How To Survive And Thrive was the theme for the 8th Belgrave HeightsWomen’s Convention on 14 September. The program was packed withtwo speakers – Sandy Coates speaking on Dying 2 Win from 2 Corin­thians 4.16­18 and Philippians 3.7­14. Sandy shared from her journeyand women she knew who lived out the truth of surviving in toughtimes because Jesus is their Lord and Saviour for all eternity. HeatherPackett took two sessions, one on Bread And Butter Faith (1 Kings 17.9­16) showing how God’s miraculous provision is sometimes un­spectacular and, yes, tough times will come, but we can thrive know­ing His power at work in us. Her second session was titled UnimaginedPossibility, showing how God used Joseph to step out of his knownworld and be used to bring about God’s purposes in the birth of Jesus.‘Obedience to God is the key issue if we want to thrive in our walkwith Him,’ she said.

There were five electives. Listening to the feed­back from the sessions was so encouraging, seeing theway God had spoken to the women. Thriving In Your Time With God In Prayer, Thriving With God’s View OfBeauty, How To Thrive Practising Hospitality, Thriving In Leadership and Surviving And Thriving Parenting – allissues that we need to grow in as women in today’s world.

The music by a great team of musicians touched many hearts, with solos by Ally Dawson being so inspir­ing to see her heart for God. Belgrave Heights Convention is a great place, the facilities are being well usedand are looking so good. Go to www.bhc.org.au for details of future events. – Kay Brown

1 October 2013 Vol 76 No 7 Free On Request: office@nlife.com.au

‘Tell the people the full message of this new life’ – Acts 5.20b www.nlife.com.au

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ON REQUEST TO:

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Women’s Convention – Thriving At Belgrave Heights

School Chaplaincy Under Attack – AgainFOR the second time, Scripture Union Queensland has been called before the High Court of Australia todefend the school chaplaincy program. This second challenge has the potential to impact the funding ofthousands of chaplains across the nation who support and encourage Australian children every day.

Two years ago, SU Qld asked concerned Christians to sign a Statement Of Support to show the FederalGovernment that Australians are passionate about keeping chaplains in their local schools. The responsewas phenomenal, with 85,000 statements submitted. That support meant that within a week of the firstHigh Court decision, both sides of parliament passed new legislation, protecting chaplaincy and a numberof other important community programs.

Now, the same plaintiff is challenging that new legislation, which was put in place to protect our chil­dren's right to have access to a caring, compassionate chappy. So the Lord’s people are again beingasked to rally with SU Qld to show that the support of chaplaincy continues to grow.

‘Our dream is to present well over 100,000 signatures to key Members of Parliament and prove beyonda doubt that school chaplaincy is critically important to thousands of Queensland families,’ says PeterJames, CEO of SU Qld. ‘I'm now asking you to 'Back Our Chappies' by signing our new Statement Of Sup­port, which is in direct response to this new High Court Challenge. Your signature will enable SU QLD tocontinue to give kids the vital support and encouragement of a school chaplain for generations to come.’

Go to: info@suqld.org.au for full details about how you can help.

NEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page TwoNEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page Two

SO I'd just launched into the sermon at the Faith Factory on Galatians 4.1­7(in the providence of God) when these two 'St Kilda Specials' rocked in,loudly asking for food. The door­keeper showed them to a seat and said,'You can have some after the service.' They made themselves comfortableand began to ‘interact’ with the sermon.

Talking about 'at just the right time' and mentioning by the way thatGreek being the lingua franca of the then­known world (thank goodnessHebrew wasn't) was one of the things which helped get the Gospel out. Iexplained that a lingua franca was a language most people had a smatter­ing of, just as we like to think English is today, when up piped the long­white­bearded one with various chains (literal and metaphorical) aroundhis body: 'Don't you mean Esperantish?'

Having tried to learn some Esperanto at school with my mate Squizz, Iwas able to display a bit of hitherto useless knowledge, impressing boththe little flock and the visitors before firing a 'Gospel Bullet', bringing John3.16 into play. Alas, they left during the last hymn, raiding the biscuit tin onthe way. But it goes to show that 'if you keep something long enough(even if it's locked in your head), it will come in handy some day.'

More seriously, it goes to show how important it is to be ready to ‘givean account of the hope that is in you’. We don’t have a big congregationthere at the Faith Factory, but over the course of time and under the provi­dence of God a lot of people pass through the doors, many of them not toowell acquainted with the things of God. But ‘Christ died for the ungodly’,and it’s our privilege to be situated in a place where we can preach to manyof them in the prayerful hope that they will be in that number.

Look Who I Bumped Into ...WELL I was invited to cover the Hillsong Confer­ence in Sydney a few months ago, and what wasmy surprise to bump into Gary Ablett Jnr. So Iwasn’t taken by surprise when Sam Newman con­fronted him with his Christian faith. I’m not given towatching the Footy Show for obvious reasons, but Isaw the clip of this episode through the followingYouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlNkWSfdym4&desk­top_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DLlNkWSfdym4&app=desktop

It’s always pleasing when high profile people are willing to give an ac­count of their faith – there’s often a price for them to pay. And how goodwas it to hear Gary’s admiration for his parents, his Christian upbringing,his church­going, his influence on his team mates, repeated when he wasawarded this year’s Brownlow Medal. – Bob Thomas

VOLUME 76NUMBER 7

ISSUE DATE:1 October 2013

ISSN: 1033-7903

FOUNDER:Eric J. Daley(1910-1992)

EDITOR:Rev Bob ThomasPhone: 0417 592 646Email:editor@nlife.com.au

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CONTRIBUTORSPLEASE NOTE:New Life is archived bythe National Library. It is assumed that con-tributors agree withthis arrangement andso are willing to be pub-lished on this basis.

A Sunday Morning In The Life Of ...

NEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page ThreeNEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page Three

MATTERS FOR PRAYERMATTERS FOR PRAYER

WHEN the military ousted the government of President Morsi on 3 July, it triggered an explo­sion of violence against Copts (the Christian, indigenous people of Egypt) as Muslim Brother­hood elites and supporters blamed them for the coup. The situation then settled somewhat asthe MB prepared to challenge the military head­on. Two 'sit­ins' in Cairo drew thousands of MBsupporters to camp in the streets for six weeks. On 14 August, the military moved in and dis­persed the protesters, massacring over 900 Egyptians in four days and triggering another ex­plosion of Islamic violence against Coptic Christians – the worst anti­Christian violence Egypthas seen in contemporary times. A state of emergency was declared.

Whilst violence was recorded across the state, Minya Province in Upper Egypt was hardesthit and Delga, the town closest to the main highway and home to 20,000 Christians, bore thebrunt of the violence. The Guardian reported: 'As soon as the crackdown in Cairo started [14August], all the loudspeakers at the main mosques in Delga issued calls for jihad.' Christianproperties were marked. Sakr's home was attacked and he was hit with 13 shotgun pellets.Worse still, his cousin was killed by Islamists who then tied his body to a tractor and dragged itaround the town. Bishop Macarius told The Guardian that though they called for help, 'no­oneanswered. Not the police, not the army, not the fire service'. Even churches within sight of theprovincial police headquarters were burnt. More than 100 forcibly displaced Christian familiesfled Delga with nothing and have nothing to return to.

On 5 September Egypt's Interior Minister narrowly escaped a serious assassination attemptin Cairo. On 12 September the state of emergency was extended by two months. On Monday16 September heavily armed Egyptian troops stormed into Delga, arresting 56 and liberatingthe town from two months of Islamist control. According to Stratfor Intelligence (16 Septem­ber), the military could have liberated Delga from as early as 22 August, but instead spread 'ex­aggerated rumours about the persecution of Copts to justify operations'. But it is moreprobable that the military chose to exploit the very severe persecution (as distinct from exag­gerate it), 'rather than prevent it, to legitimise military violence, military rule and requests formilitary aid'.

Though Christians are understandably relieved, an Egyptian human rights lawyer, AhmedSalah, believes the crackdown is less about protecting Christians and more about exploitingthe state of emergency to take revenge on those who have attacked police and stolen theirweapons. Officials from the Interior Ministry confirmed that the military action had nothing todo with protecting Christians. The New York Times (16 September)reports: 'Interior ministry of­ficials said the [military] expedition was an attempt to capture a single fugitive Islamist, and itmay depart soon. The overwhelming force, they said, was merely for self­protection [as] thesurrounding province of Minya is still considered a bastion of Islamist support for Mr Morsi.'

The violence in Egypt is settling into a deadly cycle: (1) The MB challenges the military (re­sisting the coup); (2) the military responds with force; (3) MB supporters react with violenceagainst Coptic Christians (whom they blame for the coup). Then the cycle starts again. The mil­itary cares nothing for Christians and, with money coming from Saudi Arabia, it has no interestin protecting Christians but only in protecting itself. The military would kill Christians without asecond thought if it felt it were in its interests to do so, as it did in Maspero, October 2011. Withthe MB recruiting jihadis in Algeria and beyond, it can only be anticipated that terrorismagainst the State and genocidal violence against the Coptic Church will increase.

Egypt's Christians need our prayers. – Written for the Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission

by Elizabeth Kendal, international religious liberty analyst and advocate,and member of the AEA RLC team.

EGYPT: Settling Into A Deadly Cycle PLEASEPRAYTHAT:• God, 'the hope of all theends of the Earth', will intervene in Egypt and 'still ... the tumult of thepeoples' (Psalm 65).• the Holy Spirit will movepowerfully amongst Egyptian Christians, enabling them to stand firmin their faith (Isaiah 7.9b)with confidence and assurance (Hebrews 10.35-39), so they might live radicallycounter-cultural lives, lovingtheir enemies and prayingfor those who persecutethem (Luke 6.27-36); not fearing what peoplefear, but honouring the Lordin all circumstances andknowing His presence according to His promise(Isaiah 8.11-15).• the Holy Spirit will bringawakening to Egyptian Muslims, convicting multitudes of 'sin and righteousness and judgment' (John 16.7-11);as Egypt is 'shaken' mayIslam be brought down andthe Lord exalted (Isaiah 2.7-21, Hebrews 12.26-29).

TURN BACK THE BATTLE:TURN BACK THE BATTLE: Isaiah Speaks to Isaiah Speaks to Christians Today.Christians Today. With persecution escalating globally, Elizabeth Kendal calls us to

revisit the prophecy of Isaiah, maintaining that Isaiah 1-39 provides an unambiguous treatise on how God's people are to respond to persecution, suffering and existential threat. For purchasing options, visit: www.turnbackthebattle.com

NEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page FourNEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page Four

AnnualAnnualReformation DayReformation Day

ServiceServiceSunday 27 October 2013

at 3.30pmLygon Street Christian Chapel, Carlton

(next to Trades Hall)

Speaker: Rev Troy HarrisSermon: Compromise? When The Details Really Matter.

Rev Troy Harris was born in the USA from a Jewish background.He is known for his harmonising of Old and New Testaments in his teaching.

Ordained in 1999 and a student of history,he has devoted much time to studying the history and theology of

the Reformation in Scandinavia and Germany.He has translated doctrinal and liturgical works into English for

the Concordia Lutheran Church in Sweden.As a musician he is involved in music outreach.

He currently serves asPastor of Box Forest Wesleyan Methodist Church, Hadfield, Vic.

He Will Be Assisted By:The Choir of the GRI Indonesian Church,

Lygon St, Carlton.

Enquiries:Victorian Protestant Federation,

Phone: 03 9329 8483.

NEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page FiveNEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page Five

TAKING THE WORD TO THE WORLD ...TAKING THE WORD TO THE WORLD ...VETERAN evangelist Billy Graham hasweighed in on the plight of imprisonedAmerican Pastor Saeed Abedini. Writingto President Hassan Rouhani, Grahamsaid he has been watching Abedini's situa­tion with ‘great concern.’ Abedini is serv­ing an eight year prison sentence in Iran.He was in Iran working to build an orphanage when he was arrested, withthe primary reason being Abedini's Christian faith.

