1662 The Great Ejection
1662 The Great Ejection
- Publisher: Evangelical Press
- Publication Date: 2012
- Pages: 165
What Jesus is doing now
What Jesus is doing now
- Publisher: Evangelical Press
- Publication Date: 2012
- Pages: 224
From his early ministry, via the ascension to his place of authority at the right hand of God, this book explores the vital subject of the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ as it is right now. The vital ministry of the Holy Spirit, the Lord Jesus Christ as priest and his intercessary role are covered in this vital book.
What the Bible teaches about being born again
What the Bible teaches about being born again
- Publisher: Evangelical Press
- Publication Date: 2008
- Pages: 175
In many parts of the world today you will meet people who say they are ‘born again Christians’. Numerous individuals claim to be ‘reborn’ or ‘regenerate’. Every so often, the media report that some celebrity or other has been ‘born again’. Pollsters suggest that as many as 80-90 million Americans claim to be born again. This book is written with the intention of helping those who want to study the subject from a biblical point of view. If, as we believe, the new birth is entering ‘a new world, a new state of existence’, with ‘a new capacity for action’ — then it is something we all need to know about and something we all need to understand clearly, whether we have experienced it or not.
Welwyn Commentary Song of Solomon
Heavenly Love: Song of Solomon Simply Explained
- Publisher: Evangelical Press
- Publication Date: 2006
- Pages: 256
"In all the world there is nothing to equal the day on which the Song of Songs was given to Israel, for all the Scriptures are holy, but the Song of Songs is the Holy of Holies." This statement by a second-century rabbi contrasts sharply with the attitude of some Christians today, who apparently have little place for this book in their thinking or practice. They hardly ever quote it, read it, or reflect on it. Such extremes remind us that the book has sometimes been controversial. More than one scholar has called the Song of Songs the most difficult book to interpret in the Old Testament.
Gary Brady adopts the view that, when he wrote, the biblical author had in mind both a natural and a spiritual understanding, and that those who originally received the book as Scripture understood it both in terms of human love and intimacy and as a portrait of the loving relationship between God and his people. In our own day a study of this ancient book is crucially needed in both these areas.
Firstly, in this modern world of mass media, through advertising, cinema, television, and the World Wide Web, we are inundated with false images of love, sex, and marriage. We are bombarded with misleading ideas and, even if we are able to keep our minds pure, it is still very easy for inaccurate concepts to worm their way in and have their debilitating effect on us. All of us - single, married, divorced, widowed, young, old, male, female - need to be crystal clear on this vital subject.
Secondly, there is the vital issue of intimacy with Jesus Christ. One of the purposes of this commentary is to help us see how lovely the Lord Jesus is, how attractive, how appealing. The aim is for us to see again something of Christ's beauty and glory, his comeliness and splendour, and so to be drawn to him. The Song of Songs can be of tremendous help to us in this direction.
Gary Brady adopts the view that, when he wrote, the biblical author had in mind both a natural and a spiritual understanding, and that those who originally received the book as Scripture understood it both in terms of human love and intimacy and as a portrait of the loving relationship between God and his people. In our own day a study of this ancient book is crucially needed in both these areas.
Firstly, in this modern world of mass media, through advertising, cinema, television, and the World Wide Web, we are inundated with false images of love, sex, and marriage. We are bombarded with misleading ideas and, even if we are able to keep our minds pure, it is still very easy for inaccurate concepts to worm their way in and have their debilitating effect on us. All of us - single, married, divorced, widowed, young, old, male, female - need to be crystal clear on this vital subject.
Secondly, there is the vital issue of intimacy with Jesus Christ. One of the purposes of this commentary is to help us see how lovely the Lord Jesus is, how attractive, how appealing. The aim is for us to see again something of Christ's beauty and glory, his comeliness and splendour, and so to be drawn to him. The Song of Songs can be of tremendous help to us in this direction.
Welwyn Commentary Proverbs
Heavenly Wisdom: Proverbs Simply Explained
- Publisher: Evangelical Press
- Publication Date: 2003
- Pages: 812
The book of Proverbs is intensely practical. Here is "truth in street clothes." It deals with everyday subjects such as laziness, pride, handling money, and telling lies. Here we meet familiar folk such as the bargain-hunter, the neighbor you see too much of, the practical joker, and the "morning person" who forgets that others take a while to surface.
Charles Bridges once said that of all Old Testament books it is the one which we may think of as most distinctively educational. This is its tone. A speaker speaks to his student, an old man to a young man, and a father to his son.
Above all, Proverbs points us to Christ, the one "who has become for us" who believe "wisdom from God." Here is an excellent place to begin to learn about Christ and about wisdom. It has been said that, as the Psalms give us Christ singing the law, so the Proverbs give us him meditating on it. Truly to understand him, we must get to grips with Proverbs. Truly to be wise, we must get to grips with Christ.
Charles Bridges once said that of all Old Testament books it is the one which we may think of as most distinctively educational. This is its tone. A speaker speaks to his student, an old man to a young man, and a father to his son.
Above all, Proverbs points us to Christ, the one "who has become for us" who believe "wisdom from God." Here is an excellent place to begin to learn about Christ and about wisdom. It has been said that, as the Psalms give us Christ singing the law, so the Proverbs give us him meditating on it. Truly to understand him, we must get to grips with Proverbs. Truly to be wise, we must get to grips with Christ.
