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Reviews
Major Martin Wheeler (Anglia DHQ) reviews the book The Word’s Out by David Male and Paul Weston A S I began reading this book, John Gowans’ words, ‘In a world of shifting values…’, kept recurring in my mind. Like many other European contemporary Christian writers, David Male and Paul Weston explore the challenges of connecting people with a Christian story that, at best, fewer people are aware of and, at worst, is not seen as relevant.
With this thought in mind, I recalled a phrase I read recently which refers to the ‘Bible getting smaller’ as its content becomes redacted into sound bites. This book seeks to explore these shifting sands of public opinion and the concern that effective evangelism needs to understand the level of awareness people have of the Christian story. The book begins by setting the scene in which the two authors present an honest appraisal of the journey Christian evangelism has travelled during the past 120 years. Although challenging reading, it does provide an excellent foundation from which to explore a reasoned response to how Christians can find a relevant evangelistic voice. Male and Weston have helpfully organised their thoughts into two sections. The first seeks to explore what evangelism is; the second, how this understanding can be applied to a church setting. Both sections reveal the authors’ passions for seeking to locate evangelism within the teachings of Jesus. For example, on a number of occasions I was reminded of the once familiar phrase, ‘What would Jesus do?’ as the reader is urged to build on biblical foundations of faith and practice. The Word’s Out is a challenging and insightful read that acknowledges the need to understand, appreciate and respond to the cultural landscape of today. However, the book also recognises that the perceived shifting values of our world do not provide secure foundations on which to find meaning and purpose. The authors are determined to provide a clear and informed voice to help guide today’s Christian. In doing so, they believe that evangelism can be rescued from an activity which is done to others and transformed into a ‘real evangelism’ that is ‘the natural overflow of an authentic Christian life’.
O The Word’s Out is available by visiting eden.co.uk priced £9.99 (plus postage and packing) or as a Kindle edition from Amazon priced £8.33
A DISPLAY OF CHARACTERISTIC ISB SOUND AND QUALITY
Bandmaster Howard Evans (Boscombe) reviews the CD Pulse by the International Staff Band
THERE is a long tradition of ISB CD releases offering a glimpse of the latest music coming from the stable of composers who offer their work to The Salvation Army. This latest CD features mostly names that are well established, such as Kenneth Downie and Dorothy Gates, but there is also a new entrant to the sphere in the person of Joel Collier from the USA.
The opening number, ‘Let There Be Light’, by Steven Ponsford gives a fast-paced, energetic introduction. There are four tracks of a devotional nature. The song ‘Hide Me Now’ is beautifully integrated into ‘Still’ (Andrew Blyth), and ‘He Watches’ (Joel Collier) has some lovely moments in the treatment of ‘His Eye Is On The Sparrow’. ‘At The Cross’ (Paul Sharman) gives a good mixture of melodies that help the listener reflect upon Easter. The standout track for me is ‘Living God’ (Dorothy Gates) with a musical and emotional content that takes the listener into Dorothy’s personal journey.
There is only one solo track, featuring the cornet talents of Carl Nielsen in the rhapsodic-style piece, ‘Compelled’ (Paul Sharman), which draws on Stephen Pearson and Andrew Blyth’s song ‘Compelled By Love’. The tripartite structure of this work also reflects the form of the title track, ‘Pulse’ (Martin Cordner), which is a good mix of contemporary tunes to portray its focus on the integrity of worship. Kenneth Downie’s ‘Jehovah Nissi’ has a clear faith aspect to the concept of the work, and features a number of well-known tunes of faith, including ‘Who Is On The Lord’s Side?’
The final pieces are the major works, ‘The Armour Of God’ (Steven Ponsford) and ‘Variations on Was Lebet’ (Andrew Wainwright). The inspiration for the Ponsford piece is taken from Ephesians 6 and each of the six sections relates so clearly to the elements of faith described in the Scripture passage. Wainwright’s work is well conceived, with great structure to the set of variations and the direction they take, culminating in a well-developed fugue and final presentation of the theme. This final work displays the characteristic ISB sound and quality we have come to expect over many years, as evidenced throughout the CD, along with providing a unique snapshot of how our brass band repertoire is developing.
BIBLE STUDY Empowered for
Major Richard Borrett considers how we need to be equipped
STUDY PASSAGE: EPHESIANS 6:10–18
IMAGINE that, after a long conversation with someone dear to you, you have the opportunity to pass on one last piece of advice. You want to leave some lasting impression with them. What might it be?
This is Paul’s situation as he comes towards the close of his epistle to the followers of Christ in Ephesus. He had first met with some disciples in Ephesus in AD52 (see Acts 19) and established the Church there while he was on a homeward journey to Jerusalem. Then, some little while later, he returned to spend a considerable amount of time with them. These, then, were people he would have known well and held close to his heart.
So, what was Paul to say to these, his children in the faith? In Ephesians 6:10 we find the answer: ‘Be strong’.
Paul is about to go on and remind them that living in the light of Christ has its consequences and that the Church will be involved in a constant struggle against the forces of darkness. As much as this was true in 1st-century Ephesus it is true today.
QUESTIONS O What does the Church’s struggle against the forces of darkness look like in the 21st century? O Are there any similarities to the struggles our 1st-century forebears faced?
Paul warns his readers that it’s going to be tough and they are going to have to be strong. But they are not on their own and they are not simply expected to be able to muster that power from within themselves because their strength is to be found in the Lord’s mighty power.
This strength protects, much like the armour of a Roman soldier was designed to protect him in battle.
QUESTION O How can we ensure that we have the right sort of strength when we need it? (It may be helpful to read John 15:1–7.)
In verse 12 Paul is careful to identify the enemies from which the Church needs protection – the rulers, the authorities and the powers of this dark world. These, rather than individuals, are the forces that assail. This helpful warning inclines the reader towards the spiritual nature of the fight rather than thinking about what can be achieved through merely human means. Lashing out at those who seem to be in opposition to the establishment of God’s Kingdom will have little effect.
QUESTION O What do we understand Paul to mean when he identifies the enemy?
Some would hold that ‘rulers’, ‘authorities’ and ‘powers’ refer to demons over which Satan has control. Others have pointed towards governments, corporations and influencers of the day. Some scholars believe Paul’s use of the phrase ‘of this world’ has direct Old Testament links and therefore implies a criticism of rabbis, Jewish rulers and corrupt teachers within the Early Church.
QUESTION O Which of these (or other) explanations of Paul’s words in verse 12 are most helpful in applying them to our lives today?
Through the week with Salvationist – a devotional thought for each day by Lieut-Colonel Ray Oakley SUNDAY Be strong in the grace of the Lord,/ Be noble and upright and true,/ Be valiant for God and the right,/ Live daily your duty to do./ Be strong! Be strong!/ And God will your courage renew. (SASB 948) MONDAY Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
(Ephesians 6:13) TUESDAY Be strong in the grace of the Lord,/ Be armed with the power of his might;/ Be daring when dangers abound,/ Courageous and brave in the fight./ Be strong! Be strong!/ And victory will be your delight.
(SASB 948)