26 September was the one­year an­niversary of Abedini's imprisonment. Graham, who wrote the letter earlier thisweek, wrote that, ‘Thousands will attendprayer vigils in more than 70 US cities,calling on your country to release thishusband, father and servant of God. I jointhem by respectfully asking you to re­

lease Pastor Saeed Abedini from prison. Such an action would, I believe, have a positive impact in our na­tion, and might well be perceived by our leadership as a significant step in reducing tensions.’

Graham said in the letter that as a religious leader he has often spoken about the need for greater un­derstanding and peace among the nations of the world. He continued, ‘As you come to the United Statesthis week for the UN General Assembly in New York, it is my sincere hope that ways may be found to re­duce the current tensions between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran.’ – ASSIST

BillyGraham:MemoHassanRouhani,PresidentOfIran

NEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page SixNEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page Six

SPEAKING TRUTH IN THE SEAT OF POWERSPEAKING TRUTH IN THE SEAT OF POWER ......

Food For Thought At Annual Parliamentary Prayer LuncheonTHE New South Wales Parliamentary Prayer Fellow­ship Annual Luncheon, convened by Rev Hon FredNile MLC, Hon David Clarke MLC and Hon Greg Don­nelly MLC, was held in The Strangers’ Dining Room ofthe NSW Parliament House, Sydney, on Wednesday18 September.

Those participating included Tania Davies MP andJonathan O’Dea MP, both of whom read Scripture passages, Psalm 15.1­5 and 2 Peter 1.1­11. The Rev FredNile acted as MC for the occasion, on the eve of his 32nd Anniversary since entering Parliament, 19 Sep­tember 1981. In welcoming the guests present and conveying several apologies, Rev Nile acknowledgedthe citation granted to the photographer Ramon Williams by the Australasian Religious Press Associationfor services rendered. It was Fred Nile who assisted Ramon with his first media pass – to photograph the1969 Billy Graham Crusade.

‘Faith In TheWorkplace’Guest speaker forthis luncheon wasPeter Achter­straat, BEc, LlB,BComm, FCA,FCPA, FCSA,FAICD, the wellqualified NSW Au­ditor­General. Hispresentation,Faith in the Work­place coveredmany practical sit­uations faced bythose in positions

of authority. He was appointed Auditor­General ofNSW in 2006. Prior to this, he was the Chief Commis­sioner State Revenue for New South Wales from July1999. Before this he spent 20 years in the AustralianTax Office, becoming Deputy Commissioner of Taxa­tion with the ATO in 1987.

Over the years he has had many situations where hewas goaded when making decisions by the taunt thathe was recognised as a Christian. He was asked to usehis Christianity in making decisions in favour of taxa­tion matters and wrong­doers. It was a most challeng­ing presentation and those present were faced withthe question of how often do they seek the Lord’sguidance in business matters.

For information regarding the 2014 Prayer Lunch­eon, contact Judy Russell:judy.russell@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Peter Achterstraat(Phot credits: Ramon Williams)

NORTHCOTENORTHCOTEBAPTIST CHURCHBAPTIST CHURCH

542 High Street, Northcote 3070PASTORAL VACANCY

Northcote Baptist is a growing multicultural church ininner-city Melbourne with a Mandarin-speaking congre-gation of 150, an English-speaking congregation of 50

and a youth group of 25.We will have a vacancy in late October for the position

of Pastor for the English Congregation and YouthGroup. This person must be able to relate to all ages

and work comfortably in a team ministry withChinese Pastors.

PASTORAL PROFILE:Mature Christian with sound theological training.

Pastoral experience would be an advantage.Actively serving in a church.

A passion to support church communityoutreach programs.

Australian permanent residence status.Ability to show leadership and encourage others.

Fluency in English; ability to communicate in Mandarinwould also be an advantage.

This could be a full time position for one personor part time position for two persons.

The church has a conservative, evangelical stance.Applicants should be sympathetic to

Baptist emphasis in doctrinal matters.FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO APPLY:

Please email cololynch@bluep.com or contactColin Lynch on 0422 336 034.

Cuts and Changes UndermineOverseas Aid EffectivenessMICAH Challenge is deeply concerned that the vast and sweeping changes being made to the Australianaid program could seriously undermine its effectiveness. Mr Abbott announced on 18 September that theAustralian Agency for International Development would be integrated into the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. While it is not yet clear how this change will be made, any reduction in AusAID’s capac­ity, staffing and mandate to tackle poverty, poses a grave threat to Australia’s contribution to saving andimproving people’s lives in our region, where two­thirds of the world’s poorest people live.

‘If AusAID is fully absorbed into DFAT then its purpose ‘to help people overcome poverty’ could be en­tirely subordinated to and undermined by DFAT’s purpose, which is to ‘advance Australia’s interests’,” saidBen Thurley, Micah Challenge’s Political Engagement Co­ordinator. ‘We are concerned the needs of thepoorest people in the world and the priorities of the aid program could be pushed aside in favour of other,more self­interested, commercial, diplomatic or political considerations.

‘Mr Abbott has promised methodical and purposeful government with no surprises, yet this announce­ment adds to a growing list of significant surprises with regard to Australian aid which started when MrHockey announced cuts of $4.5 billion to the aid budget just two days before the election. As yet, we haveno indication from the government as to what programs and communities will miss out on promised fundsif they go ahead with cutting $656 million already budgeted and committed to aid this year. We now havea lack of clarity around governance structures to go with the lack of clarity around the aid budget. Onething we know is that clarity and predictability are essential ingredients for effective aid.’

Micah Challenge is calling on the government to revoke the planned cuts to the current year’s aidbudget, and to provide more detail about the planned changes to AusAID. Nothing less than the lives andlivelihoods of some of the world’s poorest communities are at stake.

NEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page SevenNEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page Seven

CHURCH AND NATIONCHURCH AND NATION

NEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page EightNEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page Eight

CHURCH AND NATIONCHURCH AND NATION

‘TASMANIA’S Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2013 sounds like a compassionate idea – until you read the fineprint,’ says FamilyVoice Tasmania state officer Jim Collins. ‘As someone else has said, this bill has loop­holes you could drive a hearse through! Anyone suffering from a “progressive medical condition” causingpersistent suffering that is “intolerable for the person” could qualify, according to Clause 11.

‘This means people suffering from treatable diseases like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis could apply, ifthey say their suffering is intolerable,’ Mr Collins said. ‘Treatable depression can greatly influence a pa­tient’s perception of suffering, but the bill does not require assessment or treatment by a psychologist orpsychiatrist.’

Mr Collins said that the bill gives a ‘primary medical practitioner’ enormous power to decide whether ornot the patient’s condition satisfies the provisions of the bill, and whether or not the patient is mentallycompetent to choose euthanasia. ‘Although the patient must be referred to a specialist for a second opin­ion, the ‘primary medical practitioner’ could seek a third opinion if the first specialist disagrees,’ Jim Collinssaid. ‘It is extraordinary that a medical practitioner would be allowed to kill a patient even though a spe­cialist has determined the prognosis is wrong, or not so bleak after all. Pressuring someone to request as­sisted suicide or euthanasia would carry a fine of $26,000 and/or five years’ jail, even though such pressurewould be very hard to detect. But incredibly, the same stiff penalty would apply if someone strongly per­suaded a person to rescind their suicide request!

‘Would Lifeline be in trouble? What sort of message would this bill send to young people who are tem­porarily feeling great emotional pain they regard as intolerable? Residency requirements mean that thebill would open the way for “death” tourism.

‘Clause 10 says a Tasmanian driver’s licence – obtainable on the spot for someone with an interstate li­cence and a local rent receipt – would be sufficient evidence of Tasmanian residency, so a depressed per­son with diabetes could see someone like Dr Philip Nitschke on day one, and die from a lethal drug doseon day ten. There is no requirement for the person to tell family members. They could remain completelyin the dark. Many would be devastated.’

Tas Euthanasia Bill: Depressed People Could Suicide Within 10 Days

ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGE OF SCRIPTURE ...ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGE OF SCRIPTURE ...

NEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page NineNEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page Nine

A FASCINATING incident in the history of Israel isrecorded in 2 Kings 6­7:

The King of Aram ‘mobilized his entire army andmarched up and laid siege to Samaria.’ As a conse­quence, ‘There was a great famine in the city; the siegelasted so long that a donkey’s head sold for 80 shekels ofsilver’. Hunger began to torment the inhabitants of thecity. Things got so bad that women even cooked and atetheir own children!

Four lepers who lived by the city gate finally decidedto cast themselves on the mercy of the enemy army. ‘Ifwe stay here, we will die,’ they reasoned, ‘so let’s goover to the camp of the Arameans and surrender. If theyspare us, we live; if they kill us, then we die.’

As night came on, the lepers set off for the Arameancamp. However, ‘When they reached the edge of thecamp, not a man was there, for the Lord had caused theArameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses anda great army, so that they said to one another, “Look,the King of Israel has hired the Hittite and Egyptiankings to attack us!” So they got up and fled in the duskand abandoned their tents and their horses and don­keys. They left the camp as it was and ran for their lives.’

The lepers found the camp completely deserted. En­tering one of the tents, ‘They ate and drank, and carriedaway silver, gold and clothes, and went off and hidthem. They returned and entered another tent and tooksome things from it and hid them also.’

Then their consciences awoke, and they said to each

other, ‘We are not doing right. This is a day of good newsand we are keeping it to ourselves. If we wait until day­light, punishment will overtake us. Let’s go at once andreport this to the royal palace.’ So they went and sharedthe good news.

The king sent horsemen to check on the lepers’ storyand to make sure that the enemy had not set a trap.When the horsemen returned to confirm the enemy’sdeparture, the people surged out of the city, fell uponthe abandoned food, and were saved from starvation.

Spiritually speaking, we Christians were once likethose besieged Samaritans. We were once starving anddoing desperate things to satisfy our hunger. Then Godbrought us to His banquet table and fed us with richfare.

Now that we are sated and saved, we should followthe example of the lepers, for people around us arestarving still. It is not right for us to keep the good newsof the feast to ourselves. We need to report it to a spiri­tually famished world. Some will not believe our report,but others will. And these new believers will join with usto eat the Bread of Life and to drink the Living Waterforevermore. – Andrew Lansdown

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:

By cheque to: New Life, PO Box 457, Mitcham 3132 Vic.By email using the Make A Donation button

on our website (www.nlife.com.au)

Following The Example Of The Lepers

Andrew Lansdown has worked as a tutor atvarious tertiary institutions, an education

officer in WA prisons, a pastor of two Baptistchurches and a journalist. He and his wife

Susan live in Perth. He can be contacted at:andrew@andrewlansdown.com

NEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page TenNEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page Ten

ROMANS: MOMENTOUS NEWSROMANS: MOMENTOUS NEWS –– DAVID COOKDAVID COOK

IF faith is my response to what God has done, wheredoes faith come from? If it comes from within, if it ismy own contribution, then it could become a groundfor my boasting. Paul makes three points regardingjustification:1. vv 27­28: Justification is not earned. It is notbased on keeping the law. Justification is throughfaith, and faith is God’s gift. Otherwise justificationwould be a work. If it was a work, it would providegrounds for boasting. So, boasting is excluded.2. vv 29­30: Justification means that God is not some localised deity havingoversight and interest in the Jews alone. Justification is by faith. It is not bykeeping the law or circumcision. Faith can be found in either the circum­cised Jew or the uncircumcised Gentile.3. v 31: In justification, God does not set aside His own justice. He does notclose His eyes to broken law (see Proverbs 24.24). He does not nullify thelaw. Rather, our faith is directed to the work of the One who fulfilled thelaw’s demands. The law is upheld by the provision of a perfect life offered(redemption) and God’s just wrath absorbed (propitiation). Thus, in justifi­cation, God is seen to be central. He is the source of the faith we need tolink us to the work of Christ. He is the expansive God with no limited na­tional interest. He is totally just and yet, as justifier, He is wonderfully mer­ciful. Augustine prayed, ‘O God, demand what You will, but supply what Youdemand!’ God demands perfection and He meets that demand in the provi­sion of His Son.

