Moving On

December 22, 2007
Well, it is almost time to move again. One day I think God will put me in a permanent place where I can put down roots.
Tomorrow is my last day here at TBS. I’ve only been here since March but have made a lot of good friends, and had many wonderful experiences here in this short amount of time. Let me tell you about a few things I will miss…
1) My funny friend Keith Edwards, Registrar and Director of Development. Sometimes I wondered if I would get any work done!
2) My hard working co-worker Debbie. This place would fall apart without her!
3) My fearless boss Michael Haykin. I will never forget his laugh that you can hear a mile away, his stories of Marxist tendencies, a case of Mountain Dew, and the endless amounts of photocopying, editing, and running to the U of T I did for him!
4) My French friends, Pierre Constant and Ruth Labeth. They brought culture to our poor band of fellows here, even though we did tease them. Never let Keith translate for someone who speaks French!
5) Kirk Wellum, who even though he disagreed with me on areas of eschatology, still represented my position faithfully in his class (since I can hear him across the hall!). “Even Mr. Mickle would agree with that!”
6) Our part-time profs like Bob Penhearow, Stephen Yuille, Paul Martin, Leah Robinson, Sheila Evans, and anyone else I’m missing who brought variety to this place!
7) The powerful preaching of Glendon Thompson, pastor of Jarvis Street Baptist Church.
8) And of course all the students… from the hard workers who had stimulating conversation with me to the ones… who didn’t… who spent more time talking about Metalocalypse than they did Traducianism!
I will miss my role I had here, but obviously God has another place for me. I will not forget you all. You have all made an indelible impression on my life and I truly hope that we will have opportunities to minister together again one day (of course I’ll still be Michael Haykin’s lackey!).
Many blessings this Christmas season! Please continue to pray for God’s place for me in ministry!

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Attention all Toronto Residents

December 21, 2007
Attention all Toronto Residents. Let me suggest to you that you seriously consider attending these upcoming lectures by D. A. Carson, Research Professor New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School being held at The Peoples Church January 27-30, 2008. Carson is an excellent speaker who I have been blessed to sit under on other occasions. This topic of the Cross and the Resurrection are of supreme importance to the believer and in fact is central to true Christianity. Also, Dr. Carson will also be speaking in the chapel of Toronto Baptist Seminary and Bible College on January 30, 2008 from 11:20 Am to 12:10 PM and is speaking on the area of “Issues in Contemporary Christianity.” Makes sure you are there for that as well! For more information about the Spiritual Life Convention their website here.

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Another Up-Date!

December 20, 2007

Greetings to you 2 or 3 people who actually read my blog! I hope this Christmas season would be one that would draw you and your family closer to the Triune God during the time when the eternal Logos took upon Himself flesh to bear the sins of humanity.

I thought it about time to give you another up-date.

Tracy and I are doing very well despite the distance between us. The wedding is scheduled for July 26, 2008 and it will be Scottish themed. I’m going to wear a kilt! Don’t worry, I will post a picture of it for you all to see! Her background is the clan Fraser and mine is Lamont so we are making the wedding Scottish including shortbread, wildflowers, and hopefully a piper! Please continue to pray for the two of us as we grow in our relationship with one another and with our Lord.

Tomorrow is my last day working here at Toronto Baptist Seminary. It is with mixed feelings I leave. Administration was never something I wanted to do long term, but I will miss interacting here with the staff, faculty, and the students. I love my family and will look forward to being with them, but I do hope it is only for awhile! I do trust the Lord would put me in the place of His choosing for ministry, and at the very least, get me a job until then! There are possibilities of ministering at churches in Toronto, Peterborough, Grand Rapids, and in New Jersey. Please pray that the Lord would make it clear to both myself and Tracy and to the church where the Lord wants us. Please pray for work in the meantime.

Many of you know that I dropped out of the PhD program at the University of Wales due to funding issues. We are exploring another option which is to do the PhD at Leiden University in Amsterdam. They do not charge tuition to PhD students! I would most likely be changing focus from Andrew Fuller to John Gill and his response to Enlightenment thinking. This appeals to myself, Dr. Haykin (who would serve as a co-supervisor) and my potential supervisor at Leiden. We are in the beginning stages of the pre-application procedure and would covet your prayers.

I think that about wraps it up folks. A lot of prayer is needed from you my friends. Please pray for the Lord’s will to be revealed to us in all of these areas.

Many blessings this Advent season!

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Another Old Christmas Hymn

December 19, 2007

“The Sussex Carol” appeared in 1684 in a collection called A Small Garland of Pious and Godly Songs.  The author is unknown, but may have been a Catholic Bishop in Ireland in the 1500s or 1600s.  The version we sing today was harmonized by Ralph Vaughan Williams, one of Britain’s most prominent serious composers of more resent days (1872-1958).

