Below you can find back issues from our current Thought for the Week series, following the Torah Portions schedule 2018/2019.

Bereshit: Genesis 1:1-6:8 (Greg Stevenson)

Noach: Genesis 6:9-11:32 (Clifford Denton)

Vayera: Genesis 18:1-22:24 (John Quinlan)

Chayei Sarah: Genesis 23:1-25:18 (Sally Bolton)

Toldot: Genesis 25:19-28:9 (Catharine Pakington)

Vayetze: Genesis 29:10-32:2 (Greg Stevenson)

VaYishlach: Genesis 32:3-36:43 (Clifford Denton)

VaYeshev: Genesis 37:1-40:23 (Frances Rabbitts)

Miketz: Genesis 41:1-44:17 (John Quinlan)

VaYigash: Genesis 44:18-47:27 (Sally Bolton)

VaYechi: Genesis 47:28-50:26 (Catharine Pakington)

Vaera: Exodus 6:2-9:35 (Clifford Denton)

Bo: Exodus 10:1-13:16 (Frances Rabbitts)

Beshalach: Exodus 13:17-17:16 (John Quinlan)

Yitro: Exodus 18:1-20:23 (Sally Bolton)

Mishpatim: Exodus 21:1-24:18 (Catharine Pakington)

Terumah: Exodus 25:1-27:19 (Greg Stevenson)

Tetsaveh: Exodus 27:20-30:10 (Clifford Denton)

Ki Tisa: Exodus 30:11-34:35 (Stephen Bishop)

Vayak'hel: Exodus 35:1-38:20 (John Quinlan)

Pekudei: Exodus 38:41-40:38 (Sally Bolton)

Vayikra: Leviticus 1:1-6:7 (Catharine Pakington)

Tsav: Leviticus 6:8-8:36 (Greg Stevenson)

Leviticus 9:1-11:47 (Clifford Denton)

Tazria: Leviticus 12:1-13:59 (Stephen Bishop)

Leviticus 14:1-15:33 (John Quinlan)

Pesach 1: Exodus 12:21-51; Numbers 18:16-25 (Sally Bolton)

Pesach 2: Exodus 13:17-15:26; Numbers 28:19-25 (Catharine Pakington)

Leviticus 16:1-18:30 (Greg Stevenson)

Leviticus 19:1-20:27 (Clifford Denton)

Leviticus 21:1-24:23 (Stephen Bishop)

Leviticus 25:1-26:2 (John Quinlan)

Leviticus 26:3-27:34 (Sally Bolton)

Numbers 1:1-4:20 (Catharine Pakington)

Shavuot (Greg Stevenson)

Numbers 4:21-7:89 (Clifford Denton)

Numbers 8:1-12:16 (Stephen Bishop)

Numbers 13:1-15:41 (John Quinlan)

Numbers 16:1-18:32 (Sally Bolton)

Numbers 19:1-22:1 (Catharine Pakington)

Numbers 22:2-25:9 (Greg Stevenson)

Numbers 25:10-29:40 (Clifford Denton)

Numbers 30:1-36:13 (Frances Rabbitts)

Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22 (John Quinlan)

Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11 (Sally Bolton)

Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25 (Catharine Pakington)

Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17 (Greg Stevenson)

Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9 (Clifford Denton)

Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19 (Frances Rabbitts)

What our suicide problem says about our society.

Why are young men in Britain killing themselves at the rate of 17 every day? It is a national scandal that has rattled the Government, hence the announcement this week of the appointment of a Minister for Suicide Prevention.

Prime Minister Theresa May said the appointment of Health Minister Jackie Doyle-Price to the new role will help tackle the stigma surrounding suicide. She was speaking on what has been designated World Mental Health Day, and she also announced increased funding for the Samaritans and for schools’ mental health work among children.

Mental health is a worldwide issue of immense proportions, especially in Western nations. In the USA nearly 45,000 people killed themselves in 2016 – more than double the homicide rate. In Britain severe mental illness has been rising steadily since the beginning of the 1990s and has become the biggest problem area for the NHS. Women are now more prone to severe mental disorder than men, but men under the age of 49 are more likely to take their own lives.

It is this particular problem of suicide among young men that is troubling mental health experts. The train I was due to take to London last week was cancelled due to “an incident on the line”. Yet another young man had jumped from a railway bridge in front of a train. I did not know this one but I did know a young man who did the same thing recently. I knew his wife and two young children. He had become unemployed and introverted so no one could communicate with him. He was just 36.

The particular problem of suicide among young men is troubling mental health experts.

