Legend has it that J. I. Packer wrote Hot Tub Religion in reaction to an ad, published by a certain seminary in sunny San Diego county, touting the weather as a reason to think about enrolling. Well, at the risk of provoking another book from Jim Packer, January is a beautiful time to be in San Diego county. The average high is 69° and the average low is 43°.  It’s not unusual to see 80° during the conference. To make it even more attractive, the seminary holds an annual faculty conference to think and pray with you through the issues facing the church in our time. Speakers include Bob Godfrey, David VanDrunen, Steve Baugh, John Fesko, and yours truly. This year, we’re thinking about Ephesians 6:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak (ESV).

We are in a battle for which we need armor. It’s a spiritual battle and so we need Spiritual armor. Paul lays out the nature of the struggle in Ephesians 6 and the nature of the equipment that God has given to his people and the use to which it is meant to be put. That we are in a spiritual battle could hardly have been made plainer than it has been in recent days and weeks. Nevertheless, however fiery the darts of the Evil One may be we have equipment. We shouldn’t miss that. The principalities have been conquered. They have been given over to the Prince of Peace, to the Messiah, who rules the nations with a rod of iron.

We have a message of peace, of reconciliation with God. We have the Word of God, that sharp sword which the Holy Spirit uses mysteriously and sovereignly to work out his purposes to save and to glorify the Son and the Father. We have prayer. We may call on the King of Heaven to make powerful use of the foolishness of the good news to accomplish his purposes in this world until the end.

These are the sorts of things we’ll be discussing at the January faculty conference as we consider how the church has confessed the faith and employed the whole armor of God against spiritual darkness since the ascension of Christ.

Registration for this conference usually fills quickly so register early to avoid missing out.

1. “The Belt of Truth: Confession and Clarity” (Eph. 6:17) –David VanDrunen
2. “The Shield of Faith: Why the Belgic Confession?” (Eph. 6:16) –W. Robert Godfrey
3. “The Helmet of Salvation: Confession and Comfort” (Eph. 6:17) –S. M. Baugh
4. “Feet Shod in the Gospel of Peace: Why the Heidelberg Catechism?” (Eph. 6:15) –R. Scott Clark
5. “The Sword of the Spirit: Confession and Confrontation” (Eph. 6:17) –J. V. Fesko
6. “Be Strong in the Lord: Confession and Commitment” (Eph. 6:10) –W. Robert Godfrey
7. Questions & Answers –Faculty Panel

Audio and video downloads will be available after the conference. Visit the conference site to listen or watch each session.