What Is the Greatest of all Protestant “Heresies”?

“Let us begin with a church history exam question.

Cardinal Robert Bellarmine (1542–1621) was a figure not to be taken lightly. He was Pope Clement VIII’s personal theologian and one of the most able figures in the Counter-Reformation movement within sixteenth-century Roman Catholicism. On one occasion, he wrote: ‘The greatest of all Protestant heresies is _______ .’

Complete, explain, and discuss Bellarmine’s statement.

How would you answer? What is the greatest of all Protestant heresies?

Perhaps justification by faith? Perhaps Scripture alone, or one of the other Reformation watchwords? …”

– Sinclair Ferguson writes at Ligonier Ministries.

In Favour of Clarity

“The recent announcement by the Standing Committee of the Anglican Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) that the Bishops of the Province had voted unanimously not to attend the Lambeth Conference unless the conditions set forth in the Gafcon Letter of June 2018 are met, comes as no surprise.

Nonetheless it is an historic moment. …”

– Dr. Peter Jensen discusses the reasons for the brokenness of the Anglican Communion’s structures. Nevertheless, the Lord is doing wonderful things.

Related: Letter to the Churches – GAFCON 2018 Final Statement.

Hoax journal articles expose grievance-focussed research

In his latest issue of The Briefing daily podcast (4th October 2018), Dr Albert Mohler comments extensively on the takeover of much of academia by the postmodern worldview.

27 minutes well spent.

Tune in to the ACL’s Synod Briefing Podcast

The ACL’s Synod Briefing Podcast for 2018 is now online.

It’s produced as a service to Sydney Synod members, but is also relevant for anyone who wants to see the Lord Jesus honoured and churches strengthened through decisions of the Sydney Synod.

If you can’t be at Synod, and want to follow along with all the action, you can subscribe to our Daily Synod Updates.

They will be posted on our Facebook page, or you can sign up to receive them direct to your inbox.

The Synod Survival Guide — free download

If you are new to Synod, download a copy of the ACL’s Synod Survival Guide by Dr. Robert Tong.

First published by the ACL in 1996, and now in its 5th edition, it is an essential guide to Sydney Synod, and includes lots of very useful end notes and a glossary.

Marriage: its place and pattern (Ephesians 5:31)

“ ‘For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh’ (Ephesians 5:31, R.V.) (See also Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:45; Mark 10:7-8.)

These words refer, of course, to the action of a man in getting married. They indicate why it should be done. If, therefore, we look at the context of these words, we may expect to find out something about the ground and the purpose of marriage. What is more, these words come more than once in the Bible. …”

– In The Australian Church Record, the Rev. Alan Stibbs reflects on the place and pattern of marriage.

‘Nine things you should know about the Bethel Church Movement’

“TGC Australia recently published an article examining the theology and practice of the Bethel movement.

The Awakening Australia event – and its main speaker, Bill Johnson – are increasing the awareness of the controversial church throughout the continent.

Here are nine things you should know about the Johnsons and the Bethel movement. …”

– Joe Carter provides some background at The Gospel Coalition.

Diocese of Armidale Presidential Address Synod 2018

The Diocese of Armidale has published the Presidential Address by Bishop Rick Lewers to their 2018 Synod.

Well worth reading, and a reminder to pray for our brothers and sisters in that diocese.

1 Corinthians 5: Why it is Necessary and Loving not to associate or eat with certain ‘Christians’

“1 Corinthians 5 has to be one of the most confronting passages in the NT. The Corinthian church was tolerating a case of blatant sexual immorality in their midst. …”

– Moore College’s Dr Peter Orr tackles an important passage.

Send your pastor away

“When was the last time you told your pastor to go away? Or better still … sent him away?

… that is, sent him away to a pastor’s conference?

Sure, your pastor can do this himself, but sometimes – toiling away week after week, month after month – he needs a prompt from the elders. Time away at ministry conferences and conventions play an important role in the life and work of the Christian pastor. Pastors can have their faith restored, mind sharpened and skills honed. …”

– Some encouragement from John P Wilson, Moderator-General of the Presbyterian Church of Australia.

The goodness of Christian hope

“Do your friends know the goodness of the Christian hope? Do you?

Recently I was talking to one of my most biblically informed non-Christian friends about life, the world, human nature and God, when she told me ‘I don’t want eternal life’. …”

– Kirsten McKinlay writes at The Australian Church Record.