We probably all know similar tragedies that are happening in families throughout the land, creating untold misery, hardship and poverty. It is, of course, those left behind who suffer most – regret and self-recrimination are hard to live with when tragedy has hit a family. The first suicide funeral I had to conduct is still a vivid memory when I too suffered personal blame. She was a beautiful young woman in my church congregation and I had deep regret that I had not been aware of her problems. But is there something as a society that we can do?

Understanding the Symptoms

We all need to become more aware of the symptoms of mental health problems – stress, anxiety and depression are all signs that should alert us to the difficulties that someone is facing. It’s when we ignore these signs that we blame ourselves later on. Being more alert and more caring for others would undoubtedly save lives. But we are all too busy, too self-centred on our own little world to bother with other people.

The number of young people you see today walking the streets with their eyes glued to their smartphone and unaware of what is going on around them is a vivid expression of the level of individualism and unreality that now afflicts a whole generation. Many young people live in a virtual world where they have hundreds of contacts but very little personal interaction – a situation exacerbated by social media, which has been linked to numerous mental health problems.

Many social studies show that loneliness is suffered by millions in the population, even when they are living in densely populated cities. Of course, much of this is due to the breakdown of family life: once, large families cared for each other and interacted with other similar families, providing plentiful opportunity for friendships to flourish. Today, we lack community and live in a virtual world.

Individualism and unreality now afflicts a whole generation, with many people living in a virtual world.

Another big culture change that has particularly hit young men is a loss of masculine identity in a world where women demand equality and sameness. Men were once proud to be the breadwinners and take care of their young wives while they were nursing children. Today, career women employ nannies and childminders so that they can become the breadwinner, pursuing their ambitions to make it to the top in their professions.

Lack of Peace with God

Human beings have immense adaptability and no doubt men will adjust to their new status in society, but we are clearly in a transition period which places extra strains, anxieties and insecurities upon individuals. The social changes we have been experiencing in the past two generations have coincided with the loss of faith in God and the abandonment of our Judeo-Christian heritage that provided fundamental security in the lives of individuals and whole communities.

It is the lack of this sense of being at peace with the God of Creation who made us in his own image that is the most serious absence in our modern culture. If we really want to understand the problems in our society we need to read the first chapter of Romans, where the Apostle Paul offers a penetrating analysis of social change. He says that once we suppress truth, we are driven by the powers of darkness that lead from one degree of corruption to the next.

Jesus taught his disciples the cure for anxiety. He said “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth.” He also said “My command is this: love each other as I have loved you” (John 14:15 and 15:12).

The combination of family breakdown, bringing the loss of fatherhood to millions, together with the loss of the Fatherhood of God, is the devastating product of our postmodern, atheistic, humanistic world.

If we really want to understand the problems in our society, we need to read the first chapter of Romans.

The only cure for all the ailments in society, especially the anxieties and insecurities that lead to black despair and suicide, is the rediscovery of the Gospel, biblical truth and the Fatherly love of God for each of us his children. The Bible tells us that “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence for ever” (Isa 32:17). In the New Testament Paul tells us that “The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7).

It is being at peace with God that transforms our whole worldview and our interaction with other human beings. Paul urged the Christians in Rome “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom 12:2). This is the message that the new Minister for Suicide Prevention needs to understand if she is to make any real progress in her work of transforming society.

Windfall used to aid God’s great plan for the Jewish people

When a young barrister came into a great fortune over 200 years ago, he did not spend it on himself but instead used it to turn the key that would eventually unlock the fulfilment of numerous biblical prophecies.

Lewis Way must have been dumbstruck when, for no obvious reason, he became the main beneficiary of a friend’s will, the only stipulation for which was that the money should be used “to the glory of God”.¹

The inheritance was worth £300,000 – a colossal amount at the time representing at least £12 million in today’s money.

An Eton-educated ‘mover and shaker’ in influential circles, Lewis sought the Lord in prayer and duly felt the call of God to devote his time, energy and recently acquired wealth towards helping Jewish people to a knowledge of their Messiah and restoring them to the land of Israel.

He was particularly stirred by what has been dubbed his ‘Exeter Road encounter’ when, in 1811, he passed the home of two sisters who had also inherited a fortune and was reminded of how one of them was said to have planted a row of oak trees over which she had prophesied that they would stand until the Jews were back in Palestine.

“The spirit of that story really inspired him,” Rev Alex Jacob told an audience this week. “He knew at that moment that the return of the Jewish people to their ancestral home would be his chief cause for the rest of his life.”

Joining with Wilberforce

So he pursued this task with great zeal and became active with the Church’s Ministry among Jewish people (CMJ), co-founded in 1809 by his close friend William Wilberforce and dedicated to investing in Israel’s spiritual rebirth.

