This year’s Affinity Theological Study Conference has been described by some attendees as the ‘best ever,’ organisers say.
The theme for the gathering was A Firm Foundation: Priorities for the Rising Generation.
In this first of five talks, Peter Sanlon analysed identity in Western culture, showing it penetrates a good deal deeper than gender, sexuality and ethnicity; to an expression of self love rather than worshipping and glorifying God.
Robin Gray opened up the question of how to know whether someone is genuinely converted using insights into Jonathan Edwards’ “Religious Affections”, which was the fruit of Edwards’ deep reflection after many striking and ‘surprising’ events in his own ministry.
Phil Heaps talked about sanctification and consistent godly living, proposing the Sermon on the Mount as the ideal discipleship course. Mark Thomas took a panoramic view of the work of Pastoring the Twenty-First Century Church with some issues that are peculiar to today, such as anxiety, exhaustion, ‘influences’ and the whole question of ‘identity’. Patrick Fung of OMF (pictured) addressed the theme of Faithfulness amidst Trial and Persecution, beginning with an in-depth treatment of the narrative of persecution in Luke-Acts, showing how it was first directed against Jesus and then against his disciples.
The conference is unique in that the papers are issued beforehand and the majority of the time over the three days is spent discussing them. There was a clear sense of unity and progression throughout the time together that could not have been anticipated or manufactured, conference organisers say, and an overall spirit of encouragement and fellowship which was sensed by all.
