MST Chinese ambassador MAGAZINE

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ambassador magazine · Issue 214 · Spring 2012

ambassadorMAGAZINE


INSIDE ThIS ISSuE• Chinesemissioncomesfullcircle

• FindingfriendsinhistoryinEurope

• DoweworshipthesameGod?DrBerniePowerexplores

• Insearchoflivingwater–IsGodatworkamongHindupeople?

Dr Colin Kruse’s Ten Year Work on Romans Launched‘Kruse’sclarityandeconomyindealingwith[Romans]…promisetomakethiscommentaryanenduringstandardforyearstocome,’DrDonCarsonwrites.Read his full comments inside.

MST Chinese

MST Chinese Celebrates its Roots

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ambassador magazine · Issue 214 · Spring 2012Melbourne School of Theology


ambassador EDITORIAL TEAM

EditorDeanTroth

DesignKaleidoskopeDesign

PrintingClassicPress

DirectionTimMeyers,ChrisTrodden

Proof ReadersJoKhoo,SusanneQuilliam,PeterOrr

Photo ContributorsM.Piper,R.Wong,TMeyers,flickr.com/NikonNight,CasamentoPhotography,CField,OCA,BPower,JTan,DTroth,PYoung

ContentContributors KCaddy,DrY.C.Liong,TMeyers,KOkello,DrPOrr,KPocklington,BPower,DrDPrice,SReeve,GRule,DrKShe,JTan,NTempleton,DTroth,DrRWong,PYoung

Thank you to all contributors. If you would like to provide feedback on this ambassador or contribute articles for future ambassadors, please contact the Editor on [email protected]

MELbOuRNE SChOOL Of ThEOLOgY

IntersectionofEastlink,Burwood&MountainHwys,WantirnaPOBox6257VermontSouthVIC3133t/0398817800e/[email protected]

ABN58004265016CRICOSCode:00691A/02809JRegisteredTrainingOrganisation3638

ContentsMST Chinese Celebrates its Roots 3

New Student Profiles 4

Chinese Mission comes full circle 5

Restoration Projects: Reflections from Principal Timothy Meyers’ Desk 7

How Great Thou Art! Reflections from the Chair 9

New in Second Semester…back after 17 years! 10

Dr Kruse Launches Ten Years of Work on Romans 11

Friends in History 12

Thank God for Anne 14

Reaching Out Across Country and State Boundaries 15

ambassador Family Roundup – Edited by Graeme Rule 16

In Search of Living Water 19

MST Students Supporting Theological Training in Kenya 20

Do Muslims and Christians worship the same God? 22

Recapturing Evangelical Identity at MST 26

What Exactly is an Evangelical? 27

Nigerian Perspectives on International Mission 30

Resources coming out of MST 33

Jesus and the Incarnation 33

Insights from Islam 33

Restore Unity, Recover Identity, and Refine Orthopraxy 34

Trinitarian Self and Salvation 34

Deuteronomy: Tyndale Old Testament Commentary 35

Melbourne School of Theology exists to equip God’s people with transformational theology, biblical depth and a missional heart, to effectively communicate the Gospel of Christ to a diverse and changing world.

The pages motif, which makes up part of the MST logo, represents pages of the Bible, the living Word of God.

2FormoreinformationaboutstudyingatorsupportingtheministryofMST,visitusonlineatwww.mst.edu.au



ambassador magazine · Issue 214 · Spring 2012MST Chinese


ambassadorMST Chinese Celebrates its Roots:Robert Morrison Exhibition and holistic Theological forum

MSTChineseFaculty,staffandstudentsarepreparingforamonumentalweekendfortheChineseChurchinAustralia,tohelpengagedChineseChristiansandleadersofChinesechurchesunderstandtheirheritageandevangelicalrootsintheProtestantMissionariesofChina.

WithfourkeyeventsoverthreedaysfromThursday6–Saturday8September,co-convenedbytheMelbourneChineseInter-church

CommitteeandRejoiceChineseChristianCommunicationCentre,theeventsinclude:apictorialexhibition;aworship,teachingandmusicservice;atheologicalforumandfinally,asetofthreeworkshops.

Thepictorialexhibition,titledRobert Morrison: 200,whichhasalreadyexhibitedinmanymajorcitiesaroundtheworld,tellsthestoryinpaintingsandphotographsofRevRobertMorrison,whostartedasthefirstProtestantMissionarytoChina

in1807,aswellasothersubsequentmissionarieswhoworkedinChina,between1807and1949.

“AspartoftheExhibition,wewillhaveover180picturesondisplay,eachtellingpartofthestory,”DrLiong,DeanofMSTChinese,said.

“TheExhibitionisfascinatingforanyone,ChineseorEnglishspeaking,whoisinterestedinhistory,inworldmission,orintheglobalisedChinesechurch,”hesaid.

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Chinese churches in Australia trace their roots to the early missionaries to China. Source: Robert Morrison 200 Exhibition

MAGAZINE

FormoreinformationaboutstudyingatorsupportingtheministryofMST,visitusonlineatwww.mst.edu.au3



ambassador magazine · Issue 214 · Spring 2012MST Chinese


Vivian(HungWen)Lin,borninTaiwan,andaBAgraduateofSwinburneUniversity,isnewlyenrolledinaGraduateCertificateofDivinityatMSTChinese.

“I thank God for calling me to study at MST to be equipped in knowledge and heart for Him. May my adventures at MST

be a fruitful journey, gaining a better understanding of God’s word, and equipping me as a faithful servant for the Lord Jesus Christ.”

JackyChen,borninChina,andanMAgraduateofSwinburneUniversity,isnewlyenrolledinaMastersofDivinityatMSTChinese.

“I’ve been waiting for the time to study at MST for and it has finally come! I come with a humble heart and hope, in the coming three years, that I will gain a deeper understanding of God’s word, so I can walk in His way to serve other people.”

NEW STuDENT PROfILES

The Exhibition is fascinating for anyone, Chinese or English speaking, who is interested in history, in world mission, or in the globalised Chinese church.

“Morethananything,theExhibitionisatooltohelpChineseChristiansunderstandthesignificanceofMorrisonandtheotherProtestantmissionariestothegrowthofthechurchinChina.

“WewantChineseChristians,inparticular,tounderstandthattheyhavedeeproots,arichheritage,forweneedtounderstandhowGodhasworkedinhistorytounderstandtheChineseChurchtoday,”hesaid.

OnThursday6andFriday7Septemberat7:45PM,wewillhosttwo‘RevivalMeetings’onthetheme‘AbundantLiving’forhundredsofChineseChristians,includingchoralmusicfromtheCosmicCareChoir,whichhastravelledfromTaiwan,andpreachingfromProfessorLinZhiPing,fromTaiwan.

OnSaturday8September,MSTChinesewillhostitsAnnualTheologicalForum,witheachMSTChineseFacultyMemberaddressingaspectsofChristianity,suchasChurchHistory,ChurchFathers,ChurchMinistryandMissions,BiblicalStudies,andSystematicTheology,andtheircontributiontoHolisticTheologicalEducation,whichisthethemeofthisforum.

TheForumwillfinishwiththreeWorkshopsbyourvisitingprofessorsandlecturerfromTaiwan:ProfessorLinZhiPing,ProfessorWeiWaiYangandLecturerChenAiMei.TheWorkshopswilladdresstheconceptofholisticministryinpractice;thecontributionofAustralianmissionariestoChina,andtheissueofBiblicalworshipandmusic.

Lecturer Chen Ai-MeiProf Lin Zhi-Ping Prof Wei Wai-Yang

MST ChINESE fEATuRE EvENT

Everybody welcome

‘Robert Morrison : 200’ Pictorial Exhibition of Protestant Mission Work in China 6–8September,10am–6pm

‘Abundant Living’ with Chen Ai Mei and Cosmic Choir from TaiwanWorship & Music Revival Meeting 6–7September,7.45pm

‘A Holistic Theological Education’MST Chinese Annual Theological Forum:8September,1.30pm–4pm




ambassador magazine · Issue 214 · Spring 2012MST Centre for the Study of Chinese Christianity


Almostexactly90yearsago,thisCollegesentitsfirstgraduatetothemissionfieldinChina,andnowwearereceivingscholarsfromthatnation’sunprecedentedChristianrevival.

“Forthepastthirtyyears,ChristianityinChinahasenjoyedanoverwhelminginterest,notjustintermsofconverts,butalsointheacademicstudyoftheChristianfaithaswell,”accordingtoDrJustinTan,DirectorofMST’snewlyestablishedCentrefortheStudyofChineseChristianity(CSCC).

DrTanremembersaspeakeratamissionconferencerecently,musingovertheironyofthe‘fate’ofChristianStudiesinAsiatoday:thatChristianStudieshadbecomeunfashionableforacademicinstitutionsoutsideChina,whereasthoseinChinacouldn’twaittoputthestudyofvariousdisciplinesofChristianityon

theircurriculum,includingBiblicalStudies,andDepartmentsofReligionhaveenjoyedaboomintopChineseUniversities.

DrTanhasbeeninvolvedinteachingBiblicalStudiesatPekingUniversitysince2009andhaswitnessedthephenomenonfirsthand.SoitwasinevitablethatwhentheCSCCwasestablished,partofitsvisionwastofacilitateChineseScholarsstudyingChristianitytodotheirresearchhereatMST.

“Sofarthishasbeenawonderfulexperience,butlittledidwerealisethatMelbourneBibleInstitute’soriginalvisionofsendingmissionariestoChinahascomefullcircle,”DrTansaid.

“Insteadofpurelybeingamissionarysendinginstitute,MSTisnowatthereceivingendofthefruitofChristianMissiontoChina!Praise

Peng Shu Ying outside the main gate of Peking University

God,Hedoesworkinmysteriousways!”hesaid.

OnesuchscholarisYuLiang(picturedonnextpage)whowassearchingformeaninginlifewhileworkingonhisMastersthesisonChristianPhilosophy.HefoundithardtoavoidthetranscendentalaspectinhisstudyandcametotherealisationthatChristianphilosophythatdoesnotengagewithalivingFaithisbutamentalexercise.Hewasgivenopportunitytoteachatauniversitybutfoundhimselfinadequate

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Chinese Mission comes full circle

“ Instead of purely being a missionary sending institute, MST is now at the receiving end of the fruit of Christian Mission to China! Praise God!”




ambassador magazine · Issue 214 · Spring 2012MST Centre for the Study of Chinese Christianity


Sylvia Yuan

Please continue your support of god’s life-changing and world-changing work through MST Chinese• CreditCard.DonationscanbemadebycallingSusanneon0398817800oremailingmst@mst.edu.au• Cheque.DonationsviachequecanbepostedtoMST

atPOBox6257,VermontSouth3133•Online.Youcannowdonateonlineviaourwebsitewww.mst.edu.au• Transfer.DonationstotheChineseTheologicalEducationFoundationInc.

canbetransferreddirectlytoBSB063894Account10089544(Pleaseletusknowbyphone)


Yu Liang

inexpoundingphilosophicalspeculations.HewasthenacceptedtodohisPhDatPekingUniversity(colloquiallyknowninChineseas‘Beida’)butnowbeingaChristianmeantachangeinfocusforYuLiang,whichwaswhereJustincamein.

“TherewasagradualparadigmshiftinthestudyofChristianPhilosophyatBeida,notleastbytheworkofitspastDeanofthePhilosophyDepartment,whowas

adamantthatthestudyofChristianityshouldbegintointeractwiththeChristianScripture,”DrTansaid.

ProfessorK.K.YeowasinvitedtoteachNewTestamentStudies,andJustinwastheninvitedtotakeupOldTestamentStudiesin2009.YuLiangwasencouragedtotakeupOTStudiesimmediatelyunderJustin’stutelageanddecidedonthetopic,“TimeintheBookofEcclesiastes:APhilosophicalandTheologicalStudy”.

