of wars ... nation will rise
against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom.' He further stated, 'There will
be famines and pestilences and earth‐
quakes in various places ...' (Verse 7)
In the last several weeks a number
of earthquakes have struck in various
parts of the world – in China, in New
Zealand, in Australia and in several
other countries. We are told that a
strong earthquake hit a remote area of
mountainous Western China where
hundreds were killed and thousands
were injured as houses and even
schools toppled to the ground.
Communications were disrupted and
there were serious tragic happenings
throughout the whole area. In one
town 85% of the houses have col‐
lapsed, and many hundreds of soldiers
were out looking for survivors.
It is further reported that China
undertook an enormous cremation for
hundreds of earthquake victims as
prospects dimmed of finding more sur‐
vivors. There were literally hundreds of
naked and bruised corpses cremated in
a huge funeral pyre as chanting
Buddhist monks lit the fires to cremate
them after 1,144 people had been
killed. As one priest said, 'We've never
had a disaster like this ... cremation is
the only way to send these souls off.'
Yet Another International Disaster
Iceland was the starting point of yet
another disaster as volcanic eruptions
from Mt Eyjafjallajokull caused planes
to be grounded across many countries.
Early reports show that 24,000 flights
have been cancelled and 44 airports,
mainly across Europe, have been
closed. About 5 million travellers have
been affected and the cloud of dust
spread across 5,000 kilometres. A sec‐
ond volcanic eruption from Iceland was
floating 7,000 metres up and there was
serious danger to aircraft from the
effects of the ash.
I have never liked setting dates for
the Lord's return for when I was 17
years of age, a highly respected church
worker told me there was no point in
getting my shoes repaired, for the
Lord's coming was very, very close.
Such reports are made too glibly and
too often. On the one hand we do look
up, knowing our redemption draws
near, but on the other hand we also
hear the word of the Lord Himself
when He said that no man knows that
day or hour. Even so, come Lord Jesus.
(Rev. 22.20)
Designer Babies Closer
That's the heading of yet another
report about babies with three oR
more parents. We are told that 'dozens
of human embryos with three parents
have been created by British scientists
ushering in an era of designer babies.’
(Melbourne Herald/Sun April 16.) We
also learn that 'Critics say the break‐
through is a step towards human
cloning, and erodes the sanctity of
human life.'
Famous Statue Of Christ Defaced
Rio de Janeiro has a towering statue
and it has been spray‐painted with
graffiti. The city's mayor has declared
that this is a crime against the nation.
Vandals covered much of the 40 metre
statue's body, and the mayor is very
definite that the culprits must be
caught and sent to jail. This famous
statue is on top of the 700 metres
Corcobado mountain, and can be seen
from much of the city.
Catholic Church ‘Wounded By Sin'
The Pope has made his first foreign
trip since the wave of sexual abuse by
priests caused scandal in Europe and
the United States.
He stated that 'Malta loves Christ
who loves His Church which is His body
even if His body is wounded by our
sins.' This is a direct allusion to the
recent sexual scandals in the Catholic
Church. Sin is a reproach to any peo‐
ple, and it greatly grieves God our
Father Himself. In the power of the
Holy Spirit our lives should be kept
clean, and set apart for His glory.
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NEW LIFE – 13 May 2010 – Page Four
VOLUME 72
NUMBER 20
13 May 2010
ISSN: 1033-7903
FOUNDER:
Eric J. Daley (1910-1992)
EDITORIAL TEAM:
Rev Dr Bob Thomas
Dr Clifford Wilson
Dr Barbara Wilson
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SERVING
THE
CHURCH
FOR
72
YEARS
Christians In The Firing Line Of The Law
THE attack from all quarters against Christ and His Church goes on relentlessly. Here in
Britain (where I am attending various conferences in the course of taking long service
leave) we have seen the spectacle of a senior High Court judge ruling against a Christian
social worker who had appealed against dismissal from his workplace because he had
refused to provide marriage counselling for a gay couple.
The Times of 30 April reports: ‘Christianity deserves no protection in law above other
faiths and to do so would be “irrational, divisive, capricious and arbitrary”, a senior judge
said yesterday.
‘In the latest clash between the judiciary and Christian believers Lord Justice Laws said
that laws could not be used to protect one religion above another.
‘He also delivered a robust dismissal to Lord Carey of Clifton, the former Archbishop of
Canterbury, who had warned that a series of recent court rulings against Christians could
lead to civil unrest. He called Lord Carey’s idea for a specialist panel of judges to hear cases
involving the practice of religious beliefs “deeply inimical to the public interest”.
‘To give one religion legal protection over another, “however long its traditions, howev‐
er rich its culture, is deeply unprincipled,” the judge said. It would give legal force to a sub‐
jective opinion and would lead to “a theocracy”.’
Should his lordship live long enough to see Britain become an Islamic republic – and
that could happen sooner than we might imagine – he may well rue the day he gave that
decision against a member of the religion which gave Britain the very underpinning of its
present legal and judicial system and railed against one of its most highly respected lead‐
ers rather than heeding his well‐considered warning.
In the first place (and the judge must know this) there are already moves afoot to estab‐
lish Sharia law in Britain’s Muslim community. Should Sharia law ever replace British law
this judge’s poor judgment will be manifest.
In the second place Islam, the world’s second largest religion, sees its rule as being theo‐
cratic (the ‘theos’ in this case being the god whom Muslims call ‘Allah’). We see enough of
its practice in present‐day Islamic republics to see that it promotes supremacy of one reli‐
gion (Islam) over all others and discriminates against those others in favour of Islam.
In the third place, not only Christianity but also Islam, Judaism and other religions are
against homosexual practice, so there is common cause there.
In any case, the appellant was not appealing against any other religion, as the judge
appears to make out, but against discrimination on the basis of his own moral values –
unless, of course, the judge views secular humanism as a religion, in which case he just
might have a point.
But note what Frances Gibb, The Times’ Legal Editor, says towards the beginning of her
report: ‘In the latest clash (emphasis mine) between the judiciary and Christian believers …’
Even a secular journalist can see that Christians in the UK are losing out at law time and
time again. Three such cases have been published recently here in New Life, and now this.
A stage has been reached where not only are Christians no longer protected by the law,
they are obstructed by the law. Perhaps it won’t be too long before we’re praying for per‐
secuted Christians in the UK of all places, and in due course for Christians in Australia …
– Bob Thomas
NEW LIFE – 13 May 2010 – Page Five
CHRISTIANS IN THE ACTION ...
2,000km For The Last 2,000 Languages
THREE Aussie mates will walk from
Cairns to Stanthorpe, Queensland,
from August to November this year,
to spread the word that there are
2,000 languages – representing 350
million people – that still don’t have
the Bible.
Dave, Carnsey and Sav will walk
2,000km over 80 days. Allowing for
rest days, they’ll walk on average
more than 30km each day. Each of
these kilometres represents a distinct
living language that doesn’t yet have
the Word of God – not even a single
verse.
‘It doesn’t seem fair that we have
not only one but dozens of different
versions of the Bible in English,’ says
Sav, ‘yet there are millions of people
in the world, representing 2,000 dis‐
tinct languages, who don’t have a sin‐
gle verse of God’s Word in a language
L‐R: Carnsey, Sav and Dave
they can understand.’
out of his career as a teacher for 2010
Beginning in Cairns on 25 August,
to participate in The 2,000 Walk. Apart
the Walk will take Dave, Carnsey and
Sav south through Townsville, Mackay, from walking, Dave is also responsible
for logistics along the way – such as
Rockhampton, Bundaberg and
coordinating accommodation and
Toowoomba – as well as many, many
meetings in the different towns en
more smaller towns in between. All
route. On average the trio will hold an
according to plan, Dave, Carnsey and
evening meeting at local churches and
Sav will walk into Stanthorpe on 11
town halls every second day.
November – Remembrance Day.
Carnsey is Queensland’s State
God laid the idea for The 2,000 Walk
Director of Operation Mobilisation
on Sav’s heart a couple of years ago
and it has steadily been growing since. (OM). He’s a country boy at heart and
is looking forward to linking up with
Sav (Andrew Sav) is 48 and married
country churches.
with four children. The other walkers
The 2,000 kilometre route that the
are 23 year old Dave (David Carnell)
three mates will walk reflects the 2000
and Carnsey (Andrew Carnell), his 30
languages that don’t yet have the
year old cousin.
