Gospel Growth

New Series at Charlotte Chapel

2012-01-20T16:58:00.002Z

New NIV - the Emasculated Bible?

2012-01-20T11:27:00.000Z

Back in June last year I have been reading through the new NIV bible which I bought at the EMA in London.

In many ways I like reading it. The translation is smooth and the words/idiom are familiar. I think in a number of areas it is a real improvement on the older NIV.

But the one that keeps bugging me about this version, is its eradication of male-gender terms when the underlying text uses male terms. I am happy that the newer translations like the ESV, Holman Standard Christian Bible and new NIV use a non-gender specific term for when the underlying word refers to humanity/mankind. But I am concerned when it changes singular "he's" to plural "they's" (it shifts away from personal response/responsibility/challenge) and when it obliterates male specific references.
As I met a man for counselling the other day, having talked through some of his struggles and feelings of indecision in some big matters in his life, I knew the text from God's Word that would stir him to courageous faith and action.
I asked him to turn to 1 Corinthians 16v13, where I was expecting to read:-
'Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.' -The old NIV text

But as I had in my hand the new NIV what I read to him was:-
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

What an emasculated translation of God's Word!

At a time when there is a growing concern about the failure of Christian churches to reach men in our culture, it seems tragic to me to lose a God-given positive understanding that biblical manhood is a call to a courageous and strong stand for the Christian faith. When there are so many bad models in our culture for being a man, the Bible in the pew should show some positive thinking about the God-given role of manhood.

I think we need a Bible translation that is both readable in English but is also should be faithful to the original language. Both the Holman and the ESV do a good job of this and it would only seem to be political correctness in the new NIV that wants to iron out gender specific references.

Holman Bible (available for free on Kindle)
Be alert, stand firm in the faith, act like a man, be strong.
ESV (available for free on Kindle, an in many phone/ipad apps)
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

These are more helpful and faithful translations to point men to in biblical counselling and discipleship than an emasculated bible translation.

Glad You Asked - Starts Next Week

2012-01-12T16:17:00.002Z

http://www.gladyouasked.org/

People Stories

2012-01-07T21:39:00.000Z

http://vimeo.com/charlottechapel

Check out some of the people stories as well as catching up with missed sermons.

Ephesians series - Video

2011-12-22T10:10:00.001Z

One of the highlights over this past year has been working through the book of Ephesians as a church. If you want to catchup with Sunday's you missed or review a message that particularly challenged/encouraged you, each day I am posting more of the video's of this sermon series on our new Vimeo Channel.
http://vimeo.com/charlottechapel

Next Conference @ Charlotte Chapel

2011-12-21T11:18:00.002Z

http://thecallconference.org/

Saturday February 25th

What Time:

9:30am-4:00pm

Where:
Charlotte Chapel, Edinburgh

Who is it For:
Anyone in leadership of a church, anyone aspiring to be a leader in a church, anyone exploring a call to be a leader in a church or anyone looking to understand what leadership in a local church looks like.

How Much Does it Cost?:
£10, but that pays for your full attendance at the conference (at which you get over 10 free books on leadership and church life!).

Charlotte Carol AM Dec 11th

2011-12-11T21:34:00.001Z

Isaiah 7-8 Immanuel: God with Us

Video of Charlotte Sermons

2011-12-07T18:16:00.001Z

New Sermon Video available.

Alan Chambers - Exodus

2011-12-06T09:52:00.001Z

http://www.worldmag.com/articles/18908

Alan Chambers is in denial. It's a charge his critics level against him on a regular basis. They say that Chambers—a former homosexual who helps others struggling with same-sex attraction—is denying what comes naturally to him. Chambers wholeheartedly agrees.
"For Christians, every day we're called to a life of biblical self-denial," he says. "We take up our cross and follow Christ, and we deny what comes naturally." But he says denial isn't without reward: "Those who reject the concept of self-denial haven't reaped the joys that come with it."

Within the UK - Help for those who struggle with same sex attraction but who desire to live in holiness can be found from http://www.truefreedomtrust.co.uk/.

How Do Love and Holiness Relate?

2011-12-01T09:57:00.001Z

How Do Love and Holiness Relate?

Jonathan Leeman writes a helpful understanding of how God's Holiness 'Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty' relates to his immanence, 'the whole earth is full of his glory.'

Scotland For Marriage

2011-11-30T13:35:00.000Z

Scotland For Marriage

Online petition if you oppose redefining marriage.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-15961903

Should Christians Strike?

2011-11-29T16:24:00.001Z

http://johngreenview.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/should-christians-go-on-strike/

Recently a friend suggested I write a post on whether Christians should go on strike. I have not done so but a post that does can be found here. The basic perspective and spirit of this post I thoroughly agree with and I think the writer (Louis Kinsey, an evangelical Church of Scotland minister) makes important and perceptive points. I would add just a few observations, some underlining and others developing what he says.

1. In the final analysis striking is a matter of personal conscience. What is important is that Christians make a decision whether to strike or not based on conscience and not pragmatism nor the pressure of others.

2. In the UK striking is for many workers a legal option. Industrial action is part of the legal provision of the country to help sustain equity in the balance of power between employer and employee. Equity in power is a good thing in a fallen world and if withdrawing labour is part of the Government’s lawful mechanism for maintaining it then Christians may well feel freedom of conscience in exerting their rights (sometimes Paul used his rights and sometimes he did not).

3. We must be absolutely clear about our motives in striking (or not). If we strike, we must be sure we are not simply motivated by dissatisfaction, greed and envy; is participating in the strike for my good or for the good of society? If we don’t strike, we should be sure that we are not simply avoiding a loss of pay while allowing others to make sacrifices from which we benefit. One possible option here is to contribute our wage to charity should we choose not to strike.

4. We should consider carefully the wider context and implications. The value to society of striking in the midst of a world recession should be weighed.