On Christmas Night All Christians Sing
On Christmas night all Christians sing,
To hear the news the angels bring;
On Christmas night all Christians sing,
To hear the news the angels bring;
News of great joy, news of great mirth,
News of our merciful King’s birth.

Then why should men on earth be sad,
Since our Redeemer made us glad:
Then why should we on earth be sad,
Since our Redeemer made us glad:
When from our sin He set us free,
All for to gain our liberty.

When sin departs before Your grace,
Then life and health come in its place;
When sin departs before Your grace,
Then life and health come in its place;
Angels and men with joy may sing,
All for to see the newborn King.

All out of darkness we have light
Which made the angels sing this night;
All out of darkness we have light
Which made the angels sing this night:
“Glory to God and peace to men,
Now and forevermore. Amen.”

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Another Ancient Christmas Hymn

December 13, 2007

Here is another favourite ancient Christmas hymn of my fiance’s. Enjoy!

Of The Father’s Love Begotten

Of the Father’s love begotten, Ere the world began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending he,
Of the things that are, that have been, And that future years shall see,
Evermore and evermore.

 

O that birth for ever blessed, When the Virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving, Bare the Saviour of our race;
And the Babe, the world’s Redeemer, First revealed his sacred face,
Evermore and evermore.

 

This is he whom seers in old time Chanted of with one accord;
Whom the voices of the prophets Promised in their faithful word;
Now he shines, the long-expected; Let creation praise its Lord,
Evermore and evermore.

 

O ye heights of heaven, adore him; Angel hosts, his praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before him, And extol our God and King;
Let no tongue on earth be silent, Every voice in concert ring,
Evermore and evermore.

 

Christ, to thee, with God the Father, And, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving, And unwearied praises be:
Honor, glory, and dominion, And eternal victory,
Evermore and evermore. Amen.

 

Words: Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 348-413
Music: 13th Century Plainsong Melody

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Culture Shift by Al Mohler

December 13, 2007

My friends, make sure you pre-order this upcoming book by Al Mohler on Christianity and Culture. It should be on your Christmas wish lists! See details below.

Culture Shift: Engaging Current Issues with Timeless Truth

by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

Religion – Christian Life | Multnomah | Hardcover | January 2008 | $14.99 | 978-1-59052-974-4 (1-59052-974-X)

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Are you prepared to address the most challenging cultural issues of your time?

Mass media and technology are exploding. Popular entertainment relentlessly pushes the envelope. Biomedicine stretches ethical boundaries. Political issues shift with the polls.

The world in which you live is in the midst of a major cultural transformation–one leading to a widespread lack of faith, an increase in moral relativism, and a rejection of absolute truth. How are we to remain faithful followers of Christ as we live in this ever-shifting culture? How should we think about–and respond to–the crucial moral questions of our day? How can we stand up for the truth?

In Culture Shift, Dr. R. Albert Mohler–one of today’s leading Christian thinkers and spokespersons–addresses these tough topics clearly, biblically and passionately:

•Christian faith and politics
•The Supreme Court and religion
•The truth about terrorism
•Christian parents and public schools
•The abortion debate
•Christian response to global tragedies
•And many more

Here is trustworthy help for developing a comprehensive Christian worldview. It’s timely information powerfully connected to timeless truth that will equip you to stand strong and speak out.

PRAISE

“From grade inflation to global calamities, Albert Mohler is a steady guide. From the psychological coddling of the American ego to the hollowing of the American conscience, Mohler is unremittingly clear-headed. From Nineveh to New Orleans, Mohler holds the mirror at a blazing fortyfive-degree angle between heaven and earth. The burning light of divine wisdom illumines a hundred shadows of our
human folly. And at the center of the blaze is the mighty cross of Jesus Christ defining the final meaning of everything. I thank God for Albert Mohler.”
—JOHN PIPER, pastor for preaching and vision,Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, MN

“Al Mohler is a unique gift to the church. His writing combines penetrating theological discernment and insightful cultural analysis with a passion to faithfully proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. I’m delighted that Al’s wisdom is now available in this book. May it be the first of many.”
—C. J. MAHANEY, Sovereign Grace Ministries

“We all know, as Dorothy said to Toto, that ‘we are not in Kansas anymore.’ But how to apply the deep truths of our Christian faith to a culture that seems to be transmogrifying before our very eyes, well, that’s perhaps the most difficult question facing the church today. In this well-written book, Al Mohler surveys the landscape and offers insight and wisdom that helps us do just this. A manifesto for responsible
Christian engagement!”
—TIMOTHY GEORGE, founding dean of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University and senior editor of Christianity Today

