CHRIST'S death is relevant to the universal need of forgiveness - and as 21st century Christians we need to be more de
eply evangelical about this message than ever.
So argued Amy Orr-Ewing, author and training director at the Zacharias Trust during the Assembly's opening session on Friday night.
Taking her text from Ephesians 1:1-14, and with a particular reference to verses 7-8, Mrs Orr-Ewing questioned the true meaning of 'redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins...God's grace...lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding'.
Is it just religious language 'that churchy people can nod along to?'
'Or is Christ's redeeming death a public truth?' she asked.
She said that the likes of Richard Dawkins and the judge in the Gary McFarlane case (see p13) contend that faith is a belief in something despite evidence to the contrary.
However, Mrs Orr-Ewing said, biblical faith is trust in something or someone who is actually there.
'It's a belief based on evidence. Christ's death was a public event.'
She went on to counter criticisms of Christianity's unique message, such as its exclusivity.
'All views exclude and so it seems a little unreasonable to single out Christianity and reject it on the basis that it excludes.'
Some people also ask how a loving God can judge. 'I would want to turn the question around - how can a loving God not judge?
'Jesus' death is for us - it shows us both mercy and justice.'
The Christian faith is not superficial, she continued, and it stands up to the scrutiny of sceptics.
And because everyone needs forgiveness, cleansing and redemption, now is not the time to retreat from a vision of transforming our society, Mrs Orr-Ewing said.
By courtesy of the Baptist Times