InAugust2012,YuLiangmadehistriptoMSTasresearchfellowsponsoredbyCSCCandanothersponsoringbody,ILG,fortwomonthstodointensiveresearchonhisthesis.

ThistrendoftheexchangeofscholarshipstartedinAugust2010

Melbourne Bayswater

Chadstone

CroydonDoncaster

Dandenong

MOUNTAIN HWY

EASTLINK

BURWOOD HWY

MST Chinese Location: Iconic triangle island at intersection of Eastlink, Burwood & Mountain Highways, Wantirna.

15 minutes from everywhere in Melbourne’s east.

Combined MST CHINESE OPEN DAY/NIGHTTuesday 9 October Day 9.30am–2.30pm Night 5.30–9.30pmPRAY. TELL. BRING.

withSylviaYuan(picturedaboveleft)ofShanghai’sFudanUniversity,andPengShuYing(picturedonthepreviouspage)ofPekingUniversityinNovember2011.SylviahasjustbeenawardedaPhDontheHistoryandDevelopmentofCIM/OMF,andnowworkingonanotherPhDthesisontheHistoryofCIMMissionariesfromNewZealandwithMassyUniversity.ShewasabletoassessourexcellentcollectionofCIM/OMFarchiveshereinMST.ShuYingisnowfinishinghisPhDthesisonJihadinIslamicThought,assistedwhileatMSTbythelearnedscholarsofourCSIOF.

ThisexcitingdevelopmentwilllikelycontinuetobeanimportantfunctionofCSCC.






Restoration Projects Reflections from Principal Timothy Meyers’ Desk

Manyyearsago,whileIwasstillthepastorofalocalchurchontheGoldCoast,Iboughtaclassiccar,anearlymodelMorrisMiniCooper.Ithadsatneglectedforyearsinanoldman’sgarage,andsmelleddistinctlyofmould,withovertonesofstalepetrolandagedvinyl.Itwasalsopaintedaveryunflatteringshadeofbrown.Butfortwohundredbucks,whatdiditmatter?Itwasabargain!Itranwellandgotmearound.Peoplelaughedatme,ofcourse,andthelocalscameupwithallmannerofnamesfortheoldbrownmini.ButIdidn’tmind.Ithadpersonality.Anditwasmine.

Unfortunately,twelveyearsago,whenweleftQueenslandandmovedtoMelbourne,thingsdidn’tgosowellforit.Althoughwekeptit,andhadplanstosomeday,perhaps,evenrestoreit,Ineverreallydroveitagain.Itsatforawhileinourcarport,thenoutinthestreet.Eventually,itwasjustintheway.SoIborrowedatrailer,toweditovertomyparents’place,andpusheditunderatreeinthecorneroftheirproperty,outofsight.Andthere,forthenextseven

yearsitsat,slowlydeteriorating,lookingverysadindeed.

ImustadmitIfeltguiltyaboutit.Everytimewevisitedmyfolksplace,mytwoboyswouldpleadwithmetogettheoldthinggoingagain.“Dad,youcan’tjustletitrotthere!”they’dsay.ButIjustneverfoundthetime.

Then,aboutayearago,IhappenedtotellafriendofmineabouttheoldMini.Turnedouthewasacarenthusiast,whoknewagreatdealaboutMorrisMinis.Italsoturnedoutthatithappenedtobeveryrare,andpotentially,veryvaluable.Atwhichpoint,IdecidedI’dbetterpullitoutfromunderthetree,

pluckthemushroomsandmouldoffthefloorsandseats,andmaybedosomethingaboutit.

Sobeganoneofthemostdifficult,frustrating,timeconsuming,confounding,attimestormenting,infuriating,andyetstrangelyenjoyableprojectsofmylife.RestoringtheoldMini.

Mindyou,hadIknownwhatIwasabouttotackle,IsuspectImighthavehadsecondthoughts.Butignorancewasonmyside,andsoIbegan.

Stepbystep,throughtheSummer,andintotheWinter,Iworkedaway,mostlyatnight,whilethekidsweretuckedupinbed.Intime,Ihadremoved,pulledapartanddisassembledtheentirecar.Everysinglebitofit.AndIsandblastedeverylittleskericofbrownpaintaway.Allthatwasleftwasasadlookingsteelshell,andagaragefullofthousandsofbitsandpieces.

Thenbegantheworkofrestoration.Anythingthatwasrepairable,Irepaired.Anythingthatwastoofargone,Ireplaced.Every

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…my project with the old brown Mini became a living metaphor, of one of the most compelling, beautiful, and profound spiritual principles we find in the Scriptures… a principle…at the heart of why MST exists.






MST OPEN DAY/NIGHTTuesday 9 October Day 9.30am–2.30pm Night 5.30–9.30pmPRAY. TELL. BRING.

workingpart,everynutandbolt,everyelectricalwire,everyhydraulicline,everyinstrument,theentireinterior,thesuspension,theengine…everything!Icutawayalltherustybits,fixedupallthelittledents,andeventuallyhadafriendofminetotallyresprayitwithbrandnew,shinypaint.Definitelynotbrown.

Ithastakeninestimablehours,andmany,manylatenights,fiddlingaround,figuringout,andfindingwhere.Butdaybyday,piecebytiny,frustratinglittlepiece,stepbystep,withgoodnessknowshowmanyshavedknucklesandbruisesandbumps,itallcametogether.

Andlastweek,outofthegarage,upthedrive,andintothestreet,Idroveit!Mybrandnew,verycute,brightcherryredMorrisMini,isdone.Rebuilt,fullyrestoredinsideandout.

Youshouldhaveseenthefacesonmykids.Ifeltlikeakidagainmyself.Priceless!

Whysharethatstory?Here’swhy.

Becausetome,myprojectwiththeoldbrownMinibecamealivingmetaphor,anongoingapplication;asermonillustration,ifyoulike,ofone

ofthemostcompelling,beautiful,andprofoundspiritualprincipleswefindintheScriptures.AnditisaprinciplewhichIthinkisattheheartofwhyMSTexists.

Andhereitis.It’sfromPaul’slettertothePhilippians,wherehewrites,

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus! (Philippians1:6)

Whatagloriouspromise!Whatahopewehave!

PaulisremindingthePhilippianbelieversthattheyarenothisproject,butChrist’s.AndbecauseGod’spurposesaresosure,andhiscommitmentsoabsolute,Paul’sconfidenceisunshakeable.Godwillnever,everlaydownhistools,orgiveup,orwalkaway–untileverysinglepartisrenewed,andrestored.PaulsaysvirtuallythesamethingtotheEphesians.“We are His workmanship!”hewrites(Ephesians2:10).

Yousee?Thereitis.God’srestorationproject!

Here,intheministrywehaveatMST,notonlyareweallthefocusofthatsame,sanctifyingworkoftheSpiritofGod.Wealsohavetheprivilegeofparticipatinginit!

Paul’swordsremindusthatwecanhaveunwaveringconfidenceinwhatwearedoing–proclaimingandteachingtheScriptures,becausetheworkoftheGospelistheworkofChrist,itisnotourwork.ThepoweroftheGospelisthepowerofChrist,notourpower.AndthepromisesoftheGospelaresurebecauseGodhasdeterminedthatHewillcarrythemontofullandtotalcompletion.

UnlikemyoldbrownMini,whichoneday,inspiteofallmyefforts,willneverthelessrustaway,theDivineworkofgrace–therenewalandrestorationthatistheoutcomeoftheGospelintheheartofeverybeliever–isonewhichwillneverceaseuntilwearefullycomplete.Brandnew.Insideandout.

Paul [reminds] the Philippian believers that they are not his project, but Christ’s. And because God’s purposes are so sure…Paul’s confidence is unshakeable.






O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made. I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

‘How Great Thou Art’ 1

How Great Thou Art! Reflections from the Chair

ThewordsofthisgreathymncametomeaswehikedintheGrandTetonsandYellowstoneNationalParks(USA)thispastmonth.God’screativegeniuswaseverywheretobehold–fromthesmilingmoosetothemajesticelkwithitstallantlerstotheminotaur-lookingbisontothetoo-close-for-comfortgrizzlyandhercubstothemajesticmountainpeaks,canyons,waterfalls,prancingcolourfulwildflowers,‘whatismanthatyouaremindfulofhim,thesonofmanthatyoucareforhim?’(Psalm8:4).

TherecouldhavebeennobetterplaceformetohavereadDarrellPaproth’s‘Failure is Not Final!’abiographyofMST’s(thenMBI)FoundingPrincipal,C.H.Nash(1920-42).ThelifehelivedwasonecompletelysoldoutforthecauseofthisgreatGod,whoaloneisworthyofourall.NashwastirelessinhiscommitmenttotheWordofGod,tomissions,toevangelicalunityandtotheshapingofmenandwomenforGospelwork.

Indeed,whatablessingitwasrecentlyformetowitnessbutoneexpressionoftheKingdomofGodinactionwhenIvisitedBibleStudyFellowshiponJune12.

ItwastheQueen’sBirthdayholidayMonday;however,theregatheredat,andoccupyingeverycornerofMST,over100women(somewithchildrenwhoalsohadtheirownBSFProgram)frommanydifferentchurches,earnestlystudyingtheBible.Iheardhowliveshavebeen

changedandfamiliesmadewholethroughthisministry.MaytheHolySpiritenergiseusaswesaywithNash2andthePsalmist,“Lord,howIloveThyBook.Itismymeditationalltheday”.“Itismosttruethatourreligionshouldtransformthewholeoflife,thelifeofsociety,business,sport,cultureandall;butnotonedepartmentoflifecanbetransformedwithoutfaithinChristandthegiftofHisSpirit”3.“…thevisionofthekingdomofGodembracingallthekingdomsofthisworld…neverleft[Nash]”4andshouldneverleaveus.

IamdeeplyhumbledandhonouredtobeyournewCouncilChair.AsIreflectontheMSTstory,IamsothankfultoGodforHisfaithfulnesstoMSTandIpraythatwewillallcontinuetoparticipateinandbeexcitedbyGod’ssalvationstoryfortheworldbybecomingengagedwiththeMSTfamilyandtheMSTstory–God’sstory.

‘And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee, How great Thou art; how great Thou art!’

Dr Rosemary Wong is the new Chair of MST Council. She is also a Medical Specialist in Endocrinology at Western Health and Cabrini Health and is on the leadership team of the Counselling Centre at CrossCulture Church of Christ. She has also served on the Committee of the Christian Medical and Dental Fellowship of Australia for more than a decade and is currently studying part-time toward a Masters of Divinity degree.

1.‘HowGreatThouArt’,CarlBoberg,1885

2.Paproth,D.Failure is not final: A life of C. H. Nash.TheCentrefortheStudyofAustralianChristianity,MacquarieUniversity,NSW1997,108

3.Paproth,125

4.Paproth,40

Dr Rosemary Wong is the new Chair of MST Council.






gREAT SECOND SEMESTER INTAKE We have just accepted one of our largest Second Semester intakes in recent history, with 30 English speaking Cert IV, undergraduate, and graduate students and 9 Chinese students. Praise the Lord!

SimonandMeg(née Brook)Crittle,havestartedasnewstudentsinSecondSemesterbuttheyarebothbackafter17years!

“We’vejustcompletednineyearsofcross-culturalministryatMelbourneJapaneseChristianChurch,andGodisnowleadingustoreturntomissioninJapannextyearwithOMF.Tobewellequippedforthetaskahead,wedecideditwouldbeaworthwhileinvestmenttodo12-monthsoffurtherstudyfirst,”Simonsaid.

Simonenrolledfull-timethisSemesteratMSTPostgraduateInstitute,intheGraduateDiplomaofMinistry.He,however,alsocompletedaBachelorofTheologyandDiplomaofMissionsatBCVintheearly90s.

