NSW Minister for Family andCommunity Services PruGoward has announced thatWesley Mission will deliver anew early intervention andprevention program to im-‐prove the lives of nine to 15year olds in Western Sydney.
Youth Hope will reach out tochildren and young peoplewho are vulnerable or at riskof significant harm becauseof neglect, homelessness, do-‐mestic violence or drug andalcohol use. Visiting WesleyMission’s Penrith offices Min-‐ister Goward said Youth Hopewould prevent a growingnumber of vulnerable olderchildren and young people from being caught up in the child protection system. It will also keep them engaged in education and training.
‘Vulnerable young people who access Youth Hope services are likely to receive a different type of sup-‐port, depending on what works for them,’ Ms Goward said. ‘This new approach is very different to pastpractice, which slotted vulnerable children into predetermined programs thought to be effective. YouthHope is evidence-‐based, and focused on demonstrated effectiveness for and responsiveness to the needsof young people, including by involving them in the choices about effective supports,’ she said.
The $3.5 million program will engage Wesley Mission’s many partner organisations, who have workedwith the Wesley Brighter Futures program since 2006. The program has successfully supported childrenaged 0-‐9 years and their families.
The CEO of Wesley Mission the Rev Dr Keith Garner said Wesley Mission was delighted that it had beenchosen to deliverYouth Hope in Western Sydney and the Nepean Blue Mountains Districts. ‘Wesley Missionis well aware through its service experience and evidence-‐based research that early intervention and pre-‐vention is a vital stragety in giving families and young people hope for the future,’ Dr Garner said. ‘This isreal hope, built on tangible skills and key learnings.
‘The Youth Hope program will focus on nine to 15 year-‐old children and young people. We all know thatthese years are a very important time for young people as they transition from primary to high school. It isalso a time when young people can too easily disengage from their families and the education system. Forsome it is the start of negotiating a pathway to employment.
‘Decisions made during this period can have life-‐long consequences impacting employment opportuni-‐ties and the formation of positive relationships in adult life. Early school leavers are at greater risk of long-‐term unemployment, which in turn places them at a much higher risk for social exclusion and welfare.’
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FREE FOR YOU
ON REQUEST TO:
(Left to right): Connor Jones, Wesley Mission CEO the Rev Dr Keith Garner, Caleb For-‐mosa, NSW Minister for Family and Community Services Pru Goward, Jayden Stewartand Operations Manager for Wesley Brighter Futures Metro West, Nathan Brown, at
the funding announcement of the new Youth Hope program at Penrith.
Early Intervention, Prevention Key To New Wesley Mission Youth Program
NEW LIFE – 15 September 2013 – Page TwoNEW LIFE – 15 September 2013 – Page Two
CHURCHES have a responsibility to prepare believers to respond to andendure persecution. R2P is a United Nations initiative that encourages in-‐dependent states to see sovereignty not as a right that allows them to acthowever they please within their own borders, but as a responsibility. Itcomes in response to increasing levels of violence within, as distinct frombetween, states. Much of this violence is either sectarian (as in Syria, Iraq,Pakistan) or is greed-‐based but fueled by ethnic-‐religious hatred (as inKachin State, Burma; the Nuba Mountains, Sudan; Papua, Indonesia). Ineach of the above cases, Christians are facing extreme persecution, evengenocide.
It is no accident that religious violence has escalated markedly over re-‐cent decades. Trends such as the emergence of religious nationalism, therevival of fundamentalist Islam, the advance of cultural Marxism and theloss of Western influence have converged with the trends of massive popu-‐lation growth, rapid urbanisation and mass migration to create what ana-‐lyst Gregory Copley describes as ‘a perfect strategic storm’.
The US International Religious Freedom Act of November 1998 was a di-‐rect response to escalating religious persecution. But the economic crisis oflate 2008 ripped the teeth out of the Act and now persecution with im-‐punity is the order of the day. To use Isaiah's imagery, the Church is facing amighty ‘flood’ of persecution.
Christians across the Western world are largely oblivious to all this; partlybecause their churches (in general) are addicted to entertainment and/orthey are living in denial and/or they are cruising along with an erroneousview of persecution which they regard as something one might learn aboutin a Church History course. I am absolutely convinced that most WesternChristians, including many church leaders, view the subject of persecutionas irrelevant to Western Christians.This Is Not Inconsequential!First, the believer who regards another Christian's suffering as ‘not my con-‐cern’ or ‘not something I want to be burdened with’ has rejected (albeitsubconsciously) the theology of our union with Christ along with the teach-‐ing that the Church is the family and body of Christ. Such an attitude notonly grieves the Lord; it can lead to judgment (Ezekiel 34, Matt 25.41-‐45). Secondly, persecution is stirring in the West on account of Culture Changewhich is driven by cultural Marxism's promotion of moral and cultural rela-‐tivism. A godless, essentially Marxist state ideology is being imposed at thecost of religious freedom. Is the church prepared? Jesus warned us that per-‐secution would come (John 15.18–16.4) so that in being prepared, we wouldendure. Yet I would suggest that the church, in general, is not prepared andthat many believers and churches will struggle to endure. (Continued p.11)
VOLUME 76NUMBER 6
ISSUE DATE:15 September 2013
ISSN: 1033-7903
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The Church's R2P (Responsibility To Protect)
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MMAATTTTEERRSS FFOORR PPRRAAYYEERRMMAATTTTEERRSS FFOORR PPRRAAYYEERR
ALL genuine rescue operations are discriminatory, with the weakest and most vulnerablebeing rescued first. A refugee policy that is 'non-‐discriminatory' is a policy that has been cor-‐rupted with populist politics and political correctness. Non-‐discriminatory refugee policiescompound the discrimination already being suffered by the weakest, most vulnerable, margin-‐alised and persecuted peoples in the world. Imagine if a non-‐discriminatory policy were im-‐posed on a rescue service: the strong would jostle for position while the weak die waiting. Nocivilised state would accept such a scenario. Yet this is exactly what a non-‐discriminatoryrefugee policy produces.
