Pax by Tom Holland

I've just finished Tom Holland's latest book, Pax, subtitled War and Peace in Rome's Golden Age which covers the period from the demise of Nero through the subsequent year of four emperors (69) and on through to the end of the reign of Hadrian (138). It's a general history and so he presents the most interesting bits. I was surprised to see no mention of Domitian's persectuion of the Christians. Otherwise, there are plenty of historical sidelights for anyone interested in the New Testament and early church history. Tom Holland writes quite well and this is an easy way to catch up on Roman history you may have missed. Understandably there are details that are quite coarse and debauched but these are handled fairly well. He also goes some way to explaining what the Pax Romana was.

10 Primitive Persecutions of Christians in the Roman Empire

Jean-Léon Gérôme, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

1. The first persecution under Nero, AD 67
2. The second persecution under Domitian, AD 81
3. The third persecution under Trajan, AD 108
4. The fourth persecution under Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, AD 162
5. The fifth persecution commencing with Severus, AD 192
6. The sixth persecution under Maximinus, AD 235
7. The seventh persecution under Decius, AD 249
8. The eighth persecution under Valerian, AD 257
9. The ninth persecution under Aurelian, AD 274
10. The tenth persecution under Diocletian, AD 303

Day Off Week 19 2024

Getting back into routines after the trip to Kenya, including my day off last Tuesday (May 7). Basically, a bit of reading and a walk round West Hampstead. Eleri was out for the evening so no TV. The Tom Holland book is relatively new but the book about george Hicks is an old one. Day One were selling old stock off cheaply recently. Enjoying them both. Some useful sidelights on the New Testament from Pax.

Still in Kenya

Preaching in Nakuru

At Nakuru with two delegates

Eating at a Java House in Nakuru with Eric 

Preaching Baricho with Alex

Another week in Kenya has passed by pretty much. We are now in Nairobi and I will fly home on Monday. On the previous Monday we left Eldoret after preaching there and headed for Nakuru. One bit of excitement on the way was that we corssed the equator, not something I've ever done by road. We were put up in a nice hotel in the town of Nakuru, which seemed a little cooler than Kisumu. On the Tuesday and Wednesday we held another APC on Romans in Crosspoint Bible Church, a small building with Bible texts everywhere. The pastor was away in Uganda and the assistant was dealing with a pastoral issue but were well looked after by Eric, a deacon, with aspirations to ministry. Numbers were lower than previously, down to around 30, but there was a good spirit and it was good to meet various people, including Erick, converted out of a hopeless life of drink and drugs.

On the Thursday, we drove to Baricho, the little town where our last conference took place. This time we crossed the equator twice and it had soon become old hat. We had some difficulty finding a hotel but managed to locate one in nearby Kerugoya. Not up to the last one, it was fine, however. The two days of meeting were held in The People's Church, Baricho, very efficiently organised by Mercy and Moses Chege. This time it was necessary to translate into Swahili and a young church planter called Alex did very well. The translation element truncated the length of our messages but hopefully we were able to get across some important truths. Numbers were lower again, down to about 25. We followed the usual format of five sessions on day one, four on day two and then a photograph, a Q&A and certifiate giving to close.

We then headed to Nairobi and within two hours were at a large shopping mall where we enjoyed icecream. Cetric is home and Joshua and I are sharing the church flate here in the church grouinds. I enjoyed the road trip, especially the latter part where we were in the Aberdare National Park area, but its good to be almost home.

In Kenya

Preaching in Kisumu

Lake Victoria

Last Monday (April 15) my wife kindly took me first thing to Heathrow where I caught a KLM 'plane to Amsterdam. From there I flew KLM to Nairobi. That took about eight and a half hours/ I was soon through customs and baggage and out into the Nairobi darkness. This is my seventh time on African soil and second time in Nairobi so the sights and sounds and smells were pretty familiar. I was met by Murungi Igweta, pastor at Trinity BC, with his son Asa. I was taken to the church, where I slept in one of the rooms they have on the compound.

Next morning I was driven to Kisumu in the truck by Cetric and two other young Kenyan men. We had to make an early stop for a tyre change and I enjoyed an Americano at a Java Cafe. Not a drop of coffee since then. I'm appreciating black tea anew. By pressing on without stopping we made Kisumu by nightfall. All three drove in turn. The Kenyan countryside is pretty much new to me and so it was fascinating at first to see kids herding small flocks of sheep and goats or cows. We spotted zebra in the distance at one point. Hawkers were selling a large variety of items at different points and several lorries laden with sugar cane were aso spotted. People everywhere walking or on bikes or in mutatas and carrying varied items. In the end it became a little tedious, however and then night fell.

