Charles Gardner reviews ‘Cuckoos in the Nest’ by Sam Gordon (2017, Ritchie Christian Media).

Bible teacher and author Sam Gordon is to be congratulated on his excellent new book, Cuckoos in the Nest (Ritchie Christian Media), which should set the cat among the proverbial pigeons!

A commentary on the brief yet much neglected epistle of Jude, it tackles apostasy in the Church – so prevalent these days as Christians increasingly succumb to intimidation from politically-correct secular humanism.

Test the Shepherds

As Sam points out, Jude was a man of great humility, imitating his Master who was actually his half-brother! Instead of pulling rank, he describes himself as “a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James”.

Jude had hoped to write about the salvation he shared with his readers, but felt compelled to address the much more urgent issue of how ungodly people had secretly slipped in among them to “pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign Lord”.

This is also what has been happening over the past 50 years, especially in light of recent decisions to approve same-sex marriage and deny the Bible’s authority.

As Jesus’ half-brother, Jude doesn’t pull rank but describes himself as a servant of Christ.

With his straightforward yet colourful language, Sam challenges the modern Church to test whether they are being led astray by “shepherds who feed only themselves…clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted – twice dead”.

He emphasises personal responsibility for keeping ourselves in God’s love by building ourselves up in the faith and praying in the Holy Spirit.

Jude’s focus was on urging his hearers to “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people” which means it is important to challenge the accepted norms of society that are increasingly being absorbed by the Church as Christian leaders blend in with their surroundings like frightened chameleons.

Stirred to Renewed Passion

I have already quoted Sam in two recent articles – so that speaks for itself of his potential for stirring our hearts and minds to renewed passion for Jesus.

Although you don’t often hear it read as a lesson, Anglicans familiar with the communion liturgy will often have heard the paean of praise with which Jude ends his letter – one of the most magnificent pieces of literature ever composed: “Now unto him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy; to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen” (King James Version).

With straightforward yet colourful language, Sam challenges the modern Church to test whether they are being led astray.

We need to heed Jude’s warnings, Sam concludes, quoting the wise counsel of Bishop JC Ryle, the 19^th Century evangelical leader: “Let us receive nothing, believe nothing, follow nothing which is not in the Bible, nor can be proved by the Bible.”

As Sam puts it: “The truth is, if the church is going to flourish, then the cuckoos in the nest have to go!”

A former CEO of Messianic Testimony, Sam Gordon now heads up his own ministry, Truth for Today (www.truthfortoday.co.uk) as he continues to travel the world encouraging believers. Cuckoos in the Nest (444 pages) is available from the author’s website for £7.99. Also available elsewhere online.

It is coincidental that after a week in which we have been celebrating a number of significant anniversaries in our nation’s history, those who follow the weekly Torah portions will, this Shabbat, be reading Vayera (Genesis 16:1-22:24). This contains the account of Abraham’s intercessions for Sodom and Lot’s flight from the city just prior to its destruction.

In our looking back over Britain’s history we, like Abraham, have been sad for a people caught up in so much sin in our day. This sin has built up over several decades. Even as far back as 30 or 40 years ago, Christian leaders were beginning to say that if God were to forgive Britain He would need to apologise to Sodom and Gomorrah. This echoes what Jesus said when He too mourned for the blindness and deafness of the cities of His day:

And you Capernaum, who are exalted to Heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. (Matt 11:23)

It is hard to accept that a great collapse is very close to Britain. Yet, looking back at God’s past blessings and hoping for what once was great to recover from the present decay, seems more and more unreal as time goes on.

Lot’s wife looked back - possibly with nostalgia, possibly with unrealism. She should have been looking forward and upward to the mountains where the family would resettle under God’s protection. As a consequence, she hesitated and died under the flames of God’s judgment on Sodom.

Jesus left us a clear warning for the last days prior to His return:

And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon and in the stars; and on earth distress of the nations…Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near. (Luke 21:25-28)

More and more we must look up with hope and not back with unreal nostalgia.

Author: Clifford Denton

Editorial Background to the Series

In re-publishing ‘Blessing the Church?’ (Hill et al, Eagle Publishing, 1995), we have edited each chapter to make sense for online publication, and have updated references to dates where appropriate. Apart from that, nothing has been changed.

Since the book is now more than 20 years old, it may seem an odd decision to re-publish it. Our reasons are as follows:

1. The issues it covers have by no means gone away – and we feel that many encountering them now for the first time would benefit from some background understanding of their roots.
   
2. The biblical analysis contained within the book is, we consider, timeless.
   
3. We hope to lay a firm foundation for any future critiques on similar issues which we may choose to publish or recommend via Prophecy Today UK.
   
