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.

Lord's Day June 4

We began, as usual at the beginning of a new month, with communion. In the morning I preached on the first half of Acts 6, drawing out seven principles, which I labelled using the names of the seven "deacons". In the evening we looked at just one verse - Matthew 13:44 and the parable of the buried treasure. There seemed to be lots and lots of people missing (no Iranians) and in the evening we were down to 14, which doesn't sound too bad but we were all spread about. In the morning there was a lady who had married in the church 60 years before and since buried two husbands and lived in Idaho. It was part of a trip down memory lane.
I heard the news of the London terrorists only in the morning and did debate briefly whether to preach a special. It seemed wiser to carry on as intended, although in praying about it I was relaying news to some. I probably should have referred to it at the beginning of the meeting. It is always difficult to know what is on whose mind.
We seem to be through our present cycle of new faces and are back to our where are they phase. That is how it seems to go in Childs Hill, Frustrating.

3 comments:

Dave G said...

Will you be making your message on Acts 6 available. I'm very interested to hear what you have to say about deacons. Our church has none. And whether or not you support the idea of suitably qualified women serving as deacons. I do support the latter but not many other conservative folk seem to. Thanks .

Gary Brady said...

The sermon is now on our website. See http://www.childshill.com/mp3.html. I don't get into the subject of male and female.

Dave G said...

Thanks.....