Another chance to hear ...

The radio broadcast I did with Janet Mefferd some time ago on the book about conscience Candle in the wind is available once again. See here. It is the first item on the programme here. Enjoy.

A day in Brighton

Last Saturday I headed down to Brighton by train - not for a day out as such but to speak at the annual Sussex Conference on the subject of conscience. The conference, which has run for many years, took place in Ebenezer Reformed Baptist Church in the heart of Brighton and is organised by the pastor Tony Bickley with Howard Sayers from nearby Hailsham. About 20 attended from churches in Brighton and other places. It was good to meet people, some of whom I knew, others who were knew. My book was on sale and I think sales were good. I did have a little wander down to the pier with old friend David Mitchell and his mum who had come across from Portsmouth. It was quite a nice day despite a foggy start. I hope people enjoyed the day as much as I did.

Janet Mefferd Interview on Candle in the wind

The interview with Janet Mefferd on Candle in the wind, my book on conscience was finally broadcast yesterday. You can hear it here. It is in two sections in the first half hour of the programme. It was a good opportunity to let people know about the book and hopefully increase sales.

Review of my book by Paul Wells

This review is in the February Evangelical Times and first appeared here last November

I enjoyed everything about this book. It is a great read on an issue seldom addressed in recent years. Perhaps the absence of books (as well as preaching) on this subject is the reason why some evangelicals have a superficial view of the uses of conscience, and are reticent regarding the function of divine law in the Christian life.

Be that as it may, reading Gary Brady’s book will do anyone the world of good. It is a page-turner; a mine of information, filled with wisdom from the Puritans and beyond, as well as being biblical and pastoral, to boot.

Behind the apparent simplicity of the presentation lies Brady’s deep reflection. He is never unclear. I found myself enjoying pages that I thought I would flip through quickly, such as the chapter on children and the conscience. It’s so easy to forget that ‘the child’s controversy is always with God’ (p.161).

When ‘correcting’, we need to get beyond outward issues to heart concerns. Questions of conscience do not ultimately deal with inbred values or social disciplines; rather, we are facing our ultimate moral regulator, God himself.

Brady examines his subject from every angle, beginning with some general biblical definitions. ‘When we speak of conscience, we are really speaking of an aspect of the heart or the soul, though the word is useful for speaking of a specific function of the soul, namely its moral workings’ (p.24).

Chapters present: the biblical background; the conscience bound by sin; conversion as a conscience awakening, convicting and enlightening work; and the connection with true faith and assurance.

Then follow questions concerning the function of conscience in the Christian life, good, bad or weak. If you did not know that a weak conscience is more likely to accuse you than a strong one (p.120), you had better read Brady. Light will also be shed on those chapters in 1 Corinthians about the weak and strong in relation to idol-meat.

There is a useful chapter regarding the development of conscience in the civil sphere. Perhaps a little more could have been made here of the theoretical impact of Luther and Calvin’s two reigns, and the right of private judgement in, say, Charles Hodge.

Finally, Brady correctly argues that, because conscience is a function of the soul, it is the accuser even down in hell. Moreover, its peaceful disposition will be enjoyed in heaven.

Overall, I enjoyed this book except for one thing: the title. Why did an evangelical publisher inflict this on me? Every time I saw it on my desk, I had horrible images of Elton John behind a piano! ‘Candle of the Lord’ (p.184) would have been more fitting.

Paul Wells Eastbourne

Author Gary Brady

Publisher EP Books ISBN 978-1-78397-042-1

PS The publishers are not to be blamed for the title. I did insist. I wanted to redeem the title1

Pages 242

Flavel Redivivus?

https://digitalpuritan.net/john-flavel/

I've been a bit slow with this but if you follow this link there is a very kind review of the new book at Helm's Deep. Thank you so much Paul.

See here

It begins (excuse my lack of modesty in reproducing this, the professor is obviously being very generous)

"Gary Brady is a present-day John Flavel. Like Flavel the Puritan, a minister in Dartmouth, Gary has been the pastor of an urban church for many years, and as Flavel became used to the ups and downs of such a life so no doubt has Gary. He has been pastor of Childs Hill Baptist Church in north west London since 1983. And like Flavel he is a considerable author, with five books already, and now a sixth, Candle in the Wind – Understanding Conscience in the Light of God’s Word. (EP Books, 2014, 242 pages). This post is by way of a modest celebration of it, and of Gary’s gifts as an author on this great but neglected topic. ..."

New Book Now Available

The book has arrived in Aber at least and has been spotted in the EMW Bookshop near the Great Hall and at the AP Bookshop down in town. What are you waiting for?

New Book Candle in the wind

Candle in the Wind by Gary Brady

£9.99

Available from 01.08.15
US price $14.99
Author Gary Brady
ISBN 9781783970421
Pages 242

Matthew Henry (1662-1714), commenting on Romans 2, wrote that “Conscience is the candle of the Lord which was not quite put out”. Others have been much more effusive about conscience. In his now famous Les Miserables, the French writer Victor Hugo wrote that “there is a spectacle more grand than the sea; it is heaven; there is a spectacle more grand than heaven; it is the conscience.”
Books on the conscience have been few and far between in recent years. This probably points to an underlying neglect of what is a truly important subject. This latest exploration of conscience is intended to do something to help address this situation. It seeks to bring the subject of conscience to the bar of God's Word so that we may be helped to understand it in the way we should. It begins by amassing the biblical data – more extensive than many realise - and seeks to clear away confusion and properly define what conscience is. Subsequent chapters explore conscience in the unconverted, in those under conviction and in believers. Problems that arise with the consciences of Christians are also examined; among other topics included are conscience in children and conscience in eternity.

'With one or two worthy exceptions, evangelicals today neglect the subject of conscience in fostering personal spiritual growth, in preaching and in our literature. This readable and thorough study is much needed. Gary Brady speaks to contemporary issues but also enriches us with the insights of the Puritans who took conscience so much more seriously than we do. You will be glad you read it.'

Mostyn Roberts Pastor, Welwyn Evangelical Church, and chairman of Evangelical Press.

Gary Brady grew up on a housing estate in Cwmbran, South Wales, in the sixties and seventies and became the pastor of Childs Hill Baptist Church, London, in 1983. This is his sixth book with Evangelical Press and is the fruit of many years of study. Gary is married to Eleri; they have five sons and two grandchildren.

See here