Mike Ovey on The Pilling Report
Principal of Oak Hill College, Dr Mike Ovey, has now posted eight responses to the Pilling Report (“the Report of the House of Bishops Working Group on Human Sexuality’).
1. God’s work versus God’s will?
“ultimately in practice, it prefers our judgment of what we think good to God’s judgment expressed in the scriptures of what is good.”
2. Does sincerity grant a veto?
“This creates the bizarre situation of an explicit submission to the authority of scripture, while not in fact applying what scripture says, either against same-sex marriages, or in favour.”
3. Groundhog Day: ‘scripture’s lack of clarity’
“As we have seen, judgments about the obscurity of scripture have been made before, notably in Roman Catholic responses to the Reformation.”
4. How common is the common ground?
“Like an iceberg, the most significant parts of the Pilling Report lie beneath the surface.”
“They have talked at length, listened at length and have had both clerical and expert help in all their deliberations. They have listened both to each other and to a wide range of witnesses. But this process has not enabled them to reach a collective conclusion as to whether or not same-sex sexual relations in the context of a faithful long-term commitment are right or wrong.”
6. Common grace and stolen fruit
“After noting that the tradition of the church for 2,000 years and indeed worldwide at the moment is against recognition of same-sex marriages and relationships, the report nevertheless goes on to speak in laudatory terms about the same-sex couples who have testified before it.”
“If we want a biblical precedent for a hermeneutics of suspicion where the hermeneutics of suspicion is wrongly placed, then we need look no further than Genesis 3:1ff.”
“Churches can get things wrong. One of the more disturbing moments in the Thirty-Nine Articles comes in Article 19 which deals with the doctrine of the church.”
Mike Ovey responds to the Pilling Report
“We humans have to live with grey. Sometimes we must weigh whether an action or life-choice is right or wrong. But so often, actions and life-choices are shades of grey rather than simply black or white. …”
– Oak Hill’s Principal, Dr Mike Ovey, responds to the Pilling Report –
Part 1 – God’s work versus God’s will?
Part 2 – Does sincerity grant a veto?
Mike Ovey to deliver 2008 MTC Lectures
Annual Moore College Lectures 2008
5 –14 August 2008
The Rev Dr Michael Ovey, Principal, Oak Hill College London, will be speaking on the topic of Repentance.
To learn more, see the Moore College website. PDF brochure here.
With thanksgiving for Michael John Ovey — by Mark Thompson
“It has taken a little while to write this thanksgiving to God for the life of my dear friend Mike Ovey. I have indeed written tributes for other publications, news items, editorials, etc. But this is the one I knew I wanted to write and it has taken longer. This one is much more personal.
The reason for the delay is deep grief and a profound sense of loss. Another friend used the word ‘ambush’ to describe how grief can burst upon you unexpectedly and without notice. …”
– Dr. Mark Thompson, Principal of Moore College, has written this moving tribute to Mike Ovey, who was called home to be with Christ a month ago.
Update from Oak Hill College:
A service of thanksgiving for the life and ministry of Mike Ovey will be held on Monday 13 March 2017, at 2pm, at All Soul’s, Langham Place, London W1B 3DA. All are welcome to attend. Download the service invitation here.
(Photo: Oak Hill College.)
Why I left the Brisbane Anglicans to join the Diocese of the Southern Cross
“My big story started in 2013. I was in Nairobi at Gafcon, and Mike Ovey [the late principal of London’s Oak Hull College] Mike spoke on Ephesians chapter five.
[The passage says] that there were those who would deceive us into thinking that the wrath of God is not coming because of, as Paul puts these things, the extent of their immorality. And the encouragement of the Apostle Paul, ‘Do not become partners with them’.
And that started me thinking, well, here I am in the Brisbane diocese; what does it mean to be partners? What does that mean in terms of my relationship with the diocese? …”
– At Anglican Ink, John Sandeman has Peter Judge-Mears’ story.