4. The book is no longer available widely in print.

Many thanks to readers who have got in touch with us with queries in these respects.

Instalments

All the instalments of our serialised version of 'Blessing the Church?' are as follows:

1. Introduction

2. A Child of the Age? Pt 1: Pop culture (Clifford Hill)

3. A Child of the Age? Pt 2: Pop culture and the church

4. A Child of the Age? Pt 3: Pop culture and the church contd.

5. A Child of the Age? Pt 4: Pop culture and the church contd.

6. The Roots of the Toronto Blessing Pt 1 (Peter Fenwick)

7. The Roots of the Toronto Blessing Pt 2

8. The Roots of the Toronto Blessing Pt 3

9. The Roots of the Toronto Blessing Pt 4

10. From North Battleford to Toronto Pt 1 (David Forbes)

11. From North Battleford to Toronto Pt 2

12. From North Battleford to Toronto Pt 3

13. From North Battleford to Toronto Pt 4

14. From North Battleford to Toronto Pt 5

15. The Role of Prophecy in the Direction of the Charismatic Movement (Clifford Hill)

16. The Role of Prophecy in the Direction of the Charismatic Movement Pt 2

17. The Role of Prophecy in the Direction of the Charismatic Movement Pt 3

18. The Role of Prophecy in the Direction of the Charismatic Movement Pt 4

19. The Role of Prophecy in the Direction of the Charismatic Movement Pt 5

20. A Personal and Biblical Perspective on Renewal (David Noakes)

21. A Personal and Biblical Perspective on Renewal Pt 2

22. A Personal and Biblical Perspective on Renewal Pt 3

23. A Personal and Biblical Perspective on Renewal Pt 4

24. A Personal and Biblical Perspective on Renewal Pt 5

25. Here Today, Where Tomorrow? (Dr Clifford Hill)

26. Here Today, Where Tomorrow? Pt 2

27. Here Today, Where Tomorrow? Pt 3

28. Here Today, Where Tomorrow? Pt 4

I was privileged last month to go on my first trip to Israel, which was a wonderful, life-changing experience. We spent a very blessed week exploring the Promised Land and I know that most, if not all, members of our tour met the Lord in a special way.

There were many things that struck me, but one in particular was that it seemed easier there, somehow, to draw close to God and hear from Him. I remember thinking that this was a true ‘mountain top’ experience, where, spiritually speaking, the air was clear and the view was incredible. Undoubtedly a major spiritual battle is raging in that land, but that week God nevertheless blessed me with a real time of refreshing.

As anticipated, it took only a few days for this ‘mountain top’ feeling to wear off, after the trip ended and we all headed home to our respective ‘valleys’ of everyday responsibilities, burdens and difficulties. But because I had been told to expect it, I watched my own feelings with interest as this process took place.

Britain’s Spiritual Malaise

What I discovered was that as soon as we arrived back in the UK, things ‘felt’ different – as the air was clear in Israel, so the UK was under a cloud – spiritually as well as meteorologically! Almost immediately it was more difficult to draw near the Lord and hear His voice, more difficult to sense His leading, more difficult to keep hold of a biblical sense of perspective on life.

Part of this is undoubtedly natural; so as the Lord graciously affords us spiritual ‘pit stops’ every now and then – times when we are taken aside from life’s clamour and given time and space to be replenished spiritually - so ‘normal’ life stands in stark contrast because it is naturally an ongoing spiritual battle, for any true believer.

But the sense of thick darkness covering over Britain was, for me, more than just ‘normal’ and ‘natural’. We are living at an incredibly dark time, when – if we are not careful – our lives as Spirit-filled believers will be suffocated and stunted because we unwittingly come under the spiritual malaise that is affecting the rest of the nation.

This, of course, should not – and need not - be. “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matt 24:12-13). So my ‘thought’ this week, upon sensing in a new way the darkness covering our nation, is that we need to become more awake and alert to the effect that this is having upon us all, and intentionally seek the Lord for help to stand firm and stay close by His side. In the presence of our Messiah, Yeshua, is light, and life, and hope, and fullness of joy – enough to overcome any thick darkness (John 1:5; Isa 9:2).

Pinpoints of Light

I am reminded of Jean Darnall’s prophecy (received 50 years ago, in 1967) of the British Isles covered in mist and pin-pricks of light breaking out all over, burning brightly as fires which grew and joined together, representing hungry believers joining together to seek the Lord.

There is more to it than this, but I take hope that in God’s eyes we each have the potential to become a blazing fire, His light in us piercing the darkness all around, if only we surrender ourselves to Him, humbly and completely.

