All preaching and church activity has God-given multiple goals, the pursuit of which is a pathway to great blessing and usefulness. This year’s School sought to champion and promote these ideals in the communication of Truth.
Within evangelical churches there has been a noticeable drift away from application in preaching, and also an erosion of trust in the integrity of parts of the Bible, such as the creation account.
This year we focussed on the relevance of the Word to encourage pastors and Christian workers, and to uphold its trustworthiness, scope and rich abundance of pastoral meaning.
We were delighted to welcome two American speakers: Dr Kurt Wise, the renowned paleontologist and creationist who gave five remarkable illustrated lectures on the truth of the creation account, and Dr Scott Aniol (Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) who gave several thought-provoking lectures on the non-neutrality of culture and its implications for us as Christian pilgrims.
The truth that God created everything only about 6000 years ago explains the data of the world better than that the universe and things in it are billions of years old, and life on the earth is hundreds of millions of years old.
The truth that God created the biological world explains the data of biology better than that all organisms evolved from non-living things by evolution.
The truth that God created the world capable of recovering from the judgement of the Flood explains the data of biology and geology better than atheistic science.
Pastor Ibrahim provided two addresses on New Testament books with a view to discerning their applicatory aspects, with supporting arguments and exhortations. Where the objective of the doctrine is spiritual life, holiness and fervour, this needs to be recognised and honoured, for it is what God is saying to his people. The first of two addresses.
The Scriptures provide comprehensive practical instruction and guidance for the carrying out of all preaching, worship and church activity, and for every instruction there is a divine promise of help and reward. Do we review adequately or often our teaching, or the work of our church? In one evening address Dr Masters presented the ‘departments’ of preaching to be honoured, the elements of worship and the essential components of a church ‘programme’, together with the attached promises.
A study of a selection of psalms to show how they minister to communion with God, and the securing of spiritual strength and perception in all conditions of life.
A book of great complexity if approached only for a technical grasp of Mosaic worship, but of ongoing lively application and delight if searched for the spiritual purpose behind each of the ceremonies presented.
One of the greatest ‘councils’ for the coining and defining of foundational theological terms was the Synod of Dort, which began in November 1618 and deliberated for eight months. This year sees the 400th anniversary of a dispute where the gulf between Arminianism and Calvinism was so clearly marked and concepts clarified for subsequent generations. Theologian and historian Dr Nick Needham gave two addresses on this event, the first of which dealt with the background and tensions of the memorable theological conflict and its risks.
The outstanding hymnwriter’s compositions have formed the backbone of numerous hymnbooks for three centuries, unfailingly expressing biblical doctrines and themes, and it is profoundly unsettling to believers to see his theological integrity attacked by ill-informed articles, blogs and forums. Dr Aniol has researched the literature very thoroughly and presented a balanced picture of where Isaac Watts laid himself open to such criticisms, while retaining solid Trinitarian convictions.
A biblical view of Christian citizenship in the light of our standing as exiles, or strangers and pilgrims, and the non-neutrality of culture. The first of two addresses.
Pastor Richard Clarke, Pastor of Beacon Park Baptist Church, Plymouth, presented The Biblically Imperative Warrant for Sunday Schools, with attention to modern arguments against such ministry.
2023
The Fully-Functioning Church of Christ
2022
The Fallible Prophets of New Calvinism
2021
The War Against the Authentic Biblical Text
2019
The True Dynamism of the Local Church
2018
The Depth and Scope of God’s Truth
2017
Our Glorious Reformation Legacy
2016
Calvary and Covenant
2015
Pathway to Power
2014
Rightly Dividing the Word
1979
Four Rare Lectures
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