Bible. Just as the Walk will be a long,
PE teacher Dave recently returned
hard process, so is translating the Bible
from trekking through Nepal with
into different languages. It’s too big to
Operation Mobilisation. He’s stepped
tackle alone, which is why Dave,
Carnsey and Sav are working together
with Operation Mobilisation and
Wycliffe Bible Translators to make this
massive need as widely known as pos‐
sible.
‘Our aim is that this need will no
longer be hidden,’ says Carnsey. ‘We
want the Australian Church to become
aware.’
To follow the progress of Dave,
Carnsey and Sav before and during
The 2,000 Walk, visit
www.the2000walk.com. On the web‐
site you can also get involved in many
different ways, such as by prayerfully
‘adopting’ one of the 2000 Bible‐less
language groups or making a donation
to a specific project.
‐Karyn Markwell
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NEW LIFE – 13 May 2010 – Page Six
CHRISTIANS IN THE ACTION ...
Entitled To Live As Equals
‘IT is my strong conviction that all
God’s children are entitled to live as
equals and in peace, wherever in the
world they live. And Mercy Ships is
working to help that happen.’
Jenny Darvas of West Pennant Hills
in Sydney is nearing the end of two
months service as a volunteer
onboard the world’s largest charity
hospital ship in Togo, West Africa,
one of the world’s poorest nations.
She serves as an Intensive Care Unit
nurse in the 78‐bed hospital with six
operating theatres and state‐or‐the‐
art facilities.
‘I am privileged to be part of an
amazing team of volunteers, more
than 400 at any one time serving on
the ship, seeking to bring hope and
healing to the world’s forgotten poor,’
she says.
‘The people of Togo have nothing
when compared to what we in the
developed world consider necessary
for everyday life, but they are incredi‐
bly strong, resilient and grateful for
the help they are receiving. They are
an inspiration to me. Mercy Ships vol‐
unteers are making real changes in the
lives of many people in the nations of
West Africa where the Africa Mercy
spends up to ten months each year in
one of a number of poor nations.
‘It is not only medical work being
carried out. While free surgeries are
provided onboard to correct disability,
deformity and blindness, other volun‐
teers are out in the country working
with local organisations on a range of
community health, educational, agri‐
cultural and development programs.’
Jenny heard about the work of
Mercy Ships through a missionary
agency, and felt the call to offer herself
for two months service as a volunteer,
paying her own way there and back
and paying crew fees onboard to help
offset the ship’s running costs. ‘I have a
passionate heart for the poor of the
developing world, and with a 25 year
background in nursing felt I could play
a part. I had been to Africa once
before, but it was still very confronting
Jenny Darvas onboard Togo Mercy Ship
to arrive in Togo after a 40‐hour flight,
and see the extent of poverty up close.
‘It wasn’t easy to leave home. I left
at home my husband and family of
three young adult children, all of
whom fully supported my decision to
serve in this way. I had to organize my
family and take long‐service leave.
Being away from family and friends for
eight weeks has probably been the
most difficult aspect of this time.
‘For the people of Togo there is
always poverty, and lack of access to
adequate medical care, even if they
could afford it. It has been an enjoy‐
able time from a nursing point of view,
facing the challenges of nursing in a
very different environment. There
have been so many highlights it is
impossible to start listing them.
‘Probably the best thing was seeing
the way lives are changed physically,
socially and spiritually. Many came to
the ship for surgery to correct gross
deformity. Such people had been often
rejected by family and community
because of such things as huge benign
tumours. Or there were women who
had been incontinent for years as a
result of obstetric fistulas. We saw
such lives transformed, and self‐worth
restored.
‘When people who don’t know
Christ see others working joyfully to
serve Him, such as I see in crew mem‐
bers on the Africa Mercy, they cannot
help but wonder why. The answer is
always and simply because we love
and serve a life‐giving God. In Togo, I
believe God has used my nursing skills
to help show His love to others. It is
my hope that I can continue to work
towards further opportunities of serv‐
ing in a health care role in the develop‐
ing world,’ Jenny concludes.
Mercy Ships is a global charity that
has operated hospital ships in develop‐
ing nations since 1978 providing free
health care and community develop‐
ment services to the forgotten poor.
Following the example of Jesus,
Mercy Ships brings hope and healing
to the poor. Working in partnership
with local people, Mercy Ships
empowers communities to help them‐
selves. The result is a way out of
poverty.
The emphasis is on the needs of the
world’s poorest nations in West Africa,
where the world’s largest charity hos‐
pital ship Africa Mercy provides the
platform for services extending up to
ten months at a time.
‐Amos Bennett,
Mercy Ships
NEW LIFE – 13 May 2010 – Page Seven
NEWS FROM THE LEPROSY MISSION AUSTRALIA
Report From TLMA 2010 National Conference
PEOPLE attending The Leprosy
Mission Australia 2010 National
Conference were challenged, encour‐
aged and inspired across a weekend of
talks at the Holy Cross Centre in
Templestowe,VIC from Friday 9 April
to Sunday 11 April.
About 120 people attended the con‐
ference to hear talks from a variety of
Australian and international speakers
about the global work of TLMA and
the challenges and advancements in
ministering to people affected by lep‐
rosy.
The talks covered development in
the fields, the ongoing commitment to
raise financial support for leprosy proj‐
ects as well as stories about the mis‐
sion's tireless volunteer ‘ambassadors’
who help promote TLMA around
Australia.
Guest speakers at the conference
included The Leprosy Mission
International Director, Geoff Warne
and wife Karen, TLMA's National
Council member Warwick Britton,
TLMA’s field workers Natalie Smith,
from Timor Leste, Anne Roberts from
Ethiopia, Jim and Margot Stuart from
Niger, Trevor and Heather Smith, from
Thailand, retired surgeon Grace
Warren and retired TLMI worker Janet
Walmsley.
At a medical level, Warwick Britton
said it was encouraging that according
to World Health Organisation (WHO)
2009 ‘operational’ findings, there were
an estimated 250,000 new cases of
leprosy registered world‐wide each
year, which was a decline in prevalence
from half a million detected each year
Warrick Britton
in 2002.
He said the successful decline
leprosy cases was a direct result of
Multi‐Drug Therapy being given to
patients for one to two years of
treatment, with about three quar‐
ters of them not developing dis‐
ability.
However Warwick said people
were concerned that the ‘target‐
ted‐focus’ of aiming to reduce the
number of new cases of leprosy to
1 in 10,000 meant that there were
Geoff and Karen Warne
many cases still undiscovered.
‘Since 6 million cases in the
Global Financial Crisis (GFC) with a
1980s to 250,000 in 2008, has been a
decrease in giving and a disinterest by
fantastic achievement and is one of
governments to support leprosy work,
the success stories in medical practise,’ but was not deterred in continuing to
Warwick said.
do the Lord’s work.
‘In 2004 there were 500,000 new lep‐
‘The amount of leprosy in the world
rosy patients detected each year and
is starting to reduce and consequently
in 2007 there were 250,000 and the
the interest in leprosy has reduced at
numbers have stayed the same. That is the government level and everybody’s
quite a dramatic fall for a chronic infec‐ mindset but the battle against leprosy
tious disease and people are a bit con‐
is by no means over,’ Jeff said.
cerned that that may mean that peo‐
The conference was also encour‐
ple are not finding the real number of
aged by talks from TLM state direc‐
leprosy patients.
tors. NSW Director, Ron Dawes, talked
‘These numbers are people who
about TLMA’s ‘tremendous’ success in
have turned up to government and
raising funds.
non‐government organisations regis‐
‘We have been sewing into the lives
tering to have leprosy. This probably
of people and reaping God’s reward in
does not represent all leprosy patients
God’s way,’ he said. ‘Constantly we are
who are diagnosed, let alone the ones
finding people who remember TLM in
who are not diagnosed , however the
their bequests. This has been made
figures are important because they
possible through our faithful team of
give you some picture of what is hap‐
volunteers promoting TLM in
pening.’
Australia.’
