Church History: Era of the Seven Ecumenical Councils

Era of the Seven Ecumenical Councils

• 330 - Ethiopian King Ezana of Axum makes Christianity an official religion
  
• 334 - The first bishop is ordained for Merv / Transoxiana (area of modern-day Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and southwest Kazakhstan) ^[29]
  
• 341 - Ulfilas begins work with the Goths in present-day Romania
  ^[31]
  
• 354 - Theophilus "the Indian" reports visiting Christians in India;^[16]
  Philostorgius mentions a community of Christians on the Socotra islands, south of Yemen in the Arabian Sea^[33]
  
• 370 - Wulfila translates the Bible into Gothic, the first Bible translation done specifically for missionary purposes
  
• 378 - Jerome writes, "From India to Britain, all nations resound with the death and resurrection of Christ"^[24]
  
• 380 - Roman Emperor Theodosius I makes Christianity the official state religion^[35]
  
• 382 - Jerome is commissioned to translate the Gospels (and subsequently the whole Bible) into Latin (Price, p. 78</ref>
  
• 386 - Augustine of Hippo converted ^[36]
  
• 432 - Patrick goes to Ireland as missionary ^[38]
  
• 450 - First Christians reported in Liechtenstein^[24]
  
• 496 - Conversion of Clovis I, king of Franks in Gaul, along with 3,000 warriors ^[39]
  
• 499 - Persian king Kavadh I, fleeing his country, meets a group of Christian missionaries going to Central Asia to preach to the Turks
  
• 500 - First Christians reported in North Yemen; Nairam becomes Christian center
  
• 563 - Columba sails from Ireland to Scotland where he founds an evangelistic training center on Iona
  ^[43]
  
• 596 - Gregory the Great sends Augustine and a team of missionaries to (what is now) England to reintroduce the Gospel. The missionaries settle in Canterbury and within a year baptize 10,000 people ^[45]
  
• 635 - First Christian missionaries (Nestorian monks, including Alopen, from Asia Minor and Persia arrive in China ^[49]; Aidan of Lindisfarne begins evangelizing in the heart of Northumbria (England) ^[50]
  
• 697 - Muslims overrun Carthage, capital of North Africa
  ^[54]
  
• 720 - Caliph Umar II puts heavy pressure on the Christian Berbers to convert to Islam
  
• 716 - Boniface begins missionary work among Germanic tribes
  ^[55]
  
• 724 - Boniface fells pagan sacred oak of Thor at Geismar in Hesse (Germany) ^[56]
  
• 740 - Irish monks reach Iceland
  ^[57]
  
• 771 - Charlemagne becomes king and will decree that sermons be given in the vernacular. He also commissioned Bible translations.^[58]
  
• 781 - Nestorian Stele erected near Xi'an (China) to commemorate the propagation in China of the Luminous Religion, thus providing a written record of a Christian presence in China ^[59]
  

Archeology: Threshing Floor

"The threshing-floor is a flat place in the neighbourhood of the village. If possible, a rocky place is chosen, so that it may be easily swept. Where this is not obtainable, a hard, flat piece of ground is made to answer the purpose. The floor is common property, but each thresher keeps to a certain part of it. For four months the Fellah has nothing to fear from rain or bad weather. During that time he almost lives at the beiyâdir (threshing-floor) and some of the villages are nearly deserted, at least by the men. The wheat, &c., is spread out, and the oxen and asses are driven round so many hours a-day to tread out the grain with their hoofs, at the same time treading and softening the straw so that it becomes fit for fodder. This straw is called tibn, bundles of ordinary straw and stubble they call kash. The animals as a rule are not muzzled" --F. A. Klein, "Life, Habits and Customs of the Fellahin of Palestine," Palestine Exploration Fund Quarterly Statement (1883): 41-48.



"Do you suppose that these floors which we see at Yebna and elsewhere resemble those so celebrated in ancient times? They have, perhaps, changed less than almost anything else in the country. Every agricultural village and town in the land has them, and many of them are more ancient than the places whose inhabitants now use them. They have been just where they are, and exactly as they were, from a period 'to which the memory of man runneth not to the contrary.'" --William M. Thomson, The Land and the Book (1880): 1:149-51.