I believe that this is His desire for us, even in the midst of our ‘valleys’, and in these dark and difficult days. We await His soon return, when darkness will be vanquished completely. We await the dawn (Luke 21:28) – but let us be faithful while it is still night.

Author: Frances Rabbitts

Protests, confusion and cries of abuse have a common root.

In the week that we have been remembering the 500^th anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, it is appropriate to look at Europe today where we see the widespread rise of protest movements. Luther’s challenge to the practices of the Catholic Church was a direct challenge to its authority. Today we are seeing challenges to authority in almost every part of Europe – but these stem from a very different spirit.

In Britain, our media never ceases to inform us of the chaos and confusion surrounding the Brexit negotiations. The confusion is not just in Westminster; it is also in Brussels. We are facing so many ‘unknowns’ – political, legal, commercial, as well as ideological. Our politicians and media commentators spend their time consulting their crystal balls trying to discern the future, but only succeed in generating greater confusion.

But Britain and the EU are not the only centres of confusion. Throughout Europe there are signs of growing discontent and dissatisfaction with policies that have been followed by traditional leaders for decades.

Uprisings Against Traditional Authority

Young people in particular are exerting influence, rising up to challenge traditional authority. France, Austria, Italy and the Czech Republic have all voted for young leaders; part of a populist uprising across Europe.

The Catalan declaration of independence, challenged by the Spanish Government, has rapidly descended into chaos with their leader running away to Brussels. Austria voted last month for Sebastian Kurz, a 31-year-old right-wing leader who is said to be talking to the far-right Freedom Party in an attempt to form a government.

Throughout Europe there are signs of growing discontent and dissatisfaction.

The Czech Republic has also voted for an anti-establishment leader, Andrej Babis, who obtained 30% in last month’s election.

In Germany, the far-right ‘Alternative for Germany’ (AfD) party won 94 seats in the Bundestag in September’s elections, which was the first time any such party has made gains in Germany since the 1930s. In Italy the two northern regions are seeking to organise a referendum to gain greater autonomy and the populist five-star movement (M5S) also elected a 31-year-old leader.

Abuse and Loss of Trust

Defence Minister Michael Fallon has lost his position because of the recent allegations about sexual misconduct at Westminster. See Photo Credits.Back in Westminster, confusion is not confined to the Brexit negotiations: politicians are greatly concerned by allegations of sexual impropriety among MPs, which has attracted much media attention with women queueing up to tell tales to journalists. ‘Someone touched my knee 20 years ago: I lost my confidence and it ruined my life.’ What a load of codswallop! Has the world gone completely mad?

Of course, if there are incidents of serious sexual malpractice or harassment there should be a safe place where complaints can be lodged and dealt with professionally, but the current politically correct hysteria is ridiculous. Is our society not sufficiently adult to be able to sort out relationships between the genders?

Two days ago I was in my study with the door shut and the young woman who does some cleaning for us was hoovering in the dining room. I heard her phone go and then she burst into loud crying. My wife was out so I immediately went to her and between uncontrollable sobs she managed to say that someone in her family had died. I had hardly ever spoken to her before but I simply took her into my arms and let her cry on my shoulder.

When she quietened down I told her I believe in prayer and could I pray for her? She nodded and I prayed, which brought about a total transformation. She said she used to go to Sunday School as a child but hadn’t been to church for years; so I talked about the love of God and gently gave her the Gospel. Far from accusing me of ‘inappropriate behaviour’, she was profuse in her thanks. We were just two human beings – one in distress and the other offering comfort.

Incidents of serious sexual malpractice should of course be properly dealt with, but the current politically correct hysteria is ridiculous.

Breakdown of Relationships

Surely, all the major problems we see in modern society come down to human relationships which have failed, broken or been abused in some way. The ongoing drama over Brexit and the political instability right across the Western world are but symptoms of this deeper, more systemic problem of human relationships.

In the same way, the current wave of sex scandals delighting the media has its origins in broken human relations – particularly the breakdown of marriage, but also a broader disintegration of trust and commitment to faithful and loving relationships. This is where Christian churches have much to teach secular humanists. In most churches, relationships are a strong uniting factor and churchgoers regularly exchange greetings with hugs or kisses, with no fears of sexual impropriety. Even in Anglican churches, often regarded as formal and cold institutions, sharing ‘The Peace’ is usually an opportunity for hugs all round!

When human relationships are based upon mutual respect and trust, we do not have to worry about political correctness or ‘inappropriate behaviour’. We can just be natural and free from inhibitions and fear of being misunderstood in our relationships with others.

