Sept 1988 - Editorial

From Solomon to Zedekiah Judah's history was a downward one of disobedience to God's Law, until there was no remedy. Divine righteousness demanded proper retribution. This was accomplished by the agency of the Chaldean army; war, famine and pestilence followed, and captivity for many was the final outcome. But the objective was restoration, not destruction. When 70 years had elapsed after Daniel and many others had been exiled to Babylon, a small but faithful band were on their way back to the Place of the Name. The story of their struggles, setbacks and triumphs holds teaching for today's remnant people, small and struggling, but encouraged by sure divine promises. Both our main series articles this month draw lessons from these events of a former age which have enduring relevance.

Focus concentrates on the burning question of women's ministry. Slowly and stealthily unscriptural practices are being introduced into the religious life of many nations. The Christian needs to be constantly on guard against the subtle arguments advanced by men of authority in the ecclesiastical world. Paul, faced with similar pressures in his day, shows that the problem is a fundamental one, taking precedence over all cultural considerations. "For Adam was first formed, then Eve" he writes (1 Tim. 2:13), going back to the progenitors of the human race Could any argument be more telling?

unknown | Sept 1988
Editorial