The Apostles’ Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits
“It began as an assignment. It ended as a milestone in my Christian life. My church history professor assigned the class to memorize the Apostles’ Creed. Obediently, I began to memorize this historic affirmation of the Christian faith word by word, phrase by phrase, truth by truth. Within a few hours I had committed the Apostles’ Creed to memory, ready when called upon in class to recite it. But even at that time I knew that something else had happened. …
It was the most important class assignment I ever had. …”
– Albert Mohler has shared this excerpt from his about-to-be-published book, The Apostles’ Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits.
Mark Dever at Nexus 2019 — Let’s Do Evangelism Better — watch
Mark Dever spoke at today’s Nexus 2019 Conference. The vitally important theme was “Let’s Do Evangelism Better”.
You can watch the whole thing at this link. Mark’s session began at around 59 minutes into the video.
His second session begins at 6h 44m, and there is plenty to watch in between.
The entire conference was challenging, encouraging and helpful. Do take the time to watch.
Jordan Peterson, Caroline Farrow and the death of free speech
“There are certain values which are so foundational to our society that we take them as a given and always assume that they will remain. But when the foundations are being destroyed perhaps we need to sit up and pay attention – and strengthen what remains before it dies.…
Three events this past week in the UK serve as warnings that these basic freedoms are under threat. This threat comes not from Muslim extremists, or far right terrorists or any external political ideology. No, this threat has arisen from within.“
– David Robertson writes at The Wee Flea.
On the Conviction of Cardinal Pell
“The recent conviction of Cardinal George Pell on five counts of child abuse has shaken the Roman Catholic Church in Australia and around the world.
Cardinal Pell was Australia’s most famous Roman Catholic leader – elevated to a position of high responsibility in the Vatican after a significant career in Australia, which including serving as Archbishop in Australia’s two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne. …”
– Assoc Professor Neil Foster reflects on Cardinal Pell’s case from a Biblical and legal perspective – at The Gospel Coalition Australia.
Captivated by Scripture: A personal reflection on D. W. B. Robinson’s legacy for biblical studies
Dr Lionel Windsor has shared the paper he gave at at the legacy day and launch of Donald Robinson Selected Works Volume 3: Biblical and Liturgical Studies & Volume 4: Historical Studies and Series Index at Moore Theological College, today, 16 March 2019.
“What made Robinson such an inspiring and influential teacher for generations of students? I’m sure there were multiple factors: many of those here today will have their own insights into this question. But one factor that I want to focus on this morning – a factor that comes through particularly clearly in his writings – is Robinson’s commitment to being captivated by Scripture.
The impression that keeps coming through in these volumes is that Robinson was so confident in the divine inspiration of Scripture, and so assured that God’s purposes are revealed to us in Scripture, that he was prepared to follow Scripture wherever it led him.
And when Scripture led Robinson on strange paths, paths that others had barely trod, on journeys where even he could not discern the destination, he enthusiastically trod those paths, knowing that wherever Scripture was leading him, it must be important. In this way, Robinson’s approach to Scripture is faithful in a deep sense: full of faith in God’s purposes revealed to us in his inscripturated word.”
– Read it all at Forget the Channel.
Prayer following the act of Terrorism in Christchurch
The Rev. Mark Charleston has written a prayer you may wish to use – in your own prayers, or in church.
We’re grateful to Mark for sharing it.
Tactics, not truth, over same-sex marriages
“It would seem that the response by the bishops of the Church of England to the latest attempt in the House of Lords to force clergy to conduct same-sex weddings was driven by tactical considerations rather than by transcendent truth.
Although the Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft [pictured], resisted the amendment by Lords Faulkner and Collins to remove the CofE’s exemption from solemnising same-sex marriages, his remarks were notable for their political tone…”
– The Rev. Julian Mann discerns an attempt by the Bishop of Oxford to placate the 100+ evangelical clergy in his diocese who signed a letter ‘of grave concern’ in January.
A Christian Code of Ethics for Using Social Media
“The following is a simple code of ethics (5 Questions) for the follower of Jesus to consider before one clicks the ‘enter’ button.
It is intended for the follower of Jesus to remember that even in cyber-space we are witnesses (either for good or for bad) for Jesus Christ modelling a life which is supposed to emulate him. …”
– Archbishop Foley Beach shares five questions to ask yourself.
Dr. Stuart Piggin to speak on Australia’s Christian heritage
In an event in Parramatta on Monday 1st April, Professor Stuart Piggin will speak on the key influence of an evangelical Christian worldview in the shaping of Australia.
See Family Voice Australia for details and registration.
(See also, The Fountain of Public Prosperity – Evangelical Christians in Australian History 1740–1914, by Stuart Piggin and Robert D. Linder, from Monash University Publishing.)
Help for Responding to Sexual Abuse in Church Settings
Dr. Peter Adam writes,
“There are few more painful, complicated, difficult, demanding, divisive and stressful issues to deal with than sexual abuse in your church.
If you are already dealing with it, you will find this extended essay very helpful.
If you are not yet dealing with it, you need to read it, so that you are more alert to the signs of its presence, aware of the issues, and be prepared to deal with it.
The author, a good friend of mine, has had extensive experience counselling victims of sexual abuse, and helping church leaders to respond to sexual abuse in their churches. She prefers to remain anonymous, for good reasons. I encouraged her to write this essay, so more people could learn from her hard-won wisdom…
The essay is not an easy read, but is highly recommended. I wish I had read it 50 years ago!”
– Do take the time to read the full post from Dr. Adam, and then download the resource from the Gospel Coalition Australia.
What’s the point of theology? (Ephesians 1:17-18)
“The full name of the college I teach at is ‘Moore Theological College’.
That word ‘Theological’ says something important about who we are. It reminds us about what we’re on about: we’re training students to think theologically, not just ‘learn the Bible’.
Yes, the Bible is at the centre of everything we do. Yes, we seek to train people for ministry. Yes, we’re driven by the worldwide mission of Jesus Christ. Yes, we’re committed to learning together, and having our characters formed in loving Christian community.
But our careful study of the Bible, and our pastorally-motivated ministry and mission training, and our encouragement of one another in our community, all matter because of something more basic that connects to all of them…”
– Lionel Windsor continues his series on Ephesians. Read or listen at Forget the Channel.
Donald Robinson’s Selected Works Book Launch
Coming up at Moore College on Saturday 16th March 2019.
Details and RSVP at the College website.
(Please RSVP for catering purposes by Friday 8th March.)
Little ones to him belong
“Over 40 years ago, Jay E Adams opened his little book, The Meaning and Mode of Baptism, with an observation that still rings true today: ‘obviously, some immersionists speak overmuch on the subject; but just as truly, most of those who disagree with them say far too little’.
The above observation might be most true amongst evangelical Anglicans. …”
– At The Australian Church Record, Peter Blair argues for clear teaching about infant baptism.
NEXUS19 on Monday March 25
Don’t forget the coming NEXUS19 Conference coming up later this month.
Mark Dever is among the speakers.
Take Heart!
“You should read this book!
Matt Chandler writes clearly and honestly about the society we live in – from the challenges it presents us to the hope the gospel holds for those who live in it. …”
– At Church Society’s blog, Philip Hobbs introduces Matt Chandler’s book ‘Take Heart!’.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…