Unlike today, it was quite fashionable – even politically correct – to be linked with such an organisation, especially with the Duke of Kent (Queen Victoria’s father) as patron…until he resigned because the mission was “too evangelical”.

Lewis became active with CMJ, co-founded by his close friend William Wilberforce and dedicated to investing in Israel’s spiritual re-birth.

There was an irony, too, in that the Way family had in earlier years acquired their wealth through slavery, yet now he was teaming up with an abolitionist! Rev Jacob, CMJ’s UK chief executive, explained that the Jewish emancipation and anti-slavery movements were two sides of the same coin.

And when, in 1815, CMJ hit a financial crisis, Way stepped in with a significant gift, without which CMJ would have been a footnote in church history.

Pleading with the Czar

A great networker, he then set up a successful work in Poland, where many Jews came to believe Jesus as their Messiah.

In 1817 he had an audience with Czar Alexander I of Russia, pleading with arguably the most powerful ruler of the time that the Jewish people should have their own homeland. And on 13 October the following year, with the Czar’s backing, he put the case for the issue – and for Jewish emancipation² generally – to the European Congress.³

His meeting with the Czar is said to have significantly advanced the Jewish hope for returning to their ancient land and eventually led to the issuing by the British Government of the Balfour Declaration in 1917 which paved the way for the modern state of Israel.

Way was accompanied on this trip by an ex-Muslim Arab (his translator) and a former Jewish rabbi who embraced each other as they worked together in the cause of Christ and of Israel.

The briefcase Way used for the occasion has survived to this day and was actually displayed alongside the podium at which Rev Jacob spoke at CMJ’s Nottinghamshire headquarters.

Way and the Czar developed a bond as brothers in Christ and, after addressing the Congress, the Englishman wrote to his wife Mary: “Certainly, such an appeal for the Jewish people has not been made since the days of Mordecai and Esther.”

Way’s meeting with the Czar significantly advanced the Jewish hope for returning to their ancient land.

Storing up Treasures in Heaven

There is no doubt that Way’s sacrificial exploits greatly contributed to the cause of Zionism and the return to the Holy Land of Jews dispersed to every corner of the globe by the Romans almost 2,000 years ago.

His ultimate purpose, however, was not just in helping them back to their land but, more importantly, to their Lord. And he will have been thrilled to see the proliferation throughout Israel today – and in other parts of the world including the UK – of Jewish congregations worshipping Yeshua (Hebrew for Jesus).

Lewis Way's family chapel, renovated in 1804 to include a stained glass window referencing the Jewishness of the faith. See Photo Credits.

The bi-centenary of Way’s presentation to the European Congress is being marked tomorrow (Saturday) with a special event at Stansted Park in Hampshire, once Way’s family home. It will be held in the historic St Paul’s Chapel, situated within the Park, from 11am to 4pm with access to tearooms and a farm shop. Dr Richard Harvey, Rodney Curtis and Rev Jacob will give talks titled From Russia with Love, The Forgotten Way and Money, Money, Money respectively. It is free of charge; just turn up.⁴

The chapel happens also to contain a unique stained glass window designed by Way while carrying out renovation work in 1804. It is the only window in a Christian place of worship which is wholly Jewish in design and symbolism.⁵

Recently restored with help from CMJ, this beautiful window is based on Genesis 9:13: “I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.”

Despite his immense earthly wealth, Way successfully stored up his treasure in heaven, as Jesus advises us to do (see Matt 6:19-21).

Notes

1 It is suggested that his benefactor and namesake John Way (no relative) would have been hugely impressed by his friend’s integrity for, when he offered him an arranged marriage with a woman of high status, he turned it down, preferring to ‘marry for love’.

2 Jews throughout Europe had their rights restricted in many ways, such as being denied access to various professions.

3 Set up following the collapse of the Napoleonic empire as a kind of precursor for the League of Nations in a bid to help re-shape the map of Europe.

4 Find out more here.

5 Click here for a picture of the window.

The Equalities Commission will not have its cake, nor will it eat it.

In a rare win for freedom of expression, Belfast bakers Daniel and Amy McArthur have been exonerated by the UK Supreme Court of any liability, after refusing to bake a cake promoting gay marriage.

Four years of this high-profile legal battle have exposed the gross injustices of Britain’s ‘hate laws’. Well done to these two steadfast Christians for refusing to give in to the state bullies who have wrongly accused them. This is a real victory!