Warwick said a significant number
The conference heard stories on the
of 3 million people were still suffering
various ways TLM’s volunteers had
disability from the affects of leprosy
helped promote the work such as
who needed to be taught how
those involved in a Overseas Aid Shop
to care for themselves.
in Perth that earns $1,000 a week; a
He said, with a strong
fundraising boat trip down the
emphasis on early diagnosis and Derwent River in Tasmania; a visit to a
self‐care strategies, TLM was
former leprosy colony in Queensland; a
continuing to work in great
fundraising movie night to watch Slum
areas of need in Nepal,
Dog Millionaire and ‘volunteer ambas‐
Bangladesh, Indonesia, India
sadors’ who travelled hundreds of kilo‐
and among other African
metres to speak about TLM to small
nations.
groups around Victoria.
On a fundraising level, Geoff
‐Susan Masima,
Warne said TLM International
The Leprosy Mission Australia
had been challenged by the
NEW LIFE – 13 May 2010 – Page Eight
NEWS FROM OVERSEAS
We Are Not Alone – And God Is Still On The Throne
Bob Thomas Reports From the World Reformed Fellowship In Edinburgh...
ALL those years ago Elijah had to
learn an important lesson.
Despite his worst fears of isola‐
tion, there were yet 7,000 in the
land who had not bowed the
knee to Baal. Christians today
can still suffer from the Elijah
complex, especially if they
belong to small denominations
or to one in which liberals over‐
whelm them. We can also be dis‐
couraged if things are not going
too well in the local scene or if
we know that, further afield,
Christians are suffering persecu‐
tion for the faith.
The Third General Assembly
of the World Reformed
Fellowship held in Edinburgh,
Scotland, from 12 to 15 April,
Bob Thomas, Robert Benn and Allan Harman
was a powerful reminder to the
200 participants from 58
Advanced Modern Global Era’), and
Presbyterian and Reformed denomina‐ Rev Martin Allen (‘What A Church
tions around the world, together with
Looks Like’).
fellow travellers such as the Most Rev
Workshop sessions had a distinct
Henry Orombi, Archbishop of the
missional emphasis, including one led
Anglican Church in Uganda, that the
by Rev Allan Harman of the
Christianity of the Reformation is alive
Presbyterian Church of Australia (‘The
and well today.
Family In Society’). Two Commissions
Taking as its theme: ‘That the
– one on Theology and one on World
strengths of some might become the
Mission – met to set an agenda in
strength of all’, the Assembly set itself
these areas for the next triennium.
the task of defining a missional theolo‐
Numerous greetings and minor pre‐
gy for the 21st Century, most particu‐
sentations were made, including by Dr
larly by moving forward towards the
Doug Birdsall, Chair of the Lausanne
adoption of a Confession of Faith for
Movement.
the 21st Century and providing an
A Favourable Impression
opportunity for establishing networks
The Rt Rev Robert Benn, Moderator
between conservative evangelical
General of the Presbyterian Church of
Reformed churches around the world.
Australia, shared his impressions of the
A Busy Agenda
Assembly: ‘I knew little about the
The meetings were characterised by
Church in Uganda until a Ugandan
forthright and positive contributions
minister told me that he thanked Idi
from the likes of Dr Jung Hyun Oh,
Amin for the commencement of his
Senior Pastor of Sarang Community
now 50,000 strong church. ‘He threw
Church in Seoul, Korea (‘The Biblical
us out of the country. I found myself at
Living Hope For The 21st Century
Westminster Theological Seminary
Church’), Archbishop Orombi
with a passion to return to my country
(‘Keeping Christ’s Church Faithful’),
to preach Christ!’ He became the
Rev Dr Andrew McGowan (‘Crafting An founding father of the Evangelical
Evangelical Reformed Theology For
Presbyterian Church there.
The 21st Century’), Dr Os Guinness
‘Then there were the stories from
(‘Standing Fast In Faith In the
South Africa, Brazil, India, Mexico, the
UK – indeed, from all around the world
– of churches, colleges, organizations
and individuals who have decided to
become members of this relatively
new world‐wide Fellowship, who are
utterly committed to the ‘Thus saith
the LORD’ approach to the Scriptures.
‘Dr Peter Jones drove home the
point that such a commitment is the
only hope for the transformation of
the world in our day, a world seething
with other ‘spiritualities’. Dr Augustus
of Brazil declared that the non‐super‐
naturalistic theologies are ‘a parasite –
they suck the church dry, and then
leave it crippled!
‘I’ve attended many Assemblies of
churches and interdenominational
conferences around the world; some
good, some disappointing, but I feel
that we are privileged to belong to this
strongly Scripture‐based international
fellowship where again and again we
were drawn back to the authoritative,
revealed Word of God. We return
home with a broader vision, a stronger
commitment to God’s Word of truth
and a greater passion to be about the
work of the Master. Praise God for the
World Reformed Fellowship!’
‐Bob Thomas
NEW LIFE – 13 May 2010 – Page Nine
PERSECUTION WATCH ...
‘Remember those in prison ... and those who are
mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.’
(Hebrews 13.3)
Nigeria: Christians Murdered In Area That Continues
To Be Racked By Violence
MORE Christians are reported mur‐
dered in Jos, Plateau state in Nigeria.
Several news releases of Compass
Direct during the last months reported
that Jos, located between Nigeria’s
mainly Muslim North and Christian
South, has become a flash‐point for
ethnic and religious tensions there.
On 24 April 2010 at Gado‐Bako in
Jos North Local Government Area,
Nathan Dabak, the assistant editor of
the newspaper of the Church of Christ
in Nigeria and Sunday Gyang Bwede, a
reporter at the church newspaper,
were stabbed to death by Hausa
Muslim youths, who boldly answered
calls which came to the cellular phones
of the deceased journalists.
Police are still to investigate the
unfortunate incident. This happened
while the church was still mourning the
death of its pastor and his wife killed in
Boto, Bauchi state on 13 April.
Compass Direct News Services reports
that four other Christians also were
killed on 24 April in the Dutse Uku dis‐
trict of Jos’ Nasarawa Gwom area. The
events described above follow a series
of other brutal mass killings of
Christians in the area.
Carl Moeller with Open Doors
explains why Christians are being tar‐
geted. He states ‘These are not just
crimes of passion. This is intentional
attempts to terrorize and to elimi‐
nate Christian presence in Nigeria.’
While this kind of persecution scares
weaker Christians into silence,
Moeller says, ‘There are those that
deserve our prayers and our support
right now who are still boldly wit‐
nessing for the cause of Jesus Christ
there.’
‐Mission Network News
Prayer points:
‐ Pray that the ethnic and religious ten‐
sions will ease in the Plateau State.
‐ Pray that the police will act
efficiently in taking control over the
situation and for a return of peace in
the region.
‐ Pray for God’s comfort over the
grieved Christian families and for
strength in the Church in Los, Nigeria.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH!
Buddhist Extremists in Bangladesh
Beat And Take Christians Captive
COMPASS Direct News is reporting
that Buddhist members of an armed
rebel group are holding three tribal
Christians captive in a pagoda in south‐
eastern Bangladesh after severely
beating them in an attempt to force
them to return to Buddhism, Christian
sources said.
The report says that those held cap‐
tive since Friday 16 April are Pastor
Shushil Jibon Talukder, Bimol Kanti
Chakma, and Laksmi Bilas Chakma, of
Maddha Lemuchari Baptist Church in
Lemuchari village, some 300 kilome‐
ters (186 miles) southeast of Dhaka.
They are to be kept in the pagoda
for 15 to 20 days as punishment for
having left the Buddhist religion, the
sources told Compass Direct News.
Local Buddhists are considered power‐
ful as they have ties with the United
Peoples Democratic Front, an armed
group in the hill districts.
‘After taking the Christians captive
on 16 April, the sources said, the next
day the armed Buddhist extremists
forced other Christians of Maddha
Lemuchari Baptist Church to demolish
their church building by their own
hands,’ the CDN story continued. ‘The
sources said Pastor Talukder was
bludgeoned nearly to death and had to
be taken by wooden stretcher to the
pagoda.’
