The Sydney Family Album 2 — Samuel Marsden

In 2011, Mark Thompson, now Principal of Moore College, penned a series of posts entitled The Sydney Family Album, for his website, Theological Theology.

We felt they merit wider distribution, so, with Mark’s kind permission, we are re-posting them on the ACL website, at the rate of one a week.

Here’s the second, a guest post by David Pettett on Samuel Marsden.

Related:

Sunday sermons shed light on pioneer – SydneyAnglicans.net, December 2016.

The Scriptures unto our salvation – Exhibition at Moore College

A fascinating exhibition opens at Moore College’s Donald Robinson Library next week – The Scriptures unto our salvation  –

“This exhibition commemorates the 500th anniversary of William Tyndale’s groundbreaking 1526 New Testament, a pivotal moment in the transmission of scripture, shaping the development of the English language and advancing new possibilities for vernacular access to the Scriptures.

All of the major early modern English translations are also featured, alongside Martin Luther’s German translation and key editions of the Bible in Latin, demonstrating the academic use of Latin by the Protestant Reformers in their study of the Word.

Alongside early printed editions the exhibition also highlights Indigenous Australian, Polynesian, and Papuan language Bibles, highlighting the complex linguistic, cultural, and historical contexts through which scripture has been rendered into diverse languages.

Together, these works invite reflection on translation not only as a textual practice, but also as a process deeply intertwined with the history of Christian missions in Australia and Oceania.

On display [from 13 July 2026] until 27 November during library hours (8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday).”

– from the College website.

The Sydney Family Album 1 — Richard Johnson

In 2011, Mark Thompson, Principal of Moore College, penned a series of posts entitled The Sydney Family Album, for his website, Theological Theology.

We felt they merit wider distribution, so, with Mark’s kind permission, we are re-posting them on the ACL website, at the rate of one a week.

Here’s the first, starting at the beginning with Richard Johnson.

Glad tidings and the New Testament of William Tyndale

“Five hundred years ago, William Tyndale produced an extraordinary gift to the world: his English translation of the New Testament. It has rightly been called ‘a treasure of English-speaking culture’. The old adage ‘No Tyndale, no Shakespeare’ is probably spot on.

But Tyndale would be surprised if we were to rejoice in his impact upon English language and culture only. No, it is the immeasurable spiritual impact of his work for which we ought chiefly to praise God. …”

– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Mark Earngey, Head of Church History at Moore College, gives thanks for William Tyndale and his work.

Photo: Moore College.

How Katoomba shaped a generation of Sydney Evangelicals with Phillip Jensen, David Cook and Al Stewart

From The Pastor’s Heart –

“For a generation of Sydney evangelicals, the Katoomba Christian Conventions weren’t just events in the calendar – they shaped church programs across the city.

In the 80s, 90s and early 2000s, thousands gathered under the circus tent and then later in packed auditoriums to hear the Bible taught, sing with conviction and be raised up for ministry.

But how did Katoomba become such an influence in Sydney evangelicalism? What decisions shaped its extraordinary impact? And what lessons are there for today.

We start a new occasional oral history series on the Pastor’s Heart, with former Katoomba Chairs Philip Jensen, David Cook and Al Stewart, reflecting on Katoomba’s phenomenal influence, the priority of expository preaching, the importance of guarding the platform and why ‘we teach the Bible’ became a defining conviction.”

– Watch here.

Much cause for thanksgiving, as well as some sobering memories, and a reminder to pray for the continued work of the Katoomba Christian Conventions.

Mark Earngey’s New Book

From Moore College –

“A recent book by Moore College faculty member, Dr Mark Earngey, offers a major new study of John Ponet (1516-1556), one of the most significant yet often overlooked figures of the early English Reformation.

John Ponet (1516-1556): Scholar, Bishop, Insurgent (Brill) draws on newly discovered archival material and a reconstructed catalogue of Ponet’s personal library to provide the most comprehensive account of his life and thought to date.

Earngey first encountered Ponet while undertaking postgraduate research at Oxford into the life and theology of Thomas Cranmer.

‘I realised that the little-known but prodigious Ponet was patronised by Cranmer and became his right-hand theologian,’ he says. ‘When I began work on Ponet an avalanche of new manuscript material came to light, and the project in recovering his story began!’

The book presents Ponet as a leading scholar, bishop and reformer whose influence extended across theology, church leadership and political thought. Earngey traces Ponet’s role in advancing evangelical reform during the reigns of Henry VIII (as Cranmer’s chaplain) and Edward VI (as Cranmer’s theological advisor) and examines his later writings during the reign of Mary I, in which he became one of the earliest English Reformation voices to argue for a limited monarchy and resistance to tyranny.