The quotations is taken from the Traditional Life and Customs volume of The American Colony and Eric Matson Collection (Library of Congress, LC-matpc-10182).

Hymn of the Day: Angel Voices Ever Signing

Angel voices, ever singing

Round thy throne of light,

Angel harps, for ever ringing,

Rest not day nor night;

Thousands only live to bless thee,

And confess thee

Lord of might.



Thou who art beyond the farthest

Mortal eye can scan,

Can it be that thou regardest

Songs of sinful man?

Can we feel that thou art near us,

And wilt hear us?

Yea, we can.



Yea, we know thy love rejoices

O'er each work of thine;

Thou didst ears and hands and voices

For thy praise combine;

Craftsman's art and music's measure

For thy pleasure

Didst design.

Here, great God, today we offer

Of thine own to thee;

And for thine acceptance proffer,

All unworthily,

Hearts and minds, and hands and voices,

In our choicest

Melody.



Honor, glory, might, and merit,

Thine shall ever be,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

Blessed Trinity:

Of the best that thou hast given

Earth and heaven

Render thee.

Prayer of the Day

O Father, help me resolve to spend a quiet time with You every day.

May my quiet time at this moment be the open door through which I glide out onto a higher level of life.

In Jesus' name.

Amen.

Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms: Westminster Larger Catechism and Children’s Catechism on God

Westminster Larger Catechism

Q. 6. What do the Scriptures make known of God?
A. The Scriptures make known what God is,^[14] the persons in the Godhead,^[15] his decrees,^[16] and the execution of his decrees.^[17]


Q. 7. What is God?
A. God is a Spirit,^[18] in and of himself infinite in being,^[19] glory,^[20] blessedness,^[21] and perfection;^[22] all-sufficient,^[23] eternal,^[24] unchangeable,^[25] incomprehensible,^[26] every where present,^[27] almighty,^[28] knowing all things,^[29] most wise,^[30] most holy,^[31] most just,^[32] most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.^[33]


Q. 8. Are there more Gods than one?
A. There is but one only, the living and true God.^[34]


Q. 9. How many persons are there in the Godhead?
A. There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties.^[35]


Q. 10. What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?
A. It is proper to the Father to beget the Son,^[36] and to the Son to be begotten of the Father,^[37] and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity.^[38]


Q. 11. How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?
A. The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names,^[39] attributes,^[40] works,^[41] and worship,^[42] as are proper to God only.

Children's Catechism

Q. 9. What is God?
A. God is a Spirit, and has not a body like men.


Q. 10. Where is God?
A. God is everywhere.


Q. 11. Can you see God?
A. No; I cannot see God, but he always sees me.


Q. 12. Does God know all things?
A. Yes; nothing can be hid from God.


Q. 13. Can God do all things?
A. Yes; God can do all his holy will.

Quote of the Day: What Christ Has Done

"What challenges Satan or conscience can make against the believer—hear an answer; I was condemned, I was judged, I was crucified for sin, when my surety Christ was condemned, judged, and crucified for my sins—I have paid all, because my surety has paid all."

—Samuel Rutherford, quoted in Edward Fisher, The Marrow of Modern Divinity (Ross-shire, UK: Christian Focus, 2009), 126

Operation World: Hot Spots in the Americas

Hot Spots of the Americas

1 The moral devastation caused by drug trafficking is corrupting politicians, law enforcement agencies and judicial systems, filling the prisons with the small-fry and destroying the lives of millions of drug users across the two continents. The desperate poverty of the growers and the seemingly insatiable craving for drugs — especially in wealthy North America — makes for lucrative opportunities for criminal drug cartels and leftist guerrilla movements who exploit this dual need. Drug enforcement bodies and billions of US dollars have scarcely dented the problem. Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Jamaica, Haiti and other nations have been so impacted by this that the traffickers often wield more power than the central government. Pray that this evil might be tamed, and even eliminated, and that those in authority might pursue viable and effective policies to achieve this.