5. We should consider carefully and in the light of Scripture the wider questions regarding justice. Evangelicals today regularly tell us that God cares about justice. This is true. However, he also cares about how justice is achieved. There are a number of correlated questions here. How does God intend to bring about righteousness? How far is personal justice a legitimate goal for a believer? How far should we go in pursuing justice for others? Does God intend his people to pursue justice by coercion? What does the way of the cross say to us about the God’s way of achieving ‘shalom’ in a fallen world? When do Christians exercise their rights and when do they choose to forego them for higher Kingdom interests?

You may wish to further read here.

Guidance - don't get fleeced

2011-11-21T20:47:00.001Z

http://matthiasmedia.com/briefing/2011/11/dont-get-fleeced-by-gideons-guidance/#more-13872
Christians can get very confused about how we can seek God's guidance for our lives. Philip Jensen and Tony Paine's book Guidance and the voice of God provides great biblical teaching.

Articles | Ministry Training Paper: The Authority Of The Bible | Phillip Jensen

2011-11-21T11:07:00.000Z

Articles | Ministry Training Paper: The Authority Of The Bible | Phillip Jensen

Friday Night EDINBURGH Os Guiness

2011-11-17T22:16:00.001Z

Joel Osteen - zero discernment

2011-10-27T13:05:00.002+01:00

If you have never heard of Joel - then don't bother reading.

If you find his upbeat, positive messages encouraging then please note that this man seems to have minimal theological discernment - and can not be trusted to teach you the truth.

Mormonism - is just another form of Christianity according to Osteen. This is factually incorrect and theologically disastrous to claim. Different God, different Jesus, different salvation, different understanding of grace. Christianity is rooted in history while the Book of Mormon, a recent work by Joseph Smith, has no historical validity.

Instead of reading/listening to Osteen can I encourage you to buy a copy of Wayne Grudem's systematic theology - or come along to our Christian Beliefs Course at Charlotte Chapel before the 11am meeting.

http://www.albertmohler.com/2011/10/26/does-joel-osteen-not-know-or-does-he-not-care/

If you want to see a great documentary comparing the Book of Mormon with the Bible check out this website.
http://www.lhvm.org/thebiblevs.html

Music Ministry Conference

2011-10-07T18:52:00.000+01:00

Charlotte Chapel
Saturday 12th November

See: MUSIC MINISTRY

Come on Wales!

2011-10-07T09:14:00.000+01:00

Is it a bird...is it a plane.... no it was Mike Phillips - what a game!
22-10 !

Next step - France and then on to the Final!

The Welsh nation is blessed when you have the choice of two great fly-half's - oh and by the way - both from Llanelli Scarlets!

And of course there is also Scot Williams, George North, Jonathan Davies.

The boys from Cardiff and Swansea aren't too bad either!

Of course I love the Irish - but there can only be one winner tomorrow - COME ON WALES!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/15205790.stm

In this City 2011 Audio

2011-10-07T08:58:00.003+01:00

EoSGP Intro.

Richard Coekin Session 1

Richard Coekin Session 2

House of Pain

Neil McMillan

Church planters interviews

High Hilton Church of Scotland

2011-10-06T14:45:00.002+01:00

Please pray for Peter Dixon and the elders and members of High Hilton Church of Scotland.

Press Release

Statement from Rev. Peter Dickson on Sunday 2 October 2011:

"It is with a heavy heart and genuine sorrow that I announce my decision to demit the pastoral charge of High Church, Hilton on Wednesday 30 November and cease to be a minister of the Church of Scotland.

"This is not a rash decision but comes after years of heart-searching discussions within our church family, with the Presbytery of Aberdeen and with others in the Church of Scotland. Our elders have given a huge amount of time and consideration to all the issues involved and have been supportive and clear in their leadership of the congregation.

"I feel this is the only path left open for me which will enable me to continue to teach the scriptures with integrity.

"From the earliest discussions with the vacancy committee of High Church, Hilton in 1995, it has been the clear priority of myself and the elders to place the teaching and preaching of the Bible not merely at the top of our agenda but in a place of unique authority over our lives as individuals and as a congregation.

"The Church of Scotland wants, sadly, to move on from the Bible and it has walked away from the teaching of Christ. This tragic drift away from the gospel makes a ministry like mine increasingly untenable.

"Other ministers and congregations who share our Christian beliefs remain in the difficult position of continuing to seek a way forwards within the Church of Scotland. We remain genuinely and prayerfully supportive of them.

"I thank God for the faithful people at High Church, Hilton who I have been privileged to serve, but now is the time to leave which, I pray, will be the most helpful course of action for all involved."

Ends

Statement from the Kirk Session of High Church, Hilton, Aberdeen.

"The Kirk Session of High Church, Hilton is deeply saddened to learn of the decision of our Minister, Peter Dickson, to demit his charge.

"Our church family has known rich blessing under Peter's leadership. He has faithfully and patiently brought the clear teaching of the gospel of Christ to the people of Hilton and beyond.

"The decision of the Church of Scotland to move away from the authority of scripture has left many in our church with a very real sense of betrayal.

"Throughout the last three years of disagreement with the Church of Scotland it has been our principal aim to maintain a united congregation at High Church, Hilton around the integrity of the gospel we proclaim.

"Regrettably the decisions of the Church of Scotland are increasingly to accommodate modern secular thought within the church. These decisions are not matched by dealing with the direct consequences that flow from them. Sadly, no suitable accommodation for those of us wishing to honour a traditional orthodox understanding of scripture has been found.

"The decisions of the Church of Scotland will inevitably mean that many in our fellowship will be unable to remain at High Church, Hilton or indeed within the Church of Scotland.

"The Presbytery of Aberdeen have indicated they will appoint an Interim Moderator who will take over responsibility for the ministry of High Church, Hilton from 1st December.

