Dear prime minister: what is the UK government’s strategy in Iraq and Syria?
Dear Prime Minister …
The focus by both politicians and media on the plight of the Yazidis has been notable and admirable. However, there has been increasing silence about the plight of tens of thousands of Christians who have been displaced, driven from cities and homelands, and who face a bleak future. Despite appalling persecution, they seem to have fallen from consciousness, and I wonder why…”
– Bishop of Leeds, Nick Baines, writes to Prime Minister Cameron.
Australia’s Christian Book of the Year is intended for non-Christians
Greg Clarke’s The Great Bible Swindle has been awarded Christian Book of the Year.
Applications open for CMS Summer School 2015
Applications are now open for the NSW CMS Summer School at Katoomba, 3-9 January 2015.
Be sure to check the FAQ for costs and latest updates.
50 Shades of Black & White
In the latest Mortification of Spin podcast from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, Carl Trueman, Todd Pruitt and Aimee Byrd discuss the ‘Fifty Shades’ best selling book and coming movie – and how Christians should respond.
Christian spirituality, British values, and contemporary teachers
In his latest essay, Andrew Symes, Executive Secretary of Anglican Mainstream, reflects on the place of God’s written word in the Christian’s life – with reference to a recent story in the (UK) Telegraph about former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, “How Buddhism helps me pray”.
Annual Moore College Lectures 2014
The Annual Moore College Lectures begin this week, on Thursday 14th August.
This year’s Lecturer is Dr Mike Horton from Westminster Seminary California.
His topic: Lord & Life-Giver: The Holy Spirit Changes Everything.
Details here – as well as news that the lectures will be streamed live for those who can’t attend in person.
A Prayer for the afflicted saints of Iraq
Rick Phillips, Senior Minister at Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville, South Carolina, has written a prayer you could use or adapt. And you will be helped by checking the Bible references he gives too. At Reformation21.
‘The West must face the evil that has revealed itself in the Iraq genocide’
“A beautiful mosaic of ancient religions, cultures and languages in the Middle East is being systematically destroyed. Until now, the world has watched mutely. …
So will the world just stand by and watch this unprecedented onslaught on freedom or will we do something beyond airdropping food and medicines and protecting our own personnel who may be caught up in the conflict?…” – Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali writes in The Telegraph.
Biblical Theology — Guardian & Guide of the Church
The latest 9Marks Journal is out and is available for free download in a variety of formats.
How you can help N. Iraq right now
From Stuart Robinson, Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn:
Dear Friends and colleagues,
Having read my letter to the Prime Minister of Australia, a great many people are asking how they might take action.
1. Do please pray for an end to the violence – resources for prayer and giving are here. This is a good link if you are living in the northern hemisphere.
2. The Bible Society has launched an appeal. You can give here.
3. Through your own email contacts and social media outlets ensure local leaders and politicians and are apprised of what is in fact taking place. This link really should go viral.
4. The most recent statement of the Archbishop of Canterbury is also worth circulating widely.
5. For those who wanted an electronic link to my letter (to on-send to local leaders and politicians) it is here.
6. Finally – a note from Archbishop Mouneer – expressing his thankfulness for our interest and prayer. You are at liberty to circulate widely.
My dear Bishop Stuart,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
I cannot tell you how much your prayers and encouragement means to me and to the Christians in the Middle East especially at this very difficult time.
Please continue to pray for us, as we will be praying that God will strengthen you.
May the Lord bless you!
+Mouneer
The Most Rev. Dr. Mouneer Hanna Anis
Bishop of the Episcopal / Anglican Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa
President Bishop of the Episcopal / Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East
Diocesan & Provincial Offices. 5 Michel Lutfallah Street, Zamalek, Cairo 11211
Website: http://www.dioceseofegypt.org
A Christian response to the distressing news
“I awoke on Friday morning to the news of Christians fleeing for their lives in Iraq. Over the last couple of months in Iraq, there has been mounting pressure on Christians to convert to Islam. Now, whole Christian townships have been conquered and the people are fleeing to seek Kurdish protection.
In a world riddled by war, revolutions, violence and ever increasing numbers of displaced refugees it’s strange how distressing I found Friday’s news. It’s not simply because the people are Christians, though no doubt that’s part of it. I suspect my distress is that we are being plunged into the kind of war that we do not want to have and that we have eschewed – a religious war.
As I write, I am still struggling to come to a considered response to this terrible news. Here, in point form, are some things that go towards working out an appropriate Christian response.…”
– Dean of Sydney Phillip Jensen sets down some helpful thoughts – and calls for prayer.
See also: Murder of Iraqi Christians – second appeal for prayer from Archbishop Glenn Davies.
An Invitation from God
Part of the “Jesus Brings” initiative.
Are Christian Missionaries narcissistic idiots? (Quick answer: No)
“In Ann Coulter’s view, Kent Brantly should never have gone to Africa in the first place. He should have spent his time and energies saving America…”
– Albert Mohler responds to an opinion piece by columnist Ann Coulter. While the context is US-based, the command of Christ is the same.
Looming Famine in South Sudan
Anglican Aid’s David Mansfield writes:
“Anglican Aid has entered a partnership with the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan (ECSS&S) to support a project to assist communities prepare for an expected famine during the summer of 2014/15.
The expected famine is due to the inability of displaced people to plant crops.
While emergency food security will be provided by other agencies, the Church in South Sudan is assisting through a Peace Dividends Project to assist people to plant crops to provide longer term food security.…
Anglican Aid [is] suggesting people forgo a meal out and contribute the money to support South Sudan.”
Donations may be made online or by phoning 02 92841406. (Click the image for a larger version.)
How do we lose sight of the basics?
At the recent NEXUS Conference, Richard Chin spoke on how ‘gospel DNA’ can be distorted and corrupted in our ministries. His wide-ranging talk is well worth watching. See the video here.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…