The Smith Lecture, 2013

The Smith Lecture (named in honour of Bruce Smith, pictured) will be held in 2013 on Thursday 24th October at the Art Gallery of NSW.

This year Prof Patrick Parkinson, will speak on “Child Sexual Abuse and the Churches: A story of moral failure?” Details here. Photo courtesy Ramon Williams.

The Importance of the Printing Press for the Protestant Reformation, Pt 1

“This article is the first of two that will consider the importance of Johann Gutenberg’s movable type printing technology for the Protestant Reformation and how the new technology was employed effectively by Martin Luther in Germany. Part one will deal with the technology, and part two will consider how it was used by Luther in Germany.”

– with Reformation Sunday coming up, this article is a fascinating insight into an often-overlooked aspect of the Reformation.

How Pornography works

“We are fast becoming the pornographic society. Over the course of the last decade, explicitly sexual images have crept into advertising, marketing, and virtually every niche of American life. This ambient pornography is now almost everywhere, from the local shopping mall to prime-time television.

By some estimations, the production and sale of explicit pornography now represents the seventh-largest industry in America. …”

– Albert Mohler looks at understanding how pornography works in the male brain – and how that knowledge can be used in the battle against sin.

Related: The Porn-free family – Tim Challies.

Australian Church Record — October 2013

The latest issue of The Australian Church Record is now out.

“Every now and again ancient institutions can be forgiven for indulging in a little public self-reflection.

On January 1st, 1914, the first issue of ‘The Church Record: A Church Paper for the Commonwealth, Catholic, Apostolic, Protestant, and Reformed’ appeared, sixteen months after a Sydney group first met to float a company to run a federal paper.

As the centenary of this issue draws nigh, it seems fitting to reflect a little on the Australian Church Record as it is poised on the edge of its next one hundred years.”

– as well, there are articles on the General Synod, GAFCON, Archbishop Welby, and there’s a tribute to Bishop Dudley Foord. Downloadable from their website.

And in a reprint of an article from 1972, Bishop Donald Robinson looks at the names behind The Record in the early days.

Effective Gospel Ministry

In the next instalment of Preaching Matters from St. Helen’s Bishopsgate, William Taylor looks at Acts chapter 20.

Take the time to watch it here. (12 minutes.)

Garage Hymnal to release new album

“Garage Hymnal are back with a new album for 2013 titled Lowly. It is a collection of songs centred around Christ’s birth, the hope that comes through Jesus becoming human and the salvation that it brings. … The album will be officially launched on 1st Nov 2013 at St Stephens Church Hall, Newtown, NSW. Tickets are very limited, on sale now…”

The Method is the Message

“It was in the early 1970’s and I wore my clerical collar as I approached her front door. The next-door neighbour had asked me to visit. I did not know the widow but the neighbour told me “She is dying and wanting to talk about it, but is afraid to ask for help”.

When she opened the door she panicked. It was not the World War I panic of seeing the minister with the telegram. But it was still panic. Before I spoke she launched into an apology, talking over her shoulder as she scurried back into the house, leaving me on the doorstep. …”

– Phillip Jensen writes about the legacy of the Wells organization’s Every Member Canvass.

‘Pastor of Pastors’

“That phrase is well understood in Church denominations that have episcopal government, and has in the last several generations become a standard description of the nature and role of episcopacy among Anglicans.

But what may it mean in our more immediate context? Below is a sketch of what the concept ‘pastor of pastors’ signifies historically and in much of contemporary Anglicanism, and of what it could mean for us. …”

– Dr Robert Doyle explores the meaning of an oft-used term, at The Australian Church Record.

A future for Anglicans?

“In October 2013 GAFCON II will meet in Nairobi. GAFCON (Global Anglican Futures Conference) might be described as the illegitimate brainchild of Rowan Williams when he was archbishop of Canterbury and it may yet turn out to be his most enduring legacy…”

– In his editorial in the Autumn 2013 issue of Churchman, Gerald Bray gives his take (PDF file) on GAFCON II and the future of the Anglican Communion.

Bishop of Tasmania – Pastoral Letter on Euthanasia

“Today I sent the following Pastoral Letter to all Anglican Parishes in Tasmania asking that the letter and attachments be made available to Parishioners.…

Pastoral Letter – Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

You will have learned recently that the Hon. Lara Giddings and the Hon. Nick McKim, Members for Franklin have recently introduced the “Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2013” to the Tasmanian parliament.

This Bill would allow those who meet certain eligibility criteria to be prescribed and receive a lethal injection. This Bill is a direct threat to the lives of Tasmanians, particularly the sick and elderly. This Bill embraces a philosophy of human value defined by convenience and personal capacity. It stands against the responsibility of societies and governments to implement compassionate, timely, and effective care for those who are unwell or disabled in some way. …”

– Read it all at Bishop Harrower’s blog.

“A transsexual has been helped to die by doctors in Belgium, after a series of failed sex-change operations. Nathan Verhelst, born a girl, asked for help to end his life on grounds of psychological suffering. He died in a Brussels hospital on Monday. Two doctors concluded the 44-year-old did not have temporary depression. …

Belgium legalised euthanasia in 2002. There were 52 cases of euthanasia on psychological grounds last year. … There were 1,432 recorded cases of euthanasia in Belgium in 2012; a 25% increase on the previous year’s figure.”

When a private act sends a public message

“Former President George H. W. Bush and his wife Barbara attended a wedding a few days ago, and it made national news. …

The news coverage of the Bushes’ attendance at the same-sex wedding points to a reality that must be understood — and fast. Attendance at a wedding is not a neutral act. The history and context of the wedding ceremony identify all those present as agreeing to the rightness of the marriage and acting as witnesses to the exchange of vows. …

Declining to attend will come with undeniable relational consequences, but so would attending.”

– Albert Mohler on an issue many will face in one form or another soon.

Bible Society Australia commemorates the 50th anniversary of CS Lewis’ death

“Bible Society Australia has launched a library of Australian resources on C.S. Lewis to celebrate the life of this great author and champion his contribution to literature and to Christianity for many years to come. …”

– from Bible Society Australia.

Getting to know Tim Challies

Many people benefit from Tim Challies’ blog. Tim was in Scotland a few weeks back, and David Meredith at Smithton Church chatted with him in the studios of Inverness TV.

The Greatest Entertainment Launch in History

“GTA V is significant in that movies allow us to watch violence and sexuality, but games allow us to experience and participate in these acts. We do not passively consume games, but interact with them and make choices that carry us through them.”