The Evangelical Presbyterian - Janaury-February 2013

The Evangelical Presbyterian JAN-FEB 2013
JAN-FEB 2013 1.50

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In thIs Issue....
Website
For more information on the Evangelical Presbyterian Church
including details of our various congregations please visit our
denominational website at www.epcni.org.uk
Policy
The views expressed are those of the editor and contributors
and are understood to refect generally the theological position
of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, unless otherwise stated.
Unsigned articles are by the Editor
Articles
The Editor is willing to accept articles for publication on the
understanding that the submission of an article does not
guarantee its publication. Contributors should recognise that
all articles are also liable to editing and alteration without
consultation. No material can be published unless the full name
and postal address of the contributor is supplied. The preferred
method of submission is electronically as a Word document.
strapline
Ecclesia reformata semper reformanda est
the Reformed Church is always reforming
editor
Gareth Burke
33, Onslow Gardens,
BELFAST,
BT6 0AQ
Phone: 07803 28248
Email: gnburke@yahoo.co.uk
First Word ...............................................
the 7 Churches ......................................
Letters .....................................................
Whose Faith Follow ...............................
the Return of Christ ..............................
Mission ...................................................
Church news ..........................................
Book Reviews .........................................
Dear Rev .................................................
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Book Reviews
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F1RST WORD
All change.
You will have immediately noticed that there are some changes to the EP magazine. Its a different size and
shape and it's got a new editor! My frst word must be one of warm thanks and appreciation to my predecessor,
Harold Gibson, for the simply superb work he did as editor over the past eight years.
Harold produced a magazine that was wonderfully balanced, informative and attractive. I know that throughout
the EPC we looked forward to the arrival of the magazine issue by issue and we want you to know, Harold, that
we're sorry that you're no longer at the keyboard.
Warm thanks must also be expressed to Ernest Brown who was responsible for the layout and design of the
magazine during Harolds editorship. Few people realise the time and energy that Ernest put into the preparation
issue by issue.
A stickler for detail and good presentation, Ernest ensured that the EP magazine was no 'Mickey Mouse',
half-baked production but instead an excellent publication.
We thank you both most warmly and also your long suffering and patient wives, Patricia and Shona.
Of course we know that you're not looking for the praise of men. We know that you were both doing it as unto the
Lord, as part of your work in God's Kingdom. But when we read through Philippians we realise that Paul was not
averse to a 'word of thanks'. Indeed as a church we need to sharpen up in this area.
Too often we have simply taken for granted the immense and sacrifcial service being offered by treasurers,
designated persons, camp leaders and a whole host of others who each week are quietly planning, organising
and working behind the scenes.
There are other changes going on as well. A New Year has begun 2013. The old year is past and now we're
beavering away at our diaries, ipads and calendars and trying to get ourselves sorted out for the year ahead.
Society is rapidly changing too with the Coalition Government seemingly determined to undermine the clear
Biblical teaching on marriage. The National Church is also set for a major change in 2013 with the imminent
elevation of Justin Welby to the See of Canterbury.
Isn't it good to know that amidst all this change the Lord is immutable? He does not change. He's forever the
same. Ever faithful, ever sure. Hold on to these words form Malachi 3:6 throughout this New Year 'I am the
Lord: I do not change.'
I am the Lord: I do not change
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the 7 churches - Jesus speaks
to his church today
Revelation 3: 14 22 Laodicea - The lukewarm church
These are the startling words which Jesus speaks to the
church in Laodicea. The Saviour is not here addressing
those who are in the world. Hes not speaking to those
who are hardened in their sins and openly rebelling against
His authority. No, Hes speaking to His people in the
congregation of Laodicea.
What has gone wrong? How did a church ever end up in
such a pitiful condition as to be addressed by the Saviour in
this way? These are the issues that we must probe together.
the CItY
Laodicea was situated about 160 kilometres east of Ephesus
and a little south-east of Philadelphia. It was a prosperous
city whose people were considered to be somewhat proud.
In AD 60 they had suffered a great earthquake but had
refused to accept fnancial help from Rome for reconstruction
work. This attitude is summed up in the words of verse 17:
I have need of nothing. Laodicea was also a renowned
medical centre and it seems to have had a reputation as
the place where a famous eye salve had been developed.
Commentators also make the point that there were many
black sheep found grazing around the city, and that a black
wool clothing industry had grown up within the city which had
considerably added to its prosperity.
As such, a picture is developing of the kind of place Laodicea
was. A self-suffcient, wealthy and proud people lived there.
Their medical school was world renowned... Beware! All of
us are moulded and shaped by the society around us to a
greater degree than we ever realise. We underestimate the
extent to which the place in which we live is impacting and
eroding our spiritual lives. It is evident from the whole tone
of this letter that the believers in Laodicea were men and
women who had become too dependent on themselves and
their resources and their own abilities rather than casting
themselves in humble dependence on the Lord Himself.
the ChuRCh
The Church was neither cold nor hot.lukewarm (Rev 3: 15
and 16). Here we see Jesus, the preacher, at His very best.
His analysis of the situation in Laodicea in verses 15 and 16,
and His counsel to them in verse 18 demonstrate to us that in
our preaching we are to be relevant, and that our application
is to ring bells with our hearers.
Laodicea was renowned for water that tasted bad and
which could make one sick. So when Jesus describes their
condition as lukewarm they knew exactly what He was
saying. And when He said: I will vomit you out of my mouth
(verse 16) they could identify very well with what He meant.