"The coming weeks will be hard for those who know they must leave High Church, Hilton and for those who wish to stay. The Kirk Session deeply regrets the hurt felt by all."

Sunday School Material That Prepares Families

2011-09-23T14:30:00.000+01:00

A year ago we started teaching Children Desiring God at Charlotte Chapel.
I am so encouraged and excited that our children are being taught theology that will enable them to live for God's glory and be ready to face whatever suffering and trials the Lord may allow into their lives.

One moving story is that of the Watters Family:-
http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/the-watters-story-gods-providence-over-curriculum-cancer-and-adoption

In 2002, Mike and Deb Watters began teaching the curriculum, My Purpose Will Stand, in the sixth grade Sunday School at Bethlehem Baptist Church. Although they didn't know it at the time, God was teaching them the truths of His sovereignty to prepare them for what was to come.

In 2006 their six-year-old daughter, Corinne, was diagnosed with cancer. Knowing and trusting a sovereign God equipped them to persevere in the face of surgery, chemotherapy, and ongoing treatment.

But God was doing something even greater. At the hospital they met a young boy named Victor, who was undergoing treatment for the same type of cancer as Corinne. Watch the video to learn more about God's providence in caring for the Watters family, and his loving plan to provide a family for Victor.

Since adopting Victor, he went to be with the Lord earlier this year. Below is a moving testimony to God's grace in his life.

Glad You Asked

2011-09-14T19:40:00.000+01:00

Glad You Asked - Charlotte Baptist Chapel from Paul Rees on Vimeo.

Glad You Asked - A great course for people with questions about God.
Informal discussion format with some great video content from experts.

Starts September 20th 2011
Contact Church office if interested.

http://vimeo.com/29048771

Porterbrook Training at Charlotte Chapel

2011-09-14T16:10:00.002+01:00

http://www.porterbrooknetwork.org/

Porterbrook Training started today at Charlotte Chapel. It is for our Ministry Apprentices and others who are coming in for the Wednesday morning lectures. Liam Garvie is our church organiser of this training programme with Neil McMillan as our Edinburgh coordinator.
If you are interested in this training - please get in touch.

In this city - Church Planting Conference Saturday

2011-09-14T13:04:00.004+01:00

The Good Gift of Marriage

2011-09-08T11:43:00.000+01:00

Great story highlighted by Justin Taylor - on the blessings of committing to one woman for a lifetime.

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2011/09/07/the-good-gift-of-marriage/

Rumour - Contagious Scotland is Coming

2011-09-07T16:52:00.001+01:00

Very Excited about Contagious Coming to Scotland Next Year!

Date: August 6th -12th 2012

Place: Strathallan School (www.strathallan.co.uk)

Age Group: 14- 18

Get the Word Out!

Let your youth & youth pastors to know about it A taster of what its all about!

Reason for God -martin basher interviews tim keller

2011-09-05T09:27:00.002+01:00

Lots of good things in this interview. Tim Keller's response to the question about what about people who do not trust Christ was disapointing. And I agree with the blog posted below.

http://thecripplegate.com/keller-and-the-exclusivity-of-christ/

Niddrie Community Church

2011-09-02T17:27:00.001+01:00

It has been the privilege of Charlotte Baptist Chapel to partner with Niddrie Community Church. At the end of this year we hope to mark the formal independence of this congregation from Charlotte Chapel but we are still excited to see what God is doing in and through this church.

Encouraging news - in possible reforms

2011-08-29T09:42:00.000+01:00

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/28/anti-abortion-lobby-reforms

If you make your money from aborting babies - can you really give independent advice to women about the choices that they have? This seems unlikely. Proposed changes that separate those who counsel women about the choices they have with their unplanned pregnancies from those who provide abortion of foetus's could reduce the number of abortions by 60,000. 60,000 lives saved and given a chance to live - worthy of our prayer and support.

Love Song of the Welsh Revival

2011-08-27T19:51:00.000+01:00

Revival Prayer of Paul - Ephesians 1v14-21
Asking the Father, for His Fullness to Fill Our Church.

Excerpt from - http://www.openheaven.com/library/history/wales.htm

The Welsh revival "had a great effect" in healing spiritual carelessness among Christians and "the growing bitterness which has accentuated our unhappy divisions", the Bishop of Bangor declared on January 2nd, 1905. He called "congregations to meet together often for united prayer."

The Times added that "the religious revival in Wales continues...with unabated zeal." Huge crowds were attending the meetings. Bible verses covered the doors down in the coalmines. "At Swansea the Poor Law guardians...dealt with revival cases in which people...have taken their parents from the workhouse. The Welsh revival movement has shown no sign of flagging...", The Times pointed out on January 10th. Entire congregations were on their knees in fervent prayer and "for the first time there was not a single case of drunkenness at the Swansea Petty Sessions."

On January 11th The Times noted that David Lloyd-George, who later became the British Prime Minister, said the Welsh revival gave hope "that at the next election Wales would declare with no uncertain sound against the corruption in high places which handed over the destiny of the people to the horrible brewing interest..." Lloyd-George even saw one of his political rallies taken over by the Welsh revival. He was impressed as a young girl prayed in the presence of 2,000 people. He said in one town the tavern sold only 9 cents worth of liquor drinks on Saturday night!

The Times observed that "The whole population had been suddenly stirred by a common impulse. Religion had become the absorbing interest of their lives. They had gathered at crowded services for six and eight hours at a time. Political meetings and even football matches were postponed...quarrels between trade-union workmen and non-unionists had been made up... At Glyn-Neath a feud had existed for the past 10 or 12 years between the two Independent chapels, but during the past week united services have been held in both chapels, and the ministers have shaken hands before the congregations."

Mez, evangelism and calvinism

2011-08-19T09:02:00.000+01:00

http://niddriepastor.com/2011/08/18/plastic-calvinists-kill-evangelism-not-calvinism/

As we get ready for another weekend of Point Cafe - Mez expresses how some people misunderstand calvinism and how a proper understanding of the bibles teaching on the doctrines of grace actually spurs evangelism and church planting.