Knowing God’s Plan (Read Romans 3.27-31)

TO REFLECT ON:Do you give God the honour due to Him forthe fact that you are abeliever? See wherefaith comes from in Hebrews 12.2 and Ephesians 2.8,9. Seehow a person’s conver-sion is described inJohn 1.12,13 and Acts11.18, 13.48 and16.14.

How different is thisto the way we describethe process of a person’s conversion?

A former Archbishopof Canterbury, WilliamTemple, said, ‘All I haveto contribute to my ownsalvation is the sinfrom which I need to be saved.’

Content taken from 'Romans: Momentous News' by David Cook, published by 10Publishing, used with permission.

Benefit ConcertBenefit ConcertFor PitjantjatjaraFor PitjantjatjaraOld TestamentOld Testament

Bible TranslationBible TranslationProjectProject

(Joint effort of the Bible Society, Wycliffe,the Uniting Church, and the Co-ordinate

Supporting Indigenous Scriptures)FEATURING

STEVE MESSER’S STRANGE COUNTRYwith special guests

GERRY HOLMES, PETER YORKand from Sydney,

Gospel Music Live-WireTERRY DARMODY

7.30PM. Saturday 26 October.North Ringwood Uniting Church,

14 Dickson Crescent,Ringwood North, VIC.

Admission By Donation.

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.

More Violence RattlesPakistanANOTHER bombing in Pakistan: thistime, the target was a bus carryinggovernment officials. The US Commis-sion on International Religious Free-dom warns that if the governmentdoesn't take action, the church bomb-ing in Peshawar will happen again.Greg Musselman, spokesman with theVoice of the Martyrs Canada, says,‘That's the word coming from govern-ments around the world: “You need todo a better job of protecting your mi-norities--in this case, Christians”.’ Infact, Christians protested and de-manded better protection as citizens,but that didn't help much. ‘Now we'rehearing stories of Christians that aregetting beaten up at these protests.They get identified, and retributiontakes place.’ There's fear, certainly.But there's also something else: unity.‘I think our prayer really needs to bethat the Lord will connect the seekersalong with the believers that have thecourage to stand up and proclaim theGospel.’ Speak out on their behalf!Use your voice while you can. If youdon't, who will? Share these storieswith others. And above all, pray!

NEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page ElevenNEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page Eleven

PERSECUTION WATCHPERSECUTION WATCH

Nigeria Attack: Students Shot Dead As They SleptTHE BBC is reporting that suspected Islamist gunmen have attacked a col­lege in north­eastern Nigeria, killing up to 50 students. The students wereshot dead as they slept in their dormitory at the College of Agriculture inYobe state. ‘North­eastern Nigeria is under a state of emergency amid anIslamist insurgency by the Boko Haram group,’ said the BBC story. ‘BokoHaram is fighting to overthrow Nigeria's government to create an Islamicstate, and has launched a number of attacks on schools.’Classrooms BurnedCasualty figures from the latest attack vary, but a local politician told theBBC that around 50 students had been killed. The politician said two van­loads of bodies had been taken to a hospital in Yobe's state capital,Damaturu. A witness quoted by Reuters news agency counted 40 bodiesat the hospital, mostly those of young men believed to be students.

College provost Molima Idi Mato, speaking to Associated Press, alsosaid the number of dead could be as high as 50, adding that securityforces were still recovering the bodies and that about 1,000 students hadfled the campus. The gunmen also set fire to classrooms, a militaryspokesman in Yobe state, Lazarus Eli, told Agence France­Presse.

In May, President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian, ordered an operationagainst Boko Haram, and a state of emergency was declared for thenorth­east on 14 May.

‘Many of the Islamist militants left their bases in the north­east and vio­lence initially fell, but revenge attacks quickly followed,’ the BBC storycontinued. ‘In June, Boko Haram carried out two attacks on schools in theregion. At least nine children were killed in a school on the outskirts ofMaiduguri, while 13 students and teachers were killed in a school inDamaturu. In July in the village of Mamudo in Yobe state, Islamist mili­tants attacked a school's dormitories with guns and explosives, killing atleast 42 people, mostly students.’

Boko Haram regards schools as a symbol of Western culture. BokoHaram is led by Abubakar Shekau. The Nigerian military said in Augustthat it might have killed him in a shoot­out. However, a video released lastweek purportedly showed him alive. Other previous reports of his deathlater proved to be unfounded. Boko Haram, which has particularly tar­geted Christians and churches, was founded in 2002. Its official Arabicname, ‘Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal­Jihad,’ means ‘People Com­mitted to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad.’

Nicknamed Boko Haram, a phrase in the local Hausa language mean­ing, ‘Western education is forbidden,’ launched military operations in2009 to create an Islamic state across Nigeria, which is said to be 50%Christian and 50% Muslim. – Dan Wooding, Founder of ASSIST

Members of Boko Haram

Wave Of Persecution Sweeps Across Middle East And North AfricaBELIEVERS in northeast Nigeria are reeling after Islamic militants killed their pastor andhis son, and set fire to their church building. Dr David Curry, President and CEO of OpenDoors USA, points to a rising tide of persecution. ‘We've had situations in the last threeweeks in Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, and now, northern Nigeria, where people are targeting be­lievers. My greatest concern is that there won't be any pressure to follow­up on this at­tack. Attack after attack on Christians seems to go by the wayside. Pray for the safety ofpeople who want to worship Jesus, who want to simply call themselves followers ofChrist.’