Gods people in the congregation of Laodicea had become
half -hearted, complacent and much too dependent on
themselves rather than the Lord. Such a situation must not
continue. They were in a bad way. Indeed of all the letters
to the various churches this is the only one in which can be
found no word of commendation at all!
the ReMeDY
But all is not lost. The Saviour, who rebukes and chastens
His people (verse 19), continues to love them. He counsels
them to do three things. They must repent (verse 19).
They must recognise their lamentable spiritual poverty.
With remarkable insight into their situation and with a
wonderful appreciation of what makes them tick, Jesus
encourages them in verse 18 to acknowledge that they
are spiritually poor, naked and blind. From this position of
brokenness they need to cry out to the Lord.
Principally, however, Jesus encourages them to come to
Him for fellowship. In what must be the most misunderstood
text in the whole of the New Testament Jesus in verse 20
addresses, not unbelievers, but His people. Despite Holman
Hunts famous painting based upon this verse we are not
looking here at a pathetic and weak Christ trying to break
into the lives of sinners but unable to do so unless they open
the door of their hearts. No, what we have here is a tender
appeal from Jesus to a half-hearted people who are serving
Him on automatic pilot to stop, wait upon Him and draw
strength and help from communion with Him. The imagery is
that of a meal. This meal is not a quick snack a sandwich
in the hand but a supper where the participants will not only
eat together but will spend time lingering in one anothers
presence enjoying conversation and appreciating one
another s company. Come to Me, says Jesus. Stop doing
everything in the church in such a mechanical, automatic,
detached way. Recognise that you can do nothing unless I
am with you and at work in you. Depend not on yourself but
on Me.
Thats the challenge for us. What kind of worker are you in
Christs Church? Have you been teaching Sunday school or
preaching for so long that its just become second nature to
you? Are you casting yourself on God before you go out to
the childrens meeting or just winging it?
Come to Me, says Jesus. Spend time with me. Its you, its
your heart, not your work that I want.
Its a shocking statement
but Jesus said it -
You make me sick
(Rev. 3:16)
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For the frst time in the history of the magazine we hope to
have a letters page. As this is the frst time that this new
development has been made known we obviously have no
letters in this issue!
As such I want to use this page in the Jan/Feb issue to do
two things
1. Set out the thinking behind the letters page
2. Set out my own personal understanding of what the
magazine is all about.
LetteRs POLICY
The purpose of the letters page is to give readers an
opportunity to express their views on any of the material
that has appeared in the pages of the Evangelical
Presbyterian. You may well read an article and
fundamentally disagree with what it is saying well, send
a letter expressing your views. Then we can engage in
a reasonable discussion on the particular issue that is
troubling you. Alternatively you might read something with
which you wholeheartedly agree. Do write adding your
own additional refections and comments.
Letters do not need to be restricted to material that has
appeared on the pages of the EP. Feel free to comment
on other issues which are currently affecting the life of the
EPC or the wider church scene.
There are a few rules! Letters must always be courteous
and gracious in their tone. There is absolutely no
guarantee that Ill publish your letter and I may take the
liberty of altering or editing it without consultation. (The
same applies to articles.) I will give you a guarantee that
if it is edited or altered I will be careful not to alter the
sense of what youre saying or present your view in an
unbalanced way.
Please attach your full name and address and contact
phone number with any letter sent in. Anonymous letters
will be ignored. I will only publish your name and location
but not your contact details. Your name will appear in the
following format John Calvin, Geneva or Bob Jones,
South Carolina.
Feel free to send an ordinary letter or else e-mail me at
gnburke@yahoo.co.uk
MAGAZIne POLICY
Why do we have a magazine? What is its purpose?
Can I share with you my own thoughts on this matter?
At least the points listed below could be considered the
undergirding philosophy which will be my guide in the
work of the magazine:
1. To instruct readers in the Word of God and to provide
material for the edifcation of the Lord's people within the
EPC and beyond.
2. To be a focal point for members and adherents of
the EPC - a place where we can share news and details
of various activities in our different congregations and
within the wider denomination. To provide information
concerning mission work in which we are involved
together as a church. This information can then be turned
into prayer both at our prayer meetings and at home.
3. To promote the distinctive witness of the EPC to the
Reformed Faith and to inform members and adherents of
the EPC concerning the origins of our church.
4. To inform the readership of current trends within
evangelicalism and the wider Church.
5. To challenge the EPC to think biblically and to
encourage our leadership to be a reformed church that is
always reforming. In the words of our strapline -
Ecclesia reformata semper reformanda est.
The Reformed Church is always reforming
for the
edication of
the Lords people
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Whose faith follow
A short series on the founding fathers of the EPC
Family and education
James Hunter, the third son of a family of three boys and two
girls, was born 14 April 1863 and grew up in Newtownstewart,
Co Tyrone, where his parents, Chares and Catherine, owned
a large shop in Main Street. They lived above it and ran the
Liberal Partys local constituency from it too. When Charles
Hunter died the family moved to College Gardens, Belfast,
and James transferred from Strabane Grammar School to
Inst. He studied at Queens College, which became Queens
University in 1908, and graduated with First Class Honours in
Classics at the Royal University of Ireland - BA in 1883 and
MA in 1886. His whole academic career was exceptional. He
was regularly top of his year and won a gold medal with his
MA. His scholarships, exhibitions and prizes totalled 250, a
considerable sum then.
the newry and Dundela-Knock Years
He entered Assemblys College in 1883. Matthew Leitch, the
orthodox Professor of New Testament, 1879-1922, was one
of his teachers; another, in his fnal year, was Robert Watts
of Princeton, Professor of Theology, 1886-1895. He set the
tone in April 1888 at his ordination in First Newry: Novelty
of thought or of diction, commanding power of speech, I
cannot promise, but only such attractiveness as comes from
the plain statement of the plain truth of God. The Gillespies
attended First Newry and, like the Hunters, were a business
family. The families met and in 1900 John Gillespie married
Catherine, the youngest Hunter. Two days after their wedding
they sailed as missionaries to Manchuria where the Gillespie
family were already involved. In 1897 Dr Annie Gillespie had
joined her eldest brother, Rev William Gillespie, in Manchuria,
but six months later she died of fever. This sad event may
account for James Hunters remaining a bachelor. John and
Catherines daughter, Catherine, was to marry W J Grier in
1943.