2 The unresolved issue of widespread poverty. Economic progress has often failed to filter down to the poor. Marxist guerrilla insurrections once plagued many countries, but since 1990 these have been reduced in number. Only in Colombia is there widespread military conflict with rightist militia and leftist guerrillas controlling large areas of the country and financing their forces with drug trafficking. Low-scale insurrection continues in Peru and Mexico and an uneasy peace after years of war prevails in Nicaragua and Guatemala. Democratic government is fragile and economies are struggling in many countries. Pray for the resolution of existing conflicts and courageous government actions to alleviate the conditions that provoke uprisings.



3 The political resurgence of indigenous Amerindian peoples. The Guatemalan civil war was largely a protest by the repressed, marginalized Mayan peoples. The violent Peruvian revolt was likewise a movement of the Quechuas, and the quirky guerrilla movement in south Mexico is a demand for redress by marginalized Amerindian peoples. Pray that the centuries of wrongs against the indigenous peoples may be righted and their economic, cultural and political rights restored.

4 Countries facing an uncertain, possibly traumatic future:

a) Cuba after the departure of President Castro will need to recover from over 4 decades of Marxism and economic isolation.

b) Haiti with its desperate poverty and appalling history of dictatorships, rigged elections and bad government.

c) Guyana and Suriname with unresolved ethnic tensions and unstable governments.

d) Countries struggling to survive, such as: Nicaragua — after civil war; Honduras — natural disasters; Paraguay dictatorships and coups.

5 Unresolved territorial disputes — Venezuela and Suriname's claims on Guyana; Argentina's on the Falklands (Islas Malvinas) and Guatemala's on Belize.



Pasted from <http://www.operationworld.org/region/am/owtext.html#Pray5>

Bible Readings for Today

GENESIS 20	NEHEMIAH 9	MATTHEW 19	ACTS 19
NIV ESV KJV KOREAN	NIV ESV KJV KOREAN	NIV ESV KJV KOREAN	NIV ESV KJV KOREAN

Is anyone following along with this reading plan?

Is it useful?

Tell me what you think

Photo Contest: "Well, Golly... I can't believe that _______

What did he just hear?


Write your answers in the comments section.


Have fun!

Creeds, Confessions, Catechisms (3C): Belgic and Westminster Confessions on Scripture

Belgic Confession

Article 4: The Canonical Books

We include in the Holy Scripture the two volumes of the Old and New Testaments. They are canonical books with which there can be no quarrel at all. In the church of God the list is as follows: In the Old Testament, the five books of Moses– Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy; the books of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth; the two books of Samuel, and two of Kings; the two books of Chronicles, called Paralipomenon; the first book of Ezra; Nehemiah, Esther, Job; the Psalms of David; the three books of Solomon– Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song; the four major prophets– Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel; and then the other twelve minor prophets– Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. In the New Testament, the four gospels– Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; the Acts of the Apostles; the fourteen letters of Paul– to the Romans; the two letters to the Corinthians; to the Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians; the two letters to the Thessalonians; the two letters to Timothy; to Titus, Philemon, and to the Hebrews; the seven letters of the other apostles– one of James; two of Peter; three of John; one of Jude; and the Revelation of the apostle John.



Article 5: The Authority of Scripture

We receive all these books and these only as holy and canonical, for the regulating, founding, and establishing of our faith. And we believe without a doubt all things contained in them– not so much because the church receives and approves them as such but above all because the Holy Spirit testifies in our hearts that they are from God, and also because they prove themselves to be from God. For even the blind themselves are able to see that the things predicted in them do happen.

Article 6: The Difference Between Canonical and Apocryphal Books

We distinguish between these holy books and the apocryphal ones, which are the third and fourth books of Esdras; the books of Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Jesus Sirach, Baruch; what was added to the Story of Esther; the Song of the Three Children in the Furnace; the Story of Susannah; the Story of Bell and the Dragon; the Prayer of Manasseh; and the two books of Maccabees. The church may certainly read these books and learn from them as far as they agree with the canonical books. But they do not have such power and virtue that one could confirm from their testimony any point of faith or of the Christian religion. Much less can they detract from the authority of the other holy books.




