Praise for In God We Trust? from John MacArthur and Phil Johnson

In God We Trust"Michael Haykin puts today's financial uncertainties in perspective with a helpful blend of historical and biblical  insight.  This is a tremendous word of encouragement for anyone seeking a sure anchor in these tumultuous times." John MacArthur "Difficult financial times remind us that we need to seek the true, eternal wealth that can't be corrupted by moth or rust - and doesn't evaporate when Wall Street has a setback. Michael Haykin points the way in this wonderfully encouraging, informative, and easy-to-read booklet." Phil Johnson

In God We Trust? is available from Audubon Press for $2.79 (30% off retail).  You can order online or call toll-free 800-405-3788 (M-F 9:00-5:00).

Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.

A son graduates

My son Nigel graduated this evening from Highland High School in Dundas, Ontario. What a privilege to have such a son. What changes he has gone through in the past couple of years. I praise the Lord for giving me such a son.

Pray for him: he is a Christian and will be studying history and classics next year at McMaster University, following in the same academic pathway that his sister Victoria has trod.

Though he told me a year ago that the history of the eighteenth century was quite boring—he preferred Roman history at the time—he is currently fascinated with British imperialism, especially the American Revolution, Banastre Tarleton and James Cook.

Rejoicing in the ministry of others: John Bell and his ministry in Toronto's gay village

One of the most poignant historical reflections that I have ever heard came from a dear friend named Bob Shaker, literary enthusiast extraordinaire and a one-time deacon of Jarvis Street Baptist Church. Bob happened to visit his pastor, T.T. Shields—who, though married twice, never had any physical children—in 1949, when many of those whom Shields had mentored and taught—great future Canadian Baptist leaders like Jack Scott, Hal MacBain, Arnold Dallimore, and Tom Carson (D.A. Carson’s father)—took a different ecclesiological position than Shields and a cleavage occurred between Shields and them. Without a doubt Shields contributed to the resulting division between these brothers in Christ, but he told Shaker sadly, “All of my children are leaving me.” How utterly sad! On the flip side, though, there are those words of the aged Apostle John in 3 John 4: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” It was with these Johannine words ringing in my ears that I read the following post by Baptist pastor John Bell, whom I have had the incredible privilege of teaching at Toronto Baptist Seminary (though I would never presume to think of Pastor Bell as a son in Christ--but I was so encouraged to read this): “Sharing the Gospel in the Gay Village” on Tim Challies’ blog.

Michael Haykin Reviews Iain Murray's Heroes

Dr. Michael Haykin has reviewed the new book Heroes by Iain Murray.

In this new book from a veteran Reformed biographer and historian, Murray looks at the faith, lives, and thought of a number of well-known figures like Jonathan Edwards and Charles H. Spurgeon, as well as some lesser-known persons like Robert Kalley and William Hewitson (both of whom had a tremendous ministry on the island of Madeira among Portuguese Roman Catholics).

Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.

Last Week for Early Registration for AFCBS Conference

Each year the Andrew Fuller Center sponsors a major conference devoted to some aspect of Baptist thought and life.  This year’s conference is scheduled for August 24-25 and has for its theme “Baptist Spirituality:  Historical Perspectives.”  This conference is marked by great speakers, great fellowship, and several free books provided by the graciousness of publishers who sponsor the event.

Featured plenary speakers in 2009 will include: Crawford Gribben, Robert Strivens, Greg Thornbury, Kevin Smith, Tom Nettles, Greg Wills, Gerald Priest, Jason Lee, and Malcolm Yarnell. Other established Baptist History scholars, as well as several Ph.D. students will be presenting papers on the conference theme during the parallel sessions.

Until May 31st, a special rate of $75.00 for regular attendees and $45.00 for students (use code 09303108 when registering) will be available.  You will still be able to register up until the week before the conference, but it will cost $10.00 more.  You can register now by clicking here.  For more information about the conference, including lodging information and a schedule of the plenary sessions, click here.

Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.

Moody Interview with Haykin on The Christian Lover

Dr. Haykin was recently interviewed on Moody Radio by Paul Butler about his latest book, The Christian Lover: The Sweetness of Love and Marriage in the Letters of Believers (published by Reformation Trust).  The complete audio feature is available online here.  The interview lasts about seven and a half minutes.

Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.