Protests Sweep Tunisia ... AgainPROTESTORS are storming in Tunisia, the countrywhere the original spark of Arab Spring ignited.Sadly, many of the countries caught up in that revo­lution merely traded one dictator for another. GregMusselman, a spokesman for the Voice of the Mar­tyrs Canada, says Egypt's turmoil might actuallyhelp Tunisia. ‘For the ruling party ... to see what'shappened in Egypt, they're trying to calculate,

“How far do you push?” Do you really push hard andhave the same thing happen that happened withthe Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, or do you try tohave some compromise? While the uproar is politi­cal, if it turns to violence, it almost always becomesreligious, and Christians suffer. Pray for our broth­ers and sisters in Tunisia that they can give the hopethat many of these Muslims are not seeing, andthat they will also be strong and not be pushed intoa corner where they would become irrelevant andnot share the good news of Christ. Right now,things are tense but peaceful. We're going to praythat it stays that way. Will you join us?’

The FULL STORY has more information and links:http://www.MNNonline.org/article/19026

NEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page TwelveNEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page Twelve

PERSECUTION WATCH (Continued) ...PERSECUTION WATCH (Continued) ...

Come And He arCome And He ar

John Sto t tJohn Sto t t

At St K i lda Pre sby ter ianAt St K i lda Pre sby ter ian

Church,Church,

Cnr Alma Rd & Barkly St,

St Kilda (Vic)during ‘Open Church’

on Thursdays from 10.30am–12noon.

On Thursday 3 October we’ll be watching

a video of John Stott speaking on

The Bible & The Christian Lifefrom 10.30-11.30am,

then fortnightly.

Enquiries: 0417 592 646

LETTER TO THE EDITORRe: ALCOHOL – A Growing ProblemI wish to commend you as editor and David Cook asauthor of the article ALCOHOL ­ A Growing Problem,(NL 2013­09­15 p.9)in your most valuable publica­tion.

I concur entirely. Actually I would advocate totalabstinance, but realise the storm that would pro­duce. I brought the subject up at my church someyears ago, to some storm, but we won!

I remember a similair incident to that whichDavid mentioned from the Katoomba Convention.This was at the Mt Tamborine Men's Conventionwhen Alan Bailey was the speaker. He had men­tioned the subject and was amazed at the reactionof so many people, especially leaders in the group.He has written a book on the subject and I had acopy but can't seem to find it at present.

I like David's unpacking of this subject, and willbe looking at it closely. I believe all Bible CollegeStudents and Ministers should still have to affirmtotal abstinence, however it seems that those daysare long gone.

‘Oh, how the mighty are fallen.’– Eddie Free, Deception Bay, Qld.

NEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page ThirteenNEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page Thirteen

Celebrating A Significant MilestoneST Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Sorrento, Vic, is cele­brating its 125th Anniversary on Thursday 17 October. Cele­brations commence on that day at 2.30 pm, with a PraiseService, singing favourite hymns of the past 125 years.Then a 'high tea' will be served in the Hall [gold coin dona­tion]. A warm invitation is extended to anyone interested injoining the celebrations. For further details contact RevJohn Brennan on (03) 5981 2130. Terrorist AlertCHRISTIANS throughout Nigeria are often afflicted withfear and panic due to the activities of terrorists. This wasvery evident when a Global Recordings Network Austrecording team from Northern Nigeria travelled to theKukele people in southern Nigeria. The team arrived in thevillage on a Saturday and they were pleased to discover awomen’s program taking place in the church. However

when the women saw the vehicle’s registration and recog­nised that they came from the north, they assumed theworst. They alerted the pastor that terrorists had come tobomb the church and to kill them. The pastor left thechurch and hid. After some time the pastor’s daughter fi­nally led the team to his house and provided chairs so theycould sit outside and await his return. Much later the pas­tor summoned up the courage to go home. There he sawthe team’s guide who happened to have been his class­mate in Bible college. This broke the ice and the pastortook the team around and introduced them to otherchurches. He also scouted around for language helpers tohelp with the recording. It is sobering to realise that somany people live in fear of terrorist attacks. Churches arebombed and Christians are killed in Nigeria with monoto­nous regularity. It takes courage to even attend church inmuch of the country. – Inside Tracks

Indigenous AnniversaryNUNGALINYA College in Darwin is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The college for Indige­nous Christians was founded in 1973 but the work that actually led to its foundation beganlong before then. Originally Nungalinya was a partnership between the Anglican and theUnited Church. It was incorporated in 1973 but, after Cyclone Tracey destroyed its originalcampus in 1974, it was rebuilt the following year. Since that time hundreds of students havestudied there, including most of the key Indigenous leaders in the Top End churches.

Nungalinya is launching a new logo and motto to celebrate this anniversary. The back­ground colours represent the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, while the addition of the cross tothe omega more clearly demonstrates the Christina focus of the college. ‘Empowering Indigenous Chris­tians’ is the new motto, which was ever the task of the college, but today there are many more educa­tional opportunities available to Indigenous people. In 2011 a Federal Government grant enabled a MediaProduction Centre to be built. Twenty eight students in two groups will complete the new Certificate II inMedia and Discipleship this year, while next year Music will be added to the Certificate.

– Nungalinya News

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attributed to Worldwide Photos by contacting

Ramon Williams,

e-mail: rlgmedia@ozemail.com.au

Only a minute to read, but food for thought for

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Short devotional blogs at:

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balconies near beach at Blairgowrie.0419 582 208

Read: Who Are The Brisbane Christian Fellowship?by David Holden at: www.defenceofthefaith.org

Three Generations Of AuthorsDAVID Bennett and his family are living proof that skills can bepassed from generation to generation. David, who attendsCreek Road Presbyterian Church, Brisbane, began writing pro­fessionally in 1985 when his first book, William Booth And TheSalvation Army, was released. Since then, he has had 15 bookspublished, with sales of nearly 60,000 copies. Earlier this yearhis William Booth book was republished, and he has just signeda contract on a book about test cricketer and Christian mission­ary, CT Studd.

While David’s books are usually biographies or theological books, his daughter, Lynne Stringer, had herdebut novel published in June this year. Called The Heir, it is a young adult, science fiction romance and isthe first book in the Verindon Trilogy. The second book in the series, The Crown, is due out in November.

