A Contested Space

David Cook writes at The Expository Preaching Trust –

“Dr Brendan Murphy was the Chief Medical Officer of the Commonwealth during most of the Covid crisis.

Dr Murphy’s presence at the many press conferences was quietly reassuring.

It was a surprise, then, that at a Senate Estimates hearing, when he was asked, ‘Dr Murphy, what is a woman?’ he could not reply, saying that that was a highly contested area!

In my lifetime different areas of Christian truth have aptly matched the needs of the time; in the ’60s it was the authority of Scripture; in the ’70s it was the person and work of the Holy Spirit; in the ’80s and ’90s, I remember hearing John Stott say that if he were to begin parish ministry at that time, he would spend the first year preaching on the doctrine of the Church.

These are days of gender fluidity and identity issues wherein ‘what is a woman’ is a contested area. …”

– Read it all here.

And note that – if you are quick – you might be able to secure the last spot available at the Expository Preaching Trust’s annual Preaching Workshop at Drummoyne, 4th-6th August.

Church attenders do better — The Pastor’s Heart

From The Pastor’s Heart this week –

“New global research associated with Harvard University suggests that people who regularly attend church tend to do better in life than people who do not.

The Global Flourishing Study is following more than 200,000 people across 22 countries and tracking not only happiness, but meaning and purpose, relationships, character, mental and physical health, life satisfaction and material stability.

But if churches are helping people flourish, what is happening to the pastors who lead them? Senior pastors carry grief, crises, expectations and organisational responsibility that most people never see. A church may appear to be growing and successful while its pastor is quietly being depleted.

And how do we know whether a church itself is healthy?

Valerie Ling joins us from the Center for Effective Serving to explore richer ways of recognising flourishing in pastors, churches and the communities they serve.”

– Watch here.

Fellowship in the Gospel — Eating for the other’s salvation

From Phillip Jensen –

“We come at last to what appears to be the end of the discussion, which started in chapter 8 of 1 Corinthians on food offered to idols.

Here, with the background of thinking about the existence of idols in chapter 8, the priority of other people’s salvation in chapter 9, and then the prophetic warning against all idolatry in the first half of chapter 10, we finally reach the concluding discussion on food offered to idols.

Whether in the idol temple at the time of offering, buying meat already so offered, or eating the meat in somebody’s home, the question of our participation is critical.

I hope you profit from this discussion on Christian freedom and responsibility.”

– An important episode with Phillip and Peter Jensen. At Two Ways News.

Why (and how) I teach my kids to say sorry

From The Australian Church Record –

“If you’ve spent any time on the internet over the last few years, you might have come across the current parenting advice never to make your child say sorry. This approach is broadly consistent with the values of authenticity, consent and innate morality that underpin modern child-rearing. It comes from a place of wanting to help children understand why their actions matter, rather than simply requiring outward compliance.

There is much in this instinct that Christians can appreciate. Most parents want their children to grow into people who are genuinely compassionate, who take responsibility for their actions, and who seek reconciliation because they mean it—not merely because they have been told to do so. …”

– Leah shares these helpful ideas.

In the Library: Books and Reading with Peter Adam

The Gospel Coalition Australia has republished this 2016 interview with Peter Adam on reading and Christian books –

“I remember my first day at Sunday School at the age of 11. The teacher told us that God did not like new clean Bibles: he much preferred Bibles which looked well-used. So when I got home I got out my new Bible, scribbled in the margins, and loosened some pages. Surely God would approve! …”

– Read it here.

The Preacher as an Artist?

“Recently, my wife and I, along with four hundred residents of Anglicare, Castle Hill were entertained with a delightful rendition of classical music from Brahms, Schubert, Chopin and Prokofiev by two artists of the highest quality – Richard Tognetti (violin) and Constantin Shamray (piano). It was a joyous occasion and in response the audience gave full rein to their appreciation.

Nevertheless, I find that while listening to pleasure-giving music my mind wanders. …”

– David Palmer writes to encourage preachers in their communicating of God’s word. At AP, the Australian Presbyterian journal.

This is the Christ — new from Emu Music

“This is the Christ” is the latest release from Emu Music. It’s the second single from their forthcoming EP ‘Just As He Said’.

“We wanted something anthemic that the whole church could sing together, capturing Paul’s heart in Colossians 1. ‘He, Christ, is the one we proclaim’. That line became the anchor for the whole song. Whether we’re leading church, writing songs, or just talking with a friend, our message never changes. It’s all about Jesus.

Our hope is that this song helps people see and delight in his beauty and power. May we never grow tired of proclaiming him.’ – Liv Chapman & James McDonald.

– Watch here.

Audio file and sheet music is available at this link.

Five things to love about the Mark Drama

“This year I’ve been involved with the national committee for the Mark Drama – or as we call it in France, Marc L’Expérience (MLE). It’s been a year of transition and learning as I take over coordinating the committee and all projects for MLE in France, as well as finishing my training to be a director.  

MLE is a theatrical presentation of Mark’s Gospel. It’s performed all over the world, including in Australia. In France, MLE is coordinated through the GBU student groups, though we also help local churches put on performances. …”

– Karina Brabham, who serves with CMS in Poitiers, France, shares the blessings of the Mark Drama. At the CMS Australia website.

Photo: The first performance by the Strasbourg students. CMS photo.

