The Unravelling of the Anglican Communion
“From 2003 to 2013 — it took just ten years for ECUSA and the Anglican Church of Canada to unravel the Anglican Communion…”
– A. S. Haley at The Anglican Curmudgeon, provides a quick overview of the last ten years.
Related: The Anglican Debacle: Roots and Patterns – by Dr Mark Thompson, March 2008.
Homosexuality as Dividing Line — The Inescapable Issue
“The vote to declare that the New Heart Community Church of La Mirada, California ‘does not presently meet the definition of a cooperating church’ came unanimously as the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention met this week in Nashville. It was a solemn moment and a moment perhaps to be repeated any number of times in coming months and years. Homosexuality was the dividing line…”
– Albert Mohler reflects on the issue which has torn the Anglican Communion, and is now doing the same in his own denomination.
Mike Horton on Moore
It’s easy to take a place like Moore College for granted.
While he was in Sydney for the Annual Lectures, Mike Horton (Westminster Seminary California) spoke about the role of Moore.
Among other things, Mike gives this advice –
“If God is calling you to ministry, start at Moore – don’t end up at some point down the line – Why not get right at it?” Take a few minutes to watch the videos:
1. On the challenges facing the church and why people should study at Moore.
2. On Moore and the need for theological education.
3. Mike is asked about his ministry.
Thinking about Moore College for 2015?
Moore College would like you to think about studying next year.
Undergraduate? Postgraduate? Distance learning? See what the college has to offer and apply by November 30 to avoid extra admin fees. Details here.
The worst media Christian bashing this year?
“There’s probably no point waiting to the end of the year to award the prize for the worst media monstering of a Christian for 2014. Because the Sydney Morning Herald has published such an egregious story on Dean Phillip Jensen… that any other winning entry is unlikely.”
– Phillip Jensen has been criticised by the media before, and John Sandeman catalogues yet another example.
See also the article in question – The truth behind ISIL – by the Dean.
Leaders need wisdom, diplomacy and resolve to find the way of peace
“Any sensible person wants peace, but the way of peace is not as easy to find as the way of war. The Prime Minister calls Australia a carefree nation yet we have to confront the Islamic State overseas and, it seems, at home.
I would not want my words twisted again in public debate so let me be perfectly clear. Our leaders need our prayers for wisdom, diplomacy and resolve as they seek to find the way of peace. The evil deeds of recent weeks cannot be left unanswered, but what is the best way to protect innocent people on the other side of the world? …”
– Dean of Sydney Phillip Jensen writes in The Daily Telegraph.
The War of the Cross
“When ISIS changed its name in June from ‘the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’ (ISIL, or the Arabic acronym ISIS) to simply ‘the Islamic State’, this was a shift of enormous theological and eschatological significance. …
The Islamic State sees itself … playing a key role in the End Times in fulfilment of many prophecies, when all the enemies of Islam (particularly Christians) will be defeated.”
– Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Fund, writes that the theology and eschatology of ISIS explains a great deal about their actions. (Photo: Barnabas Fund.)
Cranmer the evangelist
“The language of The Book of Common Prayer may be over 400 years old, but captured within it is a clear evangelistic structure, based on scripture: a recognition of personal sin, repentance, forgiveness and praise at God’s goodness.
We may not use BCP liturgies directly, but let us use the truths of scripture contained within for our own good, the good of our families, our church and our nation, and ultimately for the glory of God. This article is worth reading not just for its look at the BCP services, but also as a reminder that the structure of our services can be evangelistic, not just our preaching.”
– At Church Society’s blog, Chris Kilgour recommends Samuel Leuenberger’s 1992 Churchman article, “Archbishop Cranmer’s Immortal Bequest: The Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England: An Evangelistic Liturgy” (PDF file).
Loving Muslim neighbours with the gospel
Samuel Green’s “Engaging with Islam Training Course” is an invaluable resource.
“The Engaging with Islam course is designed to give Christians a practical introduction to the history and teaching of Islam and a foundation for answering common questions.
The course can be done individually, in a small group or as part of leadership training. Anyone can lead this course as no previous knowledge of Islam is required and leader’s notes are provided. The course is a mix of preparation material, group discussion and a video presentation.”
New commentary on Matthew
Peter Bolt’s new commentary, Matthew: A Great Light Dawns, was laucnhed last week at Moore College’s of School of Theology.
Read about it here – and order a copy here.
(Photo: Executive Director of Youthworks Media Marshall Ballantine-Jones and Peter Bolt.)
The truth behind ISIL
“Two questions for today: Is ISIL Islamic? Is ISIL a State?
President Obama objects to the name ‘Islamic State’ (IS) because he says it’s neither Islamic nor a State.
This may well be good politics and wise diplomacy in a time of great world crisis. However, as truth is ‘the first casualty of war’ so truth has little to do with either politics or diplomacy. The patron of all politically wise diplomats is the man who asked the rhetorical question ‘What is truth?’ (John 18:38). …”
– Dean of Sydney, Phillip Jensen, writes in his weekly column.
Another bite of the Apple
“The excitement is building and the tension is mounting. We have been eagerly anticipating this day, a day on which we get to consider marvels and receive blessings…”
– If you are planning on getting up at 3:00am to partake of the live stream, maybe this would be good to read.
Moore Matters, Spring 2014
Moore Matters, the newsletter from Moore College, is now out for Spring 2014.
You can download your copy here as a 3.7MB PDF file.
Don’t leave us Fatherless
“The calendar of modern Australia carries some of the old, Christian celebrations such as Easter and Christmas as well as some modern, religious celebrations such as ANZAC day, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
Both Mother’s and Father’s Day, as we now celebrate them, were started by American Christians and began as celebrations in their churches. Mother’s Day was begun by Anna Marie Jarvis in 1908, and Father’s Day was started by Sonora Smart Dodd in 1910…”
– Dean of Sydney, Phillip Jensen, looks at the key role of fathers.
First reflections on ‘Living With the Enemy’
“So what to say? I woke up this morning to an inbox full of responses; facebook tags, twitter responses and a number of emails…
So many people have so many opinions but the truth is that there’s really only three of us who have the fullest reflection upon what actually happened and how well the show reflected it…”
– David Ould reflects on his appearance on SBS TVs “Living With the Enemy”.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…