Too much romance?

Okay, so you're ears have probably pricked up and you're thinking that I've come to college and have been swept off my feet by too much romance. (After all, it is called "bridal college".) Well, I think you'll be a little disappointed.

Instead I have turned my thoughts, in between learning Greek verb paradigms, to church music and the makings of a good song. Alas, I don't have a thesis-style paper written on it yet but something may be put together one day. At the moment I just have random thoughts and ideas which were inspired by looking through Songs of Fellowship Volume 3 for church.

As evangelicals we have gained a reputation for lacking emotion and, in some ways, that claim is true. We pride ourselves on having songs full of "theological meat" and there's a contrast made between those songs and the "Jesus is your boyfriend" style of songs. The "other" style is almost taboo and dare not be played (or even hummed) within a 5-mile radius of an evangelical building.

However, there are times when I will proudly wear the tag "unemotional" (at least in that respect) with regard to church music. Here's an example ...

I need you like the summer needs the sun.
I need you to walk and to run.
I need you like a river needs the rain.
I need you to fill me again.
Without you I run dry.
Without you I won't even survive.

So wake me, take me with you,
Chase me where your river runs,
Romance me till my heart belongs to you.
Oh draw me, closer to you,
Lead me in your ways,
Enchant me 'cause my life belongs to you.

I need you like the stars need the sky.
I need you to help me to shine.
I need you like a singer needs a song.
I need you, to carry on.
Without you, I run dry.
Without you , I won't even survive.

So wake me, take me with you,
Chase me where your river runs,
Romance me till my heart belongs to you.
Oh draw me, closer to you,
Lead me in your ways,
Enchant me 'cause my life belongs to you.

Embrace me, let me feel your strength,
Hide me in your shade.
Your my shelter in the rain.

So wake me, take me with you,
Chase me where your river runs,
Romance me till my heart belongs to you.
Oh draw me, closer to you,
Lead me in your ways,
Enchant me 'cause my life belongs to you.*

This is one of a couple of song that I found "interesting" in Songs of Fellowship Volume 3. Not to say anything negative about the songwriter - the lyrics are good and the music is good - but have we lost the plot a bit when it comes to church music? Have we lost the ability to write church music that conveys the appropriate fear and reverence towards God without being old and stayed?

It didn't come as much of a surprise when I saw a large number of songs in the book about "me" rather than about God. Songs about what I've done, what I will do, what I am becoming, and how I feel about God outnumber the songs about what God has done, what God will do, what God is making me and how God views us.

However, despite this, I did find some pure gems. Here's an example ...

No scenes of stately majesty
For the King of kings.
No nights aglow with candle flame
For the King of love.
No flags of empire bung in shame for Calvary.
No flow'rs perfumed the lonely way
That led Him to a borrowed
tomb for Easter Day.

No wreaths upon the ground were laid
For the King of kings.
Only a crown of thorns remained
Where He gave His love.
A message scrawled in irony -
King of the Jews -
Lay trampled where they turned away,
And no one knew that it was the first Easter Day.

Yet nature's finest colours blaze
For the King of kings.
And stars in jewelled clusters say
'Worship heaven's King.'
Two thousand springtimes more have bloomed -
Is that enough?
O how can I be satisfied until He hears
The whole world sing of Easter love.

My prayers shall be a fragrance sweet
For the King of kings.
My love the flowers at His feet
For the King of love.
My vigil is to watch and pray until He comes;
My highest tribute to obey and live to know
The power of that first Easter Day.

I long for scenes of majesty
For the risen King.
For nights aglow with candle flame
For the King of love.
A nation hushed upon its knees at Calvary,
Where all our sins and griefs were nailed
And hope was born of everlasting Easter Day.**

What a stark difference between the two? Let's recapture church music that's about God and that gives to Him the honour, fear and reverence that's due.

* I Need You (Romance Me) by Paul Oakley & Martin Cooper.
** No Scenes Of Stately Majesty by Graham Kendrick.

Lost in translation ...

Although it may come as a surprise, I am quite enjoying studying Greek. The past two weeks has been a great time of learning. At times it’s been overwhelming but Greek’s really interesting once you get into it. Here’s an example of something I learnt today while doing some Greek exercises …

Part of our assessment in these first three weeks is to translate Mark 1:1-11. We’ve been given a couple of verses at a time and, using the vocab and grammar we know (and some helpful hints about stuff we don’t know) we translate. I’ve been working on Mark 1:6-8 for the past little while and was hit by something. No, it wasn’t a cricket ball flying through my window!

Mark 1:7 in the New American Standard says …

And he (i.e. John the Baptist) was preaching, and saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals.”