Muslim, Christian Dialogue

2011-08-16T08:20:00.000+01:00

http://muslimchristiandialogue.org/

2011 Dubai Muslim-Christian Dialogue - Trailer 2 from gdskc on Vimeo.

Christ be in my Waking

2011-08-02T13:50:00.000+01:00

Reparative Therapy, Homosexuality and the Gospel of Jesus Christ

2011-07-26T07:59:00.002+01:00

http://www.albertmohler.com/2011/07/19/reparative-therapy-homosexuality-and-the-gospel-of-jesus-christ/

Tree of Life Movie

2011-07-26T07:55:00.002+01:00

Last night I watched an extrodinary movie. I could not do better than the review found here - Movie Review: Tree of Life.

A Job lens study on life with the feel of an Augustine type 'Confessions' about the profound questions of life, death and meaning.

It starts with a quote from Job about creation and ends with the music, 'Behold the Lamb of God' in Latin. One family and the cosmos all put into one film. There are two ways through life, the way of nature or the way of grace. This is film art rather than a blockbuster movie. Poignant images that stay with you.

NIV debate - the other side

2011-07-23T13:03:00.000+01:00

http://blogs.bible.org/bock/darrell_l._bock/in_defense_of_the_niv_2011

http://www.proctrust.org.uk/blog/2011-06-21/that-bad-really-1121

For the sake of a fair discussion - here are some alternative thoughts on the new NIV.
At the EMA I bought a copy and have been using it in my morning bible readings.

I smiled when I noticed that in Ephesians 'workmanship' has been replaced with 'handiwork'.

In Jesus

2011-07-23T12:44:00.003+01:00

In Jesus - Phatfish from Phatfish on Vimeo.

Evaluation of 2011 NIV on Gender

2011-06-18T10:38:00.002+01:00

The NIV has changed. The old NIV 1984 has been discontinued and the 2011 will be the only one that will be printed. The council on biblical manhood and womanhood have put together their final report on the new NIV.

http://www.cbmw.org/Resources/Articles/An-Evaluation-of-Gender-Language-in-the

The whole article is worth reading but here are some summary statements from it:-

"The bottom line issue, then, is not whether the Bible should be understandable today. Nobody is arguing for the preservation of archaic words like ―thee‖ or ―thou.‖ The bottom line issue is that gender-neutral translations such as the 2011 NIV omit details of meaning in many hundreds of verses because of the translators‘ objections to the male-specific meaning of those verses. They found the Bible‘s frequent use of male-specific examples to be offensive in the modern culture, and they decided not to translate them accurately as a result. It is good to remind ourselves at this point that all of the words of God are important:
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, (2Tim. 3:16)
Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. (Prov. 30:5)
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Matt. 4:4).......

The 2011 NIV makes several noteworthy improvements over the 1984 NIV and the 2005 TNIV, including 933 improvements in accuracy in translating gender language in places where CBMW had criticized the TNIV in 2002 and 2005.....

However, the 2011 NIV was based not on the current NIV (1984) but on the TNIV (2005). The 2011 NIV retains 2,766 (or 75%) of the TNIV‘s problematic gender-related translations that led CBMW, and eventually the larger evangelical world, to reject the TNIV in 2002 and 2005. We still consider these 2,766 examples to be inaccurate translations of terms that have male meaning in the original Hebrew or Greek, male meaning that is lost in this new NIV....

In addition, the 2011 NIV changes some key verses on women‘s role in the church so that they favor an evangelical feminist position, especially in translating 1 Timothy 2:12 in a way that differs with all other commonly-used modern English translations and that gives women a wide open door to serve as pastors and elders in churches, contrary to the actual teaching of the New Testament.
We regret, therefore, that we cannot recommend the 2011 NIV as a sufficiently reliable English translation."

Vision, Mission & Goal

2011-06-17T15:06:00.001+01:00

Brook Hills Church has a beautiful statement that summarises their Vision, Mission and Goal.
'We glorify God by making disciples of all nations.'
This elegantly summarises what I believe is the vision, mission and goal of Charlotte Chapel as well.

The Peoples Bible Project

2011-06-08T14:35:00.002+01:00

http://www.thepeoplesbible.org/

Family Worship Resources

2011-05-27T14:20:00.004+01:00

Audio from the Second Session of the Men's Breakfast today May 28th 2011

http://hnrc.org/wp-admin/images/FamilyWorship.pdf
Article by Joel Beeke

http://hippocampusextensions.com/mcheyneplan/ M'Cheyne Reading Plan - Daily Family & Private Bible Readings

http://www.cbmw.org/Resources/Articles/Family-Worship

Children's Books

http://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/the-big-picture-story-bible

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jesus-Storybook-Bible-Every-Whispers/dp/0310708257

http://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/children/bible-reading

Rick Warren Chats with John Piper

2011-05-27T09:21:00.000+01:00

Great conversation between Rick Warren and John Piper.
Edifying and clarifying. A model of why we should not allow 'bogey man' charicuture but carefully listen to one another and be willing to talk theology.

Mark Peterson

2011-05-14T10:16:00.000+01:00

Some free aussie music to download for free until May 23rd from a generous musician!
http://www.markpeterson.com.au/downloads/

Jane Tooher of Moore College, Sydney on female leadership

2011-05-14T09:28:00.000+01:00

http://moore.edu.au/20-things-i-have-learnt-about-female-christian-leadership/

Two Types of Fellowship Groups - Shallow or Soma

2011-05-14T08:36:00.004+01:00

Two Types of small groups for churches. Which one do you want?

Or living like a healthy family on mission together with Christ?
Body life of a church in Tacoma that seeks through small groups to live with gospel-intentionality. A bigger vision for our fellowship groups?

