A Review of “The Widening of God’s Mercy: Sexuality within the Biblical Story” by Christopher B. Hays and Richard B. Hays

“Sometimes when people change their mind it is occasion for joy and celebration, for there is no virtue in adhering to past opinions for the sake of tradition or fear of criticism.

In this case, however, Richard Hays’s change of mind is a cause of grief and sadness instead of joy, especially for those like me who have learned so much from his outstanding scholarship over the years. …”

– At The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, Thomas Schreiner reviews “The Widening of God’s Mercy: Sexuality within the Biblical Story”.

See also:

At The Gospel Coalition, Rebecca McLaughlin shares her review of the book:

“For decades, Christians seeking to uphold the Bible’s ‘no’ to same-sex sexual relationships have quoted Richard Hays’s treatment of this topic in his Moral Vision of the New Testament. But Hays (emeritus professor of New Testament at Duke Divinity School) has coauthored a new book, The Widening of God’s Mercy: Sexuality Within the Biblical Story, arguing for ‘the full inclusion of LGBT+ people in Christian communities.’

Readers might expect to find that Hays has changed his mind about the meaning of the verses that apparently prohibit same-sex sex. But he hasn’t. Instead, he and his son, Christopher (an Old Testament professor at Fuller Theological Seminary), suggest God has changed his mind. …”

A fresh encounter with John’s Gospel

“An epic Bible reading at St Jude’s Carlton invites attendees to encounter Jesus in a powerful and immersive way.

John’s Gospel will be read aloud in full, allowing people to experience the entire book and notice the threads running throughout.

The event is part of a series of free public readings Simon Camilleri will deliver across Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney churches in September 2024.

Mr Camilleri said he was excited to present the entire gospel story for people who may never have heard it before. …”

– Story on page 28 of The Melbourne Anglican for September 2024.

Simon is reading John’s Gospel at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney on Saturday 7th September.

Moore College School of Biblical Theology 2024

Coming up next week!

We understand it’s not too late to register.

Details here.

Interview: The Christian Church and Porn

From AP, the national journal of the Presbyterian Church of Australia –

“In this episode of AP’s Profiles in Christian Living, host Mark Powell sits down with Dr. Marshall Ballantine-Jones to discuss the sensitive and pervasive issue of pornography.

Dr. Ballantine-Jones, who holds a doctorate on the societal impacts of pornography, shares his personal faith journey and presents alarming statistics about the prevalence of pornography in the Church and wider community.

The discussion delves into the harmful effects of porn on individuals, relationships, and society, and offers hope through practical solutions and spiritual guidance. Learn more about the Resist program, a course designed to help people break free from pornography addiction.”

– Watch here.

Sharpened and Refined: a missionary journey – Kylie Zietsch

From Moore College, an interview with Kylie Zietsch:

“Despite my education degree, the volunteer work I was doing in Johannesburg, ministering to students and the homeless, lacked the firm foundation of theological education. So in 2010 I came to Moore College intent on studying for a year. But I soon realised I wanted to go deeper into the word and grow skills in how to approach ministry, so one year grew into four, and I finished the Bachelor of Theology.

I am really thankful for my time at Moore. I was surrounded by women with whom I could walk the journey of life and ministry, with whom I could think through future plans, and who encouraged me in my faith. Looking back now, the student body were formative in encouraging me in mission and sharpening me, preparing me for the mission field.. …”

– Read it here.

Positive Masculinity

“Friends in Christ, this month, Micaela Cronin, the country’s first Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner, handed down her first ‘report card’ to federal parliament on progress of the government’s National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children. …

Also highly significant in my view, Ms Cronin urged governments to help redefine masculinity and engage men effectively. She said, “we need to have eyes on men in different ways than we do now”. She said she was being told consistently by women to “please work with our men” and data uncovering how men become violent and stopped being violent was desperately needed. [Source]

It’s at this point I offer some Christian reflections.”

– The Dean of Sydney, Sandy Grant, turns to Scripture to show us what a real man must be like.

Latest issue of Themelios (49/2) now available

The latest edition of Themelios (volume 49, no. 2) is now available for download – or to read online – from The Gospel Coalition.

Includes a book review by Moore College’s Lionel Windsor (that’s also available here).

– Download or read online the full issue here.