Rabeel (21) is the eldest of five children of Christian parents. A bright, dedicated scholar andstrong Christian, he was studying Veterinary Medicine at Jhang University in Lahore, Pakistan,when on 26 August 2012 he travelled to Lahore to submit his application for a renewal of hisMerit Scholarship. He travelled with his trusted friend, fellow student Hammad-‐ul-‐Rahman, aMuslim. When her son did not return or contact home after two days, Rabeel's mother grewconcerned. As a Pakistani Christian, Rabeel was no stranger to persecution. However, as iscommonly the case, the persecution escalated dramatically at university where, as a highachiever, he was under constant pressure to convert to Islam. Unbeknown to Rabeel, Ham-‐mad – who had been a friend since high school days – secretly had become actively involvedwith the Islamic terror group, Lashkar-‐e-‐Taiba. Instead of travelling to Lahore with Rabeel,Hammad handed him over to Lashkar-‐e-‐Taiba. Rabeel was in the terror group's custody forthree days, during which time he was plied with drugs, beaten, electrocuted and pack-‐raped asthe militants sought to convert him to Islam and use him in a terror attack against the West.On 29 August 2012 Gujranwala District Police Station informed Rabeel's parents that they hadRabeel in custody and that if the family did not collect him soon they would be sending him toa psychiatric facility as he was clearly out of his mind.
Rabeel's family rushed to his aid. After three local hospitals refused to treat him because hewas a Christian and marked by Lashkar-‐e-‐Taiba, the family sought help from an expensive pri-‐vate hospital in Lahore. In its Intensive Care Unit, Rabeel slowly improved. Though he was dis-‐charged on 9 September 2012, Rabeel was still severely traumatised and his behaviour grewincreasingly erratic. Eventually he stopped eating and began self-‐harming. By 18 OctoberRabeel was admitted to a public hospital.
On 22 October two jeeps arrived at the hospital and a mob of Lashkar-‐e-‐Taiba militantsstormed in, accompanied by police. Rabeel, his family and the hospital staff were threatenedwith death if they dared file charges or issue medical reports. Rabeel had to leave the hospitaland the family went into hiding. With the militants hunting them and using Rabeel's mobileSIM card to make threatening calls, the family fled abroad. They have been languishing in arefugee camp for 10 months now with relatives in Australia providing aid. They are goingthrough the official UNHCR channels and waiting. However, Rabeel is fading and is not eating.If this family is not rescued soon, then Rabeel may well die waiting.Please Pray Specifically That God Will:• intervene and in grace and power expedite the rescue of this Christian family who have losteverything due to violent persecution;• bring healing to Rabeel's body and mind and comfort and strength to the whole family;• intervene on behalf of all Christian refugees whose lives are imminently imperilled but whostruggle to make claims because they lack medical records and police reports (because as per-‐secuted Christians they simply cannot get them).• change the thinking of Western policy makers, so that they will recognise that, in these daysof escalating sectarianism, Islamic radicalisation, religious persecution and impunity, perse-‐cuted religious minorities require priority consideration.'You have taken up my cause, O Lord; You have redeemed my life. You have seen the wrongdone to me, O Lord; judge my cause.' (Lamentations 3.58,59 ESV)
– Written for the Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission byElizabeth Kendal, international religious liberty analyst and advocate
and author of Turn Back The Battle: Isaiah Speaks To Christians Today (Deror Books, 2012)http://turnbackthebattle.com/thebook.html
Christian Refugees And The Case Of RabeelFrom Pakistan
Syria UpdateTHE only reasonthere are Chris-‐tians surviving inSyria today is be-‐cause they arebeing protectedby the Syrian ArabArmy in govern-‐ment-‐held areas.
Because therebels have sur-‐rounded andblockaded theseareas, WesternChristian aidgroups have spentthe last year or sofunnelling in aidto help them sur-‐vive.
If the US attacksSyria, the protec-‐tion provided bythe Syrian Armywill be greatly reduced, at leastfor a time. Thiscould well openthe floodgates forrebel invasions ofChristian areas.
On 3 Septemberthe Deputy UNEnvoy to Syria,Mokhtar Lamani,commented thatsectarianism isnow so seriousthat the risk ofgenocide is real.
Please pray forGod's intervention.
IN a country rocked by change and division, about 1,400 eight to four-‐teen-‐year-‐old Egyptian children gathered recently to worship and askGod to change them to be the salt and light for Jesus in their communi-‐ties. According to a story by Lindsay Shaw for SAT-‐7, the network aired thefirst-‐ever One Thing Kids Festival, held at the desert oasis of Wadi El Natroun,from 16-‐18 July.
‘Our vision is to have this generation praying and worshiping God, and tobe filled with the Holy Spirit to be able to change the world,’ said festival organizers Kasr El Doubara Evangelical Church and the children's prayerministry of the Synod of the Nile of the Presbyterian Church about the SAT-‐7story.
Most of the sessions were broadcast live on SAT-‐7's KIDS and ARABICchannels, as well as on the network's KIDS Youtube Live page. This was thelatest on location broadcast from SAT-‐7, which previously has includedprayer by tens of thousands at Cairo's Cave Church and broadcasts from theannual One Thing festivals for older youth. SAT-‐7 said the Wadi el Natrounarea was long an historic centre for Christian prayer by monks and pilgrims,but at One Thing Kids, held at KDEC's retreat and campsite, young childrentook over that mantle. Many of the children played a prominent role. Somewere part of the worship choir, while others helped to lead prayer times forthemselves and their nation.
SAT-‐7's Egypt Director, Farid Samir, said his own children, ages nine and10, attended and ‘were spiritually stretched. They memorized Bible verses,learned new songs, and learned how to intercede for their country. We be-‐lieve God is going to change things in Egypt because of the faithful interces-‐sion of kids, and there will be reconciliation, salt and light especially at thecommunities the kids will go back to.’
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‘‘IINNTTOO AALLLL TTHHEE WWOORRLLDD’’‘‘IINNTTOO AALLLL TTHHEE WWOORRLLDD’’Egyptian Children Pray To BecomeChange Makers
Children worshiping and praying.
SAT-7 airs fivechannels inArabic, Farsi,and Turkishlanguages toa known au-dience of over15 million.
For moreinformationabout SAT-7visitwwwwww..ssaatt77uussaa..oorrgg//aabboouutt--ssaatt--77
Join us for a unique–– MUSICAL MEMORY MUSICAL MEMORY EXPERIENCEEXPERIENCE ––Where? MAROONDAH FAMILY CHURCH,
44 Dublin Rd, Ringwood East.For What? ‘HYMNS ALIVE’.For What? ‘HYMNS ALIVE’.
With: Discrete beat, youthful rhythm& a taste of Country Gospel.
When? Sunday, 6 October at 2 pmincluding free afternoon tea.
Who? ALL WELCOMEWho? ALL WELCOMEGreat entertainment and sing along.