Meghasenrolledfull-timeintheGraduateDiplomaofDivinityandhasevenstrongerlinkstoMST.Herfather,DavidBrook,studiedatMBIinthe1950sandshealsocompletedanAssociateDegreeinTheologyatBCVinthemid90s.

However,theCollegeholdsaspecialplaceinboththeirheartsbecausetheirdaughterMelaniewasbornoncampuswhiletheywerestudyingatBCVin1993.

“StudyingatBCVinthe90swassuperbpreparationforourfirsttermofcross-culturalmissioninJapaninthelate90s,”Megsaid.

“SoMSTwastheclearchoiceforus,whenwedecidedtogobackonthefieldnearly20yearslater.Wearejustafewweeksintothesemester,andalreadywehavelearntalot.It’sgreattobeback!”shesaid.

SimonsaystheirdaughterMelanieisalsoafirstyearstudentatMonashUniversity,“Sonowweareafamilyoffull-timestudentsforthenext12months,”Simonsaid.

New in Second Semester…back after 17 years!






MST’sworldrenownedscholar,prolificwriterandSeniorLecturerinNewTestament,RevDrColinKrusehadhisnewvolume,Paul’s Letter to the Romans,launchedatMSTtoacrowdofmorethanahundredscholarsandstudentsonSaturday18August.

DrPeterRiddell,VicePrincipalofAcademicAffairs,hostedthelaunchandperspectivesontheCommentaryweresharedbyGillianAsquith,amature-agestudentandobviouslygreatadmirerofDrKruse’s,andareview,includingmanylaughs,fromDrGregForbes,DrKruse’slongtermfriendandcolleagueandHeadoftheBiblicalStudiesatMST.DrKruseclearlypreferredtodistractallthispositiveattentionawayfromhimselfandapologisedthatpeoplehadto“comeoutinsuchhorribleweatherandmissthegreatlineupontheABC.”Mostly,however,heusedhistimetothankhiscurrentandformercolleaguesand,mostimportantly,dedicatedthework,whichhesaidwas“probablythegreatestpieceofworkinmylifetime”toRosemary,hiswifeof50years.

Series editor, D. A. Carson, provides a small taste of what this much-anticipated new title is all about:

“EversinceReformationtimesandevenearlier,Paul’slettertotheRomanshasplayedanextraordinary

roleinshapingtheunderstandingandlifeofChristians.

“Tomentiononlyfourpassages:HowwethinkaboutnaturalrevelationishugelyindebtedtoRomans1–2;LuthercalledRomans3:21-26thecentreoftheentireBible;Romans11wrestleswiththerelationshipbetweenIsraelandthechurch;andRomans8hasbeencalledthemostimportantchapterintheBible,unfoldingtheentireplanofsalvationfromjustificationtoglorification,allgroundedinthematchlessloveofGodforhispeople.Moreover,inrecentdecades(togobacknofurther),Romanshascalledforthadisturbinglylargearrayofinterpretations.Thatmeansagoodcommentarymustnotonlyprovideareliableunpackingofthetext,butitmustalsobeausefulguidetotheplethoraofbooksandessaysthatswirlaroundthisletter.

“EnterColinKruse.ReadersofThePillarNewTestamentCommentarywillknowhimfortheclarityandgoodsenseinhiscommentaryonJohn’slettersinthePNTCseries.Herehisskillscometotheforeagain:clarityofthoughtandwriting,independentjudgment,deepreverenceforwhatthetextactuallysays,anduncommonwisdominsortingthroughthevastsecondaryliteraturewithoutgetting

Dr Kruse Launches Ten Years of Work on Romans

boggeddown.Itisapleasuretocommendthiscommentaryandincludeitintheseries.

“InkeepingwiththeaimsofthePillarseries,ColinKruseinthiscommentaryexplainsRomanstoseriouspastors,teachers,andstudentsoftheBible.Kruse–awell-knownevangelicalscholar–solidlybaseshisexegesisontheGreektext,inconversationwithscholarlyliterature,bothancientandmodern,andwithspecialattentiontotheliteratureofthelastthirtyyears.

“ThiscommentaryshowshowPaulexpoundsanddefendsthegospelagainstthebackgroundofGod’ssovereignactionascreator,judge,andredeemeroftheworld.Intheprocess,KruseelucidatesPaul’steachingaboutmattersofconcernintheRomanhousechurches–issuesthatremainimportanttoday.Kruse’sclarityandeconomyindealingwithsuchcomplexandimportantmatters,alongwiththeotherfeaturesmentionedabove,promisetomakethiscommentaryanenduringstandardforyearstocome.”

Source:eerdword.wordpress.com

FormoregreatresourcesbeingproducedbyMSTAcademicspleasevisitpage32.






FormanyAustraliansinterestedinhistory,artorarchitecture,aguidedtourthroughEuropeisagreatchancetoletyourhairdownandrelax.Notsoforthetwenty-sevenMSTstudentsandfriendswhoreturnedrecentlyfroma2500kmReformationTourthroughEurope.

“Iwastrulyblessedtohavetheopportunitytotakepartandco-leadtheReformationTouraspartofmyformalstudieshereatMST,”saidMichaelPiper,StudentPresident.“ItofferedgreatinsightsintothethinkingandmotivationsoftheReformersandhadgreatpersonalsignificance,bothformyunderstandingofhistoryandmyfaith.”

Thetwo-weekTour,ledbyMST’sChurchHistoryandTheologyLecturer,RevDrScottHarrower,

wasbasedonreadinghistoricaldocumentsandvisitinghistoricallysignificantsites.ItbeganwithsevendaysinGermanyvisitingsignificantlocationsinMartinLuther’slife,suchasWittenburg,Eisleben,CastleWartburg,MainzandWorms.ThegroupthentravelledtoSwitzerland,spendingtimeinbothZurichandGeneva,exploringkeylocationsoftheSwissReformationforZwingliandCalvin.

TheTourwasofferedasafullcreditsubject,andso,studentswererequiredtodosomesignificantreadingandreflectionpriortoflyingout.TheywerealsorequiredtoreadsomeoftheReformers’originalwritingonthebuseachmorning.MichaelfoundthathisinitialjudgementsregardingsomeoftheReformers’actionsweretempered

bytheinsightshegainedvisitingthesites.Forinstance,wherehe’dthoughtitwas‘absolutelydreadful’thatZwingli(andothers)destroyedallimagesandrelics,hesays,“InowhavegreatempathyfortheReformers.InasenseInowfeelforthemandIwaschallengedtounderstandtheiremotionsandreasonsmorethanIeverhavebefore.”

ForDrScottHarrower,whospeaksGermanandhasledsmallergroupsthroughGermany,theTourwasfarmorethansightseeing.Hehadspecificeducationalgoalsforthetour,includingshapingparticipants’

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“ I wanted students to meet and ‘make friends’ in history,” Dr Harrower said.

The MST Reformation Tour outside the Luther Monument in Worms, Germany


friends in history






viewandunderstandingofgrace,bothintheBibleandinhistory,withanightlystudyorworshipservicebasedonEphesians.

“Inparticular,Iwantedstudentstomeetand‘makefriends’inhistory.PeoplelikeMartinandKatharinaLuther,JohnandIdeletteCalvin,UlrichandAnna(Reinhard)ZwingliwereallrolemodelsofgoodChristianleaders,”DrHarrowersaid.

Inadditiontothetheologicalinsightsandhighlights,DrHarrowersaidthethatfree-timeinthepoolinStrasbourgwasamemorablehighlightforthegroup.Hevividlyremembersastrongsenseoffellowshipandplayfulnessamongtheverymixedgroup,withpeoplefromtheirearlytwentiestotheirmid-sixtiesplayinghappilytogether.

HealsofeelstheTourwassuccessfulbecauseitwasabletomodelsharedteamleadership.InthethreemonthsbeforethetoursetoffforEurope,DrHarrowerhadmetweeklywiththreestudentstoteachthemenoughconversationalGerman

toorderfood,buythings,dealwiththebusdriver,getdirections,organisehotelrooms,andmanagetheteaminpublicplaces.

“IwanttorecogniseMichael,KirstyandIona.Theywereexceptionalinco-leadingtheTourandIcouldn’thavedoneitwithoutthem,”DrHarrowersaid.

AswellasmanyrealisationsabouttheReformers,MichaelsayshehadsomesignificantinsightsintothehumanconditionthroughouttheTour.

“EvenwithtangibleremindersofGod’sworkingswithinhistory,suchasLuther’ssealinthecobblestones,GermanyisnomoreChristianthanAustralia,”hesaid.“Mostly,theTourreinforcedthatnothing,otherthanahearttransplantatthehandsofGod,willtrulyredirecthumanitybacktowardsourtruegoalandfocus–theworshipofGod,”Michaelsaid.

MichaelsaidthatthroughthestudyofEphesiansandreflectionswithScott,insmallgroupsandtheSundayservicetheyheld,hecametoknow,

inamorefullsense,thefactthatGodwaspreparingusforgoodworks.

“InlightofallthathappenedintheReformation,IfounditveryhumblingandamazingtoknowthatwewerepredestinedforgoodworksjustasLuther,Calvin,Zwingli,Melanchthon,andtheotherReformers,”hesaid.

This Tour has its own theme song, ‘Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott’ (German: A Mighty Fortress is Our God). This book is smaller than a small hand!

A portrait of Martin Luther and his wife Katharina Luther von Bore, painted in 1529 by Lucas The Elder Cranach.

A line drawing of Rev Dr Martin Luther nailing his ‘Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences’ commonly known as ‘The 95 Theses’ to the Door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg.







MSTcelebratesthisSemesterthecontributionofanamazinglady,AnneHorswell,whohasbeenpartofthefabricofBCVandMSTfor30years.

Annestartedin1982inreception,wheremanyformerstaffandstudentshavetestifiedthatshealwaysmadevisitorsfeelwelcome.

“Itdidn’tmatteriftheywereworld-renownedspeakerscomingtopreachorteachorthepersoncomingtofixthephotocopier,phonesorwhateverneededfixing…Theywereallthesameinhereyes:peopleneedingtobetreatedwithrespect,careandiftheoccasionwarrantedit,humour,”remembersherlong-termfriendandcolleague,formerLibrarianKathyCaddy.

Thank God for Anne

One of Anne’s many outstanding traits is her sense of humour.

“SheisamatureandfaithfulfolloweroftheLordJesuswhoservedatBCVthenMSTbecausesheunderstoodthisasGod’spersonalcallingforherservice.Sheisacheerfulandveryloyalperson,whohasoutstandingadminskills.Alwaysreadytofinishthejobandcommittowhateverittakes.”

However,DrPricesayshefoundAnnetobemorethanjustaPA,butaveryfaithfulfriendwhoencouragedhiminthehighsandlowsofhisleadershipattheCollege.

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HerpromotiontoPAtothePrincipaldidn’tchangeherattitudetoallthosewhocamethroughtheCollegedoors.“Withherdeskfacingtheentranceshemadesurenothinghappenedthatshewasnotontopof,”Kathysaid.

“TosaythatAnnehasworkedaboveandbeyondwhatwasexpectedofherisverymuchanunderstatement.Sheoftencameinearlyandstayedlate,cameinonSaturdaysandifneededtookworkhome,”shesaid.

DrDavidPrice,whoservedasPrincipalbetween1990and2005,saidhecouldnothaveaskedforabetterPAthanAnne.

“IdeeplyappreciateAnneforallshehasmeanttomeovertheyears,”DrPricesaid.






