11 August
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On
In Current Issues

A is for Anzac Some jottings on commemmorating 25th April 1915From The Presbyterian Banner, June 2002Rowland S. Ward   Note: For overseas readers it should be explained that ANZAC stands for Australian & New Zealand Army Corps, and Anzac Day commemmorates the costly landing at Gallipoli which represents Australia’s coming of age and developing national consciousness.   Many are commenting on the increasing numbers attending Anzac Day services despite the dwindling number of ex-servicemen. I confess to rarely attending an Anzac Day service myself, although my father was an original Anzac landing at Gallipoli with the Adelaide Rifles on 25th April, 1915, a few weeksRead More →

11 August
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On
In Current Issues

Destroying both in the Taliban’s Afghanistan From The Presbyterian Banner, April 2001 Rowland S. Ward   An article prompted by the outcry over the destruction of ancient Buddha statues by the Taliban. It is very easy to forget that last century the conditions for women were often extremely difficult in Western countries. Women had only limited rights to property and to inherit. In New York and many other parts of the United States a century ago a mother had no right to her children borne in marriage. They were in effect the property of the father who could dispose of minor children even against hisRead More →

03 August
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On
In History and Doctrine of Worship

[This article appeared in Australian Presbyterian, June 2008] In 1550 John Knox was called by the authorities in Scotland to give a defence of his claim that the Roman mass was idolatry. Knox stated as his first proposition: “All worshipping, honouring, or service invented by the brain of man in the religion of God, without his own express commandment, is idolatry. The Mass is invented by the brain of man, without any commandment of God; therefore it is idolatry.” We might shrink back at the boldness of this statement. We might recall some half-forgotten history lessons about image-burning by Protestants in the 16th century, andRead More →

31 July
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On
In Book Reviews, Current Issues

Review: Fractured Families:  The story of a Melbourne Church Cult by Morag Zwartz $19.95  ISBN 09587955 1 7 Distributed by Openbook Publishers, Adelaide   From The Presbyterian Banner,  March 2005 Rowland S. Ward Back in June 1991 I reviewed David Millikan’s book Imperfect Company, which primarily referred to the perfectionist cult founded about 1940 by Lindsay Grant in Sydney. The current work by Morag Zwartz, a competent writer, gives attention to the somewhat similar group associated with Lindsay’s older brother, Ronald, who was based in the large Camberwell Presbyterian Church in Melbourne and who died in 1996. Eighteen years ago I obliquely referred to themRead More →

26 July
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On
In Book Reviews, Theology

by Stephen Westerholm (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004) lge. pbk., xix & 448 pp. US$35. This Review by Rowland S. Ward appeared in The Confessional Presbyterian 1 (2005) Another contribution to Pauline studies from the associate professor of biblical studies at McMaster University is to be welcomed. In this case it is the revision and expansion of his Israel’s Law and the Church’s Faith, published in 1988. It has all the hallmarks of Westerholm’s work: wide-reading, clarity, humour and informed orthodoxy. It deserves a wide readership. As the quotation marks around ‘Lutheran’ in the book’s title suggest, Westerholm is not arguing that Paul was a LutheranRead More →

07 July
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On
In Eschatology (The Last Things)

Updated 2.01.2010 The Book of Revelation involves recapitulation from different viewpoints of the period between the advents: After the introduction showing us Christ in the midst of his church, and the tendencies in 7 churches which illustrate tendencies in the church of every age (chapters 2-3), we have the scene set for what follows by two chapters (4-5) which remind us who is controlling history and bringing God’s plan to realisation. Then we have 7 seals which take us to the climax of history (6:1-8:1) the seals show the gospel going forth but also other forces which impact unbelievers; however believers, though they experience tribulation,Read More →

05 July
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On
In Book Reviews, Exegetical and Biblical Commentary

Review: A Study Commentary on Daniel by Allan M. Harman (Evangelical Press, 2007) hbk., 333pp. Allan Harman has written another OT commentary that displays the typical marks of his work in sensitivity to the text, honesty and sobriety in exegesis, and clarity of expression. Additionally, as befits the EP Study Commentary series, there are points of practical application at the end of each section. The Commentary reads well, the print is clear, and its perusal will profit the average busy pastor and stimulate the more advanced student. While I regard Harman’s work on Deuteronomy and Isaiah as very helpful, I am less confident about theRead More →

03 July
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On
In Book Reviews, Doctrine of Scripture: Creed and Confessions

BOOK REVIEW: The Divine Spiration of Scripture [in the USA, The Divine Authenticity of Scripture] by A.T.B.McGowan (Apollos, 2007 £14.99 ; IVP, 2008 US$22   Rowland S. Ward The blurb to the soon to be released USA printing of this book by the Principal of Highland Theological College [HTC] in Dingwall, Scotland, reads in part: Evangelicals have taken extraordinary care in formulating and articulating a high view of Scripture. And yet the doctrine is not without its inadequacies and its internal critics–both past and present. Reviewing the evangelical discussion and formulations over the past century and more, particularly in the Reformed tradition in North America,Read More →

25 June
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On
In Australian Church History

JOHN DUNMORE LANG (1799-1878) TURBULENT PRESBYTERIAN LEADER This is the wikipedia article as at February 2008 which is substantially as written by Rowland S. Ward, May 2006 Lang was the first Presbyterian minister on the mainland of Australia, arriving in 1823.     Background and Family Lang was born near Greenock, Inverclyde, Scotland, the eldest son of William Lang and Mary Dunmore. His father was a small landowner and his mother a pious Presbyterian, who dedicated her son to the Church of Scotland ministry from an early age. He grew up in nearby Largs, and was educated at the University of Glasgow, where he excelled,Read More →

23 June
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On
In Australian Church History

ROBERT ALLAN & HIS BEQUEST The Vision of a 19th Century Victorian Presbyterian lives on.   From The Presbyterian Banner, March 2006. Updated 18/3/2012 Concerning Robert Allan, I was very surprised to read yesterday (15 February 2006), in my newly acquired copies of the “See for Yourself” teachers’ handbooks produced last year by the Christian Education & Nurture Committee of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, the following words: “Unfortunately, not a great deal is known about the man himself, his life, connections, profession, and so on.” This article aims to put on record some details about a remarkable individual. Robert Allan was the 3rd ofRead More →