Getting Our Relationship with God Right

But it is vital to recognise that these ideal human relationships are the outcome of a right relationship with God: recognising him as Creator, who made us all (both male and female) in his own image; as Father, who designed us for intimate relationship with him as his sons and daughters; and as Lord, who alone is the true authority, setting out right from wrong and holding us all to account.

When we get our relationship right with God, this automatically puts right our relationships with other human beings, because our whole attitude is different.

We do not seek to ‘lord it’ over others, because we know that we ourselves are no better or worse than they, and all are subject to God. We are enabled to love others and given wisdom to handle difficult times – dealing with differences, misunderstandings, or complex negotiations. Mutual respect in personal relationships leads to the same spirit prevailing over wider issues involving whole communities and nations.

When we get our relationship right with God, this automatically puts right our relationships with other human beings.

The basic problem in Western society today is that we have abandoned this biblical authority structure – once a fundamental part of our Judeo-Christian moral, social and political foundations, enjoyed by our forefathers. These were passed on to us, but they have been despised and rejected. We have rebelled against God’s good plan, inverting his model for right and blessed relationships and deleting God from the equation.

The Apostle Paul went to the heart of this issue by saying “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.” (Rom 8:7, ESV). The answers to our difficult personal relationships and our complex international relationships all lie in getting our relationship with God right.

It’s worth just meditating on a few verses from Psalm 119:

Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end.
Give me understanding and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.
Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.
Turn my heart towards your statutes and not towards selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. (vv33-37)

October 31^st – time to recapture territory from the enemy!

As we have celebrated the significance this week of 31 October, which marks 500 years since the Reformation began, we would do well to be reminded of other important anniversaries which add to the significance of this day.

Nearly 2,000 years earlier on the same day, according to Jewish tradition, the Prophet Ezra called for national repentance as he read the Book of the Law to Jerusalem’s citizens. It was 445 BC and they had sinned grievously against God.

Fast forward to 31 October 1917, to another hugely important event largely ignored by the many Protestants marking the day, 400 years earlier, when Martin Luther famously nailed his 95 theses to a church door in Wittenburg, challenging the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church.

For it is now 100 years since Britain’s War Cabinet agreed the Balfour Declaration (though the letter itself is dated 2 November 1917), promising to make every effort to repatriate Jews in their ancient land. It just happened to coincide with the Battle of Beersheba when 800 bayonet-wielding ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand) soldiers pulled off a surprise, and astonishing, victory over Turkish forces which paved the way for the capture of Jerusalem and all of Palestine, ending 400 years of rule under the Islamic Ottoman Empire.

I have written elsewhere of how the ANZAC horsemen rode a death-defying gauntlet of shrapnel, high explosives and machine-gun fire in a bid to prevent the intended destruction of local wells, and this too is an incredibly important centenary because it opened the way for Jewish restoration and the implementation of the Balfour Declaration – along with the fulfilment of Bible prophecy relating to the return of Jews from every corner of the globe.

If, like Ezra, we support the Book of the Law, we will stand with the people of Israel who gave it to us!

If, like Ezra, we support the Book of the Law, we will stand with the people of Israel who gave it to us!

Reformation Needed

Luther faced two major challenges – a corrupt Church, and the real possibility of a Turkish Muslim invasion via central Europe – in the face of which he recognised the importance of the Book of the Law (the Bible) and the need for national repentance.¹

Many disagreed with Luther. Some German pastors even suggested welcoming Islam, seeing it as less oppressive than their situation under the Church.²

Today’s Church faces the same challenges and more, with secular humanism seriously eroding society’s Judeo-Christian foundations, leaving the Book of the Law despised and Christianity increasingly abhorred.

Dark Distractions

Part of this erosion has included the substitution of a Christian festival – Hallowe’en – for a celebration of the occult, which has taken the shine off the spiritual triumphs we have experienced on this special day.

Hallowe'en (a contraction of All Hallows’ Evening) was originally dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs and all the faithful departed. But it is widely thought to have pagan roots and is now associated with ghoulish practices. One view is that it originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts, in which case it is hardly surprising that it has morphed into an obsession with ghostly goings-on, playing pranks and divination games.³

If the Church of the Middle Ages had focused less on the dead and more on the resurrection, we may have been spared this nonsense. In any event, it is clearly a devilish ploy to substitute the light of truth with the darkness of witchcraft.

A City Set on a Hill

We are living in dark times, and it is the duty of those who follow Christ to be a light “on a hill”, not hidden under a bushel (Matthew 5:14f), in aiding restoration of the Book of the Law, following in the footsteps of Ezra, Luther and others. It is time to take back spiritual territory lost to 21^st Century paganism, just as the ANZAC horsemen bravely charged across the Negev desert to capture vital wells that would save the Allied forces from dehydration and defeat. We too are called to run a gauntlet of spiritual bullets in order to recapture the wells of salvation from an enemy intent on silting them up with lies and propaganda.

