The Messenger September 2014

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From age 10, Boys Discovery and Adventure Camps were my highlight of six successive summers. All of our editorial team have benefited from our denomination’s Camps and firmly believe that their fortieth anniversary is worth celebrating. We’re indebted to the trailblazers who thought Camps were worth doing and worth doing well. Our cover article reflects on the origins of Junior Camps, the new beginnings found there and the future of this ministry. I hope you enjoy reading the varied recollections of Knox, Margaret and William as much as I have. For four decades Camps have been a key ministry of our Church and we believe that they will have a key role to play in shaping our denomination’s future. If, in God’s mercy, there is a vibrant Irish Covenanter Church in another forty years, Camps are likely to have a key role in saving souls, training disciples and sending us out to tell the ends of the earth about King Jesus. Northern Ireland’s most famous believer fell asleep in Christ on September 12th. Dr Ian Paisley’s controversial public life is reviewed by Philip Dunwoody, focusing on the former First Minister’s attempt to combine the roles of preacher and politician. There are lessons to be found in the successes and shortcomings of this fellow believer. Northern Ireland remains a deeply divided society where we need to reach across fractured communities with the Gospel. Peter Jemphrey’s guidance on winsome witnessing to Catholics will help equip you. David Silversides, whose gifts as a theologian have been recognised in the wider Reformed world, also kindly spoke with us about his contribution to an upcoming KJV Study Bible. Elsewhere our writers examine the role of CU small groups, further explore mental health, and seek encouragement when nothing seems to be happen. I hope you find this issue challenging and uplifting. Thank you for your continued support.

Abigail Nelson Alistair Rolleston Andrew Morrison Emma Dunwoody James McCullough Philip Aicken Stephen Steele

The Messenger is the bi-monthly magazine of the Covenanter Youth, the young people’s association of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland. The subscription cost is £8/€10 per year (6 issues). Cheques made payable to the Messenger Magazine and sent to: Alistair Rolleston, 3 Hawthorn Close, Newtownards, BT23 8EU. Please visit our website for other payment and subscription options. You can contact the Messenger by email via subscriptions@messenger.rpc..org. All news items and articles must be with the committee by the first of the month prior to publication and be in accordance to the requested word count. Any reports of events, camps or go teams should be no longer than 350 words. The Editorial team reserve the right to alter the content and adjust the layout of all work submitted. S.D.G.

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‘What do you find confidence in?’ is a question that probably provokes lots of different answers. For some it will be appearance, the inability to leave the house without washing and styling your hair (guys included), or applying your makeup. Or perhaps it is making sure your wardrobe is full of designer names such as Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch, Converse or Vans. For others confidence comes from academic success – top grades in GCSEs and A levels, degree qualifications, job title or promotion. We allow these things to be the front we hide behind, giving us our identities. We try to find confidence in all the wrong places instead of finding confidence in Jesus Christ. So do we allow our confidence or lack of confidence to affect how we speak to God? ‘This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that, if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him.’ 1 John 5 v 14-15.

When it comes to praying, we don’t have to put on our designer hoodie and do our make-up; we don’t have to have achieved top marks in our latest test or received a new promotion; instead we can come confidently to God just as we are. Confidence is the feeling or belief that one can have faith in or rely on someone or something. We can come to God relying entirely on Jesus who has paid the penalty for the sins of his people and has clothed them with his righteousness. Therefore when we pray and approach God we can have confidence he will hear us. On a daily basis our confidence levels will vary but this verse reminds us that, despite how we may feel we can have full confidence when we approach God in prayer because he will always hear our prayers and respond with an answer in accordance with his will. Where are you finding your confidence?


in every book! In the introduction to the camp book, David promised the boys a great week and a variety of games – soccer, volleyball, puddox, crocker, rounders, table tennis, darts and chess. There was also the prospect of swimming, canoeing, fishing, horse riding and ‘for the very fit, mountain climbing’. Over the years we did manage to conquer several of the peaks in the Mournes.

Looking back at the very first JUNIOR BOYS CAMP IN 1974, it all seems so simple, quaint and long ago! Camp was held at Ardaluin, an outdoor pursuit centre belonging to one of the large secondary schools in Belfast. The facilities were fairly basic but there was plenty of room and a good outdoor sports pitch. Twenty-seven boys, aged eleven to fourteen, attended that first year and there were six officers and three cooks. There were no police checks, health and safety certificates, mobile phones or consent forms! And everyone enjoyed themselves and returned home safely! A junior camp for boys was the brain child of David Wright. Inspired by his time as a leader at Scripture Union camps, he had a great deal of expertise and ideas. On arrival every boy was given a copy of the camp book. These were essentially handmade – typed out and copied on an old Gestetner and then stapled together by the officers. My particular task was to draw a coloured map of Newcastle and area

The day began at 7.30am with 'Rise and Shine' and ended at 10.15 pm with 'Lights Out'. Since during his time at SU camp David had been known as 'the Commandant', these times were strictly observed! The main talks each evening were based on 2 Corinthians 5 verse 17 and centred on six Bible characters. Morning devotions were on the theme 'Road Signs’. God truly blessed that first camp and I believe it had a great impact on many of the boys who attended. Lifelong friendships were made, hearts were touched by the Word of God and there are men now in leadership in the Church whose names are listed in that first camp book. The blessing has continued down the years since and many in the Church today give thanks to God for the privilege over the past forty years, of attending Camp or serving as an officer or, in a considerable number of cases, doing both. KNOX HYNDMAN NEWTOWNARDS RPC

