Pastor: Remember the Spiritual Disciplines

October 23, 2008

I was privileged to attend the monthly meeting of the Toronto Pastors Fellowship this past Monday (held at Richview Baptist Church). My good friend Michael Haykin, Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, presented an excellent paper titled, “Pastor: Remeber the Spiritual Disciplines.” There he dealt with the tradition of our Calvinistic Baptist forefathers in the area of the Word and preaching, baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and prayer. I was deeply challenged and encouraged by it. The paper and the audio of the session are available here. I would encourage you to attend next month (November 17) when Pastor Stephen Kring of Bethesda Baptist Church, Delhi, ON will be presenting “Pastor: Give Guidance in Finding God’s Will.”  Also, check out September’s excellent meeting with Pastor Paul Martin of Grace Fellowship Church, Toronto giving his paper on “Pastor: Mentor the Young Men.”

If you are interested in attending, please register here. There is no charge!


The Life of John Newton, with particular reference to his hymns and letters

November 19, 2007

Dr. Michael A. G. Haykin just presented a paper titled, “The Life of John Newton, with particular reference to his hymns and letters” at the monthly Sovereign Grace Fellowship Pastoral Studies being held at Toronto Baptist Seminary. Here is a PDF of that paper for you all!

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John Newton as a Spiritual Mentor

November 1, 2007

Dr. Michael A. G. Haykin on John Newton

 

The Sovereign Grace Pastor’s Fellowship (formerly known as FRPS) will be holding it’s November 19th meeting at Toronto Baptist Seminary with Guest Lecturer Dr. Michael A. G. Haykin. Details are below.
“John Newton as a Spiritual Mentor”
Presented by Dr. Michael Haykin
November 19, 2007
10:00 AM

 

Toronto Baptist Seminary
130 Gerrard Street East, Toronto,
Ontario, M5A 3T4 (416) 925-3263
In the Greenway Chapel of Jarvis St. Baptist Church
(Limited free parking is available!)

FREE LUNCH PROVIDED FOR ALL PASTORS.
You must register in advance by calling 416-925-3263

Also, don’t forget the upcoming Sola Scriptura Ministries International Conference – “The Dungeon Flamed with Light: The Great Awakening in the 18th Century” also featuring Dr. Haykin. You can check it out on a previous post here.


A Little bit about my Boss…

October 31, 2007

Towers, the news of Southern Seminary, has a brief profile of my boss and their new Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality, Michael Haykin. Check it out here. I am very happy for him to go to Southern but disappointed that we cannot work together full-time anymore. I will be working for him part-time particularly for the Fuller Center.


John Collett Ryland… Hyper-Calvinist?

October 11, 2007

Over at the blog of my boss, Michael Haykin, he has an interesting post about John Collett Ryland, father of John Ryland, Jr., famed Evangelical Calvinist and friend of Andrew Fuller, William Carey, Robert Hall, Jr., John Sutcliff, and Samuel Pearce. In it, he argues that Ryland, Sr. was not a hyper-Calvinist despite his notoriously difficult to historically reconstruct argument with William Carey (see my previous post on the issue here). I have always agree with Dr. Haykin that Ryland, Sr. was not a hyper-Calvinist for the reasons he lists. Yet, Dr. Malcom Yarnell, a professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, argues differently, and makes some good points. I am curious as to what others think? Was Ryland, Sr. a hyper-Calvinist or wasn’t he? You can see the post and interaction here.


The God who Draws Near: An Introduction to Biblical Spirituality

October 3, 2007

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Available soon from Evangelical Press! Make sure you get yourself a copy!

 

The God who draws near is an attempt to recapture an understanding of true biblical spirituality and what that means for daily living. With so many ideas abounding of what spirituality is, both secular and religious, many are confused about what forms the basis of God-honouring spirituality. By going back to ‘the Source’ and mining the pages of God’s Word, Michael Haykin draws together the main threads of vital spirituality and provides the foundation for believers to anchor their lives in truth, faith and an active, growing relationship with God — that very God who was pleased to draw near to us through his Son. May these pages help you to draw near to him.

Dr Michael A. G. Haykin is Principal of Toronto Baptist Seminary, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies. He recently has accepted a full-time appointment at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY where he will be Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality. Michael is a popular conference speaker in North America and the UK. Michael is married to Alison and they have two children.

