John Piper on abortion
An 8 minute video clip – “Abortion is about God”.
From Desiring God – at YouTube. (Hat tip to Justin Taylor.)
New Westminster moves to seize control of ANiC parishes
From the Anglican Network in Canada
On August 26, 2008, the Anglican diocese of New Westminster informed St. Matthew’s in Abbotsford and St Matthias and St Luke’s in Vancouver that the bishop had dismissed the parish Wardens and other officers (Trustees) that were duly elected by the congregation and appointed new Wardens who are more “loyal” to the bishop. According to their press release, these actions were taken to regain “control of the parishes”, which includes control of the properties and buildings. Read more
Thinking about the Thirty Nine Articles
“The doctrine of the Church is grounded in the Holy Scriptures and in such teachings of the ancient Fathers and Councils of the Church as are agreeable to the said Scriptures. In particular, such doctrine is to be found in the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion, the Book of Common Prayer and the Ordinal…”
– Thus the Jerusalem Declaration at the conclusion of GAFCON called Anglicans back to the Thirty Nine Articles. But who is familiar with the Articles these days?
At his blog Thirty-Nine, Michael Jensen is writing a response to and commentary on the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion. He’s has begun working through the Articles and is currently up to number 4. Check it out – you may like to start with the Introduction.
New Westminster takes steps against Southern Cone clergy
“The Diocese [of New Westminster] has taken steps under Canon 15 towards removing clergy who have left the Anglican Church of Canada rather than accepting the decisions of the Diocesan Synod and General Synod.
The Diocese has invoked the provision that returns control of the parishes to the Diocese, an action that was approved by Diocesan Council.
The parishes are St. Matthew’s Abbotsford and St. Matthias and St. Luke, Vancouver…
No steps have been taken at present at Good Shepherd, and at St. John’s Shaughnessy, Vancouver, two other parishes where former diocesan clergy remain who have left the Anglican Church of Canada…”
– from the Diocese of New Westminster. A press release (pdf format) may be found here.
Mark Dever interviews Os Guinness
Mark Dever interviewed Os Guinness earlier this year – the audio is now online at Nine Marks.
He speaks on his life and shares fascinating insights on his time with Francis Schaeffer at L’Abri.
Direct link to 28MB / 62 minute mp3 file.
Archbishop of Canterbury writes on Lambeth
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has today sent a letter to the bishops of the Anglican Communion, setting out his personal reflections on the Lambeth Conference.
“The Conference was not a time for making new laws or for binding decisions… The Conference Design Group believed strongly that the chief need of our Communion at the moment was the rebuilding of relationships – the rebuilding of trust in one another – and of confidence in our Anglican identity. …”
– from the Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury. (Photo: Lambeth Conference media.)
Evangelical Fellowship of India calls for prayer for peace
Following the murder of a Hindu leader, the Evangelical Fellowship of India reports widespread attacks on Christians in Orissa State, North India.
Anglican Mainstream has published this report along with a request for prayer.
From Mainline to Sideline – The Death of Protestant America
The collapse of the Protestant mainline has been swift, steady, and self-inflicted. These denominations embraced theological liberalism and adopted accommodationism as a cultural posture. Bottum estimates that less than 8 percent of Americans are now members of “the central churches of the Protestant Mainline”.
– Al Mohler comments on a revealing article by Joseph Bottum in the current issue of First Things.
Choosing a children’s Bible
At Nine Marks, Justin Taylor reviews his three favourite children’s Bibles – including one that draws on Graeme Goldsworthy’s Gospel and Kingdom.
– see the review at Nine Marks.
(The Big Picture Story Bible is available from Moore Books – as is Graeme Goldsworthy’s Gospel and Kingdom.)