Soma Communities - Tacoma, WA from Verge Network on Vimeo.

The full bloom of liberalism?

2011-05-12T08:47:00.000+01:00

John Gresham Machen in the 1920's warned of the great danger of theological liberalism. His book 'Christianity And Liberalism' speaks of the water-shed divide over whether we view the Bible as our final authority or not.

The full 'bloom' of liberal theology has reached a new low point with the news that the Presbyterian Church USA has now removed the constitutional requirement that all ministers, elders and deacons live in "fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness."

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/US/05/10/presbyterian.gay.lesbian.ordination/index.html

We should be praying for our evangelical friends in the Church of Scotland as they come to debate this same matter at the General Assembly in 11 days.

In our own time Wayne Grudem in his book 'Evangelical Feminism: A New Path to Liberalism?' warns us that those who argue for feminism from Scripture start us on a “trajectory hermeneutic” that removes any distinction in roles between men and women in church and marriage which opens the door to pursuing other liberal agendas. Thus historically we see a denomination first ordains women to be pastor bible teachers and then the next stage is debating whether practising homosexuals can be ministers. This is what we are witnessing with the Church of Scotland and it has also been seen in a number of mainline denominations in the US. The PCUSA wording seems to shift the debate even further to say that the minister can be engaged in any sort of sexual behaviour as a single person and still be the minister of a congregation.

I am indeed thankful that many congregations and leaders who have accepted an egalitarian position on women in church ministry are still wanting to maintain the sexual ethics of orthodox Biblical Christianity. Whether the generation that comes up under their ministry will be able to withstand the conforming values of society having already found ways of ignoring/over-ruling/reinterpreting the biblical texts on headship and submission and 1 Timothy 2v12 is still an open question.
It takes 75 years for the Titan Arum plant to flower and when it does it smells like a rotting corpse. This would be a fitting plant for theological liberalism that corrupts and kills biblical Christianity and congregations.

http://www.albertmohler.com/2011/05/11/following-jesus-while-rejecting-the-bible-yet-another-tragedy-in-mainline-protestantism/

The Longing: The secret meaning of Passover

2011-05-11T10:51:00.001+01:00

Martin Pakula is an Australian Christian who was brought up Jewish. And so I am always interested to read and hear Martin's thoughts on understanding Modern day Israel and how the promises of the OT find their fulfiment in Christ. Here are some articles from old Briefings.
The Longing: The secret meaning of Passover
http://matthiasmedia.com.au/briefing/library/2672/
http://www.matthiasmedia.com.au/briefing/longing/4466/

Men's Saturday Event - May 28th

2011-05-10T21:56:00.000+01:00

New Word Alive - Suggested Resources

2011-04-27T10:38:00.000+01:00

http://newwordalive.org/shop/src/category/recent

New Word Alive was a great event to be at this year. Great to share it with over 30 folk from Charlotte Chapel. For those unable to attend you can download talks for £1 per talk.

Lots of great stuff but here are some particular favourites.

Acts bible readings by David Cook - especially - the second one.
http://newwordalive.org/shop/src/category/recent/series/120/title/Acts-Pressing-beyond-the-fringe

Evening Bible readings on Hebrews 11-12v2 - Especially - Graham Daniels & Hugh Palmer
http://newwordalive.org/shop/src/category/recent/series/137/title/Adult-Celebration
The evening interview with Archbishop Ben Kwashi of Jos Nigeria - will probably be the most remembered event of this conference. Humbling, challenging to hear of how Christians are being faithful against background of torture, violence, threat, murder for being Christians.

Church History talks by Carl Trueman -
http://newwordalive.org/shop/src/category/recent/series/123/title/The-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-flawed-heroes-in-a-fallen-world

What were your favourites?

'How easter killed my faith in athiesm' Lee Strobel

2011-04-21T10:32:00.000+01:00

http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/04/16/how-easter-killed-my-faith-in-atheism/
Earlier this week, humorist Ricky Gervais presented his arguments for atheism and why he thought he was a better Christian than many Christians. In this follow-up essay, writer Lee Strobel offers his defense of Easter.

It was the worst news I could get as an atheist: my agnostic wife had decided to become a Christian. Two words shot through my mind. The first was an expletive; the second was “divorce.”

I thought she was going to turn into a self-righteous holy roller. But over the following months, I was intrigued by the positive changes in her character and values. Finally, I decided to take my journalism and legal training (I was legal editor of the Chicago Tribune) and systematically investigate whether there was any credibility to Christianity.

Maybe, I figured, I could extricate her from this cult.

I quickly determined that the alleged resurrection of Jesus was the key. Anyone can claim to be divine, but if Jesus backed up his claim by returning from the dead, then that was awfully good evidence he was telling the truth.

For nearly two years, I explored the minutia of the historical data on whether Easter was myth or reality. I didn’t merely accept the New Testament at face value; I was determined only to consider facts that were well-supported historically. As my investigation unfolded, my atheism began to buckle.

Was Jesus really executed? In my opinion, the evidence is so strong that even atheist historian Gerd Lüdemann said his death by crucifixion was “indisputable.”

Was Jesus’ tomb empty? Scholar William Lane Craig points out that its location was known to Christians and non-Christians alike. So if it hadn’t been empty, it would have been impossible for a movement founded on the resurrection to have exploded into existence in the same city where Jesus had been publicly executed just a few weeks before.

Besides, even Jesus’ opponents implicitly admitted the tomb was vacant by saying that his body had been stolen. But nobody had a motive for taking the body, especially the disciples. They wouldn’t have been willing to die brutal martyrs’ deaths if they knew this was all a lie.

Did anyone see Jesus alive again? I have identified at least eight ancient sources, both inside and outside the New Testament, that in my view confirm the apostles’ conviction that they encountered the resurrected Christ. Repeatedly, these sources stood strong when I tried to discredit them.

