The Nicene Creed: The nature of Christian unity and the meaning of gospel words — reviewed by Robert Doyle

“The Nicene Creed: The nature of Christian unity and the meaning of gospel words is a carefully written, informed, and thoughtful examination of basic Roman Catholic beliefs following the implicit and explicit trajectory laid out in the Nicene Creed: the doctrines of the authority of Scripture, Trinity, person and work of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the virgin Mary, salvation, church, and the world to come.

It arises out of the teaching and pastoral ministries of the authors, who all – whether in Italy, France, Belgium, Ireland, Australia or the United States – are involved in proclaiming and explaining to today’s Roman Catholics the gospel of Jesus Christ as it is presented in the Scriptures.

The book is marked by careful attention to sources and fair critical evaluation of them. It is missiological. The intended audience is Bible study groups in Evangelical churches. More widely, its analysis and presentation make it an excellent introduction to contemporary, foundational Roman Catholic beliefs and how the scriptural gospel speaks to them. …”

– Dr Robert Doyle reviews this important book at The Australian Church Record.

Religious freedom concerns raised at cult inquiry

“Religious freedom advocates have warned recommendations to criminalise coercive control in cults could target mainstream churches and faith communities.

The Victorian Legislative Assembly Legal and Social Issues Committee’s inquiry into the recruitment methods and impacts of cults and organised fringe groups is holding public hearings. …

In hearings on 21 October, the Australian Christian Lobby and Freedom for Faith raised fears the inquiry’s outcome would affect how Christians practice and teach their faith. …”

– Hannah Felsbourg writes at The Melbourne Anglican.

Adelaide Synod 2025: walking together into another year

The Diocese of Adelaide held its 2025 Synod last weekend. It was the last for Archbishop Geoff Smith, who concludes his time as Archbishop on 1st November:

“The Adelaide Anglican Synod for 2025 concluded its annual session on Sunday, marked by an emphasis on synodality, youth engagement, and a move toward streamlined ministry governance.

Held once again at Starplex at Trinity College Gawler, due to the very high satisfaction survey last year, the session was, once again, affirming for Synod members to listen carefully, and speak respectfully, acting synodically – flourishing and united in God’s Love.

The weekend began with the Synod Eucharist held on Friday 16 October at St Peter’s Cathedral.  During the beautiful service a new Archdeacon was collated, four new area Deans for the Triennium were commissioned and four members of the laity were awarded Diocesan extraordinary service ‘Archbishop’s Pins’.…”

– Secretary of Synod Joe Thorp reports at The Adelaide Guardian.

See also:

Archbishop Geoff Smith’s final Presidential Address to Synod – PDF.

Airbags on Pokies

At the Cathedral website, Dean of Sydney, Sandy Grant, has published his letter to Members of the Legislative Council of NSW.

“I write to request your support for the Gaming Machines Amendment (Mandatory Shutdown Period) Bill 2025, which I understand has been introduced into the Legislative Council of the NSW Parliament.

This bill would enact reforms that the Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney has been unanimously calling for, for several years. We represent over 250 Anglican parishes throughout Sydney, the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, Wollondilly, the Southern Highlands and Blue Mountains. …”

– Read the full letter here.

Preaching Plan 2026

Some very practical advice from David Cook at The Expository Preaching Trust:

“Preachers are teachers (Eph 4:11-12; 1 Tim 2:7; 2 Tim 2:24), all teachers know the value of a clear curriculum.

Now is a good time to be working on your preaching curriculum for 2026.

There are 52 weeks in our teaching year, 4 terms of 9 weeks each; pre-Christmas Advent 4 weeks; post-Christmas holiday period 6 weeks; school term breaks March /April 2 weeks, June/July 2 weeks, September/October 2 weeks. Total 52 weeks. …”

– Read it all here.

Image: David Cook speaking at St. Helen’s Bishopsgate.

Bathurst Diocese Ministry Opportunities October 2025

The Diocese of Bathurst has posted its latest page of Ministry Opportunities.

New to the list is the parish of Blayney, Millthorpe, Barry and Trunkey.

Sydney Standing Committee welcomes Gafcon announcement

From SydneyAnglicans.net, a Public Statement from the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Sydney –

“Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney

Public Statement

At its meeting on 20th October, 2025 passed the following resolution welcoming Gafcon’s announcement on the future of the Anglican Communion.

‘Standing Committee –

(a)       welcomes the attached 16 October 2025 statement by the Most Rev Laurent Mbanda, the Chairman of the Gafcon Primates Council, entitled ‘The Future has Arrived’, and commits itself to pray for the Global Anglican Communion,

(b)       humbly prays that the Scriptures – the authoritative and life-giving word of Christ – may be firmly established at the heart of every parish and diocese within the Anglican Church of Australia. To this end, we commit ourselves to working faithfully through the structures of the Australian Church, and

(c)       encourages all Sydney Bishops to attend the GAFCON gathering of the world’s orthodox Anglican Bishops in Abuja, Nigeria, from 3 to 6 March 2026.’

Sydney, October 20, 2025.”

– Source.