In Kisumu, we called first at the house of the Baptist pastor Tonny Karwa and his wife, Olivia. They have a fascinating story. I stayed at the beautiful house of Ken Otiwa, his fellow elder, and his wife Elizabeth. Very nice. Ken kindly showed us Lake Victoria. We had two days of conference in the Kisumu church. I guess about sixty came each day. We looked at Romans over nine sessions with a Q&A to close. .There were about sixty there. I was joined for this by Joshua Bolaji, a Nigerian born Londoner who has ministered in South Africa for many ears and is very involved in the African Pastors Conferences (more here). Joshua joined us at the last moment having flown from the UK to RSA to Kisumu via Nairobi in less than 72 hours. It was great to meet him and we have been getting on well.

We next travelled to Eldoret from where I write. Jpshua drove this time. The other two young men returned to Nairiobu. This city is somewhat cooler and there has been a lot of rain. It was a great joy to meet Naphtally Ogallo once again and his wife Helida. Naphtally worked with Keith Underhill in the planting of Trinity, Nairobi, a work I have known of since I as a student. It was the church in Aberystwyth where my son now pastors that sent Keith out. Joshua, Cetric and myself are sharing a three bedroom suite in the church grounds. We are being well fed on the local fare, though we sent out for pizza tonight.

The Eldoret conference is much bigger, the biggest APC I have done, with over 120 present. It is not easy to take in what I have to say, however, with my foreign accent and tendency to speak more rapidly as I warm to the subject. In both places we have left notes.

Tomorrow we will share the speaking at the three services. Looking forward.

Eldoret Ad

Speaking Eldoret

Grace Baptist Assembly 2015 Final Day

I have been a little constrained in my reporting the GBA as I forgot to take the computer lead with me. I am back home now and can report that our final morning was very good. Hugh Collier spoke on Adoniram Judson, a great hero, especially of we Baptists. He judged it very well for what to include and what to leave out. It was very good to hear the story again and areal challenge. Carl Muller preached from Romans 8:28 for the finale session and sent us home on the right note.

Having missed last year's assembly I particularly appreciated being there this year. It is good to be with these people. We share so much in common and there is great sympathy one for the other. May such fellowship long continue.

Romans 8

Derek Thomas has written an excellent little book on that vital chapter Romans 8. These were originally sermons but they have been lightly re-edited for reading and cover the ground in a most readable and spiritually nourishing way. With quotes from Calvin, Owen, some of our great hymns and other excellent sources the book moves through the material a few verses at a time with confidence and clarity in a way that any Christian could benefit from. I read my copy on kindle but the book is available in other formats. The book is called How the gospel brings us all the way home.

10 interesting facts about Charles Hodge

I have tried reading biographies of Charles Hodge the Princeton professor of systematics before but not finished. The bitesize one by S Donald Fortson III is a great overview.

 

1. His grandfather and great aunt would have heard and appreciated Whitefield

2. Benjamin Franklin was his wife's great grandfather

3. George Muller taught him German

4. He heard Charles Simeon preach in Cambridge

5. He heard Schleiermacher (who he disagreed with but thought was a Christian) preach

6. He became a lifelong friend off Tholuck in Germany

7. On his return from Europe he developed a leg problem that left him lame. When he could walk again he had to use a cane.

8. His study door was always open to his children (and grandchildren)

9. His sons A A Hodge and C W Hodge also taught at Princeton

10. His first book was on Romans and came out in 1835 (the same year as Albert Barnes' work)

Free kindle book on Romans 8

Derek Thomas's book How the gospel brings us all the way home is currently available free in kindle form. See here.

Banner 2013 07

The final session of the conference was led by Sinclair Ferguson. He took us this time to Romans 16:25-27 (Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.) and spoke chiefly about how we are strengthened in the gospel. Paul says it is)
1. According to my gospel and the preaching of the gospel
2. According to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages but now disclosed

3. According to the command of God

It has been God's intention to strengthen us, we were told. The goal of this strengthening is the eternal glory of God in Christ. Like Jonathan Watson he drew attention to the phrase in Romans 10 usually translated of whom they heard but better taken as whom they heard. What a call to preaching Christ that is. There was a lot more of that sort as our minds were helped to correctly expound the text, to scale the theological heights and our hearts were warmed with the truth.

taffia session last night and the opportunity to speak with so many is always a great privilege.
The chief end of the minister is to glorify God.

Banner 2013 03

This evening Sinclair Ferguson took us through the wonderful closing verses of Romans 8. Because of the gospel, he reminded us,

1. There is no opposition that can prevail against the Christian

(Who delivered up Jesus to die? Not Judas, for money; not Pilate, for fear; not Jews, for envy; but the Father, for love! - Octavius Winslow)

2. There is no accusation that can stick against the Christian

3. There is no accusation that can stand against the Christian

4. There is no separation from the love of God

Hallelujah! He is my Saviour.