Could these encounters have been hallucinations? No way, experts told me. Hallucinations occur in individual brains, like dreams, yet, according to the Bible, Jesus appeared to groups of people on three different occasions – including 500 at once!

Was this some other sort of vision, perhaps prompted by the apostles’ grief over their leader’s execution? This wouldn’t explain the dramatic conversion of Saul, an opponent of Christians, or James, the once-skeptical half-brother of Jesus.

Neither was primed for a vision, yet each saw the risen Jesus and later died proclaiming he had appeared to him. Besides, if these were visions, the body would still have been in the tomb.

Was the resurrection simply the recasting of ancient mythology, akin to the fanciful tales of Osiris or Mithras? If you want to see a historian laugh out loud, bring up that kind of pop-culture nonsense.

One by one, my objections evaporated. I read books by skeptics, but their counter-arguments crumbled under the weight of the historical data. No wonder atheists so often come up short in scholarly debates over the resurrection.

In the end, after I had thoroughly investigated the matter, I reached an unexpected conclusion: it would actually take more faith to maintain my atheism than to become a follower of Jesus.

And that’s why I’m now celebrating my 30th Easter as a Christian. Not because of wishful thinking, the fear of death, or the need for a psychological crutch, but because of the facts.

Lee Strobel wrote “The Case for Easter: Journalist Investigates the Evidence for the Resurrection“; his first novel, “The Ambition,” releases May 17.

Scottish Election 2011

2011-04-19T11:59:00.001+01:00

Scottish Election 2011

Resurrection Evidence - why not check it out

2011-04-05T08:22:00.000+01:00

Praise Gathering Rehearsals

2011-04-01T15:24:00.002+01:00

Rehearsals - http://praisegathering.org.uk/2011-concerts/edinburgh-rehearsals/

Help for preachers / potential preachers

2011-03-26T21:05:00.000Z

Thinking about preaching? Just starting out? Needing some help?

“From text to sermon”

Practical teaching… practical examples… practical exercises

Peter Grainger, senior pastor of Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh for 17 years and now Director of the 2 Timothy 4 Trust which is dedicated to strengthening Scottish preaching, will help you explore and experience the process of preparing a sermon.

Saturday April 2^nd, 10am – 1pm

Airdrie Baptist Church, 97 Graham Street, Airdrie ML6 6DEhttp://www.airdriebaptist.co.uk

Cost: £5

To register, email peter@2Tim4.org

the drifting of evangelicalism

2011-03-25T13:05:00.002Z

Resurrection Songs - Sovereign Grace

2011-03-25T10:42:00.002Z

http://www.sovereigngracemusic.org/albums/category/sovereign_grace_music/risen

New Sovereign Grace Album - Risen.

Get Risen for $5. No fooling.

Free song | Buy

Some new songs to help us meditate upon and worship our Great God & Saviour!

Download the album for $5 for a limited time.

Thinking about becoming a pastor

2011-03-11T14:48:00.001Z

Great advice for those wondering if they should become a church pastor.

Upward I look!

2011-03-07T16:40:00.000Z

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

Guilty - but not condemned - clothed in rich garments provided by our Righteous King and Saviour Jesus.
Zechariah 3

A Passion for Life - Edinburgh

2011-03-07T15:30:00.003Z

A Passion for Life - Check out the Website.

http://www.passionforlife2011.org/Events.html

Some great events planned.

Tickets available soon.

a watershed judgment

2011-03-04T11:12:00.000Z

Recovering the Gospel in the local church and in a denomination

2011-03-04T09:47:00.001Z

http://www.9marks.org/audio/healthy-churches-and-good-pastors-paige-patterson

Can a denomination be recovered for the gospel? The Southern Baptist's experienced such a thing. Paige Patterson was one of the important leaders that led to this resurgence of conservative evangelicalism with Al Mohler taking over Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville. This is fascinating interview with Paige.

Gospel Coalition Scotland? Edinburgh?

2011-03-02T18:13:00.002Z

What is The Gospel Coalition? from Ben Peays on Vimeo.

Promoting the Gospel, through Gospel churches and gospel leaders partnering together.
While we love and appreciate our north american brothers - what can we do to see a british / a scottish version of this?

Why not read the docs and sign up to be part of the Gospel-Coalition to get on to 'The City' network and sign up to be a part of the Scotland Group and also see if there is a group for your city?
http://thegospelcoalition.org/network

Exciting New Course @ Charlotte Chapel

2011-02-23T11:17:00.002Z

Wayne Grudem & David Armstrong

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=200900546588348&index=1

Congratulations to Ian Leitch

2011-02-04T12:33:00.000Z

http://www.moodyministries.net/crp_NewsDetail.aspx?id=65004

Congratulations to Ian Leitch, a member of Charlotte Chapel with Morag his wife, who was named the 2011 Alumni of the Year by the Moody Bible Institute and recognised Tuesday this week at the Founders Week Conference.

Ministry Training Sessions

2011-01-27T11:18:00.001Z

For those who want to catch up with the midweek ministry training - especially elders and small group leaders. Then the handouts and audio can be downloaded from the church website. The audio from last night should be available in the next few days.

http://www.charlottechapel.org/what-we-do/events/resources

The Ehrman Project

2011-01-22T11:18:00.001Z

One of the questions I was asked after the first ministry training session was how confident we could be with the NT text. A couple of video's from a NT scholar as we look forward to the True or False Conference next saturday at Charlotte Chapel.
The Ehrman Project

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/

Ideas to Welcome People at Charlotte Chapel

2011-01-08T11:57:00.000Z

The difference between Greeting and Welcoming is especially good.

Week of Prayer and Commentaries

2011-01-06T11:25:00.001Z

Commentaries to aid study of the Book of Zechariah.

I will no doubt be leaning heavily on the following sources!