How AI makes us Sovereign Slaves

“Artificial intelligence may or may not be coming for our jobs, but it’s certainly coming for our anthropology.

AI promises us the status of a monarch, with swarms of agents bowing before us and saying, ‘Your prompt is my command.’ And we’re all too familiar with the allure of chatbots, which affirm our every whim and indulge our every appetite.

AI will write your email, plan your lesson, draft your sermon, design your logo, summarize your book, tickle your pride, indulge your vices, and stroke your ego. We’re all monarchs now. What’s not to like?

But the more closely we look, the stranger the story becomes. The tool that promises to make us sovereigns is also quietly making us slaves. …”

– Chris Watkin writes at The Gospel Coalition.

An important topic deserving of wide consideration. (You can also hear him read the article – at the same link.)

Photo: Chris Watkins delivering the New College Lectures in 2023.

Pastoral heartbreak: young adults leaving evangelicalism for Orthodoxy and Catholicism

From The Pastor’s Heart – Pastoral heartbreak: young adults leaving evangelicalism for Orthodoxy and Catholicism and what to do about it, with John Diacos.

“On the surface, some are drawn by beauty, history, liturgy, mystery, masculinity, discipline and Orthodoxy’s claim to be the original church.

But John Diacos says beneath many of the surface attractions lies something much more spiritually dangerous.

John was converted from Orthodoxy to a clear faith in Jesus Christ 50 years ago, has served Jesus for decades in Melbourne and is the author of Certainty for Life: An Invitation for Those in Eastern Orthodoxy.

We ask: Why are evangelicals leaving for Orthodoxy? What is Orthodoxy offering that some evangelical churches seem not to offer? Where is Orthodoxy right in its critique of us? Where is it wrong? And what should pastors do when someone in our church starts drifting?”

– Watch it here.

Related:

Targeted and Engaged Evangelism to the Eastern Orthodox – The Gospel Coalition Australia.

Modern Idolatry

From Phillip Jensen:

“Dear friends,

Idolatry is as ancient and universal as slavery. Paul moves in his discussion of food offered to idols (chapter 8) to his enslaving himself for others’ salvation (chapter 9) to now address idolatry itself (chapter 10). Here we have the clear command, “flee from idolatry”, with the terrifying examples of God’s anger poured out on Israel whenever they engaged in idolatry.

This passage not only gives us clear Bible teachings on the sin of idolatry, but in the process it raises the issue of the Old Testament’s importance for Christians.

Two Ways News is provided free of charge by other people’s generosity. If you are not yet one of those kindly providing Two Ways News for others, can I encourage you to do so? You can find out more here.

Yours,

Phillip.”

– Listen at Two Ways News.

Always well worth hearing and contemplating.

Jocelyn Loane reviews Everything is Never Enough by Bobby Jamieson

From The Australian Church Record –

“Our enormous collection of water bottles lives in a cupboard over our fridge. Every time I open it, I can almost be guaranteed a smack in the face by one falling out. You see, my five children have quite the fixation with acquiring the perfect water bottle. A few years ago, everyone was quite taken by a Contigo with a very satisfying silicone straw. Then a number became obsessed with owning a Frank Green (RRP $59.95). My very kind sister gifted us several one Christmas and I felt certain that, at that price, this should be the water bottle to finally satisfy. But no. A youth group leader introduced one daughter to the Owala FreeSip® (RRP $59.99). This water bottle can be used to both sip and swig. Revolutionary. We now own four. But even this did not scratch the itch. A child’s recent gift wish list included ‘Yeti water bottle’ at number three.

As I picked up Bobby Jamieson’s Everything is Never Enough, you can understand why my children and their water bottles immediately sprang to mind. …

This book deepened my appreciation for the beauty of the clear-sighted, timeless wisdom of Ecclesiastes. By dismantling the places we often, even unconsciously, seek satisfaction and meaning, Jamieson exposes the roots of our discontentment and unhappiness. It’s a commendation of the joyful Christian life that rejoices in the gifts we have constantly flung at us by our God, and that enjoys him infinitely more.

It is written with a non-Christian audience in mind …”

– Jocelyn Loane’s full review.

(We note that the book is currently on special at The Wandering Bookseller.)

Preparing to Lead Intercessions In Church

The Gospel Coalition Australia has re-posted this excellent article from Peter Adam, first published in 2016 –

“Praying together as a church is one of the great privileges of being a Christian.

A key part of our prayers are our intercessions, when we pray that God will do what he has promised to do. Without preparation, our public intercessions can get a bit thin.

If you are preparing to lead the intercessions in your church, you might find the following helpful. You could also use it to train others to lead the intercessions. …”

– Read it here.

Photo: St. Helen’s Bishopsgate.

Church Society Podcast — Psalms 1-41

From Church Society:

“Lee Gatiss hears from Ben Sargent, author of the new Hodder Bible Commentary on Psalms 1-41.”

– Listen here.

The Spiritual Discipline of Sleeping

Mark Powell at AP, the Australian Presbyterian journal, writes about sleep and the gospel –

“It should go without saying—but ironically, it needs to be said—that the reason we can sleep at all is because of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The Saviour’s great promise to all who are weary and burdened is to come to Him and He will give us rest (Matt. 11:28). Contrast this with the tragic, and indeed horrific, fate of unbelievers as described in Revelation 14:11, which says that there is ‘no rest for the wicked’ and ‘the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever.’…”

– Read it all here.

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