More on Science and Genesis

Barry Newman, well known to many in Sydney Diocese, and one of the ACL’s vice-presidents, has resumed his blogging on ‘Science and Genesis’.

See the latest posts here.

Rob Bell preaching Universalism?

A soon-to-be-released book by Rob Bell, influential in US ‘emergent church’ circles, seems to be teaching plain old universalism. Justin Taylor and Kevin DeYoung each have responses to what the author – and his publisher – have said about the book.

(Even though Rob Bell is unknown to many Australian Christians, the ideas in the book may receive wide attention.)

Related: What to think of the NOOMA videos.

St John’s Latimer Square: Growing the Kingdom

There’ll be no Sunday services today at St. John’s Latimer Square in Christchurch, due to the devastating earthquake. The St. John’s building was badly damaged in last September’s earthquake, and was further damaged last week.

Last June, the Diocese of Christchurch website ran this story on what makes St. John’s tick. This would be a good time to pray for the members of St. John’s, that they may continue to bring light and hope to their city.

(The photos shows the current senior minister, Dave Morgan, and his predecessor Wally Behan, who is currently in Sydney. Photo: Dave Wethey / Anglican Life)

‘Me and Muammar: What we have in common’

“it is worth remembering that Gadaffi is only an extreme example of that which dwells in each of us. The desire to be in control, to make a mark, to make ourselves indispensable…”

– Carl Trueman at Westminster Seminary has a perspective you probably won’t see on the TV news. At Reformation21.

Praying in Crisis: Helpful or Hypocritical?

“It is an old wartime saying that ‘there are no atheists in foxholes’.

Leaving aside the silly arguments as to whether this is statistically true or an aphorism – is it a good thing? Will God be pleased to answer the prayers of those in danger? Is God honoured when we pray to him in times of trouble? …”

– Dean of Sydney Phillip Jensen writes.

Archbishop Peter Jensen at the service for Christchurch

Christchurch Prayer Service
Thursday 24th February, 2011, St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney
Remarks by Archbishop Dr Peter Jensen

The Bible says, ‘God is our refuge and strength a very present help in time of trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.’ God’s word also says that we should pray for all people, for all are in the image of the one God who made us all and cares for us all.

As we are meeting here, tremendous efforts are going on in Christchurch to find the lost, to heal the injured, to bring order out of chaos. We long to help; all our compassion is engaged because of our common humanity, but especially because these are our beloved New Zealanders.  Read more

Review of Michael Horton’s Systematic Theology

ACL President Mark Thompson offers a brief review of Mike Horton’s recently-released systematic theology, The Christian Faith – at Theological Theology.

(Michael Horton is well known as the host of The White Horse Inn broadcast. He teaches at Westminster Seminary California.)

Prayers for Christchurch at St Andrew’s Cathedral today

St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney is holding a special gathering to pray for the city of Christchurch.

Thursday, 24 February 2011, 1:00pm — 4:00pm.

Also, Anglican Aid has launched an appeal.

(Note for readers: the badly damaged building of St John’s Latimer Square is just across the street from the CTV building, where much of the rescue effort has been focussed.)

Moore Books sale

Moore Books in Sydney is having a stock reduction sale until the end of March (2011).

Message of support for Christchurch from NZ Anglican Church

“The Archbishops and Standing Committee of the General Synod/te Hinota Whanui of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa and Polynesia were meeting in Rotorua when we had news of the latest Christchurch earthquake. … We, along with so many other people in this country, immediately turned to prayer for all those who are so seriously affected. We have also contacted our wider Anglican Communion around the world and asked them to pray with us.

We reach out in this prayer to the people of the city of Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region, asking the God of all the earth to give everyone the strength and endurance that they need to survive and to recover.”

– from Scoop NZ. (Photo: Scoop NZ)

An Exposition of the Theses — 2

Mark Thompson writes –

“Here is an exposition of second of the twelve theses I posted to help people think through the basis for a new reformation of the Anglican Communion. Once again it is important to remember these theses are not presented as definitive. There is most certainly room for improvement and development. However, as Luther found out in the sixteenth century, stirring people to think about the gospel, to return to the Scriptures to see what really has been written for our benefit, was not only appropriate in the wake of widespread defection from the truth, but also encouraged others to agitate for reform.

If the Anglican Communion is to be reformed again it needs to hear and heed these crucial truths…”

– read them at Theological Theology.

Responding to disaster — Broughton Knox

For many years, the then Principal of Moore College, Dr Broughton Knox, gave weekly talks (“The Christian Faith broadcasts”) on Sydney radio station 2CH. They were succinct messages packed full of Christian theology.

In the light of recent disasters, The Sola Panel has republished a talk he gave in 1975 – just after Darwin was devastated by Cyclone Tracy. (It’s also in The Selected Works of Broughton Knox, Vol III.)

The die has been cast

“With my perspective as a canon lawyer, I cannot believe that ECUSA is barely four months away from precipitating a wholly unnecessary constitutional crisis, which can only weaken it further, and drive its constituent pieces yet further apart.

My appeals to the other canon lawyers who drafted the changes to Title IV, to explain what they thought they were accomplishing, and where they derived the authority to transform the Presiding Bishop of ECUSA into a metropolitan, have gone completely unanswered. At the same time, I see zero inclination on the part of those actually in control of the Church to avoid this donnybrook — so be it. It must be what they want — so that is what they will get.”

– A S Haley, The Anglican Curmudgeon, reflects on why the Diocese of South Carolina has moved to ‘spell out that the Canons of the national Church are no longer recognised as binding’ in their Diocese.

‘Conscience trampled by the regime’

“[T]he Obama administration is now ready to use the coercive power of the state to force medical personnel to perform acts they consider to be morally wrong and unhealthy for their patients…”

– Al Mohler reports on new policies announced in the US just yesterday.

Preaching Christ from the Old Testament

Justin Taylor draws attention to a project to draw together resources relating to preaching Christ in the Old Testament.

On the Gospel Coalition website, it includes featured resources from David Jackman, John Woodhouse, Tim Keller and Sinclair Ferguson.

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