Pastor Jacob Birch and David Jeremiah's book "I'd never thought I'd see the day."

Many thanks to one of our elders here at Glengate Russ Earl for passing along earlier this summer Dr. David Jeremiah's book I'd Never Thought I Would See the Day.

As i read it i will post passages that strike me and my comments on them in this space.

Thanks Elder Earl!

Here is the painting that Dr. Jeremiah describes as being used by the Holy Spirit to change Peter Hitchens' attitude toward God and religion: The Prodigal Son by Thomas Hart Benton

It is a distopian retelling of Jesus parable from Luke 15. 

With the taxi disappearing over the darkening horizon the prodigal stands aghast at what his own pride and selfishness have caused. In his absence the family farm has failed. 

There is no calve to slaughter ... only a skeleton. 

There is no porch nor father standing on it awaiting the lost son.

The fields do yield a harvest, only brambles. 

There is no vineyard supply the wine for any party. 

No gold ring... no neighbours to gather. 

His brother? Are those two tomb stones he sees sitting a kilter just outside the old kitchen of the farmhouse? 

As Dr. Jeremiah notes in his book on page 17 "Standing before the painting, Hitchens knew he was the prodigal, knew the Christian church in his homeland of England was the rundown, decrepit homeplace in Benton's picture. Where had he been when he was needed? Running from God, pursuing his own intellectual pleasures. The experience was a turning point for him."