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WHAT DO CAMPS MEAN TO ME? WILLIAM MCCOLLUM | LIMAVADY RPC

I had great fun throughout the Junior Camps, making new friends, playing squad games and enjoying the different activities - even when they involved running around a forest, getting locked in a courtyard to be doused in water and cleaning a friend’s sick off the side of a minibus! Senior Camp was a somewhat different camp; for one, there were girls there, but it also had a relaxed atmosphere and a bigger mix of ages. I remember the craic I had with the older lads and the wise words that came from them, usually in the late hours of the evening. Although relaxed, Senior Camp still managed to cram in activities like crazy team games and challenges, paintballing, karting, Zumba and lots more. Looking back I can see the influence the Camps had in leading me to follow Jesus. When I started Camps I was not a Christian. I enjoyed the fun of Camps but the talks and the discussion times were not the highlight of Camp for me. Even though I felt that way, I can see now how the things I learned about God and Christ’s sacrifice for me, the friends I have had the privilege of being a part of JUNIOR CAMPS, intermittently, since their inception in 1974. I have seen the workings of Junior Girls` Camp from the perspectives of an officer, a leader and a cook. The description that comes to me as I reflect on the past 40 years is ‘Unchanged yet ever changing!’ So much of the structure of camps has not changed since their beginnings – TFTD, BBT, talks, crafts, games (silly and competitive), worship, dorm prayers - it all works. Unchanged also: the abundant supply of godly young women prepared to be used in God’s service as leaders, officers and cooks; the incredible team work; the desire that the Camps would uplift Jesus Christ to the girls and bring Glory to him; the quality of the Biblical teaching given to the girls through the main talks, the TFTD, in dorm prayers or in one-to-one conversation. What is ever changing and what never ceases to amaze me is the wealth of new ideas and creativity that emerge year after year from the leaders, so that Camp never becomes stale or routine. The changes continue as young lives are impacted by God’s amazing grace and new births, whilst growth and development in Christ take place. What a privilege to have been a small part of it! MARGARET KERR CARRICKFERGUS RPC

made and the leaders’ influence were all used by God to keep me from straying into worldly things. The week away from pressures and temptations, along with God-focused talks provided real time to consider one’s standing before God. Camp is where I asked God for forgiveness and made a commitment to live for him. Since becoming a Christian the Camps were still just as much fun but meant even more to me. I could really appreciate learning about God in the talks and discussing the application for our lives. Times of prayer and psalm singing were really encouraging. I have passed the stage of being a camper at Senior Camp but have had the privilege of being on the organising committee for Senior Camp for a number of years. The emphasis is still the same: a week where campers have the opportunity to relax from normal life, have plenty of fun/ messy/interesting activities to do and also have relevant God-centred talks. I strongly recommend heading along to the Camp reunions which take place in December-February. I’m certainly very thankful for the massive part the Camps have played in my life.

CAMPS: GOING FORWARD Our whole editorial team is deeply grateful for RP summer Camps. We love them and we have each benefitted from them. We want them to continue to bring God glory for another 50 years and beyond. Here’s four short points we feel need to be considered and prayed for. 1 PROMOTION – All Camps have experienced declining numbers over the past five years. This is in part due to demographics and the overall declining numbers in the RP Church. However, there needs to be a continued commitment from churches, parents and Camp teams to promote the work of Camps. Don’t just assume that young people will know all about Camps or want to attend them. Enthusiasm for Camps needs to be shared with those who aren’t attending, even outside our own denomination, to attract new campers. If you’re a camper think about how your commitment or attitude to camps attracts or dissuades others. 2 LEADERSHIP – Leading Camps is a big responsibility. Pray that God would provide wisdom for those appointing camp officers and that God would supply Christ-like candidates. The strong prayer support for camp officers and committee members needs to extend beyond one week each year. Do you know who from your church is involved? Do you regularly uphold them in prayer? It is also vital that there is a relationship of trust and support between parents and officers.

3 FUNDING – Camps are one of our denomination’s most fruitful ministries and there is a desire to support their work. Synod even considered the purchase or construction of a purpose-built centre for Camps. After careful examination this was wisely set to the side but there are funding options between the present level and a multi-million pound investment in buildings. We should commit to increased Synodical support for Camps to control costs for campers and help teams make the most of their camp week. Funds could be redirected from inefficient ministries and used to support the work of Camps. It is also far from ideal that the cost incurred by campers varies by the level of congregational support available. 4 GOSPEL-CENTRED – God has used the Camps to save many souls and we need to pray that they will remain gospel-centred. Pray that Christ would continue to be set before campers as their greatest need and the only Saviour. Pray also that camp teams would continue to remember that the Gospel is not just for unconverted campers. Providing only how-tos for young Christians creates little Pharisees. The most pressing need of young Christians is to understand how the Gospel continues to affect their everyday fight with sin and service for Christ.

The Messenger committee


©SnowShuu/Flickr

Small Group, when I was at Queen’s University, was truly beneficial. It was a help to identify the other Christians in my course. It provided an opportunity to receive support and encouragement from fellow students, especially those in the years above who had gone through the course and could advise me on which modules to take, resources to use, and insights into the professors who in first year were anonymous to me. But, most importantly, it was time in the middle of the week to spend an hour studying God’s Word with other students. Each Small Group had a couple of leaders and these leaders had already spent an hour going over the Bible study with other small group leaders, an IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students) worker, and a member of the CU executive committee who oversees the Small Groups. The result was that these Bible studies were wellorganised and researched. For one semester I enjoyed the opportunity to lead one. Small groups can take different forms. Ours was simply a Bible study and prayer time. But other Small Groups may spend time in praise, invite guest speakers, share meals, and most recently Small Groups are considering it an opportunity to share in communion. However, this practice of private communion should not be part of a Small Group; instead, this sacrament is only for the church to administer. Communion in the New Testament is always in the context of the church. That is because Christ gave the church two sacraments – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. And so the Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is