For twenty years, Gary Brady has pastored an inner-city London congregation of all ages, inter-racial and multi-abilitied. This rich commentary on the book of Proverbs began its life in the regular sermons of the Lord's Day. It was written in the midst of all the pastoring, evangelism, committee work, editing, and writing of an exemplary twenty-first century minister of Jesus Christ. I stand in awe and admiration of him.—Geoff Thomas
Review Heavenly Love English Churchman
HEAVENLY LOVE The Song of Songs simply explained by Gary Brady Evangelical Press (Welwyn Commentary Series) -paperback - 256 pages. £8.95 ISBN 0 85234 606 9
I remember in the 1950s attending a theological course and having large sections of the Song of Solomon read to me by another student on the first day of the new academic year. He had fallen in love, become engaged, and only the Song could express his feelings! The student concerned went on to become a high-ranking Salvation Army Officer who married his beloved fiancee and ‘they lived happily ever after’.
Perhaps few Passages of Scripture evoke more strong feeling and division than the Song of Songs (another title). Many historical figures have argued whether or not it should be in the Canon at all. Certainty, it has been a happy hunting ground for all kinds of strange and outrageous claims and not a few have cast the writing to one side as unintelligible, beyond logical explanation, or unworthy because of its frank and erotic style.
The intensely personal speeches of Canticles (a third name) take two main forms: dialogue and soliloquy. The power of the poetry lies in the expressed intensity of love and devotion. It is also filled with rich imagery and previous generations of Christians might feel this is far too detailed for Western tastes. However, in contemporary Britain, where concepts of sexuality and decency have undergone a revolution, it might now be considered rather tame. One great strength of Brady's new commentary is that it provides a corrective to false images of love, sex, and marriage, and it stimulates integrity of mind and purity in practice. The author is quite clear in his own thinking, both a natural and spiritual understanding are required for correct exposition of the Song. Coupled with this is the key to the book - a portrait of the loving relationship between God and His people.
In reality, interpretations of the Song of Solomon have been almost without number. Rabbis and Church Fathers mainly adopted an allegorical method. Some modern conservatives opted for the typical method, whilst F Delitzsch, building on Origen and Milton, chose the dramatic interpretation. Critical scholars have chosen to think of this disputed canonical book in terms of nuptial songs or love-poems. The tragedy is that Ministers, especially highly-pressured Pastors, have failed to give the Song of Songs the place it deserves, They may feel inadequate in the hermeneutical field, or think our present society, including the church, has enough exposure to sex, without adding to it. Thereby, the Devil robs us of a precious portion of God's Word.
Those who wish to pursue the critical arguments and wrestle with scholars will need to look elsewhere. Those charged with “feeding the flock of Christ and preaching the whole counsel of God" will find Gary Brady's latest commentary extremely useful. Like most of the Welwyn Commentaries, there is a rich combination of sound exegesis, devotional and expository thought, and clear outline. The busy pastor and heavily-committed layman will find much to inform.
In parish and local ministry my own style of preaching has been, over forty years, expository and systematic. Over a quarter of a century ago I attempted to expound Song of Solomon and I gave up after six sermons. I do not think I would have done so today, with Gary Brady's refreshing and encouraging little book. I have no doubt the author will be criticised for his exposition by a few, admired by many including myself and appreciated by the majority. I trust the doubters will not only buy this excellent volume but remember the words of a great Old Testament scholar, sadly no longr with us, ‘Not only does it (The Song of Songs) speak of the purity of human love, but by its very inclusion in the Canon it reminds us of a love that is purer than our own.' (E J Young).
Rt Revd Dr J Barry Shucksmith, Royal Navy (Rtd)
English Churchman (May/June)
Review of Heavenly Love in EN
HEAVENLY LOVE The Song of Songs By Gary Brady Evangelical Press. 256 pages. £8.95 ISBN 0 85234 606 9
Living in a world where mistaken and perverted ideas of what true love is abound, and where the spoiling of God-given sexuality is seen to be the norm: it is refreshing to pick up a book that deals with these issues seriously and biblically.
In 12 chapters of easy-to-read length, the author explores what the Song of Solomon says about the intimate love affair of a young couple, reflecting on the 'nature' of true love in its awakenings, its continuings and its failings; dealing with the issues of intimate sexuality in love sensitively and honestly, while continually drawing our attention to the covenant relationship of love on both the vertical and horizontal levels. The author helpfully sets out the varying historical interpretations of the book and then tells us where he is coming from himself. Written with commitment to the meaning of the text and yet sprinkled throughout with humour, poetry and songs from writers and singers of secular and Christian persuasion, this commentary is a blend of commonsense interpretation along with heart-warming practical application. I'm sure we have here a good handbook for pastors to recommend to prospective couples to study, for singles wanting help in anticipation of meeting a partner, and for those of us who are married, a good read `together'. Indeed for Christians everywhere who feel the need for the spark of their first love for Christ to be re-ignited, this would be a positive read. Of all books that I look at, I appreciate the most those that make me get up and do something about my life (probably because I need it). This commentary does just that! I enjoyed reading it and would commend it enthusiastically.
Brian Moody, pastor of Dorking Road Baptist Church, Epsom, Surrey
May 2006
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