Books of the Reformation: An Interactive Exhibition
On Monday, 28 October 20129, from 6:30 pm, Moore College is running a free event as part of the NSW State Library’s Sydney Rare Book Week.
Dr Peter Jones on The Arrival of the Post-Secular Age
Reformers Bookshop in Stanmore is hosting an event with Dr. Peter Jones, Executive Director of TruthXChange in Los Angeles, on Monday 21st October at 7:00pm.
Dr. Jones is also speaking at the Australian Christian Lobby’s “Not Ashamed” 2019 National Conference in Sydney on Saturday 19th October. See the short video of Dr Jones on this page.
Crowd Madness and The New Religion of The West
“ ‘There are 2 gunman at the university – tell your friends on campus’.
The text arrives from a friend, who knows I’m often on campus. But I can’t believe it: surely this is spam?
So I ring my friend to confirm. Yes, the text is legit: A collegue of his has a contact at the university.There really are gunmen at Southern Cross University in Lismore.
I well up with anxiety. My head starts racing. Is this really happening?…
But the herd mentality isn’t limited to stressful rumours about active shooters (as bad as they are). Any idea can lead to herd mentality, as it spreads among a population.”
– At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Akos Balogh draws some helpful ideas for Christians from a new book about western culture.
Submission on the Religious Freedom draft laws
Associate Professor Neil Foster shares his personal submission on the Government’s package of draft laws on Religious Freedom – at Law and Religion Australia.
If you would like to make your own submission, you have until 5:00 pm on Wednesday 2nd October 2019.
The Moon is Always Round
“In one of those wonderful gifts of God in the midst of darkness, I received a copy of Jonny Gibson’s book The Moon is Always Round only a day before hearing that the New South Wales parliament had failed to protect the most vulnerable in society and had passed its Abortion Bill.
Though the Bill received some significant amendments, its basic thrust remains and we have descended further into a culture of death where life has no intrinsic value, only what we decide to give it. If you want this child, that’s OK. Go ahead and carry the child to full term and share your life with her or him. But if you do not want this child, for whatever reason, then this life is expendable, disposable. It was a tragic piece of news to hear that this Bill had been passed. The darkness encroaches even further.
Enter Jonny Gibson’s book. …”
– Moore College Principal Dr Mark Thompson commends a book about a sensitive and important topic.
It’s available locally from Reformers Bookshop.
David Ould also has a review.:
“In The Moon is Always Round Jonathan Gibson has given us a fine gift – the tragedy of the stillbirth of his daughter turned into a book to help children process suffering.
Illustrated beautifully by Joe Hox, Gibson takes us through the story of that loss through the eyes of his son Ben, using the waxing and waning of the moon as an illustration of something that we can’t always see but we know is always there.”
False Comfort: The Treacherous Gospel of Wrathless Universalism
“An increasing number of Christian books, podcasts and blog posts tell us that we shouldn’t believe in a God who judges and punishes sinners – especially on the Cross of Jesus or eternally in Hell. Sooner or later, they assure us, everybody will be saved.
Here are 10 questions to ask when you encounter such theology …”
– Here’s a helpful post by Andrew Moody on a very sobering topic, at The Gospel Coalition Australia.
Freedom for Faith submission on the draft Religious Discrimination Bill
“Freedom for Faith has released its submission to the Commonwealth Government on its Exposure Draft Religious Discrimination Bill. …
I recommend it as an excellent overview of the Bill, with a good summary of its good points and some areas where it could be improved. …”
– See Neil Foster’s latest post to download a copy of the submission, along with previous comments – at Law and Religion Australia.
Holy talk (Ephesians 5:3–4)
“Human beings are social creatures. We need to belong. One of the most obvious ways we do that is by the way we speak. Whenever we speak, in all sorts of small ways, we’re signalling to others how and where we belong. Often our nationality, our social class (or our aspirations!), our particular generation, our allegiances, influences, and personalities are all revealed when we speak.”
– As he continues his reflections on the Letter to the Ephesians, Moore College’s Dr. Lionel Windsor turns to chapter 5, and the complete inappropriateness of pornolalia.
Practical tips for sharing the gospel with a stranger
“How are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?… Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:14, 17)
How often do we consider the urgency of Paul’s words here? …
– At GoThereFor.com, Mike Taylor shares some very helpful ideas for sharing Christ. Read, and be spurred to action.
God in the Rainforest by Kathryn Long — Review by Wei-Han Kuan
“There are few stories in the English-speaking evangelical Christian world that have had greater impact than that of the Auca Five. Five young North American men, full of the promise and potential of the post-WWII generation, speared to death in equatorial Ecuador as they sought to bring the Gospel of Christ to a hitherto unreached, reclusive, jungle tribe. …”
– CMS Victoria State Director Wei-Han Kuan looks at an important and sobering book, God in the Rainforest: A Tale of Martyrdom & Redemption in Amazonian Ecuador by Kathryn Long,
Men Praying for Moore
The next Men’s Prayer gathering to pray for Moore College is on Saturday 21st September.