reserved for use within the church. Outside of the church it is not biblical. Small Group, or CU for that matter, is not a church; rather it is a para-church organisation. It is an effective witness at a university where the nature of those who attend CU is a complete changeover every 3-4 years. This constant flux makes it difficult for a church to be as effective in reaching out to students. But CU should never replace the church. CUs work best when they do not see themselves as a church; it is when they do that trouble starts to appear. Compare the leadership of CUs and Small Groups with that of the church. They are very informal while the church has men who are ordained into the roles of elders and deacons. The teaching elder receives 3 years of formal training. The elders are part of a session, and also part of Presbytery and Synod, so accountability is strong. These men have a huge responsibility in the spiritual welfare of the people in their church and denomination. And one day they will give account for how they have pastored the flock under their care. One of the responsibilities of being an elder is to oversee the Communion service. At this service, they will oversee who takes communion. Those they don’t know, they will briefly interview to find out their spiritual well -being. If someone is not spiritually fit to take communion, the elders will ensure that such a person is prevented from coming to the table. The preaching of God’s Word is also a necessity before this sacrament is administered to ensure we remember Jesus Christ and his saving work according to the Bible. This ensures that, when we take part in this -

sacrament, we are not confused by mysticism but have our eyes focused on Jesus. In writing to the Corinthians, Paul reprimands the Corinthian Church for taking part in the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner. The Westminster Confession of Faith also gives direction in how the Lord’s Supper is to be administered, to remove popular misunderstandings of Communion that the Roman Catholic Church had encouraged, especially its superstitious adoration of the bread and wine. And so there is the danger that the Lord’s Supper is misunderstood or conducted in an unworthy manner. That is why it is crucial that the sacrament is overseen by the church, to ensure that Communion is not abused but conducted with reverence and respect by those to whom God has given authority and who will bear responsibility for its careful administration. The beauty of Communion is that it is given to the church for us to celebrate with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. As well as emphasizing our union with Christ, Communion also speaks of our union with our fellow believers in our churches. As we remember Christ in Communion, his broken body, the new covenant in his blood, we remember he did this for His Bride the church, and so let us only take part in Communion within the church.


From 9th – 16th of August, Riverside RPC became a hive of activity with the Go Team working with our congregation to hold a range of activities. Saturday evening comprised prayer, fellowship and planning and on Sunday a praise service, with Psalm expositions given by team members. Monday was spent planning before the action really kicked off on Tuesday with our "Champions Challenge" themed

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Holiday Bible Club - attended by 2025 children. Each day featured 'team time', meaning children could discuss the story on a personal level. In the afternoons Rev. Nigel Agnew led discipleship discussions, which equipped us for outreach in multicultural Newry. During the week three Teens' Meetings, with the help of Keisha Morrison and Matthew McMahon, gave opportunities to build on work done in C.Y throughout the year. Different team members shared testimonies, building on the talks’ focus- different Bible characters’ encounters with God. Door-to-door and leaflet distribution saw encouraging conversations with members of the public. On Thursday outreach continued on the streets. Benjamin, Reuben and Tabitha Agnew, a.k.a Cup O' Joe, played and sang, giving us opportunities to witness to shoppers. On Wednesday our afternoon tea party attracted good numbers and a wide age range. Noel McCune sang and brought an evangelistic message. The week ended with our annual barbecue another opportunity for local links. Several parents who had brought their children to the club attended. An action-packed afternoon off in Slieve Gullion Forest Park allowed

some team members to revisit their childhood in the play park, with particular interest in the slide! Evening meals became a special treat, with Analyn Morrison providing everything from lasagne and enchiladas to her special Asian treats!

Thank God for witnessing opportunities and pray for those touched by the different forms of outreach. Pray also for our congregation in Newry as we seek guidance on how to follow up on connections made. Team Members: Andrew Harvey, Benjamin, Reuben and Tabitha Agnew, Matt Bell, Deborah and Susanna Cartmill, Peter McCollum, Scott McCollum, Elona Morrison and Elisabeth Tafner. By Susanna and Deborah Cartmill, Riverside RPC


WHAT IS domestic abuse? 'Domestic' pertains to the home, the household and family. When it is joined with the word 'abuse’ it brings together what thankfully for many of us are two opposites. While for some families this term remains only a legal expression, however, the walls of our neighbour`s house may be thicker than we think. The definition of domestic abuse provided by the PSNI is ‘any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, verbal, sexual, financial or emotional) inflicted on one person by another where they are or have been intimate partners or family members, irrespective of gender or sexual orientation’. Domestic abuse is a sensitive and unpopular topic but it should not be ignored. The PSNI estimate that at least 11,000 children in Northern Ireland are living with domestic violence and it causes 700 families to require re-housing each year. When I am cosily sitting at my computer desk and typing this article, I can hear a shouting match outside. The reality is a substantial number of these situations go unreported due to stigma and guilt. Women very often decide not to come forward about their partner’s behaviour because they know that society would be pointing their fingers at them if they

did. This lack of action leads to a vicious circle when, after the socalled `honeymoon period’, a perpetrator overpowers a victim again and again, often intensifying their efforts. A perpetrator can be a woman and very often male victims refrain from reporting this crime because of enormous shame.

