Is the Reformation Over?
“There have been several observations rendered on this subject by those I would call ‘erstwhile evangelicals.’ One of them wrote, ‘Luther was right in the sixteenth century, but the question of justification is not an issue now.’ A second self-confessed evangelical made a comment in a press conference I attended that ‘the sixteenth-century Reformation debate over justification by faith alone was a tempest in a teapot.’…”
– Dr R.C. Sproul writes of the danger of forgetting the reason for the Reformation.
See also: Dr Carl Trueman, “Why the Reformation Isn’t Over”.
Getting on the front foot
“Christians need never to be on the back foot in answering the attacks of atheists and secularists.
The bankruptcy of their position is readily revealed when one examines their empty explanations given to life’s four biggest questions.
What I appreciate most about being a Christian is the Faith’s realistic assessment of the human condition, and its sure diagnosis and assured prescription for humankind’s ills.
Here are life’s four biggest questions:
Where did I come from?
Where am I going?
Why am I here?
How do I live?…”
– Another helpful post by David Cook, Moderator-General of the Presbyterian Church of Australia website. (Photo: St. Helen’s London.)
New TEC Presiding Bishop to be installed
Bishop Michael Curry will be installed as Presiding Bishop in the Episcopal Church’s Washington National Cathedral on Sunday. It appears to be an exercise in multi-faith spirituality.
The order of service is available at this link.
Two Bishops – Two books
Christian Education Publications has two new books which are well worth checking out –
Walking in Truth and Love, by Bishop David Mulready, is a series of studies for Lent (or other times).
“In these 40 daily devotions, David Mulready explores the three letters of John, and the call of Jesus’ followers to walk in truth and love.”
A Short Book About Jesus – The Man from Heaven, by Bishop Paul Barnett.
“A Short Book About Jesus is a clear, concise and thought-provoking read and is an ideal introduction to Jesus for anyone wanting to know more. It is also an excellent resource for personal reflection, for church small groups, for ministers preparing sermons or for those interested in apologetics.”
What is Reformation Day?
“What is Reformation Day? To answer that question, let’s ask another question. When is Reformation Day? It’s October 31; it commemorates the events of October 31, 1517…”
– Ligonier Ministries’ Stephen Nichols answers the question at Five Minutes in Church History.
Human Sexuality and the ‘Same Sex Marriage’ Debate — a review
Ben Pakula reviews Human Sexuality and the ‘Same Sex Marriage’ Debate – the fruit of two years’ work by the Sydney Diocesan Doctrine Commission.
“something that is both easy to read, yet also theologically rich; a tool that will equip any Christian to better love the LGBTI community… and better serve Christians for whom same-sex attraction is an issue.”
Here’s the full review:
“Australians can either remember or at least learn of a time where supporting and praising the practice of homosexuality was considered taboo. Within a single generation a great reversal has taken place: to speak against the practice of homosexuality is, ostensibly at least, to be narrow-minded, bigoted, backward, draconian, right-wing and homophobic. Regardless of the sides anyone takes on any amongst the plethora of debates concerning homosexuality, all must concede that such a sociological change is unprecedented.
Human Sexuality and the ‘Same Sex Marriage’ Debate demonstrates that this radical change has come about as a direct result of calculated cultural engineering; admitted and shamelessly championed by proponents of homosexual activity and the gay lifestyle. Their program owes much of its success to the erosion of a Judeo-Christian worldview, such that the Christian voice in the debate concerning ‘Same Sex Marriage’ (SSM) is seen as out-dated and senseless. Recognising that Christians are already on the back foot when it comes to the SSM debate, Human Sexuality sets forth a brilliant summary of the sociological history of the gay rights movement, then gives a careful and thorough presentation of the biblical position (including the hermeneutical framework through which the position is crafted), and finally shows how the Bible’s teaching should inform the way we speak lovingly and boldly in the public sphere, as well as equipping us to love and minister to our brothers and sisters who struggle with same-sex attraction.
The authors (and editor, Dr Mark Thompson), have obviously taken great care to deliver something that is both easy to read, yet also theologically rich; a tool that will equip any Christian to better love the LGBTI community (which will involve speaking in opposition to many facets of its worldview), and better serve Christians for whom same-sex attraction is an issue. The great quality of the work has been recognised by the Ministry Training and Development department of the Sydney Anglican Diocese, as is evidenced by their decision to give a copy of this book to delegates present at a recent training conference, all of whom are ordained ministers. For ordained ministers, and for any Christian who wants to be well informed about the SSM debate, Human Sexuality and the ‘Same Sex Marriage’ Debate ought to be seen as ‘go to’ book.”
It’s available from Christian Education Publications.
Putting Halloween in its place
Glen Scrivener, former Oak Hill student and Church of England minister in Eastbourne, made this video in 2013 as a response to Halloween.