Modern-day Zionists should be seeking the restoration of the Book of the Law – not only to Israel, but to our land as well, where we have endured a long famine of hearing the word of the Lord.

We are living in dark times, and it is the duty of those who follow Christ to be a light “on a hill”, not hidden under a bushel.

We must pray and work towards the day when the Jews are able to fulfil their calling to be a light to the Gentiles (Isa 49:6). True, they have already become a powerful nation since their re-birth 70 years ago, but have not yet fully returned to the Book of the Law. They are back in the Land, but not yet fully with the Lord.

That will come, and Ezekiel 36:24-28 will be fulfilled. But in the meantime we must, by our friendship, support and prayer, encourage them to acknowledge that Jesus, whom they had believed was the God of the Gentiles, is actually their own Messiah too. In fact, he came for them first (John 1:11f; Rom 1:16) and has promised that, if they fully obey him, they would be his “treasured possession” (Gen 19:5).

The Times of the Gentiles

In this respect, it’s interesting that the patriarch Joseph was taken into Egypt after being rejected by his brothers. After Jesus was largely rejected by the Jewish people (though a significant number accepted him, of course, or the Church would never have come into existence), the message about him was taken to the nations, and the Gentile world elevated him to a prominent role in their affairs. Isaiah had prophesied that the Gentiles would put their hope in him (Isa 42:4; see also Matt 12:21).

As far as the UK and the USA are concerned, it would be true to say that from the 17^th through 19^th centuries the Gospel of Christ and the Bible itself was the most influential teaching they possessed, affecting virtually every institution and producing great wealth and power in the process. At the same time a host of passionate preachers went out to the far corners of the world spreading this Gospel to heathen nations.

Jesus had in some respects become Lord of the Gentile world, a situation that would, in time, make Israel “envious”, according to the Apostle Paul, an orthodox Jewish rabbi who led the mission to the Gentiles (Rom 11:11).

But just as Joseph never forgot his brothers, and longed for reunion with them, so Jesus – actually descended from Judah and described in the Bible as the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev 5:5) – reaches out in love to his long-lost brothers in the flesh, for whom things got worse before they got better. Now, over the past two centuries (even in the midst of multiple pogroms and the Holocaust itself), he has been revealing himself afresh to his people.

Ezekiel 36:24-28 will be fulfilled. But in the meantime we must, by our friendship, support and prayer, encourage Israel to acknowledge that Jesus is their Messiah.

Jewish Restoration to Messiah Jesus

Though sadly Jesus is still seen largely as God of the Gentiles, Jewish eyes have gradually been opened. It is believed, for example, that there were as many as 100,000 Jewish followers of Jesus at the outbreak of World War II in 1939.⁴

Tragically, many of them would have perished in Hitler’s gas chambers. But out of the ashes of the Holocaust, we not only have a re-born nation of Israel, but a growing number of so-called Messianic fellowships bringing Jesus back to where he belongs.

Just as Joseph was a sign of what was to come 400 years later, with deliverance from Egypt through the blood of the lamb, so the voice of the prophets recorded in the Jewish Tanakh (what Christians call the Old Testament) fell silent for 400 years until the revelation of Jesus in the New Testament. Joseph provided his brothers with grain amidst the famine. And now Jesus is “the bread of life” – the manna from heaven – as he “fills the hungry with good things” (John 6:35; Luke 1:53).

There will come a time when, back in the land of promise and delivered from bondage in a hostile world, all Israel will recognise Yeshua, their Messiah (Zech 12:10; Rom 11:26). What a day that will be – life from the dead as he who was despised and rejected of men is revealed to his brothers alive…and as Lord of all!

Notes

1 BarnabasAid editorial, September/October 2017, published by Barnabas Fund, an aid agency for the persecuted church.

2 Ibid.

3 E.g. see here.

4 Restoring Israel by Kelvin Crombie, published by Nicolayson’s Ltd, Christ Church, Jerusalem, p156.

A child of the age: we continue our new series on the origins of the charismatic movement.

“Ephraim mixes with the nations...Foreigners sap his strength, but he does not realise it. His hair is sprinkled with grey, but he does not notice”. (Hosea 7:8-9)

Since the days of the Industrial Revolution, Britain has been a class-dominated society, the product of twin forces of industrialisation and urbanisation, which broke the power of the landowners and the old social order of feudalism. This was replaced by the new social classes of entrepreneurs, industrialists, skilled craftsmen and unskilled workers.