WCF



Chapter 1: Of the Holy Scripture

8: The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which, at the time of the writing of it, was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and, by His singular care and providence, kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical;[17] so as, in all controversies of religion, the Church is finally to appeal unto them.[18] But, because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded, in the fear of God, to read and search them,[19] therefore they are to be translated in to the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come,[20] that, the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship Him in an acceptable manner;[21] and, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, may have hope.[22]



9: The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself: and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.[23]



10: The supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture.[24]

Prayer of the Day

Lord of the church, thank you that You gave us other churches to teach and help us.

Bless our family of churches around the world as You work through each of them.

Amen.

Quote of the Day: Wedlund on the Gospel

 Jared Wedlund on the gospel . . .

Here’s the gospel in a word: imputation. It’s Christ’s righteousness (His perfect keeping of the Law) being imputed (transferred) to His people, and their sins being imputed to Him (which He bore on the cross). Men can only stand before God when clothed in Christ’s righteousness—and this was accomplished by God descending to man [in Christ], not man ascending to God [through works].

Doctrine of the Day: Glorification

Glorification

In the Scripture the idea of glorification deals with the ultimate perfection of believers. The word "glorification" is not used in the Hebrew Old Testament or the Greek New Testament, but the idea of glorification is conveyed by the Greek verb doxazo [doxavzw] ("glorify") and the noun doxa [dovxa] ("glory") as well as in passages that do not use any word from this root. Although the Old Testament may anticipate the theme to some extent ( Psalm 73:24 ; Dan 12:3 ), the New Testament is considerably fuller and richer in its development, making it explicit that believers will be glorified ( Romans 8:17 Romans 8:30 ; 2 Thess 1:12 ).



Despite the fact that one of the key verses ( Rom 8:30 ) appears to place glorification in the past, it is in all other passages seen as future, to be hoped for ( Rom 5:2 ; Col 1:27 ), to be revealed ( Rom 8:18 ; 1 Peter 5:1 ), and to be obtained ( 2 Thess 2:14 ; 2 Tim 2:10 ). Specifically, glorification arrives with the second coming of Christ ( Eph 5:27 ; Php 3:20-21 ; Col 3:4 ; 2 Thess 1:10 ), accompanied by the resurrection of believers ( 1 Cor 15:43 ) and the day of judgment ( Rom 2:5-10 ). Its duration is eternal ( 2 Col 4:17 ; 2 Tim 2:10 ; 1 Peter 5:10 ).

Like other facets of salvation, glorification is the work of God ( Rom 8:30 ). To it believers are called ( 1 Thess 2:12 ; 1 Peter 5:10 ), brought ( Heb 2:10 ), and foreordained ( 1 Cor 2:7 ). God both prepares us for glory ( Rom 9:23 ) and prepares glory for us ( 1 Cor 2:9 ). It is ours by inheritance ( Rom 8:17 ). At the same time, however, we have our part to play: glorification should be sought ( Rom 2:7 ), and it will be wrought in us through our affliction and suffering ( Rom 8:17 ; 2 Col 4:17 ; 2 Tim 2:10-11 ).

Glorification involves first of all the believer's sanctification or moral perfection ( 2 Thess 2:13-14 ; Heb 2:10-11 ), in which the believer will be made glorious, holy, and blameless ( Eph 5:27 ). The process of sanctification is at work in us now ( 2 Cor 3:18 ) but moves from one degree of glory to another until it reaches final glory.

Second, the body participates in glorification ( Rom 8:23 ; 1 Col 15:43 ; Php 3:21 ), which is the believer's deliverance and liberty ( Rom 8:21 ). As a result, the glorified body is immortal ( Rom 2:7 ), imperishable, powerful, and spiritual ( 1 Cor 15:43-44 ). Moreover, creation itself participates in this aspect of glorification ( Rom 8:21 ).

In the third place, glorification brings participation in the kingdom of God ( 1 Thess 2:12 ), even to the point of our reigning with Christ ( 2 Tim 2:10-12 ).

Finally, glorification is in some sense a partaking of God's own glory ( Rom 5:2 ; 1 Thess 2:12 ; 2 Thess 2:14 ; 1 Peter 5:10 ).