It is frightening that this case had to go all the way to the Supreme Court to get a verdict that plain common sense should have delivered instantly. It has also exposed the bias of the so-called ‘Equality Commission’ in Northern Ireland (ECNI) – a supposedly ‘independent’, publicly-funded body dedicated to promoting ‘equality’ and ‘human rights’. Here, effectively, is an arm of the state colluding with the LGBTQ+ lobby to punish ordinary citizens and small businesses for failing to affirm LGBTQ+ ideology, wasting £250,000 of tax-payers’ money in the process.¹

But despite these things, the verdict should still be a real cause for celebration. It is not an ‘offensive’ win, taking legal ground back for ‘Christendom’, but it is a landmark ‘defensive’ win, ensuring Christians’ continued freedom to refuse to partake in and affirm the sinful beliefs and practices of this generation.

Freedom for Conscience

Had it gone the other way, it would effectively have spelled the end of freedom of conscience, especially in the sphere of trade, setting a legal precedent for the state to enforce independent businesses to affirm values with which they disagree profoundly. It is therefore a win that should benefit everyone, not just Christians, as Daniel McArthur emphasised to the press after the judgment was given:

The judges have given a clear signal today. In fact, it couldn’t be clearer. Family businesses like ours are free to focus on giving all their customers the best service they can – without being forced to promote other people’s campaigns.

I know a lot of people will be very glad of this ruling today, because this ruling protects freedom of speech and freedom of conscience for everyone.²

By contrast, the ECNI revealed its contempt for the idea of individual freedom of conscience in its post-judgment statement, saying “There is a concern…that the beliefs of business owners may take precedence over a customer’s equality rights, which in our view is contrary to what the legislature intended”.³ Those in charge of equality law enforcement obviously consider their own brand of morality to be incontrovertible; they brook no dissent- and they don’t think that the courts should, either.

Had the judgment gone the other way, it would effectively have spelled the end of freedom of conscience, especially in the sphere of trade.

The Battle Underneath

Underlying the Ashers case is a deep conflict between the freedoms brought about by Judeo-Christian values – the vestiges of which still linger in Britain’s institutions and culture - and the secular humanist values of equality law, which promise freedom but tend towards tyranny.

This latter worldview has been encroaching on Britain for decades, helped along by the commandeering of positive-sounding words like ‘justice’, ‘freedom’ and ‘equality’. Instead of ‘equality’ meaning the dignity that should be afforded to all humans because they are made in God’s image, regardless of their personal beliefs, ‘equality’ has been co-opted to mean enforced compliance with an atheistic, sexually licentious worldview.

This kind of ‘equality’ is grounded in a rejection of the God of the Bible and his created order, and a devaluation of individual freedoms for the ‘greater good’.

Behind this again are spiritual forces of darkness aiming to thwart the salvation of millions by (a) promoting and seeking to compel ungodly beliefs and behaviours, and (b) working to shut down and punish godly behaviours and responses. In the Ashers case, both of these spiritual strategies have been in play. The McArthurs have come under enormous pressure to compromise their own convictions and bow to the spirit of the age.

But – praise the Lord – this time, the attempt to shut down Christian witness has backfired spectacularly. The Supreme Court’s verdict shows that there may yet be hope for our institutions. Even more deliciously, the case has afforded Daniel and Amy many opportunities to testify in front of national reporters and TV cameras to God’s goodness and truth, which they have done with grace, dignity and evident faith:

Victoria Jones/PA Wire/PA ImagesI want to start by thanking God. He has been with us during the challenges of the last four years. Through the Bible and the support of Christians, He has comforted us and sustained us. "He is our rock and all His ways are just.”

We're delighted and relieved at today's ruling. We always knew we hadn't done anything wrong in turning down this order. After more than four years, the Supreme Court has now recognised that and we're very grateful. Grateful to the judges and especially grateful to God.⁴

Praise the Lord – this time, the attempt to shut down Christian witness has backfired spectacularly.

The Light Shines

The victory and the witness are both enormously refreshing. The McArthurs have tasted the truth of Isaiah 54:17: “’no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,’ declares the Lord.”

But just as heartening is the amount of public support the couple has received, including from surprising quarters such as gay activist Peter Tatchell. Tatchell does not agree with the McArthurs’ beliefs, but vehemently defends their right to hold them without fear of punishment, understanding that vital freedoms are at stake. Tatchell joins a growing crowd - like the lesbians protesting trans ideology, and the students rejecting an inherited university culture of alcoholic excess (see last week’s editorial) - who seem to be realising that Britain’s culture change has gone too far. Though they may not understand fully, they can see that society is risking self-destruction and the loss of many hard-fought, hard-won freedoms.

