Conference Report March 2007

Speaker: Rev Dr Bob Fyall, Director Rutherford House

Venue: Stenhouse Gorgie Baptist Church, Edinburgh

Morning Session 1130 - 1300

The doctrine of God

This session began with the observation that preaching Christ from the Old testament is not about artifically introducing Christ at the end of a sermon from the Old Testament. It was also important not to focus excusively on Christ's earthly life.

1. Look at the big picture

1. The canon is Christ-shaped: Genesis 1 sees God up there; Genesis 2 sees God down here (Revelation 21 and 22) and points to a new creation wher God lives with his people.
2. The Exodus story shows the same transcendent God at Sinai but also the God who comes down; The word in Luke 9 speaks of Christ's "exodus".
3. Kings and prophets: David's kingship is fulfilled in spreading the gospel (Romans 15:8 - 12); Jesus the lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5).
4. The new covenant of Jeremiah 31: 31 - 40.
5. Wisdom books: Christ the Wisdon of God (1 Corinthians 1:24).

2. Look at the relationship between promise and fulfilment

1. New Testament writers see a continuous story of a cosmic battle.
2. The sacrificial system (Leviticus) fulfilled in the "once for all sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 9:1 - 10).
3. Christ embodies all the earlier covenants and takes on himself the covenant curses (compare Deuteronomy 27 / 28 with Galatians 3:13).
4. Christ is the Alpha and Omega who brings promise to fulfilment (Hebrews 11:40).

3. Preach and teach the Old Testament not as an introduction to the gospel but as part of it.

1. To call jesus Lord is to draw on the Old Testament (compare Isaiah 45: 22 - 23 with Philipians 2:9).
2. Preaching Christ from the Psalms - not just the messianic Psalms.
3. The author of Hebrews uses the desert journey of israel as a warning.
4. The story of Joseph is a pattern of God using evil to produce the salvation of many.

Some implications

1. The Old Testament must be taken seriously in its own context
2. Christ is the main theme in the great musical symphony which is Scripture.
3. The aim is not to repeat a formula but to develop an instinct.

Afternoon Session 1400 - 1515

Who is the King of Glory?

The afternoon session took Psalm 24 to illustrate how to recognise the big picture from creation to new creation.

Psalm 24

1. World Vision: Creation

1. Christ as the pre-existent Creator
2. His generosity and fruitfulness
3. The human world into which he is to become incarnate
4. His battle with evil powers

2. Inner Vision: Holiness

1. Is he to live in Zion alone?
2. An outer and inner cleansing
3. Intergrity and reality
4. God's gift of grace
5. More to come - see hebrews 12:22 - 24.

3. Vision of victory: New creation

1. From Exodus to Calvary and the Last days
2. The Lord of Hosts

We need the whole Bible for a whole Christ. Preaching Christ from the whole bible leads to open eyes and burning hearts.