In translating the word that has been translated “mightier than” literally means “more strong than”. So, Mark 1:7 could use “more strong than” instead of “mightier than”. So, you say, what's the big deal? Well, I guess it's not a HUGE deal but the nuance of "more strong than" provides a mental link to Mark 3. Well, that's what I immediately thought of! In Mark 3 the teachers of the law accuse Jesus of casting out demons in the name of Satan. I especially thought of verse 27 which says …

But no one can enter the strong man’s house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.

Not getting the link? Well, Jesus is the "more strong than" one who is coming after John the Baptist. He is also the "more strong than" one who binds the strong man and plunders his house. In the context, I assume that Mark 3 is referring to Satan (as the strong man) and those who have evil spirits (as his possessions).

The point of all this … well, it’s really just to say that I am learning something at college and that I am working hard at my Greek!

A little bit of history ...

One of the buildings at college used to be a hotel called the White Horse Inn - it's the bit that now houses Moore Books and the student mail room. This part of college is often frequented by students who want to buy good books, check their mail and play table tennis.

But, if we wind back the clock a few hundred years to the 1500s, we see that another White Horse Inn (WHI) was visited often by students. It was here during the reformation that students of Cambridge University others met regularly to study the New Testament (in Greek mind you!) and discuss theology. These students probably didn't know it at the time but they each went on to be used by God to do mighty things that have contributed to who we are as evangelical Christians today.

William Tyndale was one of those who met regularly to read the Greek New Testament. Along with Miles Coverdale, Tyndale was instrumental in producing the Bible in the "language of the people" and making copies available to the common person. Tyndale "perceived that it was not possible to establish the lay people in any truth, except the Scriptures were so plainly laid before their eyes in their mother tongue, that they might see the meaning of the text". Tyndale, like many of those who stood for truth in this era, was imprisoned and died a martyr in 1536. However even in his imprisonment and death God was using him. It is said that "such was the power of his doctrine, and the sincerity of his life, that during the time of his imprisonment ... he converted, it is said, his keeper, the keeper's daughter, and others of his household."

Though we don't actually read our Greek New Testaments in the old WHI, pray that God would use those who walk its halls to do mighty things for Him. Pray that they would be used to bring the good news of Jesus to those who don't yet have the Bible in their own language and that they will be used to encourage others to keep looking to Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of their faith. Pray that what was said of Tyndale would be said of us, that the power of what we say and the sincerity of our lives would point others to Jesus and cause them to trust in Him.

The stories of many of the men who met at the original WHI can be found in Foxe's Book of Martyrs or Five English Reformers by J. C. Ryle. I'd recommend reading both those books to learn more of those to whom we, as 21st century evangelicals, owe so, so much.

Quotes have been taken from Foxe's Book of Martyrs.

My first week at big school ...

In some ways being a first-year student at MTC is a bit like the first week of primary/high school (depending on which bit of the week we're talking about). But, despite having those recurring feelings of being out-of-place, it's been a great week. (If you want a bit more detail then read on, if you're the "2 minute match hightlights" type of person skip to the bottom.) Here's what's been happening ...

Learning Greek - I'm finding that some things about learning Greek in a big class is better than learning on your own (e.g. pronunciation!). However, the chapters that I've covered in Mounce were all done last week! So, although I found it easy at the start I'm sure it'll get a bit more challenging in this coming week.

Eating - It seems that, as with all good Christian camps, life at MTC and MAC revolves around eating good food. Not that I'm complaining really. A typical day would include breaky, study, morning tea, more study, lunch, more study, arvo tea, more study, tea, more study! I've found it easy, though, to make healthy eating decisions and it's been a great way to meet people - especially the MAC girls and Chappo blokes when they come 'round for arvo tea.

Learning from the Bible - Each morning we've been hearing some reflections on a passage by one of the MTC faculty. In particular, we've been challenged that we're part of a fellowship at MTC with none more superior than another because each of us has been bought with Christ's blood. I think it would be easy in this context to claim superiority because of where we grew up, went to church, the job we had, who we know, our marks and even our ability to grasp Greek. It was good that John Woodhouse "put a word" to that early on - let's pray that we continue to remember it when we're thinking about exam marks!

Newtown life - I've been enjoying Newtown life since moving in as well - albeit a week ago! Despite having King Street (a major road) running right next to college, it's rather peaceful. The people who frequent Newtown aren't in a hurry to get anywhere so the pace is quite relaxed. The streets are lined with second-hand bookshops (have already visited one and purchased The Aeneid by Virgil), coffee shops, second-hand clothes shops and Thai restaurants (yum!). I've also discovered a tea shop that sells the most wonderful variety of teas that anyone could imagine - I'm planning on investing in some Chocolate Chip Chai one day.

Some brief lowlights ...

• Finding out that a lexicon (dictionary) that's recommended we buy costs $300.
• Missing friends from Brisbane.
• Realising that most of the work I've done from Mounce (Greek text book) has already been covered.
• Realising that Greek pronunciation is important (and that I should've listened to Chris and Anthony when they told me so!).