FURTHER DETAILS:FURTHER DETAILS:Call Irene, 0433 050 343or Rob, (03) 9726 9511.
SPEAKING PERSONALLY ...MECO Int has welcomed their new International Direc-‐tor, Rev Mike Parker, who took up office on 1 September.Mike and his wife Helen joined MECO in 2006. In 2009they moved to Cairo where Mike was appointed SeniorMinister for English-‐speakers at All Saints’ AnglicanCathedral. After four very happy and fruitful years inEgypt the Parkers have returned to the UK from whereMike will direct MECO’s UK team, as well as being Inter-‐national Director.Melbourne School Of Theology is facing a raft ofchanges. After 10 years of leadership with Insight ForLiving Aust, Peter Tyrrell begins a new role this month asDirector of Ministry with MST. From 2014 Dr MatthewJacoby, pastor at Barrabool Hills Baptist Church, Gee-‐long and lead singer for the ‘Sons of Korah’ band, will beteaching philosophy, preaching and worship. At the endof August, Rosie Eloff, MST’s very efficient BusinessManager, finished up to join the team at David Mc-‐Cracken Ministries, and Dr Peter Orr, Lecturer in NewTestament, is joining the faculty at Moore College, Sydney, from the start of next year.
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Galston Christian Education Association 2013 Spring Dinner Supports School ChaplainTHE Galston Christian Education Association in Sydney’s far northern suburbs celebrated its 31st year atthe Annual Spring Dinner on 8 September with over 125 in attendance.
After an opening address by the GCEA Chairman, Leigh Davy, Lachlan Gage spoke and said he felt asthough, like Daniel, he was led into the lion’s den this year, taking on the SRE program at Galston HighSchool. But, equipped with courage, enthusiasm and the prayers of the faithful, he came through. Clearly,Lachlan's appointment has proved to be a wonderful blessing and he provided all present with an updateon how he has fared this year.
The GCEA was also blessed with an extraordinary keynote speaker, Irene Voysey, who recently launch-‐ing her new book, By The Way.
Prestigious ARPA Award To Ramon WilliamsTHE 2013 ARPA (Australasian Religious Press Association) annual conferencehonoured Ramon Williams, now 82, with a special citation for exceptionallymeritorious service to the Christian community, specifically to Christian media,for 50 years. Back in 1987 Ramon Williams was awarded ARPA’s top prize, theGutenberg Award, and now a quarter of a century later, ARPA has once again honoured him. His uniqueChristian news distribution service has the motto: ‘Telling others what others are doing for the Lord.’
ARPA also acknowledged with Life Membership the remarkable work of its immediate past PresidentErrol Pike of Wellington, New Zealand. Everyone who knows Errol Pike is aware of his astonishing contri-‐bution to Christian media in New Zealand, especially Baptist and Bible Society publications.
Press Service International young writer Sophia Sinclair from Christchurch, New Zealand, who is Com-‐munications Officer with CMS NZ, was awarded the Bronze for: ‘Best Publication Small Team’.
Peter Bentley from Sydney was elected as the new ARPA President, with next year’s conference cele-‐brating ARPA’s 40th anniversary. – Mark Tronson, Press Service International
NEW LIFE – 15 September 2013 – Page SixNEW LIFE – 15 September 2013 – Page Six
WITH CHRIST ...WITH CHRIST ...Bishop Dudley Foord Called Home'WE are bereft of a great saint', saidArchbishop Glenn Davies on the deathof Bishop Dudley Foord. ‘Dudley Foordexercised an outstanding ministry asrector of two Sydney parishes (Kingsgrove and StIves), where his passion for evangelism was infec-‐tious. Always prepared to rethink parish ministryand revitalise both Christians and church structureswith a Gospel-‐minded focus, Dudley was chiefly re-‐sponsible for bringing Evangelism Explosion to Syd-‐ney. Dudley's interests were not merely parochial.He was also Dean of Students and lecturer at MooreCollege, directed Men's Conventions at Katoombaand post-‐ordination training in the Diocese, as wellas acting as a consultant in church planting.
‘His gifts were rightly recognised by the Church ofEngland in South Africa and Zimbabwe, as theyelected him to be their Presiding Bishop in 1984.After returning to Sydney he continued in activeministry, including an incumbency in South Liver-‐pool, until ill health prevented him in his late 80s.
‘Dudley and his wife Elizabeth were a team. Fre-‐quently ministering together as well as separately,they modelled both servant-‐mindedness and per-‐sonal godliness in their marriage.’
– Anglican Media Press Release
TURN BACKTHE BATTLE:Isaiah Speaksto ChristiansToday((DDeerroorr BBooookkss,, DDeecc 22001122))
ELIZABETH Kendal has been writingweekly Religious Liberty PrayerBulletins since July 1999.In December 2001 she was appointedas WEA RLC's Principal Researcherand Writer. In April 2009 she resigned to work independently. Hers is a unique ministry aimed atraising awareness and cultivating un-derstanding of Christian persecutionso that the church might be armedwith the truth it needs for strategicmission, advocacy and prayer.With persecution escalating globally,Kendal calls us to revisit theprophecy of Isaiah, maintaining thatIsaiah 1-39 provides an unambiguoustreatise on how God's people are torespond to persecution, suffering andexistential threat. Each of the 12 chapters comes withdiscussion questions and a prayer,making this an excellent resource fora preaching series or small groupstudy.For endorsements, a synopsis, tableof contents and more, as well aspurchasing options, visit: wwwwww..ttuurrnnbbaacckktthheebbaattttllee..ccoommElizabeth Kendal can be contacted atiinnffoo@@eelliizzaabbeetthhkkeennddaall..ccoomm
PPoollll SShhoowwss NNoo EElleeccttiioonn MMaannddaattee FFoorr SSaammee--SSeexx MMaarrrriiaaggeeCHANGING the Marriage Act was a low order issue with voters at the recent federal election according toa poll conducted last week for the Australian Christian Lobby.
Just 13% of voters said it was in their top three issues when deciding who to vote for, with the issuerating 9th overall out of 13 issues put to 927 respondents. According to the poll conducted by JWS Research, same-‐sex marriage made the top three list of just 4% of Coalition voters. It was not a top threeissue for 72% of Greens and 85% of Labor voters.
ACL Managing Director Lyle Shelton said the poll confirmed what MPs have been saying for the pastthree years in Parliament.
