More Packer
Crossway has released more short videos filmed as part of their forthcoming documentary entitled, J. I. Packer: In His Own Words.
“We’re also giving away a free e-book by J. I. Packer to everyone who signs up to receive the videos via email at JIPacker.com.”
Released so far:
What is Repentance?
What is Faith?
What is the Church?
What is Doctrine?
What is Christian Unity?
Who is the Holy Spirit?
The full video will be released on Tuesday, November 3rd.
Ka-Ching! Designed for addiction
Tonight (Tuesday 20th October 2015, at 9:29pm) ABC TV is screening a documentary on the inner workings behind the all-pervasive poker machines in Australian clubs and pubs.
They have come a long way since the mechanical machine pictured!
You can see a trailer for the programme at The Pokies Play You.
Stories you might have missed — Monday 19th October 2015
Here are a few stories you might have missed from the last week –
- New biography of Sir Marcus Loane launched in Sydney.
- Archbishop Glenn Davies’ Presidential Address to Sydney Synod.
- Dr Ed Loane speaks at ACL Synod Dinner.
- ACL Good Governance Workshop for members of diocesan boards and schools.
- Sydney Synod affirms marriage.
- Sydney Synod ‘deeply grieved’ by actions of two Bishops in Victoria.
Positive complementarianism
“Always defending means that often our churches are so concerned with what women are not allowed to do, that we do not take the time to think hard about what women should be encouraged to do to build up the body of Christ. This conference gives us just that opportunity…”
– At Equal But Different, Phil and Vic Colgan are thankful for conferences which move beyond the theological ‘battle ground’ into positive encouragement. And they suggest one you can attend.
When Billy Graham (almost) gave up on the Bible
“…what do we do when we experience doubts that might cause us to give up on Christ, or even to radically alter our views about the Christian faith? …
Having recently read his autobiography, I found it very interesting to learn how Billy Graham faced a crisis of this kind…”
– A most encouraging piece from Moore College’s Dr. Peter Orr. Read it all.
(Photo: Archbishop Marcus Loane and Billy Graham at the 1979 Crusade. Courtesy Ramon Williams / Worldwide Photos.)
Biography of Sir Marcus Loane launched in Sydney
A large crowd gathered in Sydney on October 14th for the launch of a substantial biography of Sir Marcus Loane, Archbishop of Sydney 1966-1982.
From Strength to Strength – A Life of Marcus Loane, was written by Canon Allan M. Blanch, who is also an Emeritus Vice-President of the Anglican Church League.
The book was launched by Dame Marie Bashir.
From Strength to Strength promises to be an important contribution to Australian Church History. It also introduces Sir Marcus to new generations of Christians who, until now, may have known little about this towering figure.
A paperback edition is now available for order through the publisher’s website.
Top photo: Allan Blanch at the book launch.
Related: Archbishop Marcus Loane photo gallery.
Defending classic marriage — Synod speeches
Canon Sandy Grant moved, and Mrs Tara Sing seconded, the motion “Affirmation of marriage as between a man and a woman” at Sydney Synod on Wednesday 14th October 2015.
The text of Sandy’s speech is now available as a 115kb PDF file, with links to useful resources, and the final form of the resolution, as it was passed, at the end.
Mrs Tara Sing’s speech seconding the motion is below – Read more
Playboy opened the floodgates and now the culture is drowning
“Scott Flanders, Playboy CEO, told the media that his product had been overtaken by the larger culture. ‘You’re just one click away from every sex act imaginable for free. And it’s just passé at this juncture.’
That is one of the most morally revealing statements of recent times.”
– Albert Mohler comments on the tragic results of the Playboy revolution.
Will revisionism save the C of E? We’re about to find out
Anglican Mainstream’s Andrew Symes writes about elections to the Church of England’s General Synod, and the election of The Rev Andrew Foreshew-Cain as a representative for the Diocese of London –
“In February 2014 the Bishops’ post-Synod statement reiterated that the Church of England cannot bless same sex relationships nor change its doctrine of marriage.
Specifically an appeal was made to clergy in same sex relationships (which were supposed to be “celibate” anyway) not to take advantage of the forthcoming change in law (March 2014) to get married, because this would cause confusion about the Church’s teaching.