If that wasn’t enough of an indication that the writing gene had been passed on, Lynne’s son, seven­year­old Kaden, recently won a class award for creative writing.

‘Writing, to me, is a passion,’ says David. ‘Whenever I think about retiring, I write something else. Lynneseems to have inherited this love of writing from me.’ ‘I write because something inside me says I have to,’said Lynne. ‘There’s a real drive to do it. I believe it’s God’s gift to our family, and one that has been passedon. I can tell my son enjoys it as much as we do. I think’s that’s a common thing with authors: the passionis there and it’s obviously being passed on – in our family at least!’

For more information on David’s books visit www.williamandcatherinebooth.com orwww.verindon.com to find out about Lynne’s books.

David Bennett, grandson Kaden and daughterLynne Stringer.

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 TimeWorship

Also at Southern River,Bletchley Park Primary School,

Balfour Road9 am Sunday

Rev Stuart Bonnington08 9398 1304

melbonn@bigpond.com

Who Can YOU ForwardWho Can YOU ForwardNew LifeNew Life To?To?

Are You A Newshound? Writer? Journalist?Are You A Newshound? Writer? Journalist?We Welcome Readers’

Contributions.Submit articles to: editor@nlife.com.au

HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE ... HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE ... With Barbara FurmanWith Barbara Furman

NEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page FourteenNEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page Fourteen

HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE ... HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE ... With Barbara FurmanWith Barbara Furman

NEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page FifteenNEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page Fifteen

Victorian Indigenous Prayer Network To MeetTHE Victorian Indigenous Prayer Network will meet onWednesday 9 October at 7.30 pm at 17 Daniel St, Bur­wood, Vic. Phone Anne Green on 0437 127 366 for fur­ther details.Leprosy Mission Centenary100 years ago, Australian Christians began to supportthe work of The Mission To Lepers, a work which beganin 1874 when friends of Wellesley and Alice Bailey prom­ised to raise £30 a year to help leprosy sufferers in India.Now known as The Leprosy Mission, it is an internationalChristian organisation with a global presence and aglobal focus. Today TLM is active in almost 50 countriesand has expanded its ministry to include general disabil­ity work in their charter. People are stronger when theywork together, so internationally TLM is integrating lep­rosy­disabled people with those with general disabilitiesto ensure they are not marginalised. Together they canvoice their rights, share their problems and plan income­generating projects – all giving them a greater sense ofindependence and self worth.Bibles Effect Spiritual RevolutionTWICE in their nation’s history, Filipino ‘people power’deposed a President and brought about political change.But since 2009 a different kind of revolution has beentaking place in the Philippines, one that’s been changinghearts and minds. This time around it’s a move of God’sWord, and it’s welcomed by all – the nation’s leaders in­cluded. 800,000 people and homes have benefited froma Bible distribution program in the country. It’s a jointproject of the Bible Societies in Australian and thePhilippines, working with the Episcopal Commission forthe Biblical Apostolate and Catholic Bishops’ Conferenceof the Philippines. The program started at a time whentwo­thirds of the largely Roman Catholic population nei­ther owned a Bible nor engaged regularly with it.

Filipino churches united under the nationwide cam­paign, aiming to distribute five million low­cost Bibles topoor families. Coupled with local discipleship programs,this spreading of the Word began a gradual but distinctspiritual revolution. The Philippines is a country saddledwith a large national debt. The World Bank says that cor­ruption in the nation is among the worst in East Asia’sleading economies. Sadly the poor and the vulnerablepay the price with nearly one in three Filipinos livingbelow the poverty line. That’s why the Bible Society ofthe Philippines is working hard to make Bibles more af­fordable, selling them at a highly­subsidised price of 50Filipino pesos (about $A1.30). One million Bibles havealso been earmarked to be given free to the nation’spoorest. – SowerChristian Service Helping MillionsCBM, formerly the Christian Blind Mission, is an interna­tional development organisation committed to improv­ing the quality of life of people with disabilities in thepoorest communities of the world. CBM has MemberAssociations raising funds and awareness of disability is­sues in industrialised countries worldwide. In lower­in­come regions of the world, it strives to build the capacityof partner organisations. This is all done followingproven core values and with more than 100 years of ex­perience in the field of disability. Figures have just beenissued for the last financial year, revealing that CBMhave helped an amazing 31,327,085 people. This repre­sents cataract surgeries, medical eye services, treat­ment for river blindness and trachoma, rehabilitationand education, orthopaedic help, schooling for childrenwith disabilities and help for the deaf. In most cases, res­olution of these problems has also freed up anotherfamily member or friend who needed to care for the dis­abled person.

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‘If in this fascinatingOld Testa-ment book,human beings areshown to behavebadly,thankfullythe faithful-ness of thecovenant-keeping Godof the Bibleshinesthrough aswell, which iswhat makesthis book encourag-ing and uplifting.’

A STUDY COMMENTARY ON 1 KINGS, John A. Davies, EP Study Commen­tary, Darlington: EP Books, 2012. ISBN: 978­0­85234­804­8AFTER the briefest of introductions (just two pages), Dr John Davies, formerPrincipal of the Presbyterian Theological Centre, Sydney, launches into his lucidexplanation of the narrative of 1 Kings, whose most important kings areSolomon and Ahab, both of whom sowed the seeds that germinated in idolatryand judgment for both the Southern and Northern Kingdoms.

If in this fascinating Old Testament book, human beings are shown to behavebadly, thankfully the faithfulness of the covenant­keeping God of the Bibleshines through as well, which is what makes this book encouraging and uplifting.John Davies is adept at showing the clever and, at times, subtle workings of bib­lical narrative that rewards a careful reader with many insights. With Davies’ ex­pert help, those who use this commentary will receive valuable training in howto become better readers and interpreters of the Bible. What we have, then, is amaster class in how to read the narrative portions of the Bible.

