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.

John Owen Centre Conference 2017 Day 2 at the Pastors' Academy


had another good day today. I think the figures are more like 40 than 50 so a little down on previous years. Perhaps the title is a little vague and with all in house speakers people make less effort. Another possible theory is that people are planning to go to Reformation commemmoration events. Anyway, Stephen Clark kicked off on ethics. This is a fairly well trodden subject but it was good to air it again. Reluctantly Stephen disagreed with Professor John Murray's notoriously conservative position, preferringa  hierarchical approach. I think this is right but it was interesting how in discussion that position did seem to unravel, at least a little.
John Benton took the other two sessions, looking at Isaac and Ishmael and Jacob and Esau. Here the approach was more pastoral adn designed to be encouraing, which both messages were.
At the end of the conference Garry Williams revealed that the JOC will from now on be known as The Pastors' Academy.

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