Launch 2026
It’s not too early to register for Launch 2026 from Two Ways Ministries.
Launch is held at The Tops Conference Centre, Monday 26 to Thursday 29 January.
“The aim of Launch is to work out together what it means to live for Jesus in the transition to post-school life – years that are likely to be the most formative years of life.”
Book Review: How Christians Can Succeed Today
“In the Lord of the Rings the elves give Frodo and his fellowship a flask of Miruvor, a golden liquor which they sip in dispirited moments of biting cold and hunger. It warms and invigorates them, gives them strength for the next stretch.
Greg Sheridan’s How Christians Can Succeed Today mostly has that effect.
It was written in two parts to fortify the church as it pursues the Great Commission in a milieu resembling, in many ways, the non-Christian world into which the early church set forth. …”
– At AP, Campbell Markham is impressed and encouraged by Greg Sheridan’s new book.
At the same time, he doesn’t think the book is for everyone. See his review to discover why.
Image: Greg Sheridan interviewed by John Anderson last month.
Understanding the worldviews of our Roman Catholic friends
From Certainty4Eternity, Session 7 of the video course Talking With Catholics About Jesus:
“Enjoy our freebie as mentioned in EP08!
This section of Mark’s course Talking with Catholics about Jesus is helpful in dissecting worldview differences and learning how to communicate effectively with your Catholic friends.”
The full course is available from Matthias Media.
All very useful in helping us love our Roman Catholic friends with the news about Jesus.
A Call to Worship (Psalm 95)
“King Lear, one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, tells the story of a king who voluntarily set aside his titles and property in favor of two of his three daughters, only to find himself reduced to poverty and homelessness because they rejected him. …”
– In today’s Word on Wednesday at The Anglican Connection, John Mason turns to Psalm 95 and asks, ‘how often do we express our gratitude to the LORD?’.
Sin in the New Testament On being sons (and daughters) of Adam
From Phillip Jensen:
“We come back today to the subject of men and women, though this time not from Genesis, but looking at how the New Testament looks at this topic.”
– Why does a baby cry on hearing the voice of Peter Jensen? This, and other (more important) topics are explored in this week’s Two Ways News podcast.
Shoes, temperance and benevolence — Samuel Callaghan (1809-1884)
“Samuel Callaghan was born in Londonderry, Ireland…
At his death on 29 August 1884, Callaghan had been associated with various efforts of the Wesleyan Church in the colony of NSW for a period of 45 years, and for about 11 years in Ireland prior to coming to Australia. His family maintained an active involvement in Wesleyan/Methodism well into the 20th Century, and one of his grandsons, Robert Samuel Callaghan, was hailed by The Methodist as ‘a prince and a great man’ of Australian Methodism. …”
– Gospel minister and historian Paul F Cooper, Research Fellow at Christ College, Sydney, provides a glimpse into the life of yet another Christian man who worked to be a blessing to the people of Sydney.
Read about Samuel Callaghan at Philanthropists and Philanthropy in Australian Colonial History.
Anglican Heroes: Charles Simeon — Church Society podcast
In the latest podcast from Church Society, Lee Gatiss talks to Ros Clarke about the influential ministry of Charles Simeon.
– Listen here.
Sinclair Ferguson on the Charlie Kirk controversy, John Macarthur, RC Sproul and preaching to the Queen
From The Pastor’s Heart:
“Sinclair Ferguson is speaking across Eastern Australia and joins us to share wisdom that he wishes he’d been given when he started in pastoral ministry in Glasgow 54 years ago.”
Marriage in the New Testament
From Phillip Jensen –
“Once again, we are looking at the New Testament’s treatment of Genesis 1-3; this time, on the subject of marriage.
We had several episodes on this topic, but it is so central to the New Testament understanding that we thought it worth spending an episode thinking on it.”
– Hear (or read the transcript of) Peter and Phillip’s conversation at Two Ways News.