Endorsements for the Book!

‘Perhaps no other writer today has read as widely in both Christian history and Christian spirituality than Michael Haykin. The fruit of his study is evident in this book, for he not only feeds us a satisfying banquet of biblical teaching on Christian spirituality, he also garnishes it with savoury stories and quotations from Christian history. You’ll not find Haykin here re-inventing spirituality for the twenty-first century, but reconnecting us with the Scriptures and with wisdom of those who have walked with God before us and can give us wise counsel for walking with our timeless God in our own generation.’ Dr Donald S. Whitney, Associate Professor of Biblical Spirituality and Senior Associate Dean at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY, USA

‘Biblical and reformed spirituality was never more needed than in these post-modern times and Michael Haykin’s exposition of it in these pages is both timely and judicious. With the skill of John Owen, his treatment is intentionally trinitarian: God glorifying, Christ-centered and Spirit focused. With the added skill of a first-rate historian, Haykin mines the pages of history bringing breathtaking illustrative material to help us understand the biblical parameters of godliness. A timely book; but readers should beware: reading these pages may cost you dearly for it will require that you part with your dearest sins and in order that you may discover in Christ fullness, contentment and joy.’ Dr Derek W. H. Thomas, John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Practical Theology, RTS, Minister of Teaching, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, MS, USA, Editorial Director, reformation21.org.

‘I warmly commend this timely, easy-to-read, informative and challenging book.’ Dr Philip H. Eveson, Principal, London Theological Seminary, London, UK

‘In this great little book, Michael Haykin introduces the reader to the central elements of a properly biblical spirituality. Of special note are his attention to the necessity of understanding trinitarian dimensions of the Christian life, and to the value of drawing on the great classics of spirituality of the past in order to live for Christ in the contemporary world. A delightful book to read and to give to friends.’ Dr Carl R. Trueman, Professor of Historical Theology and Church History, Westminster Theological Seminary Philadelphia, PA, USA

‘So many books on “spirituality” on the shelves of Christian and secular bookstores represent little more than new age labyrinth-walking or pseudo-spiritual pandering. Michael Haykin, one of the pre-eminent evangelical scholars in this and several other areas, brings a fresh, ancient approach to biblical spirituality. He restores to spirituality the Holy Spirit, and points us to Jesus Christ. Those who long for a closer walk with Jesus — and that should be all of us — will love this book.’ Dr Russell D. Moore, Dean of the School of Theology and Senior Vice President for Academic Administration, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY, USA

‘A biblical, full-orbed view of true spirituality, founded in the Word and the Spirit, in contrast to the false spirituality that deludes so many today.’ Robert Strivens, Principal-Designate, London Theological Seminary, London, UK


The Importance of Studying the Church Fathers

April 30, 2007

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You all need to check out this brief article at Reformation21 written by Dr. Michael Haykin on the importance of studying the Early Church Fathers. This is something really that no Christian can do without reading!

Also, keep in the back of your minds that the next issue of Eusebeia: The Bulletin of the Andrew Fuller Centre for Reformed Evangelicalism will be dedicated to the Early Church Fathers. For information on that, please feel free to contact me.


I’ll be Pretty Busy for the Next 5 Years…

November 6, 2006


Well, the application is pretty much in the mail. Lord willing, I hope to begin my Ph.D. in January. My focus is in Baptist History and I’ll be pursuing it at the University of Wales (yes in the United Kingdom). My supervisor is Dr. Michael Haykin of Toronto Baptist Seminary.

My dissertation will be on Andrew Fuller. Fuller, although little known today, was one of the most famous Baptist theologians of the 18th century. Specifically, I hope to focus on how Scripture influenced Fuller’s understanding of the person and nature of Jesus Christ during the numerous Christological debates in which he was involved. The proposed title is, “The Scriptural Influence on Andrew Fuller’s (1754–1815) Views of the Person and Nature of Jesus Christ in the Midst of Christological Controversy.”

This encompasses all that I was looking for in a dissertation topic. It involves 18th century British Particular Baptists; it involves a major name like Andrew Fuller; it revolves around a theological issue (Christology); and it is focused on a number of theological debates. I am very excited about this up-coming change of focus in my life and am very excited to have Dr. Haykin as my supervisor. He has a real passion for Fuller and for increasing study of his life and theology.

I would covet your prayers during my time of study!