Teaching for today

Professor Mackay talks about how and why the 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament are in our Bible today. Including why certain books, such as those in the Apocrypha, should not be regarded as the Word of God.

In this lecture Robert McCollum unlocks what it means to apply the Christian faith to all of life. He helpfully outlines the 'robust theology' that will lead believers to applying a consistent worldview to their lives.

Christians have to contend with the flesh, the world and the Devil. God's resources are available to help us fight all three. As well as putting off the old nature and putting on the new we must contend for truth and righteousness in the world in which we live.

Men and women, made in the image of God, were created to work. We should therefore view our work, whatever type of work it is, as a means by which we can serve and glorify God.

In Romans 12 the apostle Paul talks about the importance of renewing our minds. Christians must seek to understand what the Bible teaches not just about 'religious matters' but about all aspects of life.

God in His grace has provided the means to restrain evil and to enable human life to flourish. This 'common grace' is necessary for both Christian and non-Christians alike. Our society rejects God's common grace at its peril.

If we are to be bold in standing for Christian truth, especially under pressure, it is vital that we are convinced that the Bible is true and without error in all that it affirms. This includes the Bible's teaching on science, history and morality as well as theology.

Suffering is surely something that no Christian can escape, yet there is much confusion on this subject. The idea of a sovereign God allowing tragedies to occur is one that all Christians struggle with, but we know that it is often through suffering that our relationship with God is deepened.

We all have routines of eating, sleeping, work and leisure, yet many Christians neglect personal discipline in their spiritual lives. Godly habits become the means that God uses to work His grace in our lives.

Prayer sustains and nourishes the Christian. It is a litmus test of our relationship with God. It is the means whereby we can bring all our anxieties and needs before the Lord. Failure in our prayer lives inevitably leads to weaknesses in other areas.

Christians are not immune from discouragement and frustration in their lives. In a society where people expect to be able to obtain everything instantly Christians must live with an eternal perspective, and thereby find the strength to persevere. They must 'keep on keeping on'.

The world is always trying to squeeze us into its mould. Before a watching world we are to live with integrity. This means applying God's Word consistently to the circumstances of our lives.