‘During the many same-‐sex marriage debates in the last Parliament, MPs consistently said same-‐sexmarriage was simply not a priority for people in their electorates. Despite Kevin Rudd and Labor elevatingthe issue to front and centre of the election cam-‐paign, this sentiment has not changed,’ Mr Sheltonsaid. ‘Same-‐sex marriage had an extremely highmedia profile during the election and yet it still failedto register as an important issue for the overwhelm-‐ing majority of voters.
‘The fact that Kevin Rudd made it an election issueand lost so convincingly, and these figures of just 4%of Coalition voters supporting same-‐sex marriage,mean Tony Abbott must maintain support for man-‐woman marriage as a party policy,’ Mr Shelton said.
The poll also found support for changing the Mar-‐riage Act had slipped dramatically. Most polls hadshown around 63% support for same-‐sex marriagebut the JWS poll found just 45% of people thoughtthe Marriage Act should be changed. 38% of peoplewere opposed to law change, with 17% undecided.
‘Despite years of high-‐profile campaigning and thedemonising of those speaking up for man-‐womanmarriage, support for changing the Marriage Act ap-‐pears to be slipping,’ Mr Shelton said.
Parents Alarmed By PushTo End TV Restrictions‘ANGRY parents are telling us how strongly they op-‐pose the new push by commercial TV stations toallow adult programs to be broadcast day and night,abolishing current time zones,’ FamilyVoice ResearchOfficer Ros Phillips says. ‘SA Attorney-‐General JohnRau has spoken for many when he said he would beappalled if his children were exposed to material thatdisplayed violence and blurred the lines with soft-‐corepornography. He pointed out that it is unrealistic toexpect parents to monitor every single program theirkids watch on TV, particularly during school holidays.’
Mrs Phillips said a petition begun less than 24 hoursago, urging Communications Minister Malcolm Turn-‐bull to keep TV clean for kids, already has 140 signa-‐tures and counting.
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ON Sunday 21 July, Helensvale and Southport (Qld) Baptist Churches, who came together in March 2012to form CrossLife Baptist Church, had the pleasure of launching their new Lakeside Community node atthe Highland Reserve development in Upper Coomera on the northern Gold Coast, with up to 2,000 peo-‐ple from surrounding community.
In January 2013, CrossLife’s second Young Discoverers child care centre was opened alongside the be-‐ginning of Sunday services in the new Community node. Over the first six months, regular attendance onSundays has grown to over 60 adults and children, and the child care centre has occupancy levels close to85%. With the recent opening of the Spar Convenience store, the first of three neighbourhood shops in thecommunity node, it was time to celebrate the great work the Lord Jesus had led this church to initiate.
Throughout the day residents and supporters placed their hand prints on the community mural on thecar park wall of the Lakeside node as an expression of the community heart and ownership of the node.Rides, community stalls and live music from Emmanuel College’s Jazz Quintet surrounded the launch cere-‐mony where four children from Young Discoverers and the Highland Reserve State School released fourballoons and revealed a plaque commemorating the day and the node. Those watching the ceremonyjoined in the launch by releasing their own balloons and up to 500 balloons rose into the glorious blue sky.
Gold Coast City Council Deputy Mayor Councillor Donna Gates recognised the need and shared theheart of the GCCC for community developments such as this, and thanked CrossLife and all those involvedin seeing such an important development for the Upper Coomera community, and Highland Reserve inparticular.
CrossLife Lead Pastor Matt Hunt shared the history and heart for the development from CrossLife’sview, underlining the desire of the church to serve the community in ways that reflect God’s love and serv-‐ing others. He summed up the day with these words, ‘It’s exciting to see the church back in the centre ofthe community again where our heart and desire to serve can be expressed. We thank the Highland Re-‐serve community for embracing us, and we look forward to seeing CrossLife continue to play an integralpart in its ongoing progress as God calls us to do.’
Church Goes Back To The Centre Of The Community
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ALCOHOL – A Growing Problem.Should Christians Be Part Of The ProblemOr Part Of The Solution?MY FATHER was converted in 1962 when he was 47 years old. He was imme-‐diately discipled by a fellow businessman who read the Bible with him and,among other things, advised Dad that Christians don’t drink. My father gaveup drinking immediately, following this 1962 discipling advice.
When I went to Bible College in 1969, every enrolling student had to affirmtotal abstinence from alcohol. One student did not; he was given some lee-‐way, being Italian.A Big IssueFor 13 years (1991 – 2004) I chaired the meetings at the Katoomba ChristianConvention. One issue stood out as engendering more opposition fromthose present than anything else – the issue of total abstinence. One Easter,Graham Smith, then the minister of Ashgrove Baptist in Brisbane, made apassing remark commending abstinence. There were many waiting to voicetheir disapproval at the end of the meeting.
Alcohol consumption is a matter of Christian liberty. But it has become tooimportant if we object to the case for abstinence to at least be heard. Rarelydo I hear that case being put. Our pulpits are shamefully silent on this matter.A Big ProblemThe Australian Hotels Association is a powerful lobby group and seems tohave a good deal of influence with the government in NSW. They hardlyneed any help from sections of the Christian Church. However, the latest sta-‐tistics on alcohol consumption, addiction and the financial and personal costof alcohol-‐fuelled violence and alcohol-‐affected accidents are horrendous. Itis hard to imagine any celebration in Australia these days that is not accom-‐panied by alcohol, adding to the dangerous prevalence of binge drinkingamong young people.
Today many, if not most Christians drink. Total abstinence is certainly lesscommon than it was. If you are a drinker, remember that alcohol is a danger-‐ous drug. You would be wise not to take for granted your control of it.
A thoughtful reading of the following will remind you of the need for tem-‐perance: Proverbs 20.1, 23.20, 31.4, 1 Corinthians 5.11, 6.10, Galatians 5.21,Ephesians 5.18, 1 Timothy 3.3,8, 5.23, Titus 2.3, 1 Peter 4.3.
The Bible’s position and therefore God’s Word is: temperance for all, lim-‐ited consumption for some, no consumption at all for others.
In Romans 14.1-‐12, Paul teaches about the stronger and weaker brotherand makes the following points:• 14.3 Our ongoing acceptance of one another is based on God’s once andfor all acceptance of us in Christ. God has not made alcohol consumption anautomatic barrier to fellowship with Him.• 14.5-‐8 Each person should develop their own conviction and live that outbefore God and give their fellow believer the same freedom to do so.• 14.9 – 12 Judgment is the Lord’s prerogative since His blood purchased theChurch.