WRESTLE WITh SCRIPTuRE AND MISSIONS ON WEDNESDAYSAlumniandfriendsarealwayswelcometojoinusonWednesdaysat10amforChapeltograpplewiththeinteractionbetweenScripture,ministryandmissionstrategies:

29August DrBruceSearle(ACMA)—TheGospelonWings10October DrJudeLong(NungalinyaCollege)—TrainingIndigenousGospelWorkers17OctoberJaySmith(BICWM)—ReachingRadicalMuslimsinLondon24OctoberMattSalter(AFES)—ReachingUniStudentswiththeGospel

Also,youaremostwelcometojoinusforPrincipal’sForumat10ameveryTuesdayduringterm.

“Ialwaysvaluedherwisdomandinsightoncountlessissues.ShehasahugecommitmenttotheCollege,thefacultyandstudentsandgaveherselfoftenatconsiderablecosttoseethatthingswerealwaysdonewithexcellenceandforGod’sglory,”hesaid.

AnnehasformedmanylastingfriendshipswiththestudentsandthefacultyandhasthrivedinthecommunalatmosphereoftheCollege.Sheisaverytenderheartandoftentheurgentprayerrequestscomingthroughherofficeleftherintears,Kathyremembers.

Bi-monthly,Annelovespreparingtheprayernotes,analmostsacredtrustgiventoherbytheMSTCommunity.

Therehavebeenmanychangesovertheyears,however,Annehasbeenoneoftheconstantsformanyalumniandformerfacultyandstaff.Whensheeventuallyleavesthegapwillbefeltbymany,manypeopleforalongtime.

OneofAnne’smanyoutstandingtraitsishersenseofhumour.Thereareoftenhootsoflaughtercomingfromanyroomsheisin.“Evenmoreincriminatingisherlegendaryhabitofsnorting–usuallyasignthatsomethinghasbreachedthelaughterbarrier,”Kathysaid.

More than eighty people, including current and former students, members of Council and Faculty celebrated Anne’s life and dedication to the College at a special Past Students, Alumni and Friends luncheon on 11 August 2012.

Reaching Out Across Country and State boundariesInmid-September,sevenstudentteamsfromMSTandMSTChinesewillpartnerwithchurchesandgroupsinthreecountriesandthreeStatesofAustralia.

“Itisagreattimeforustogetoutthereandputintopracticewhatwearelearninghere,aswejoinwithothersingettingtheGospelouttotheircommunities,”saidSamReeve,Vice-Principal(Community).

“Teamsofstudentsledbyafacultymemberarepreparingtogotocity,suburbanandrurallocationsthisyear,withadistinctislandflavour:oneteamgoingtothe

SolomonIslands,anothertoMacauandalsoTasmania,”hesaid.

ThreeteamsfromMSTChinesewillbeministeringalongsideChinesechurchesinHobart,DarwinandMacauwhileotherteamswillexperienceministryinaregionalenvironmentatWarrnambool,orasuburbanenvironmentwithNewHopeBaptistChurchinBlackburnNorth.

Forthefourthyearrunningastudentteam,ledbyMissiologistDrBerniePower,willfocusonreachingthemanyMuslimslivinginMelbourne,visitingmosquesand

Imams,reachingouttolocalandinternationaluniversitystudentsandrunningpublicmeetingsaspartofthisteam’sexperience.

“StudentsoftensayMissionweekisthehighlightoftheiryear,astheyseeGodatworkintheirownlivesandthelivesofothers,byputtingintopracticethethingstheyarelearningatMST,”Samsaid.

Pleasepraythiswillbeanencouragingandenrichingexperienceforstudentsandfaculty,aswellasthechurchesandgroupstheypartnerwith.Mostofall,praythatthisweekwillseepeoplebroughttofaithandbuiltupinChrist.




ambassador magazine · Issue 214 · Spring 2012MST Alumni


Dr Clifford Wilson and his wife Barbara Source: ChrisFieldBlog.com

(Formerly‘Hatches,MatchesandDispatches’)EditedbyMBIAlumnus,GraemeRule

ambassador Family Roundup

DrCliffWilson,whowasaSeniorLectureratMBIbetween1961and1968,andassociatedwiththeCollegeforover50years,passedintothepresenceofhisLordon4April2012.

HelecturedinawiderangeofsubjectsovermanyyearsandwasactiveinCollegelife,evenattendingthe50thanniversarylastNovember.

AtaThanksgivingServiceheldon15AprilatCanterburyGardensCommunityChurch,hisfamilypaidfinetributetohim,remindingusthatCliffWilsonwasaremarkablemaninmanyways.Hislifewasfilledwithbusynessandcommitment,laughterandloveashelovedandservedGodallhislife.

DrWilsonwasmanythingstomanypeople,including:

InternationalUniversity;• RadioBroadcaster–through

HCJBinAustralia,theUSAandthroughouttheworld;

• Director–ofAustralianInstituteofArchaeology;

• Author–ofmorethan50publishedbooks,and;

• AssociateEditor–ofNewLifeChristianNewspaper.

Inrecentyears,DrWilsonstruggledagainsttheeffectsofamassivestroke,thedeclineofhisonceacutementalpowersandthelossofhisbelovedBarbara.PraiseGodthathehasenteredintothejoyofhisLord.Adapted from an obituary in New Life April 2012

• Student–completingdegreesinHistory,Education,Theology,DivinityandPsycho-Linguistics;

• Lecturer–atToorakTeachers’CollegeandMonashUniversity,lateraBibleLectureratmanydifferentinstitutionsincludingEmmausBibleCollege,NewZealandBibleSchool,ColumbiaBibleCollege,PacificCollegeofGraduateStudies,aswellasMelbourneBibleInstitute;

• Missionary–toIndiaasthefirstRegionalDirectorofEmmausBibleCorrespondenceSchool;

• Pastor–inbothAustraliaandtheUSA;

• Founder–ofWordofTruthMinistriesandFoundingPresidentofPacificCollegeofGraduateStudiesandPacific

Remembering Dr Cliff Wilson






NEWS fROM MST ALuMNI AND fRIENDS • KathrynSimon(néeSimpson),a2007BCVgraduate

beforejoiningMSTasanAdministratoroftheCSIOFandPostgraduateInstitute,and(Saurabh)JoshuaSimon,a2010ACMAgraduate,gavebirthtoababygirl,SaraChristina,6lb7oz,onSaturday28July.

• MikeandEsther(néeChan)Kirkpatrick,bothgraduatesfromtheearly2000s,(MikewasbrieflyChairofCouncil),gavebirthtoAnnabelleChristineYiu-TsunKirkpatrick,7lb4oz,on12July.Mikewrites“SheiskeepingmumanddadVERYbusy…butsheisanabsolutedelight!

• AnnaJarmyservinginMadagascarreportsonthejoysandchallengesfacedinteaching.ShewritesofthepleasureofhavingherlocalfamilywithheronMother’sDaycelebrated1June.AnnaasksforprayerforthecompletionofMalagasyBibleStudymaterial.

• SilRuddleispresentlyinFranceonlanguagestudiesandwillbeheadingtoBenininWestAfricawithSIMinMidAugust.NeilSimhasbeenaskedtotraveltoBenintoaidinSil’sorientation.

• RobynTerrywithWycliffe’sEquipTrainingiscurrentlyinHoniaraconductingliteracyworkshops.Thoseattendingcomefrom13languagegroups.Robynasksforprayerthatallthegoalsoftheworkshopswillbemet.

• RevDavidandMichelleSterrey,whostudiedTheologyandMissiologyatBCVbetween1991-93,havebeeninductedtoministryatBeaumarisBaptistChurch.

• PhilandCarolShort,MSTalumnifromthe1970s,havebeenaskedtoreturntoworkinNigerbasedatMaine-Soroa.TheyexpecttoleaveAugust30,prayfortheirtransitiontotheheatofthesub-Sahara.

• FromtheresponsestoYour StoryinthespecialeditionofAmbassadorwenotethatthemostseniorrespondentisalmostcertainlyJockButterssofWishartinQueensland.JockisretiredaftermanyyearsasanarmychaplainaroundAustraliaandoverseas.Howeverhereportsthathestilloccasionallypreaches.JockstudiedatthenMBIin1941-2asacontemporaryofRegWorthy.

MY ChINA MYSTERY TheamazingadventuresinpeaceandwartimeofMBIgraduateandOMFmissionaryCaptainFrankWhiteMBEreadlikeanAgathaChristienovel.Afteralmost70yearshisstoryistoldinthebook,My China Mystery,lovinglyandpainstakinglywrittenbyhisdaughterMarionAndrews.

Hisfascinatingstorylayhiddenuntilafterhisfuneralin2001.In2009Marionreceivedherfather’sforgottenawardfromQueenElizabethatBuckinghamPalace.

My China MysteryispublishedbyEvenBeforePublishing.ForthosewholoveMissionshistoryandwouldlikeacopy,Marioncanbecontactedat0267658754orherblogmychinamystery.blogspot.com.au

fROM MST ChINESE Friendswillbeencouragedtoknowthatover800menandwomenattendedtheMissionConferenceoftheWorldFederationofChineseMethodistChurchheldinTaipeiInJune.TheconferencethemewasHolinessandMissionandbothDrY.C.LiongandDrJustinTanpresentedpapersandreportawonderfultimeasparticipantscamefromallovertheworld.

Pleaseprayfortheninemenandwomenwhostartedtheirstudiesatthemid-yearintake.TheyjoinsomeseventyotherstudentsinMSTChinese.OthernewsfromMSTChinese:

• MarandaNg,a2007graduate,hasbeenordainedtoserveascongregationalpastoroftheChinesefellowshipatSyndalBaptistChurch.

• SimonChen,a1998graduate,hasbeenestablishinganewfellowshipinDoncastercalledtheMelbourneFamilyofGodChristianChurch.

• DrTimothyLau,apreviouslectureratthecollege,isnowPrincipaloftheInternationalChineseBiblicalSeminarybasedinBarcelona,Spain.




http://mychinamystery.blogspot.com.au/



If you would like to provide updated news for Family Roundup, please send in your news via email to: [email protected] or send via post to: MST PO Box 6257, Vermont South VIC 3133

WANT TO LEAvE A LASTINg LEgACY?Overtheyears,legaciesandbequestshaveprovedagreatblessingtothedevelopmentandstabilityoftheCollege.WhynotprayerfullyconsiderMSTinyourgivingplans?PleasephoneGraemeRulefordetailson(03)98817800ormobile0412599059.

WeloveGod’sWord,andwewantotherpeopletohavetheprivilegeofhavingitintheirownlanguage.AftertrainingatBCV,wejoinedWycliffeBibleTranslatorsandwereassignedtotheGelalanguagegroupintheSolomonIslands.In1998weheadedoffwithourfourchildrentotheSolomonIslands.InitiallywelivedintheseasidevillageofPolomuh,learningtheGelalanguageandculture.ThenweworkedwiththeGelapeopletochooseBibletranslatorsfromtheirvariousdialectsandtrainthemtodotheworkoftranslatingfromEnglishintoGela.WewereevacuatedfromtheSolomonsduringthecoupin2000,butreturnedthenextyear.Unfortunatelythemedicalinfrastructurewasdestroyedfollowingthecoup,andwehad26boutsofmalariain2002.WereturnedtoAustralia,burntoutandneedingtorecover.

WehavebeenbasedinAustraliaforthepast9years,withBrucelecturingfor6monthsoftheyearattheWycliffePacificTrainingschoolatKangarooGround,Victoria,andspendingtheremainingtimecheckingthetranslationsofthevariousNTbooks.Wehavecompleted75%oftheNewTestament–theGospels,Acts,andallthePaulineepistles(apartfrom1&2Corinthianswhichwearenowfinalising).BrucestilltravelstotheSolomonstwiceayeartotrainthetranslatorsandfinalisethecheckingprocessforeachofthebooks.WeareaimingtodedicatetheGelaNTin2015.