Bible Speaks Today Series - BST - Barry Webb. Barry came out to Christ the Redeemer Church in Spokane in 2008 and it was because of his workshop on biblical exposition that I am preaching through the book at Charlotte Chapel.

Tyndale Series -Joyce Baldwin.
I think this is only available second hand at the moment.

Richard Phillips - Reformed Expository Commentary.

Carson’s For the Love of God Blog

2010-12-30T10:23:00.000Z

Carson’s For the Love of God Blog

Online help as we continue our Charlotte, McCheyne reading plan.

trouble remembering your church dates?

2010-12-24T10:47:00.000Z

Just play over and over in your sleep!
http://duncanf.blogspot.com/

Fellowship Group Training Sessions 2011

2010-12-08T12:42:00.001Z

From January - Easter, small groups who want to continue to meet are to feel free to do so. But all elders, small group leaders, potential small group leaders are asked to join us for some central training at Charlotte Chapel. All are welcome to join is this central training and if you lead/teach the bible at Charlotte at any level we hope that you will come along. Those participating in the training should not be expected to be involved in fellowship groups that continue to meet. There will be four sessions on reading and understanding the Bible and then 4 sessions on how we can help each other to grow in Christ-likeness. Liam will be leading us through some of the core material from the book, 'Instruments in The Redeemer's Hand: People in Need of Change helping people in Need of Change' by Paul David Tripp. Elders/Fellowship Group Training 2011 7.30pm- 9pm
Jan 12th Wed	Session 1	Approaching the Text
Jan 26^thWed	Session 2	Observing the Text
February 9^thWed	Session 3	Applying the Text
February 23^rd Wed	Session 4	Applying the OT Text
March 9^th Wed	Session 5	Instruments - Love
March 16^th Wed	Session 6	Instruments - Know
March 23^rd Wed	Session 7	Instruments - Speak
March 30^th Wed	Session 8	Instruments - Do

True or False Jan 29th 2011 Video

2010-12-03T14:28:00.000Z

True or False Day Conference - coming soon - sign up to hear these scholars live at Charlotte Chapel.
Click here for more info and to BOOK ONLINE or find us on Facebook

John Lennox responds to Stephen Hawking

2010-11-22T08:59:00.001Z

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1308599/Stephen-Hawking-wrong-You-explain-universe-God.html

An excellent conference up at St Peter's Dundee at the SOLAS centre for public Christianity. David Robertson pulled together a great team of speakers and I hope the audio/video will soon be available for more people to benefit from it. John Lennox gave a marvellous address and some great answers during the Q & A. To get a taste read this article from the Daily Mail as he responds to Stephen Hawking's latest book.

And check out David's short video responses:

Why you can't be middle of the road on some issues

2010-11-19T09:41:00.001Z

http://www.cbmw.org/Journal/Vol-15-No-2/Why-Complemegalitarianism-Doesn-t-Work

Great resources/articles arguing from the Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.

http://www.cbmw.org/

True or False Jan 29th 2011

2010-11-11T10:07:00.000Z

Earlier this year Charlotte Chapel hosted the 9Marks Scotland event in Edinburgh. As a follow up to that event, CC is hosting "True or False...can the Bible be believed?" on 29th January 2011.

Click here for more info and to BOOK ONLINE or find us on Facebook

This is an exciting conference for all Christians who want to understand more of the reliability of the Bible.

Can you answer clearly questions about the authenticity of the Bible? Are you fully convinced of this yourself? Can the Bible stand up against science, archaeology and modern scholarly attacks?

Using the best available scholarship, the 'Bible and Church' series of conferences offer the evidence for the reliability of the New Testament gospels. Many think that science and modern scholarship have proved the Bible irrelevant or even dangerous. These internationally respected speakers will provide accessible material which addresses modern challenges to the reliability of the Bible.

Attached is a promotional poster you can send out to anyone you think might be interested or feel free to blog/post it online

To find out more and book, go to www.charlottechapel.org/tof

the dangers of email

2010-11-08T09:51:00.000Z

Bruce Ware January 2011

2010-10-20T19:21:00.000+01:00

What's new about new calvinism?

2010-10-20T09:41:00.000+01:00

DeYoung, Duncan, Mohler: What's New About the New Calvinism from The Gospel Coalition on Vimeo.

My Missional Misfire?

2010-10-11T08:13:00.000+01:00

My Missional Misfire?

Some helpful thoughts from DeYoung on missions and missional on using language carefully and being clear what is the duty of the church.

In Understanding Be Men

2010-10-02T21:15:00.001+01:00

Audio & Handouts:

Biblical Manhood -Liam Garvie

Biblical Mentoring - Paul Rees

In Understanding Be Men - Powerpoint

Handout for Reading the Bible - +Accountability Questions

Autumn Preaching Series at Charlotte Chapel

2010-10-02T16:43:00.000+01:00

New Morning & Evening Preaching Series for Autumn at Charlotte Chapel

An Amazing Testimony of God’s Grace

2010-10-01T22:48:00.000+01:00

Freaky Picture - but great testimony to God's Grace!

An Amazing Testimony of God’s Grace

Leadership Interview with Mez McConnell

Mez McConnell tells the riveting story of how God rescued him from a life of drugs and violence and sent him to preach the gospel in inner-city Edinburgh, Scotland.

The Biq Questions - Have you Considered Jesus?

2010-10-01T09:16:00.000+01:00

A Video to share with Friends and Family - to encourage them to freshly consider Jesus Christ.

Church Planting in Leith

2010-09-29T17:26:00.000+01:00

At Charlotte Chapel, we are excited to promote the initiative of a new church plant in Leith that is being led by Athole Rennie. Are there people at Charlotte, who live in or near Leith that would consider partnering with Athole in this great gospel initiative?

Multi-site debate

2010-09-29T09:21:00.001+01:00

3 big personalities go at the multi-site debate - is this just an American debate?
Who convinced you?