These are good principles to keep in mind as we work out what it means tobe holy as Christian citizens in view of the social, physical and financial costof such a freely available drug of addiction. – David Cook
David Cook hasministered in WeeWaa and Ashfield(NSW) before becoming Principalof Sydney Mission-ary and Bible College, a positionfrom which he recently retired. Heis now a colleagueof the Rev DavidTsai at ChinesePresbyterianChurch, Crown St,Sydney.
On Monday 9September he wasinducted as Moderator Generalof the PresbyterianChurch of Australia,a position he willoccupy for the nextthree years.
David and Maxine Cook
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ACCORDING to Leon Morris, this is perhaps the most significant paragraph everwritten. After the bleak, yet realistic, news of 1.18–3.20, we come to the moment ofseriously good news: that a right standing with God, apart from human perform-‐ance, has been revealed. It comes to all who believe in the faithful work of JesusChrist (vv 21,22).
The need for such a relationship is universal (v 23). In explaining this, Paul em-‐ploys three words in common use in his time:‘Justified’ (v 24). This is a legal word whereby God, the judge, declares the guiltysinner to be in the right with Him. How can God do this and remain just? He doesit on the basis of the death of Jesus which has fully paid our penalty and given us acquittal.‘Redemption’ (v 24). This is a word from commerce. It is what Jesus’ death means to us: Jesus buys usback for God, paying the ransom price of His own perfect life.‘Sacrifice of atonement’ (v 25) or ‘propitiation’. This is a religious word. It explains what Jesus’ deathmeans to God. Through His death, Jesus absorbs the wrath of God due to our sin so that we don’t have totake the punishment we deserve.
Thus God the Father, in the death of the Son, makes His attitude to sinpatently clear (v 25). God also demonstrates His justice (v 26). His perfectSon gives His life to set us free, in that He absorbs God’s just wrath againsthuman sin. God in His love satisfies His own justice, the penalty of sin ispaid, and the law is upheld. God is just and is able to be the justifier by de-‐claring us to be in the right because of the work of Jesus.We are not set right because of our faith. We are set right through faith(v22) and by faith (v 28). Faith links us to the work of Christ, which is thefoundation of right relationship.The foundation of this relationshipis the unchanging work of Christ. God
KKnnoowwiinngg OOuurrsseellvveess ((RReeaadd RRoommaannss 33..2211--2266))
TO REFLECT ON:In the light of the truthsof this paragraph ofScripture, why is thepractice of religious rituals to earn God’sfavour both impossibleand unnecessary?
Why are thesetruths so liberating?
Content taken from 'Romans: Momentous News' byDavid Cook, published by 10Publishing, used with permission.
Barnabas Fund Directors Visiting Australia To Mark20th AnniversaryINTERNATIONAL Christian charity Barnabas Fund, which helps persecuted Christians around the world,is celebrating its 20th anniversary. To mark the occasion and to thank supporters in Australia, BarnabasFund’s international directors are touring the country between 4 and 14 October.
Founder Dr Patrick Sookhdeo will be speaking at various churches, describing what the charity has beenable to accomplish with God’s help, and providing insight into the current challenges facing Christiansaround the world. People are warmly invited to attend a Barnabas anniversary celebration event in Bal-‐larat at Ballarat Gospel Chapel, 304, Peel St North, Ballarat on Wednesday 9 October at 7 pm and in Don-‐caster at 106 Church Rd, Doncaster on 8 October at 7.30 pm.
Born in Guyana in 1947, from a South Asian background, and brought up as a Muslim, Patrick Sookhdeobecame a Christian in the mid-‐1960s and went on to study theology, marrying one of his fellow students,Rosemary Jamieson from New Zealand. The coupleministered among ethnic minority communities inBritish inner cities in the 70s and 80s, and as they be-‐came increasingly concerned about the persecution ofChristians in Muslim-‐majority countries, they went onto establish Barnabas Fund in 1993. It has since growninto a major international aid agency, providing mate-‐rial and spiritual support to Christians in over 60 coun-‐tries. Further enquiries: [email protected]
PASTOR’S LIBRARY FOR SALE:A large number of books from
the library of the Rev Edgar Johnston,on topics including Bible Study, Doctrine,Christian Life, Missionary, Biography, etc
are for sale for $5 or less. Some free.Location: Blackburn North. Mon – Fri from
1– 4 pm. Phone: (03) 98772490 for address.
The Church’s R2P(Continued from p.2)THERE will be "shipwrecks",with many believers batteredand many passengers lost atsea at a time when the worldneeds Christians to be firm inthe faith, exalting the Lord.
We need to stop watchingbelievers and churches sailinginto the future unprepared.Our cruising days are over!
Much needs to be done toawaken the church and pre-‐pare her to face the stormsahead.
Christian pastors, teachersand leaders must see this aspart of their R2P!
– Elizabeth Kendal
NEW LIFE – 15 September 2013 – Page ElevenNEW LIFE – 15 September 2013 – Page Eleven
PPEERRSSEECCUUTTIIOONN WWAATTCCHHPPEERRSSEECCUUTTIIOONN WWAATTCCHH
Christian Widows In India Beaten For Refusing To 'Reconvert' To Hinduism;One Left Homeless, Another Dragged To Hindu Temple, Left UnconsciousWHEN Laxmi Sovi, a Christian widow in India's Chhattisgarh state, heardher door opening one morning last month, she could not have guessedthat by the next day she would be hospitalized and her home demolished.According to a story by Morning Star News, three Hindu extremists identi-‐fied only as Veeru, Chaytu and Mangru burst into Sovi's house in KakadiBeda village, Kondagoan, at 9.30am on 24 August and demanded that sheand her children convert back to Hinduism.
She refused and the three men left. However, that night at about 11pm,the same Hindu nationalists forced their way into her house. ‘They askedme why I converted to Christianity and left all the Hindu idols, and theyalso told me that I should reconvert to Hinduism or else be killed,’ Sovisaid. Sovi, who became a Christian four years ago, refused to renounceChrist. The Hindu extremists began beating her and her two children,threatening to rape her teenage daughter. The children managed to es-‐cape and hide in the surrounding jungle, but the men continued to assaultSovi while insisting that she deny Christ. One of the men struck her on theneck with a club and she collapsed in pain. Morning Star News reports shelater took refuge in the jungle, where she hid for the rest of the night –with a fractured left hand, swelling on her neck and multiple contusions. The next morning, Sovi returned home with area Christian leaders to findher house demolished. She received treatment at Rabindranath TagoreHospital in Kondagoan.