Finishing the Gela New Testament bruce & Alison Coombe write:

Please continue your support of god’s life-changing and world-changing work through MST• CreditCard.DonationscanbemadebycallingSusanneon0398817800

[email protected]• Cheque.DonationsviachequecanbepostedtoMSTatPOBox6257,VermontSouth3133•Online.Youcannowdonateonlineviaourwebsitewww.mst.edu.au• Transfer.DonationscanbetransferreddirectlytoBSB033107Account384543

(Pleaseletusknowbyphone)

Pleaseletusknowatthetimeofdonationwhetheryouwantyoursupporttogoto:1.MSTCommunityNeeds2.Missiology3.MSTChinese4.MSTCSIOF5.Other


Melbourne Bayswater

Chadstone

CroydonDoncaster

Dandenong

MOUNTAIN HWY

EASTLINK

BURWOOD HWY

MST Location: Iconic triangle island at intersection of Eastlink, Burwood & Mountain Highways, Wantirna.





ambassador magazine · Issue 214 · Spring 2012MST Centre for the Study of Islam and Other Faiths


In Search of Living Water

Is God still at work among Hindu peoples? Kate Pocklington thinks so.

Itwasearlymorningwhenwemadeourwaydowntotheriver.Themorningmistcloudedourview,thesunwasstrugglingtorise.Weavingourwayaroundstreetsdogsandsleepingcows,waysideshrinesandclosedshops,wearrivedattheghatsandseatedourselvesonastep,steamingchaiinhand.Slowlythepeoplebegantocome.

TheGangesRiverisoneofthemostsacredplacesinIndia,andVaranasi,orBenaras,isitsoldestandmostsacredcity.Hinduswillspendtheirlife-savingstotraveltotheGangesinVaranasi,tobatheinitswatersandhavetheirsinswashedaway.ButtheGangaisnotclean.Asluggishmixtureofindustrialpollution,ashandbone,laundryandpersonalwashing,toiletwasteandanimalwateringholetraffic,theGangesisfarfromunsoiled;and

yetpeoplepilgrimagetothissitetobewashedfresh,clean,new.Thecontrastisstartling,theironyclear.

Aswewatched,withfogandsunrising,onewomanstoodoutamongstthethrong.Wadingintothemurkywaters,shekneltdownandbegantoscoopwaterintoherbrassbowl.Raisingthevesselaboveherhead,shepoureditcontentsonherselfonce,twice,threetimes.Finallyshebroughtittoherlips,drinkingthosewatersshesawaslife-giving.

ItisadreamforeveryHindutodieandbecrematedalongthebanksoftheGangesRiverinVaranasi.There,theirashesmergingwiththesesupposedsacredwaters,theycanreceiveimmediatesalvation,orMoksha,releasefromthecycleofrebirth.Andsotheycome.

Butweknowthetruth:thatJesusisthelivingwater,thatHisdeathalonecanwashawayoursins,thatsalvationcomesthroughChrist,thatwehaveonelifeandthenwillfacejudgement.“Doyounotknow,have

younotheard?”theprophetIsaiahquestions.Theansweris,“No,”formostHindus,whomakeup15%oftheworld’spopulation.

Butthereishope.GodisatworkamongsttheHindusoftheworld.Churchplantingmovementsaregrowing,spreadingthroughouthiddenvillages.UrbandwellersarelearningthatJesusistheonlyGod,notjustoneamongst330million.PoliticiansandslumcommunitiesalikearedeclaringJesusasLord.

WillyoubeapartofseeingtruthproclaimedtotheHinduworld?

Kate Pocklington works with mission organisation, Pioneers Australia, facilitating their Learning, Growth and Development. Prior to this, she spent

almost eight years in India working amongst a slum community doing a mixture of community development and church planting. She is a third generation graduate of MST.






ambassador

MST Students Supporting Theological Training in KenyaFormanyyears,MSTstudentshavesupportedscholarshipsfortheologicalstudentsatcollegessponsoredbyOverseasCouncilAustralia(OCA)inthedevelopingworld.In2012,theMSTStudentMissionsTeam,headedupbyKennedyOchiengOkello,hasbeenorganisingallmannerofeventstoraisefundsforCarlileCollege,Kenya,includingaverysuccessfulfundraisingDinneratMSTon18August,whereformerPrincipalofCarlileCollege,RevDrDavidWilliamsspoke..

WespoketoKenandOCAMelbourneDirector,NicolaTempleton,toshedsomelightonCarlileCollege,themissionarychallengesinKenya,andwhyKenbelievesMSTstudentswillbekeentosupportit.

CARLILE COLLEgE, NAIRObI

CarlileCollegewasfoundedinNairobiin1954totrainAfrican

evangelistsandpastorsfromdifferentcountriesanddenominations.

TheCollegetookitsnamefromRevWilsonCarlile,thefounderoftheChurchArmy.WilsonCarlilefoundedthe19thCenturyChurchofEnglandmovement,withavisiontotrainevangeliststoministertotheoutcastsandcriminalsoftheWestminsterslums,whichhadimmediaterelevancefortheworkinEastAfricaamongthepoorestofthepoor.

“In2001,theCollegeleadershiprealisedtheimportanceoffocussingonthegrowingslumsettlementsinNairobi,sotheyestablishedasatellitecampusinKiberaSettlementcalledtheCentreforUrbanMission,”Nicolasaid.

OverseasCouncilAustraliabecameanearlypartner,initiallyprovidingmodestfundsforbuildingsandscholarships.HoweverOCA’ssupporthasgrownandit’snowa

leadingsupporteroftheCentre,regardedasapioneerinAfricaforitsworkministeringamidstpoverty.

“OCApresentlysupportsabouttwentyfivestudentsattheCentreforUrbanMissionandtheSchoolofMissiology.Graduatingstudents

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Two students at Carlile College in Nairobi Kenya Source: OCA

MAGAZINE

Most of the students at Carlile’s Centre for Urban Mission come from the slum settlements outside Nairobi.

Kennedy appeals to students and supporters at the Kenya Dinner to support Carlile College.






MAGAZINE

KENYA AT A gLANCE• Population:41.6million,majorityurbanorruralpoor• Refugees:300,000fromneighbouringcountries• Religiousbreakdown:Christian83%;Muslim8%;traditionalreligion7%• History:GainedindependencefromBritainin1963

NATIONAL ISSuES• Economicdeclineoverpastfourdecades• Corruption–singlepoliticalpartyhasruledfordecades• Thepasttenyearsdrought,floodsandfaminehaveputgreatpressureon

ruralcommunities.Agricultureisstillthebasisformuchoftheeconomy,despitehavingonly9%arableland

• Drifttocitieshasledtothegrowthofmassiveinformalurbansettlements.About2millionpeoplelive‘informally’,aroundhalfthepopulationofNairobi

• HIV/AIDSinfectionratehasplateauedataround6.9%ofthepopulation,leaving100,000orphans

Source: Overseas Council Australia

returntotheirchurchesasnativeleadersandevangelists,theologicallyequippedtoministerinthemidstofpoverty,politicalstrife,widescalepersonallossanddespair,”shesaid.

KenOchiengOkello,whogrewupinKenya,isinhisfinalsemesterofaMasterofDivinityandisgladthatheisabletoheaduptheStudentMissionsTeamtoraisemoneytotrainstudentsinhisnativeKenya.HebelievesitisimportantthatMSTisan‘outward-looking’institution.

“In2010,MSTstudentssupportedstudentsstudyingattheEvangelicalChristiansEurasianCollegeinRussia,in2011studentsatZarephathBibleInstituteinPakistan,andin2012wearesupportingtwostudents,AbnerAhuariandAbrahamAlierPachatCarlileCollege,”Kensaid.

PriortostudyingatMST,KenwasinvolvedinmissionworkamongtheSomalipeopleinNorthernKenya,inacityatthecentreofrecentterroristattacks.

“AsaKenyan,IknowthetargetgroupofCarlileCollegeandcanconfirmthisisaworthyinvestment.Studentsarenotonlybeingequippedtoreachouttotheworldinthefuture—theyaredoingitevennow!”hesaid.

Abraham Alier Pach

CARLILE COLLEgE AT A gLANCE• School of Missiology:140students,7full-timeand

9part-timeFaculty.StudentstrainingforministrythroughoutEastAfrica.

• Centre for Urban Mission:279students,4full-timeand16part-timeFaculty.MoststudentscomefromslumsinNairobi.

• Centre for Distance Education:181students.TrainspastorsandchaplainsthroughoutKenya.

The two Carlile College students that MST Students are raising funds to support.

George Maina Nduta






Do Muslims and Christians worship the same God?

Seen this article before? It first appeared in the August edition of the Bible Society’s Eternity newspaper.

AMuslimstudentstoodtohisfeet.“Can’tyoujustagreewithusthatweallworshipthesameGod?”heasked,tomuchapplause.

Theevent,“WhatisattheheartofIslam/Christianity?”atMelbourneUniversitylatelastyearhadbeenorganisedbytheChristianUnionandtheMuslimStudentsAssociation,whereIwasinvitedtocomparetheMuslimandChristianviewsofGod.

Atonepoint,IquotedthefamousMuslimtheologian,alGhazali,whowrote:“LoveistosenseaneedofthebelovedandsinceAllahcannotbesaidtohaveaneedoranexperienceofaneed,itisthereforeimpossiblethatAllahshouldlove”.ThiscontrastswithakeyverseintheBible(John3:16),andthestatementthat“Godislove”(1John4:8,16).TheMuslimspeakerrespondedvigorously,challengingtheauthenticityoftheBibleandholdinguphisQur’anas“theonlytrueandunchangedwordof

God”.SomeMuslimsintheaudiencecalledoutloudly:“AllahAkbar”(Allahisgreat).Thelinesweredrawnandtheatmospherewastense.

“DoweworshipthesameGod?”Iresponded,“Let’stestthat.”

“CouldIaskalltheMuslimstudentstoraisetheirhands?Iamgoingtosaysomething,andifyouhearanythingyoudisagreewith,pleaseputyourhanddown.”IbegantorecitetheApostles’Creed:“IbelieveinGod,theFatheralmighty,Creatorofheavenandearth.”Attheword“Father”,somehandswentdown.

Icontinued:“AndinJesusChrist,HisonlySon,ourLord.”Mosthandsdroppedafterthis,butcreptupmomentarilyasIsaid:“HewasconceivedbytheHolySpirit,bornoftheVirginMary,sufferedunderPontiusPilate,wascrucified,diedand

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FREE NUMBER 28, AUGUST 2012

CIRCULATION 100,000ISSN 1837-8447

NotthesameGod

Selimaksan/Vetta Collection

•NEW CHILDREN’S PAGE • WHY MONOCULTURAL CHURCHES WILL DIE•MICHAEL JENSEN PUBLIC SQUARE RELIGION

•TIM COSTELLO TWITTER IS NOT ENOUGH, WE NEED UBUNTU

What do Christians say to Muslims?






wasburied.”Atthispointeveryhandintheroomwentdown.Iturnedtothequestioner:“Lookaround,andyouwillseethatnotasingleMuslimagreeswiththisearlycreedthatalmosteveryChristianaccepts.HowcanyousaythatweworshipthesameGod?”Therewassilence,andthemeetingmovedontoanothertopic.

OtherChristians,suchasMiroslavVolf,wouldtakeadifferentapproach.TheypointtothelinguisticsimilaritiesbetweentheHebrew‘Eloah’and‘Elohim’,andtheArabic‘Allah’.TheAramaictermthatJesuswouldhaveusedforGodwas‘Aalah’.TheQur’anclaimsthatMuslimsandChristiansworshipthesameGod(Q.29:46).TheTorah(Deuteronomy6:4),Jesus(Mark12:29)andtheQur’an(Q.112:1)agreethatthereisonlyoneGod.Hecreates,reveals,loves,forgives,andjudges.Surely,accordingtoMuslimsandsomeChristians,thismustbethesameGod.