‐ Dan Wooding,
ASSIST
Pakistani Christian Woman Accused
Of Blasphemy Is Denied Bail
A Pakistani court has rejected the bail
petition of Rubina Amjad, a Christian
woman who was sent to jail last month
after being accused of committing
blasphemy.
Rubina, a resident of Alipur Chatta,
a town near Pakistan’s industrial hub
of Gujranwala, was charged under
Pakistan blasphemy laws for allegedly
passing derogatory remarks against
Prophet Muhammed.
Three Christian men were accused
of blasphemy in 1999, but a Pakistani
High Court acquitted the three
Christians of blasphemy in 2001.
Nasir Saeed, the Director of the
Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and
Settlement in the UK told Assist that
CLAAS lawyers appeared in court on
20 April, and moved for a bail petition
for Rubina.
According to CLAAS, Abdul Nasir,
the additional judge, ‘spurned’ the bail
petition.
‘The judge heard the arguments
from both sides but reserved his ver‐
dict,’ said Saeed.
Mr. Saeed said that the Muslim mob
often tends to pressure judges when
they hear blasphemy related cases.
‘Most of the times the judges are hesi‐
tant to make any decision or even
refuse bail so that the case can be
moved to the High Court,’ he said.
‐Dan Wooding,
ASSIST
NEW LIFE – 13 May 2010 – Page Ten
DIGGING AND DELVING ...
Faking The Evidence
Dr Clifford Wilson Explains ...
UNFORTUNATELY space restrictions
mean that this subject will be pursued
in at least two issues. Why? We regu‐
larly receive letters from interested
friends telling us of remarkable finds
relating archaeology to the Bible. Two
names are repeatedly mentioned: the
late Ron Wyatt and the man who has
followed in his steps – Jonathan Gray.
We have a number of writings
exploding the so‐called findings of Ron
Wyatt, and we shall limit ourselves to
someone from his own denomination –
the Seventh Day Adventists. We stress
that they are not responsible for the
claims of Ron Wyatt and they do not
endorse his claims. The book before us
is entitled, Holy Relics Or Revelation ‐
written by two brothers, Russell and
Colin Standish, and their book is pub‐
lished by Heartland Publications, Box
1, Rapidan, VA 22733.
On pages 7 to 10 of that book they
list no less than 92 supposed discover‐
ies and identifications by Ron Wyatt, a
former dental mechanic and not an
archaeologist or minister of religion.
Visible proof has not been provided for
any one of them. Let's give the first 12
of those.
1. Account of the Flood, inscribed on a
stone of Noah's home
2. Admah – City of the Plain
3. Altar of a Giant
4. Altar of Incense
5. Altar of Jehova‐nissi
6. Anchor of Stones of Noah's Ark
7. Ark of the Covenant
8. Armor section from an Egyptian
Chariot
9. Ashes of Sodom and Gomorrah
10. Baalzephon
11. Bones of Giant Animals
12. Book of the Law written by Moses
on Animal Skins.
Item 20 simply states, 'Christ's
Blood'. The authors state their decision
to publish this book was never moti‐
vated by a personal animosity towards
Ron, but rather because of a genuine
concern that ... Ron's unconfirmed
claims concerning the blood on the
Mercy Seat were undermining faith in
the centrality of the Gospel. They
believed it was necessary to present
the vast array of evidence which chal‐
lenges the claimed archaeological find‐
ings of Ron, for his work has influenced
thousands. They further state that
credible evidence of his discoveries has
never been provided. 2 Corinthians
11.3 reminds us that the serpent
beguiled Eve through subtlety, and we
must guard against our minds being
corrupted from the simplicity that is in
Christ. Verse 14 says that Satan him‐
self would deceive the very elect if it
were possible, for he himself is trans‐
formed into an angel of light.
The Senior Author author states, 'I
personally read the junk about the
blood of Christ which is totally absurd'.
(Ron Wyatt claimed that the blood
from the crucified Lord flowed down
until it reached the Ark of the
Covenant which was hidden in a tomb
down the hill from the Cross.) The
author further states, 'I immediately
sent a fax to RW as I knew he was
bluffing, asking for ‐ a) a copy and
address of the lab report, and b) a
sample for some independent testing,
to which as of yet we have not
received any reply.’
(To be continued)
ʻThe Blessedness of Death As Known to Believersʼ
ʻNEW LIFEʼ KEEPS YOU
UP TO DATE
AND INFORMED
SUBSCRIBE TODAY
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03 9890 3377
[email protected]
Matthew 24.33
ʻWhen you observe all these
things, you know that He is so
near, THAT HE IS AT THE
DOOR.ʼ
Inserted by Ivan Bell
Last words and thoughts of Christians
from the 17th to the 20th Century,
showing the blessing of a Christ
-centred faith as death approaches
– Dallas Clarnette
“This is the kind of book which will
do much to encourage believers who
are facing death”, Peter Barnes,
Australian Presbyterian. “Death is the
great unmentionable … Dallas Clarnette
has done us a great service …placing
this subject … before us.”
-The Editor, New Life.
$9.95 at Koorong & elsewhere.
$11.00 post paid from the author
(Chq/MO) Rev D Clarnette,
180 Ninth Ave., Rosebud 3939
NEW LIFE – 13 May 2010 – Page Eleven
FROM THE MISSION FIELD
40 Years Helping People Affected By Leprosy
THE dedication shown by Dr Trevor
and Heather Smith in giving 40 years
of their life to serving people affected
by leprosy at McKean Rehabilitation
Centre in Chiang Mai, Thailand has
been recognized by The Leprosy
Mission Australia and its supporters.
The couple, who heeded God's call‐
ing in 1969 to become TLMA field
workers, have officially retired from
the mission and are in Australia on hol‐
iday for two months before heading
back to Thailand and continuing on in
an independent role.
Trevor and Heather are known to
many people in churches around
Australia. Trevor, now 69, has been the
main doctor at the hospital, treating
both leprosy and general patients and
often practising corrective surgery pro‐
cedures. At the same time, Heather,
65, has been devoted to the needs for
education, vocational training and
community‐based rehabilitation.
Trevor and Heather and team have
a long list of achievements in pioneer‐
ing new initiatives in leprosy rehabilita‐
Heather and Trevor Smith in 1969
tion work, and developing a
leprosy hospital and colony
into a well‐established reha‐
bilitation, referral and
resource centre for both lep‐
rosy and general patients.
Most recently, they have
seen the development of a
quality retirement home at
the centre, which provides
multi‐tiered aging services
for Thai and overseas
retirees.
Through McKean's work,
positive advances have also
Heather and Trevor Smith in 2009
been made in community‐
based rehabilitation in local
areas, aimed at increasing mobility and ‘The team includes Thai social workers,
integration for people affected by lep‐
health workers and physios and others
rosy and general disabilities.
that have helped McKean become a
Trevor said it was a great joy to
referral centre and a prototype of the
mark the occasion of 40 years service
future,’ he said.
with The Leprosy Mission in Thailand
‘We are now training health workers
and to remember God’s blessings.
from other countries in how to trans‐
‘The 40 years has gone past very
form a leprosy centre into a rehab cen‐
quickly and it is hard to remember the
tre and even beyond that into an aged
challenges in those early days,’ he said. care centre. It's not our work ‐ it is
‘We have had an enjoy‐ what God has been doing and enabled
able life and met some
us to do as a team.’
interesting people and
Trevor said McKean’s community
were at McKean long
education in schools and lecturing to
enough to see changes
medical students over the past 20
occurring. Many people
years had also helped change attitudes
don't get to see the
towards leprosy among the Thai peo‐
changes if they come for
ple.
short term ministry such
He said when he first went to
as three, five or even ten
Thailand, people affected by leprosy
years. But in 40 years you
were still being forced to leave their
see big changes, how lep‐ home and live in the forest because of
rosy has diminished and
the stigma.
how God has blessed the
‘Thai society has changed and the
work. McKean was pio‐
stigma has decreased,’ he said. ‘We
neering in various ways
found it easier for people to be accept‐
and it was exciting to be
ed back home if they were no longer
on the front line.’
an economic burden and could make a
Trevor said one major
good contribution. Sometimes the
achievement had been
rejection was due to the stress of
integrating general dis‐
poverty increased by the presence of
abilities and care for the
someone disabled by leprosy.
elderly into a leprosy hos‐
(Continued p.13)
pital since 1985, which
helped breakdown the
stigma towards leprosy in
the community.
