Theology

While most Christians recognize that evangelism is an essential part of God's mission, many Christians in New Zealand and other western contexts struggle with articulating their faith. Mark Keown latest book What's God Up To On Planet Earth: A No-Strings Attached Explanation of the Christian Message is intended as a resource to help Christians with this very important task.

The book is written with a seeker in mind but would be an excellent resource for new believers and those wishing to share their faith with those they meet. It would be an ideal gift for unbelievers. With the overall question in mind, What is God Up To On Planet Earth?, the first five chapters are arranged around five essential questions the gospel addresses, answered with the ‘Five R's of the Gospel'. Chapter One asks ‘Why am I here?' The answer, ‘Relationship'. That is, God created humanity for a glorious relationship of love and harmony with God, with each other, and with this glorious world. Chapter Two asks, ‘What has gone wrong with the world?' The answer, ‘Rupture'. That is, the original intention of God has been ruptured through the impact of evil and human sin through every part of God's world. Chapter Three asks, ‘What is the solution?' The answer, ‘Restoration'. This chapter centres around the person and work of Jesus and what he achieved in overcoming evil and bringing God's salvation and reconciliation. Chapter Four asks, ‘How and when will it end?' The answer, ‘Return'....

An open letter from Glyn Carpenter Every few years it seems this issue flares up. Challenge Weekly newspaper (24.08.09) contained an article from Adrian Bates, CEO of Creation Ministries International, putting their view (Genesis not a myth). The same paper contained a letter critical of a recent conference Faithful Science and one from the organiser defending it. For the record, the most authoritative work on biblical inerrancy in the 20th century was probably that done by the International Council on Biblical Inerrancy over a 20-year period ending in 1988. In 1982, ICBI produced a document called the Chicago Statement signed by 300 theologians including Jim Packer, Roger Nicole, Carl Henry, Norman Geisler, J.P. Moreland, John Warrick Montgomery, Francis Schaeffer, and R.C. Sproul. Their words should carry a lot of weight for those concerned about being true to the Bible. Read more... The position represented by Mr Bates was presented to the ICBI by Duane Gish. In response the ICBI said formally, "WE DENY that Biblical infallibility and inerrancy are limited to spiritual, religious, or redemptive themes, exclusive of assertions in the fields of history and science. We further deny that scientific hypotheses about earth history may properly be used to overturn the teaching of Scripture on creation and the flood." But the ICBI refused to be pinned down to any particular interpretation of age of earth, length of creation days, manner of creation, etc. The ICBI Chicago Statement...

Viv Grigg is known as a prophetic voice for the poor of the global slums, having lived among the squatters of Manila, the poor of Kolkata, the favelas of Sao Paulo and the oppressed of Los Angeles. Now based in Auckland, and heading the Urban Leadership Foundation, Viv has released a new book, "The Spirit of Christ and the Postmodern City", a study of revival among Auckland's evangelicals and pentecostals. The book is a theological and theoretical case study of revival in New Zealand in the light of emerging urban postmodernism. "This book provides a detailed analysis of what is needed if we are to see God's kingdom come in our cities and nations," visionnetwork National Director Glyn Carpenter states in a jacket-cover testimonial. "It reflects on both the failures and success of the charismatic renewal of the 70s and 80s in bringing about lasting Kingdom impact, and discusses the requirements for revival which brings about genuine transformation. We have worked with this model for several years, and it has been good to understand how it fits in the broader context. This is an important and worthwhile read for all who are serious about transformative revival." For more about the foundation and the book, visit www.urbanleaders.org

The debate and discussion surrounding the origin of life and particularly the subject of evolution versus creation has existed at least since Charles Darwin published his theory of evolution 150 years ago. Now, in the 200th anniversary year of Darwin’s birth, we are encountering a ferocity of viewpoint which has been growing over recent years.  It has been called the “new atheism’ and rides into town in the militant form of “the Four Horsemen”, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, and Daniel Dennett. They are unashamedly out to attack religion and particularly Christianity. A battle of origins of considerable proportion is forming and Christianity stands in its pathway as it has through the centuries The Horsemen and their followers exhibit scientific pretensions but their ideas and arguments as expressed in books like Dawkin’s The God  Delusion and Harris’s The End of Faith have clearly crossed the border from the domain of  good empirical science which follows the evidence wherever it leads, into the territory of pseudo science, philosophy, and religion . The real trouble is not the soundness of their arguments, for they are not strong, but that their onslaught of popular books in the public arena and their militant rhetoric appear overwhelming to some and even intimidating to those not equipped to properly process their verbiage and ideas. For some Christians it can lead to doubt and loss of faith. Others try to ignore it and hope it will...

Ever since the concept of “city church” was explored as a major theme at the 2008 Vision Network Congress, I have become even more convinced about its importance for New Zealand.  Jesus’ prayer for unity “that the world will know ...” has a clear application among churches in a city (or town or nation) as well as within the individual churches themselves.But I am equally convinced about the importance of pastors, ministers, and other Christian leaders (e.g. local government, business, and education), discerning how God might work this out in their particular town or city, rather than trying to apply any one prescription or formula.We have put a lot of emphasis to date on city-wide prayer summits and regional roundtables.  These are still important and we look forward to many more in months and years to come.But God can always be doing different things with different groups, so it is useful to consider alternatives.Two alternatives which emerged in forums at the end of 2008 are strategic planning and conversations. Some groups are “primed for action”. This doesn’t mean they don’t pray or converse together.  It may be that they’ve already done enough of these in other settings.  Or maybe they are wired to sense or outwork the presence of God in different ways.  Whatever the reason, they are groups ready to think through issues of strategic planning, and move to action.Other groups may need to grow relationships through conversation. This is a highly focused...

Dear friends,  Greetings for the New Year, 2007.  I trust you have had a joyous Christmas and a refreshing holiday. We are grateful to Nicola Hoggard-Creegan for her willingness to take the lead in launching the project TANSA with support from Carey Baptist College and BCNZ.  You are all encouraged to support her plans for a series of annual conferences and environmental projects with A Rocha.