Howeveracloserinspectionrevealssomesignificantdifferencesinthewaytheseactionsarecarriedout.Inthe

Bible,GodrevealsHimselfaspersonal,forpeoplecanknowGod(Jeremiah31:34),mostsupremelythroughChrist(John17:3).ButtheIslamicunderstandingisdifferent.MuslimtheologianIsma’ilalFaruqistatesofAllah:“HedoesnotrevealHimself.HedoesnotrevealHimselftoanyoneinanyway.GodrevealsonlyHiswill.”

TheBibleproclaimsGod’sloveforall,includingsinners(Romans5:8).TheQur’anislessaccepting.ThenineteenreferencestothosewhomAllahlovesinclude“thedoersofgood”,the“pious”and“equitable”people.Thetwenty-eightreferencestothosewhomAllahdoesnotloveinclude“sinners”,“transgressors”and“evil-doers”.Allah’sloveiscontingent

ontherecipient’spriorbehaviour.DaudRahbarnotedthat“unqualifiedDivineloveformankindisanideacompletelyalientotheQur’an…nowheredowefindtheideathatGodlovesmankind.God’sloveisconditional.”[RahbarlaterbecameaChristian.]

AccordingtotheQur’an,Allahforgives,butafrequentrefrainisthat“HeforgiveswhomHewills,andpunisheswhomHewills”(e.g.Q.2:284)Allah’sdeterminationissupreme,formanytimesitisstatedthat“AllahsendsastraywhomHewillsandHeguidesontheStraightPathwhomHewills.”(e.g.Q.6:39)ThisisafarcryfromtheBiblicalrepresentationoftheGodwho“ispatientwithyou,notwantinganyonetoperish,buteveryonetocometorepentance.”(2Peter3:9)Hecallsoutagonisinglytopeople:“Itakenopleasureinthedeathofthewicked,butratherthattheyturnfromtheirwaysandlive.Turn!Turnfromyourevilways!Whywillyoudie?”(Ezekiel33:11).

God’sforgivenessintheBibleisbasedonthedeathofChristanditisherethatthegreatestgulfexistsbetweenIslamandChristianity.TheQur’andeniesthedeathofChrist,claimingthatHewasnotcrucifiedbuttakenupalivetoheaven(Q.4:157).

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“Do we worship the same God?” I responded, “Let’s test that.”

As the Bible and the Qur’an describe God, there appears to be little agreement on the critical characteristics.






ALLAh – A ChRISTIAN RESPONSE bY MIROSLAv vOLf

ThisnewworkbyMiroslavVolftakestheviewthatthosewhoworshipthesameGodaremorelikelytolivetogetherpeaceably.HebelievesthatMuslimsandChristiansbothworship‘theoneandcommonGodwholovesandcommandsloveofneighbour.’Hedrawsonhistoricalcharacters,suchasNicholasofCusaandMartinLuther,andhisconsiderabletheologicalexpertisetodevelopthisclaim.

HespendsthesecondhalfofthebookcomparingtheattributesoftheGodoftheBibleandAllah.HequotestheQur’an,theHadithandMuslimtheologians,aswellastheBibleandChristianhistory.

AttimesheclaimsthattheTrinityandtheincarnationarecrucialtoChristianity,butatothertimesheseesIslamandChristianityas

totallycompatible.HeconcludesthatMuslimsandChristianshave“importantandineradicabledifferences[and]acommonandsimilarlyunderstoodGod.”(p.262).

HeendsthebookwithacalltoChristians,towhomthebookisaddressed,toacceptcertainprincipleswhichwillhelpthemworkwithMuslims.

TheidentityofJesusisaltered.Hewas“nothingbutaprophet”(Q.5:75)andclearlynottheSonofGod(Q.9:30),forAllahdoesnothaveason(Q.4:171).Allahisneverdescribedas‘Father’intheQur’an.ItgivesadistortedviewoftheTrinity,consistingofGod,MaryandJesus(Q.5:73,116).Theterm“HolySpirit”referstotheangelGabriel(Q.16:102).Thereisacleardissonance.

Imaginetwooldschoolfriendsdiscussingaformerfellow-studentnamedTheo.OneinsiststhatTheowastallandmuscular,thecaptainofthefootballteam,buttheotherthatTheowasshortandfat,amemberofthedebatingteam.Thecharacteristicsarenotliningup.AcheckoftheyearbookphotosshowsthattheyaretalkingabouttwodifferentTheos(badpunintended!).Anidenticalnameandsomesharedcharacteristics(bothTheosattendedthesameschool)doesnotalwaysindicatethesameperson.TheAustralianman“BerniePower”,accordingtoaninternetsearch,isaQueenslandmulti-millionairemaderichbythebrewingbusiness–butheisnotme!

AstheBibleandtheQur’andescribeGod,thereappearstobelittleagreementonthecriticalcharacteristics.TheBibletellsofaTriuneGod–Father,SonandHolySpirit(Matthew28:19).TheFather,outoflovefortheworld,sendsHisSon.Jesusisborn,livesaperfectlifeanddiesasasacrificeforthesinsofhumanity.AfterChrist’sresurrection,theHolySpiritcomestodwellinthosewhobelievein






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Christ.TheQur’an,however,deniestheTrinity,andrejectsthedivineSonship,incarnation,deathandresurrectionofChrist.ItpresentsAllahasanundifferentiatedmonad,asomewhatdisengaged,unknowableandcapriciousbeing.ItseemsinconceivablethattheGodoftheBibleandAllahoftheQur’anarethesameGod.

Bernie Power PhD is a lecturer in Islam and Missions at Melbourne School of Theology (MST) and works at MST’s Centre for the Study of Islam and Other Faiths.

“Do we worship the same God?” was the topic at Melbourne School of Theology’s Annual Leonard Buck

Lecture, where Bernie was one of a panel of speakers outlining and responding to the claims outlined in Miroslav Volf’s book. Prior to his academic career, Bernie spent 21 years living in Muslim countries in Asia and the Middle East.






OPEN DAY / NIGHTtake the step • 9th october 2012

DAY 9.30am –2.30pm NIGht 5.30pm – 9.30pm




ambassador magazine · Issue 214 · Spring 2012MST Postgraduate Institute


ambassador

• What is an Evangelical? What are the contemporary issues facing Evangelicals in Australia?

• How should we answer people when they claim that there is no evidence for the existence of Jesus?

• How important is the local church in the life of the Christian?

TheseweresomeofthequestionsthatwereaddressedattheMSTRecapturingEvangelicalIdentityconferenceon25and26July.Overseventycurrentandformerstudents,pastors,ChristianworkersandotherfriendsofMSTwereprivilegedtohearDrDarrellBockofDallasTheologicalSeminaryandDrCarlTruemanofWestminsterTheologicalSeminaryhelpthemthinkthroughissuesofEvangelicalidentity.

“Itwasaprivilegetohavesuchhighcalibrespeakerswhoencouragedusnottoretreatinthefaceofanincreasinglyanti-ChristiansocietybuttocontinuetocherishandmaintainourEvangelicalChristianidentity,”DrPeterOrr,oneoftheconferenceconvenors,said.

DrBockveryhelpfullyoutlinedsomeoftheevidencefortheteachingandlifeofJesus.

“ThesearenotsimplytruebecausetheBibleaffirmsthembuttheyalsohavesolidverifiableevidenceinhistory.ThismeansthatasEvangelicalswecancontributetothepublicdebateonJesuseventhoughthatdebatedoesn’trecognizetheBible’sauthority,”DrBocksaid.

“Wedon’tsimplyhavetoretreatandallowsecularistsandscepticstosettheagenda,”hesaid.

Dr Darrell Bock and Dr Carl Trueman share a laugh at MST

HealsoshowedushowtheoftenmadechargethatPaulandJesuscontradicteachotherdoesnotstandupunderclosescrutiny.

RobertMartin,whostudiedTheologyinSydney,andnowleadsCityBibleForumministryinMelbourne,attendedthemini-conference.

“DrBockgaverealtheological,historicalandapologeticmeatashedescribedtheevidencefortheresurrection,”hesaid.

“HealsogaveathoroughandstimulatingpresentationontheunityofthetheologicalvoicebetweenPaulandJesus,showingthattheallegeddifferencesbetweenPaulandJesusarenotasgreatassomemaymakeout.”

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recapturing EvANgELICAL IDENTITY

MAGAZINE

26FormoreinformationaboutstudyingatorsupportingtheministryofMST,visitusonlineatwww.mst.edu.au26





DrTrueman,onthesecondday,challengedpeopleattheconferencetothinkabouttheon-goingrelevanceoftheReformation.

“WhiletherearemanythingstoapplaudandacknowledgeinRomanCatholicism,thedifferencesaretooserioustooverlook,”DrTruemansaid.

ThecentraldifferencethatDrTruemanhighlightedwastheissueofassurance.UndertheRomanCatholicdoctrinalschemetherecansimplybenocertaintyofheavenasthereisintheBiblicalGospelasitwasre-articulatedbytheReformers.However,hedidnotethattheRomanCatholicChurchdoeslandsometellingblows

What Exactly is an Evangelical?AstheUSPresidentialelectiondrawscloserandthepolitickingbetweenPresidentialrivalsheatsup,theinternationalmediahasgivenmoreattentionthaneverbeforetoAmericanpolitics,andparticularlytothepersonalfaithpositionsofthecandidates:DemocratBarackObamaisaLiberalProtestantChristian;RepublicanMittRomneyisaMormon.

Theterm‘EvangelicalChristian’isthrownaround,ofteninapejorativesense,bytheAmericanmediatodescribethehighlyinfluential,conservativeright-winggroupor‘votingbloc’.InAustralia,manycommittedchurch-goingChristiansonlyknowthetermwiththepre-fix

‘Sydney’attached,anddon’twanttobeidentifiedwiththeAmericanorSydneystereotypes.Butwealsodonotagreeonwhatthistermmeans.Itsdefinitionhaschangedovertimeandisstilldependentonwhomyouaskandwherethe‘EvangelicalChristian’issituated.

WheresuchconfusionreignsinChristiancircles,it’snowonderthereissuchabewilderingplethoraofmisunderstoodideasinthesecularmedia.

Giventhelackofconsensus,wedecidedtotryandtakethisbullbythehornsanddefinethisbroad,descriptiveterm,whichsomeChristianslovinglyembrace,others

rejectoutofhandandstillothers,perhapsthemajority,simplydonotknowhowtohandle.

Wespoketotwohighlyregardedinternationalscholars,DrDarrellBockandDrCarlTrueman,whowereinAustraliaforaseriesofspeakingengagementsovertheAmericanSummerBreak,includingamini-conferenceatMelbourneSchoolofTheology–‘Recapturing Evangelical Identity’.

Bothscholarswereclearonthemeaningatabasicdefinitionlevel–theterm‘Evangelical’comesfrom‘theevangel’or‘thegospel’,meaning‘goodnews’.

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whenweconsidermodernEvangelicalism’salltoooftenlight-weightecclesiology.

DrTruemancalledonallpresent–whateverdenominationtheymightbelongto–tomakeourcommitmenttoourlocalchurchcentraltoourChristianexperience.

Finally,inajointsessionDrsTruemanandBockconsideredarangeofissuesrelatingtoEvangelicalismsuchasthenatureofScripture;howtocommunicatewithanincreasinglysecularworldandtheimportanceforChristianstohaveagoodsenseofhistory.

