Family life

It's half term and we've just said goodbye to Eleri's sister and family as they continue their round trip from Cardiff via Wiltshire and London and back to Wales. They have three kids, a little younger than ours and the eight cousins get on really well. They've been bouncing on our new trampoline, watching videos, looking round Hamley's toyshop, etc. Yesterday Glyn and I went to hear Andrew Davies up at the john Owen Centre on preaching the cross. About 30 gathered. We were only able to be present for the morning session when Mr D gave a very full and well thought out paper on understanding the meaning of the cross. Inevitably he had to take cognisance of the various errors and heresies floating around at present. His emphasis, however, was on preserving the mystery of the cross and seeing penal substitution as the key model. He also had an interesting and helpful section on keeping the cross central in our systematic and biblical theology. The cross is good news and it must be preached as good news. It would have been good to sty for the more practical seminar that followed in the afternoon but though Glyn and I have generous, understanding wives one can only push these things so far.

I did take opportunity to get a copy of Philip Eveson's new book a commentary on Leviticus, which he kindly signed for me. The book is dedicated to all LTS students past and present so we should be reading it.

This morning has been very relaxing - pancakes for breakfast a couple of birthday celebrations and a lovely sandwich lunch. Family life is good.