Human Sexuality and the ‘Same Sex Marriage’ Debate
This promises to be a very useful book:
“The current debates about gender, the meaning of marriage and human sexuality are of interest to people inside and outside the Christian churches. A massive exercise in social engineering is underway around the world and it is often difficult to discern how Christians might contribute to the debate in a way that will not simply be dismissed as traditionalist bigotry.
The Sydney Diocesan Doctrine Commission has spent two years reflecting upon the issues and has produced this little book as a resource for Christians who wish to understand what is happening and how they might respond, as well as an explanation to others of why Christians have found the debate and the way it has been conducted in the public arena deeply disturbing.”
The members of the Doctrine Commission who have contributed to this report include:
- Rev Dr Peter Bolt
- Bishop Robert Forsyth
- Archdeacon Kara Hartley
- Rev Dr David Höhne
- Rev Tony Payne
- Rev Gavin Perkins
- Rev Robert Smith
- Rev Canon Dr Mark Thompson (chair)
– Now available as a pre-order from Anglican Press Australia (an imprint of Youthworks’ Christian Education Publications).
The Mark Drama at Moore College
Moore College is putting on two performances of The Mark Drama – on Wednesday April 1st and Thursday April 2nd.
Why not take a friend? Details and booking here.
For Christians who missed the memo: the Bible abhors all domestic abuse
I’m thankful for the many in our community from Australian of the Year Rosie Batty, to the Sydney Morning Herald’s ‘shine a light’ campaign who are speaking out on domestic violence. Even if it makes me and my own tribe – more theologically conservative Christians – uncomfortable.
I’m grateful since one of the best-known facts of Jesus Christ’s life is his compassion to women, especially those in need. Jesus protected women.…”
– Sandy Grant writes an opinion-piece for The Sydney Morning Herald.
Phillip Jensen on Anglican Evangelicalism
In the latest Preaching Matters video from St. Helen’s Bishopsgate, Phillip Jensen speaks about what it is to be an Evangelical Anglican.
In doing so, he explores the difference between ‘followers of Calvin’ and ‘followers of Calvinism’. (Mike Ovey responds here.)
The Death Bed
“That there is an element of fear as we face imminent death is natural, after all, none of us are experienced at dying, we only die once. It seems so permanent and separating from all that we love. …
The Christian facing death has two common questions, I will deal with the first in this column, the second question in the next column.”
– David Cook writes to encourage Christians to keep reminding each other of their hope. (Posted 02 March 2015. Image from a St. Helen’s Bishopsgate video.)
Australia’s Christian Heritage
Weekend reading, new in our Resources section:
Associate Professor Stuart Piggin gave this address at a gathering on 3rd February 2015 to commemorate the First Christian Service in Australia.
Held in Richard Johnson Square, Sydney, the gathering was close to the site of the first service, conducted by the Rev. Richard Johnson, Chaplain to the Colony, on 3rd February 1788.
“We are at the site of:
• the First Christian service on Australian soil,
• the first sermon preached,
• the first church and
• the first schoolhouse
The preacher at that service, held under a ‘great tree’, beginning at 10 o’clock on 3 February 1788, a hot midsummer’s day, was the Rev Richard Johnson, Australia’s
• first minister,
• first educator,
• first carer for orphans,
• first carer for aboriginal children …”
Click here to open the PDF file of Dr. Piggin’s address in a new window.
Photos: Ramon Williams, Worldwide Photos.
Ligonier Ministries 2015 Conference
“On February 19-21, 2015, Ligonier Ministries hosted its 28th annual National Conference to call out for the Lord to revive the light of His truth in our churches and culture.
Alistair Begg, Rosaria Butterfield, Tim Challies, Kevin DeYoung, Sinclair Ferguson, Robert Godfrey, Peter Jones, Steven Lawson, Russell Moore, Stephen Nichols, and R.C. Sproul Jr. joined R.C. Sproul in considering the theme, “After Darkness, Light.”
Together, they explored our need to be revived and restored to a high view of God, His law, His people, and His plan for the world.”