Seeing God at Ground Zero: an Aussie’s testimony from 9/11
“A meteorologist would tell you there were sprawling areas of high pressure, but to me it was simply a picture-perfect day for my last full day in New York, and an opportunity to explore the tourist hot spots.
First on the list was the viewing observatory inside the World Trade Center’s South Tower. It was Tuesday, September 11, 2001. …”
– At The Australian Church Record, Anthony Phillips reflects on his experience, and the lessons he learned from that day in New York.
Latest Northwest Network – fuel for prayer
The latest Northwest Network, from the Diocese of North West Australia, is now available for your encouragement to to fuel your prayers for the people of the north west. Dated August 2019.
Dean of Sydney and GAFCON Australia react to the Wangaratta same-sex blessing vote
At today’s The Pastor’s Heart, Dominic Steele speaks with the Dean of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, about the decision of the Diocese of Wangaratta to reject the Biblical doctrine of marriage.
See also:
Statement from Gafcon Australia – 9 September 2019
The Board of Gafcon Australia expresses its dismay over the decision of Synod of the Diocese of Wangaratta to make provision for the blessing of same-sex marriages. We believe this has torn the fabric of our communion within the Anglican Church of Australia.
This decision is contrary to the teaching of Scripture about the nature of human sexuality and marriage. It is also contrary to the doctrinal position of the Anglican Church of Australia. General Synod has repeatedly affirmed that marriage is a lifelong exclusive union between a man and a woman. The Bible does not allow the blessing of any sexual relationship which is not marriage between a man and a woman.
Contrary to the views expressed by Bishop Parkes, the Anglican Church of Australia has always been a church that confesses its faith. Every deacon, priest and bishop has declared their faith and pledged their commitment to our doctrine at their ordination. This confession includes adherence to the Holy Scriptures, the Creeds, the Book of Common Prayer and the 39 Articles of Religion. Bishops are required to “correct and set aside teaching that is contrary to the mind of Christ”.
The resolution in Wangaratta is emblematic of a move in the Anglican Church of Australia away from our doctrine. Several Synods have now passed motions calling for services of blessings of same-sex marriage. Moreover, the Synod of the Diocese of Grafton showed its theological drift in June this year, by voting against affirming “the authorised standard of worship and doctrine of the Anglican Church of Australia as set out in the Fundamental Declarations and Ruling Principles of the Constitution.”
We therefore extend an invitation to any member of the Anglican Church of Australia, including those in the Dioceses of Wangaratta and Grafton, who are troubled by these developments, to contact Gafcon Australia atinfo@gafconaustralia.org or any of the Board members listed below.
Gafcon Australia is a growing movement of Anglicans across the breadth of the Australian Church, who uphold and promote orthodox, biblical teaching. Our aim is to provide mutual encouragement, fellowship and support for those who are committed to the same, both those who feel out of step with their Bishop and/or Synod, and those who are committed to working within the Anglican Church of Australia for biblical faithfulness. We are glad to affirm our commitment to the doctrine and order of the Anglican Church of Australia as it has been handed down to us. For more information see www.gafconaustralia.org
Gafcon Australia Board
The Rt Rev Dr Richard Condie (Chair), Tasmania; the Most Rev Dr Glenn Davies (Deputy Chair), Sydney; the Rev Stephen Carnaby, Tasmania; Mr Philip Gerber, Sydney; the Rev Paul Hunt, Adelaide; the Rev Joshua Kuswadi, NT; Mrs Fiona McLean, Melbourne; the Very Rev Kanishka Raffel, Sydney; the Rev Trevor Saggers, North Queensland; Dr Laurie Scandrett, Sydney; Dr Claire Smith, Sydney; the Rev Peter Smith, Perth.
– Source: GAFCON Australia.
Australian Church Record Journal for Spring 2019 now out
Download your copy of the latest Australian Church Record Journal for Spring 2019 here.
Contents:
Thank God for Ordinary Pastors
Mark Earngey
Wangaratta Defies National Church
Kanishka Raffel
The Opened Eyes of Wilberforce
David Ould
Evangelism in the Upper Mountains
Jon Guyer
Gospel Growth through ANeW
Sam Broadfoot
New Life in an Ancient Parish?
Ben Wilkinson
Contending side by side
Tom Habib
Some Observations for Ordinary Pastoral Ministry
Archie Poulos
The Christian and His Worship
D. Broughton Knox.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…