Great stuff.

 

Murray on redemption

Dr Ferguson quoted John Murray in his commentary on Romans thus:

 

It should be noted in addition that the apostle conceives of this redemption as something that has its permanent and abiding tenancy in Christ; it is "the redemption that is in Christ Jesus". The redemption is not simply that which we have in Christ (Eph. 1:7) but it is the redemption of which Christ is the embodiment. Redemption has not only been wrought by Christ but in the Redeemer this redemption resides in its unabbreviated virtue and efficacy. And it is redemption thus conceived that provides the mediacy through which justification by God's free grace is applied.

High Wycombe

It's been rather busy this week so I haven't mentioned my trip to High Wycombe last Lord's Day. The pastor, Raymond Zulu, was away in his native South Africa and so I came and preached on Romans and Job to decent sized congregations with a good spread of ages and international backgrounds (though dominated by white South Africans it must be said). The church building was erected in the seventies and has all the advantages and disadvantages that brings. it is set on a hill with a commanding view. I had a very pleasant afternoon in the nearby countryside with members of the congregation. More on the church here.

DMLJ 01 Haldane

EXPOSITION OF THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS
BY ROBERT HALDANE

FOREWORD

It is with particular pleasure that I recommend this commentary on the Epistle to the Romans.

I do so for many reasons.
First and foremost is the fact that I have derived such profit and pleasure from it myself. I always find it very difficult to decide as to which is the better commentary on this Epistle, whether that of Charles Hodge or this by Haldane. While Hodge excels in accurate scholarship, there is greater warmth of spirit and more practical application in Haldane. In any case, both stand supreme as commentaries on this mighty Epistle.
However, that which gives an unusual and particularly endearing value to this commentary is the history that lies behind it. In 1816 Robert Haldane, being about fifty years of age, went to Switzerland and to Geneva. There, to all outward appearances as if by accident, he came into contact with a number of students who were studying for the ministry. They were all blind to spiritual truth but felt much attracted to Haldane and to what he said. He arranged, therefore, that they should come regularly twice a week to the rooms where he was staying and there he took them through and expounded to them Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. One by one they were converted, and their conversion led to a true Revival of religion, not only in Switzerland, but also in France. They included such men as Merle D’Aubigné the writer of the classic “History of the Reformation,” Frédéric Monod who became the chief founder of the Free Churches in France, Bonifas who became a theologian of great ability, Louis Gaussen the author of “Theopneustia,” a book on the inspiration of the Scriptures and César Malan. There were also others who were greatly used of God in the revival. It was at the request of such men that Robert Haldane decided to put into print what he had been telling them. Hence this volume. And one cannot read it without being conscious of the preacher as well as the expositor.
What a distinguished French minister Dr. Reuben Saillens says of what became known as “Haldane’s Revival” can be applied with equal truth to this commentary:

“The three main characteristics of Haldane’s Revival, as it has sometimes been called, were these:
(1) it gave a prominent emphasis to the necessity of a personal knowledge and experience of grace;
(2) it maintained the absolute authority and Divine inspiration of the Bible;
(3) was a return to Calvinistic doctrine against Pelagianism and Arminianism. Haldane was an orthodox of the first water, but his orthodoxy was blended with love and life.”
God grant that it may produce that same “love and life” in all who read it.

D. M. LLOYD-JONES

March 1958

Aber 09 5

Joel Beeke's final message was aimed especially at young people and was on contagious and consistent integrity from Daniel 1. It was one of the best of the messages I thought. He spoke of Daniel's resolution (1:8) trial (1:14) and perseverance (1:21) making several good points regarding what integrity is, how to face temptation, the need not to be Babylonised and witness (you are the Bible they read).

He said that worldliness is the opposite of the Reformed idea of living in coram deo. It is turning your back on God and living without him. It is practical atheism. It is to put profit, pleasure and position first. Worldliness is interested in going forward rather than upward, in the outward rather than the inward.

What a privilege it has been to sit under this godly man's ministry this week. He has now left for Korea where he is speaking at a large ministers conference in Seoul.

In the evening Andrew Davies gave a fine evangelistic address from Romans 10 speaking of the voice of law, of faith (in conviction, confession and the comfort of justification and regeneration) and the Word itself, which urges us to go to Christ. He passed on that statement from J C Ryle that says of Daniel Rowland "He used also often to say, that a self-righteous legal spirit in man was like his shirt, a garment which he puts on first, and puts off last."