Some quotes from Booth's ordination sermon on 2 Cor 4:2

A couple of days ago I mentioned my discovery of an hitherto unknown sermon by Abraham Booth--at least unknown to me. Here are a few quotes from the sermon, which is based on 2 Cor 4:2, in which Booth deals with the manner and aim of preaching: "When I contemplate the Apostle Paul, as the most honoured and useful servant of the Lord Jesus, in spreading the glories of divine grace, I can hardly forbear wishing, like Augustin, to have beheld him in the pulpit; if, thereby, I might form a more correct idea of his doctrine and manner of preaching. Yet such a wish is quite unavailing; and indeed, the gratification of it quite unnecessary. For that incomparable man, in his several epistles, has drawn his own character both as a Christian and as a minister of Christ. In the words of our text, we have the representation of Paul in the pulpit. His grand business is, to manifest the truth."

"Take care, that under pretence of being open and explicit, you do not degenerate into dogmatism, or become personal in your, addresses. In the pulpit, you have to do rather with characters than with persons. You are bound, in faithfulness and in duty, to declare, that drunkards, covetous, self-righteous men, shall not inherit the kingdom of God: but you must not single out any particular person before you; for you will then become ungenerous, and the consequences will be injurious."

"The more you keep the approbation of conscience, and the favour of God, in your eye, the more careful will you be to study your text and to manifest the truth which it contains; that the understanding and the conscience of your hearers may be duly enlightened, feel its authority, and God himself approve your labours. My brother, you have first of all to do with the understanding of your hearers, and as there is a glorious harmony and influence in divine truth, it must certainly operate on the will.

“If you preach the whole counsel of God faithfully, you must expect to be treated by some as an Arminian—if you assert the unchangeableness of salvation for those who, though undeserving, yet believe in Christ, you must expect to be reproached by others as an Antinomian."

Clothing

Clothing is far more important than our “casual” culture would like to admit. Clothing can never be equated with piety (1 Peter 3:3-4), but nor is it negligible, as the New Testament indicates (see 1 Timothy 2:9-10). It reflects inner attitudes. For ministers and pastors, my dear friend Don Whitney has some excellent advice. See his article "Clothing Tips for Ministers" here.

Video Interview with Dr. Haykin about The Advent of Evangelicalism

A video of Dr. Haykin being interviewed at ETS last November about his recent work published by Broadman & Holman Academic, The Advent of Evangelicalism is now available online.

The Advent of Evangelicalism:  Exploring Historical Continuities is a thorough analysis of David Bebbington’s 1989 book, Evangelicalism in Modern Britain: A History from the 1730s to the 1980s which put forth the idea that evangelical religion is the result of transatlantic revival in the 1730s, and that it took a working together attitude toward the Enlightenment rather than a contradictory one. Today, Bebbington’s thesis has gained international acceptance, and scholars from Europe and North America present a review of its primary arguments and conclusions here in The Advent of Evangelicalism (B&H Academic, 2008).

Contributors include: David W. Bebbington, Joel R. Beeke, John Coffey,Timothy George, Crawford Gribben, Michael A. G. Haykin, Paul Helm, D. Bruce Hindmarsh, David Ceri Jones, Thomas S. Kidd, Timothy Larsen, Cameron A. MacKenzie, A. T. B. McGowan, D. Densil Morgan, Ashley Null, Ian J. Shaw, Kenneth J. Stewart, Douglas A. Sweeney, Garry J. Williams, and Brandon G. Withrow.

Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.

The ordination of Stéphane Gagné & the calling to be a "servant of the Word"

This Wednesday my dear friend and brother Stéphane Gagné will be formally examined with regard to his ordination as a “servant of the Word,” to use the Lukan terminology. Those of you who pray for the Francophone world, do remember this brother at this important time in his life.

What a weight there is, though, to such a calling. All Christians have a calling, but not all have such a weighty calling. Who is sufficient to preach the gospel? Among those called to this service, none, not one. And even when we are conscious of our need of God’s help by the Spirit to fulfill this calling and rely upon the blessed Spirit of Jesus, what insufficiency marks our discourse!

But we are in good company: the Apostle Paul himself knew such weakness. As did God’s servants down through the years. And we can derive this comfort from the witness of the past: God enabled them, weak though they were, and his arm of strength is still mighty.

Audio from "Remembering John Calvin" Conference Now Available

Panel Discussion at "Remembering John Calvin" conference sponsored by AFCBS. Photo by John Gill.

This mini-conference celebrating the 500 year anniversary of John Calvin’s birth was held on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 from 9am - Noon.  There were three lectures by Dr. Shawn Wright, Dr. David Puckett, and Dr. Michael Haykin focusing on various aspects of Calvin’s life and thought.  You may now download the MP3s of the conference below:

Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.

