Editor Paul Grimmond relates the challenges of thinking up the theme titles for each issue of The Briefing. I don’t think I’ve even conciously reflected on them. Do they ever get recycled? I have to confess I didn’t even realise that it wasn’t ‘The Goodness of God’ until I wrote this post.
Anyway, the articles all touch on the difficulties of sharing the Gospel in an culture where people often think that good is a relative concept, or that they can apply their concept of good to God and find Him wanting.
John Bell’s article conveys the challenges of meeting people in a coffee shop known as a gathering place for people of a homosexual orientation in Toronto. His efforts to non-confrontationally get to know these folk and then present the Gospel and God’s standards for sexuality, as he has opportunity, show intellegence and compassion.
Paul Grimmond contributes the main article, more memorably titled ‘The Goodness of God’. Seeking to define ‘what is good?’, Grimmond contends the issue is ultimately one of authority. While God doesn’t explain Himself to humanity He does demonstrate His goodness in redemption, and ultimately, in the new creation. Important to note also is the compassion of the second person of the trinity, who took, and still takes human flesh, an identification with humanity. The resurrection of Jesus and His reign and return are the anchor points for our understanding of God’s goodness.
Grant Retief ministers in Durban, about as far away from Toronto as one can get in terms of both culture and distance. In an interview, Retief relates the challenges of Gospel ministry in a culture that is still hugely divided by the legacy of Apartheid. Separated by their cultural conditioning, blacks and whites still have vastly different standards of living and education, as well. In addition to these challenges there are also aberrant forms of Christianity and traditional religions being promoted and the dire social need of many creates other issues.
On a positive track, Retief outlines the effort to recruit trained church planters who can be supported in the field. More people and more resources are desperately needed. The interview is reproduced at the webpage link above.
Philip Jensen provides a timely reminder that speaking about God’s goodness in the Gospel requires the empowering work of the Holy Spirit. We need to seek and depend upon Him to carry out this work.
Having just received Bryan Chappel’s ‘Christ Centered Worship’, I was interested to see what direction Anthony Douglas would take in ‘When Liturgy Fails To Serve’. Douglas reveals that, as an Anglican minister, the structured liturgy (or service order and content) of the Anglican tradition is something he appreciates. Three emphases are identified in the Anglican liturgical forms: Scripture; engagement and education. In order to continue these emphases in a contemporary context and intentional structuring of services is required.
This requires thought, preparation and some coordinated planning. But the fruit is worthwhile. The article provides some helpful suggestions. These complement the material I’m reading in Christ Centered Preaching.
Paul Grimmond reviews the DVD based training curriculum, ‘Life Of Jesus’ produced by the Center for Public Christianity. Based on Grimmond’s review and the people who have produced this material it should be very useful (and user friendly) indeed.
Tony Payne introduces some Matthias Media printed resources now being published in larger font for those, probably of mature years, who find tiny print a bit of struggle for failing eyes. (Maybe those around 46?) The titles being produced are those with subject matter considered more focussed on the spiritual needs of older people.
Bible Study notes on Isaiah 28-39 by Tony Payne round out the issue.
The front and back inside covers promise the immanent publication of ‘The Trellis And The Vine’. We’ll be hearing more about that one in the near future, I think.
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