Betrayed by my King
From The Pastor’s Heart –
“Marcus Loane said no. The King said yes.
For the first time in more than 800 years, an English monarch has prayed publicly with the Pope.
King Charles III — the Supreme Governor of the Church of England — joined Pope Leo XIV in the Sistine Chapel in a highly choreographed moment of unity. But for many Protestants, this was not a moment to celebrate, but to grieve.
The Reformation was born out of deep conviction that Rome had departed from the apostolic gospel — that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Those convictions have not changed. And yet, the sight of a Protestant king kneeling in prayer beside the Pope suggests that they believe these dividing lines no longer matter, that the Reformation is no longer relevant.
Half a century ago, in 1970, when Pope Paul VI visited Australia, Sydney Anglican Archbishop Sir Marcus Loane — refused to pray with the Pope, saying shared prayer implied shared faith, and that the great truths of the Reformation still mattered: salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
Loane’s grandson, Dr Stephen Tong, joins Rachel Ciano, Lecturer in Church History at Sydney Missionary and Bible College, and Dominic Steele on The Pastor’s Heart to discuss what’s happened in Rome this week – as the leaders of the Roman Catholic and Church of England Churches downplay the Reformation’s significance.”
Celebrating the Nicene Creed
At AP, the Presbyterian journal, Campbell Markham at Scots’ Church Fremantle begins a four-part series on the Nicene Creed.
“Christians confess their faith in God as He Is.
This year (2025) marks seventeen centuries since the writing of the Nicene Creed which is, with the Apostles’ Creed, one of the two most important extra-biblical documents that the Christian church possesses.
Creed derives from the Latin credo, ‘I believe.’ It is the first word of the Nicene Creed and identifies it as a statement of Christian belief.
In this article I look at the history of the Nicene Creed and why it is critical that Christians confess right belief in Christ. In the following three articles I plan to look in turn at the three main sections of the Nicene Creed, focussing especially on its Christology: its definition of the person and work of Jesus Christ. …”
“God the Father and the Person of God the Son
I was fifteen when I first saw those creepy life-size models of famous people, hands and faces of painted wax. Too often people handle Jesus Christ as a wax mannequin, to be reshaped and adjusted to suit their own ideas and desires.
Anti-theologian Barbara Thiering taught that Jesus was the natural child of Joseph and Mary and that he did not die on the cross but rather swooned and was revived to consciousness in the tomb.
Sixteen centuries prior the heresiarch Arius taught that Jesus was not the self-existent and eternal Creator of all, but was himself created in time.
There has been no end to this wretched remodelling.
About 300 bishops at the Council of Nicaea in 325 refused to do this. They recognised Jesus as a true and historical person described in the Bible with all the depth and complexity that God wanted us to know and own. …”
The Clapham Sect and their Influence on Sydney
Videos from the 2025 Donald Robinson Library Lectures at Moore Theological College – The Clapham Sect and their Influence on Sydney:
“Held on 8 October 2025, the Library Day Lectures explored the remarkable legacy of the Clapham Sect — a network of evangelical reformers whose faith and friendships shaped British society and left a lasting mark on early Australia.
Through eight talks by Moore College faculty and guest scholars, the event traced their impact on mission, education, social reform, and the formation of Sydney’s evangelical heritage.”
– See all the lectures in this YouTube playlist from Moore College.
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.
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.
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.
The Huguenots and The French Reformation
From Moore College:
“Last Wednesday evening, the Moore College came alive with stories of courage, faith and endurance as Pamela Summers from the Huguenot Society of Australia delivered a fascinating and captivating talk on The Huguenots and the French Reformation.
The turnout exceeded expectations, prompting the event to move to Marcus Loane Hall to accommodate the larger audience, a clear sign of the interest in this remarkable chapter of church and world history. The presentation was particularly helpful for those to whom the French Reformation was unexplored. …”
Thessalonica Archaeological and Historical Sites with photos
From Moore College’s Dr Lionel Windsor:
“In September 2025, I visited the the Greek city of Thessaloniki with my wife Bron and daughter Ellie. We went to see archaeological and historical 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 Thessalonica (=Thessaloniki). Enjoy!”
– It’s always helpful to see where key historical events took place.
See also:
Philippi Archaeological Site with photos.
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.
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.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…