In 1889 James Hunter accepted a call to Dundela,
Belfast, which reverted to its original name of Knock in 1921.
Presented with a pulpit gown and Bible at his December
installation, he said that the gown reminded him of the duty
to be the same person with the gown on that he was with it
off, and he pledged himself with Gods help to speak the truth
as well in the pulpit as out of it. The Bible reminded him that
they did not expect him to be an original investigator, nor to
forge for them a new creed out of the fragments of the old,
but rather to present entire the old faith once delivered to the
saints. It would be for him then to walk in the old paths.
Some stories belong to the Dundela-Knock years.
The girls did not appreciate him placing them back to back
with the young men in the Bible Class! The Knock Historian,
Nelson Brown, informs us that: Mr. Hunter was a pioneer of
instrumental music and a small American organ was to be
found in the Church as early as 1892 ... Thanks to Mr Hunter,
Church music at Knock became the envy of many other
Congregations ... many young worshippers at the evening
service became impatient long before the whistle of the
I love a Bonnie
hghter as the
Covenanters called
Mr Rutherford
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8.21 train from Knock to Donaghadee on the old B.C.D.R.
intimated that in another fve minutes or so all would be over.
He is reputed to have worn a monocle in the pulpit. When his
sister Catherine felt that it was somehow inappropriate for
her daughter to play hockey, brother-uncle-Minister arrived
with a hockey stick for her birthday! He offered to serve in
the Colonial Mission but Presbytery advised him to continue
his good work at home - Knock church was enlarged twice
during his 35 year ministry. He built a house, Moyle, on the
rural side of Upper Knockbreda Road, near the Castlereagh
junction and his sister Maria kept house. He travelled, and
in the early 1900s went via Moscow and the trans-Siberian
railway to Manchuria to visit John and Catherine Gillespie.
He visited Palestine in 1899, New York in 1910 and at other
times Greece, Italy and Germany. He regularly attended the
Keswick Convention.
Defending the Faith
James Hunter is best known for his life-long defence of the
faith and in July 1924 he retired to devote himself to it.
For the previous 25 years he had opposed renewed doctrinal
broadening in the church, but a crisis came in 1925-26: the
church was debating a change to its Formula of Subscription,
and evidence questioning the orthodoxy of a Professor at
its college had come into his hands. He felt an imperative
duty to respond and the revival through the Nicholson
missions 1921-23 and 1924-26, persuaded him that the
time was right. In May 1926 he set up the Presbyterian Bible
Standards League to lead the campaign against Liberalism.
He held public meetings and published SOS pamphlets. The
Leagues Bookshop later became The Evangelical Book
Shop. Hunter and Nicholson had become frm friends and in
a letter from Sydney in October 1926, Nicholson said: I love
a 'Bonnie' fghter as the Covenanters called Mr Rutherford.
In December 1926 Hunter indicted Rev J E Davey, Professor
of Church History at Assemblys College on charges related
to mputation (Justifcation), Christology, Scripture, Sin, and
the Trinity. The Heresy Trial and Appeal of 1927 is a story
for another place, but in summary the Belfast Presbytery
acquitted Professor Davey on each charge by 90%
majorities. Hunter appealed to the General Assembly of June
1927 confdent of wider support, revitalised by the recent
revival, but the vote of the crowded Assembly was again 90%
in favour of the professor.
the Irish evangelical Church
Hunter viewed this verdict as a declaration of the churchs
institutional unorthodoxy and he felt his freedom to continue
the battle curtailed. So he resigned from the Presbyterian
Church in July 1927 and led the formation of IEC in October.
From 1928 until his death he was Minister of Knock IEC
where membership reached 101.
He contributed 165 articles to the Irish Evangelical - doctrinal,
devotional and polemical, with applications from history, his
own experience and wide reading. He often wrote in the frst
person, causing a reader to think personally, but in Favour
with God (IE May 1942) we have a strong hint of his own
conversion and perhaps of his call to the ministry: "f fnd
myself a citizen of a country where the Christian religion has
been known for centuriesI did nothing to bring me this
advantage. If I came into membership of a home where all
the ordinances of God were reveredthis privilege was not
found by me nor sought by myself. If my heart warmed to the
word of God, and the love of God drew me like a magnet
some others were not drawn; and what made the difference?
... It was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even
from my mothers womb, and called me through His grace, to
reveal His Son in me. That is how it all happened through
the strange favour of God.
James Hunter died on Lords Day 20 September
1942, aged 79. The October 1942 IE reviewed his life under
the title, Whose Faith Follow. (Heb 13.7)
he contributed
165 articles to the
Irish evangelical
Ernest Brown of Knock is well known
throughout the EPC. For many years
he represented the church on the
International Missions Board of the Free
Church of Scotland. Ernest is also the
historian of the EPC and is a recognised
authority on the 1927 Heresy Trial.
Here he begins a six part series on the
founding fathers of our church.
8
HOW?
