Here is an interview with Dr. Andrew Purves. By God’s grace he is one of the contributors to our forthcoming book on “Evangelical Calvinism.” Follow the link here to watch the video:
Interview with Dr. Andrew Purves
If you cannot watch this video, and say amen to everything that Prof. Purves is communicating; then maybe you shouldn’t read here anymore π . Notice the stress he places on the “personal” nature of grace, salvation, trust, hope, joy; and how he grounds this, theologically in Jesus Christ (and God’s life). Then notice how this ‘grounding’ becomes the basis for everything else he says in regards to spirituality, pastoral ministry, and real life. This is why “Evangelical Calvinism” is something worthwhile; it is not just an exercise in academic snobbery or Piled higher and Deeper one-upsmanship, no, it has substance and real life implications because it seeks to orient all of its talk and living out of the center of God’s life in Christ. Evangelical Calvinism seeks to reflect and broadcast the simple, deep, and ineffable ‘Good news’ that Jesus Christ is. If the name ‘Evangelical Calvinist’ causes you to stumble, then don’t use it (the nomenclature); but don’t let that repel you from the concepts that ‘Evangelical Calvinism’ is seeking to articulate. Now listen to the interview, and truly be blessed . . .
Thanks for this Bobby! I saw how long it was, and thought I wouldn’t be able to sit through it, but it was good. He is a very good communicator.
Dr. Purvis spoke of God moments, and I believe you had at least a couple of these when you were sick.
When I first returned to the Lord, back in ’87 having been a prodigal son for about 4 years, I was sitting in church one Sunday, don’t remember what was going on, but I suddenly ‘imagined’ the Lord embracing me, welcoming me home. I got goosebumps everywhere His robe touched me. He was a obscured in grey, so I saw no face. I told folks there later, and they said “so you had a vision eh?” vision smision I don’t know, but I know now, it wasn’t my imagination. The Lord was welcoming me home. Isn’t that incredible, that the Creator of all that is, seen and unseen, should take interest in me?
Dr Purvis said one more thing gave me pause: that Jesus is now here with the Spirit, and we need to seek to make Him known to those with whom we associate, and then ask that He make Himself known to them.
There is a girl at work who is in an addictive relationship with a guy at work. She is quite self-destructive. I shared the Lord with her the other day, when she was assigned with me, and I’m really praying that the Lord reveal Himself to her. If you’ve a mind to please pray with me. I have been afraid to death to share the Lord with people, but this was a rare opportunity, in what I and other sinners at work consider a desperate situation. Her name is Mary.
I just wanted her to know that we are all sinners, and have messy lives, but that’s why Jesus died. I wanted her to know that she does not have to live a life that’s grasping for mirages. The real thing is right here. The Lord is right where you are. You only have to believe Him and look to Him. Trust him.
Bobby we know Him, we know how tough life can be with Him. Can you imagine life without Him? That hurts man. Even my worse day and not being able to feel His presence beats the best day in the world. everlasting regret, everlasting loneliness.
I thank My Lord for you my Brother.
Duane,
Thank you for sharing, and thank you for sharing Christ with your neighbor . . . no, I can’t imagine going through this life w/o Christ; I’d be the worst mess you’ve ever seen.
Purves has a lot of good things to say; I didn’t realize that he had recently gone through cancer too, of course that resonated with me π .
Thanks, Duane.