Perhaps (I certainly hope) we are seeing the beginnings of a backlash against the seemingly relentless erosion of Judeo-Christian values in Britain. The war is certainly not over - God apparently still stands ready to intervene for his precious saints, granting continued freedom to the whole nation in the process. Who knows, we may yet see some unlikely characters joining the fight for freedom before long.

Meanwhile, we can pray that the McArthurs’ testimony bears abundant spiritual fruit. When believers stand their ground, graciously but firmly, against the attacks of the enemy, sometimes they are granted worldly victory and vindication - sometimes not. But God will never let their witness go to waste:

Look, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. But beware of men; for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues…But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you…

…Therefore, everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven. (Matthew 10:16-33)

Notes

1 DUP MP Ian Paisley has written to the secretary of state for Northern Ireland in the aftermath of the Ashers ruling, calling for a review into the ECNI’s funding.

2 Watch Daniel’s full statement here (1 min 50).

3 Read the full ECNI statement here.

4 See note 3.

BBC finally highlights unapologetic faith in action.

Alongside the triumph of the Ashers Bakery court victory comes news of the ongoing nationwide impact of Christians Against Poverty (CAP).

At a time when we are witnessing an ever-widening gulf between rich and poor, the CAP organisation founded by John Kirkby has swept across the country like a refreshing wave of compassion, setting up branches in many towns and cities and providing tremendous relief and support to countless people often feeling overwhelmed by mountainous debts.

The BBC’s sympathetic hour-long profiling of their work in The Debt Saviours documentary (BBC2) was as welcome as it was unexpected.

Inability to pay off arrears often leads to the most enormous pressures on families, and it is this that CAP workers understand so well as they combine their excellent debt counselling services with a generous dose of genuine care – and, yes, they do offer to pray for clients while respecting their wishes however they respond.

Unapologetic Faith

I was very struck with the TV programme and delighted that the BBC had for once shown Christians in a very positive light. It helped that the participants were boldly unapologetic about praying for people in the process.

They are in a sense fulfilling Jesus’ Great Commission (that his disciples should spread the Gospel everywhere) in a double-track way – both by preaching the good news and by not forgetting the poor, as Christ commanded us.

At a time when we are witnessing an ever-widening gulf between rich and poor, CAP has swept across the country like a refreshing wave of compassion.

I had a bit to do with CAP some years ago when I was sports editor of the Selby Times in North Yorkshire. On the rare occasions when sporting issues did not require my immediate attention, I wrote a few stories about what they were doing including the testimony of how a family became Christians after they were helped out of debt.

I then organised a cricket match to raise money for them – and comedian Tommy Cannon played for my team, giving a pretty decent all-round performance!

As some of my colleagues at Prophecy Today have said, the situation of personal debt in the current economic climate is bound to get worse – Brexit or no Brexit – and there will be an increasing need for this inspiring work.

Faith in Action

The BBC2 programme followed the lives of some very brave CAP clients and frontline workers battling amidst the current UK poverty epidemic, and showed the wonderful work being done through the local Church.

CAP advisers were seen going into people’s homes and praying with clients. Many were helped out of debt and subsequently began attending church.

It’s this sort of focus on the work and motivation of Christians that could well contribute in part to a turning of the tide in the nation as the genuineness of a supernatural faith borne out of a real relationship with God is seen in action – and on the TV screen!

Perhaps there is hope yet for the BBC!

'The Debt Saviours' is still available on iPlayer: click here to watch. 

Simon Pease reviews ‘A New Apostolic Reformation?’ by RD Geivett and H Pivec (Weaver Book Company, 2014).

Geivett’s and Pivec’s book, investigating the teachings of the so-called ‘New Apostolic Reformation’ (NAR), has already garnered widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers asserting that this work provides a much-needed service to the Church. This reviewer concurs.

The ‘NAR’ is a short-hand term for a loose, unofficial collection of ministries, individuals and teachings, largely emanating from the USA, which have combined over the last 30 years to become a highly pervasive influence in the worldwide Church. However, as the authors point out, many Christians who are influenced by the NAR are not even aware of its existence.

In this helpful and balanced book, Geivett and Pivec draw together the various strands of this movement and systematically review its core beliefs, which owe significantly to the 1930s Latter Rain Movement and associated ‘revivals’ such as the Toronto ‘Blessing’.

Hyper-Dominionism

The authors acknowledge that they faced a challenging task researching the NAR as a whole. In contrast to a denomination, it is harder to pin down a formal set of beliefs within this nebulous-yet-influential movement.
In essence, NAR teaching asserts that God is raising up an end times generation of apostles and prophets, to whom the Holy Spirit is revealing ‘new truth’. These apostles and prophets will lead a massive revival, demonstrate extraordinary miraculous powers, and assume worldly positions of power in spheres such as Government, education, the media, arts, etc in order to bring the Kingdom of God on earth.¹

Geivett’s and Pivec’s book, investigating the teachings of the so-called ‘New Apostolic Reformation’, provides a much-needed service to the Church.

