2016 School of Theology lectures

Often called the apocalypse of the Old Testament, Zechariah’s prophecy is full of Christ, the church age, and end-times visions intended for the uplifting of the faithful.

Calvary and covenant unite to move hearts of God's people to love and dedicated service, an outcome vastly more valuable than theoretical consent.

It is said that the hardest operation in the soul is the melting of pride and the building of true humility, yet it is the essence of sanctification, and Calvary the means.

C H Spurgeon followed the Puritans in embracing a doctrinal approach to giving strength and consolation in trials. Dr Nettles will show how Spurgeon administered biblical counsel in the pulpit ministry.

The Covenant of Grace: Why, Who, and When? There was a time, and it ran for two centuries, when Baptists held a distinctive doctrine of God’s covenants quite different from the Presbyterian view, and eminently more scriptural. Then dispensational ideas made it a minority view. But a revival is taking place. Two addresses will present the traditional ‘1689’ covenant, its difference from Sinai, and its devotional rewards.

Parallel Old Testament Covenants: This address will show how ‘amazing grace’ was administered in the Old Testament.

Rarer aspects of the mighty accomplishments of Christ. We bow our heads and wonder at the sublime scope of Calvary, where a countless host was redeemed, where also the material creation was delivered, and where the decisive conflict took place between Satan’s hosts and the Son of God. A call to full appreciation.

The work of Christ is sometimes expressed only as a formula for salvation, whereas it is to be honoured for its extent, including power to atone, cleanse, purchase, secure and present faultless for eternity.

The steep ravine of spiritual decline toward the end of the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries are vaguely attributed to the Enlightenment and Darwinism respectively, but closer inspection shows alarming trends in the churches that parallel our present decline in church life. Pastor Burrows will reveal the repeated wiles of the devil, of which spiritual shepherds must be aware.

Directions to precious believers in the most morally corrupt environment of the first century have special resonance for today. These two studies will explore the prime themes for message preparers, showing the doctrines and applications of the supreme ‘ethical epistle’.

Hollywood depicts merely the external, physical pains of Christ, but we must proclaim the true nature and the extent of atonement. This address will consider the depths of the price paid, and for whom.

Though carried out in time, atonement is exclusively an act by God and to God. This study presents the implications that enrich our reflection, devotion and worship.

Since the 1960s, the liberal social mandate has steadily taken over major platforms of the evangelical world, equalling and even surpassing in importance the place of the great commission. Although once resisted, it is now invading independency. Dr Ted Williams will trace its recent resurgence, its unbiblical reasoning and its extreme goals (not to be confused with traditional compassionate ministry).

Do we but barely fulfil the work of the Gospel in our church? Pastor Ibrahim will outline the exhortations and the outworking of the calling of believers to work together for Christ.

In this session, Dr Tom Nettles, Rev John Thackway and Pastor Chris Hand will each briefly show how the universal tender of salvation is rightly expressed in harmony with the doctrines of grace.

The second of two addresses on 1 Corinthians.

The second of two addresses on church history.