Letters

Dear Christis,

Following Paul Salaman’s article last issue, let me congratulate Tim on his recent conversion. My understanding was that he was now the Anglican Ex-Chaplain, not the Ex-Anglican Chaplain, but once more, Christis has shown me the error of my ways!

Love, pedantry and a big cheesy grin,
Martin Oliver.

Dear Christis,

William Olphert is currently in China. However as his views are very much mine, I endeavour to make reply on his behalf. I hope I will not provoke Jonathan Hassell or anyone else to anger. If my remarks are to be provocative, may they be thought provoking.

I would not deny the supremacy of God as the ultimate true judge of mankind, but rather affirm this as J Hassell appears to do also. Since the test of a true Christian is undertaken against the measure of God’s Word, Will did reference his definition with a long string of scriptural references, which were unfortunately and unhelpfully omitted. If there is to be no definition of the identity of a Christian, how is the individual expected to know themselves when they undertake self-examination? While condemnation as well as justification and salvation belongs to God alone, we must remember that judgement may connotate discernment also, and it is folly to rob the individual of this quality, for it is fundamentally necessary.

We are commanded to embrace sound doctrine and eschew its contrary (1 Tim 1v10), yet we must discern in this, before we are able to obey. We must “believe not every spirit but try the spirits” whether they are of God or not (1 John 4v1). We must love the brethren but we are lost as to whom they are if we do not discern. We should be spiritually impotent without discernment; there is a basis for judgement and God has provided it. It is truly not our business to be casting stones, yet we are bound to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” (Eph 5v11) We discern according to God’s unchanging rule and act accordingly. Yet the glorious truth of the Gospel is that forgiveness is offered to those who will recognise their sinfulness, forsake it and trust in Christ alone. These things are held in healthy balance but to discard one or the other destroys this. It is all-important that our authority should be from God as there is no higher authority, therefore contrary to Martin Oliver, Will was right to point out the failures of liberals and the Roman Catholic Church in this respect. Although they use the Bible, one must admit that the balance in the Magisterium (to which the RC church appeals for ultimate authority) is weighted two thirds against God’s Word towards man in the shape of the Pope and traditions. The liberal uses his own wisdom to decide what is worthwhile out of God’s Word and what can be discarded. Thus both deny the sole sufficiency and supreme authority of the Bible.

What is ignored is the insight that Will brought to the issue. The fact that deconstructing the meaning of the term Christian and replacing it with another meaning which is convenient rather than scriptural is both self-deceiving and illusory. Indeed perhaps we should take note of the fact that scripture does not use the term Christian — which also did not originate among believers themselves — rather the term “elect” is often used in the New Testament, this and the continual emphasis on “the Way” and “the Faith” is unarguably narrow and exclusive. Unity of the Spirit is the fact that “there is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and father of all who is above all and through all and in all.” (Eph 4v36)

I hope I do not appear patronising in saying that I am deeply saddened that Jonathan Hassell will not accept the definition of a true Christian and furthermore that he delights in this. Might I end on the same theme as he does but in asking what grounds can we have to be believe we will be in Heaven? Scripture says that those glorifies are also the called and the justified (Rom 8v30), and you will see where these fit in to the definition of a true Christian.

Yours in love
Matthew Vogan