For more information on the conference, you can visit: www.RecapturingEvangelicalIdentity.com

MAGAZINE






“EvangelicalismcanbeseenasaChristianmovementthatstressestheuniquegoodnewsthatcomesfromGodthroughJesusChrist.IthasalsostressedafidelitytotheBibleasGod’sWord,importanttodayinaworldthatoftenshiesawayfromthethingsofGod,”saidDrBock,whoisExecutiveDirectorofCulturalEngagementattheCentreforChristianLeadershipaswellasSeniorResearchProfessorofNewTestamentStudiesatDallasTheologicalSeminary.

“Theterm,however,hasbecomeveryflexibleandsomeinthemediaandculturehaveusedsomeoftheworstexamplestopainttheentiremovement.YetmanyEvangelicalsaregoodpeoplewhosimplyseektoserveothersandhonourGodwiththeirlives,”DrBocksaid.

DrBockexplainedthetwowaysofdefiningsomething:thecore-setandtheboundary-set.Hesaidthatmostpeopleareagreedwherethecentreis–whatallEvangelicalsagreeon–butmuchtimeiswastedtryingtodefinetheboundarybetweenwhois,andwhoisnot,anEvangelical.

Ontheotherhand,DrTrueman,whoisthePaulWoolleyProfessorofChurchHistoryatWestminsterTheologicalSeminaryinPhiladelphia,believesthatEvangelicalismisnolongerasinglemovement.Rather,itrepresentsasetofmovementsthatareincrediblydiverse.Hearguesthesearetootheologicallyincoherenttobeunderstoodasasinglemovement.

AccordingtoTrueman,themainreasonEvangelicalismhasbecomesodiverse,particularlyinAmericanchurchcircles,isthatithasbecomepopulartobeconsideredEvangelical.

“Whensomethingispopular,thereismorebenefitbeinggainedfromidentificationwithitwhichmeansitwillbeattractivetopeoplewhodonotreallybelong.Thusitbecomesmorediverse,”hesaid.

“However,weshouldnotallowthisactualincoherencetoundermineourclarityonthegospel

throughsomemisguideddesiretomaintainaformofidealor‘Utopian’Evangelicalism,”hesaid.

ForalltheirprominenceinAmerica,however,Evangelicalsstillmakeuponlyasmallsliceoftheworld.SlightlylessthanathirdoftheworldidentifiesasChristianandofthese,almosttwo-thirdsareCatholic,Orthodox,ornear-Catholic.OftheremainingChristians,barely10percentoftheworld’spopulation,manywouldresisttheEvangelicallabel.

“IamrelativelycomfortabledescribingmyselfasEvangelicalintheUKandAustralia,whereitspeaksofabasicallyorthodoxProtestantChristianitywithanevangelisticmindset,”DrTruemansaid.

“IntheUSA,however,Imyselfshyawayfromtheterm.Thereittendstocarryconnotationsofveryconservativepoliticsandactivismintheso-called‘culturewars’.Italsoreferstosuchadiversesetofchurchesandinstitutionsthatitdoesnotreflectanystableunderstandingofthegospel,”hesaid.

Fifteenyearsago,DrMarkNoll,ahistorianofChristianityintheUnitedStates,warnedinhisbookThe Scandal of the Evangelical Mind,thatEvangelicalChristianswereindangerofbecomingmarginalisedbecausetheyhadabandonedtheintellectualaspectsoftheirfaithandwereneitherpreparednorinclinedtoentertheintellectualdebate.

Inhis2010response,The Real Scandal of the Evangelical Mind,DrTruemanarguedthatreligiousbeliefsaremorescandalousnowthantheyhavebeenformanyyears.

“Assuch,therealproblemnowisexactlytheoppositeofwhatNolldiagnosed–Evangelicalsdon’tlackamind,butratheranagreedupon‘evangel’.Althoughknownasgospelpeople,Evangelicalsnolongershareanyconsensusonthegospel’smeaning,”DrTruemansaid.

Christiangroupstendtodefinethemselvesagainstothergroupings,andtwogroupsthatEvangelicalstendtodefinethemselvesagainstareFundamentalistandLiberalChristians.Theologyisattheheartofwhatdistinguishesonegroupfromanother.

AlthoughitisnotapopulartermanymoreinAustralia,manyconservativeChristiansintheUSAhavelongdescribedthemselvesas‘Fundamentalist’.ThetermactuallystartedoutasapositivetermamongChristiansintheearly20thcentury,whentheFundamentalistmovement,whichrejectedLiberaltheologyandfocusedonseparationfromtheworld,wasdominant.ItwasfirstusedbyBaptisteducatorandtheologian,JamesMadisonPendleton,todescribeaChristianbelieverdedicatedtothe‘thefundamentals’oftheBible:JesusistheonlywaytoheavenandtheBibleistheWordofGod.

“Unfortunately,thewordhasbeenhijackedintherecentdecadestomeanaradical,evenaterrorist,fromanyfaithbackground,whohaspreconceivedideasandhasstoppedlisteningtootherperspectives,”DrBocksaid.

DrBockbelievesthemaindifferencebetweenself-describedEvangelicalsandFundamentalistsisthewillingnessofEvangelicals

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Dr Peter Jensen is Anglican Archbishop of Sydney Source: SMH.com.au






tobeengagedintheworldandparticipateinsociety,comparedtotheFundamentalisttendencytowithdrawandbemoreseparate.

DrTruemanadmitsthat,becauseofhiscommitmenttoScripturalauthority,tosupernaturalismandtoChristianexclusivity,manypeople,particularlynon-Christians,mightmarkhimoutasaFundamentalist.

“Frankly,ifthatishowthetermisused,IamguiltyaschargedandhappytostandshouldertoshoulderwithotherFundamentalists,”hesaid.

“ForthedistinctionbetweenLiberalsandEvangelicals,itisanissueofBiblicalAuthority,”DrBocksaid.

“ManyLiberalswouldplacemoreauthorityinmodernscienceandnewly-developedmethodsofcriticaltextualanalysisthanontheBibleitself,astherevealedwordofGod.ThereforetheywouldquestionthehistoricalaccuracyoftheBible,particularlytheOldTestamentandtheGospels,”hesaid.

HoweverDrBock,oneoftheleadingglobalscholarsinthehistoricalstudyofJesus,defendstheBibleagainstclaimsofaLiberalapproachwhichhesaysare“groundedinscepticism”.

“TheGospeltextscomefromeyewitnessesandthosewhoknew

them.ThismeanstheyputusintouchwithJesusasHewasoriginallyexperienced,thatis,theJesuswhosetransformingpresencehasmadeanimpactinhistoryoverthecenturiesinthelivesofmillionsofpeople,”DrBocksaid.

“Theseteachingshavebeenpassedonforgenerationsandhavestoodalongtestoftime.Withoutteaching,groundedinGod’srevelation,allreligiousopinionisstrictlythat,”hesaid.

DrTrueman,aleadingscholarontheReformation,saysmanyLiberalChristiansarguethatthechurchhasmovedonsincetheReformation,particularlysincetheEnlightenmentandnewscientificdiscoveries.However,hearguesthatitisstillworthholdingtothekeydoctrinesoftheReformation,suchas‘justificationbyfaithalone’andtheclarityofScripturebecausetheyareattheheartoftheChristianlife.

WhenaskedaboutthekeydifferencesbetweentheEvangelicalchurchintheUSAandinAustralia,bothBockandTruemanhavesomeinsights.

“ThereisalotofcooperationbetweenEvangelicalsintheUSA,suchasthetheLausanneMovement.Therearemanymoreself-describedEvangelicals,withestimatesof30%ofthepopulation,orroughly80millionpeople,whichallowsthemtospeakintheculture,”DrBocksaid.

“WhereasAustraliaismuchmoresecularandeverythingseemsprettyfragmented,makingthemovement,aminoritypresence,seemevensmaller,”DrBockcontinued.

“However,therearemanymore‘nominal’or‘cultural’ChristiansintheUSA,thanhereinAustralia,”DrTruemansaid,“sothereisperhapsgreaterpotentialforworkingtogether

inAustraliabecausethosewhodobelieveoftenarequitecommitted.”

“SuchcombinedeffortshavethepotentialtoshowthatthosewhoappreciatewhatGodhasdoneinandthroughJesusalsoappreciateeachotherinthefaceofamoresecularapproachtolife,”hesaid.

Despitemanysourcesofdespair,bothBockandTruemanbelievethereareseveralsignsofhopeforEvangelicalChristianityintheworld.

“ThechurchofthefirstcenturywasnotamajoritymovementbutacommunitywhotrustedinGod’spowertousethemtomakeimpact.Aslongasbelieversdothat,anddrawonwhatHeprovidesandworktogether,theywillalwaysbeasourceofhopetothosewhoseekit,”DrBocksaid.

“Therearemanysignsofhope,”DrTruemansaid.

“Firstly,thegreatpromisesofGod,particularlythosecontainedinMatthew16:18.Secondly,IamconstantlysurprisedatthecalibreandvibrancyofthepeopleinthechurcheswithwhichIamfamiliar.Thirdly,thereisarisinggenerationofyoungChristianswithagreatcommitmenttochurchandtomissions.Lastly,thereistheamazinggrowthofthechurchinAfricaandAsia.”

Further Reading on the Topic• Australia’sCentreforPublicChristianity

(www.publicchristianity.org)• TheLausanneMovement

(www.lausanne.org/en/)• DrDarrellBockservesas

CorrespondingEditorforChristianityToday(www.christianitytoday.com)whichregularlyhasarticlesandcommentonsuchsubjects.

• DrCarlTruemancommentsonthesemattersinhisReformation21blog,(www.reformation21.org),asdotheteamatPyromaniacs(www.teampyro.blogspot.com).

Dean Troth is part-time communications and community manager at MST. He also writes for Christian publications and consults to other ministry and mission organisations.

The term [Fundamentalist] actually started out as a positive term among Christians in the early 20th century ... and meant a Christian believer dedicated to the ‘the fundamentals’ of the Bible: Jesus is the only way to heaven and the Bible is the Word of God.

“ Frankly, if that is how the term [Fundamentalist] is used, I am guilty as charged…” Dr Trueman said






Nigerian Perspectives on International Mission

Overthepastcentury,Christianity’s‘globalcentreofgravity’hasshifteddramaticallyfromEuropeandNorthAmericatoAfrica,AsiaandLatinAmerica.WesternChristianityisnolongerthemajorityexpressionofourfaith.

Westernmissionagencieshavetherefore,atleastintheory,embracedamoreinternationalexpressionofmission,summedupinthesloganoftheLausanneMovement,‘Thewholechurchtakingthewholegospeltothewholeworld.’

Whilethisistheclearandoften-statedagendaofWesternmissionagenciesandpublishedmissiologists,itisnotapparentthatthechurchesofthenon-Westernworldsharethisagendawiththesamepassion,noristhereclarityoverthepracticalimplicationsofacceptingthisrhetoric.

DoctoralResearch,beingundertakenatMSTbyformermissionaryandtheologicaleducator,PeterYoung,seekstogainthisnon-WesternperspectivefromachurchinNigeria,TheChurchofChristinNigeria(COCIN).

“AssomeonewhohasworkedwithandundertheauthorityoftheNigerianchurch,I’vebecomeawareofthedisconnectthatexistsbetweentheagendaofWesternagenciesandtheirpotentialnon-Westernpartners,”Petersaid.

“Internationalisationofmission,byitsverydefinition,necessitatesparticipationonanequallevel,betweenanoverseasmissionagencyandalocalpartner.However,suchdissonancebetweenpartnerscouldmakeamockeryofthewholeexerciseandthere’srealpotentialthatcouldbemissed,”hesaid.

PetersayshismainmethodologywillbebasedaroundinterviewswithleaderswithinCOCINandsupplementedbyaccesstowrittenchurchrecordsandobservationsofmissionspracticewithinCOCIN,requiringtraveltoNigeria.

