December 2008 New Horizons

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

by J. V. Fesko

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is one of the better-known hymns that is typically sung during the Christmas season. What some may not know is that it originated in the Middle Ages, around A.D. 800, as an antiphon, or anthem, that was restructured into verse form in the 1100s and was eventually published in Latin in 1710. The hymn was later discovered, translated, and published in 1851 by John Mason Neale, an Anglican minister. As people sing this hymn, they know that they are singing about the birth of Christ. However, what is striking about this hymn is the way in which it unpacks the birth of Christ. It moves from the shadows of the Old Testament into the light of the New Testament with the revelation of God in Christ. This hymn traces the themes of Israel's exodus to the eschatological, or final, exodus that was to begin with the birth of the Messiah. We can see this progressive unfolding of God's redemptive plan if we turn to the Old Testament and begin with Israel's exile in Babylon. Mourning in ... Read more

The Mystery of Godliness

by Neil Tolsma

Great is the mystery of godliness (1 Tim. 3:16). The first Christians recognized this mystery as being of paramount significance. They were agreed on this truth. But what is "the mystery of godliness"? Paul defines the mystery of godliness by quoting what many scholars believe is a hymn that the early church sang as it confessed and celebrated this wonderful truth. In remarkable poetry, it describes the mission accomplished by Jesus Christ: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. (1 Tim. 3:16) Discovering True Godliness Paul prefaces the hymn by giving his reason for writing: "I am writing you these instructions so that ... you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth" (3:14-15). At the heart of Paul's pastoral advice, we find the hymn describing the mystery of ... Read more

The Price of an Intern

by Patricia E. Clawson

Having a summer or yearlong intern at your church is a costly proposition. But not to have one may be even more costly to the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. As baby boomer pastors retire, the need for young men to become undershepherds is increasing. How better to train them than under the oversight of a faithful pastor? To consider an intern, a session first must be convinced that this ministry would benefit the whole church. Pastor Ron Pearce, of Church of the Covenant in Hackettstown, New Jersey, said, "The financial commitment for an internship is a large sacrifice for our congregation, but we view it as our contribution to home missions and the good of the wider church." Elder Brad Winstead, of Redeemer OPC in Atlanta, Georgia, said, "As one of the larger churches of the Presbytery of the Southeast, we believe we should have interns to provide the Presbytery with good candidates for pastors." Christ Presbyterian Church in Janesville, Wisconsin, is committed to serving the larger church in this ... Read more