Comment By Torchlight

Middle East Cauldron

At the time of writing, the military operations in the Yemen, the protests of President Nasser of Egypt, and the visit to Cairo of Mr. Krushchev, all point to mounting tension in the Middle East. Threats and counter threats are being hurled about as part of the war of nerves which follows the familiar pattern. Mr. Krushchev's comment on the Israeli-Jordan water project, which he described as "an infringement of Arab rights", has been noted with concern by the Israeli government. The world watches with increasing apprehension. It is not for us to assess the' situation or to attempt to sort out propaganda from truth. But, our duty to pray for all men demands intelligent interest in these developments. By the time these notes appear in print events may have outdated them.

Deteriorating world conditions expose the bankruptcy of human politics. The situation cries out for divine intervention which cannot be far distant. The recurring crises and the speed and complexity of events are striking fear into men's hearts. But the old order will pass and God's King will one day take His rightful place in this world. Let us lift up our hearts! He has promised, "Behold, I come quickly." "Amen: come, Lord Jesus."

Christians on Holiday

In the well-known passage, Ephesians 6.10-20, the apostle Paul, using the imagery of a Roman soldier 'armed to the teeth', depicts the Christian warrior fully equipped for his conflict against the powers of darkness. This is a warfare in which there is no armistice. The 'whole armour of God' affords complete protection for the believer, and failure to use it will bring defeat to ourselves and dishonour to the name of our great Commander. We need to remember that hostilities are not suspended during the holiday season. In many holiday resorts there are worldly attractions to be shunned and places to be avoided. We should use wisely this period of relaxation of body and mind to gain physical and spiritual refreshment. Because of his special relationship to God the Christian can appreciate the Creator's handiwork much more fully than the unbeliever. The wonders of creation should engage our minds and evoke our praise and adoration. And the Christian on holiday may also find opportunities, as he makes new contacts, to give a reason for the hope that is in him.

Old Testament Controversy

The 'modernist' interpretation of the Old Testament, which has been propagated freely in recent years, is now gaining a foothold

among British Jews. The action of the Chief Rabbi, Dr. Israel Brodie, in deposing from office the minister of the new West End synagogue, Dr. Louis Jacobs, has brought the issues prominently before the public. There have been considerable comment and debate in the Press. Dr. Jacobs is unrepentant and his unorthodox, views are being defended by other influential Jews. Sides are being taken in the controversy which could split British Jewry in two.

No controversy about the Old Testament writings need disturb us. For the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ the question resolves itself simply. Our Lord accepted the Old Testament in its entirety, and His testimony to its divine authority was so complete as to be unmistakable. He treated as history and fact what many 'modernist' teachers reduce to myth and fable. He said to the Sadducees, the 'modernists' of that time, "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God" (Matthew 22.29). No 'kenosis' theory, (that is, the abandonment by the Lord of His divinity on incarnation), of the incarnation can detract from His claim to speak absolute truth:

"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away" (Matthew 24.35). There can be no neutrality here. The question becomes, not "What think ye of the Old Testament?" but "What think ye of Christ?"

Preach The Word

The interest aroused by our comments on the importance of the public preaching of the Word encourages us to give two further quotations

"Beautiful imagery, rhetorical flowers, smart and original phrases weary our hearers. Speak to them, whether rich or poor, whether educated or uneducated, as men and women with sins to be forgiven, with sorrows to be faced, with passions to be conquered, with temptations to be met, with doubts to be solved, with death to be faced" (Dr. Chavasse).

"What God wants in those whom He will put in trust with the Gospel, is not that they shall be polished and educated gentlemen, much less that they shall be foolish and ignorant boors; not that they shall be skilled in dogmatic theology, much less that they shall be unlearned in doctrine; not that they shall be brilliant and eloquent, much less that they shall be ungifted and dull. All He seeks is a fitting instrument upon whom the power of Christ can rest, an empty earthen vessel that He can fill with His priceless treasure. The man, whoever he may be, whether on the highest rung of the social ladder, or the lowest, who can say with Paul, 'Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me', and say it with unfeigned lips, and from a heart that has been taught in the school of God, has gained the secret of competency for the ministry of reconciliation" (Sir R. Anderson).

unknown | Jul 1964
Comment By Torchlight