NEW LIFE – 13 May 2010 – Page Twelve
FROM THE MISSION FIELD
‘When we could get patients home
cured and with some positive skills to
contribute (through vocational train‐
ing), stigma was more likely to be
overcome.
‘Word has got out that leprosy is no
longer a fearful disease, it is treatable.
It is exciting to see how attitudes have
changed. You go to other places in
Thailand and you find that stigma is
still strong while attitudes in the north
of Thailand have progressed.’
Heather said she was happy to see
McKean’s focus on rehabilitation, initi‐
ated in the 1970s, still seeing people
being ‘transformed’ in their physical
and personal lives while they stayed at
hospital and in their living conditions
when they returned to their com‐
munity.
In recent days, McKean’s communi‐
ty‐based rehabilitation projects have
encouraged local communities to
become responsible for providing
access and assistance for people with
disabilities.
‘We act as catalyst for change,’
Heather said. ‘Our goal here is a “John
the Baptist” one, where we decrease
and they increase in taking responsibil‐
ity for the needy in the community.’
‘About 50,000 people disabled by
leprosy have been living in difficult cir‐
cumstances in Thailand,’ Heather said.
‘Their transformation needs to be
internal as well as external, in the lep‐
rosy patient and in the community
itself, if they are going to rise above
stigma and poverty. We were already
working in hospital‐based rehabilita‐
tion and we wanted to move into com‐
munity based rehabilitation as well.
Our work has initiated community
transformation projects including
housing for homeless folk, cement
paths for easier accessibility for dis‐
abled people, wells, tap water and toi‐
lets for better sanitation and sustain‐
able livelihoods projects.’
After their official ‘retirement’ from
the mission, the couple will continue
their roles at McKean at the invitation
of the Thai church. They are also heav‐
ily involved in their local church on the
leadership team and in leading Bible
studies and retreats.
‐Susan Masima
Scrap For Scriptures
THE Bible Society in Victoria is looking
for 100 passionate scrappers to Scrap
for Scriptures. For those not familiar
with the term, a scrapper is someone
who engages in scrapbooking ‐ the
fastest growing craft in the world
today.
Scrapbooking – the preservation of
memories in a creative and decorative
manner – has been around for over 150
years, but in recent times has blos‐
somed into a multi‐billion dollar indus‐
try.
Jan Peddersen, Community
Relations Manager for the Bible
Society in Victoria, is a self‐confessed
scrap addict, spending hours salivating
over gorgeous papers, braids, ribbons
and embellishments, paints, inks and
dyes.
‘A few days ago I was scrapping
photos of my mission trip to Ghana in
West Africa, and I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it
be perfect if I could find a way to use
my scrapping to provide God’s Word to
those who are desperate to receive
it?’”
The idea took hold and Scrap for
Scriptures was born.
‘I’m looking for at least 100 people ‐
individuals or groups ‐ who will take up
the challenge to raise $1,000 for the
Bible Society (Vic) by the end of the
year through their chosen craft activi‐
ty,’ Jan enthused. ‘It doesn’t have to be
scrapbooking of course; it could be
quilting, card making, woodworking …
any craft you like.
‘Just imagine … simply by doing one
of the things we love, we could help
raise $100,000 to provide God’s Word
to a hurting world.’
Are you up for the challenge? To
register, phone the Bible Society
Victoria on 03 9877 9277, or email to
[email protected], or register
Jan Peddersen
online at www.biblevic.com.au. You’ll
be sent a free Scrap for Scriptures pack
to provide further information and
some great ideas to help you get start‐
ed. Victorian groups can even book Jan
to come and share with them her two
passions – scrapping and Scriptures for
the world.
‐Jan Pedderson
NEW LIFE – 13 May 2010 – Page Thirteen
RECENT NEWS
Newly Renovated Billy Graham Library Re-Opened
AFTER being closed for several months
of renovations, the Billy Graham
Library in Charlotte, North Carolina
reopened and showcased new addi‐
tions and changes to the facility,
including a 15‐by‐31‐foot mural called
‘The Cross’ by renowned artist Thomas
Kinkade.
Hosted by Franklin Graham, presi‐
dent and CEO of the Billy Graham
Evangelistic Association (BGEA), the
event also highlighted other significant
additions to the facility.
Tuesday’s ceremony presented the
Kinkade mural, thousands of books
from Mr. Graham’s personal library,
and other artifacts, such as his desk
and chair, a Bible he used for preparing
sermons and one of his briefcases.
New video presentations feature a
welcome from Franklin Graham, a
glimpse at the current ministry activi‐
ties of BGEA – representing Billy
Graham’s ongoing legacy – and tes‐
timonies of those whose lives God
has touched through the evange‐
list’s ministry.
‘This Library is a ministry, and
that’s what we wanted. That’s what
we intended,’ said Franklin Graham
in remarks at the event, held inside
the lobby of the Billy Graham
Library. ‘And these changes that we
have made have strengthened the
ministry. There is a clear presenta‐
tion of the Gospel as you go through
from room to room.’
Also in attendance at the ceremo‐
ny was Billy Graham’s long‐time
associate Cliff Barrows, members of
the Graham family and other friends
and donors of the ministry. Barrows,
87, has served as music and pro‐
gram director for Billy Graham
Crusades since their very beginning
in the 1940s.
Kinkade, whose popular work is
inspired by his strong Christian faith,
created the mural specifically for the
Billy Graham Library. The mural
dominates the wall immediately fol‐
lowing the finale theater, drawing
visitors’ attention to a hilltop cross,
the focal point of an expansive land‐
scape.
‘As I began working on it, one thing
and one thing only kept being preemi‐
nent,’ said Kinkade before he unveiled
the original oil painting from which the
mural was made. ‘It was the cross. And
that was so relevant to me as an indi‐
vidual because as I looked at that
painting I kept saying, ‘’Well, that’s
what I need – the cross.’’ That’s what
all of us need. The cross. There’s the
hope. That’s the only hope.’ Kinkade
revealed that his own mother had
decided to follow Jesus Christ at a Billy
Graham Crusade.
The mural is not Kinkade’s first gift
to Billy Graham’s ministry. In 1997 the
artist presented Mr. Graham with the
original framed canvas for his work,
‘Light of Peace,’ having been commis‐
sioned by the San Jose Billy Graham
Crusade Committee to create a special
painting for Mr. Graham.
The mural
The Billy Graham Library was dedi‐
cated in May 2007 at a ceremony
attended by Mr. Graham and three for‐
mer presidents, Jimmy Carter, Bill
Clinton and George H. W. Bush.
After the reopening ceremony, the
ministry held a private dinner attended
by Billy Graham and friends of the min‐
istry.
‐Graham Clark, The Billy Graham
Evangelistic Association
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or telephone: 08 9498 3735
NEW LIFE – 13 May 2010 – Page Fourteen
FOR THE YOUNG ONES:
NEW LIFE – 13 May 2010 – Page Fifteen
BOOKS WORTH READING
Christian Counselling
WISE COUNSEL: John Newton’s
Letters to John Ryland Jr
Edited by Grant Gordon (Edinburgh:
Banner of Truth, 2009)
This is a welcome addition to books
on John Newton. It contains 83 letters
from the hand of Newton to John
Ryland, who was 28 years his junior.
The letters cover some four decades,
from the 1770s to the early 1800s.
Most of the letters are otherwise
unavailable in editions of his letters.
Today, Newton is famous for his
hymn ‘Amazing Grace’, but perhaps his
greatest gift was as a writer of letters
of spiritual comfort and instruction.
An introductory chapter sketches the
history of both men in the years pre‐
ceding the opening of correspondence,
when Ryland (a child prodigy) was
called to the Baptist ministry and pub‐
lished a 268 page volume (Serious
Essays) at age 18 in the year 1771.
Newton, playing the part of a true
friend, rebuked his youthful vanity,
something of which young men who
espouse Calvinist teaching can be
guilty (I was young once!). The father‐
son quality of the relationship between
the two men, like that of Paul to
Timothy, leads Newton to caution
young Ryland against overexertion –
Ryland having preached 183 different
sermons in the one year. Sadly, this is
not a common problem today!