Global South Anglican Bishops Gather in Uganda for Formation Retreat

“Bishops and their spouses from eight Anglican Provinces across the Global South have converged at Lweza Training and Conference Centre, Kampala, Uganda, for the third Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA) Bishops Formation Retreat.

The retreat, held under the theme, ‘Formed in Christ to Guard the Gospel and Lead God’s Mission’ (2 Timothy 1:13–14), running from 18th to 24th October 2025 was organized to equip, affirm, and strengthen Bishops for faithful and effective leadership in today’s rapidly changing world. …”

– It’d be good to keep in your prayers the Global South Bishops as they meet and discuss.

Annual Moore College Lectures 2025 — A Biblical Theology of Faith — now available to watch

Earlier this month, Dr. Peter Orr gave the 2025 Annual Moore College Lectures on the theme A Biblical Theology of Faith.

The College has now made video recordings of the lectures and Lectures Outlines available for your instruction and edification.

Lecture 1.
Faith in God’s promises from Genesis to 2 Kings.

Lecture 2.
Faith in God alone in the Prophets and the Psalms.

Lecture 3.
Faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ through Paul’s Letters.

Lecture 4.
Faith in Jesus Christ in the Gospels and Acts.

Lecture 5.
Faith that bears fruit in Hebrews, James, and Revelation.

Athens Archaeological Sites with photos

Moore College Lecturer (and member of the Anglican Church League’s Council) Dr Lionel Windsor is continuing to publish fascinating pictures from his recent trip.

“In July 2025, I visited Athens with my wife Bron and daughter Ellie. We went to see archaeological sites associated with the Apostle Paul. Here are some photos of the sites and museum exhibits. They help to provide context for New Testament texts associated with Athens. Enjoy!”

– They certainly do help provide context – and are a great reminder that when we read the Book of Acts, we are dealing with history – real people and real places – a real gospel.

At Forget the Channel.

Photo: On top of The Areopagus.

Related:

“The Areopagite” by Bruce Smith.

Anglican Heroes: William Wilberforce — Church Society podcast

From Church Society:

“Jago Wynne, the current vicar of Holy Trinity, Clapham tells Ros Clarke about the life, faith and work of its most well-known former member, William Wilberforce.”

– Listen here.

Firstborn Failure

From Phillip Jensen:

“We return this week to Genesis and chapter 4. It’s a passage that Peter and I should be able to empathetically deal with: Cain and Abel, brothers at war!

Thank you to those who have sent messages of encouragement to us and questions to push our thinking. Please continue to encourage others to subscribe to Two Ways News.”

– Listen at Two Ways News.

Can we redeem Halloween?

We first posted this link two years ago, in September 2023. As Halloween approaches, this episode of The Pastor’s Heart is worth revisiting, with ideas for churches and church members.

“How should Christians respond to customs, traditions, and stories that have associations with false religions, demonic powers, and evil?

Could a church building be covered in cobwebs and used as an invitation to come inside?

Would you run a Halloween event for the kids of your church so they don’t feel like they are missing out? Or would you run something as an outreach to connect to the neighborhood?

Is it about the occult and to be avoided at all costs and denounced – or is it kids in funny outfits and junk food?

To talk Halloween, kids and churches our guests are:

Craig Roberts, CEO of Sydney’s Anglican Youthworks and former minister of Neutral Bay Anglican Church.

Kristen Young, Director of student and community care at Sydney Missionary and Bible College.”

– Watch or listen here.

Related:

The Australian Church Record has today published Handling Halloween by Andy Bryan.

“As Halloween grows in popularity, it’s worth helping our children think about how to be in the world but not of it (John 17:15). This isn’t about everyone reaching the same conclusion, but about thinking theologically and guiding our families wisely. …

Whatever your decision, keep Jesus at the centre. Our aim is to glorify him in all we do.”

And from 12 years ago – Glen Scrivener shares a thought-provoking video on Halloween:

GAFCON Anglicans Seek to Lead, Who will Follow?

“A group of leading Anglican traditionalists this month announced a reordering of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Top bishops (primates) of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), a renewal movement composed of both historic Anglican provinces and newly inaugurated Anglican churches, are seeking to bind the Anglican family not around a common tie to the See of Canterbury but around shared theological commitments. Among them the centrality of holy scripture. …”

– While we might not warm to the ‘traditionalists’ label, Jeffrey Walton at Juicy Ecumenism finds ‘encouragement in this month’s necessary step’.

The Future of Anglicanism Has Arrived: What GAFCON’s Statement Means for Evangelicals

“On October 16, the anniversary of the martyrdom of Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley, the leaders of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) released a statement beginning with the striking words: ‘The future has arrived.‘

For many outside Anglicanism, this may sound like insider church politics. But the statement represents something much larger: a historic reordering of the Anglican Communion that has profound significance for global evangelicalism. …”

– On Saturday, Australian time, The Gospel Coalition published this piece by Gafcon General Secretary Bishop Paul Donison.

He shares a way forward for those who find themselves in provinces or diocese who do not align with the Global Anglican Communion.

Photo: Bishop Paul Donison, courtesy Gafcon.

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