Some years ago while watching a Schools Cup
rugby match I was joined by a gentleman who
was also viewing the game. I confess to not
knowing the gentleman particularly well and
being somewhat irritated by his insistence on
giving a running commentary on the match. At
least it seemed to me to be a commentary on the
match before us, but, as the game progressed,
I realised that his commentary was interspersed
with all kinds of details about matches in which
he had played in the days of his youth. Indeed,
there were moments when it was very diffcult to
distinguish between his commentary on the live
game and his reminiscences of past games. He
was jumping from one game to another.
There is a sense in which Matthew 24 is a
commentary on the last days on two levels.
There are verses which refer to the destruction
of Jerusalem by the Roman armies in AD 70 and
other portions which refer to the return of Jesus
Christ in power and glory.
At times it can be diffcult for us to discern just
exactly which of these two events Jesus is
speaking about, but as we consider this great
doctrine of the Return of Christ we will fnd that
the Olivet discourse, spoken by our Lord to
his disciples, both instructs and challenges us
concerning the Day of The Lord.
There is no doubt that Jesus is coming again.
The angels clearly told the disciples at the
ascension of Jesus This same Jesus who was
taken up from you into heaven , will so come in
like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.
(Acts 1:11) This is the consistent testimony of
the New Testament Scriptures. n this, our frst
study we want to consider the question How?
How will Jesus return? What will be the manner
of his appearing?
Visibly
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in
heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will
mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming
on the clouds of heaven with power and great
glory. (Mathew 24: 30)
At his frst coming Jesus appeared in relative
obscurity. Apart from a number of privileged
individuals who were, by and large, located
around Bethlehem very few people were aware
that the Saviour of the World had come. When
He comes again His appearing will be altogether
different. Every eye will see Him and every
tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
(Phil. 2: 9-11)
Audibly
And He will send His angels with a great sound
of a trumpet, and they will gather together
His elect from the four winds, form one end
of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24: 31)
Whilst this aspect of the return of Christ is not
something we often think about it is clear from
Scripture that there will be considerable noise
associated with the appearing of the Saviour.
In 1 Thessalonians 4: 16 we read:
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven
with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and
with the trumpet of God.
The Return of Christ
there is no
doubt that
Jesus is
coming again
The editor begins a 12 part study considering the Bibles
teaching on the Second Coming
9
Gloriously
We have already noticed how our Saviour
declared that when He came men and women
would see Him coming on the clouds of heaven
with power and great glory. In what sense will
His appearing be glorious? I think that there
is no doubt that the transfguration gives us a
glimpse of what the appearing of Christ will look
like. There, on the mount, Jesus shone with
His divine glory. The night sky was illuminated
by the radiant appearance of the Son of God,
and Peter, James and John were privileged
to see Him for a moment not according to his
humanity but according to His divinity. The
whole experience so impacted Peter that he
commented in his second epistle that we.
were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
(1 Peter 1:16)
But the return of Christ will not only be glorious
because of His radiant appearance but also
because He will be accompanied by the angels.
In Matthew 25: 31 Jesus Himself reminds us that
when He comes He will be accompanied by all
the holy angels. In Matthew 24: 31 we are told
that the angels will go forth to gather in the elect
while in Matthew 13: 41 the angels are given
the solemn task of gathering up the ungodly for
judgement. Whatever their role may be they will
accompany Christ and will add to the sheer glory
of this momentous moment.
suddenly
In Mathew 24: 36 44 Jesus impresses upon
us the suddenness and unexpectedness of His
return. The exact moment is known only to God
the Father (v 36) but our calling is not to spend
endless hours trying to work out the date of His
return but instead to live in a state of constant
readiness. Jesus speaks about the days of
Noah and how, despite years of preaching and
warning, the people refused to listen to the
preacher when he had warned of the food.
One can instantly see the parallels here with our
own day. Men and women have been constantly
warned of the need to be prepared for the return
of Christ but, like in the days of Noah, choose to
ignore the preacher.
Jesus also challenges us in verses 45 to 51 to
be faithful servants during His absence.
Just as the master in the parable returned
unexpectedly to the household so He will return
suddenly to this earth.
Here is a word for both unbeliever and believer.
Jesus is coming again. For this great event you
must prepare. You must prepare by turning from
your sin and crying out in faith to Jesus Christ for
salvation. Nothing else will do.
If you are a Christian then you need to be living
in a state of constant readiness for the return
of Jesus. Within our reformed tradition we
have become rather skilful at subtly dumbing
down this truth. Ever aware that certain signs
must occur before Jesus comes, we relax our
vigilance by resting in the knowledge that the
Gospel has not yet been preached to all the
nations and the Antichrist has not yet appeared.
How very foolish! Yes, I know for sure that
certain things must happen before Jesus returns
but I know also that Jesus said: Therefore you
also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at
an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:44)
I may not be able to adequately reconcile the
unexpectedness of His return with the necessity
of the 'signs of His coming' to be fulflled but
that gives me no excuse to play down the
suddenness of His coming. Each day I live I
should be looking out for His appearing. Each
day I live I should be asking the old question
If Jesus came today would He be pleased to
fnd me here, in this place, with these people?'
Our calling is not
to spend endless
hours trying to work
out the date of his
return but instead
to live in a state of
constant readiness
10
It was about 40 degrees at 10pm
and the power was off in this part
of Ouagadougou as the generators
had been over heating. I was walking
home in the dark down an unpaved
dusty street. There was only the quiet
murmuring of night guards passing the
time while sitting in front of the gates to
middle class homes and the occasional
dog barking in the distance. Then I
heard a bizarre set of electronic beeps
and trills. It seemed to be blaring in the
baking stillness.
I looked around in the dark and could
see an eerie refective glow
on the face of one of the night
guards. Soon I could see clearly
enough to fgure out that he was
looking at the screen of a cell
phone. The noise was him playing
a video game on his phone.
