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.
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.
Nicea — Church Society podcast
At the Church Society website:
“1700 years on from the Council of Nicea (325AD), Mark Smith talks to Lee Gatiss about its history, myths, theology and legacy.”
– Listen here.
Why Christianity Still Defines Us — John Anderson speaks with Greg Sheridan
On his latest video, John Anderson (former Australian Deputy Prime Minister) speaks with journalist Greg Sheridan.
“In this conversation, Greg Sheridan explores Christianity’s defining influence on Western civilisation, showing how its revolutionary impact – from the early Church through to modern times – has shaped culture, morality, and human dignity.”
– At johnanderson.net.au – or see it on YouTube to access the timestamps for the video.
The Great Commission became his Ambition
“While his name has faded from our collective memory, Adoniram Judson Jr. (1788–1850) was one of the most famous men of his century.
In the eyes of the world, Judson seemed destined for greatness. He excelled at nearly everything he did, advancing in Latin, rhetoric, and mathematics so quickly that he entered the College of Rhode Island (later Brown University) at the age of sixteen. During his senior year of college, Judson launched his own school while still managing to graduate as valedictorian.
He revered the great men of history, but his ‘burning ambition’ (as he put it) was to surpass them. One day, Judson believed, his name would shine.
He was right. But when it did, it wasn’t his story he told. …“
– At Desiring God, Ryan Griffith reminds us of Adoniram Judson, pioneer missionary to Burma.
Image adapted from one in The Life of Adoniram Judson, Volume 3, 1883, by Edward Judson.
Happy birthday to John Newton
The Rev. John Newton was born 300 years ago, on 4th August 1725.
At The John Newton Project, Marylynn Rouse shares some contemporary tributes to the man who (among other things) wrote Amazing Grace.
Church Society Podcast: George Whitefield
The latest Church Society podcast:
“Ros Clarke and Lee Gatiss talk about the controversial and brilliant George Whitefield.”
– Listen here.
Can’t Catholics and Protestants just Agree?
“Mark Gilbert and Leonardo De Chirico have edited an incisive series of essays in The Nicene Creed: The Nature of Christian Unity and the Meaning of Gospel Words.
These essays respectfully seek to illuminate the fundamental difference between Protestantism and Roman Catholicism with the Nicene Creed as the backdrop for analysis. …
The book demonstrates that even if we nominally can agree with the Nicene Creed, the disagreements between Catholics and Protestants are significant enough for us to recognise that we are worshiping different Gods, in different ways, with fundamentally different views on what it means to relate to that God.”
– The Gospel Coalition Australia, Kamal Weerakoon reviews the new book edited by Mark Gilbert and Leonardo De Chirico.
“The book is not only polemical. It sets out the proper, Biblical, and Protestant view of the creed: Trinitarian monotheism, one God in three persons as the universal creator and redeemer; the full and eternal deity of Christ; Jesus’ true union with humanity; the completeness of his penal substitutionary atonement; his authority to judge; justification by faith alone; assurance of salvation; etc.”
Discussing Christian Unity and the Nicene Creed
From the “Dead Presbyterians Society” podcast:
“Leonardo De Chirico and Mark Gilbert join the program to discuss the enduring significance of the Nicene Creed as it marks its 1700th anniversary.
Drawing from their recent edited volume, The Nicene Creed: The Nature of Christian Unity and the Meaning of Gospel Words (Matthias Media), the guests explore how shared credal language can mask deep theological differences, particularly between evangelical and Roman Catholic traditions.”
– Watch here.
The book is, of course, available from Matthias Media.
Anglican Heroes: Richard Sibbes — Church Society podcast
From Church Society:
“In the next instalment of our podcast mini-series featuring great Anglican theologians and reformers of the past, Emily Lucas tells Ros Clarke why the work of Richard Sibbes is so important to her personally and pastorally, as well as why he remains significant for the Church of England.”
– Listen here – with links to resources from Mark Dever.
Church of Uganda celebrates Archbishop Janani Luwum’s legacy
From NTV Uganda –
“Forty-eight years ago, Archbishop Janani Luwum was reportedly assassinated on the orders of the former President Iddi Amin Dada.
Luwum was at the time the leader of the Church of Uganda. But his legacy lives on after Uganda declared the 16 of February a public holiday to celebrate the life of Luwum. Daniel Kibet brings us the tales from the Northern Uganda Diocese of the Anglican Church, where Luwum once served as the bishop, and how people there remember him.”
– The 5 minute report includes comments from Moore College graduate Bishop Alfred Olwa.
Discussing The Nicene Creed
Mark Gilbert and Leonardo Di Chirico chat about their new book The Nicene Creed – The nature of Christian unity and the meaning of gospel words, published this month by Matthias Media.
This 17 minute video is a terrific introduction to understanding the key differences between Romans Catholics and Protestants, so that we can love our Catholic friends from a position of better understanding.
It may also make you want to get the book! (If so, click the image for details.)
Towards the end of the video, Mark mentions The Reformanda Initiative. where there are additional resources.
Anglican Heroes: Richard Hooker — Church Society podcast
In the latest Church Society podcast, Dr Ros Clarke speaks with Nigel Atkinson about Richard Hooker (1554 – 1600).
Why should we know about Richard Hooker today – and how has he been misrepresented (by Cardinal Newman, for example)?
Did he really turn his back on the Reformation? (Answer: No.)
This may be a revelation to many Anglicans.
More interesting than any Dan Brown novel — The Council of Nicaea
“This year, in May to be specific, marks 1700 years since the start of the Council of Nicaea. The town is now known as Iznik, in modern Turkey. From this Council’s determinations sprang the core content of what Christians now know, and regularly recite, as the Nicene Creed.
Why does the anniversary of such an old statement matter? It’s not ultimately about philosophical theology, or winning a debate, let alone the intersection of religion and politics, as some suggest.
Ultimately, it’s about worshipping God properly, as he truly is, and not just as we imagine or find convenient.
In particular, it was about honouring Jesus not just as perfect man, but truly as God.…”
– At the Cathedral website, Sandy Grant, Dean of St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney, explains the significance of the Council of Nicaea.
He reminds us, “the background story is more interesting than any Dan Brown novel conspiracy theory. And the theology is more important” – so take the time to read (and also see the resources he links).
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…