Two clergy who defied this ruling became focal points for media interest: Jeremy Pemberton and Andrew Cain. What are we to make of the fact that the latter has become part of the decision making and governing body of the organisation whose teaching and practice on a crucial matter he has rejected?”
– Read it here.
A Tale of Two Archbishops — ACL Synod Dinner talk 2015
Dr Ed Loane from Moore College spoke to a packed ACL Synod Dinner at the Chapter House on Monday 12th October, 2015.
His topic: A Tale of Two Archbishops: Christian Unity in the Ministries of Archbishop Temple and Archbishop Mowll.
What were the key differences between these two towering figures? What lessons can we learn? Listen to Ed’s fascinating talk which has many contemporary applications:
Or right-click this link to download the 9.7MB mp3 file.
Update: You can also read Dr. Loane’s notes, in this PDF file.
Archbishop Howard Mowll, painted by Alfred G. Reynolds, 1958. On display at Mowll Village, Castle Hill. (Click the image for the full painting.)
Below: Attendees chat over dessert and coffee.
Related links: ACL Membership application.
The Synod Survival Guide.
Good Governance Workshop
Good Governance Workshop
6:30pm, Thursday 26th November 2015.
This workshop is for you if you’ve been elected to a board or a council, particularly if you feel your own management experience doesn’t prepare you for this ‘governance’ role.
As a service to our diocesan organisations and the people elected by our Synod, the Anglican Church League presents a workshop designed to equip members of boards and committees with good governance principles and practice.
Click the image to download an invitation in PDF format.
What: A series of presentations on governance – particularly as it pertains to the Anglican Diocese of Sydney.
Who is it for? Board members appointed to organisations of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney.
When: Thursday 26th November, 6:30pm–9:00pm.
Where: At The Chapter House – please enter via rear door of St. Andrew’s Cathedral.
How much? No charge.
To register, please send an e-mail to our organising committee at ggw@acl.asn.au via this link, specifying the names of attendees (so we can ensure we have the right number of handouts, etc.).
Main Speakers:
Archbishop Glenn Davies
on Evangelical Governance: what difference does the gospel make to governance?
Dr Robert Tong
on Responsible evangelical governance of diocesan boards.
Canon Bruce Morrison
on Responsible evangelical governance of school councils.
Liberalism and the Church of Scotland
David Robertson, minister of St. Peter’s Free Church in Dundee, has been reflecting on the direction of the Church of Scotland. (Ten Reasons Why the Church of Scotland is in Decline – March 20, 2015.)
As a result, he was recently invited to take part in a public conversation with a prominent Church of Scotland minister.
The full transcript of the only recording (mp3 file) is both disturbing in what it reveals of classic liberalism, and most encouraging in David’s example in speaking the truth.
Australian Church Record October 2015
The latest issue of The Australian Church Record is now out. Just in time for Sydney Synod.
Grab a copy from their website.
Religious Freedom conference videos available
Associate Professor Neil Foster writes about the recent conference in Newcastle, ‘Religious Freedom in a Multicultural World’ –
“For those who are interested, the video of my presentation on the day is now available. The paper which goes along with the talk can be downloaded here. It was entitled ‘How should religious marriage celebrants respond if same sex marriage is introduced in Australia?’…”
See the other videos from the conference (including that by Peter Jensen) here – or on the University of Newcastle website.
J I Packer — In his own words
“J. I. Packer stands as one of the greatest theologians of the twentieth-century. Ever since the publication of Knowing God – an international best-seller – Packer has exerted a steady influence on contemporary Evangelicalism.
In honour of his life and legacy, Crossway is producing a short video documentary entitled, J. I. Packer: In His Own Words, that will premier on Tuesday, November 3, accessible free-of-charge at JIPacker.com. There you’ll also find other videos featuring Packer discussing timely topics related to the Christian life, including the nature of saving faith, the importance of the church, the centrality of sound doctrine, and the person of the Holy Spirit.
We’re also giving away a free e-book by J. I. Packer to everyone who signs up to receive the videos via email at JIPacker.com.”
– From Crossway.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…