The Slippery Slope and the Jesus Box
“In the late-20th century and early 21st century, the slippery slope has tended to begin over the issue of women’s ordination.
The reason for this is not because there is something especially nefarious about women being ordained, but because this is the point of maximum cultural outrage at which progressives have tended to capitulate. …”
– Sobering words from Rick Phillips at Reformation21.
Moore College Sunday resources
Moore College has released a couple of videos you might be able to use in conjunction with Moore College Sunday (nominally this Sunday, 6th August).
Moore College – A Light for your path.
Lots of other resources here.
From The Principal’s message at the link above:
“We must never lose our sense of dependence upon God and his grace towards us.
Without his sustaining and guiding providence Moore College would go the way of many others before it – drifting from the word of God, blending into the world of the secular academy, losing touch with the gospel mission that alone justifies its existence.
Our need and our vulnerability are well-known to God. We must be aware of them too. That, as much as anything else, is a stimulus to prayer.”
Liberal MPs urged to “keep their promise” regarding a Plebiscite
“We now know that a group of Liberal MPs are planning to defy their Prime Minister and trash the election promise they made to you. They plan to cross the floor, vote with Labor, the Greens and independents to force the parliament to debate same-sex marriage.
They promised you there would be no change without a people’s vote. …”
– Australian Christian Lobby’s Lyle Shelton urges supporters to pray, and to contact Liberal members of Parliament (though a contact form at the link above) ahead of Monday afternoon’s party meeting.
The Mythical Middle
“It has not worked. It cannot work. It will not work.
I mean the idea that we will be able to find a middle ground, where we will be able to be quietly or relatively conservative, while allowing for a denominational variety which blesses sexual relations outside the bonds of traditional marriage.
The present tactic of those looking for a change is to say that there is a middle way…”
– Archbishop Peter Jensen examines the idea that you can hold a ‘middle ground’ position when the Bible’s teaching is clear. At the GAFCON General Secretary’s blog.
The Bible: Is it Relevant? Is it True? Would it matter if it wasn’t?
“How can a book drawn up over centuries, but all long since, by people in and around Palestine, have any real significance for people like you and me who live in this mad age of rush, atom bombs and duodenal ulcers?
Let us approach this question via another question I am sometimes asked, ‘Is the Bible true ?’
And this second question leads me to pose a third, ‘Does it matter?’ For indeed to many people is almost an axiom that it does not matter, since it is quite possible to get on with the serious business of living in blissful unawareness of its teachings. …”
– The Australian Church Record has republished this 1955 article from Leon Morris.
Intercession
“How should we pray for our leaders, for God’s people, for the nations and for people in need? Daniel’s prayer in chapter 9 sets out principles for us.”
– John Mason writes at Anglican Connection. Especially relevant in Australia this next week.
Here’s a reminder why prayer for leaders is important: Same-sex marriage: Malcolm Turnbull calls Liberal MPs to special meeting to debate party position. – ABC News.
Four stages of ‘evangelical’ affirmation of gay marriage
“I have noticed a pretty consistent progression among those who eventually embrace gay marriage. …
It usually takes some time to move from number 2 to number 3. McLaren and the Hatmakers both took four years to make that transition. But the transition from 3 to 4 can sometimes happen very rapidly. My observation, however, is that anyone who makes it to 3 eventually makes it to 4 also.”
– Denny Burk, Professor of Biblical Studies at Boyce College, shares what he has seen among those who call themselves ‘evangelicals’ in the USA.
Why next week’s Liberal Party showdown on Marriage as a proxy for the soul of our nation
“A glance at today’s headlines shows that same-sex marriage is tearing our political class apart. For an issue that doesn’t even register as a concern with the average punter – it is number 16 on the priority list for the left-leaning GetUp! supporters – it is dominating politics. …”
– The Australian Christian Lobby’s Lyle Shelton calls for prayer for Australia and its political leaders.
[Note: The Australian Christian Lobby and the Anglican Church League are not related. We just happen to have the same initials.]
Ready to give an answer
“Though we’re reading mixed signals from Parliament, let there be no mixed signals from the church. Though we hear rumours in Canberra of deferrals, reneging and equivocation … is our word our word? Are we ready to give an answer, even if that makes us unpopular with people we love?…”
– Presbyterian Moderator-General John P Wilson encourages Christians to be clear about what they believe, and to speak with gentleness and respect.
Reflections on the 50th anniversary of my Diving Accident
Joni Eareckson Tada reflects on the the Lord’s faithfulness, these fifty years, since she had her diving accident.
Reformation Public Lecture — Graham Cole — The legacy of the Reformation through the eyes of J.C. Ryle
Dr Graham Cole spoke at Moore College on July 19th, about The legacy of the Reformation through the eyes of J.C. Ryle. Most encouraging.
The message lives on
“Mr Eternity could never have imagined he would have crowds of Sydney-siders remembering him 50 years after his death, but that’s what happened at St Andrew’s Cathedral on Sunday.
But then again, he wouldn’t have imagined he would prompt city authorities to emblazon Eternity in fireworks on the Harbour Bridge at the turn of the century, either.
Arthur Stace was an alcoholic converted during the Great Depression, who then went on to devote his life to reminding people of Eternity by writing the word in perfect copperplate on Sydney Streets.…”
– Russell Powell reports on the tribute to Arthur Stace, “Mr. Eternity”, last Sunday at the Cathedral. (Photo of Arthur Stace courtesy HammondCare.)
See also this report from Eternity News, and these related posts.
Enemies of Christianity declaring new war on religion
“Christians, prepare for persecution. Open your eyes and choose stronger leaders for the dark days.
I am not a Christian, but I am amazed that your bishops and ministers are not warning you of what is already breaking over your heads. …”
– Andrew Bolt writes in The Herald-Sun. (Subscription.) Image: Sky News.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…