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.

Details here.

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!’.

Making Bricks for Evangelical Pharaohs

“I worry that an awful lot of modern day ministry is about making bricks for evangelical pharaohs.  Whether those pharaohs are actual people, or whether they are systems and philosophies of ministry that have been put in place, doesn’t matter all that much; making bricks is the paradigm of much modern ministry.  And it’s leaving a trail of exhausted people in its wake. …”

– Stephen McAlpine’s observations may resonate with many in ministry.

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.” (Rom 10:14, 17)

How often do we consider the urgency of Paul’s words here? In 2017 McCrindle Research did a nation-wide study of faith and belief in Australia. It found that at least 1.5 million people don’t know a Christian. In fact, 1 in 29 people have never heard of Jesus. But the survey also found that 10 percent of Australians – that’s 2.4 million people – are interested in having a conversation about Jesus.

I once had no Christian friends or family, and I first heard the gospel from a stranger…”

– ACL Council member Mike Taylor shares encouragement and a challenge. At the Australian Church Record.

More on Ephesians

ACL Council member, Dr Lionel Windsor, is continuing to post insightful and encouraging reflections on Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians.

See them at Forget the Channel. (Scroll down to Recent blog posts.)

Reform resources now available through Church Society

Following the recent merger of Reform with Church Society, many Reform resources are now available on Church Society’s website for free download – with much more to come.

See the Reform Archive here.

A Tender Lion: The Life, Ministry, and Message of J.C. Ryle

ACL website readers might be interested in this book about J. C. Ryle. Commended by Phillip Jensen, it’s currently on special at Reformers bookshop in Stanmore.

“J. C. Ryle is to Anglican evangelicals as C. H. Spurgeon is to Baptist evangelicals. The lives of great servants of God deserve our careful study to understand the trajectory from which we have come, to remove the cultural blinders of living in the present, and to find exemplars of gospel ministry, that we may imitate their faith. Bennett Rogers has done us all a great favour by writing this book on J. C. Ryle with detailed scholarship and eminently readable prose.” – Phillip Jensen.

Also other items on special of possible interest –

Letters of John Calvin (reduced to $24.99) and Geerhardus Vos: Reformed Biblical Theologian, Confessional Presbyterian (now $35).

(The ACL does not have any business relationship with Reformers Bookshop. We just thought you might be interested.)

Gospel Flourishing in a Time of Confusion — new book from Church Society

At Church Society’s website, there’s news of a new book to help evangelicals in the midst of a very confused Church of England.

Creating a culture of doctrinal literacy

“My favourite book on Christian doctrine is Peter Jensen’s At the Heart of the Universe.

It’s short, sharp, soaked in Scripture, and came about as a result of research for presenting the material orally. Best of all, it begins with eschatology – something that sets it apart, in a good way, from most (if not all) other approaches to Christian doctrine.

But whenever I pick up a book on Christian doctrine, I expect to hear some sort of apologetic for its very existence, and Dr Jensen’s work is no exception. In the introduction he writes …”

– Ben Pakula shares some ideas at The Australian Church Record.

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