Watching a man who made 35 a month
as a night guard playing a game on his
mobile phone I saw that the world had
changed. As I would travel around West
Africa helping Bible translators with
their computers I would see some of the
poorest people in the world using mobile
phones. A man might only have one pair
of good trousers and two shirts and no
power or indoor toilet but he would do all
that he could to have a mobile phone.
It was not just vanity that moved people
to get a mobile phone. It was a means
of communication with distant friends
and relations, market information, work
opportunities, entertainment and news.
That was over ten years ago and now
there are 7 billion mobile phones in the
world and they are owned by about
5.5 billion of the 7 billion people in
the world. Over 1 billion people have
internet access on their phone. Three
out of every four people in the Middle
East have a mobile phone and many of
those have two or more phones.
Even on islands in the Pacifc, like
Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu the
mobile phone has arrived.
What if we could turn the mobile phone
into a tool for the Gospel? Over 3 billion
of the phones in use today could be
used as a Bible. For those who do not
read, 3 billion phones could play an
audio Bible. Over 1.5 billion phones
could play gospel videos and all 7
billion phones could receive a call or
a text with gospel content. For many
years the church has distributed gospel
tracts and paper Bibles all over the
world. Now we have the opportunity to
use a mobile phone that is already in
the pocket of most of the people in the
world to deliver the words of life in a
very personal and direct way. In order
to take advantage of mobile phones
and other emerging technologies, UFM
has started a new digital technology
team called One Hundred Fold. It
is made up of full time missionary
staff as well as volunteers from
multiple countries. While highly skilled
technologists are very important to the
mission of One Hundred Fold, people
with administrative, bookkeeping,
communications and a range of other
skills are also greatly needed. One of
the unique things about One Hundred
Fold is that it is a virtual team. We dont
have a central offce, so everyone
works from home or from whatever
internet connection they have. This
makes it possible for people who
would like to be directly involved in
missions to have a global impact
from their own home.
Though the team is new, we are already
seeing some fruit and working on some
very interesting projects. We are looking
to the Lord to provide the key people
and resources to take full advantage of
the opportunities before us.
Scripture in Thousands of
Languages - We have built worldbibles.
org as a place where people can fnd
Bibles or Bible-based resources in many
languages. So far this year we have
connected over 20,000 people with
Bible resources in over 400 languages
and delivered the Jesus Film to some
10,000 people online and audio
Scripture to more than 6,000 people, all
of this to more than 100 countries.
Mobile Phone Gospel Tracts -
Earlier this year one of our staff went
to a central Asian country to teach a
workshop to local believers on using
web and mobile technologies. One
thing that he taught was how to prepare
videos to be shared via bluetooth
from phone to phone. Since then we
have received a report about one of
those believers who started sharing a
dramatised testimony of a Muslim who
came to know Jesus. This video has
gone viral being shared by one person
to another through many villages.
These local believers are saying they
are excited to have these new ways to
share Jesus.
UFM One Hundred Fold
What if we could turn the
mobile phone into a
tool for the Gospel?
11
Gospel Phone We have built a
system that can deliver an audio Gospel
message through a local phone call
almost anywhere in the world.
This allows people to call a local
number and hear an audio message in
their own language. We are partnering
with ministries in France, Canada and
India and hope to start using this in
France in 2013.
Learning English through Biblical
Idioms We are working with a ministry
in Hong Kong that has developed a
way to teach English using biblical
idioms. They have already seen several
students come to faith in Jesus and we
are working with them to improve their
web and mobile phone efforts. We hope
to help them become much more fruitful
in the coming year.
Outreach to Arabic Youth - We are
building a website for a ministry focused
on Arabic speaking young people. They
are producing Bible studies, discussing
what the Bible has to say about current
topics and other biblical teaching.
We plan to launch this site in 2013.
Answers for Muslims - We are
partnering with a ministry run by a
former Muslim who has produced a
number of small books addressing the
most common questions Muslims have
about the Bible and Christianity.
We will help him deliver his content to
mobile phones and update his websites.
We have found that the Lord has placed
a burden on the heart of many people
to use their skills for the Kingdom, but
often they have not found a way of
fulflling this calling. t has been our joy
to provide such a place of service and
to do so in a way that allows them to
reach the world from their home, in the
evenings and weekends. If you feel the
Lord moving you to volunteer, pray or
contribute fnancially to the work of One
Hundred Fold please contact the UFM
offce or ed@onehundredfold.info and
we will be happy to talk to you about
joining the team.
Woman with mobile phone photo
creative commons Gary Knight
Young women with phone photo
creative commons Gary Knight
Afghan Phone photo creative
commons IMTFI
World Population with a mobile phone
Ed Underwood
Ed and Kate Underwood with their
three young sons are actively involved
in the life of Stranmillis EPC. They lead
the new UFM Digital Technology Team.
Mobile phone ownership
12
news from Dumisani
(Compiled from recent newsletter by norman Reid)
The Dumisani family reaches the end of another successful
year in serving the Lord. Together we praise God for his
goodness and mercy and for his faithfulness throughout
2012.
students
The students at Dumisani have had a challenging and, at
the same time, a fruitful year. For the Basic Ministry Studies
students to those on the Degree level, 2012 has proved to
be a year of highs and lows. For some it has been a diffcult
road fnancially, while others have struggled with family
issues. The cold and wet weather has plagued many with fu
and similar ailments and even getting to classes has been
challenging at times. Nonetheless, the Dumisani students
have persevered through these obstacles. On the other hand,
our students have generally studied hard and their results
have
been encouraging. It has also been encouraging to see some
of our students attending the workshops which Dumisani has
hosted throughout the year, including, Counselling, Sunday
School, and pastors conferences and workshops. This is an
indication of the great opportunities which our students have
received, whether in their classes or at such events listed
here.
ss teacher training
In September we had another opportunity and privilege of
training Sunday School teachers and leaders from various
churches in our area. These are always exciting and
meaningful events and this time we were able to host some
50 visitors. It was encouraging even to meet teenagers at the
workshop who are involved in this vital ministry.