In traversing NAR beliefs, which can be summed up as hyper-dominionism (though Geivett and Pivec do not use this term), the authors reference and quote a variety of sources, most frequently C Peter Wagner. The most extreme example provided is of Bill Hamon, who teaches that end times apostles and prophets will attain immortality and perfect health before Jesus returns. Although some within the NAR reject these ideas, they nevertheless align with the overall direction of the movement.

Systematic Comparison with Scripture

Geivett and Pivec have written a clear and accessible work. Their respective backgrounds as university professor and investigative journalist are clearly visible in the book’s neatly arranged structure and evidence-based approach.

The impetus for writing the book arose from an enquiry by an ordinary Christian directed to Holly Pivec when she was a university magazine editor. The book itself is simply dedicated ‘To the Church, the Bride of Christ’, though it is probably geared more towards church leaders, being quite an academic work. Seemingly recognising this, the authors have written a complementary book entitled ‘God’s Super-Apostles’, together with a study guide, which provide a brief introduction to the NAR, with personal stories and recommendations for responding to the movement’s teachings – evidently aimed at a broader readership than the one currently reviewed.

The first three chapters of ‘A New Apostolic Reformation?’ are devoted to explaining what the NAR is, its extraordinary influence (both within the worldwide Church and as a political force in the USA) and the highly organised strategies it has adopted to become so powerful within mainstream Christianity.

The book then systematically examines key NAR teachings, following each with a summary of biblical teaching and a comparison between the two. Invariably NAR teaching is revealed to fail the crucial litmus test of Scripture.

The book systematically examines key NAR teachings, which invariably are revealed to fail the crucial litmus test of Scripture.

The authors also counteract NAR teachings by referring to other commentators within mainstream Pentecostalism and the charismatic movement – presumably because their belief in modern-day gifts of the Spirit makes them the closest Church streams to the NAR and their views might therefore carry greater weight with the reader.

In so doing, Geivett and Pivec ensure that the book’s powerful critique is not damaged by getting side-tracked into debates such as cessationism. They also work to ensure that believers caught up in the NAR movement will not be alienated by the book, stating clearly that they consider NAR leaders to be genuinely committed believers, though never beyond reproach.

Opportunities Missed

Despite its excellence, the book does miss a couple of good opportunities. For example, the authors point out that the NAR now has its own Bible, the ‘Passion Translation’, written deliberately to promote their theology. So brazen is this ‘translation’ in its re-writing of Scripture that at least an appendix with some choice quotations would have been valuable.

In the same way, there is the occasional passing comment regarding the similarity of NAR practices to the New Age movement - but this theme is never developed. To their credit, however, an appendix is devoted to Todd Bentley’s commissioning by ‘apostolic decree’ and his rapid demise, highlighting spectacularly why NAR leaders’ claim to speak authoritatively for God is flawed.

Unlike other books on this topic, which tend to focus on the bizarre spiritual practices and unorthodox teachings of one particular ministry or leader (e.g. Bill Johnson and Bethel Church), here is a comprehensive overview of the entire movement that is highly recommended to help counteract NAR teachings within the Church.

‘A New Apostolic Reformation? A Biblical Response to a Worldwide Movement’ (272pp, paperback) is available from ICM Books for £12.99. Also on Amazon Kindle.

Notes

1 The clearest theological expression of this teaching is found in the ‘Seven Mountain Mandate’, in which mountains represent these spheres of cultural influence.

A new message of hope for Britain.

Something quite amazing happened to me last month – in my quiet times I began hearing a new message – a message of hope!

For the past 30 years I’ve been carrying much the same message. Older readers who remember the early days of the printed magazine Prophecy Today, back in the 1980s, will confirm that we were constantly warning about the consequences of the changes that were taking place as the nation abandoned its biblical heritage and embraced secular humanism. We were always calling for repentance and turning – especially in the Church.

The message we gave in those days was in stark contrast to the joyful messages of popular charismatic preachers promising imminent revival. Of course, we were not the only ones giving these warnings. But so many Christians and churches were embracing the teachings of false prophets, that it was not easy to go against the popular tide.

Bible-believing Christians who could see what was happening in the nation were often voices crying in the wilderness and they frequently had to endure vilification. There were strong pressures upon church leaders and others to go with the crowd and give a popular message.