The latter formed a new class of landless peasants at the mercy of the owners of industry, who not only controlled the means of production but also owned the houses which their workers rented from them. Thus, from the earliest days of industrialisation, the British working classes saw themselves as the powerless ones who had to fight for survival against their economic oppressors. The seeds were sown of the class warfare which bedevilled British industry for 200 years, the legacy of which is still with us today.

Political Upheaval: The People vs the Privileged

The beginning of the 20^th Century saw the Labour movement beginning to become an organised political force, but it took two world wars in the first half of the century to break the social mould. The Atlee Government of 1945 was the first Socialist administration to obtain real power in Britain. Their legislative programme of social reform and reconstruction was to have far-reaching consequences which changed the face of Britain for the rest of the century.

The creation of the Welfare State with its boasted objective of caring for each individual from the cradle to the grave was designed to eliminate poverty and ensure justice for all. This objective was fully in line with the prevailing mood throughout the world which saw the post-war generation striving for freedom, justice, self-determination, equality and prosperity for all.

The post-war generation strove for freedom, justice, self-determination, equality and prosperity for all.

In industrial societies this was expressed in various forms of socialism, while in non-industrial societies it was anti-colonialism and anti-imperialism. Marxism in various forms spread right across the world as an expression of the aspirations of the poor and oppressed. This was in harmony with the rise of black consciousness in societies dominated by whites and the rise of nationalism in countries dominated by foreign nationals or alien ethnic groups.

In retrospect, the 20^th Century may be seen as a period of ‘the people versus the privileged’; a revolution of the oppressed against rulers and oppressors; a struggle for justice and freedom for all.

By the middle of the century this movement reached a peak of political consciousness as it combined with the post-World War II period of reconstruction and the anti-war/pro-peace movement. During the 1950s and early 1960s the political expression of these aspirations reached its height with the achievement of independence in most of the former European colonial territories. In Asia, India, the Middle East, Africa and South America the face of the world changed; the global map had to be redrawn.

Social Change: The Birth of Pop Culture

During this same period a new movement was birthed, particularly in the USA and Europe: an ideological and social movement destined to have as far-reaching effects as its political counterpart. It was what sociologists have termed 'pop culture'; a spontaneous, youth-dominated, ideological movement expressing the hopes and aspirations of the post-war-generation in the rich industrial nations of the West.

The prevailing economic and social conditions in these nations were ripe for just such an ideological movement. The post-war reconstruction period required massive building programmes of houses, offices, industrial plants and roads. The demand for labour was high which, in Britain, brought immigration from former colonies. But, even more significantly, it increased the wages of working people and opened up lifestyles beyond the imagination of former generations.

In Britain, for the first time in history, young people were able to command high wages. Even school leavers were able to go straight into unskilled work with large pay packets at the end of the week. Almost overnight a new consumer class was born with high purchasing power and minimal social responsibilities. These were young single people with no families to support, no mortgages, but with money in their pockets.

‘Pop culture’ developed as a youth-dominated ideological movement expressing the aspirations and hopes of the post-war generation in the West.

A free enterprise economy quickly adjusted to produce goods satisfying to this new consumer group. The market became youth-dominated, with clothing fashions, records, hi-fi equipment, motorbikes, youth festivals, fast-food joints and a wide variety of material goods and activities designed to meet the desires and fulfil the demands of rapidly changing pop fashions.

Public awareness of the birth of this new ideological movement dawned as a rude awakening. It came in 1956 with the arrival in Britain of an American film, Rock Around the Clock, featuring Bill Haley and a new strain of music known as 'rock'n'roll'. The film was screened in a cinema at the Elephant and Castle, in south-east London. The largely teenage audience ripped up the seats and rocked in the aisles which sent shock waves through the nation. It was soon followed by a multitude of home-grown youth musicians, skiffle groups, guitarists and rock bands.

The age of DIY had arrived. Young people did not simply want to be passive audiences, they wanted to do it themselves, either by being performers or at least joining actively in the physical activity of dancing, jiving, rocking and rolling, dressing up as Teddy boys or Mods and Rockers, driving in their motorcycle gangs and generally terrorising the older generation. The latter hailed the birth of pop culture with a dread of the future, believing the whole world to have gone mad.

Educational Change

An important agent in creating the social conditions which gave rise to pop culture was the education system which, during this period, experienced radical and far-reaching changes generated by a new educational philosophy. A new breed of teachers was produced in the post-war period, many of them with Marxist leanings, or at least strong socialist principles.

They rejected the 'chalk and talk' Victorian methods of teaching which relied heavily on learning by rote. The new philosophy centred upon the 'discovery method' of education. Instead of an active teacher instructing a passive class of pupils, children were encouraged to discover facts for themselves.

