So much for Possibility Thinking
Bad news must be especially hard to bear when you build your world on positive thinking, but the news out of Garden Grove this past Sunday was not happy. Robert H. Schuller, founder of the Crystal Cathedral and the “Hour of Power” television ministry, announced that he had removed his son, Robert A. Schuller, as host of the television ministry…
In the elder Schuller’s view, preaching “what is sin and isn’t sin” is out of bounds for his television program.
– Al Mohler on events at the Crystal Cathedral. (Photo: crystalcathedral.org)
Sydney diocese votes for lay and diaconal presidency – again
“The General Synod of the Diocese of Sydney, Australia, has voted ‘overwhelmingly’ in favor of lay and diaconal presidency, which means that lay people and deacons could be permitted to administer the sacraments at Holy Communion – a role that is usually limited to priests.
In the motion, the synod affirmed ‘its conviction that lay and diaconal administration of the Lord’s Supper is consistent with the teaching of Scripture, and that the Lord’s Supper in this diocese may be administered by persons other than presbyters…”
– Episcopal Church’s coverage of Sydney Synod’s vote.
What’s really at stake in the gay marriage debate?
“The activists promoting the normalization of homosexuality have been tremendously successful in their efforts. The mainstream media, the educational elites, and various culture shapers have pushed this cause.
Today, on the average college or university campus, homosexuality is not considered to be a major moral issue…”
– In part 4 of his series ‘What’s really at stake in the Gay marriage debate?’, Al Mohler writes about the ideological struggle for recognition of ‘gay marriage’.
See also part 1, part 2 and part 3. (Photo: Together for the Gospel.)
Barack Obama: The 2004 ‘God Factor’ interview transcript
In 2004, Chicago religion journalist for the Chicago Sun-Times, Cathleen Falsani, interviewed Barack Obama on his Christian beliefs –
“Do you believe in sin?”
“Yes.”
“What is sin?”
“Being out of alignment with my values.” …
Cathleen Falsani writes: “Because of the staggering interest in now U.S. Sen. Obama’s faith and spiritual predilections, I thought it might be helpful to share that interview, uncut and in its entirety, here.”
Martin Luther at study
On October 31, 1517, German monk and theologian Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg.
In this free audio download from Christian Audio, John Piper speaks on the discovery that Martin Luther made 491 years ago – that God speaks to us in his Word.
How should pastors today go about their ministry? Piper draws us back to God’s word – the Bible.
The 36MB mp3 file runs for 1 hour 19 minutes – to get it, start at this page.
(You will need to create an account if you don’t have one and go through the check-out process, but the file is free of charge.)
Petition in support of St. John’s Shaughnessy
Many from around the world have signed the online petition in support of the churches of Good Shepherd and St. John’s Shaughnessy in Vancouver, against expected action by the Diocese of New Westminster.
Read the St. John’s website to discover some reasons for signing – or see our related posts.
If you haven’t yet signed it, please consider doing so. The text of the petition, released on October 18, says,
We, the undersigned, as active clergy and lay members of the Anglican Communion, stand with those parishes in Vancouver that are part of the Anglican Network on Canada, affirming that they are authentically Anglican.
The petition is available here – and there’s an equivalent petition for members of the Church of England. (Photo: Joy Gwaltney)
Voting for generations of children and their right to live
“What would you think if a politician said ‘I’m not pro-rape, I’m simply prochoice about rape. And though I would not choose to rape a woman, I believe that every man should be free to rape a woman if that is his personal choice.’ And what would you do if that politician promised the rape lobby that if he is elected president, the ‘first thing I would do’ is to sign legislation that would invalidate all the state laws that restrict rape in any way?…”
– Randy Alcorn writes persuasively about choices facing voters in the US election.
Canberra & Goulburn to vote this week
The Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn will elect its tenth Diocesan Bishop at an election Synod beginning on Friday (31st October). Bishop George Browning retired in August.
– Details on the process from the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn website. (Image: Dioc. Canb & Goulb.)
Obama on Homosexuality
“Regardless of how one votes on election day, it is important to be aware of how this presidential candidate interprets Scripture to fit his political views and what kind of impact this will have on his policies regarding government endorsement of, and incentives for, homosexual practice should he become president. Obama’s record is clear…”
– Robert A. J. Gagnon, Associate Professor of New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary writes on “Barack Obama’s Disturbing Misreading of the Sermon on the Mount as Support for Homosexual Sex”.
See this page for the introduction, and you can find the article here. (h/t Justin Taylor.)