“ Domestic abuse is not a new phenomenon and incidents of domestic violence are described in the Bible. We see it in 1 Samuel 25 in the home of Nabal and his wife Abigail. According to v3, ‘The woman was discerning and beautiful, but the man was harsh and badly behaved.’ Later on in the story, we read about king David paying a visit to Nabal and his contemptuous approach to David`s servants. In v17 we read, ‘He is such a worthless man that one cannot speak to him.’ These were words of Nabal`s own servant, then confirmed by his own wife in v25, ‘Let not my lord regard this worthless fellow, Nabal for, as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him.’ Nabal liked to abuse both alcohol and his power (v36). -

What strikes me about this biblical story is that Abigail did not give up. She did not only refuse to give in to self-pity but she came forward and spoke for herself, truly recognizing the real king. ‘When Abigail saw David, she hurried and got down from the donkey and fell before David on her face and bowed to the ground. She fell at his feet and said, ` On me alone, my lord, be the guilt. Please let your servant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your servant’ (v23). This humble but proactive attitude showed that Abigail refused to be a victim but became a winner of king David`s alliance - and later of his heart as Abigail became David`s wife. Abigail is one of the wisest women in the Bible and God used her to guide his servant David (v32, 35). For those of you who think you will never have to be concerned with


this kind of issue personally, I urge you to relate to King David. He instructed his servants to greet Nabal in peace and ask him to provide hospitality for them. Nabal clearly breached the instruction which would later be given in 1 Peter 3v7, ‘Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honour to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life.’ He also ignored the command to provide hospitality in Leviticus 19v34. One of Nabal’s problems was the inability to say ‘no’ to alcohol. For many addicted people it seems there is no hope. We often hear people saying, ‘It is too late for him or her’ or ‘what sort of future this youngster might have?’ but were the same questions not asked even

about our Saviour? `Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ (John 1v46) Nathaniel doubted the Messiah would be born in a disadvantaged city like Nazareth. We give thanks that Christ came to this broken world to save hopeless sinners. He is the Davidic king who delivers the oppressed and brings justice. In a world where unfairness seems to go unchecked we can rejoice that he will return as judge. No sin will go unpunished. They will all be paid for in full either by the perpetrator or, mercifully, by the sinless Son of God. If anyone reading this article feels in immediate danger or knows someone affected by domestic violence, you should dial 999 or the following numbers:

 Police Service Northern Ireland/ Domestic Violence Officers 0845 600 8000  Domestic Violence Helpline 0800 917 1414  Women`s Aid Federation Northern Ireland 028 90249041  Age Concern Northern Ireland 028 90325055  Disability Action 028 90297880  Men to Men 028 90237779  Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre 028 90329002  Victim Support Northern Ireland 028 90244039 (out of hours) 08453030900  The Law Society (Legal & Local Solicitor Advice) 028 90231614

IN TODAY’S society many people turn to the internet for answers because anything we could possibly want is literally at our fingertips; we are just able to “Google it” and in seconds become knowledgeable on nearly any subject by just clicking a button. For example, in school this year when considering career options, we used the internet to do personality quizzes that would advise us on careers best suited to our personalities. It seems as though the Internet can provide us with all the answers to life, or can it? For young Christians today it can be very easy to “Google” the

answer to life’s problems before turning to our Lord and maker who knows our every need and desire. If we follow God’s Word, he provides us with the guidance we need to handle any situation we encounter in life at any age. God has given us his Word, the Bible, to provide us with the direction for our lives. It may not always be what we expect or want to hear but we must have faith and trust in God because he works for our good and salvation. I love the verse Jeremiah 29:11 because it provides us with the reassurance that God has a plan for our lives, even during times of trial

or temptation; we can be reassured that there is hope in Jesus Christ and that God has a plan that will provide us with a hope and a future even when it feels as though we are weak and helpless. The world has Google, but we have the Bible, so when we are looking for guidance we should turn to our maker before we turn on our computer, as his Word shows us his ways, plans and purpose for our lives. If we diligently spend time in his Word and in prayer to him, he will guide us down the right path and will be with us each step of the way.


©DUP

I don’t remember much of what I heard on the radio in the summer of 1994 (I was only six years old at the time). But I do remember hearing one word repeated several times that I’d never heard before: ‘ceasefire’. In the years that followed, with my interest aroused and with my dad teaching history and politics, I became quite intrigued by these various men and women appearing on the news arguing about flags and

guns. Most of them seemed normal enough and gave the impression that sooner or later they would sort out their problem, whatever it was. But there was always a scary big man with slicked-back white hair and thick glasses bellowing in the background, terribly angry about something or other. He always struck me as a bit of a nuisance and a mystery. I know a little more about Ian Paisley now, but even with his -

passing at the age of 88, he remains a puzzling character. I don’t find his political ‘U-turn’ in the early 2000s, when he decided to set up a powersharing government with Sinn Fein, particularly strange. Nor do I find his life as a fundamentalist Protestant preacher hard to grasp. It is that he chose to be both of these things that I find so curious. Ian Paisley professed faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour for almost all his life. Earlier this year, he


recounted how his mother led him to Christ at the age of 6: after a Sabbath School lesson, young Ian declared to her, ‘I wouldn’t like to be a lost sheep; I’d rather be a saved lamb.’ Ten years later, while working on the farm of a family friend, Paisley bowed on his knees in a field and dedicated his life to the Lord as a gospel preacher. He preached his first sermon just a few weeks later, and by the age of 25, he had formed a new church: the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster. He remained the unchallenged moderator for 57 years. But Ian Paisley was not content to remain ‘just’ a preacher. The 1960s saw him enter the world of politics. Just as in his religious life, Paisley forged his own political path, creating the Democratic Unionist Party in 1971 to rival ‘establishment’ unionism. At the height of The Troubles in Northern Ireland, Paisley frequently mixed his fundamentalist message in the pulpit with his impassioned protests on the streets. More troublingly, Paisley ‘flirted on the fringes of paramilitarism’ (journalist Noel McAdam) for significant seasons in his political career, forming the short-lived ‘Third Force’ in the 1980s and promising ‘whatever political cover needed’ to the Ulster Resistance in 1986.

the streets of Belfast in the 1970s and 80s. A preacher is right to speak about keeping the faith and not giving an inch to the enemy if he is speaking about the spiritual warfare of the church; but in a tense social and political context, inevitably such language will be misunderstood and misapplied. The other inescapable thought regarding Ian Paisley is that he did not remain only a preacher of Christ crucified (though he might have argued otherwise); rather, he added a message of undying, unwavering loyalty to the cause of ‘Protestant’ Ulster. Paisley, inadvertently or not, directed his listeners not only to Scripture but also to the street, to their flag and to their traditions. When he finally agreed to share power with his political enemies in 2007, many Free Presbyterians expressed shock and dismay. Indeed, on one TV clip I watched, a woman suggested that Paisley had made a mockery of ‘everything [they] believed in’. That seems a sad indictment of the message Paisley preached for so many decades, a message mixing the cause of Christ with the cause of unionism. ©Bobbie Hanvey