This meant that they no longer sat still and were punished for speaking; they were encouraged to work in groups, to carry out little research projects in the library, the countryside or the city streets. Physical punishment was seen as degrading and offensive to the rights of children. This in turn had its effect upon family life and discipline in the home, as well as social behaviour on the football terraces and in the streets.

A new breed of teachers was produced in the post-war period, many of them with Marxist leanings, or at least strong socialist principles.

Legislative Change

The ideological revolution which spawned pop culture was aided, strengthened and, in many ways, made socially effective, by legislation. Many far-reaching social reforms were effected in a 20-year period following World War II.

It may be questioned whether they were responsible for the social revolution which has taken place in Britain in the second half of the 20^th Century or whether they simply reflected changing social values. It is probably a chicken-and-egg situation in which both are true, as the one influenced the other.

The first major ideological reform was the repeal of the Witchcraft Act in 1951 followed by the Obscene Publications Act (1959). These were followed in the 1960s by a string of measures effecting far-reaching social reform, dealing with race relations, capital punishment, homosexual acts, abortion and the discarding of censorship in publications and public entertainments.
All these measures reflected the desire for freedom of choice and a society reputedly coming of age where people were able to make their own assessment of right and wrong, the good and the harmful.

Pop culture developed into a powerful social movement which created a society based upon 'situation ethics' rather than moral absolutes. In essence, it was both hedonistic and individualistic. It was a society leaving behind the restrictions of the past and moving into new eras of individual freedom. Society was sailing into uncharted waters, driven by the strong winds of moral anarchy. Such a philosophy could only end in social anarchy - a society in which everyone does that which is right in their own eyes.

Coming up: Over the next three weeks we will look at characteristics of pop culture and how these infiltrated and shaped the Church.

Originally published in 1995. Revised Oct/Nov 2017.

Paul Luckraft reviews ‘Whose Land? Pt 1: Foundations’ (DVD, Title Deed Media, 2017).

This is the first of a two-part documentary looking at the legitimacy of Israel under international law. A wide range of highly qualified historians and international lawyers provide much of the information while presenter Colonel Richard Kemp anchors the whole presentation in a clear and skilful manner.

The aim of the production is simple: to tell the truth. With so much misinformation being spread around, either through fake history or deliberate misrepresentation of the current legal situation, simply telling the truth is the best weapon to counter the propaganda war being waged against Israel today.

How Lies Become Truth

In the dramatic opening we are shown several examples from the Palestinian media, proclaiming their rights to the land and their desire to destroy the Jews, who are portrayed as evil occupiers and usurpers.

Most striking is the clear indoctrination of children as part of this cause. The tactic is that if a lie is repeated often enough it will be believed without question and become a standard part of the education of the next generation. This belief that the Jewish people have no right to the land and are illegal occupiers is not only widespread throughout the Muslim world but, more alarmingly, is also finding a foothold in the West.

So what is the truth? The documentary starts by countering the claim that the Jews were never in the land in the first place, and that there was no Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. This is easily done, as many sources confirm a Jewish presence in the land from antiquity.

Simply telling the truth is the best weapon to counter the propaganda war being waged against Israel today.

It then goes on to demonstrate that a Palestinian claim to any part of the land has no historical validity, and phrases such as ‘occupied Palestinian territory’ and ‘illegal occupation’ have no basis at all. They are all part of a bogus set-up. Verifiable history is the key to meeting such claims, and this is well-presented in sufficient detail without becoming bogged down or over-repetitive.

Charting Historical Progression

The 12 chapters vary in length from 3 to 13 minutes but it is possible to view it all in one sitting, as the film runs continuously through without annoying breaks for the chapter divisions (though it is well worth having the DVD case to hand to see the chapter titles).

The film takes us through the Ottoman Empire and its rule over Palestine, and then charts the historical progress from Turkish rule through to the Balfour Declaration. Some overlap would be expected with other DVDs and similar material on this topic - and inevitably there are some similarities - but there is much here that is new and more detailed. The whole emphasis is distinct: that of exploring the role of international law, hence chapters on the Paris peace conference, the League of Nations, the San Remo conference, and, of course, much on the British Mandate itself.

Special mention is made of the role of Churchill, which provides fascinating details into the political scene in Britain at that time. There is a chapter devoted to the 1939 White Paper and its tragic consequences, and another on the formation of the United Nations as it took over from the League of Nations, and the new charter that came into being as a result.

Britain’s betrayal of their Mandate responsibilities is documented clearly but always through the main lens of international law and how it should have been implemented.

The whole emphasis of this DVD is distinct: that of exploring the position of Israel within international law.