The letters are full of spiritual wis‐
dom and show a remarkable under‐
standing of Christian experience, such
that the reader (like this reviewer) will
often hear God speaking through the
diagnosis and advice offered by John
Newton. His wide sympathies and
delight in Christians of all denomina‐
tions is an example to us all, for he
detested party spirit and rivalry
between different Christian groupings
(such as broke out in the 1770s
between Arminians and Calvinists). As
he says, ‘When the great trumpet
sounds (and perhaps not before) all
party walls will fall like the walls of
Jericho’. On the political front, Newton
took neither a pro‐British nor a pro‐
American stance over the War of
Independence.
Newton offers sound advice to
Ryland who was seeking a wife but had
suffered disappointments in the
process, his encouragement being:
‘The only reason why the Lord seems
to delay what afterwards He grants is,
that the best hour is not yet come’.
Newton knows how to bring comfort
to a Christian frustrated by delays and
setbacks. He later wrote to Ryland on
the joys and trials of married life: ‘our
sharpest trials shall generally spring
and grow from our choicest temporal
‘ Glorious Things –
A Protestant’ s Guide
To London’
What to look for and how to find places
associated with people and events which
shaped Protestant Church History,
compiled by Rev Bob Thomas.
Available from: PTC Media,
684 Elgar Rd, Box Hill North 3129.
Cost: $6.60+$2.20 p&p.
(Please make cheque payable to PTC
Media)
comforts’. Many of his letters to vari‐
ous correspondents were published in
his lifetime in a volume called
Cardiphonia (or ‘Utterances of the
Heart’), a name thought up by his
friend, the poet William Cowper. Later
still, Newton wrote to console Ryland
on the death of his wife: ‘You have
received a wound, but faithful is the
Friend who has wounded you’.
Of particular interest to Australians
is what the letters tell of Newton’s
direct involvement in sending the
Reverend Richard Johnson as chaplain
on the First Fleet. On another occa‐
sion, Newton gave wise and Biblical
advice to Ryland not to answer his crit‐
ics: ‘I would not walk the length of my
house to justify myself’. Alluding to the
deaths of many of his friends, Newton
wrote: ‘But the residue of the Spirit is
with [God] and He will never want
instruments to fulfil His will’. A final
chapter summarises the remaining
years of Newton and Ryland after the
last extant letter of 1803, a correspon‐
dence that enables the modern reader
to enjoy and benefit from this endur‐
ing friendship.
‐Greg Goswell
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NEW LIFE – 13 May 2010 – Page Sixteen
BOOKS WORTH READING
Christian Living
I’M A CHRISTIAN AREN’T I?
Dan Clark
IVP, Nottingham, 2010
THE aim of the author in writing this
book is to help readers have certainty
in their relationship with God. He uses
the symbolism of a jigsaw puzzle ‐ the
different pieces of the puzzle are dif‐
ferent aspects of having certainty of
Christian faith. Clark’s pastoral work
has convinced him that many within
the Church and outside it are confused
about their spiritual state. Unfor‐
tunately some are given misleading
teaching from their churches.
Clark uses the device of a number of
people telling their ‘real life’ story.
These stories are helpful as they con‐
tain a mix of life experiences. Two
things stand out from the stories. One
is the importance of Christians living
authentic lives. Often an interest is
stirred in a person to probe further into
their own spiritual condition by seeing
true discipleship and Godly love lived
out in the life of a Christian they know,
be it in the family, church, school or
work. Wherever people interact in a
real way. This echoes, of course, the
Biblical injunction to ‘let our light shine
before men’. The other aspect that
comes out of the stories is the value of
groups where people are clearly pre‐
sented with the Christian faith and
have an opportunity to read the Bible
and hear it explained in a non‐threat‐
ening and systematic way. Group
methods of evangelism such as
Christianity Explored feature in these
conversion stories.
Each chapter has helpful reflective
questions at the end to crystallize the
main thoughts of the chapter. These
are mainly for the individual reader to
work on. The book is written with com‐
passion. Clark genuinely wants people
to come to faith in Jesus. He also
wants the reader to have the assur‐
ance of personal salvation that will
allow him or her to blossom and grow
as Jesus wants His followers to do. So
many Church members live a stunted
life. Getting the ‘puzzle pieces’ of
believing, belonging, behaving, bap‐
tism and being born‐again to fit
together is one analogy that can foster
this growth.
‐Mignon Goswell
THE RADICAL DISCIPLE
John Stott, IVP, Nottingham, 2010
JOHN Stott first introduced me to his
call to radical Christian living when he
spoke on Ephesians at an AFES
Conference I attended while at
University 35 years ago. Since then I
have read many books by John Stott
on Christian living, personal ethics and
Christian community that have influ‐
enced me greatly. Stott tells us The
Radical Disciple is to be his last book.
The subject matter, then, is of vital
importance to the author and the
thoughts are ones he wants us to
remember and act upon.
Why the title? Disciples are in rela‐
tionship with Jesus. Without this rela‐
tionship there can be no Biblical living,
as we will not be following our teacher.
‘Radical’ is used to get to the heart of
the matter. What does God want of
His people? Stott summarises this as
‘God wants us to become more and
more like Jesus’. The preface to this
book is important. Stott says ‘our com‐
mon way of avoiding radical disciple‐
ship is to be selective; choosing those
areas in which commitment suits us
and staying away from those areas in
which it will be costly. But because
Jesus is Lord, we have no right to pick
and choose those areas in which we
will submit to His authority’.
Stott writes of eight characteristics
often overlooked. Right from chapter
one the reader is challenged.This first
characteristic of radical discipleship is
defined as non‐conformity. Other
characteristics include simplicity,
Christ‐likeness and balance. (Have you
read Stott’s little booklet Balanced
Christianity? It is a gem!) How these
characteristics are overlooked and
what negative impacts such neglect
has on the Church are explored. While
we are called to engage with the world
and not stand apart from it, our
responsibility is to engage without
compromise. This is no mean under‐
taking, so we must ask God to help us
in our lifelong striving to become more
like Jesus. Once again Stott has given
us a book that is deceptively easy to
read but hard hitting in its application.
‐Mignon Goswell
BOOK UPDATE
Why on earth did Jesus
come? by John Blanchard,
which was reviewed in the
last edition of New Life by
Bob Thomas, has been shortlisted for the ʻChristian
Resource of the Yearʼ award.
The winner was to be
announced in London on 11
May 2010.
Donations Make A Difference!
Call Alison On
03 9890 3377
To Donate And Help Us
Extend And Maintain Our Ministry!
NEW LIFE – 13 May 2010 – Page Seventeen
GRIST FOR THE MILL ...
The Lost Art of Catechesis: Reclaiming Elemental Duties
EIGHTY‐three‐year‐old theologian J.I.
Packer recently spoke at St. Matthews
Episcopal Church in Dallas. There
Packer, one of Time Magazine’s 25
‘most influential evangelicals,’ said,
‘We are drifting back into paganism.’
Packer’s latest book, written with
Gary Parrett, underscores what he
thinks is missing. The book, entitled
Grounded in the Gospel: Building
Believers the Old‐Fashioned Way,
explores the Church’s need to make
catechesis an important part of its life
once again.
For those unfamiliar with the term,
catechesis is, according to Packer, ‘the
church’s ministry of grounding and
growing God’s people in the Gospel
and its implications for doctrine, devo‐
tion, duty and delight.’
There is generally need for three
distinct forms of catechetical ministry.
They say it’s protocatechesis, which
refers to teaching what many today
would call ‘seekers’ or what the
ancients called ‘inquirers’; catechesis
proper, which refers to the formal
work of preparing children or adult
converts for baptism or confirmation;
and ongoing catechesis, which is the
never‐ending teaching and formation
of believers.
Packer points out the fact that cate‐
chism has always been an important
part of transferring the faith. The
authors look at Old Testament precur‐
sors to catechism, New Testament
examples, and then the use of it in
light of the early Church. Although the
practice was largely neglected in the
Middle Ages, the Reformers empha‐
sized the need for its revival.