And a good reminder to be in prayer for the members of Southside Anglican, St John’s Wishart, and others seeking to honour Christ in their respective situations.
Photo: Peter Judge-Mears announces he is leaving St Johns, Wishart, September 2022.
Related:
Diocese of the Southern Cross.
New Dean of Grafton: the Cross “is not about my sins or your sins”
“The freshly-installed Dean of Grafton Cathedral, Gregory Jenks, has published his Good Friday sermon where he teaches ‘[The Crucifixion of Jesus] is not about my sins or your sins.’
The full text of the sermon is available on Jenks’ website.”
– Spotted by David Ould. And you can watch the video of Dean Jenks’ remarks.
In thinking about this, these resources are well worth reading:
Pierced for Our Transgressions: Rediscovering the Glory of Penal Substitution – A magisterial book by Steve Jeffrey, Mike Ovey and Andrew Sach.
What is the gospel? – article by Mark D Thompson.
When to make a stand (PDF file) – article by Mark D Thompson.
And from The Book of Common Prayer, 1662, “The Order for the Administration of The Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion” –
“Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thy tender mercy didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption; who made there (by his one oblation of himself once offered) a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death, until his coming again …” Emphasis added.
(Photo: gregoryjenks.com.)
Priscilla and Aquila Conference 2017 – A ministry that builds the church
“The 2017 Priscilla and Aquila Conference was held on Monday January 30 at the College. Our annual conferences have a 2-fold aim: (i) to encourage the ministries of women, and (ii) to think more seriously and creatively about how men and women can serve better together in gospel ministry.
Although they are aimed primarily at men and women in vocational ministry, these conferences are also open to lay men and women, and many lay people attend each year.
This year just over 300 men and women came together to hear talks, encourage one another, and enjoy Christian fellowship. …”
– from the Priscilla and Aquila Centre at Moore College.
Moore College has the talks available at Vimeo –
Ministry that grows the church (Acts 20) – William Taylor
Training Christian disciples in Bible ministry – William Taylor
Portraits of faith: Mike Ovey & Marion Gabbott – Jane Tooher
Ministry amongst staff wives and women on staff – Janet Taylor
Deborah: Prophetess or judge? – Paul Williamson
Prophecy now? – Peter Orr
Partnering in practice – Jo Gibbs & Kate Snell.
Stories you might have missed — January 2017
Here are some key posts you may have missed this last month. Each link opens in a new window.
- Is GAFCON the problem? – Dr. Peter Jensen responds to criticism of GAFCON by the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion.
- The Grace of God – or the World of the West? – we featured this challenging address at GAFCON II by Dr. Mike Ovey, who went home to be with the Lord on 7th January.
- Dick Lucas on Mark’s Gospel – a wonderful resource from St. Helen’s Bishopsgate.
- Remnant in Scotland finding hope through GAFCON – The Rector of St. Thomas’ Church in Edinburgh shares something of the crisis which has hit the Scottish Episcopal Church through its accommodation to secular culture.
- Dr Gavin Ashenden resigns as Chaplain to the Queen – This story has gained some traction in the secular press.
- New Women’s Ministry Stream at Moore College – Jane Tooher outlines Moore College’s new women’s ministry study stream.
- Proposed bill ‘doesn’t protect religious freedom’ – The Diocese of Sydney has told a Senate Inquiry the proposed bill on same-sex marriage does not sufficiently protect freedom of religion.
Interview with William Taylor
David Ould has interviewed William Taylor, who is speaking at the NSW CMS Summer School, meeting this week at Katoomba.
He explains Summer School to those unfamiliar with it, speaks about the need for reform in the Church of England, and reflects on the terrible loss, this week, of Mike Ovey.
30 minutes. Listen here.
By faith we let them go
“The outpouring of grief over the death of our Principal Mike Ovey has been extraordinary. So much has been said. So much is still to be said. So much could be said.
Mike was my dear friend and brother, my boss and co-conspirator, my mentor and inspiration. I just wanted to say a few personal words which I know reflect the thoughts of our community at Oak Hill College. …”
– At the Oak Hill College blog, faculty member Dan Strange shares some thoughts and a meditation from C.H. Spurgeon.