The research also uncovered a number of significant discoveries about Ponet and his influence.…”

– Read the full article here.

The Hidden Cost of Avoiding Theology

At The Gospel Coalition, Jacob Perry argues for the importance of theological clarity in churches. As part of his conclusion, he writes –

“Theological clarity isn’t a burden pastors impose on their people, but a gift. By teaching doctrine clearly, a shepherd protects his sheep from wolves in sheep’s clothing, from predators who speak in the sheep’s own language. Doctrine is an expression of love for Christ’s body. By teaching it, pastors help their congregations know what they believe and why it matters. …”

– Read it all here.

The Church of England’s Problem with Antisemitism

“This week, the Archbishop of Canterbury is visiting Israel/Palestine and meeting with Palestinian Christians there, who have made a plea for churches in the West to support them and campaign for peace in the region.

For reasons I will explain below, I think this visit, like the earlier one by Rachel Treweek, Graham Usher, and Guli Francis-Dehqani (bishops of Gloucester, Norwich, and Chelmsford) are disastrous for the Church of England, for Jews in Britain, and for our relationship with the Jewish community. …”

– At Psephizo, Ian Paul shares his possibly controversial, but very interesting, commentary on the Archbishop of Canterbury’s current overseas trip.

Image: Ian Paul speaking at the Church of England’s General Synod in February 2024.

William Tyndale: The most important Englishman in history?

“William Tyndale was the first person to translate the New Testament into English from Greek, and this was the first NT printed in English. It had an immense impact on the English-speaking world, which reverberates down into our own time. …”

– Tony Watkins at Tyndale House in Cambridge has this sketch of the life and importance of William Tyndale.

“In 2026, Tyndale House [celebrates] the 500th anniversary of the Tyndale New Testament (1526).

This anniversary marks a turning point in the history of the English Bible and an enduring reminder of why William Tyndale matters today: he placed the word of God into the hands of ordinary people, doing so with attention to the original languages and giving his life for this mission.”

Click this link for more.

Anglican Heroes: Katherine Brandon — Church Society podcast

From Church Society –

“Clare Heath-Whyte tells the story of Katherine Brandon’s life through 16th century England and Europe.

Born Katherine Willoughby, she first married Charles Brandon, one of Henry VIII’s closest friends, and later Richard Bertie, her Master of the Horse.”

– Listen here.

See a portrait by Hans Holding the Younger.

Rare find: The King’s Book

“The Donald Robinson Library was delighted to recently acquire a copy of the King’s Book, properly titled ‘A necessary doctrine and erudition for any chrysten man: set furthe by the kynges maiestye of Englande’, printed in 1543. …”

– Erin Mollenhauer, Senior Archivist and Special Collections Librarian at Moore Theological College, explains the background.

Anglican Heroes: Hannah More — Church Society podcast

From Church Society –

“Ros Clarke speaks to Sarah Allen about another Anglican hero, Hannah More.

Hannah was born in the 1740s, and was converted from a successful playwriting and intellectual career to give her life to working for charity.”

– Listen here.

Two to remember

“It was 1856, and the new Reformed Evangelical bishop, Frederic Barker, had arrived in Sydney with his wife Jane the year before.

The bishop was responsible for most of NSW – a huge burden. He and his wife immediately saw three great needs and took action to meet them.…”

– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Peter Jensen commends a soon-to-be-published book on Bishop Barker by Dr. Grant Maple.

He reminds us that it is “so easy to forget our history and that impoverishes us”.

The importance of a special relationship in a crisis

From The Australian Church Record, an encouraging and enlightening contribution by Robin Sydserff of The Proclamation Trust –

“At the celebration of Dick Lucas’ 100th birthday on 14 September 2025, the overseas contribution was a series of recorded video messages from past and present Christian leaders in Australia, testifying to a special relationship. The relationship, first between conservative evangelicals in the Church of England and Sydney Anglicans, has enlarged over the last fifty years and more to embrace a much wider constituency.

In a special relationship there are times when strong things need to be said. ‘Faithful are the wounds of a friend’ (Prov 27:6). …”

– What is the crisis? Who are the friends? How have they been a blessing to each other? Do take the time to read it all.

First published in the ACR’s Easter 2026 Journal.

Image from an interview with Robin Sydserff and David Cook on The Pastor’s Heart, August 2025.

In the Library: Joel Beeke in conversation with Albert Mohler

In the latest edition of his “In the Library” videos, Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, speaks with Joel Beeke, Chancellor of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary.

At 70 minutes, it’s an interesting conversation, covering a wide range of topics – including the Dutch Reformed movement in the USA, theology, the Puritans (and the way they have been misrepresented), the importance of reading books, publishing, and more. Watch here.

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