Writing in 1548 to the Lord
Protector of England, John Calvin
emphatically stated, ‘Believe me,
Monseigneur, the Church of God will
never be preserved without catech‐
esis.’ In the years which followed, both
Catholics and Protestants revived the
practice and saw it as one of the most
obvious and basic duties of the Church.
Sadly, today, in most parts of the
Church, the practice has been aban‐
doned. Many even view the word ‘cat‐
echesis’ with suspicion, like it is some
alien practice. The authors write, how‐
ever, ‘We are persuaded that Calvin
had it right and that we are already
seeing the sad, even tragic, conse‐
quences of allowing the Church to con‐
tinue uncatechized in any significant
sense.’
While the authors make it clear that
churches need to re‐discover catech‐
esis, they don’t leave us hanging with‐
out a plan to help them do it. They dis‐
cuss what topics churches should cover
in catechesis, and they describe how
people can champion the cause of cat‐
echism in their congregations. In other
words, Packer and Parrett give us the
tools and the blueprint we need to
move forward.
Especially nowadays, when young
believers are likely to pick and choose
which aspects of the faith they find
most convenient or cool, we desper‐
ately need to teach a holistic under‐
standing of the faith, from Genesis to
Revelation.
‐ Prison Fellowship president
Mark Earley
Dallas Clarnette Tests Your Knowledge...
1. Jehovah Witness follows the
heresies of (a) Sabellius (b)
Marcion (c) Arius
2. Whose ministry led to
Augustine’s conversion? (a)
Irenaeus (b) Ambrose (c) Arius
3. When did R.A. Torrey visit
and stir Melbourne? (a) 1899
(b) 1902 (c) 1910
4. Who wrote De Civitate Dei
in 413‐26? (a) Ambrose (b)
Origen (c) Augustine
5. Which Irishman wrote ‘In
Understanding Be Men.’
(a) Hammond (b) Grier (c)
Paisley
6. The principal founder of the
Plymouth Brethren was (a)
Muller (b) Kelly (c) Darby
7. Which Lutheran pastor
opposed Hitler and survived?
(a) Dibelius (b) Niemoller (c)
Bonhoeffer
8. G.K.Chesterton was con‐
verted to (a) Catholicism (b)
Anglicanism (c) Methodism
9. Who is famous for the Daily
Bible Study series? (a)
Alexander Whyte (b) A.W.
Tozer (c) Barclay
10. When was the Australian
Uniting Church begun (a) 1965
(b) 1977 (c) 1984
ANSWERS:
1c; 2b; 3b; 4c; 5a; 6c; 7b; 8a;
9c; 10b
Have You Recommended New Life To A Friend
Recently?
NEW LIFE – 13 May 2010 – Page Eighteen
BREAKPOINT ... CHUCK COLSON’S COMMENTS
Happiness and Virtue Life Well Lived
IN a recent New York Times column,
David Brooks tells us that wealth is not
the key to happiness. Instead, the
number one factor in human happiness
is interpersonal relationships. A happy
marriage, time spent with colleagues
and friends, neighbors you can trust ‐‐
all of these lead to happiness and per‐
sonal fulfilment.
Brooks uses common sense and
cites plenty of research to make his
case. Citing one study, Brooks writes
that ‘joining a group that meets just
once a month produces the same hap‐
piness gain as doubling your income.’
And yet another study shows that
being married gives you ‘a psychic gain
equivalent to more than $100,000 a
year.’
Brooks argues that government
should take note. Instead of focusing
on producing prosperity, maybe, just
maybe, government should consider
pursuing policies that create well
being.
Well, if he means family‐friendly
policies, for example, that’s good—I
agree. So far so good.
Now, Brooks usually hits the nail on
the head. He gets it. But not this time.
As I read the piece, I kept waiting for
Brooks to define ‘happiness.’ He never
does. Because he, like most
Americans, has a misconception of
what the definition of happiness truly
is.
Ask most people what happiness
means, and they will talk about feeling
good, or about things that give them
pleasure. This is especially unfortunate
here in America, since ‘happiness’ is an
essential concept in our nation’s
founding. We all know the famous
words of the Declaration of
Independence: that all men are
endowed with certain inalienable
rights, among these the right to ‘life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’
Well, this does not mean that
humans are endowed with the right to
feel good, or to act in a way that pleas‐
es them. Robbing a bank may make
thieves feel happy, but to claim the
right to pursue that line of work would
be absurd. Happiness is not self‐gratifi‐
cation.
So what, then, does happiness
mean? Our founding fathers under‐
stood the pursuit of happiness to mean
the pursuit of a virtuous life. This con‐
cept of happiness comes from the
Greek word eudaimonia ‐‐ which refers
to a life well‐lived, a life rooted in
truth. That is what happiness means,
and that is what every man and
woman has an inalienable right to pur‐
sue ‐‐ a virtuous life.
And as I wrote in my book The Good
Life, this is the definition of happiness
that we need to reclaim in American
life ‐‐ especially within the Church.
Come on. If the last 50 years have
taught us anything, it’s that con‐
sumerism and hedonism (the pursuit
of unbridled pleasure) do not lead to
happiness, but instead to personal and
societal misery.
So I welcome David Brooks’
insights. I just wish he’d gotten happi‐
ness right. The goal is not pleasure; it is
righteous living, decency, honor, doing
good ‐‐ in short, living a virtuous life.
Copyright (c) 2010 Prison Fellowship Ministries. Reprinted with permission. ‘Breakpoint With Chuck Colson’ is a
radio ministry of Prison Fellowship Ministries. Prison Fellowship Australia National Office, PO Box 579, Eltham Vic
3095; Phone: 03 9431 3877; Fax: 03 9431 3830; email: [email protected]
Fishing Banned In The Sea Of Galilee
IF the Apostles tried to fish today they
would find themselves in court.
Israel's Ministry of Agriculture has
announced that fishing in the Sea of
Galilee has been banned.
This has been revealed in a story
published in the UK's Daily Telegraph.
In the story it is written that, ‘It is
the site where Jesus told His disciples:
'I will make you fishers of men.' As the
Bible tells us, four of the Apostles ‐
James, Andrew, John and Peter ‐‐
worked as fishermen on the shores of
the Sea of Galilee.
‘Were they to ply their trade now, how‐
ever, the Apostles would find them‐
selves in court. Officials at the Ministry
announced the fishing ban, claiming
that stocks have fallen to a dangerous‐
ly low level.’
The decree ends a tradition which
has continued virtually unchanged
since Biblical times, and will dismay
both local fishermen and Christian pil‐
grims who flock to the site each year.
The story says that the two‐year ban
comes into effect at the end of this
month.
Chaim Anjioni, director of fisheries
at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development, told the Daily Telegraph:
‘We are just before a catastrophe, and
that is why we have decided to stop
fishing. We need to stop fishing to give
the small fish a chance to grow, caus‐
ing fish stocks to increase and the lake
to recover.’
The most common catch in these
waters is known as St Peter's Fish, so
named after a Bible passage in which
Peter hooks a fish with a coin in its
mouth.
Yet recent years have seen a dra‐
matic decline in stocks. Before 2005,
295 tons of St Peter's Fish were caught
annually. In 2009, the total was only
eight tons.
‐Dan Wooding, ASSIST
NEW LIFE – 13 May 2010 – Page Nineteen
NEW LIFE ADVERTISING
Ramon A Williams – Worldwide Photos
WANT TO SEE MORE?
‘New Life’ can only publish a small selection of photos, but
you can see more of those attributed to Worldwide Photos
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When You Buy Books At
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You Are Supporting Ministries Like:
Missionary Aviation Fellowship,
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NEW LIFE – 13 May 2010 – Page Twenty
WORSHIP WITH US
COMING TO
WESTERN AUSTRALIA?
Come to Scots Church
Fremantle,
90 South Terrace
(next to Fremantle Markets)
Reformed and Evangelical
10am and 5pm Sundays
12:30 pm Wednesday
Lunch Time Worship
Also at Southern River,
Bletchley Park Primary
School, Balfour Road
9:00 am Sunday
Rev Stuart Bonnington
08 9398 1304
[email protected]
POSITIONS VACANT
Full Time Pastoral Position, Adelaide
The Woodcroft Christian Centre
located in the southern suburbs of Adelaide with its foundation
coming from the Christian Brethren movement, has a
congregation of approximately 200 people, ranging across all
age groups.
