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.
Google reveals Australians want to know who Jesus is
At Communicate Jesus, Steve Kryger has spotted something very interesting in the Google searches made by Australians in 2014.
How can your church use this information?
Power and Promise – studies for Lent 2015
Lent is coming up shortly (it starts Wednesday 18th February).
Some churches observe Lent – others don’t. Either way, the forty days leading up to Easter are a great time to encourage church members to reflect on God’s Word, and to understand how all of God’s promises find their ‘yes’ in Christ.
“This Lent, join Dr Peter Jensen in his new book, Power and Promise, as he explores God’s faithfulness and sovereignty from Adam to Abraham.
The opening chapters of the Bible are a majestic introduction to God, his Word, and the world as we know it. In Power and Promise, the former Archbishop of Sydney marvels at the intricacies of the rich landscape that is Genesis 1–15.
Through these chapters we also see the heartbreaking history that stemmed from humanity’s rejection of its Creator, and the certain hope offered in God’s covenants.
With 40 daily devotions and questions for group discussion and personal reflection, this book is an ideal resource for challenging Christian faith, devotion and obedience in the lead-up to Easter.”
Learn more, and order your copy from Christian Education Publications.
Theological College and the New People of God
“The new academic year is upon us. In my brief visit to GWC for the annual language Summer School, I’ve seen new students arrive, as well as old students and faculty return. One of the joys in this is seeing the diversity of people coming to the college. I’m reminded that when the gospel is preached, the Spirit draws people from all nations into Christ’s church to the glory of God the Father…”
– George Athas from Moore College has been visiting George Whitefield College in Cape Town. He’s written this encouraging piece for their website.
BeLoved
“It’s the fairy tale we all believe in – connection, completion, love without parting. The merest glimpse of it captures our hearts.
But is the fairy tale real? Is there such a thing as endless bliss, unconquered love and a happily ever after?…”
– Another wonderfully thought-provoking video from Glen Scrivener in the UK.
Read his description, watch the video, and share.
Advancing Your Preaching workshop
Coming up on Thursday February 19, the Advancing Your Preaching workshop is a joint venture of Cornhill Sydney and Moore College. Dr Peter Jensen is speaking on Preaching Christian Doctrine.
RSVP February 12. Details and registration form here.
‘How euthanasia advocates will never stop at the terminally ill’
“Tom Mortier never paid much attention to the discussion about voluntary death in his country.
‘I was like just about anyone else here in Belgium: I didn’t care at all,’ he said. ‘If people want to die, it’s probably their choice. It didn’t concern me.’
But in April, 2012, ten years after the law changed to allow euthanasia, Mortier, a university lecturer, received a message at work…”
– Anglican Mainstream links to this article in The Telegraph. (Photo: HOPE.)
Kanishka Raffel — Do not lose heart
In the latest Preaching Matters video, Kanishka Raffel, who has been visiting St. Helen’s in London, speaks about why we should not lose heart as we preach the gospel.
Be encouraged.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…