Multiple Sites: Yea or Nay? Dever, Driscoll, and MacDonald Vote from Ben Peays on Vimeo.

Bruce Ware in Edinburgh -Jan 15th/16th

2010-09-24T14:09:00.000+01:00

Really looking forward to the visit of Bruce Ware in January 2011. He is Professor of Chrsitian Theology at Southern Baptist Seminary, USA and also has the privilege of being born and brought up in Spokane, Washington!

On Saturday January 15th he will be speaking at a joint event hosted by the Faith Mission Bible College and 2 Timothy 4 Trust. And on Sunday 16th January we look forward to Bruce preaching at Charlotte Chapel morning and evening.

Here is some video of Bruce talking about Christology at a recent event at Mars Hill.

Interview with Bruce Ware at Re:Train September 2009 from The Resurgence on Vimeo.

Three excellent talks that he gave at Mars Hill Church, Seattle in March 2007 and worth downloading and listening to (handout also available)
Uncertain Hands of God and Men: Providence in Process Thought and Open Theism
Independent Hands of God and Men:Providence in Classic Arminianism
Coordinated Hands of God and Men:Providence in the Reformed Tradition

Always get to the gospel

2010-09-21T21:15:00.000+01:00

How to teach your children the whole bible story

2010-09-16T09:33:00.000+01:00

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2010/09/14/how-to-teach-your-children-the-whole-story-of-the-bible/

The Briefing Library: Factotum #3: One-to-one prayer and Bible reading

2010-09-15T10:43:00.000+01:00

The Briefing Library: Factotum #3: One-to-one prayer and Bible reading

A List of Important Sermons and Articles That Are Worth Reading

2010-09-13T08:46:00.000+01:00

A List of Important Sermons and Articles That Are Worth Reading

Saying What God Said

2010-09-08T22:41:00.001+01:00

Saying What God Said

My good friend David Helm with two men who also model great expository preaching, Mike Bullmore and Bryan Chapel.

October 2nd Mens Meeting Saturday

2010-09-03T14:43:00.005+01:00

http://www.charlottechapel.org/what-we-do/groups/men

Why we need Men to stand up and make a difference.

Apocryphal Stories

2010-08-24T11:17:00.000+01:00

Correction to last Sunday's sermon - Exodus 25-31 - The God who Dwells.

It is always dangerous to go beyond your preaching notes. And last Sunday I added, off the cuff, the 'fact' that the High Priest used to enter the Holy of Holies with a rope around his ankle so that if he died there he could be dragged back out. I pulled this fact out of the back of my brain as somewhere along the line I had heard someone say this.

Driving in the car back to church for the evening meeting one of my daughters asked the great question of where in the Bible does it say this.

After many searches of the Bible with my Libronix software I discovered that there is no bible text that says such a thing. Searching on the net - I discovered that I had spread a legend that does get repeated but has no evidence in the Bible, the Apocrypha, the Dear Sea Scrolls, Josephus, the Pseudepigrapha, the Talmud or any other Jewish source! That is according to the following websites!

http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/anklerope.html

http://blog.bibleplaces.com/2009/01/that-rope-around-high-priests-ankle.html

According to the latter website - John Gill cites 'Zohar' in his comment on Hebrews 9v7; and it is quoted in other places.

So I must apologise for saying something in the pulpit that was not true and adding a myth to the truth of Scripture. It is a sobering thing to realise how much can get into our brain and get repeated without returning to the sources! The best myths are the ones that sound plausible and dramatic! I am glad that my 10 year old daughter checked up on me.

Warning to Charlotte Chapel (as if you had not worked this out already!) you have a fallible pastor and we must be like the noble Bereans who received the preaching ministry of the apostle Paul with eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

What other illustrative myths have entered the world of evangelical preachers?

A discussion on Brian McLaren's Book

2010-08-11T15:29:00.000+01:00

Women - Christianity and Feminism

2010-08-07T15:59:00.000+01:00

http://www.9marks.org/audio/women-christianity-and-feminism

Great 9 Marks interview with Carolyn McCulley - how a hardened feminist became a convinced Christian committed to the Bible's teaching on gender roles.

She has authored a number of important books.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1581345798/carolynmccull-20

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0802450849/carolynmccull-20

If We Are No Longer Under The Law What Is The Place Of The Ten Commandments?

2010-07-10T09:23:00.000+01:00

'Ask Phillip' - 'If we're not under law, why still read the 10 commandments in church?' from Audio Advice on Vimeo.

The Briefing Library: The relationship between the testaments: Law and Sabbath

2010-07-03T11:33:00.000+01:00

The Briefing Library: The relationship between the testaments: Law and Sabbath

Should Christians allow their children to jump on bouncy castles at a Sunday afternoon church picnic?

Praise Gathering Edinburgh Saturday Night

2010-06-18T07:50:00.003+01:00

EDINBURGH
USHER HALLSATURDAY 19TH JUNE, 7:30PM
There are still some tickets available:
Click HERE to order online
or call the box office on 0131 228 1155
Information : www.praisegathering.org.uk

a story about abortion

2010-06-05T14:50:00.003+01:00

Exodus Commentaries

2010-05-13T12:45:00.001+01:00

Great bible commentaries on the book of Exodus that are helping me in my sermon preparation:-

Philip Ryken's Sermons on the book have been brought together in Kent Hughes' series - 'Preach the Word.'
Great stuff - his subtitle 'Saved for God's Glory' beautifully captures the major meolodic line of the whole book.

Alec Motyer - is always worth reading on anything. This book is full of godly gems of insight into the text and application for the Christian.

I am greatly indebted to both of these books as I preach these overview sermons on the book of Exodus.

Also on my shelf, but less useful - Peter Enns - NIV Application Commentary; Brevard Childs 'The Book of Exodus: A critical, theological commentary'