Read Glen’s comments about it at the Oak Hill College website. Watch and download it at Vimeo.
We Cannot be Silent — new book from Albert Mohler
“We are now witnesses to a revolution that is sweeping away a sexual morality and a definition of marriage that has existed for thousands of years. This is the morality and understanding of marriage that has been central to societies shaped by biblical witness and the influence of both Judaism and Christianity. But, it is important to note that marriage has been understood throughout human history – in virtually all civilizations – as the union of a man and a woman.
We Cannot Be Silent is a book about that revolution, how it happened and what it means for us, for our churches, and for our children…
Every Christian church – and every Christian – will face huge decisions in the wake of this moral storm. When marriage is redefined, an entire universe of laws, customs, rules, and expectations changes as well.”
– This looks to be an important book. Just released.
Richard Phillips has a review at The Gospel Coalition –
“Chronicling how marriage was critically undermined over several generations through birth control, no-fault divorce, and cohabitation, Mohler – president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky – notes that the silence of Bible-believing churches helped facilitate the fall of marriage. Now, with our backs against the wall, he sounds an urgent plea: the one approach Christians cannot afford to adopt is silence. We must speak.”
And Tim Challies also has a review –
“The chapters that may bring the most unique value are the ones that trace the history and growth of this revolution. Most of us see how it is playing out around us today, but few understand how we got to this point.”
Is God a She?
“As Christians, we cede power to God. We give up the claim to run our own life, and submit to him as our Lord. That is our basic relationship to him: we are creatures and disciples. …
I found it noteworthy that Mrs Treweek … asserts her right to be addressed as she wants to be addressed, so that Her Majesty the Queen herself has to comply in her writs. … Should we not extend the same courtesy to God as Bishop Rachel insists upon for herself?”
– Church Society’s Dr Lee Gatiss responds to statements by Bishop Rachel Treweek, that Christians should use male and female pronouns when referring to God.
(Photo: Diocese of Gloucester.)
So you think you can explain the gospel
“…the simple fact that a Christian has heard the gospel numerous times does not mean that they can reproduce it. Recognition does not equal reproduction. I suggested a good exercise might be to give a group of believers a piece of paper and two minutes to anonymously write out a brief outline of the gospel.”
– At GoThereFor, Stephen Liggins shares the results of some simple research.
Related: Two Ways to Live.
‘Good Disagreement’ — Book review
“As a collection of informative and thought provoking essays the book is outstanding …
However some questions arise which are not answered in this book. For example, the issue of what is adiaphora and what is non-negotiable is discussed, but no answer is provided on what are the key doctrines, and who decides them. If those who come to a different conclusion and still claim the name ‘Anglican’ can’t be ‘chucked out’ (Archbishop Welby’s phrase), does that essentially mean there are no boundaries, there are many ‘truths’ or ‘integrities’, and is that ecclesiologically credible? As has been said, an outcome of respectful ‘walking apart’ is mentioned but not explored at all.”
– At Anglican Mainstream, Andrew Symes looks at a book produced to help everyone in the Church of England get on together.
‘I was abused by clergy’: Bishop of Newcastle tells of abuse
“Anglican bishop Greg Thompson has spoken about being groomed by an Anglican bishop and senior clergyman in the 1970s and later sexually abused, after an historic diocese apology on Sunday for the ‘shameful’ treatment of abuse survivors in the past…”
– from The Sydney Morning Herald.
See also: Anglican bishop leading charge against child sexual abuse says he too was a victim – ABC News.
(Photo: In June 2015 Bishop Thompson apologised on behalf of the Diocese of Newcastle to all who have experienced abuse.)
Aasia Bibi placed in solitary confinement over fears for her life
“Aasia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman who has been languishing on death row since 2010 after she was unjustly convicted of blasphemy, has been transferred to solitary confinement amid fears she could be attacked by vigilantes…”
– from Barnabas Fund. (Photo: Barnabas Fund.)
Update, 27 Oct 2015: Asia Bibi ‘healthy and safe,’ says her lawyer – World Watch Monitor.
‘God is not a he or a she’, says first female bishop to sit in House of Lords
“God should not necessarily be seen as a masculine figure, according to the UK’s first female bishop to sit in the House of Lords on Monday. ‘God is not to be seen as male. God is God,’ said Rachel Treweek, bishop of Gloucester, who is to be inaugurated in parliament.
While acknowledging that many Anglicans would profoundly disagree, Treweek said the Church of England should use both male and female pronouns when referring to God…”
– Story from The Guardian. (Photo: Diocese of Gloucester.)
See also: Is God a She?
‘The Episcopal Church has come a long way’
“The Episcopal Church has come a long way in the last 10 years. We are no longer consumed by internal conflict over various social issues…”
– Few would disagree with TEC Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori’s assessment as she leaves office.
Related: The Sydney Lambeth Decision Briefing (2008 – and much has happened since then!)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…