Arthur Carver's book on eschatology: The Great Consummation

I have very happy memories of Rev. Arthur Carver (when he helped London Bible College at Northwood, now LST, with maintenance duties) and regret not buying a copy of his book The Great Consummation from him. At the time my pre-millennial prejudice prevented me.  I have found some of this book posted on a blogsite


http://elijah-the-tishbite.blogspot.com/2006/07/great-consumation-by-arthur-carver.html

 but finding a complete copy of this rare book was difficult.  I contacted the library London School of Theology (LST) and found that they have a copy.  I will be going back to my alma mater soon and will enjoy reading Arthur's book.




Arthur was once an Elim Pentecostal minister, but his amillennial views on eschatology did not fit in with the doctrinal basis of Elim, which was then very staunchly pre-millennialist, so Arthur had to resign.  Many LBC students in my day remember hearing Arthur's hymn singing as he worked.  He was a lovely man of God.

Nigerian Christians: you are needed to help those in Jos!

There are many Nigerian Christians in the UK.  They go to large churches and raise much money for Christian ministry.  In the fellowship where I preach we have some lovely Nigerian Christians.  I still do not understand why so little seems to be done for Christians in the Jos area by wealthy Nigerian Christians.  A year ago Christians in Jos suffered badly through persecution and violent attacks;  some were murdered.  I heard that Dutch Christians (Open Doors, so hats off to them) were helping them, but relatively little seems to be done by Nigerian Christians.  Why are they reluctant to get involved in relieving the pain and hardship?

I have not heard of appeals by Nigerian church leaders in the UK for funds to help these folk in Jos.  Please tell me if there have been such appeals and funds raised.  

I have asked a leader of a charity working to help the persecuted church and I have asked an eminent Nigerian Christian doctor.  I still do not know why Christians in Jos receive little support from UK churches run by Nigerians.  The widows and orphans in Jos are still there.

Sometimes charity does not begin at home!

Westboro Baptists should take heed to the parable of Pharisee and the Tax Collector

The Lord Jesus Christ told a parable against those who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else.

Εἶπεν δὲ καὶ πρός τινας τοὺς πεποιθότας ἐφ' ἑαυτοῖς ὅτι εἰσὶν δίκαιοι καὶ ἐξουθενοῦντας τοὺς λοιποὺς τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην·
Yes, it is the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. It is in Luke's Gospel 18: 9-14.

This parable is wonderfully applicable to the self righteous, pharisaical and hyper judgemental attitudes of the Phelps sect.  They thank God that they are not like other men - robbers, evildoers, adulterers or even like those in the groups they particularly hate (like the tax collectors of old).  We've heard the hateful chants and vitriol. We've seen the distasteful signs.  Do they understand the meaning of this parable?

Where is the love and humility?                                                                                              

Christ Faith Tabernacle claims of a revival in 2011 may be false.

Currently, to be quite honest, I see absolutely no evidence in 2011 of a "revival as we have never seen before."  The Christ Faith Tabernacle churches are claiming that such a revival will come and it is based on the "revelation" of Apostle Alfred Williams who was caught up to heaven in 2010.  We must test his prophesy to see if it is true.

http://www.cftchurches.org/flashvideo/tvad_di11.html

I struggled to understand some of Alfred Williams' words, especially around the 1 minute 20 seconds section of the above video.  His diction is not clear to me, but in the social context of his church they are probably used to his strong accent and have no difficulty at all.


The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth.  He will guide the church into all truth.  He will convict, convince and reveal sin, righteousness and judgement.

I believe His judgement is on those who lead the flock astray, fleece the flock and make themselves fat and rich through clever words and misleading teaching.  In the 1990s there were those who made money and a name for themselves and their ministeries by proclaiming a coming revival.  Some have claimed special revelations and "downloads from God".  The holy prophets of God speak from God and their words are full of grace and truth. For prophecy never had its origins in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.



There are a few people who will remember the Hebrides Revival (1949-1952), but if this 2011 revival is to be "a revival as we have never seen before" then we should be looking for evidence of a considerable and clear work of God.  If the claims are true then one should expect an even greater revival than the Hebridean blessing when there were great conversions, a deep conviction of sin, the power of the Holy Spirit, an increase in godliness and a remarkable move of God in the area that brought about significant change.

I would dearly love to see such a revival.

Porkies about Portman?

Fox Searchlight maintains that Natalie Portman did most of the dancing in Black Swan. Sarah Lane, however, of the American Ballet Theatre claims that only five per cent of the full body shots are Natalie.  All the other shots in the film are of Sarah, the body double.  And Benjamin Millepied claims that 85 per cent of the dancing is by his fiancee Natalie.   Someone's telling porkies.

Westboro Baptists ignore clear Bible teaching to their peril

Westboro Baptists are very selective in their theology, which is distorted.  They ignore Bible commands, such as "do not repay evil with evil, insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." 

The previous verse in 1 Peter 3 tells true Christians to "live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble."

On the day of judgement the Lord may say to them, "...whatever you did not do for the least of these (the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the person needing clothes, the sick and the prisoner) you did not do for Me."

Solemn words are also found in Matthew 7: 21-23.  

Westboro Baptists are spending huge amounts of money in travelling around the USA provoking people and making them swear and use foul language.  It is therefore causing people to sin, which God hates. WBC members clearly ignore the teaching of Romans 14:13 and 2 Corinthians 6:3.  They are not acting in love.   They are not bringing the true Gospel message, the good news of salvation and peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ  God wants Christians to bless, be compassionate and bring love which covers a multitude of sins.  Westboro Baptist are conveniently disobeying that teaching.

There is strife and discord within the Phelps family.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNmnTdCcOoo
I pray for their repentance.  May they seek the way of love and peace through Jesus Christ. Amen

The Lunch for the Persecuted Church: it went well yesterday

Hornchurch Baptists and others attended the lunch and gave generously to the appeal for financial support in aid of the persecuted church.  Hundreds of pounds were raised at the event.



Guest speaker Godfrey Brown shared his experiences with a challenging and moving talk about the problems Christians are facing in rural areas of Columbia.  Many pastors and church leaders have been assassinated by militias and death squads operating in tribal areas.  Godfrey urged folk to sign a petition concerning human rights and religious freedom in Egypt.