“ History has often laid the blame for prolonged conflict on those who bellow the most sound bites, rather than on those who fire the most bullets. Paisley may have rightly pointed out that he wasn’t present for the violence that often followed his rallies and speeches, but to many neutral observers it would seem a clear case of cause and effect. His mix of religious and political rhetoric was a dangerous concoction to be throwing around

By all accounts, Ian Paisley was a funny, friendly and loving man in his home and behind the closed doors of political power. His impassioned protests against ecumenism and his preaching of Christ as our only Saviour and Head of the Church should be admired and celebrated. The respect with which even his political opponents speak of Paisley and his faith suggest that his witness had a profound impact upon them, and for that, we should be thankful, and

challenged ourselves to be more vocal witnesses for Christ. He was also a conscientious, hard-working and very effective MP for all his constituents. His last in-depth interview, in January 2014, hinted at a good sense of humour and tenderness for his loved ones.

©Bobbie Hanvey

But one surely has to question what drove Ian Paisley to remain both a preacher and a politician, to remain in both the pulpit and political life for so long (perhaps for too long). The apostle Paul writes in Galatians 6:14: ‘… far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.’ One implication of Paul’s words is surely that we should not even give the impression of boasting in anyone or anything else – including the political causes for which we fight or the establishments we help to create. I’m thankful that 20 years after I first heard the word ‘ceasefire’ being mentioned, people like Ian Paisley have secured something of a more lasting peace in this country. He should be remembered as a peacemaker and a preacher, for in the end, he certainly was. But the contradictions of his record do not encourage me to believe that a pastor and a politician should be rolled into one man. Ian Paisley attempted it; in my opinion, he did not succeed.


What do Catholics believe? This can vary considerably from person to person, but many Catholics believe that...  They are Christians because they have been baptised as Catholics and attend the mass.  Jesus died for their sins but they also depend on Mary, the saints, the Church and the sacraments to gain God’s favour.  Salvation is by faith in Jesus and by your own works.  There are seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation, holy communion, confession (also known as penance), marriage, holy orders (also known as ordination) and anointing of the sick (also known as last rites).  The Bible is very important but the teachings of the Church take precedence over the Bible.  Justification is not God declaring one righteous but the process through which one becomes righteous.  Sin is not always mortal because lesser sins do not cause death.  Repentance is not a change of mind and heart about sin but it is penance they must do to be absolved of their sin.  Assurance of salvation is not possible and even good Catholics may well have to spend time in Purgatory before they reach Heaven.

What do Biblical Christians believe?  They are Christians because, in God’s amazing grace, they have been born of the Spirit and brought to rely solely on Jesus for salvation. Jesus lived a sinless life and then died on the cross for the sins of his people and his perfect sacrifice is all that is needed for his people to be made right with God. Salvation is by faith in Christ alone but saving faith is never alone - good works and spiritual fruit follow.  There are two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.  The Bible is all important; it is God’s inspired, inerrant and infallible Word and our sole source of authority in the church.  Justification is God declaring ungodly sinners righteous as they receive and rest on Christ alone as the all-sufficient Saviour.  Sin is always mortal because every sin is an offence to God and deserving of his condemnation.  Repentance involves turning from our sin unto God and, with the Spirit’s enabling, seeking earnestly to walk in new obedience.  Assurance of salvation is not only wonderfully possible but it is what God wants for all of his children in Christ.

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How Can I Best Share The Gospel With Catholics? Confronting Catholic friends with the unbiblical doctrines of their church can often just make them defensive and put up barriers. Love your Catholic friends. Pray for them and show your love for them in other practical ways.  ‘With gentleness and respect’ (1 Peter 3:15) point Catholic friends to Scripture and its authority as God’s Word.  Never underestimate the power of God’s Word to change a person’s heart (Hebrews 4:12).  The simplicity of the Gospel is what will speak most to Catholics. Begin with the bad news about the seriousness of our sinfulness and the greatness of our guilt. Stress and illustrate how we are all sinners by nature and practice. Not one of us is righteous in ourselves. Use the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 and the greatest commandments in Matthew 22:37-40 to highlight this. Emphasise how God in his holiness must punish all our sin and his just punishment of our sin is fearful. It involves spiritual and eternal death. It involves being under God’s condemnation and righteous wrath forever. People must first understand they are condemned before God before they see their need for the Saviour. They must


know they are hopelessly lost and powerless to save themselves and in grave danger of being eternally condemned in Hell before they seek God’s mercy and gift of salvation in Christ. Stay focused on the Gospel rather than discussing the complexity of the Catholic religion. Avoid issues that lead you away from the saving power of the Gospel (Romans 1:16). Proclaim the wonderful sufficiency of Christ - his finished and complete sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10-14), his amazing grace (Romans 11:6), his life-giving Word (2 Timothy 3:15), His perfect righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30) and his unceasing intercession (Hebrews 7:25). This is of utmost importance because Catholics add on so much that denies Christ’s sufficiency. To his Word they add tradition; to his headship they add

the Pope; to his unique role as mediator they add Mary; to his finished and perfect sacrifice they add the Mass; to his high priestly office they add the confessional box; to his righteousness they add their

“ own; to grace they add merit; to faith they add works and to Heaven and Hell they add Purgatory. It is only when Jesus is presented as the allsufficient Saviour that Catholics can be called to turn from these false teachings and practices and be saved by Christ alone. Offer what Jesus offers to repentant sinners: the complete

