The similar phrase 'Worldly Christianity' is one used by Bonhoeffer. It's J Gresham Machen that I want to line up most closely with. See his Christianity and culture here. Having done commentaries on Proverbs (Heavenly Wisdom) and Song of Songs (Heavenly Love), a matching title for Ecclesiastes would be Heavenly Worldliness. For my stance on worldliness, see 3 posts here.

Affinity blogged

The whole conference concluded with an opportunity to put a few questions to the speakers as a panel. That was a good time. Then after lunch we were all off. Despite a little a snow that morning travel didn't prove too difficult. One of the speakers, Michael Horton, came home with me and stayed the night. I took him to Heathrow this morning. It was good to have further fellowship in that way. Michael is a professor in Westminster West and the father of triplets! Copies of his magazine Modern Reformation were given to everyone at the conference.
It was a very good conference that provided sidelights on all sorts of issues. I get the impression that it is the younger men who are most attracted to new covenant theology in its various forms. I was attracted as a young man myself. The attraction seems to be the emphasis on exegesis over against systematics. Rightly the approach "where will these lead to?" was rejected by the conference. I personally want to reject NCT as it stands. It is important to say, however, that it is not so very different in practice and perhaps has some insights for us to take on board.
We were very kindly given CDs and mp3s to take home with us. Affinity can be found here.
I hope my blogs have been of interest to someone. I'm only sorry I was not able to to convey more of the fun and finesse. Bob Letham began what became a running joke on Percy the tank engine that has gone largely unreported. I enjoyed the informal fellowship with several men especially Heresy Huntin Martin Downes, Mark Thomas and others, especially from Wales. I even had time to ask Iain D Campbell (thanks for the link) about Julie Fowlis.
Anyway it's good to be back. Lots to do.
[Pics: Stephen Clark Conference chairman; my small group chaired by Jonathan Stephen; Doug Moo, Campbell and P Helm - half the final panel; the apparently uncotnroversial Horton covenants diagram; Mr Horton chats with Ayr based Gavin Beers - young but by no means NCT!]

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Gary,

Sounds like it was a great conference! Wish I could have been there!

Patrick Ramsey

Anonymous said...

Dear Gary,
thank-you for blogging the conference. I have enjoyed reading what you thought of it. I was also at the conference, and just wanted to let you know that not all the young guys support New Covenant Theology! I am a student at LTS, and along with some of the other students we are opposed to it, and actually believe that NCT has seriously misunderstood the scriptures.
This was my first Theological conference, but sadly would have to say I came away finding it was not for me.
Thanks again,
Matthew Jolley

Don said...

Hi Gary,

Do you know if the audio from the conference will be made available?

Thanks!

Gary Brady said...

Glad to be of service. Good to hear that not all are drawn to NCT, Matthew. I should stress that the audio files only contain the brief intros from each speaker. As for availablity check at the Affinity website.

Anonymous said...

Hi Gary,

Thanks for doing this. I just stumbled across your blog. It would have been great to be at the Affinity conference!

Take care.

Warmly in Christ,
Gary Steward
St. John's, Newfoundland