David K. Huttar


See also
Salvation

Bibliography. S. Aalen, NIDNTT, 2:44-52; R. B. Dillard, BEB, 2:869-70; M. R. Gordon, ZPEB, 2:730-35; E. F. Harrison, EDT, pp. 443-44; idem, ISBE, 2:477-83; B. L. Ramm, BEB, 1:869-70.

Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Edited by Walter A. Elwell

Copyright © 1996

Pasted from <http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/glorification.html>

Operation World: Answers to Prayer in the Americas

1 The growth of Evangelicals in Latin America in the 20th Century has been spectacular. In 1900 Evangelicals numbered about 700,000, or 1% of the population (only about 200,000 of these being in Spanish-speaking countries). By 2000 they had multiplied to 55 million (over 50 million in Spanish-speaking countries). The breakthrough point for Evangelicals came with the wide implementation of congregation mobilization through national Evangelism-in-Depth programmes in the 1960s.



2 Pentecostal Evangelicals have demonstrated the greatest vigour and have become the largest component of Evangelicals in Latin America with over 32 million affiliates. This is 28% of the world's Pentecostals. Their greatest success has been amongst the poor. Growth has been weakened by multiplied splits, inadequate discipling of converts and often exaggerated claims of growth.



3 The spiritual impact of North America, and especially the USA, on the world. Praise God for:

a) Great evangelists who have touched the world (Finney, Moody, Billy Graham and others).

b) Great missionary statesmen and visionaries who helped to lay the foundations for the present global harvest.

c) Unstinting generosity in giving for great causes — especially missions advances.

May this influence continue, and supplant the blatant secularism propagated by the media. The Hollywood view of American life is not the whole story!

4 The impact of the Scriptures on Catholics has opened the hearts of millions to a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus. Many have become fervent evangelical believers, both within the Catholic Church and, increasingly, outside it.

5 People movements are growing among the Amerindians who have long been resistant or indifferent to the gospel. The present growth of Quechua and Aymara churches in the Andes and Mayan peoples in Central America is exciting.



6 The divinely ordered convergence in Latin America of greater freedom of religion, more open and accountable democracy, a series of military, natural and economic disasters which loosened the hold of traditional structures have enabled many to come to Christ. The 1990s were a time of resurgence of Christianity in Cuba despite the decades of Marxist propaganda and pressure.



7 The Bible translation achievements of WBT/SIL and UBS have been remarkable. The pioneer work of WBT/SIL in providing New Testaments in indigenous languages has sparked ingatherings of peoples into churches across the Americas. In some lands the work of translation has been virtually completed. Praise the Lord for a task well done!



8 The missionary contributions of North Americans in the 20th Century. Increasingly the missionary enterprise is becoming global, but even in 2001 it is still predominantly North American. They make up over 50% of missionaries in other lands and 34% of all missionaries (home and foreign).

9 There has been rapid growth and maturation of missions vision in Latin America. The 1987 COMIBAM conference in São Paulo, Brazil, generated continent-wide interest and sparked off numerous initiatives to reach the unreached. Major missionary-contributing nations are Brazil, Costa Rica and Argentina, but in most lands missionary sending structures are developing.



10 The impact of the media has been significant all over the New World. Widespread use of local, national and international radio and television networks by Christians has had a big influence. International Christian radio agencies broadcast an estimated 3,000 hrs/wk in Spanish and 320 hrs/wk in Portuguese by satellite as well as by short and medium wave. The multiplication of local television and radio stations and broadcasts further widens the opportunities for proclamation of the gospel.

 

Theological Word of the Day(TWotD): Soli Deo Gloria

Soli Deo Gloria! For the Glory of God Alone

The Reformation reclaimed the Scriptural teaching of the sovereignty of God over every aspect of the believer's life. All of life is to be lived to the glory of God. As the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, "What is the chief end of man? Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever." This great and all consuming purpose was emphasized by those in the 16th and 17th Centuries who sought to reform the church according to the Word of God. In contrast to the monastic division of life into sacred versus secular perpetuated by Roman Church, the reformers saw all of life to be lived under the Lordship of Christ. Every activity of the Christian is to be sanctified unto the glory of God.  

