New Baptist logo
Just in case you wonder where the Cross and open Bible have gone…
Press release: “Australian Baptists today launched a new national name and logo, signalling a renewed commitment to evangelism, mission and ministry around the nation and around the world. Read more
The Chicago Consultation: read it and weep
“One of the things I’ve been reading recently is the Study Guide prepared for The Episcopal Church by the Chicago Consultation, titled Christian Holiness and Human Sexuality. …
… the document must presumably be regarded as the ‘best of’ arguments for changing the Church’s traditional teaching and practice on same-sex relationships.”
– John Richardson writes at The Ugley Vicar.
Conservatives prepare to fight for ‘soul of nation’
A “New Reformation” was talked of at the official launch of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (FCA) on Monday. Speakers none the less reiterated their desire to remain part of the Church of Eng land and the Anglican Communion while upholding “orthodox, biblical Anglicanism”. …
– Church Times reports on the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans launch last Monday. (See previous: the text of Peter Jensen’s address.)
More on Calvin
Derek Thomas, Professor of Systematic and Practical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, has posted three brief interviews from Geneva on the significance of John Calvin – on the First Presbyterian Church of Jackson website. (h/t/ Reformation 21.)
Happy birthday to John Calvin
Today is the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin.
In the UK, The Theologian has released a ‘birthday edition’ with 6 articles and talks examining different aspects of his ministry and theology – including ‘Calvin and the Gospel’ from Martin Foord and ‘Calvin and Preaching’ from Peter Adam.
Coverage of the TEC General Convention
The American Anglican Council is keeping an eye on the TEC’s 2009 General Convention in California.
Their reports will appear in the GC section of their website. (Photo: Jim DeLa, ENS.)
John Dickson pays tribute to Martin Hengel
“As the music world farewells Michael Jackson, the king of pop, academia mourns the loss of a don of truly biblical proportions. Martin Hengel was Professor of New Testament and Early Judaism at Germany’s prestigious University of Tübingen from 1972 until (as Professor Emeritus) his death last Thursday (July 2). …”
– John Dickson pays tribute to Professor Martin Hengel – at Sydney Anglicans.net
Introduction to TEC General Convention 2009
It’s all about Ubuntu – as explained by Katherine Jefferts Schori and others – at the TEC website. (h/t Stand Firm)
Mobilising the hidden army
We’re glad to share this news from MTS Training Director Col Marshall –
“On Sunday do you look out over the pews and see an audience or an army? The answer to that question will determine your priorities, your effectiveness, even your health. An audience needs constant performance and is full of individuals making demands of you. Read more
Peter Jensen: The Jerusalem Declaration – why it matters
An address to the FCA UK launch by Archbishop Peter Jensen, Archbishop of Sydney.
“Many are still angry that the Jerusalem GAFCON was held. Some of the most angry are those who agree with the theology of the GAFCON movement but cannot accept that a moment for decisive action had arrived. To such persons I say, I admire you and honour you as brothers and sisters in the Lord. But it seems to me that every day that has passed since the GAFCON has only vindicated the decision to hold it.”
Jim Packer is one of the giants of the real world-Anglicanism. Amongst the wise of this world he is disdained, but his praises are sung in all the churches. Astonishingly, in the eyes of his institutional church he is no longer one of us. He has chosen to separate himself from what he has called the sanctification of sin.Is he still an Anglican?
When we can seriously ask that question, something is deeply wrong. We are at a watershed, at a parting of the ways. Decisions have to be made. Read more
Britain in battle for its soul, says Sydney Archbishop Peter Jensen
“Britain is facing a ‘battle for the soul of the nation’, an archbishop warned yesterday at the inaugural meeting of a group that threatens to split the Church of England. …”
– Ruth Gledhill writes in The Times.
Be Faithful! event begins tonight Australian time
The Be Faithful! event in London to launch the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans begins this evening (Monday July 6 2009), Sydney time. Anglican TV will stream it live.
The main programme begins at 10:30am UK time, which is 7:30pm AEST. We’re told that Archbishop Peter Jensen will be bringing greetings to the assembly at around 9:20pm AEST, though that time may vary a little.
Please pray that Christ will be glorified as men and women stand for him in this gathering and in the days ahead.
This from Canon Chris Sugden (UK times referenced) … Read more
‘Change and repent’, says bishop
“The Bishop of Rochester, Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, has defended traditional biblical teachings on homosexuality and said the Church should not be ‘rolled over by culture’. …
‘We welcome homosexuals, we don’t want to exclude people, but we want them to repent and be changed.’ The bishop added that it is not just homosexuals who need to repent, but all who have strayed from the Bible’s teaching. …”
– The thought of repentance is foreign to many today. See this story from The (London) Telegraph.
Related: Damian Thompson comments – “My colleague Jonathan Wynne-Jones does a grand job of explaining what’s going on, but my basic reaction is: this is so over. The Anglican Communion does not have the structures, the consensus, the money or the guts to police the boundaries of doctrinal diversity. Soon, it will become – at best- a federation of independent Churches. …”
Gay minister inducted at service
“The gay minister whose appointment sparked a furious debate in the Church of Scotland has been formally inducted in Aberdeen.
The Reverend Scott Rennie was introduced to his congregation at a service at Queen’s Cross Church. …”
– BBC report.
Welcome the FCA
“Andrew Goddard, perhaps the best-informed and most thoughtful critic of FCA, argues: ‘There is, at present, no widespread sense that this new initiative is a necessity for Anglicans to be faithful and maintain fellowship within the Church of England and with the churches of the Communion.’
… So why should anyone support FCA and why should it be launched now?”
– Andrew Carey gives some good reasons why the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans is needed now.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…