“Thoughtful Christians seeking to engage the culture from a well-informed and thoroughly bibilical perspective will find an impressive resource in this new work by R. Albert Mohler. Culture Shift is an outstanding contribution, which I heartily recommend.”
—DAVID S. DOCKERY, president, Union University

“Dr. Albert Mohler brings his intellectual brilliance, moral wisdom, and theological insight together in a book that belongs on the shelf of anyone who is interested in both understanding the shifting sands of morality in our culture and how to deal with it. If you are in that category this is a must read.”
—JAMES MERRITT, pastor of Cross Pointe Church, Duluth, GA, and host of Touching Lives media ministry

“Understanding our culture is a matter of Christian responsibility. Culture Shift helps us to do that and do it well.”
—DANIEL L. AKIN, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., is president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention and one of the largest and most influential seminaries in the world. A popular columnist and commentator, he has contributed to many leading newspapers including The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. His daily syndicated radio program is broadcast on more than eighty stations nationwide. Time.com has called him the “reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S.” Mohler lives with his wife and two children in Louisville, Kentucky.

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Ancient Christmas Hymn

December 13, 2007

My fiance Tracy is quite a talented pianist. In an e-mail she sent me she included the following hymn as one of her favourites. It is old and therefore hardly sung or played today but if you read through the words you will be challenged and encouraged by the Scriptural truth found therein. It is about time to resurrect some of these wonderful ancient hymns of the faith! I will leave it with you so that you can enjoy it this Christmas season!

Let all mortal flesh keep silence, And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded, For with blessing in his hand
Christ our God to earth descendeth, Our full homage to demand.

 

King of kings, yet born of Mary, As of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords in human vesture, In the Body and the Blood
He will give to all the faithful, His own self for heavenly food.

 

Rank on rank the host of heaven, Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth, From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish, As the darkness clears away.

 

At his feet the six-winged seraph; Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence, As with ceaseless voice they cry,
“Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, Lord most high!” Amen.

Words: From the Liturgy of St. James, 5th Century
Music: Traditional French Carol

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The Golden Compass

December 4, 2007

With the arrival of The Golden Compass what should Christians think about this blatant attack on Christianity? Al Mohler, President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary gives Christians help here.

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John Newton on the Pastoral Ministry

December 4, 2007

 

 

I just received the book Beyond Amazing Grace: Timeless pastoral wisdom from the letters, hymns and sermons of John Newton compiled and edited by J. Todd Murphy (Evangelical Press) for review in the Criswell Theological Review. He includes an extended quote from Newton’s work, A Plan for Academic Preparation for the Ministry, which definitely needs to be widely read! The first part is about the nature of one called to the pastorate. The second one is about the qualifications of one who teaches others to be pastors. I quote it exactly as it is found in Beyond Amazing Grace.

 

My first maxim is that none but the one who made the world can make a minister of the gospel. If a young man has capacity, [then] culture and application may make him a scholar, a philosopher, or an orator; but a true minister must have certain principles, motives, feelings, and aims, which no industry or endeavours of men can either acquire or communicate. They must be given from above, or they cannot be received…

 

I adopt, as a second maxim, that the Holy Scriptures are, both comprehensively and exclusively, the grand treasury of all that knowledge which is requisite to make the minister the man of God, thoroughly furnished for every branch of his office…

——————————————————————————————————————-

For his first essential, indispensable qualification, I require a mind deeply penetrated with a sense of the grace, glory, and efficacy of the gospel. However learned and able in other respects, he shall not have a single pupil from me, unless I have reason to believe that his heart is attached to the person of the Redeemer, as God-man; that, as a sinner, his whole dependence is upon the Redeemer’s work of love, his obedience unto death, his intercession and mediatorial fulness. His sentiments must be clear and explicit respecting the depravity of human nature, and the necessity and reality of the agency of the Holy Spirit, to quicken, enlighten, sanctify, and seal those who, under his influence, are led to Jesus for salvation…

 

I should look for my tutor among those who are called Calvinists; but he must not be of a curious, metaphysical disputations [i.e. argumentative] turn [of mind], a mere system-monger or party-zealot. I seek for one who, having been himself taught the deep things of God by the Holy Spirit, in a gradual experimental manner; while he is charmed with the beautiful harmony and coincidence [i.e interdependence] of all the doctrines of grace, is at the same time aware of the mysterious depths of the divine counsels, and the impossibility of [their] being fully apprehended by our feeble understandings. Such a man will be patient and temperate in explaining the peculiarities [i.e. the distinctive features] of the gospel to his students, and will wisely adapt himself to their several states, attainments, and capacities.

 

 

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