As the Scripture says,
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God; Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father; to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (1CO 10:31; 1PE 4:11; REV 1:6; 2PE 3:1; EPH 3:21; REV 7:12; ROM 11:36)

Bible Readings of the Day

GENESIS 19	NEHEMIAH 8	MATTHEW 18	ACTS 18
NIV ESV KJV KOREAN	NIV ESV KJV KOREAN	NIV ESV KJV KOREAN	NIV ESV KJV KOREAN

Operation World: Africa – Great Commission Needs

Much of Africa is within the 10/40 Window area. Of the world's 10 major geographical Affinity Blocs of peoples, 2½ are in Africa: the Sub-Saharan peoples, the Horn of Africa peoples and the western half of the Arab world. For more information about the Arabs, see the section on Asia — West. Then, within these 2½ blocs are clusters of peoples with more closely related cultures and situations. Here are listed most of the major ones with a few details. Most of these clusters are found in more than one country, so their global statistics are given. Most are in a belt of territory stretching across the Sahel and then down Africa's east coast. Note the map showing these clusters.

1 The Imazighen, or Berber of North Africa. They were the original inhabitants, but were conquered by Rome; many becoming Christians. Then in the 8th Century they were conquered by the Arabs, their culture and history suppressed and most were absorbed into the conquering race. There are 20 million Imazighen in 76 distinct ethnic groups living in 17 countries. Major groups (with many sub-groups) being the Kabyle (3.5m), Shilha (10.7m), Shawiya (1.8m). Only among the Kabyle has there been a significant turning to Christ. Less than 0.3% might be considered Christian.

2 The Tuareg (Tamasheq) are related to the Berber, but have a unique culture and live in the central Sahara Desert. They number 3 million in 8 countries and comprise 16 ethnic groups. Only in Niger and Mali are there a few groups of believers.



3 The West Atlantic cluster with 6.4 million speaking 77 languages and dialects. Most live in Senegal, the Gambia and Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone. Some, such as the Balanta, Mandyak, Serer and Papel have responded to the gospel, but among the more Muslim Wolof (3.7m), Jola (600,000), Beafada (43,000) and Nalu (23,000) response has been very small and these are still pioneer peoples.



4 The Mande peoples live mainly in Africa west of Nigeria, and are in a majority in Mali and Guinea. Most are Muslim. There are 17 million in the main body of Mande peoples and a further 5.5 million in scattered smaller peoples across West Africa. Jula, a Mande language, has become a major trade language for much of the western half of West Africa. In the main body of Mande only the Malian Bambara (4.3m), Kassonke (280,000), and the Sierra Leonian Kono (232,000) have a number of Christians. The most needy are the Mandingo-related (5.5m), Jula-related (1m), Soso-Yalunka (1.3m) and Wassulunke (740,000).



5 The Soninke-Bozo peoples — mainly of Senegal and Mali are 1.6 million with only a handful of believers.



6 The Songhai-Zarma peoples — 4.7 million living mainly in Mali and Niger and speaking 18 languages and dialects. Muslim; very few Christians.

7 The Fulbe (Pulaar, Fulani) number 20 million in 40 or so distinct ethnic groups speaking related dialects. They have spread from Senegal to become a major component of nearly every country of the Sahel as far east as Sudan. They are the largest nomadic-culture people in the world. More than half now live settled lifestyles and are more strongly Muslim than the nomadic or semi-nomadic Fulbe. Planting churches among them has been hard and slow with small breakthroughs in Benin, Nigeria and Chad. The Fulbe represent one of the major challenges for missions in Africa today.



8 The Volta-Gur peoples number nearly 15 million in 165 ethnic groups. Most live in the Sahel; Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Benin and Togo. Among the many peoples related to the Mossi (10.3m), Grusi (3.5m), Gurma (2m) and Dogon (900,000), a significant minority are active Christians. The Senufo (3m) and Lobi (500,000) are more resistant and response is slow. Many peoples are largely unreached in Burkina Faso but few of the larger peoples remain without a witness.

9 The Hausa are dominant in Niger and northern Nigeria, but live in 27 countries and number 30 million. Hausa has become the major language for much of Nigeria, Niger and beyond. Many resources exist in Hausa — the Bible, the JESUS film, radio broadcasting, and much ministry is done in Hausa, but few have turned to Christ from Islam. Response has been greatest among the Maguzawa section of the Hausa. This large people remains a major challenge to the Church.