A prayer for the displaced

“I’m sure that, like me, many of you are deeply concerned about the ongoing civil war in Sudan, which is being increasingly covered by the international news media.

The deteriorating situation means the country is facing what the UN has described as “one of the worst humanitarian disasters in recent memory.” There are now 10.5 million internally displaced people (IDPs)* in Sudan, making this the largest displacement crisis in the world. Almost all of these IDPs are in areas with acute levels of food scarcity.

And it’s not just Sudan that is seeing an increase in IDPs.…”

– Canon Tim Swan, CEO of The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid, writes to encourage you to pray – and offers a prayer you could use.

Keith Green, Bill Hybels, and the Loss of Steeples and Bells

“I used to love Keith Green’s music and singing when I was a younger Christian. Not to say I don’t still retain some warm memories of his songs.  But in my early twenties I found him to be the one singer who spoke to me. And he was already dead by the time I first heard of him.  A big influence in my early Christian walk.

Okay I loved Larry Norman and his lyricism and irreverent attitude (I once saw him play live in Belfast and he was scarier than a paramilitary with a few pints in him). And I enjoyed early Randy Stonehill (especially the Welcome to Paradise classic).

But there was something sincere and deep and otherworldly about Keith Green. I still find myself singing those songs in my head from time to time. …”

– Here’s a thoughtful piece by Stephen McAlpine.

The terrible scourge of Female Genital Mutilation and what Christians are doing about it

From The Pastor’s Heart:

“The terrible scourge of Female Genital Mutilation and what Christians are doing about it.

Plus how the Tanzanian Church has been built through the labors and prayers  of Australian Christians, and why prosperity gospel preachers are as wicked as witch doctors!

We are joined by Bishop Mwita Akiri from Tarime in rural Tanzania, Judith Calf who served as a missionary in theological education in Tanzania for 20 years, and Tim Swan who leads the Anglican Aid Ministry here in Australia.”

– Watch or listen here.

Tribute to Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith by Ross Cobb

During the 10:30am service on Sunday (25th August 2024), Ross Cobb, Director of Music at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney, gave this tribute to Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith.

The service also featured hymns written by Bishop Dudley-Smith. (See it from the start here.)

Earlier posts.

Singleness book wins Christian book of the year

From SydneyAnglicans.net:

“The SparkLit Australian Christian Book of the Year for 2024 has been won by Sydney Anglican the Rev Dr Dani Treweek for her book The Meaning of Singleness: Retrieving an Eschatological Vision for the Contemporary Church. …”

– Read here.

Related:

Singleness in the Church Today: An Interview With Dani Treweek – Jacob York speaks with Dani Treweek for The Gospel Coalition Australia.

The book is available now from The Wandering Bookseller.

Tickle v Giggle: Sex and Gender Identity

“In his decision in Tickle v Giggle for Girls Pty Ltd (No 2) [2024] FCA 960 (23 August 2024) Bromwich J in the Federal Court of Australia found that the company Giggle had been guilty of indirect gender identity discrimination when its director, Sall Grover (who was also sued), had removed Roxy Tickle from her women-only social media app. …”

– At Law and Religion Australia, Neil Foster comments on a ruling “which raises concerns for religious folk, many of whom see sex as a biological category determined at conception and ordained by God”.

Minister for Gulgong announced

From the Diocese of Bathurst Facebook page:

“Bishop Mark Calder announced today the appointment of the Rev’d Josh Taylor as assistant priest in Cudgegong Valley, with responsibility for Gulgong. Josh and Jordon will arrive in Gulgong early in 2025. Praise God!”

– Read more here.

Also from the Diocese of Bathurst, here’s the latest list of parishes – for your prayers:

Lead us not into temptation

“Is not Britain an example of a nation in which the decline of self-control has led to a massive increase in the power of the State?

The permissive society of the 1960s gave permission to throw off the internal moral restraints that a broadly Christian country had encouraged. But when people cannot or will not control themselves, does that not provide a plum opportunity for authoritarians to take over? …

Today’s Book of Common Prayer Epistle reading is from the Apostle Paul’s New Testament letter to the Christians in 1st Century Galatia. It is a call to Christian people to exercise self-restraint in dependence upon God’s Holy Spirit. …”

– At The Conservative Woman, Julian Mann reflects on the Epistle for today.

Also at The Conservative Woman:

The Sunday Hymn: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus – Margaret Ashworth.

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