IF WE’RE HONEST, the mere thought of some potential scenarios shakes you to your core: your mum is diagnosed with cancer, your twenty-week scan reveals severe abnormalities or your boss says, ‘We are letting you go.’ Whatever is round the corner Psalm 16 is God’s guide for journeying by faith through this broken world. Confronted with the inexplicable and humanlyspeaking unendurable, David cried to God: ‘Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge’ (v1). ‘You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you’ (v2). We know his faith was real as he loved the people of God (v3), hated all that was opposed to God (v4), and God was everything to him, ‘his chosen portion and cup’ v5. Your road has been mapped out in Heaven: ‘the lines have fallen for me in pleasant places’, and the destination is certain, ‘indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance’ (v6). All his days David had downloaded directions from above, ‘I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me’ (v7). Now, when catastrophe lay in his path, he did what he had always done, ‘I have set the LORD always before me’ (v8). That one faith-fuelled, determined action changed everything. Confidence surged through his soul, joy flooded into his heart and hope raced

forgiveness of sins, the imputation of his perfect righteousness and the assurance of eternal life. Urge Catholic friends to come to Jesus with empty hands of faith and to believe in the Gospel of God for salvation (Romans 1:16-17). At the same time realise that the truth of the Gospel often dawns slowly on Catholics and that reaching their hearts is usually a gradual process. I highly recommend the book ‘Nothing in my hand I bring’ by Ray Galea. It is good for Christians to read to help us understand the differences between Roman Catholicism and biblical Christianity. It is also a good book to give a Catholic friend who wants to know more about the differences.

within; ‘I will not be shaken’ (v8), ‘my heart is glad... my whole being rejoices’ (v9), ‘you will not abandon my soul’ (v10), ‘at your right hand are pleasures evermore’ (v11). Is such calm possible for your journey with all its frightening hazards? Most certainly, yes! It’s possible because in Psalm 16 David writes not merely of his own experiences but of one much greater. This psalm expresses the perfect trust of Jesus Christ on his earthly journey. He sweated drops of blood at the prospect of all he would face around the final bend but he was not shaken from his task. He knew the death he would die in the place of many would not be journey’s end because the grave would have no hold on him. The shadows would flee, his work would be accomplished and he would be at God’s right hand with pleasures evermore. The message of the Bible is simple. If we acknowledge our sin and turn from it, crying to Christ alone for rescue, then, because of Christ, God declares us saints, his excellent ones in whom he delights. With Jesus Christ with you on your journey, no scenario need frighten you as no situation is beyond his control. You may feel shaken but you won’t be thrown off course. He will bring you home.


YOU FEEL EXHAUSTED and frustrated. You have tried so hard and yet what do you see? Nothing. You have spent hours chatting over coffees, sent links to sermons and articles and gone out of your way to ‘get alongside’ people. It wasn’t easy and it took a lot of courage to do. You think of all the text messages you sent and all the ‘first moves’ you made. The rejection really hurts when you invite someone to meet up so you can share the Gospel and they shoot you down. Maybe it’s even worse - maybe you rejoiced that someone ‘got saved’, only to meet them months later and hear that they don’t believe a word of it. It’s all very discouraging and confusing at times. Isn’t God’s Word supposed to be living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword? It would be understandable if it were one or two people who failed to respond but what about when it seems to be everybody, over a long time? If you think that it’s just you struggling, don’t worry. ‘My heart sank. It seemed to me I’d never had any success among the Indians. My soul was weary of life. I longed for death.’ David Brainerd David Brainerd was a missionary to Native Americans and, despite this gloomy quote, the LORD did great things through him. Brainerd was a key source of inspiration for the modern missionary movement from William Carey to Jim Elliot. Brainerd suffered from depression and we can sympathise with him as often our own efforts to bring others to Jesus seem pitiful. For in this case the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps’ (John 4 v 37). Let us take encouragement from these words of Jesus. What does he mean here? Let’s look at the next verse. ‘I sent you to reap what you didn’t labour for; others have -

laboured, and you have benefited from their labour’ (John 4 v 38). Jesus was telling his disciples, ‘Someone else did the sowing and you will do the reaping.’ Just like the men in the field, one man went around sowing seed then, when the time was right, another man reaped it. When we grasp this it helps us realise that our evangelism is not a failure when people don’t repent. In fact, it’s not our job to convert at all, only the Spirit can do that! Did Jesus fail when he preached and people turned away? Of course not! Jesus was well aware that what was happening was seed being scattered. We can see the reaping of this seed in the early chapters of Acts with thousands saved! He spoke of himself as a grain of seed that had to die so that you and I could be part of a harvest. ‘I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth’ (1 Corinthians 3 v 6). This is what we should all remember. We may plant the seed, we may even water the seed but only God can make that seed grow. We are so impatient. We want to see the fruit sprouting up from the ground and to appreciate our work. Then when we see no fruit we foolishly think that we have failed. No seed starts as a seed one day and the next a tree. So don’t be discouraged. You are sowing and that’s all you can do - leave the rest to God. He knows what he is doing and he knows how hard it can be. ‘In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world’ (John 16 v33).


ESTHER WAS A WOMAN obedient to God and used by him to his glory. The book does not mention God by name but as one commentator put it, ‘His fingers are everywhere.’ God ruled over numerous details to bring Esther to her position as Queen for the good of those who love him. He ruled over everything from her complexion to Xerxes’ palace politics. King Xerxes took great pride in his riches, his wives and, in particular, his queen. He thought he had it all. He was a bit of a show-off. How different is our Heavenly King. Our humble Saviour, Jesus, is truly glorious. He tenderly loves and cares for his bride, the church. We had no beauty but he chose us despite the ugliness of our sin. Esther had a tragic story. She was an orphan of humble background, but God provided her cousin Mordecai to care for her. Xerxes took her to be head of his harem but God was still in control. The Jewish nation, from which the promised Messiah would come, was set to be destroyed. God provided a way for them to be delivered from destruction through Esther. Esther had heard Mordecai was distressed and sent messengers to determine the reason. She learned of

the plot to exterminate the Jews. She would not be exempt because she was queen and Mordecai realized that God had placed her in this role for this moment. His trust in God’s promises gave him confidence that, even if God would not save them through her, another way would be provided. In faith Esther said, ‘I will go and, if I perish, I perish.’ All the Jews fasted for three days before she went to the King to plead for her people.