10 Kanuri-Kanembu — 5.1 million in northwest Nigeria and the Chad basin. They are the least reached cluster of peoples in the Sahel. They, and the related Teda and Daza of north Chad, have no known churches. After years of effort to reach them the fruit is meagre.



11 The Chadian peoples. Five intermingled clusters of Sudanic, Saharan and Chadic peoples live in the large area of central Nigeria, north Cameroon, Chad and the Darfur Province of Sudan. They speak over 400 languages and dialects and nearly half of these are without churches, the Scriptures, or much of any other form of witness. Much pioneer work in arduous conditions and among small language groups must still be undertaken. This medley of smaller peoples constitutes one of the most complex challenges for pioneer ministry in Africa today. Special mention must be made of the many peoples linked with the Maba (953,000), Fur (800,000), Tama-Mararit (353,000), Daju (322,000), Masalit (300,000) and Naba (266,000). To these must be added the Shuwa Arab nomads who may number up to 2 million.



12 Cushitic-Horn of Africa peoples. There are 55 million in over 140 ethnic groups living mainly in Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia. Many of the peoples in Ethiopia are Christian. The challenge remains to reach the Somali (14m), Beja (2.5m) and Saho-Afar (1.5m). To these must be added the 1.8 million Nubians of the Nile Valley in Egypt and Sudan — long a Christian people until forcibly Islamized in the 17th Century but now with only a few hundred known believers.



13 The East Coast peoples of Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi. Almost all are Muslim and most are able to communicate in Swahili. Major groupings: Swahili (3.8m — including the Comorians and Zanzibarians), Makonde (2.2m), Yao (1.7m) and Zaramo (630,000).

14 The Pygmy peoples of the central African forests. They were the original peoples of the region but invading Bantu peoples pushed them into the more inaccessible areas. They number 765,000 in 33 ethnic groups in 8 countries. They have long been ignored, or evangelized using Bantu languages. Only in recent years have more culturally sensitive church planting efforts been made. Results have been good during the 1990s; around 17% are now Christians.

Quote of the Day (QotD): Jonathan Edwards on Pain and Death

9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
 
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.



Not much needs to be said here. Except, let it be said of me too.

Doctrine of the Day: Sanctification

Ok, I confess I am a complete language geek. I am so geeky, I have created my own language and am translating the Bible into it. It has been an amazing exercise so far to learn how languages work and how to create new words by attempting to define terms. One word that I am especially happy with is the word in Thornic (my language) for sanctification – scárhvhil. This word is a compound of two words – scrub and mercy. I think is at the foundation the meaning of sanctification. From the moment we are saved, God begins cleaning us. Sometimes there is gentle rubbing, but a lot of the time there are moments of intense scrubbing; God removing all of the filth and sin from our lives in order for us to become more like his Son.


Now, this is an amazing idea if we stop and think about it for a moment. Once God saves us we are seen through the blood of Christ, we are seen as holy. So two questions emerge – what is the point of scrubbing, sacrifice and struggle and two, how does sanctification work? The answer to the first question is gratitude. We become more Christ-like because we are grateful for the salvation we received and one expression of this is to become more worthy of the title "adopted child of God." It is important to note that we do not become more sanctified in order to earn God's favor, rather we seek sanctification because we have already received God's favor. We become eager to become holy because we are priests, we do not become holy in order to become priests.


The answer to the second question is more difficult. How does one become sanctified? We must start with the fact that, as with salvation, it is not from our own strength. We can't simply white knuckle ourselves into holiness. We are made holy through Jesus (Hebrews 13:12 and 2:11). We are also sanctified through the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 1:2). Does this mean that we can simply wait for the Holy Spirit to remove sinful patterns and establish changes? Certainly not! But, it does mean that sanctification is not optional, nor is it dependent on us. God will accomplish those changes, we can be willing to submit or we can be driven to our knees. Our final position has already been decided.


