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.
Religious Freedom conference videos available
Associate Professor Neil Foster writes about the recent conference in Newcastle, ‘Religious Freedom in a Multicultural World’ –
“For those who are interested, the video of my presentation on the day is now available. The paper which goes along with the talk can be downloaded here. It was entitled ‘How should religious marriage celebrants respond if same sex marriage is introduced in Australia?’…”
See the other videos from the conference (including that by Peter Jensen) here – or on the University of Newcastle website.
Prayers urged for Bishop Ivan Lee
“The Bishop of Western Sydney, Ivan Lee, has been diagnosed with a pancreatic tumour.
He had been experiencing some lethargy and symptoms of jaundice. Scans revealed his bile duct was blocked by a tumour on the pancreas…”
– The Anglican Church League urges all members to pray for Bishop Ivan Lee (a Vice-President of the League) and his wife Virginia.
SydneyAnglicans.net has details to inform your prayers.
J I Packer — In his own words
“J. I. Packer stands as one of the greatest theologians of the twentieth-century. Ever since the publication of Knowing God – an international best-seller – Packer has exerted a steady influence on contemporary Evangelicalism.
In honour of his life and legacy, Crossway is producing a short video documentary entitled, J. I. Packer: In His Own Words, that will premier on Tuesday, November 3, accessible free-of-charge at JIPacker.com. There you’ll also find other videos featuring Packer discussing timely topics related to the Christian life, including the nature of saving faith, the importance of the church, the centrality of sound doctrine, and the person of the Holy Spirit.
We’re also giving away a free e-book by J. I. Packer to everyone who signs up to receive the videos via email at JIPacker.com.”
– From Crossway.
Introducing Vine Journal
“We’re launching Vine Journal because we’re convinced that the Christian community needs long form arguments and essays – like we all need at least one substantial meal a day, like a house needs solid foundations, like a church community needs its regular sermons.
Short, light, snackable content is enjoyable and often nutritious – but there are some subjects and ideas and arguments that we need to chew over, and that just can’t be adequately covered in a Facebook update, a video clip or a short blog post of 600 words.…”
– Tony Payne introduces Vine Journal from Matthias Media.
The Land of the long weekend
“I am part of the pastoral team of an 800 member Christian Church, we are all being radicalised, every meeting, every week, to engage our society with the message of God’s love. We eschew bullets and bombs and take up a message of love, delivered as we are able with acts of kindness.
Here is the radical Christian message, God your Creator, who made you, loves you, He gave His Son to die for your sin, He raised that Son from the dead to prove to you He is Lord, lose control of your life to Him and you will find true abundant life!…”
– Another great post from Presbyterian Moderator-General David Cook.
Bishop of Stockholm wants crosses removed, directions to Mecca added
“The Bishop of Stockholm has proposed a church in her diocese remove all signs of the cross and put down markings showing the direction to Mecca for the benefit of Muslim worshippers…”
– Story from Breitbart.com. Image: Wikipedia.
Don’t hang all religions with Islam’s radicalisation problem
“Only two days after the appalling slaughter of Curtis Cheng as he peacefully went about his work, a commentator on ABC News 24 was heard to say:
‘We have to empower people in schools, people in mosques, people in churches to be able to see the beginnings of radicalisation.’
This, perhaps throwaway, comment was evidence of a more widespread response to the threat of religiously-motivated terrorism. In NSW, the government has moved to audit school prayer groups of whatever faith, in order to prevent extremism. Voluntary religious activities must be monitored, and parental permission obtained before high school students participate.
Can you see what has happened here?…”
– Michael Jensen writes at ABC’s The Drum.
UK government backtracks on ‘sinister’ faith leaders watchlist
“A Home Office minister has signalled that the Government now has ‘no plans’ to introduce a ‘watchlist’ for faith leaders…”
– from The Christian Institute.
What does the Bible say about Mary?
From Moore College’s Priscilla and Aquila Centre:
“What does the Bible say about Mary, mother of Jesus? Is she the second Eve? Find out at the last Priscilla & Aquila Centre Evening Seminar this year. Peter Jensen, Former Archbishop of Sydney, will look into this topic.
When: Wednesday 21st October 2015 7:00 – 9:00pm
Where: 15 King Street, Newtown
Pre-registration is necessary, register online here.”
Knowing Christ
Mark Jones, who has just written a book entitled “Knowing Christ”, speaks with J.I. Packer (who wrote the foreword for the book).
Read the foreword and watch the interview here.
‘Turnbull Govt victim of abortion lobby push to silence Troy Newman’
“The Australian Christian Lobby has expressed concern that the Turnbull Government has acted hastily at the request of the abortion lobby to deny a visa to an American pro-life advocate…
‘Australian taxpayer money funds Planned Parenthood operations in the Asia-Pacific region and Mr Newman’s visit promises to shed light on the abortion provider’s murky activities.’…”
– strong words from the Australian Christian Lobby, who have also launched a petition calling on the Immigration Minister to reverse the decision to deny Mr Newman a visa.
From Bible Society Australia:
The SMH is reporting, “Counsel for the Commonwealth gave the undertaking not to immediately remove Mr Newman at a hearing in Melbourne before High Court justice Geoffrey Nettle on Thursday evening, at which counsel for Mr Newman sought to have the decision to bar him from Australia overturned.”
On Thursday afternoon Immigration Minister Peter Dutton agreed to not deport Newman for 24 hours.
Eternity understands the matter will be decided this afternoon.
Update: What the Aussie Media has not told you about Troy Newman – John Sandeman.
Abortion-by-phone is ‘commerce, not care’
“The Anglican Bishop of North Sydney, Chris Edwards, says the proposal that Australian women would be able to access abortions by phone and mail smacks of a program driven by commercial concerns rather than by genuine care for people…”
– see SydneyAnglicans.net for more.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…