John Davies takes us verse­by­verse through the text of 1 Kings, noting impor­tant ideas, repeated terms, Hebrew wordplay, shifts of perspective, theologicalmotifs, typology (eg Solomon as an Adam figure), subtle but significant varietiesof expression, the use of sevens and of irony, showing that the inspired Word ofGod is also magnificent literature. 1 Kings is well­known and much loved, andunder Davies’ tutoring, we discover some of the secrets of its marvellous con­struction that explain why its stories are well­known and well­used in the SundaySchool curriculum and in preaching.

An explanation of a section of text is followed by pertinent application tochurch life and Christian experience, with the events narrated connected (in le­gitimate ways) to the person and work of the coming perfect King, Jesus Christour Lord. Dr Davies bases his commentary on a careful scrutiny of the Hebrewtext of 1 Kings and shows the value of a sound working knowledge of Hebrew,though he assumes no knowledge of the biblical language by users of this com­mentary.

What sets this commentary apart from many others is that it is not slave tofashionable critical theories, nor is it sceptical about the historical accuracy ofthe events described in this ancient book. Instead, the focus is the biblical text it­self, as well as explaining the key ideas and robust theology of this vital Biblebook. There is a dearth of helpful commentaries on 1 Kings and so this fine newcommentary by John Davies meets a real need and is sure to be widely used andappreciated. – Greg GoswellSomething Worth Subscribing ToTHE latest issue of Vox Reformata, an Australasian journal for Christian scholar­ship published by the faculty of the Reformed Theological College, Geelong, witharticles written by members of faculty, is now available. This issue marks the 51styear of its publication – quite a publishing achievement. Its two lead articles, oneby John deHoog and the other by Martin Williams, address the theme of theplace of theology in biblical interpretation in the Old Testament and New Testa­ment respectively. This has become a lively issue in recent scholarship. Bible­be­lieving Christians have often been suspicious of theology, but the writers explainhow theology properly understood is the handmaid of sound biblical interpreta­tion. This issue contains a number of helpful reviews of recently published books,making Vox Reformata a useful guide to books worth reading and books worthavoiding! All subscription enquiries should be directed to Vox Reformata, Re­formed Theological College, 125 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, 3216.

NEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page SixteenNEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page Sixteen

BOOKS WORTH READINGBOOKS WORTH READING

NEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page SeventeenNEW LIFE – 1 October 2013 – Page Seventeen

BOOKS WORTH READINGBOOKS WORTH READING

‘I am deeplythankful thatGod led me toLloyd-Jones in1968.

He has beena constant reminder: youdon’t have to becool, hip orclever to bepowerful.

In fact, thesacred anoint-ing is simply inanother worldfrom those communicationtechniques.

His is theworld I want tolive in when Istep into thepulpit.’

– John Piper

THE LIFE OF MARTYN LLOYD­JONES, 1899­1981, Iain H. Murray, Banner OfTruth, Edinburgh, 2013. ISBN 978 1 84871 180 8 (print), 978 1 84871 220 1(Kindle), 978 1 84871 221 8 (ePub). www.banneroftruth.com'MAGISTERIAL' is the word most often used to describe Iain Murray's biography ofDr Martyn Lloyd­Jones. I remember how eagerly and impatiently we waited for thefirst and then the second volumes, and yet after devouring them both in turn, won­dering if our intrepid author had struggled to tell the story of such greatness in just1,131 pages.

Since then others have added to the story, from the family­orientated contribu­tions of his wife and grandson, to further publication of his own writings and sermons,and books giving another perspective of him. Among the latter are some who displayless care and thoroughness in dealing with source material than Murray does, some­times giving him less credit than he deserves in his use and assessment of it. Still oth­ers, largely of a pentecostal or charismatic bent, have sought to draw the Doctorposthumously into their camp.

Well, 'the moving finger writes and having writ, moves on' and it is now 31 yearssince The First Forty Years was published and 23 years since The Fight Of Faith first sawthe light of day. The time has come for a re­cast to make the Lloyd­Jones story moreaccessible to a younger generation and bring back to our remembrance one whomJames I. Packer describes as 'The greatest man I have ever known.' It is also time forsome criticism and misinformation to be answered and put right. Indeed, one sus­pects that 'accessible' will become the adjective of choice to describe this present volume.

The Life Of Martyn Lloyd­Jones is in some ways a condensation of the earlier vol­umes, but it is many other things as well. As noted above, the more concise nature ofthe present volume makes the Lloyd­Jones story more accessible to readers. This in it­self makes this a valuable book, highlighting the most important elements of the Doc­tor's life and ministry after separating out the less important. Most importantly forthis reviewer is Dr Lloyd­Jones' encounter with depression and its outworking (pp276­282). I first heard this material as a lecture delivered by Mr Murray at an AustralianBanner Of Truth Conference while he was writing The First Forty Years, at a time whenas a young minister charged with running the Christian Education work of a denomi­nation recently released from liberalism, and editing its national journal, I found my­self under strong attack from our residual freemasons and liberals, now long­gone.The attack was vicious, ongoing and severe, and I nearly buckled under the pressure.But just as Dr Lloyd­Jones had fastened on the word ‘glory’, listening to the lecture Ifelt that ‘Heaven came down and glory filled my soul’. At the end of the lecture wesang Charlotte Elliot's beautiful hymn Watch And Pray, and I left that conference'strong in the Lord of Hosts and in His mighty power.' I’ve often used this as an illus­tration in preaching and it always draws comment from grateful souls.

Another matter worthy of note is that we have here a more nuanced and positivepicture of Dr Lloyd­Jones' relationships with other spiritual giants of his day, notablyJohn Stott and J.I. Packer. Certain differences between them are well known, but inthe present volume, all three emerge as 'bigger men' than we might have previouslythought, their friendship and respect for one another more fully intact.

Other things worthy of note are: the preacher's need for a deep sense of the neces­sity for preaching which is Christ­centred and cross­centred, dependence on the em­powering of the Spirit, a deep commitment to the preaching of the Gospel as ‘thepower of God unto the salvation of all who believe.’

Again, Iain Murray leaves us deeply in his debt as he ventures once more into agenre he has made his own – Christian biography. – Bob Thomas