PeterstartedhisDoctoralresearchatMSTin2010becausetheCollegehadareputationasthemostmission-orientedtheologicalcollegeinMelbourne.Healsowantedtodofurtherstudiesinmissiologytoadvancehisunderstandingandequiphimforfurtherministry.

PriortostartinghisDoctorate,Peterspent16yearsinNigeria,firstlyinBibleteachingatGindiriCollegeofTheology,100kmsouthofJos,andlatercoordinatingtheTheologicalEducationbyExtensionprogram(TEE)inJositself,amodelthat

>

Peter Young with two Nigerian missionaries, who established a church in a very hostile town, at great personal cost.






allowspastorsandothersinministrytoremainathome,economicallyactiveandinvolvedintheirministry,ratherthanabandoningministryanduprootingthemselvesandtheirfamiliestoattendaresidentialseminary.WhileinJos,PeterwasalsoanAssociatePastoratalocalCOCINchurchandinvolvedinplantingnewchurches.

AshasbecomecommonknowledgeamongChristiansintheWest,thechurchinNigeriaisfacinghugethreatsfromterroristattacksbyMuslimextremists,totheextentthatitisbecomingdifficulttogotochurchonSundayduetothesecuritymeasuresemployedandthecontinualthreatofattack.

“ThisisnotonlyaphysicalthreatbutalsoaspiritualandethicalchallengeastheChurchgrappleswithhowtorespondandstillbeawitnesstothewidercommunity,”Petersaid.

“ItisveryhardtoshowtheloveofChristtosomeonewhohasburnedyourhomeandchurchandkilledyourlovedones,thoughitisexceptionallypowerfulwhenthisdoeshappen.”

Othermissiologicalchallengesincludethenumberofpeoplegroups,rampantcorruptionandwidespreadpovertyinthesociety,aswellasalackofsoundteachinginmanypartsoftheChurch.

PeterbelieveshisresearchwillhavebenefitsfortheleadershipofChurchofChristinNigeria,astheyseektosetthegoalsandprioritiesoftheChurch,andforindividualsandorganisationsthatseektopartnerwithCOCINinmission.

“Myprayeristhatthisresearchwillbenefitthewidermissionscommunitybyincreasingawarenessoftheothernon-Westernvoicestobeheardonthistopicandbyprovidingtoolsfordiscerningthemmorewidely,”hesaid.

As well as being a Doctor of Ministry candidate, Peter also works in member care and is involved in the Global Partnerships team at Pioneers.






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RevDrStuartDevenishissupervisingPeterYoung’sDoctoralResearch,outlinedabove,andisservingasDirectorofResearchthisSemester.StuartwearsanumberofhatsandismarriedtoourLibrarian,Ros.




ambassador magazine · Issue 214 · Spring 2012Resources




2 0 1 3 E N r O l m E N TBiBlical depth • missional heart • spiritual Formation

register By 23rD JANuArY to secure your place








Resources coming out of MSTJESuS AND ThE INCARNATIONReflections of Christians from Islamic ContextsEditedbyDavidEmmanuelSingh

MSTVice-Principal(Academic)DrPeterRiddell,andMSTMissiologistDrBerniePowerwroteajointchapterforthebook‘JesusandtheIncarnation’.

InthedialoguesofChristianswithMuslimstheIncarnation,theCrossandResurrectionofJesusarefundamental.AnopenandhonestconversationontheseisanecessityasChristiansallovertheworldmeetwithMuslimsonadailybasis.BuildingonavolumeontheCross,publishedin2009,thisbookcontainsvoicesofChristianslivinginvarious‘Islamiccontexts’andreflectingontheIncarnationofJesus.Theaimofthesereflectionsisconstructiveandthehopeisthatthepapersweavedaroundthenotionof‘theWord’willnotonlypromotedialogueamongChristiansontherolesofthePersonandtheBookbut,also,createapositiveenvironmentfortheirconversationswithMuslimneighbours.

InDrRiddellandDrPower’schapter,titledThe Incarnation expressed through a Conversion Testimony from Indonesia: the Role of the Qur’an,DrRiddelltranslatesandcommentsonaconversiontestimonyinIndonesianwrittenbyaformerMuslimwhohemetonatrainjourneyinJava.DrPowerresponds

tothetestimony,focusingontheconvert’sexperienceofchoosingChristianityafterquestionsraisedbystudyoftheQur’an.

Book Review

“TheincarnationhastraditionallybeenoneofthegreatstumblingblockstoMuslim-Christiandialogue.Inthiscollectionofessays,DavidEmmanuelSinghbringstogetheramagnificentlydiverserangeofChristianvoices,allcarryingahistoryofdeepengagementwithIslam,tohelpbringsomefreshnuancetothatoftenstaledebate.

“NotonlydothesecontributionsprovideperspectivesthatmayenableChristiansandMuslimstoglimpsebeyondtheblockagesofthepast,theyalsoillustratehowdeepengagementwithIslamcanopenupnewandimportantinsightsforChristiansonacoredoctrineoftheirownfaith.”

Rev Dr Toby Howarth, Inter Faith Advisor to the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Source:wipfandstock.com

INSIghTS fROM ISLAMEditedbyMichaelRaiter

Thethirdseriesof‘OccasionalPapersintheStudyofIslamandOtherFaiths’hasbeeneditedbyformerMSTPrincipal,andprimeinstigatoroftheCentrefortheStudyofIslamandOtherFaithsatMST,RevMichaelRaiter.

WritteninaccessibleEnglish,theOccasionalPapers,byMSTPress,featurepapersfromarangeofacademics,scholarsandresearchers,onbroadtopicsthatwillappealtobothscholarsandgeneralreaderswantingtoknowmoreaboutthegrowthandimpactofIslamaroundtheworld,particularlyintheWest.

ThePapersrangeinscopefromthehistoryofIslamophobiatoastudyoftheQur’anicteachingsontheJewishpeople;fromconcerns,trendsanddebatesaboutIslaminEuropetotheuseoftheBibleinthepreachingofIslam,aswellasanexcellentIntroductionandpaperontheBibleandtheQur’anpost9/11byRevRaiter.

TheOccasionalPaperswerelaunchedatMelbourneSchoolofTheology,aspartoftheCSIOF’sWinterSymposiumonSub-SaharanAfrica,on18August.TheyareavailableforpurchasethroughMST’sCentrefortheStudyofIslamandOtherFaithsorAmazon.com




http://www.amazon.com/



RESTORE uNITY, RECOvER IDENTITY, AND REfINE ORThOPRAxYThe Believers’ Priesthood in the Ecclesiology of James Leo Garrett Jr.ByDrPeterTie

TRINITARIAN SELf AND SALvATIONAn Evangelical Engagement with Rahner’s RuleBy RevDrScottHarrower

Doctrinedivides!OrsomanyChristiansbelieve.Theythereforeavoidorfearengagingwithdoctrine,particularlythedoctrineoftheChurch,becausetheybelieveitcausesconfusion,conflict,andcontroversywithintheChurch.Notso,forJamesLeoGarrettJr.,EmeritusProfessorofTheologyatSouthwesternBaptistTheologicalSeminary.Heisconvincedthatthemuchavoidedandneglecteddoctrinesofecclesiologyistheplacewherechurchesmustbegintorediscovergenuineunity,identity,andorthopraxy.

DrTie’sRestoreUnity,RecoverIdentity,RefineOrthopraxyexaminesGarrett’sBiblicalnotionoftheuniversalpriesthood.Thepriesthoodconcept,properlyunderstoodinacommunalsense,integratesthemission,membership,ministry,andmanagementofthechurch.ThisbookisfilledwithintentionalanddirectconversationswithmorethantwelvetheologiansorecclesiologistsfromvariousChristiantraditions(Reformed,Pentecostal,RomanCatholic,Mennonite,Baptist,andotherFreeChurch)inordertoshedlightonGarrett’sbelievers’priesthooddoctrine,whicheventuallypointstowardabalanced,Biblical,andBaptistecclesiology.Anecclesiologyrootedinthebiblicalpriesthooddoesnotdivideandextinguishbutdoesuniteanddistinguish!

Book Review

“PeterTiedemonstratesthatthedoctrineofthechurch–whenperceivedthroughtheChristianpriesthood,theTrinity,andChristiandiscipleship–isbothfundamentaltotheologicaldiscernmentandfruitfulforecumenicaldiscourse.HedrawsupontheextensivetheologicalcorpusofJamesGarrettinordertoaddressthemission,membership,ministry,andmanagementofthechurch.Christianity’svariouscommunionsandtheirleadingtheologiansshouldberichlyrewardedthroughreadingthisimportantbook.”

Malcolm B Yarnell IIIAssociate Professor of Systematic Theology

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary


In1967KarlRahnerfamouslywrote:“TheeconomicTrinityistheimmanentTrinity,andviceversa.”Fromthattimeonwards,Rahner’sRulehasbecomethenormforconceivingtherelationshipbetweentheTrinityintheeconomyofsalvationandGod’seternalinnerlife.

EvangelicaltheologianscurrentlyemployRahner’sRuleinavarietyofways.Oneofthemostpopularisthe“StrictRealistReading”wherebytrinitarianrelationshipsinsalvationhistoryaretakentomirroreternalrelationshipswithinGod.ThisbookbringsthisnormintoconversationwiththewitnessofScriptureinordertoassessitsviability.Indoingso,ithighlightstroublingissuesthatarisefromtheapplicationoftheStrictRealistReadingofRahner’sRuletothenarrativeofLuke-Acts.ThisbooksuggeststhattheStrictRealistReadingcanbeshowntobeaquestionablebasisforourdoctrineofGod’sinnerlife.

Book Review

“BasedonLuke-ActsScottHarrowerhasmountedanexegeticalchallengetothestrictrealistreadingofRahner’srulethatevangelicalswouldbefoolishtoavoid.TheBiblicalaccentdoesnotfallontheimitationoftheTrinity’sinnerlifebutontheimitationofChristintheeconomyofsalvation.Theonusisnowonthosewhochampiontheruleorsomethinglikeitinitsstrictformtomeetthechallenge.”

Dr Graham A ColeAnglican Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

Author,‘DoHistoricalMattersMattertoFaith?’ (2012)












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DEuTERONOMY: TYNDALE OLD TESTAMENT COMMENTARYbyRevDrEdwardJ.Woods

MST’sRevDrTedWoodshadhisTyndaleCommentaryonDeuteronomyreviewedas‘BookoftheMonth’intheAugusteditionofTheExpositoryTimes,oneoftheworld’soldestandmostprestigiousacademicjournalsofBiblicalstudies,theology,andministry.

WrittenbyDrDavidAllen,DirectorofStudiesattheUK’sQueen’sFoundationinBirmingham,thereviewhadthefollowingtosayaboutTed’scommentary:

• “Inviewofthetitularorputative‘secondness’ofDeuteronomyitself,andparticularlybearinginminditsownreworkingofexistingtradition,itmightbetemptingtothinkofsuchareplacementvolumeasmerelyarevisingorupdatingoftheoriginalcommentary.Thatisnotthecase,however.Woods’volumeisdistinctiveinitsownrightandstands,orotherwise,onitsownmerits;beyondtheseriesidentification,ithasnodirectassociationwithitspredecessor.”

• “Thisversionalsovariesfromitspredecessorbydealingwithunitsoftext,ratherthanofferingaverse-by-verseanalysis.EachunitisdividedupintothreeconstituentsectionsthatrespectivelysettheContextoftheunitunderdiscussion,offerdetailedCommentonappropriateinterpretativematters,andthenlayouttheMeaningofthegivensection.TheCommentsectionsarethebulkiest,andformthevastmajorityofthebook’scontent.”

• “ForthosechargedwithpreachingonthetextofDeuteronomy,thisvolumeoffersaveryhandyandaccessibleresource.”

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