Being Clear About the Facts

The whole film is very informative, with new things to learn for everyone. It will also provide a vital revelation for those who rely on the usual media outlets.

We all need to be clear in our understanding of what is often a deliberately confused situation. With the 70^th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel coming up next May we need to be prepared: to know what is binding in international law to this day and how to counter false views. This DVD is an excellent resource to that end and is highly commended.

The DVD also contains two previews, one of six minutes and another of ten minutes. It is not clear why two are necessary, but the longer one seems to contain things which will come up in Part 2 and so acts as a trailer for the whole. Included in the second DVD will be the wars against which Israel has had to defend itself since independence and the campaign to denounce and delegitimise the Jewish State. Part 2 (to be released in 2018) is eagerly awaited!

‘Whose Land? Part 1: Foundations’ (94 minutes, produced and directed by Hugh Kitson) is available from the publishers for £15 + P&P. Click here to visit the official website.

Paul Luckraft reviews ‘The Last Reformation’ by Torben Sondergaard (Laurus Books, 2013).

This is a book which has influenced many and will interest anyone who wishes to explore how the Church today has changed since the 1^st Century and how it can recover its early life-force (hence the subtitle: ‘Back to the New Testament model of discipleship’).

The title itself is intriguing – what does the author mean by ‘last’? Is this part of the Reformation, or another phase of a larger scenario which has been developing over five centuries? The answers become clear in the Preface as Sondergaard, a Danish evangelist, begins to make his case.

After the Lutheran reformation of the 15^th Century came the Wesleyan one in the 18^th. If the former was a doctrinal reformation, then the latter was a spiritual one, “in which personal intimacy with Christ was rediscovered” (p11). However, neither changed the structure of how church operated, its framework and services. In fact, Sondergaard asserts that “none of the revivals of the past have seriously done anything about the church structure” (p11). He is looking for a new and radical reformation, a third and final one that will transform everything.

Luther and Wesley both brought reformation, but the structure of how church operated has remained the same.

Preparing to Meet the Bridegroom

Although he has not included other movements in his assessment (such as the Evangelical awakening, Pentecostalism or the more recent Hebraic roots movement), he does accept that each revival has brought the Church closer and closer to the 1^st Century model. But overall, these small changes have not made a radical difference. They have simply produced more denominations!

Sondergaard calls for a completely fresh start based on the Word of God and Jesus himself. Only then will we have a reformation where God can “put together all the pieces and prepare the church to meet her Bridegroom” (p16).

What Could Church Look Like?

The strength of his case, and hence of the book, is that the author has been putting this into practice and seeing it work.

His opening chapter draws us in nicely with a thought experiment: imagine there is not a single Christian in the whole world - no churches, no Christian books, no Christian TV. Just one Bible, which someone picks up and reads all the way through. He is converted, decides to follow Jesus completely, witnesses to others and, gradually, churches start.

Sondergaard’s question is: “What do you think their churches would look like?” (p19). And here is the challenge – why aren’t our churches like that? Different traditions and cultures have got in the way, and it is possible today that for many, ‘church’ prevents people coming to Christ.

The strength of his case, and hence of the book, is that the author has been putting this into practice and seeing it work.

The later chapters are powerful in what they propose. The author is against popularising Christianity at the expense of promoting the true Gospel and offering a biblical model of discipleship. ‘Seeker friendly’ services don’t work. It is often said that Christians are the Church (i.e. the Church is the people, not a building), but he goes further, asserting that Christians are also meant to be the ‘church services’. Every member is to be equipped for ministry, as per the early churches in the New Testament.

The chapter on leadership is key to his overall argument. Too often, leaders are put (or put themselves) into elevated positions over their flock whose role is simply to ‘obey their leader’. Recognising that a leader is simply a brother or sister with greater responsibilities can go some way to restoring the balance and encouraging others to play their full part in the Body of Christ.

A Thought-Provoking Book

Overall, this is a thought-provoking book with much to say on the current state of the Church, in this country and elsewhere.

Perhaps its main downside is that there are several chapters of autobiographical details which, for some, may be rather unnecessary and get in the way of the main flow. It may be important to know something of Sondergaard’s personal journey in his ministry, but it does delay the reader in getting to grips with the key message of the book. A shorter book would have worked just as well, maybe even better.

That said, the book will be of interest to all who have a passion to see the Church escape unnecessary trappings and embrace her true calling. It is accompanied by a feature-length movie, also entitled ‘The Last Reformation’, which affords viewers an insight into Sondergaard’s practical application of his passion for the Church. The Last Reformation: The Movie is available to stream for free online.

The Last Reformation (paperback, 173 pages) is for £13.98 on Amazon. Also available as an e-book and as an audio book.