After Lambeth, what now?
The unfortunate truth of the Lambeth conference is that the only certain outcome has been a £1.2 million debt. As for the rest, opinions vary widely. …
The official figures have since revealed that The Episcopal Church sent the largest contingent of bishops, almost one quarter of the total. …
Rt Rev Michael Scott-Joynt, the Bishop of Winchester … said, “I cannot see that the members of an ‘international family of Churches’ can thrive and grow and offer a clear witness to Jesus Christ as Lord while offering contradictory teaching, on a matter as central as the character of the Holy Life, in different parts of a world knit together by instantaneous e-communications.”
– Russell Powell provides a helpful summary at SydneyAnglicans.net.
(Photo credit: Archbishop of Canterbury’s website.)
Jesus: Made in America
Last week’s broadcast from The White Horse Inn features an interview by Michael Horton with Stephen Nichols, author of Jesus: Made in America, published by Inter-Varsity Press.
The interview is helpful (especially for Australians unfamiliar with the American landscape) in understanding some of the historical reasons so much US “evangelicalism” isn’t at all evangelical.
The audio (37 minutes long) is available from One Place.
Related: This 1995 article by Michael Horton, The Legacy of Charles Finney, is also well worth reading. Charles Finney (1792–1875) is regarded as the Father of the Altar Call –
“one need go no further than the table of contents of his Systematic Theology to learn that Finney’s entire theology revolved around human morality…”
Whirlwind tour of the Anglican world
David Virtue’s weekly summary of goings-on in the Episcopal and Anglican world makes sobering reading –
“It was not a good week for The Episcopal Church especially in the Diocese of Virginia. For the third time, a judge ruled in favor of 11 churches in that diocese who had decided to depart for greener spiritual pastures. …
The next big speed bump for the House of Bishops is the deposition of the Rt. Rev. Bob Duncan at the HOB meeting in Salt Lake City Sept 16-19. Mrs. Jefferts Schori is planning on installing her bishop within days after the vote…”
– from VirtueOnline.
Charles Simeon: Prince of Evangelicals
“Much has been written about Charles Simeon by biographers, historians, and ecclesiologists that it may appear unnecessary to write more. But in dealing with his ministry, achievements and widespread influence, the spiritual principles that motivated his life and character may be largely by-passed.
It is needful to ask, What made him the man and Christian he was as outstanding preacher, servant-leader of countless students, co-founder of missionary societies, voluminous correspondent, and counsellor of many who were in need? …”
– Church Society has republished this 20-year old Churchman article by Canon Arthur Bennett. Good weekend reading – available as a 260kb PDF file (direct link).
TEC’s Virginia seminary welcomes first Muslim exchange student
Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) welcomed its first Muslim exchange student, Salih Sayilgan, on August 20 as part of its continuing effort to encourage deeper cross-cultural conversations within the VTS community and equip students to envision new and creative ways to undertake ministry in the world.
Sayilgan’s arrival marks a new relationship between the Seminary and the Istanbul Foundation for Science and Culture …
– from Episcopal Life Online.
Mark Driscoll in Sydney
SydneyAnglicans.net have posted a 23 minute video interview with Mark Driscoll – conducted by Russell Powell.
Best commentaries
John Dyer, a graduate of Dallas Seminary, has produced a resource many will find very helpful. Using many published sources, he seeks to bring together information on the best Bible commentaries in the English language.
See it at bestcommentaries.com
Gerald Bray on Tertullian and the Early Church
Useful resource:
Professor Gerald Bray examines the history of the early church with particular reference to the great Latin theologian, Tertullian.
Audio file: 8MB / 74 minutes, from The Theologian.
God and the Artist – New College Lectures
The New College Lectures are coming up in early September (2, 3 and 4) – Professor Trevor Hart, Professor of Divinity and Director of the Institute of Theology, Imagination and the Arts at the University of St Andrews, Scotland is this year’s speaker.
Download an invitation (100kb pdf file) with all the details from New College.