It is quite rare today to hear such upbeat messages. But last month I began hearing God speaking about revival! For me, this was the first time in 30 years and I’ve been holding onto it for nearly two months seeking confirmation before daring to say anything in public.

A Virgin Mission Field

Let me explain what I began hearing. I believe the Lord is saying that the possibilities of spiritual revival, or re-awakening, are now coming onto the horizon. I am certainly not believing that this is imminent, but the first little signs are already to be seen of a change of mood among some young people.

A recent survey of attitudes showed that 52% of the British public now say that they have no religion.¹ This is an indication of the rapid cultural change that has taken place in the space of a single lifetime. In 1960 some 90% of the population would have said that they were Christians. Since then, other religions have flooded into Britain, leading to the construction of all sorts of mosques and temples. But it is important to note that although the native British population have largely abandoned their Judeo-Christian heritage, they have not turned to these other religions in significant numbers – they have simply turned away from all religious belief.

I believe the Lord is saying that the possibilities of spiritual revival, or re-awakening, are now coming onto the horizon.

What we now have is virtually a virgin mission field, which is good news for those who are evangelists and are eager to share their faith with others. But while it presents an amazing opportunity, a spiritual vacuum is also dangerous! As Jesus said, when one devil is cast out, its place can easily be taken by seven others, even more evil. I think it was GK Chesterton said that when we stop believing in God, we do not believe nothing, we believe anything! This may be true today.

Disaster Bringing Opportunity

I think that most Bible-believing Christians would agree that Britain is a nation that has been under judgment for some time – at least since we passed the same-sex marriage act in defiance of the God of Creation. We have had the truth and rejected it, putting ourselves outside God’s protection. This is the situation not only in Britain, but in most Western nations.

Moses described the classic signs of judgment that would follow the rejection of the word of God. He said, “The Lord will afflict you with madness, blindness and confusion of mind” (Deut 28:28). This is a good description of our politicians struggling to deal with Brexit. I know this was said to Israel, a nation in a covenant relationship with God, but the spiritual principle can be applied to those who have had the word of God and deliberately turned away, as the promises in Jeremiah 18 testify.

Anata, the West Bank village thought to be on the site of the biblical Anathoth, where Jeremiah bought his field.

I certainly believe that some kind of calamity will come upon our nation in the not-too-distant future, but I also believe that this will produce a new openness to the truth and provide new opportunity for the Gospel. This is what I began hearing last month, in much the same way as Jeremiah was given the revelation of the New Covenant at the very time when the Babylonians were about to break down the walls of Jerusalem and bring tragedy upon the nation.

Jeremiah was imprisoned in the guardhouse, but in faith he bought a piece of land that was already in enemy-occupied territory, as a sign that he was looking forward to the restoration of Israel after the disaster (Jer 32).

The native British population have largely abandoned their Judeo-Christian heritage, but they have not turned to other religions – they have simply turned away from religion altogether.

Generation Sensible

I am certainly not comparing myself to Jeremiah – but in much the same way, I believe that ‘times of refreshing’ will come. As a little sign of confirmation, I heard last week that in some universities in Britain, the usual intoxicated hijinks associated with ‘Freshers Week’ are being scrapped. But they have not been cancelled by university authorities - they have been stopped by a ‘lack of demand’ from students!

Young people are turning away from the kind of society that has been produced by their parents, in what The Times has dubbed ‘Generation Sensible’.² They are looking for changes in the culture away from the corrupt and unhealthy practices of the previous generation. Maybe this is the reason why Jordan Peterson is so popular with young people.

In Hull University, it is reported, one campus bar has been transformed into an ice-cream parlour and nightclub hours have been reduced. Other universities are holding plant-potting workshops and setting aside quiet rooms for meditation. On the London Underground, there are adverts on the boards up and down the escalators calling for October to be an alcohol-free month and surveys indicate that many young people are drinking far less than their parents’ generation.

The Turning of the Tide

All these things are part of a popular backlash against the kind of libertarian culture of excess that has been produced by postmodernism and its driving forces – Marxism, Darwinism, secular humanism – behind which lie what I can only describe as the forces of darkness. These ‘postmodern’ forms of rebellion against God are nothing new, but go back to the days of the Tower of Babel. They simply re-affirm the timeless fact that once you reject the basis of truth in the God of Creation, as the Apostle Paul describes in Romans 1, processes of decay automatically follow.

I certainly believe some kind of calamity will come upon our nation in the not-too-distant future, but that this will produce a new openness to the truth and new opportunity for the Gospel.

But for those who are called to be watchmen for the Lord and have eyes to see, I believe there are already little signs of a turning of the tide. Remember that when the tide turns far out in the main, it is a very long time before the first waves start rippling up the beach for everyone to see.

