01 August
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On
In Eschatology (The Last Things)

It helps to look at Matthew 24 Mark 13 and Luke 21 side by side. Luke writing for his Gentile friend Theophilus put Jewish language into a form understood by Gentiles. (a) Prediction Mt 24:1-3; Mk 13:1-4; Lk 21:5-6 (b) Questions Mt 24:3; Mk 13:3-4; Lk 21:7 ANSWER (c) General Warnings Characteristics of the Entire Future Mt 24:44-8; Mk 13:5-8; Lk 21:8-11 (d) Specific Counsel for the Disciples (Mt 24:9-14; Mk 13:9-13; Lk 21:12-19) [Note Lk 21:12 – “But before all this”) Persecution/opposition will come as a result of their preaching, Lk v.12. (e)  The Destruction of Jerusalem (Mt 24:15-22; Mk 13:14-20; Lk 21:20-24) [NoteRead More →

01 August
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On
In Exegetical and Biblical Commentary

Caution: You have to read Joshua chapters 1 to 12. The Book of Joshua is a lot more than about Joshua fighting the battle of Jericho, and it’s easier to understand than you might think – and personally challenging. The book of Joshua really provides a fulfillment of the five books of Moses. It may be divided into two major sections chapters 1-12 cover the conquest of Canaan and chapters 13-24 the division of the land. As is typical of Hebrew history writing, a theological purpose shapes the form in which the narrative is given, and much is omitted about the conquest which should beRead More →

26 October
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On
In Church History

  JOHN CALVIN – THE MAN   An address by Dr Rowland S. Ward given on 24 October 2009 at Creek Road Presbyterian Church, Brisbane John Calvin – a Frenchman who lived from 1509-1564 and was one of a number of notable Reformers of the Church.   Assessments of Calvin’s character have varied widely. In 1577 Jerome Bolsec called him “John Calvin of Noyon, a man among all others who were ever in the world ambitious, presumptuous, arrogant, cruel, malicious, vengeful, and above all ignorant.” He had a few other scurrilous comments which I don’t care to repeat here. Bolsec had left the Catholic ChurchRead More →

12 September
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On
In Australian Church History

  Rev William McIntyre (1806-70), Australian Presbyterian Pioneer Rowland S. Ward     William McIntyre (6 March 1806-12 July 1870) was a Scottish-Australian Presbyterian minister and educator.   Background William McIntyre was the 5th son and 7th child of Duncan McIntyre and Catherine Kennedy, who were sheep farmers in the parish of Kilmonivaig, Scotland near Spean Bridge. He was proficient in Latin and Greek when he commenced at the University of Glasgow in 1823. He graduated MA in 1829, completed Divinity in 1832, and was licensed by the Presbytery of Dunoon. He taught in a Glasgow school conducted by his older brother Allan and wasRead More →

15 August
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On
In Doctrine of Scripture: Creed and Confessions

WERE THE KING JAMES TRANSLATORS KJV ONLY?   Rowland S Ward This is the title of an article on the web by a Dr Robert Joyner[1]. Let me use his title, and borrow liberally from his outline in summarising an answer. There is a group today that is called the King James Only or the AV Only. This is because they insist that the King James Version (also called the Authorised Version) is the preserved Word of God and the only Bible for the English speaking people. They usually attack all other versions and delight in pointing out the errors in them. I want toRead More →

20 May
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On
In Current Issues

[Originally printed in The Presbyterian Banner, September 2007] Scientology has attracted some high profile names, and received attention in the press over recent months. It makes extraordinary claims for itself. We need to be aware of its beliefs. We’re grateful to Dr.Ward for providing this summary of its teachings. Scientology claims to be ‘the only religion that offers mankind a proven and practical path to freedom from the travails of the past and attainment of spiritual freedom beyond imagination. It is the only religion that offers personal immortality – now, in this lifetime. Because Scientology is the only religion that can answer such questions asRead More →

20 May
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On
In Covenant Theology

Law and Righteousness in Scripture and Confession Address as Incoming Moderator of the Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia 7 May 2007 by Rev Dr Rowland S. Ward 1. Consensus It is obvious but often overlooked that the Westminster Standards, intended for the Christian Church in England, Scotland and Ireland, are very much consensus statements. That is, they endeavour to avoid deciding between different schools of thought which fall within the acceptable bounds of the Reformed faith, and they are often content to agree in practical conclusions even if there are different theoretical underpinnings. Let me give you some examples: (1) In framingRead More →

22 March
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On
In Book Reviews, Theology

A NEW SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH By Robert L. Reymond (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1998), xxxvi + 1210pp., hbk., $AU75 approx.   Reviewed by Rowland S. Ward, Reformed Theological Review, August 2001 Considering that some 60 systematic theologies have been published in the last 20 years, another volume is not surprising. However, this book is both substantial in size and orthodox Reformed in content. Reymond taught theology at Covenant Seminary, St Louis for more than 20 years and more recently at Knox Seminary in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Reymond’s work challenges the market niche occupied for more than a generation by Louis Berkhof. Berkhof’sRead More →

05 September
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On
In Book Reviews, The Bible and Scientific Issues

by Jonathan Sarfarti (Master Books, 2004)   Review by Rowland S. Ward written 2005 This book was given to me to review by one who said it was a bit out of his field. Its subtitle is self-explanatory – “A Biblical and Scientific Refutation of ‘Progressive Creationism’ (Billions of Years), as popularised by Astronomer Hugh Ross.” I would also plead incapacity to assess many of the arguments drawn from scientific disciplines. Indeed, I question if much of the material is appropriate or necessary for the popular defence of the Biblical doctrine of creation. Obviously Dr Sarfarti of Answers in Genesis thinks otherwise. Recently, a 16Read More →

20 August
By
On
In Current Issues

Rowland Ward writes on the Melbourne Religious Vilification case From The Presbyterian Banner [PCEA Magazine] Jan/Feb 2005 pp. 5-8.   Background On March 9, 2002 at Full Gospel Assembly in Surrey Hills, Victoria, Catch the Fire Ministries Inc. [CTFM] ran a public seminar entitled Insight into Islam with Assemblies of God pastor Daniel Scot of Queensland as speaker. Between 200-250 people were present, including at various times during the day and unknown to the organizers, three recent Islamic converts from the Australian community. The topics addressed by Pastor Scot were: 10:00am to 12:00 noon: What is Jihad, and the affect on the future of Australia?Read More →