Our presenters were Jenny Wilson, Tembani Zani and Wayne
and Megan Grtz. The delegates went away from this training
course with greater enthusiasm and encouragement and
feeling better equipped to handle their task as teachers and
leaders in their respective churches. Such events are crucial
for Dumisani, as we forge stronger ties with local churches,
and as we establish new relationships with those who
attend our courses for the frst time. We host these training
workshops three times in a year and people who attend
are very keen to return for the subsequent ones. The next
training day is scheduled for March 2013. Please pray for our
presenters and particularly for our participants, that they may
continue in their respective roles in building the kingdom of
God in this part of the world.
A Double Celebration
The congregation of Stranmillis EPC gathered after
the evening service on Sunday 28th October 2012 to
celebrate the ninetieth birthdays of Mrs Annie Blair and
Mrs Florrie Gray. We were delighted to be joined on this
special occasion by some of the family and friends of our
two birthday ladies. Both ladies have been committed
members of the congregation for many years and are
now numbered among the small band of faithful people
who belonged to the congregation during the days of the
ministry of Rev W J Grier in Botanic Avenue.
Following some introductory comments by Rev Gareth
Burke suitable tributes were offered by Miss Rose
McIlrath, Mrs Patricia Gibson and Miss Irene Brown.
After some presentations Mr Mervyn Kelly led in prayer.
The congregation then adjourned to the hall for some eats
and celebrations continued with a birthday cake and a
rendering of the traditional birthday anthem.
We give thanks to God for Mrs Blair and for Mrs Gray and
for their example of faithful service to the Lord and to His
Church over many years.
GNB
You are warmlY invited to a preaching rallY in
StranmilliS epc on FridaY 8th march 2013
preacher dr carl trueman (uSa)
Preaching rally
13
Jesus the son of God RRP 7-99 Our Price 5-99
Author: D.A. Carson
Publisher: IVP, 2012
109 pages, paperback.
It is seldom that one picks up a book that is a literal answer to prayer, but D.A. Carsons Jesus The Son Of God
is indeed that to me. Two years ago I was a Wycliffe member and just becoming cognisant of the translation
controversy over Wycliffes approach to Son of God and Father in Bible translations focused on Muslim audiences. Suddenly
I was immersed in scores of missiology articles on this issue and spent months trying to untangle the various arguments that
stretched back over a decade. The PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) and the AoG (Assemblies of God) have had separate
expert committees who have produced detailed studies that refute Wycliffes position, yet the vast majority of pastors, laymen
and even missionaries are still uninformed about this issue. Therefore, Jesus The Son Of God is a much-needed introduction
to the topic by an eminent evangelical scholar.
At just over 100 pages and comprised of three chapters, it is deceptively brief, and not a book that can be easily worked through
in an uninterrupted afternoon. Please do read all the footnotes. However, it is just too short for its monumental topic. While many
useful arguments are outlined and a couple of them worked through in some detail I hope that one day soon a student of Dr.
Carsons will take on the enormous task of a more extensive treatment, as the identity of Christ is one of the great battlegrounds
of our era.
n the frst chapter Dr. Carson explores "Son of God as a Christological title and soon is building tables about how "son of is
used in many ways that has nothing to do with Christ. This can seem like an odd aside but it is really a deconstruction of one
of the core arguments that Wycliffe scholars have made about the translation of Son of God in Muslim context - that son of
language is always biological in nature and carries with it an unavoidable concept of sexual union between God and Mary to
Muslim audiences. Dr. Carson demonstrates this is simply not so.
In the second chapter, the title Son of God with relation to Jesus is examined in select passages. The argument is clearly
made that any attempt to avoid flial language about the relationship between Jesus and God the Father does damage to
the fabric of Scripture. Christs unique identity is unfathomable yet inextricably woven into Scripture. No language or culture
can readily accommodate it, so it takes work to come to grips with Christs claims and this cannot be avoided by nuanced
translations. Additionally, it is critical that Christians know the Bible better, as well as the underpinnings of our confessional
statements, not just to defend the faith but to not miss out on the wonder and majesty that the angels themselves desire to
grasp.
n the fnal chapter Dr. Carson directly deals with Wycliffe's primary rationalisations for the "new translations being produced
for Muslim audiences. While brief, they are very clear and welcome in a debate that has often been obscured by shifting
terminology and not a little posturing. At the very end he makes some personal observations about Wycliffe that one reviewer
has called gentle but which in essence say that Wycliffe was not unorthodox but just did not know what they were doing and
needs workers with better linguistic skills and theological training. A sad commentary indeed of an organisation that has been
revered for more than 70 years for its zeal to translate Gods word.
Ed Underwood, Stranmillis Evangelical Presbyterian Church
the hole in Our holiness RRP 10-99 Our Price 8-25
Kevin DeYoung
Publisher: Crossway, 2012
150 pages, hardback.
DeYoungs motivation in writing this book is that he sees in his own life, and in the lives of other Christians, a
lack of urgency in relation to how we seek to cultivate our personal holiness. He suggests that while we respect
holiness when we see it in others, we don't pursue it suffciently for ourselves.
n the frst chapter, DeYoung defnes the 'hole in our holiness' as the gap between our love for the gospel and our love for
godliness, and challenges us not to view our sanctifcation as optional, but as integral to our 'holy calling by a holy God.'
