The Ups and Downs of Sheffield

Did you know that you are elected as one of God's saved ones? But that's a point of contention. Did you know that when you are saved you can't be un-saved? But that's a point of contention. Did you know that when you are justified by faith in Christ, you are also being sanctified by the Holy Spirit? But that (you guessed it) is a point of contention.

So, I managed to make it to Sheffield in the end. It was a tight one though, since I only had it confirmed from work about an hour before I was due to leave. Been trying to get the Friday off that I was due to be down there for, for nearly a month now. But whenever a new option opened up, that was shut. So, my supervisor asked the rock immovable that is the local manager and lo and behold! she said yes. Woop Woop.

Speaker...um, can't remember his name...

And I hear you ask how it was? Very interesting. Learning that there is pretty much no street in Sheffield that doesn't either go down or up hill. Along with that we went over the Doctrine of Salvation and all it's ramifications. Talked about the monoliths that are Free-will and Predestination (the capitals are intentional and not just a off-shot of the fact that I still write like a German...) which pretty much made me convinced of the fact that I have a pretty small brain. Chatted about the role the Holy Spirit plays in Salvation and sanctification and now that's been contended throughout history.

Basically, I couldn't help but think that every single aspect of Christianity that I've pretty much held as unshakeable fact can be argued against. Or so I would think if I hadn't had a bit of revelation! Most of the really dodgy doctrines are pretty much based on the fact that people would add their own cultural baggage or societal concepts into whatever the bible says. All the sound ones simply go by what the Bible says, which makes it a bit easier to sieve the crap from truth. So, really I've left Sheffield with lots of theological lingo, a bit of the history of the Church and a greater love for and a greater conviction of the inerrancy of God's word. Score.

McAdam with some dreads and a smile

Alongside that I stayed at a place, with the locks of the dreads that belong to Mr. McAdam, with a fantastic family. The place to be for some amazing food! Oh, those wraps - heavenly. Comfortable beds, nice showers, green garden: what more could you ask for?!

Had some good chats with the other people there too and came home with the mother of all tomes "Systematic Theology" by Wayne Grudem. The dude had a lot to say on the topic.

I've not written this bad boy yet because I thought I'd wait until I'd have a cool little testimony about how things at work are going, so for those of you who don't know I'll leave a little cliffhanger for the next ramble. And once that's sorted Sheffield won't be the only aspect of the internship worth reporting on but will have a good few things happen in good ol' Glasgow. Come on!