‘As her house was completely demolished, she is taking shelter at thehouse of another Christian in the area,’ Rev A.K. Netam, an area pastor,told Morning Star News. Mother, Daughter Dragged To TempleA week before, in the southern state of Karnataka, Hindu extremistsdragged another widow, along with her daughter, to a Hindu temple andbeat her unconscious when she refused to convert back to Hinduism. Pas-‐tor T.S. Surendara of the Rehebothe Prarthana Mandir Church told Morn-‐ing Star News that this assault was led by Hindu extremist Chinna Bhovi.The attackers forced their way into the home of a widow referred to onlyas Doddamma at 6.30pm on 18 Auguat in the Government Ashraya hous-‐ing area of Chickmagalur.The Hindu nationalists asked them who gavethem permission to convert to Christianity and talk about Christianitywith their neighbours, Surendara said.
They dragged Doddamma and her daughter, Laxmi, to a Hindu templeand tried to force them to convert back into Hinduism, but they refused torenounce Christ. ‘The extremists beat, kicked and punched them for al-‐most an hour and uttered foul abuse at them,’ Pastor Surendara said.‘Doddamma lost consciousness, and her daughter was semi-‐consciouswhen neighbours found them lying on a road,’ reported attorney MosesMuragavel of the Karnataka Legal Aid Cell. – Jeremy Reynolds, ASSIST
Widow Doddamma in hospital.
NEW LIFE – 15 September 2013 – Page TwelveNEW LIFE – 15 September 2013 – Page Twelve
PPEERRSSEECCUUTTIIOONN WWAATTCCHH ((CCoonnttiinnuueedd)) ......PPEERRSSEECCUUTTIIOONN WWAATTCCHH ((CCoonnttiinnuueedd)) ......
Swift Trial Of Moroccan ChristianAt Odds With Country's Moderate FaceTHE quick conviction of a Christian for ‘proselytizing’ in Mo-‐rocco last week shows a harsher reality than the moderateface the country presents to the West, sources said. Accord-‐ing to a story by Morning Star News, a court in Taounate, atown in northern Morocco of some 33,000 people about 50miles from Fez, sentenced Mohamed El Baladi to 30 monthsin prison on 3 September. That was just a week after his ar-‐rest and before police allowed him to obtain a legal repre-‐sentation, a source close to Baladi said.
The source, who requested anonymity, was among theconverts from Islam whose names El Baladi was allegedlypressured into revealing, along with the names of two USChristians in Morocco.
‘We are surprised to learn that he gave our names tothe prosecutor,’ the source told Morning Star News. ‘Hehad to have undergone pressure.’
– Jeremy Reynolds, ASSIST News Service
OFFICE SUITE TO LETOFFICE SUITE TO LETMELBOURNE (BOX HILL)MELBOURNE (BOX HILL)
Steer Incorporated will have an office suite available for rental in theMelbourne suburb of Box Hill from late September 2013 onwards.
The suite is located in a building occupied by a number of mission agencies, and would suit another mission agency or other Christian organisation.Location: 5 Court Street, Box Hill (just off Whitehorse Road).
Space: 145 square metres, divided into a reception area, open office area, 5 separate offices and a small waiting room/office.The space is available as a single area, but consideration will be given to requests for smaller areas.
Features:
For further InformationPhone: Email:
www.steer.org.au
COMING TOCOMING TOWESTERN AUSTRALIA?WESTERN AUSTRALIA?
Come to Scots Church, Fremantle,90 South Terrace
(next to Fremantle Markets)Reformed and Evangelical10am and 5pm Sundays
12:30 pm Wednesday Lunch Time Worship
Also at Southern River,Bletchley Park Primary School,
Balfour Road9 am Sunday
Rev Stuart Bonnington08 9398 1304
NEW LIFE – 15 September 2013 – Page ThirteenNEW LIFE – 15 September 2013 – Page Thirteen
Sale of Quito HospitalON Friday 31 May HCJB Latin America region ExecutiveDirector, Dan Shedd announced the sale of HospitalVozandes-‐Quito to Ginsberg, Ecuador after nearly 60years of operation. The new owners pledged to continuethe hospital’s Christian philosophy and values. Foreignmissionaries will be allowed to continue serving at thehospital after the mission concludes its ownership on 30June, 2014. HCJB Global President, Wayne Pederson, ex-‐plained that the sale helps the mission become morenimble and global. He wrote, ‘We believe that withoutthe restrictions of managing a hospital, we will be moreeffective.’ – Voice & Hands Aust, September 2013Beaming Hope Into SyriaIN the midst of a harsh conflict, an unwinnable war, aformidable arsenal of weapons, thousands killed andnearly seven million people displaced, FEBA Radio is air-‐ing programs each night via medium wave into this bro-‐ken land. Partnering with a number of agencies toprovide life-‐giving information for those caught in themidst of this country’s nightmare is the primary aim.Listeners from across Syria are responding with stories,questions and thanks. Border country listeners are usingthe program to voice concern and care for their Syrianneighbours. ‘We are talking to people in communitiesacross Syria. We are able to connect them with localcentres where they can get help – food, medicine,clothes or a safer roof over their head,’ one of Feba’spartners says. ‘We want them to know that their neigh-‐bours in surrounding countries – Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon,Egypt – love them, care for them and are praying forthem. They’re not forgotten.’ – Skywaves, Sept-‐Oct 2013Digital Christian Radio Station Up And RunningDURING last year’s Positively Family Appeal from Mel-‐
bourne radio station LightFM, an overwhelming show ofsupport saw their target surpassed to allow funds for anew addition which had long remained only in the plan-‐ning stages. But now LightDigital, specifically broad-‐casting only Christian content, has its own studio and isup and running. On 21 June the studio became fully op-‐erational and the on-‐air team spent the entire daybroadcasting from the spacious new studio, happily tak-‐ing turns experiencing it for themselves and even settingup webcams to give listeners a glimpse.