Registration Opens for AFCBS Conference on Baptist Spirituality

Registration is now open for the 3rd Annual Conference of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies at Southern Seminary (August 24-25, 2009).  The theme this year is "Baptist Spirituality: Historical Perspectives".  Featured speakers will include: Crawford Gribben, Robert Strivens, Greg Thornbury, Kevin Smith, Tom Nettles, Greg Wills, Gerald Priest, Jason Lee, and Malcolm Yarnell. Other established Baptist History scholars, as well as several Ph.D. students will be presenting papers on the conference theme during the parallel sessions.  A special early conference rate is now available through the end of May.  For more information about the conference, including schedule, registration costs, and the opportunity to register online, click here.

Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.

More Study Questions for C.J. Mahaney's Humility: True Greatness

Dr. Haykin is currently leading a reading circle group through C.J. Mahaney's Humility: True Greatness.  I had previously posted the study questions for chapters 1 & 2 and I have recently posted the questions for chapters 3-6.  These are and all future questions will be posted online on the Books & Papers page, under Study Guides.

Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.

New PhD Program in Biblical Spirituality in the News

Southern Seminary's pioneering new PhD program in Biblical Spirituality is gaining attention nationally through the mainstream news media.   An Associated Press article by Dylan T. Lovan was picked up by USA Today yesterday and has also been published and it is also popping up in various places across the nation. For more information about the Ph.D. in biblical spirituality, call 502-897-4119 or email thmphd@sbts.edu. For more information about the D.Min. in biblical spirituality, call 502-897-4113 or email dmin@sbts.edu.

Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.

Christianus sum

The statement is simple and has come from the lips of uneducated and scholar, Oriental and Occidental, wealthy and disenfranchised, African and European, male and female, adult and child—and it is the most important confession a human being in this age can make. It is a sentence that has come in the security of being surrounded by friend and family. But it is also a declaration that has been made in the midst of foes, hungry for the speaker’s death.

It is a statement that moves heaven to joy and stirs hell to anger and hate.

It is simply this: Christianos eimi. Christianus sum. I am a Christian.

Oh, I am very biased: but I can conceive of no greater statement of identity that I could make. My whole being, what I am and what I have is bound up with these three English words (or two Greek or Latin words!).

On these words hang the whole future of the one who speaks them. And with the millions in the Church Triumphant and the Church Militant I am happy to let my soul rest there as well.

Anne Steele's hymnody

Why do we plead for the retention—yea, more, the prizing—of the hymnal heritage of the past? Why simply because some of these old hymns say things so powerfully that their disappearance from ecclesial memory would be such a great loss. In this light, consider this hymn from the pen of Anne Steele (1717-1778). It has her characteristic “watermark”—Christian profundity yoked to introspection and hesitancy—and a powerful conclusion that moves the modern heart as deeply as any subjectivity of the eighteenth century.

Dear Lord, what heavenly wonders dwell In thy atoning blood! By this are sinners snatch’d from hell, And rebels brought to God.

Jesus, my soul, adoring bends To love so full, so free; And may I hope that love extends Its sacred power to me?

What glad return can I impart, For favours so divine? O take my all, this worthless heart, And make it only thine.

New Book on Charles Darwin's Religious Views

Joshua Press has recently released David Herbert's Charles Darwin's Religious Views: From Creationist to Evolutionist. This book is a spiritual biography that focuses primarily on the religious experiences of Charles Darwin’s life. Its intent is to demonstrate how Darwin’s rejection of the Bible led him to adopt the naturalistic assumptions that were foundational to his belief in evolutionism. Well-researched and written in an engaging style, Dr. Herbert brings to life the spiritual journey of one of history’s most controversial figures.

Derek Thomas, Professor of Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, MS, commends the volume as follows:

A fascinating and important study of Charles Darwin, one of the most significant figures of our time.  The book is a tour de force in its analysis of the creation-science debate, as well as an insightful account of the man himself.  It includes a careful and cautious study of the so-called 'Lady Hope Tract,' suggesting a deathbed conversion.  I highly recommend it, especially for those embarking on scientific study at any level.

Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.

Saying "thank you"

“God is in the details.” How true this is. Think of gratitude, for example. Essential to the fabric of public life and foundation of the family is the simple phrase “thank you.” Without these words gracing our speech, what are we but animals? The most recent issue of The Gospel Witness, a great publication of Jarvis Street Baptist Church in Toronto, has taken for its theme this subject: “The Biblical Basis for Gratitude” (February 2009). There are three good articles—by Allen R. Mickle, Joe Harrod, and Nathan Finn—on the seemingly mundane, but awfully profound, subject of saying “thank you.” Well worth reading!