Does God really want you to be rich?
“We’ve all heard the phrase ‘worshipping the almighty dollar’. But there are some people who take the phrase literally. To them, the almighty, as in God, is the key to wealth and riches. Serve him well and material wealth will be the reward.
This philosophy is the cornerstone of an American movement called ‘prosperity theology’, and one man who preaches its message to his Australian flock is Hillsong Church leader Brian Houston…”
– in The Australian, Anthony Sharwood links to an excellent video by John Piper (pictured). You may have seen it before – watch it again.
A sad milestone for marriage and morality
“As of last week, 19 states and the District of Columbia had legalized same-sex marriage by one means or another. The Court’s decision not to take one of the cases from the lower Federal courts means that every one of them stands. Therefore, not only will same-sex marriage be legal in the states that made a direct appeal, but in every state included within the same U.S. Circuit.
That result is that the decision made clear by the Court will lead, automatically, to the fact that 30 states will have legal same-sex marriage within weeks, if not days. The news from the Court means that the vast majority of Americans will live where same-sex marriage is legal, and three fifths of the states will have legalized same-sex marriage…”
– Albert Mohler looks at the implications of the US Supreme Court’s decision to turn down appeals from several states on the issue of same-sex marriage.
And more from The Anglican Curmudgeon.
“So by refusing to exercise its powers of review, the Court has in effect given a green light to same-sex marriage in as many as thirty States, with more sure to follow.”
Sitting at Jesus’ feet — Preaching Matters
In the latest Preaching Matters video from St Helen’s Bishopsgate, William Taylor emphasises the importance of ‘sitting at Jesus’ feet’. Watch it here.
Faith on Earth — The urgent mission of Theological Education
“At the theological seminary the twig is bent, the trajectory is set, the minister is moulded, the preacher is formed, and the missionary is equipped.
The theological seminary is Ground Zero of the church’s future, and not just on its campus but everywhere its graduates will take their message, ministry, and influence…”
– Albert Mohler spoke at the inauguration of Ligon Duncan as Chancellor of Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi.
Gerald Bray interviewed at Moore College
During his recent visit to Moore College, Professor Gerald Bray was interviewed and three clips are available:
1. On theological education,
2. On Moore College, and
3. Why Study at Moore?
Owen Shelley’s Autobiography and How to Tell Bible Stories
Here’s a note from Shelley and Son…
“Earlier this year Owen got very excited about a new project. He wanted to write a simple guide that would help people involved in Children’s Ministry to tell Bible Stories in a relevant and interesting way. His life’s pursuit had been to present the gospel to children through stories and hence he had very clear and well thought out ideas and strategies of how to present a clear message that would also engage the children. Read more
Muslims need truth and love
“This is no time for circling the wagons and cowering behind them in fear”, writes Mark Durie at the Bible Society’s website.
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).
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…