Christ, Asia and Students

"The Sword of the Spirit" was the theme of this year's Inter-Varsity Fellowship Conference, held at Tyndale House, Christchurch, in the first week of May vacation.

Among the 140 delegates, there were 20 from V.U.C.'s Evangelical Union. There were a Bible Study and either two or three addresses every day, which made a full programme, but left time for sightseeing.

Peter's First Epistle was the basis of the Studies, which were led by Rev. D. W. B. Robinson of Moore Theological College, Sydney. Such subjects as the holiness of God and the doctrines of santification and elation were discussed, but every study was essentially practical and never drifted into purely hypothetical realms.

Rev. Robinson also gave two addresses on the inspiration and infallibility of Scripture, and clarified many of our doubts.

Some time each day was spent studying "the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God," but there were also 4 addresses on the Holy Spirit given by Dr. Norton Sterrett, an American missionary from India. Under the headings of the Holy spirit in the Trinity, in Redemption, in Sanctification, and in Christian witness, Dr. Sterrett presented what the Bible says of this least understood figure of the Godhead. He applied each doctrine to our daily lives as Christians.

Rt. Rev. Hume Moir, Bishop of Nelson, I.V.F.'s President for the past year, gave an inspiring address one evening. He spoke of the dangers of a Christian going to University where much scorn is poured on dogmatic views, and the likelihood of becoming so broadminded that real convictions would be lost. He also stated that the greatest heresy of our day is the belief that because one's family has been Christian for two or three generations, one' is automatically a Christian.

Our missionary speaker. J. O. Sanders, overseas director of the China Inland Mission, gave two very challenging talks. He presented the great possibilities and dangers the Church faces with the rapidly increasing populations and literacy rates in the Far East. Communism is not the only other missionary-minded force—Buddhism and Islam are on the move—the Moslem College in Cairo graduates 5000 missionaries a year.

New Zealand and Australia have great privileges but also great responsibilities, and the countries which make up the Far East for Europe are for us the Near North.

Beth Dr. Sterrett and Rev. Robinson will speaking at V.U.C. this week. You are urged to hear both these outstanding men. Watch notice boards.