Carey Conference 2008

It was my privilege once again to be at the Carey Conference in Swanwick, Derbyshire, for three days last week. Sadly, one of our main overseas speakers, Michael Haykin, was unable to be present. The other such speaker, Dr Russ Moore from Southern Baptist Seminary, had a number of difficulties getting to us but when he finally reached us he was well worth hearing. He gave two addresses from Colossians on Jesus is Lord, looking first at Christ's wisdom and then at his power. These punchy and dense addresses covered a wide range and basically argued a very high Christology. I have found it difficult to retain the detail of what he said and so have ordered recordings. The impact was certainly very positive and stirring. (See pic).
Other highlights were biographical papers on Oliver Cromwell (by Phil Arthur) and William Grimshaw (by Faith Cook who also spoke to the women alone for one session) plus an unscheduled paper on the Complexity of Scripture by Bob Letham, who is busy preparing a book on the Westminster Assembly's theology building on the work of Chad Van Dixhoorn, who we have mentioned on this blog previously. Dr Letham also introduced the subject of Christ and culture in another session. (This is the first time I have listened to a man speak who was wearing a kilt!). Bill James spoke helpfully on the Lord's Supper urging the Calvinian view. In the absence of Steven Curry who was unwell David Ellis from Stowmarket gave the closing sermon from Colossians 1.

At our prayer and share session we heard from the EMF students and from several others including the self-effacing open air worker Alec Moulton, busy working on the Greek island of Cos. The opportunity for more informal fellowship is always appreciated too. I travelled up with Henry Dixon and Ken Brownell from East London and three LTS students - from Cameroon, The Philippines and China. Great times.

On Dr Moore see here.