In chapter three, Pietys Pattern, DeYoung shows us what such holiness looks like. He argues that it is the renewal of Gods
image in us, a life marked by virtue, a clean conscience, obedience to Gods commands and Christlikeness. In chapter four, he
shows us the importance of Gods law and how when it is properly understood, it ceases to be burdensome to us.
14
In the next two chapters, DeYoung encourages us to believe that, despite what we often think, holiness is something we can
achieve through Gods grace. He shows us that holiness does not come easily and must be worked towards, but is possible.
The last four chapters deal with our union with Christ, fellowship with Christ and particular sins we struggle with, before
concluding with an exhortation to progress in maturity and holiness. It is worth mentioning that the book contains discussion
questions at the back which make it suitable for group study, and the lively content of the book would make for stimulating
conversation within a group setting.
The Hole in Our Holiness is another important contribution from the pen of Kevin DeYoung. Perhaps as we prepare to enter the
New Year, we could do worse than to read this book, take the authors advice, and grow in holiness!
Colin Campbell
unreached RRP 9-99 Our Price 7-50
Author: tim Chester
Pubisher: IVP, 2012
Where are the unreached? Where are there masses of people and few churches? In the housing estates on our
doorstep. Surveys show that evangelical churches are by and large middle class, in middle class locations, often
on the opposite sides of the city from socially deprived areas.
'Unreached' by Tim Chester is a call to reach these unreached. The book benefts from the input of the 'Reaching the
Unreached working groupa team of 16 or so evangelical church leaders and planters, mostly working in deprived areas.
Throughout we hear their voices and experiences. This is not just theory, but theology mixed with practice and experience
coming from a reformed perspective.
Unreached seeks to deal with two main issues:
What are the main characteristics of people in working-class and deprived areas?
How do we go about reaching them with the gospel?
Unreached succeeds in both areas. Chester usefully analyses the main characteristics, from problem issues such as anti-
authoritarianism and entitlement mentality, through to helpful distinctions of mindset such as non-abstract, concrete thinking and
non-diary, relational lifestyles. He deals with different attitudes to money, relationships, time etc. and draws out some preliminary
applicationsranging from passion and openness to the key theological themes that need applied.
Thought-provoking throughout, Unreached concludes with a helpful chapter on Teaching the Word in a non-book culture
which is relevant in more places than housing estates. Chester identifes characteristics of non-book peoplepreferring
sermons to books, thinking in pictures rather than words, learning in order to do rather than for information. Yet how much
of preaching is abstract rather than concrete; and how many of our Bible studies are reminiscent of English comprehension
exercises? All of this sends out a signal that Christianity is for a certain sort of personprecisely the sort of signal we dont want
to send.
We can easily assume that our view of the Christian life is simply the Christian life, yet so often there are class and cultural
assumptions smuggled in which can become stumbling blocks to others.
This book is an essential read for all Christians living in urban and suburban contexts. Packed full of insight and practical advice,
it will give you help and hope for reaching the unreached around you, as well as an increased burden for doing so.
Mark Loughridge
Mark is minister of Milford Reformed Presbyterian Church, Co. Donegal
the Fruitful Wife RRP 9-99 Our Price 7-50
hayley DiMarco
There have been many pages written and many words uttered on the subject of the Fruit of the Spirit as outlined
in Galatians 5. However, in The Fruitful Wife, Hayley DiMarco takes a fresh approach to these essential features of
believers by discussing how wives can display these characteristics in marriage and the daily grind of life.
Throughout the course of the book Hayley, a wife and mother who has published numerous books for young people, discusses
each of the Fruit of the Spirit in turn and applies these to the lives of women. She recognises that the process of looking at our
lives and considering whether or not we display the fruit will be a diffcult journey but that "...the fruit of the Spirit isn't about
15
pleasure or pleasing self at all, but about denying self and giving all the glory to God. (p16)
Although the book is entitled The Fruitful Wife, I feel that this book would be relevant to women at all stages in life, as the
illustrations and applications are by no means restricted to marriage. The book would also serve as a useful tool for women
preparing for marriage as Hayley frequently highlights the lack of fruit displayed in the early years of her own marriage, and new
wives could aspire to be fruitful from the outset by heeding her warning.
In general I would recommend this book. It is beautifully presented and applies Scripture very practically to marriage and
womanhood as a whole. Through reading this book you will undoubtedly be left challenged and convicted as to how you are
seeking to grow the fruit of the Spirit in your life and how this will in turn bless husbands and children and see families raised
which truly seek to glorify God.
Suzanne Kane, Stranmillis Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

A Life of Gospel Peace RRP 22-99 Our Price 16-99
Author: Phillip L. simpson
Publisher: Reformation Heritage Books, 2011
298 pages,hardback.
'A Life of Gospel Peace' by Phil Simpson is the frst full-length biography of the Puritan, Jeremiah Burroughs. n
this work Burroughs' ministry from his frst charge at Stisted in Essex (a little known fact) is documented, with many
references to Burroughs' own works. The work is highly commended as it flls in a number of gaps in Burroughs' life (e.g. his
relationship with Calamy while at Bury St Edmunds). The frst six chapters chart the early part of Burroughs' life and prepare us
for chapters 7 and 8, which highlight Burroughs as a frst-rate preacher. The remaining chapters give helpful insights into other
aspects of Burroughs life (e.g. his views on Independency). I have, however, a few queries, for example: Why is southern Essex
placed in East Anglia (p.1)? Why did it take a least 18 months for him to be baptised (p. 2); something very rare at that time?
