Without Scripture the Church is mute and impotent. The Church has nothing to say apart from the Scriptures. Beware of trying to imitate the world and finding a basis in Scripture for the world’s wisdom expressed in self-help books and 12 step plans. Preach and teach the Word; this is the only thing we can offer the world that she cannot find anywhere else.

- Tim Miskimen, ABTS Lecture Sydney  delivered 15 May 2008

God’s written revelation is sufficient and adequate to provide us with everything we need to obtain his redemptive knowledge of God. (Rom 10:9-17)

It is transportable to multiple generations, regions, cultures and languages. It provides the Church consistency and comparison for the quality control of teaching and practice and provides a permanent reminder of God’s faithfulness.

Written Scriptures, as a record of revelation (as opposed to oral tradition or esoteric experiences) express, not deny or restrain, God’s sovereignty. (Isaiah 55:11, 2 Peter 1:16-21)

“Language as a gift from God makes it adequate for the tasks he has given us and the goals he has for communicating with us. This gives theology an appropriate place in human knowledge and makes it equal to the other sciences as valid human knowledge even though its basis is in God’s self revelation and not in human senses or reason. Beware of saying, “Words cannot express…” While this is true to some extent, God still chose to reveal Himself to us. Ours is not a mystical, experiential, or immediate religion. Words are adequate, though not exhaustive.”

       - Tim Miskimen, ABTS Systematic Theology Lecture 2008, Sydney Campus.

Something struck me when checking the Hebrew term translated as “virtuous” in Proverbs 31:10 in the KJV and “excellent” in the ESV. The word is ‘chayil‘ and means “strength, valor, force, substance, might, etc”.

In Prov 31:17, this same woman is described as being clothed in strength. This time the word is ‘oz‘ and literally means “power, might and majesty” and is usually used to describe God’s glory.

This is contrary to the image of a Christian woman being a docile, subdued, inferior, silent, subservient doormat without a mind of her own or opportunity and encouragement to express it.

Instead this is a confident, capable, impressive, woman of force and substance. She should be celebrated, honoured and praised, not just on mothers day but every day.

There’s many reasons, but one is that despite how much truth you “know”, you’ll never benefit unless you live it!

Check: Luke 11:27-28

Or so the British Church of England is allegedly hoping.

Whilst an entertaining show, some concern over concept versus context is warranted.

Will communications technology render relationships superficial or change the dynamic?

Would a luddite philosophy help or hinder a personal / pastoral ministry today?

To decrease the size of my posts, all were edited (except poems & 2007 mothers day).

Longer articles are on my other blog.

Exploited?

Definitely!

As father to a daughter, I agree with Miranda Divine and Michael Carr-Gregg - parents please protect your children! No excuses.

I am restructuring my site. I will edit posts to shorter entries. Long Posts will be placed on separate pages. 

Stay tuned!