So very quickly, it seems, another conference is over for another year. It was good to have fellowship back here with our friends Keith and Janice Hoare and with Owen Milton and his wife Dilys. Lovely meeting so many but no chance to talk to most.

52 JC No 12

Justification
When therefore we discuss this subject, we ought to proceed in this way: First, the question respecting our justification is to be referred, not to the judgment of men, but to the judgment of God, before whom nothing is counted righteousness, but perfect and absolute obedience to the law; which appears clear from its promises and threatenings: if no one is found who has attained to such a perfect measure of holiness, it follows that all are in themselves destitute of righteousness. Secondly, it is necessary that Christ should come to our aid; who, being alone just, can render us just by transferring to us his own righteousness. You now see how the righteousness of faith is the righteousness of Christ. When therefore we are justified, the efficient cause is the mercy of God, the meritorious is Christ, the instrumental is the word in connection with faith. Hence faith is said to justify, because it is the instrument by which we receive Christ, in whom righteousness is conveyed to us. Having been made partakers of Christ, we ourselves are not only just, but our works also are counted just before God, and for this reason, because whatever imperfections there may be in them, are obliterated by the blood of Christ; the promises, which are conditional, are also by the same grace fulfilled to us; for God rewards our works as perfect, inasmuch as their defects are covered by free pardon.

From his commentary on Romans 3

52 JC No 11

On Romans

Calvin's first commentary was on Romans. In the argument at the beginning he writes

With regard to the excellency of this Epistle, I know not whether it would be well for me to dwell long on the subject; for I fear, lest through my recommendations falling far short of what they ought to be, I should do nothing but obscure its merits: besides, the Epistle itself, at its very beginning, explains itself in a much better way than can be done by any words which I can use. It will then be better for me to pass on to the Argument, or the contents of the Epistle; and it will hence appear beyond all controversy, that besides other excellencies, and those remarkable, this
can with truth be said of it, and it is what can never be sufficiently appreciated — that when any one gains a knowledge of this Epistle, he has an entrance opened to him to all the most hidden treasures of Scripture.

Carey 07

For his final paper Tom Schreiner took us through Romans 9:30-10:21 and again had useful things to say.
He reminded us, for example, that we can sum up Reformed Theology by saying “If we do any good it is due to God's grace. If we do evil, it is our fault.” He reminded us that election does not exclude human responsibility. In passing, he noted that Romans 9:1 is a clear example of praying for unbelievers. He also said that he believes in a coming revival for the Jews from the passage but did not really flesh that out. Dutchman Kees Van Kralingen chaired. It was good to hear from him that the 1689 Confession is about to be translated into Dutch.
After coffee, Bill James chaired Tom and Jerry (! ie Schreiner and Marcellino) in a question session. People wanted to ask Tom Schreiner about the new perspective and one or two other things. We heard from Jerry Marcellino about his escape from "Al Martinism" and the formation of FIRE . In the course of explaining himself he said a number of things about his present church in Laurel, Mississippi, including the fact that they do not have an evening service. This led to a brief (and in my opinion inadequate) discussion of the Lord's Day. Anyway very soon it was time for lunch.

Carey 04

So we've had a good start here in Swanwick. I stayed up quite late chatting and then blogging but had a good night's rest and was able to be up for the prayer meeting. Our first session was Tom Schreiner's second message from Romans. I chaired. We skipped Romans 3:21-26 and then worked through 3:27 to the end of Chapter 4.
Again we started with an apt quote from Luther. Yesterday it was the hammer of the law and today a reminder that we always have more to learn with regard to the matter of justification by faith. Again we had an excellent walk through interacting especially with the new perspective on Paul, acknowledging insights where possible but more often pointing out its misreadings. We also had a few anecdotes such as his wondering at one time why his Christian life was such a struggle and then remembering that we have no reservoir of strength but need to rely always on God and about praying for things with faith and realism. Abraham's perseverance in faith is a great example to us and reminds us that justification is only by faith.
There was time for a few questions on the new perspective and assurance and then it was time for coffee.

Carey 02

Bill James chaired our second session and Dr Tom Schreiner, Professor of NT interpretation at Southern Baptist Seminary, Louisville, who has written on Romans and NT Theology among other things gave us an exegesis of Romans 2:1-3:20 (omitting 3:1-8). In a very clear and helpful style he worked through the passage pointing out exegetical issues and revealing his own views as well as those of others (such as Dunn and Moo) en route. Lots of mostly helpful things were said in the message and in discussion afterwards touching on the insanity of evil, how hypothetical Paul is, natural law, secret sins, the advantages and disadvantages of being a Jew, the judgement, etc. Quite stimulating on the whole. We ought to have more exegesis at such conferences.