There are a few other queries, but they are all minor ones and do not detract from a very fne piece of work.
Dr. James Davison, Great Victoria Street Baptist Church
Other recent arrivals at evangelical Bookshop:
Finish the Mission by John Piper & David Mathis eds.
RRP 10-99 Our Price 8-25

Let God Be God: songs of hope and Consolation
Faith Cook
Publisher: Evangelical Press, 2012
124 pages, hardback.

Ruth: From Bitter to sweet (Welwyn Commentary Series)
John Currid
Publisher: Evangelical Press, 2012
the Majesty of Prayer:
encounters With Gods Amazing Grace
John MacArthur
Publisher: Harvest House, 2012
48 pages, hardback (beautifully illustrated/gift edition)

the thunder: A novel on John Knox
Douglas Bond
Publisher: Presbyterian & Reformed, 2012
15 College Square East
BELFAST BT1 6DD
Tel: 028 9032 0529
E Mail: info@evangelicalbookshop.co.uk
Website: www.evangelicalbookshop.co.uk
Manager: Colin Campbell
The Evangelical Bookshop
G
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16
Dear Rev
I hope you dont mind me writing to you but since you left our church,
as you know, weve got no minister and I need some advice. Ive recently
met a very fine young lady called Gertrude. Im not sure how to put
this but weve become good friends what your generation would call
courting. Shes amazing. I met her at university.
We just got talking over lunch because she often takes her lunch at the
chaplaincy centre like me and the amount of shared interests we have
is breathtaking. She loves politics, is studying music and just cant get
enough Bach.
On Wednesdays we meet up at 11.45am and go up to the chill out lounge
at the centre to watch Prime Minsters Questions on the TV. Shes from
England. Barton by the Steeple is her home town so at weekends shes
frequently in our house for meals.
My Mum likes her, especially her manners. Dads less vocal but then
dating and all that touchy feely stuff was never something he felt able
to speak about easily. All he ever asks me is:Why does Gertrude not
come to our church?
You see, thats where the problem is. Gertrude cant come to our church.
Her Sundays are just packed. At 8am she sings in the choir at the early
morning communion at St Sitwells. Then she dashes off on her moped
to St Asaphs for the 10am service to help the struggling choir with the
morning anthem. After a quick sandwich and coffee in Starbucks shes
down to the cathedral for the practice prior to choral evensong.
By the time shes finished at 6pm shes simply exhausted. Dad thinks
she should be coming with us to the evening service but all that singing
really drains you mentally.
Now I know that youll want to know if shes a Christian because that
was always a big thing with you in your sermons. She doesnt speak the
same sort of language as we do. Words like saved or born again
wouldnt be terms that she uses. But she is so committed to church
and also you would be struggling to find fault with her. Her language,
demeanour, courtesy and kindness are wonderful. Shes not interested
in any of that clubbing, pubbing scene that some Christian girls get
involved with and in terms of compatibility we are perfect.
Just wondering what you think. Whilst youve always had very strict
views and sometimes conveyed the impression that you were very out of
touch I always appreciated your thoughts.
Is it OK for me and Gertrude to continue?
Please show my letter to Mrs Rev as I once overheard Dad say that her
views were a good bit more balanced than yours.
Please write soon,
Herbert
Dear Herbert
Brilliant to hear form you. Delighted to get your
e mail.
Im going to have to be quick as Im waiting
ut t/c uirpcrt cr u hig/t tc t/c sIc c Mur
Im on my annual trip over to the Douglas
Institute of Reformed Theology. I often think
about you and have been praying for the whole
area of relationships that you might meet a
rc C/ristiur girI. Qcrtrudc scurds vcrg ricc.
Shes obviously intelligent and gifted and there
arent that many around who would share your
irtcrcst ir Buc/ urd PMQs. Hcvcvcr /uvc u
dilemma. I cant decide from what youve told
me if she is a genuine born again believer whos
bccr budIg tuug/t, /us /ud IittIc C/ristiur
fellowship over the years and has become
captivated by the church music scene or whether
shes just religious and likes all the dignity
associated with cassocks and incense.
Im delighted shes not into the clubbing scene
but wurg cIks v/c urcr't C/ristiurs just
hate the noise and atmosphere that goes with
those places. I was alarmed about her popping
in to Starbucks on Sunday but then perhaps
shes not had much teaching on the Fourth
Ccwwurdwcrt. t wug bc t/ut s/c is u vcrg
urtuug/t C/ristiur. But gcu rccd tc rd cut
Would she be willing to cut out one of the
singing services on Sunday in order to come
and hear the Word on Sunday evening? Does
s/c uttcrd t/c C/ristiur Uricr? Ycu /uvc
a shared interest in Bach but would she be
interested in studying the Bible?
Herbert. Be careful. The devil wants you to
make a mess of the whole relationship, marriage
busircss. Rcwcwbcr 2Ccr. O:1+: Dc rct bc
unequally yoked together with unbelievers. Its
vital that you marry only in the Lord. Now, you
might feel this is all a bit premature. But where
do relationships lead? Whats your future with
Qcrtrudc? gcu irtcrd tc stug vit/ /cr gcu
rccd tc bc surc t/ut s/c's ir C/rist.
Ill show this to my wife. Better still, call and
scc us vit/ Qcrtrudc. Murrcrs urd uII t/ut urc
gccd but Iivirg uit/ ir C/rist is csscrtiuI.
Qc cusg Hcrbcrt.
Must gc - wg hig/t is bcurdirg.
CuII bg
The Rev

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