Church Society Conference 2016
Looking for some encouraging listening? From Church Society:
“The 2016 Church Society Conference was held in June at Oak Hill College, London, with the title of ‘Be Faithful! Remaining steadfast in the Church of England Today’.
The Prophetic Preaching of John Owen by Revd Dr Martyn Cowan (St. Antholin Lecture).
Faithful Teachers in an Age of Confusion by Revd Dr Mike Ovey.
Faithful Stewards in a Fickle World by Revd Dr Mark Pickles.
J.C. Ryle: A Faithful Anglican by Revd Dr Lee Gatiss.”
(Photo of Mike Ovey courtesy GAFCON.)
Freedom for Faith Sydney Conference, 12th August – bookings now open
“There has never been a more important time for Christians to think about the place of religious freedom in Australia. …
There is a sense that Christians are more and more out of step with cultural elites and that soon they may hold beliefs which are at odds with Australian law. Looking globally we see genocidal persecution of believers on a scale that has never been seen before.
Churches are crying out for leadership in knowing how to live in these changing times. Come and be equipped and refreshed.
Dr Michael Ovey, Principal of Oak Hil College in London will headline a great day of teaching…”
– Freedom for Faith is holding a conference at St. Andrew’s Cathedral on Friday 12th August 2016.
“Sharing the message of freedom in a threatening public square.
A one day conference for Christian leaders. Join Dr Michael Ovey (Oak Hill College London), Professor Iain Benson (Notre Dame Law School), Rev Kanishka Raffel (Anglican Dean of Sydney), Dr Megan Best – ethicist, Dr Sam Chan – Evangelist City Bible Forum, Archbishop Julian Porteous – Catholic Archbishop of Hobart, Lyle Shelton – Australian Christian Lobby & more. ”
See also the interview with Freedom For Faith Executive Director Michael Kellahan on page 10 of The Pulse, May – June 2016 (PDF).
Celebrating The Reformation in 2017 at Moore College
Moore College has some dates for your diary –
18th March. This event, held at Moore College, will be a morning of hearing Peter Jensen, Peter Adam and Simon Manchester each present a paper on a significant character from the reformation and what we can learn from them today.
26th-27 May. This afternoon and following morning event, held at Moore College, will reflect on the reformation doctrine of justification by faith alone and how the biblical doctrine bears upon many of the contemporary debates surrounding this subject. Speakers include, Mike Ovey (Principle of Oak Hill College, London), Peter Orr and Andrew Leslie.
4-11 August. The Annual Moore College Lectures will be given by Carl Trueman, a world renowned Reformation scholar.
26th August. This event, held at St Andrew’s Cathedral, will be a morning hearing Gerald Bray, Glenn Davies, Kanishka Raffel and will include a service conducted from the 1552 Book of Common Prayer.
13-14 September. The School of Theology will be a conference assembling Reformation scholars from around Australia who will present papers on Reformation theology, significant reformers as well as the reception of the Reformation in the five hundred years since.
UK Christian leaders speak out on proposed Extremism Disruption Orders
“More than 50 Christian leaders from across England and Wales have written to The Daily Telegraph to warn that the Government’s proposed Extremism Disruption Orders (EDOs) would be a “disaster” for the church.
The initiative was backed by: Revd Tony Jones, Senior Minister of Christchurch Durham; Revd Dr Mike Ovey, Principal of Oak Hill College; and Andrea Williams, CEO of Christian Concern [and Colin Hart Director of the Christian Institute]…”
– from Anglican Mainstream.
Who counts as an extremist?
“Shortly after the last general election, prime minister David Cameron said that the UK had been a ‘passively tolerant society’ for too long. ‘Passively tolerant’, he says, is a society in which people were told ‘as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone’.
This is rather odd…”
– Oak Hill Principal Mike Ovey considers some ominous proposals in the UK.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…