We are seeking an energetic person who is passionate
about ministry to work within the present Eldership Team
in the role of a Pastor/Elder.
You would have a good understanding and ability to teach and
communicate the Word of God along with a commitment to
developing relationships with people in the community as well
as those within the church. For expression of interest, please
contact: David Eardley-Harris at [email protected] or
for further details go to www.woodcroft.org.au
POSITIONS VACANT
Somerville
Presbyterian Church
VACANCY
A vacancy exists in an evangelical congregation of the
Presbyterian church.
The Somerville (Victoria,
Australia) congregation is
strong in its reformed theological understanding and would
expect any candidate to share
this position.
If, as an experienced ordained
minister, you sense Godʼs
leading to find out more,
please contac the Interim
Moderator for Somerville.
Rev Michael Wishart
03 5975 9514
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NEW LIFE – 13 May 2010 – Page Twenty One
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
HOLIDAY GUIDE UK
The Highbury Centre, London, UK.
Christian guesthouse on
quiet private road.
Discount for f/t Christian workers.
Email:
[email protected]
Website: www.thehighburycentre.org
HOLIDAY GUIDE QLD
NOOSA HOLIDAY UNIT
Stylish 2brm unit by river and cafes,
RC aircon, mod-grass tennis court,
heated pool/spa, BBQ, LCD TV,
DVD, mod facs, linen and towels.
Book with owners and save!
Phone 07 3289 7178
for brochure and bookings.
HOLIDAY GUIDE VIC
Great Ocean Road Holiday
LORNE
FSC 2BR apt, TV, VCR, O/fire,
sea view, bush setting.
Pet friendly, mins town, beach
Ph: (03) 5289 2698
WORSHIP WITH US
Visiting Melbourne?
Join us at
St Kilda Presbyterian Church
cnr Alma Rd/Barkly St
Every Sunday 11am and 7pm
Rev Bob Thomas
Phone 0417 592 646
Youʼre welcome at ʻThe Church on
the Hillʼ – a Friendly, Caring, Biblebelieving Christian Fellowship
HOUSE SITTING
WANTED
Retired Missionary Couple Seek
House Sitting Opportunity
Whilst House Hunting.
Prefer outer/country Melbourne.
Care for pets, garden etc.
Time negotiable to suit owners.
Available from mid-June.
Phone: Bob or Patricia
(08) 98511884 or 0409859399
or email [email protected]
REAL CHRISTIAN GIVING
by the Rev. Perry Smith
Studying, practising and preaching about Christian giving has brought much
joy and blessing both to me personally and to my congregations down the
years. I still love to preach on the Biblical principles, practices, privileges, chal‐
lenge, vision and fruits, and will do so anywhere on request.
In my various pastorates we have had an annual ‘Loyalty Sunday’, promoted by
a simple, explanatory circular linked to my preaching. We have used weekly
envelopes, dated but not numbered, usually without specific pledges (save
between a person and the Lord) and without any great organisation or
expense. Then the responses have come. Stewardship of giving and serving
has improved, God has been glorified, and the church’s outreach has been
extended. My records reveal that at times we gave away a third of our received
income to Church headquarters, various missionary enterprises and other
wider ministries that we supported. They were exciting days!
Biblical Stewardship enriches personal and church life. It is not just that the
Church needs money to reach out to the world’s needs, but we Christians need
to give for our spiritual life and growth. Remember that Jesus said, ‘It is more
blessed to give than to receive’ (Acts 20.35) and Paul wrote how the
Macedonian Christians though financially poor first ‘gave themselves to the
Lord’, then to their ministry of giving (2 Corinthians 8.2, 5).
Biblical Stewardship is not a high‐pressured extraction of money. It is a sim‐
ple, sensible and Scriptural lifestyle, a realistic way of revolutionising churches
and individuals both spiritually and financially. It liberates time, talents and
energies for our worship, witness and outreach. Someone said, ‘God gave us
two hands: one to receive and one to give. We are not cisterns made for hoard‐
ing, but channels made for sharing’. God’s work done in God’s way will bring
God’s blessing.
Biblical Stewardship is not the Church’s way of raising money, but God’s way
of raising Christians who are responsive to Him, then responsible for Him. They
will love Him supremely, thank Him meaningfully, and give to Him sacrificially.
Many of us find joy in ‘tithing’, which means giving away a tenth out of all that
comes to us. We have then proved that God is no one’s debtor as richer bless‐
ings flow to and through us. Also the other nine‐tenths go further! In that con‐
text, I warmly invite you, maybe right now, to make a definite resolve ‐ after
praying about it. Set aside a worthy proportion of your financial resources to
Him (1 Corinthians 15.1‐2; Malachi 3.10).
The Church clearly faces a challenge to love and serve the world, but if it cur‐
tails its work because of budget limitations, it is like a hospital only functioning
part‐time when there is an epidemic. We see God at work when human lives
with all their spiritual potential and material resources are lovingly made avail‐
able to Him. ‘God so loved the world that He gave us… Jesus’ (John 3.16) and
He calls us so to love it that we give… because of Jesus.
In addition to the Bible verses mentioned above I commend the careful and
prayerful reading of 2 Samuel 24.24; 1 Chronicles ch 29, especially vv 5‐6, 9‐14,
16‐18, noting the key words (in NIV) ‘willingly, rejoiced, freely, wholeheartedly,
generously’; Matthew 6.33; Romans 12.1‐2; I Corinthians 4.7; Ephesians 4.16; I
Timothy 6.6‐10, 17‐19.
NEW LIFE – 13 May 2010 – Page Twenty Two
WITH CHRIST
Ida Bell Grainger (nee Gibbs)
Passed away peacefully at
Shepparton, VIC on 15 April, 2010,
aged 92 years.
Loving wife of Jim (dec), stepmother of David and June.
Faithfully served with WEC for 36
years in Zaire.
Now resting in Gods care.
CONGRATULATIONS
ANNIVERSARY
Colin and Ethel Attrill of 2 Jodie
Crt, Blackmans Bay, Tasmania (formerly of Victoria) celebrated their
Golden Wedding anniversary on
29 April.
Thanking God for 60
years together.
They were married at the
Shepparton Baptist Church by the
late Rev JH Baker.
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NEW LIFE – 13 May 2010 – Page Twenty Three
Ridley Melbourne Centennial Graduation
Peter Adam presenting Peter Alier Jongroor with a prize for community involvement.
RIDLEY Melbourne Centennial
Graduation celebrated the
achievements of its graduates
and rejoiced at the variety and
significance of the ministries
they have been called to.
Principal, Peter Adam reflect‐
ed on the first 100 years and
recognised the vision, energy
and commitment of his prede‐
cessors.
Rev Canon Dr Evonne
Paddison, former lecturer and
Warden of Ridley and CEO of
ACCESS Ministries, spoke very
movingly and powerfully from
John 21, with the challenge to
base our lives and our min‐
istries in love for Jesus Christ.
Forty students graduated
with degrees and diplomas
from the Australian College of
Theology, and Mark Harding,
the Dean of the ACT was pres‐
ent to make these awards.
Two Doctorates of Ministry
were awarded, one to Richard
Condie, former student, for‐
mer lecturer, and now Vicar of
St Jude’s Carlton, Archdeacon
of Melbourne, and member of
the Ridley Board.
For the first time Ridley
awarded two Certificates: the
Certificate in Anglican Studies
and the Certificate in Bible and
Ministry for Sudanese Leaders.
The singing of some Sudanese
women, friends of one of the
graduates was a memorable
part of the proceedings.
Dr Adam reflected, ‘I was
struck with the value and vari‐
ety of the ministries that our
graduates go to do: one to the
Australian army in
Afghanistan; one to the
Salvation Army Training
College here in Parkville; seven
to schools ministry in Victoria,
and one CMS missionary.
Many have gone to ordained
ministry in Victoria and
Tasmania; five to ministry with
university students, including
two to work with overseas stu‐
dents.’
‐Jane Ellison, Communications
Officer, Ridley College
NEW LIFE – 13 May 2010 – Page Twenty Four