A recent crisis when community digital radio wasgoing to be underfunded by the Federal Goernment,leaving Light digital with an uncertain future, wasaverted when the government committed to funding forthe next three years followed a nationwide campaign bythe Community Broadcasting Association. – LightNews, August 2013Upcoming Events• Rev Dr Wei-‐Han Kuan will be speaking in Melbourneat CMS’s Spring Dinner on Mission Engagement In TheNorth Of Australia, Saturday 21 September at Ridley Col-‐lege Dining Room, 170 The Avenue, Parkville. Ticketsavailable from the office, 03 9894 4722, or on-‐line till 18 September, www.cms.org.au/vic/springdinner• Celebrate Messiah will be hosting Feast of Tabernaclescelebrations this month. Details: Sydney, 7pm, Saturday21 September, at Thornleigh Community Baptist Church,cnr of Duffy Ave and The Esplanade. There is no chargebut a plate of finger food would be appreciated. Melbourne: Wednesday 25 September at the St KildaTown Hall, 99a Carlisle St, 7.30pm. No bookings required. Cost: $10 adults, $5 children, including supperin Melbourne. For further details go to: www.celebratemessiah.com.au/eventscalendar
CChhrriissttiiaann FFuunndd RRuunn FFoorr CCaauullffiieelldd MMeessssiiaanniicc CCeennttrreeA MULTI�TALENTED Messianic musician is staging a gruelling 220km run around Mel-‐bourne’s Port Phillip Bay to help fund the Caulfield Messianic Centre Project, the firstcustom-‐built Messianic synagogue in the southern hemisphere.
Norman Frazer, who is part of the Beit HaMashiach Messianic Congregation, willswap his violin for a pair of runners, shorts and a singlet in an act of love for the Jewishcommunity of Caulfield and beyond. Norman, a 54-‐year-‐old Aussie, will be joined by a52-‐year-‐old Scotsman, Hugh, and Salma in her 20s from Morocco, for the approximate36-‐hour run.
Norman has drawn inspiration from the centurion in Luke 7.4,5 who helped build asynagogue for the Jewish people that he himself would not be able to attend. ‘A fewyears ago, when the idea had been birthed to build a Messianic Community Centreamongst the Caulfield Jewish community, something in my heart jumped with the ideaof having a special run to inspire funding for the building from likeminded people here and around the world whoalso have a love for God and the Jewish community,’ he said.
The Centurion’s Run will start outside Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park, at midnight Friday night 25 October and fin-‐ish about 12 noon to 4pm Sunday 27 October, inside the Stadium. Everyone will be welcome to come on the Sundayfrom noon till 4pm to join in worship and praise.
To find out more about the project, how you could be involved, or to make a donation, visit the website atwww.caulfieldmessianiccentre.com.au or contact Lynne on 0439 336 759 or Jeanette on 0406 428 228.
HHEERREE,, TTHHEERREE AANNDD EEVVEERRYYWWHHEERREE ...... HHEERREE,, TTHHEERREE AANNDD EEVVEERRYYWWHHEERREE ...... WWiitthh BBaarrbbaarraa FFuurrmmaannWWiitthh BBaarrbbaarraa FFuurrmmaann
Norman Frazer
NEW LIFE – 15 September 2013 – Page FourteenNEW LIFE – 15 September 2013 – Page Fourteen
HHEERREE,, TTHHEERREE AANNDD EEVVEERRYYWWHHEERREE ...... HHEERREE,, TTHHEERREE AANNDD EEVVEERRYYWWHHEERREE ...... WWiitthh BBaarrbbaarraa FFuurrmmaannWWiitthh BBaarrbbaarraa FFuurrmmaann
MMM Australia Has New CEOTHE board of Mobile Mission Maintenance Aus-‐tralia is excited to announce the appointment ofTerrence Baxter as its new CEO. Terry will step intothe role from 23 September. Terry and his wife Sueattend the.CHURCH@1330 in Scoresby, Mel-‐bourne, where Terry has served in various capaci-‐ties. Terry started his working life as an electricianand held other roles in his working life, includingserving as a church pastor and a relationship man-‐
ager with an information technologycompany. Most recently, Terry has beenrunning his own consulting practice andenjoying a number of speaking engage-‐ments. Andy Boer, Chair of MMM, says:‘A big welcome to Terry from the MMM Australiateam – we are all looking forward to seizing newopportunities, delivering assistance where it is mostneeded and “serving those who serve” in Australiaand around the world.’
POSITION AVAILABLE:Finance And Administration Manager.
MECO Australia partners in mission with Middle Eastern churches and organisations in a variety of ways to encourage believers and witness to the teachings of the Christian faith.For more information, please visit www.meco.org.auMECO Australia is looking for a person to fill the above position. The position is for an initialworking period of three (3) days per week. The office is based in Box Hill, Melbourne.The appointee must also have a commitment towards Christian missions,and be able to contribute towards the Christian environment within the organisation. To apply for this position please submit:
Your current resume.A covering letter outlining your skills and experience.
A more complete list of responsibilities and duties is available on request.For further information contact the MECO office: Phone: 03 9898 0077 or
Email: [email protected] should be addressed to: The Director, MECO Australia,
PO Box 136,Kerrimuir. Vic 3129.
CHESHUNT CHRISTIAN CAMP IncCHESHUNT CHRISTIAN CAMP IncT/As King River Camp
Wanted: MANAGEMENT COUPLEWanted: MANAGEMENT COUPLEWe are seeking a highly motivated, innovative, managementcouple with sound Christian values to develop furtherthe ministry and business potential of this exciting campsite.King River Camp is located in the beautiful King Valley nearWangaratta, Victoria.Duties and Responsibilities would include grounds and propertymaintenance, cleaning, catering, organisational, computerskills and administration.A four-bedroom house and company vehicle is provided.This position would ideally suit a couple working as a team.
For Further Information And Position Description,please contact:
The Secretary, Cheshunt Christian Camp,PO Box 99, WODONGA VIC 3691.
Phone: (02) 6056 0988.Email: [email protected]
Only a minute to read,but food for thoughtfor the whole day!
Short devotional blogs at:www.barbarafurman.com
Come And He arCome And He arJohn Sto t tJohn Sto t tAt St K i ldaAt St K i lda
Pre sby ter ianPre sby ter ianChurch,Church,
Cnr Alma Rd & Barkly St,St Kilda (Vic)
during ‘Open Church’on Thursdays from
10am–12noon.On Thursday 19 Septemberwe’ll be watching a video of
John Stott speaking onThe Bible & The Christian Life
from 10.30-11.30am,then fortnightly.