“ Fasting implies a period when the normal rhythm of life ceases so that one may focus on and seek God. Esther points us to a greater deliverer who regularly withdrew to seek God’s face; no-one has ever prayed as intensely as Christ in Gethsemane. Jesus’ words of faith were even greater than Esther’s because he left the garden knowing he would perish to save his people. God had planned every single detail - the king’s insomnia, his bedtime reading, Haman’s position in the palace and the careful details

of Esther’s intriguing plan. God is faithful and we can be confident that he will bless those who bless his people and curse those who curse them (Genesis 12v3). The final chapters show a great reversal of circumstances. Haman was executed instead of Mordecai who became the king’s deputy. The unchangeable Persian decree was replaced with another invalidating it. Esther and the Jews were delivered and conquered their enemies. In the Gospel there is an even greater reversal. God’s unchangeable decrees cannot be reversed but in mercy God sent Jesus to take the punishment for us. The Jews had rest from their enemies and had two days set aside to give thanks for their deliverance. Through Christ we have rest from our enemies, have been brought out of darkness into light, were guilty but now have been forgiven and declared free. The Christian Sabbath is our day of celebration, a delight (Isaiah 58:13). Jesus died, arose and is alive. When he returns life will be put right forever.


16:20 shows us, because we have a new nature and a completely different disposition towards God and Christ. Such things as ‘joy and peace in believing’ (Romans 15:13) and ‘godly sorrow’ (2 Corinthians 7:10) describe the right place of emotion in the Christian life as a response to Biblical truth. Also, it hardly needs saying; the Scriptures abound in exhortation to godly practice. This balance is reflected in the notes on the text to give the meaning coupled with ‘thoughts for personal and family worship’ at the end of every chapter. This headheart-hand approach is, I think, pretty much unique in a study Bible.

As far as I know, it was when Dr Joel Beeke (General Editor), Dr Michael Barrett (O.T. Editor), Dr Jerry Bilkes (N.T. Editor) and Rev John Wagner (Clerk of the Publishing Committee) concluded that there was a need for this kind of Study Bible and asked some more likeminded brethren to join with them to form a Publishing Committee.

Clearly, one factor is that there is quite a significant number of Christians who still use the King James Version and there is a lack of contemporary Bible study material based on the KJV. But there are other significant considerations which should make this Study Bible appealing to a wider range of believers – and hopefully some unbelievers too. It has a wealth of useful articles as well as the comment on the text itself.

Partly as a result of knowing Joel Beeke and several others who were involved in the early stages. Also, I had contributed a series of articles on the book of Acts, along with eleven other Reformed ministers from Scottish and North American denominations, in a daily devotional called ‘Milk & Honey’ which is also published by Reformation Heritage Books. When I was asked to contribute to the Study Bible notes, I was very glad to find that Romans was still free and seized upon it. It is, perhaps, the Bible book with which I am most familiar and I love the beautiful way the theme of the book develops. All of God's Word is good for us and in Romans the glorious Gospel is set forth in its greatness and in probably the most sustained systematic form of anywhere in the infallible Word. But we always need the Holy Spirit to rightly receive and rightly explain

As you know, it is called the Reformation Heritage Study Bible. This indicates the outlook of the contributors; doctrinally Reformed, but also having regard to Christian experience and practice as our forefathers did. We seek to avoid a purely intellectual interest in Christian doctrine and yet also try to avoid veering into mysticism, as if feelings and experiences were the test of truth. Biblical truthgoverned experience and practice are the aims. The Christian has distinctive joys and sorrows, as John -

anything of the truth of God.

Well, I confess to being rather 'crisis-orientated'. Early in 2013, I wrote the Introduction and the notes on the first chapter and then was distracted by other things and it got left to one side. Receiving a reminder last January that the deadline was approaching had a galvanizing effect and focused the mind wonderfully! For a few weeks, whenever I woke up early, I just got up and did an hour or two on Romans.

Keeping it accurate, short and clear. People need to know what the text actually means. Even full-scale commentaries can sometimes explain the more obvious and dodge the real difficulties. I enjoyed doing the practical thoughts at the end of each chapter, but as I looked at my sermon notes from preaching through the book some years ago, I tried to include too many points of application. Needless to say, the editors helped get it down to the right length.


I like Charles Hodge for the overall outline and John Murray for the detail. Unlike some Bibles books, there is a huge number of commentaries to choose from and you cannot read them all, so a limit has to be set.

They can discourage thoughtless reading of the Word of God. In this study Bible in particular, hopefully helping God's people to see how God's Word applies to their day-today lives.

They can encourage too great a

reliance on the explanation given in the notes. I would not encourage anyone to do all their Bible reading from a study Bible. We need to spend time reading God's Word on its own and also to use other more extensive helps at other times when our timetable is not so restricting.

The display of God's glory in the Gospel. If we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, the more we understand and appreciate his attributes shown in the way he saves sinners, the more we will see what God is really like and love and worship him.

That some of God's people may see more of the excellency and beauty of Jesus Christ as revealed in Holy Scripture and therefore all the more hate sin as defined in his Law. Also, that unbelievers who are Biblereaders will ‘taste and see that the Lord is good’. We need to learn constantly that we have a message worth proclaiming and not mumbled in a corner. ‘We do not well; this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace’ (2 King7:9).