Some brief highlights ...

• Finding out that we don't actually have to buy the $300 lexicon!
• Having good chai at South (a coffee shop on King Street - where else would it be?)
• Seeing familiar faces (David, Gillian, Geoff & Jayne, Mark & Jo, Rach & Tony, Keith B, Linden & Emma, Russ & Joce) and getting to know people at college more.
• Playing in the band at our Orientation House-Party (i.e. camp) - the music rocked!
• Having a Greek New Testament of my very own - generously provided by the Bible Society - and finding out that a Hebrew Old Testament will shortly follow.
• Cinnamon gelato from Ice 'n' Slice (a gelato shop on King Street).
• Having my own student card and, therefore, having access (once again) to cheaper transport, movies, coffee etc.
• The food at MAC (in general) but having Harris Farm yoghurt with fresh fruit for dessert is a particular highlight.

Becoming a "super Christian" ...

I've been thinking a lot about something one of my friends said to me recently. They said that since I'm off to Bible college I'm going to become a "super Christian". To that I say, "I don't think so Tim". (NB: their name isn't 'Tim' but it's a reference to Home Improvement ... never mind.) But in the same breath I'd say, "I really hope so". Confused? Let me explain ...

I'm excited about the opportunity to grow in my love for God as I grow to know Him better through His Word but just because I'm learning to understand it in Greek and Hebrew and learning polysyllabic words (i.e. words of more than one syllable) doesn't make me a "super Christian".

Paul writes to the Ephesians and says, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all." (Eph 4:4-6, NASB) It's the same spirit that's working in you and me to make us all like Christ. I don't get a "more advanced" version of the Holy Spirit just because I'm now studying in Greek and Hebrew and know a few big words. Doing this stuff doesn't make you a "super Christian".

Paul says elsewhere that "knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies" (1 Cor 8:1, NASB). A "super Christian", from where I'm sitting, is one who uses their knowledge, talents, resources etc in a way that is edifying to others (i.e. builds up and encourages others). The danger for me, in fact, is that I won't become a "super Christian". The danger is that I won't use my knowledge of God to build others up but will instead become arrogant. The danger is that studying God's Word will become an academic exercise rather than causing me to grow to become more like Christ. Please pray that I will become a true "super Christian"!

Higlights of Sydney so far ...

Alas, my three weeks "break" in Sydney is over but here are some highlights ...

Catching up with friends - seeing "Meet the Fockers" with Ange, having breakfast with Karen, shopping at Paddington Markets with Kylie (and scoring some bargains!), lunch with Jo at Observatory Hill, lunch with Bill, Linda & Steven, moving with Geoff & Mark, and hanging out with Mark & Jen.

Cooking - it's very rare for me to make a recipe more than once (because I like experimenting, not because I stuff it up, though that has been known to happen!) but I have been making this pasta salad recipe for the past three weeks!

Creamy Ham & Pasta Salad
300g pasta
200g shaved ham, chopped
1 small yellow capsicum, halved, deseeded, diced
¾ cup semi dried tomatoes, chopped
1 Lebanese cucumber, halved lengthways, chopped
2 sticks celery, sliced

Dressing
1/3 cup whole-egg mayonnaise
2 T light sour cream
1 T honey
1 T wholegrain mustard

Make dressing Combine all ingredients, and salt and pepper in a screw-top jar. Shake well to combine. Cook pasta in saucepan of boiling water, following packet directions, until just tender. Drain well. Transfer to a large bowl. Add ham, capsicum, tomatoes, cucumber, celery and dressing to pasta. Toss to combine. Spoon into serving-sized airtight containers. Refrigerate until ready to pack into lunch boxes.

Serves 4
Source: Super Food Ideas (February 2005)

Relaxing - going to Mars Hill Cafe (Parramatta's answer to the Three Monkeys) and hearing Rob Sweeny & Pete "Bongo" Flynn (think of Francis & Fletch in 10 years time!), doing day-long crosswords, reading Keats, and watching trashy day time TV.

Church - St Thomas' is going well and I'm continuing to enjoy making new friends. I admire the prayerfullness of the staff team and am hoping that this attitude will rub off on me. Organising the music is going well and I find that I'm stressing less - which are both good things. The first song I'm planning on teaching is "O the Love of God is Boundless" - I know it's a bit sentimental that the last song I chose at SNOH should be the first I teach at St Thomas' but I'm sure you'll cut me a break this once!

Yes, so that was my three week holiday before the onslaught of college next week. I have been blessed with a good (read: big) room at college which I'm so thankful for. And I've been gradually decorating it with all things purple - blankets (thanks Onie!), a water jug, place mats, a rubbish bin, and a washing basket. My room's not overtly full of purple things but there are enough hints of purple to make any Gracie proud!