Finally, as a last note, we must not make sanctification into a simple list of dos and don'ts. Obedience to a list is not the same thing as heart change. If we make it into a list of dos (have a quiet time, or give an offering) or don'ts (smoking, drinking, dancing etc…) we will ignore the fact that sanctification is to touch every aspect of our lives, not merely the big things and it is to change the heart, not merely the hands and head.

Prayer of the Day

Comforter of my soul, use me to comfort others. Give me a sensitive heart to understand when others are in need. Give me confidence to use the spiritual gifts You have given me in ministry. Give me wisdom, love, and energy to do the work even better. Amen.

Creeds, Confessions and Catechisms (3C) - Westminster Shorter Catechism (WSC)

 Q. 4. What is God?

A. God is a Spirit,[7] infinite,[8] eternal,[9] and unchangeable,[10] in his being,[11] wisdom,[12] power,[13] holiness,[14] justice,[15] goodness,[16] and truth.[17]

Q. 5. Are there more Gods than one?

A. There is but one only,[18] the living and true God.[19]

Q. 6. How many persons are there in the Godhead?

A. There are three persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost;[20] and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.[21]

Happy or Not So Happy Holidays, Anniversaries and Birthdays (Weekend Edition)

Friday, January 15, 2010

Holidays

North Korea – Korean Alphabet Day.

Japan : Adults Day/Seijin-No-Hi
Jordan : Arbor Day
Venezuala : Teachers' Day/Dia Del Maestro
 

Church Calendar

588 BC – Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon lays siege to Jerusalem under Zedekiah's reign. The siege lasts until July 23, 586 BC.

1697 The citizens of Massachusetts spent a day of fasting and repentance for their roles in the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Judge Samuel Sewall, who had presided over many of those 20 capital judgments, published a written confession acknowledging his own "blame and shame."
1873 Lutheran founder of the Missouri Synod, C.F.W. Walther warned in a letter: 'Inactivity is the beginning of all vice.'
1970 Israeli archaeologists reported uncovering the first evidence supporting the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. by military forces of the ancient Roman Empire.

Saturay, January 16, 2010

Holidays

Teacher's Day in Thailand
 

Church Calendar

National Religious Freedom Day in the United States, to commemorate the adoption of Thomas Jefferson's landmark Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom in 1786


1545 Death of Georg Spalatin, 61, German reformer and friend of Martin Luther. Spalatin's court life allowed him to give secular government a better understanding of Luther's ideas.


1581– The EnglishParliament outlaws Roman Catholicism.
 
1604 At the Hampton Court Conference in England, John Rainolds presented to King James I the motion '...that there might bee a newe translation of the Bible.' Approved the next day, Rainolds' motion led to the 1611 publication of the Authorized (King James) version of the Bible.
 
1740 English revivalist George Whitefield wrote in a letter: 'If I see a man who loves the Lord Jesus in sincerity, I am not very solicitous to what...communion he belongs. The Kingdom of God, I think, does not consist in any such thing.'
 
1786 The Virginia Legislature adopted the Ordinance of Religious Freedom, which guaranteed that no man would be forced to attend or support any church. This mandate later became the model for the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  

1982 Great Britain established full diplomatic relations with the Vatican.



    Birthdays

1902 – Eric Liddell, Scottish runner (d. 1945)



Sunday, January 17, 2010

Church Calendar

395 With the death of Emperor Theodosius I (the Great), this became the last day the (Christian) Roman Empire was controlled by a single leader. In his wisdom, Theodosius had divided the empire into western and eastern portions.


1377 The Papal See was moved back to Rome by Gregory XI. Located in France for 72 years, it had been moved to Avignon by French pope Clement V in 1305, originally to escape the political turmoil rampant within Italy at the time.


1562 The Edict of St. Germain officially recognized French Protestantism.


1745 Colonial missionary to the American Indians David Brainerd wrote in his journal: 'Oh, how comfortable and sweet it is, to feel the assistance of divine grace in the performance of the duties which God has enjoined on us!'


1963 The Baptist World Mission was incorporated in Chicago. This independent organization of Baptist tradition is engaged primarily in evangelism, church planting and education in 17 overseas countries.

Birthdays

1484 – George Spalatin, German reformer (d. 1545)