Dear BPCWA worshipper, Reading about Spurgeon’s College while researching for last week’s pastoral, I was reminded of a book I read during my theological training: “Letters to My Students”, a compilation of Spurgeon’s Friday lessons to the students at the Pastors’ College. It was a book I remember with much fondness. However, it is not because it bears Spurgeon’s name. I certainly do not agree with all of Spurgeon’s doctrine (he was known as a “Reformed Baptist”, a misnomer at best) and exposition (which were at times allegorical). This book was useful because it has good insights from his pastoral experience. We pray weekly for God to call someone to serve in the full-time teaching ministry in BPCWA. As a
Read moreDear BPCWA worshipper, C.H. Spurgeon is a familiar name to many Christians. Perhaps less well known is the fact that he started a theological college in the UK. In August, there was a sudden announcement by Spurgeon’s College that it would be closing its doors. This was certainly a “profound shock to many”, as it had been “a leading institution in Christian education in the UK for the last 169 years”. Spurgeon was also well known for his stand on the Downgrade Controversy, wherein he warned and fought against theological liberalism and increasing worldliness in the church and among believers. So in a sense, the news of the closure of the college took me by surprise, but then again, not
Read moreDear BPCWA worshipper, In the ACM reports distributed last week, we announced proposed changes to our Constitution to be passed at the meeting next week. One of these changes is to include in Article 4.2.1 the preservation of the Scriptures in the original languages. The doctrine of Verbal Plenary Inspiration was established during the Reformation era and more firmly established in the 19th and 20th centuries when fundamental Christians defended God’s Word to counter the influences of biblical criticism, liberalism, and so-called “scientific” theories such as evolution. Subsequently, new attacks on God’s Word moved on to the perfect preservation of Scriptures. While the doctrine of Verbal Plenary Preservation (VPP) has been taught and preached for many years in BPCWA, I
Read moreDear BPCWA worshipper, Last week, we saw how an earthquake in a corner of the world could also trigger far wider destruction through a tsunami in other continents. God’s power infinitely exceeds man’s control and ability to withstand. Another instance of God’s demonstration is the one seen in the city of Pompeii. Many archaeologists, researchers, documentaries, and websites have documented the fate of this city, revealing to us much of what happened there. God, in His wise purpose, allowed this city to be encased for centuries to tell its woeful tale for centuries to follow. Pompeii, a city of luxury for the pride and enjoyment of man. Pompeii was an ancient city in southern Italy. The city was allied with
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