When ‘Evangelical’ Means Everything but the Gospel
“For the past 30 years, I’ve pushed back against the critics who’ve said Christians need to abandon the label ‘evangelical.’ I’ve argued that we shouldn’t let political associations or cultural baggage rob us of a word with such rich theological heritage. The term has deep biblical and historical roots that predate and transcend contemporary controversies.
But even I have to admit the label I love has become nearly meaningless in our current American context. …”
– This article by Joe Carter at The Gospel Coalition (USA) is a reminder that what is meant by ‘evangelical’ by many in the USA has very little in common with what J.I. Packer (for example) – and many Sydney Anglicans – would mean.
Among his conclusions,
“Church leaders can either continue to lament theological compromise or take steps to return to the historic Christian faith that actually deserves the name ‘evangelical.’ The choice will determine whether future generations inherit a robust, biblical faith or an empty shell of cultural Christianity that can tell you whom you should vote for but not how many persons are in the Trinity.”
Archbishops: Installed or enthroned?
“It is all about a seat! A ‘cathedra’ is the proper name for the seat of a Diocesan Bishop or Archbishop, hence cathedral is the building in which it is placed. Its origin is the Greek, then Latin, word for a seat with arms. Why a seat? What should a bishop do when sitting in their seat?
The seat is often described as a ‘throne’, hence the words, ‘enthronement’ or ‘enthronisation’. This implies that the bishop rules the diocese from this seat, a symbol of authority. …”
– At The Melbourne Anglican, Dr Peter Adam explains how much evidence he finds in the New Treatment for “Diocesan Bishops as rulers with thrones”.
He also shares some “New Testament instructions which are relevant to a bishop’s role”.
Image: St Helen’s Bishopsgate.
The Global Anglican September 2025
From Church Society:
“In the September edition of The Global Anglican, we commemorate and celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.
Peter Jensen in his editorial looks at some of the lessons we can learn from the Council.
Mark Smith, in his article, Nicaea Then and Now, The Creed and Council after 1700 years, reflects on the legacy of Nicaea. It looks at the doctrinal debates that prompted the council, the proceedings of the council, and the subsequent reception of the creed at following councils and in Anglican liturgy.
Graeme Goldsworthy in his article, Is the Old Testament Trinitarian? considers the implications of the Trinity for authentic Christianity and, in doing so, addresses the role of the Old Testament in the formation and preservation of Christian truth.
Chase Kuhn then proposes a retrieval of the goodness of God being as the foundation of moral reality. Engagement of historical voices is focused on developments around Nicaea and later theologians.
Also included is our usual array of current book reviews.”
– See this link to subscribe or to purchase single issues.
Videos from Moore College’s Reformation Research Forum
Moore Theological College has been posting videos from their Reformation Research Forum held on 14 August 2025.
Topics and speakers:
1. Bullinger’s Ghost – Ed Stocks
2. No Necessity of Reformation – Jake Griesel
3. Preaching Against the Reformation – Stephen Tong
4. The Reception of the “Christianam Confessionem Anglicanam” – Mark Earngey
5. Andrew Perne – Ashley Null
They are also available on YouTube in this playlist.
Trusting God when everything is awful
From The Pastor’s Heart:
“How do you understand God’s sovereignty when your dad is murdered, your family is in poverty, you are living in the most awful slum and your extended family won’t help.
Richmond Wandera’s father was murdered when he was just eight years old, leaving his family destitute in Uganda’s Naguru slum. Initially he wanted revenge. But then he came to know Jesus Christ.
We talk theological reflections on suffering, as well as a challenge for Western comfort-seeking Christianity, and a clear critique of the Prosperity Gospel.
Richmond Wandera leads the Pastors Discipleship Network across East Africa, as well as pastoring at the church where he came to Christ and partnering with Compassion in Uganda.”
Men and Women in the New Testament
From Phillip Jensen:
“We come back today to the subject of men and women, though this time not from Genesis, but looking at how the New Testament looks at this topic.”
– Another helpful discussion between Peter and Phillip Jensen – at Two Ways News.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…