– The conference talks have now been made available for viewing, free of charge.
(Tim Challies is pictured, speaking on ‘Purity in a Digital Age’.)
By the Book
The latest issue of Credo Magazine is out – with the theme of knowing the Bible.
Bearing the cross: a letter to the Islamic State
“The Islamic State sent me a letter this week. This letter was in the form of a short film produced by the Islamic State’s Al-Hayat Media centre.
This was not addressed to me personally, but to all Christians everywhere…”
– Mark Durie reflects on the meaning of the message sent by ISIS in their murder of Coptic Christians.
Related: What ISIS really wants (The Atlantic)
What’s new in Moore College distance education
“Moore College distance education has re-imagined and re-built from the ground up the way it delivers solid Bible teaching for 21st century learners. For the first time you will be able to find everything you need online – course notes, lectures, resources, weekly quizzes, final exams, tutor groups and personal coaches…”
– Mark Fairfull at Moore College outlines the college’s distance education offerings.
Notes from another country
“I’ve been leading a small Cornhill missions team this last week. We’ve been abroad somewhere hot and somewhere increasingly difficult to be a Christian. It’s probably not appropriate for me to say where (or necessary, even) because I don’t want to put believers at risk.
But, as ever, my heart has been stirred and my faith has been challenged by being with believers from a different culture. For sure, other cultures have their blind spots – and they are painfully obvious. But, more to the point, being with Christians in another culture allows us to see our own blind spots more clearly. And it’s this I want to write about this week.”
– Adrian Reynolds briefly shares some challenging observations at Proclamation Trust:
Part 1 – Preaching.
Part 2 – Salvation.
Part 3 – Prayer.
Part 4 – Colonialism.
Part 5 – Persecution.
‘Jesus: Watch Listen Follow’ — Peter Bolt, Moore College and Creek Road
“Rev Dr Peter Bolt, Head of Department of New Testament and Greek at Moore College, has been collaborating with Creek Road Presbyterian Church in Brisbane on a sermon series “Jesus: Watch Listen Follow”.
This sermon series is on Mark’s Gospel. A video has been produced as the first episode of the series, in which Peter takes us through the opening passage of Mark’s Gospel.”
– Check it out via the Moore College website.
Uganda urged to remember Janani Luwum
“More than 20,000 people gathered in Mucwini, Kitgum, today to honour and celebrate the life, ministry, and martyrdom of Archbishop Janani Luwum, the Church of Uganda’s 2nd Ugandan Archbishop.
After arresting him on false charges, former President Idi Amin Dada assassinated him on 16th February 1977…”
– from The Church of Uganda.
Many readers will remember Bishop Festo Kivengere visiting Sydney after the assassination – and his powerful evangelistic talks and book “I love Idi Amin”.
Related: Moore College’s audio files of Bishop Festo Kivengere.
50 Shades of Confusion
“The coming days offer an extraordinary opportunity for Christian growth. As the trailer hits our screens, as the chance to buy tickets drops into our inbox, we each have a choice to make… Let’s make choices that help us – and those around us in church – grow in Christ.”
– at The Good Book blog, Helen Thorne has some much-needed advice for Christians regarding a certain film and book.
Related:
Fifty Shades of Shame — The Evolution of Pornography – Albert Mohler.
“Going to see Fifty Shades of Grey, or reading the book series, is an exercise in pornographic intent and effect. It is also an act of defiance against the goodness of the gift of sex as granted to humanity by God. Furthermore, the series is an assault upon the dignity of every human being.”
The Real Abuse at the Heart of ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ – Relevant Magazine.
“The message is clear: by turning these same behaviors around to market them as ‘romance,’ this film effectively silences the experience of millions of victims of abuse.”
NZ church offers to exchange Fifty Shades of Grey tickets – Bible Society.
Salvation is all God’s doing
“Do I contribute to my own salvation? Do I repent and believe and thus God regenerates me or is it the other way around? Is faith my contribution to the whole process – God does his bit and I add my necessary contribution?”
– David Cook writes to remind us that salvation is all God’s doing.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…