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At the beginning of a church service, the minister may refer to the ‘call to worship’ or the phrase may appear in the order of service. The meaning is pretty straightforward! Often a passage will be read (or an opening Psalm announced) that, quite simply, calls us to worship God. For example: “Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!” (Ps.66:1-2). “Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” (Ps.95:1-2). “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom

that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” (Heb.12:28-29).

These are just three examples of the Bible’s many commands calling men and women to come and worship God. Churches often reflect this by including a ‘call to worship’ as part of their service. It’s an historic practice too, as well as Biblical. The Westminster Directory of Public Worship was written by the same group who wrote the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms. They were appointed by the British Parliament and met between 164349 to restructure the Church of England. These documents form the

basis of the Presbyterian system of church government and practice. That Directory says, “The congregation being assembled, the minister, after solemn calling on them to the worshipping of the great name of God, is to begin with prayer” (emphasis added). The call to worship is an appropriate way to start a church service, as it reminds us of what we’re there to do. It’s easy to arrive in our seats on Sunday with a thousand other thoughts in our minds. It also reminds us that worship is commanded by God – it’s his idea, not ours! Yet it also reminds us of what a privilege it is to be invited by this wonderful God to praise him and know him.


©Ryanmelaugh

In these articles we’ve looked at some elements of mental health. We’ve also seen that healthy thinking, feeling and behaviour comes from a healthy heart, a heart that is right with God. But does that mean that if things are right spiritually, then we will never have a mental health struggle? Are all mental health problems down to sin? No. We also considered that the Fall brought a curse on us and the world we live in. Bad things happen to which we can respond badly. We live in bodies that break down. There is suffering as well as sin. We can see that in Tom’s case. The question is how will Tom respond to his suffering, and his sin? In ways that promote truly good mental health again?

Physically, Tom is lacking in energy. His concentration is poor and he can’t focus as well on his studies. He is oversleeping, though he might as easily be struggling with insomnia. He picks over his food and doesn’t feel hungry. There are changes in his behaviour. Tom is more withdrawn and less interested in going out. He has given up other activities, such as the 5-a-side football he regularly attended. His motivation is low. Emotionally, Tom feels easily frustrated. He can’t remember the last time he enjoyed something. He has a nagging guilt he can’t shake off. If he let himself, he feels he could cry easily.

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Tom’s mind-set has become negative. He seems lost in his thoughts. He wonders what the point is. He can’t see anything to look forward to. He can’t be bothered. Tom was normally keen spiritually. He would participate in small group Bible study and his regular devotional time was important to him. But now God feels far away. His prayer life seems stale. He reacts with cynicism to some of the preaching he now hears. He hardly cares about confessing and repenting from his pornography struggle. Hardly worth it, he thinks, I know I’m going to fall again. Tom is suffering from what we would today call depression.


There are situations in which depression is more likely to arise. Commonly it may be a response to a life event, or what the Bible speaks of as trials or tribulations: times of testing, pressure, pain, loss, stress. For Tom, the split with his girlfriend was a recent loss. Along with that comes the loss of companionship, support, times spent together, and fears around what others might be thinking or saying about it. Young men tend to be less good at seeking help and sharing about how they’re doing. So Tom may be bottling things up and not living out the ‘one anothers’ of Christian community. It isn’t always current events that can cause depression. Earlier difficult life events may be part of the situation giving rise to depression. We live in fallen bodies, so certain physical illnesses can be potential causes. If Tom had had a recent viral illness for example, it might be relevant. Part of our fallen state is our genetic make-up; if Tom has a family history of depression it puts him at greater risk. God has given us a range of personalities, and some of our personal characteristics such as having high standards and pessimism can be predisposing factors. Sometimes, though, depression may just arise from within without any clear precipitant. These cases are likely to be the result of hormones or broken neurochemistry – again the result of a fallen body. Having said that it is

important for Tom to look at his life and see that part of how he is doing is an active response to certain situations in life.

As we discovered in the last article, all of living arises from the heart. Some of Tom’s symptoms are part of his body’s response. But underneath it all we have the heart, always relating in some way to God, always producing our pattern of life. To understand what is happening at the level of Tom’s heart we need to understand what the heart does. The Bible teaches us that the heart desires, loves, fears, believes – essentially the heart is always worshipping something. Why did the split hit Tom so bad? We might consider some possibilities: did he desire the relationship too much, more than God? Did he fear the opinions of others towards the break -up? Did he believe there was no point to life now? The heart could be producing all kinds of bad fruit. But let’s take one aspect in particular. In suffering, the heart seeks peace, safety and escape. The Bible calls it seeking refuge. The psalms are full of it (e.g. Ps. 9, 14, 28, 31, 46, 48 etc). Tom was also seeking peace, pleasure, safety and escape, but doing so in pornography. He was seeking wrong refuge. And the consequences? More feelings of guilt, futility and alienation from God.

life distress, fear, depression and threat then David takes refuge in God. Let’s think of Psalm 42, which is oft quoted in considering depression. “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.” (Psalm 42:5) Where does he turn when cast down and in turmoil? Hope in God – he places trust for the way forward in God.

How can we encourage Tom with these things in a way that doesn’t seem like mere words? We begin with grace. For Tom, beginning to hope in God must mean that he knows there is total forgiveness and cleansing through Jesus Christ. Now there’s a place to seek refuge when you feel defeated and defiled! And as we speak truth to Tom, we speak it in love. Then, as he turns to God as a place of safety and restoration, he can begin to make use of other means that God his refuge provides for recovery: rest, exercise, enjoyable activity, encouraging fellowship, perhaps even medication. But all of it flows from restored faith in his God – a God who uses those means to heal our mental health.

The psalms are full of it! In real

Camp^ Reunion^ Dates^ -


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