The hope for the future is that Bible-believing Christians will seize the opportunity of filling the spiritual vacuum among young people with the truth of the Gospel, praying in the turning of the tide: that God may breathe his life-giving Spirit upon a new generation revolting against the culture of their parents, but not yet knowing where else to turn for truth in an age of fake news. What a great opportunity for the Gospel!!!

References

1 Church of England numbers at record low. NatCen, 7 September 2018.

2 Narwan, G and Woolcock, N. Freshers week thirst for alcohol is drying up. The Times, 15 September 2018.

London launch celebrates Dr Hill’s most significant book yet.

We are pleased to report the successful launch of The Reshaping of Britain, a new book by Rev Dr Clifford Hill, Prophecy Today’s Editor-in-Chief and Director of Issachar Ministries.

On the evening of Wednesday 3 October, around 100 delegates at London’s Institute for Contemporary Christianity enjoyed talks from the author and two of his long-standing ministry associates, a Q&A and a book signing, all washed down with canapés and drinks. The event, chaired and organised ably by Wilberforce Publications (the publishing wing of Christian Concern), was supported in prayer by many groups and individuals around the country – for which we are deeply grateful.

Addressed by the author, the audience were treated to the personal story behind the book, gaining an insight into the life of a man brought by the Lord into Britain’s corridors of power to proclaim truth, and to experience at close quarters events and decisions which have accelerated vast changes in our national life. Though The Reshaping of Britain is not a memoir or an autobiography, it is nevertheless deeply personal, traversing 60 years of ministry amongst politicians and church leaders including four archbishops. These 60 years, of course, also happen to cover a period of profound upheaval and transformation in the nation. With such a track record and a background in both theology and sociology, Clifford is likely the only person who could have written a book of such scope.

The audience were treated to the personal story behind the book, which traverses 60 years of ministry amongst politicians and church leaders that also happen to be years of profound national upheaval.

As part of his address, he highlighted the role of Parliament in systematically dismantling the godly heritage of centuries with a steady stream of ungodly laws (listed in the book). But, more than this, he emphasised the culpability of the Church in allowing - even encouraging - the waywardness of the nation.

Not only has the Church failed in its duty to declare the truth in the public realm and call our political leaders to account, but it has often directly blocked moves to promote and defend godliness in the nation. Clifford testified, at times with obvious emotion, of instances when the established Church single-handedly blocked laws that would have protected and promoted causes such as marriage and the family. His evident passion and grief over this gross dereliction of duty was picked up on later by his friend and colleague, David Noakes, who commended Clifford’s testimony warmly as being the weightier because of his evident care for Britain’s welfare, proven time and again over the course of many decades.

David reminded those listening that, to individuals who truly care enough to seek the Lord’s own heart for Britain and listen to his word, God will reveal more and more of his work in the nation – and the good purposes behind it.

Courtesy of Christian Concern / Wilberforce Publications.Ending his address on a positive note, Clifford explained to those present that after 30 years of “stomping the country preaching repentance and warning”, often being disparaged as a prophet of doom and gloom, in the last two months he has felt the Lord start to speak about the possibility of revival – not instead of difficulty and calamity, but coming through it. Eschewing a focus on himself and his own work, he pointed those listening upwards, to the heart of our Creator and Heavenly Father who desires to seek and save the lost.

Taking his cue from this forward-facing finish, ministry advisor Dr Peter Carruthers wound up the addresses with some reflections on the way ahead. He reminded the audience that being men and women of Issachar (a nod to Issachar Ministries) involves not just understanding the times, but knowing what to do about them (1 Chron 12:32).

A short Q&A allowed the audience to voice their thoughts, with questions ranging from the end times through education to Brexit. Then, those attending were free to browse the book stall and queue to have their copies of The Reshaping of Britain signed by the author.

To those who truly care to seek the Lord’s own heart for Britain and listen to his word, God will reveal more and more of his work in the nation – and the good purposes behind it.

Galvanised to reflect - now with an enriched perspective - on both the anguish and the opportunity that mark the times in which we live, the room became alive with faith-full discussion. Meanwhile, the mindless commotion of Oxford Street, just outside the door, provided a relentless reminder of the timeliness and urgency of this important book.

Following the launch, Clifford reflected: “I am so grateful to have the opportunity of sharing some of my journey and I pray that it will encourage others to stand firm for the faith and to declare the truth in love, which I feel sure the Lord will use to bless his people.”

We warmly commend to you The Reshaping of Britain (345pp, paperback), now available for online purchase from Amazon. Also available from Issachar Ministries for £12 plus £2.50 P&P. Click here for more information.