Enquiries: 0417 592 646
Who Can YOUWho Can YOUForwardForward
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Are You A Newshound?Writer? Journalist?We Welcome Readers’
Contributions.Go towww.nlife.com.au /Free Down-
loads/Guidelines.Submit articles to:
NEW LIFE – 15 September 2013 – Page FifteenNEW LIFE – 15 September 2013 – Page Fifteen
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The Highbury Centre, London, UKThe Highbury Centre, London, UKCChhrriissttiiaann gguueesstt hhoouussee oonn qquuiieettpprriivvaattee rrooaadd wwiitthh ttrraannssppoorrtt nneeaarrbbyy..DDiissccoouunntt ffoorr ff//tt CChhrriissttiiaann wwoorrkkeerrss..EEmmaaiill:: eennqquuiirriieess@@tthheehhiigghhbbuurryycceennttrree..oorrggWWeebbssiittee:: wwwwww..tthheehhiigghhbbuurryycceennttrree..oorrgg
Donations Make All The Difference!Going on-line has breathed new life Into New Life,and being able to send it free on request by email
has opened our ministry upto everyone, everywhere, who wants to receive it.
BUT We DO have expenses ANDThe generous donations of members of the New Life familyDO make the difference between the red ink and the black!PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION:
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96threeFMToday’s Christian Music
And Inspiring Talkwww.96three.com.auPhone: 03 5241 6550
Email: [email protected]
Ramon A Wi l l iamsRamon A Wi l l iams– Wor ldwide Pho tos –– Wor ldwide Pho tos –
WANT TO SEE MORE?New Life can only publish a small selection
of photos, but you can see more of thoseattributed to Worldwide Photos by con-
tactingRamon Williams,
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‘AN insightful andcarefully writtenbook by Brian S.Rosner, a leadingEvangelical Paulinescholar, who hasprovided a thought-‐ful synthesis ofPaul’s understand-‐ing and use of thelaw as rejected (law-‐covenant), replaced(Christ) and re-‐ap-‐propriated (wisdomand prophecy). AsRosner stresses, it isnot that Paul ac-‐cepted some bits ofthe law and rejectedother bits; rather hisencounter with theRisen Christ on theDamascus Road re-‐quired a radical re-‐interpretation of thelaw. This useful new
book will help manycome to grips withthis difficult but vitaltopic.’
NEW LIFE – 15 September 2013 – Page SixteenNEW LIFE – 15 September 2013 – Page Sixteen
PAUL’S view of the law is complex and disputed among Pauline scholars, but Brian Ros-‐ner, Principal of Ridley Melbourne, is a reliable guide in untangling the many strands ofPaul’s understanding of the role of the law of God in salvation history and the experi-‐ence of the believer. Given his earlier studies in 1 Corinthians and Pauline ethics, Rosneris justly dissatisfied with most recent approaches that have little ethical dimension totheir discussion of Paul and the law. In this fresh study of the topic, we discover that itdoes indeed have practical implications.Rosner shows that Paul uses the word ‘law’ in more than one sense, for the law hasdifferent purposes, namely: the law as commandment (covenant), as prophecy (Gospel)and as instruction (wisdom). This helpful insight is the basis of the substantial chaptersthat make up this book. This threefold distinction is, in fact, already on view in the bookof Deuteronomy, so that Paul and the Old Testament are not at loggerheads. Rosner provides a contextual reading of Paul’s (seemingly) paradoxical statements in 1Corinthians 7.19 (what matters is avoiding sexual immorality). Repeatedly in 1 Corinthi-‐ans, the apostle draws on Old Testament law, so that, as clarified by Rosner, the issue isnot what bits of the law, but what sense of the law is available and relevant to Christianmoral teaching and doctrine.Next, Rosner deals with what is probably Paul’s most famous statement in the subjectarea, namely that we are ‘not under the law’ (used 11 times), an expression that reflectsa negative stance on the law. What Paul is doing, argues Rosner, is repudiating the lawas law-‐covenant, because of how sin has exploited the commandment (due to fallenhuman nature) and because salvation history has moved on, for we are now in the newera of grace and the Spirit brought by Jesus Christ. Proponents of the so-‐called New Per-‐spective on Paul err in only attending to the second reason. Paul’s use of Leviticus 18.5shows that the law (as a way of obedience) cannot lead to eternal life. The old Mosaiccovenant failed because of human sinfulness, as the prophets Jeremiah, Ezekiel andDaniel also insist, and, therefore, both the Old Testament and the New see the need fora new covenant. Rosner finds a significant silence in Paul’s failure to urge his Christian readers to ‘walkaccording to the law’. In fact, Paul never exhorts believers to obey the law. In contrast tothis, Christians obey the Gospel, follow apostolic instructions and have Christ as theirmodel. This gives the so-‐called ‘third use of the law’ a particular slant, and Rosner isprobably right in saying that the ‘law (= principle) of faith’, ‘the law of Christ’ and ‘thelaw of the spirit of life’ do not mean the Old Testament law slightly adjusted for the newage brought by Christ. This reviewer found Rosner’s discussion at this point enlighteningand requiring an adjustment of understanding about a series of key Pauline texts.More positively, Rosner sees Paul saying that the law is a witness to and prophecy ofthe Gospel, and Paul finds the Gospel on display in God’s dealings with Abraham (Ro-‐mans 4; Galatians 3). Rosner shows how Deuteronomy proclaims the Gospel that findsits fulfilment in Christ, and that is certainly Paul’s view too (Romans 1.2; 3.21; 3.31;4.23,24; 16.25,26), so that reading Old Testament law as a prophecy of the Gospelemerges as a key theme in Romans. This approach holds Old and New Testaments to-‐gether in a way that shows the unity of God’s purposes that find their climax in Christ. Paul sees the law as still of value as wisdom for Christian ethics, as evidenced by thoseoccasions when the Apostle quotes or alludes to an Old Testament text. In dependenceon the recent work of Gordon Wenham, Rosner shows that the Psalter treats the law aswisdom, and the explicit character of the law as wisdom is noted in Deuteronomy 4.6.All this flows into the self-‐portrait of Paul’s wise teacher (cf. 2 Peter 3.15), for he, like thePsalter, emphasises the internalisation of the law (the law on the heart) (eg Psalm37.31). The great apostle views the law as a wisdom resource for Christian living, as ‘in-‐struction’ (1 Corinthians 10.11) and ‘teaching’ (Romans 15.4), biblical terms redolent ofwisdom. As Rosner shows, Paul never addresses Christians as ‘under the law’, thoughthe law is a formative influence on his ethical instructions to believers. – Greg Goswell
PAUL AND THE LAW: KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, Brian Rosner,NSBT 31, Nottingham: Apollos, 2013, ISBN 978-‐1-‐84474-‐891-‐4
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