‘Brilliant expositions of Colossians and Philemon’
“What do you get when one of the finest Bible teachers in the world slightly modifies a brilliant series of sermons on Colossians and Philemon for publication as a commentary? You get John Woodhouse’s latest book, a commentary in the Focus on the Bible series. I can’t wait to work my way through these two New Testament letters again, aided by John’s expositions…”
– Mark Thompson commends John Woodhouse’s commentary on Colossians and Philemon in the Focus On the Bible series. (Available from Moore Books.)
More on Science and Genesis
Barry Newman, well known to many in Sydney Diocese, and one of the ACL’s vice-presidents, has resumed his blogging on ‘Science and Genesis’.
Rob Bell preaching Universalism?
A soon-to-be-released book by Rob Bell, influential in US ‘emergent church’ circles, seems to be teaching plain old universalism. Justin Taylor and Kevin DeYoung each have responses to what the author – and his publisher – have said about the book.
(Even though Rob Bell is unknown to many Australian Christians, the ideas in the book may receive wide attention.)
Related: What to think of the NOOMA videos.
‘Me and Muammar: What we have in common’
“it is worth remembering that Gadaffi is only an extreme example of that which dwells in each of us. The desire to be in control, to make a mark, to make ourselves indispensable…”
– Carl Trueman at Westminster Seminary has a perspective you probably won’t see on the TV news. At Reformation21.
Praying in Crisis: Helpful or Hypocritical?
“It is an old wartime saying that ‘there are no atheists in foxholes’.
Leaving aside the silly arguments as to whether this is statistically true or an aphorism – is it a good thing? Will God be pleased to answer the prayers of those in danger? Is God honoured when we pray to him in times of trouble? …”
– Dean of Sydney Phillip Jensen writes.
Review of Michael Horton’s Systematic Theology
ACL President Mark Thompson offers a brief review of Mike Horton’s recently-released systematic theology, The Christian Faith – at Theological Theology.
(Michael Horton is well known as the host of The White Horse Inn broadcast. He teaches at Westminster Seminary California.)
An Exposition of the Theses — 2
“Here is an exposition of second of the twelve theses I posted to help people think through the basis for a new reformation of the Anglican Communion. Once again it is important to remember these theses are not presented as definitive. There is most certainly room for improvement and development. However, as Luther found out in the sixteenth century, stirring people to think about the gospel, to return to the Scriptures to see what really has been written for our benefit, was not only appropriate in the wake of widespread defection from the truth, but also encouraged others to agitate for reform.
If the Anglican Communion is to be reformed again it needs to hear and heed these crucial truths…”
– read them at Theological Theology.
Responding to disaster — Broughton Knox
For many years, the then Principal of Moore College, Dr Broughton Knox, gave weekly talks (“The Christian Faith broadcasts”) on Sydney radio station 2CH. They were succinct messages packed full of Christian theology.
In the light of recent disasters, The Sola Panel has republished a talk he gave in 1975 – just after Darwin was devastated by Cyclone Tracy. (It’s also in The Selected Works of Broughton Knox, Vol III.)
The die has been cast
“With my perspective as a canon lawyer, I cannot believe that ECUSA is barely four months away from precipitating a wholly unnecessary constitutional crisis, which can only weaken it further, and drive its constituent pieces yet further apart.
My appeals to the other canon lawyers who drafted the changes to Title IV, to explain what they thought they were accomplishing, and where they derived the authority to transform the Presiding Bishop of ECUSA into a metropolitan, have gone completely unanswered. At the same time, I see zero inclination on the part of those actually in control of the Church to avoid this donnybrook — so be it. It must be what they want — so that is what they will get.”
– A S Haley, The Anglican Curmudgeon, reflects on why the Diocese of South Carolina has moved to ‘spell out that the Canons of the national Church are no longer recognised as binding’ in their Diocese.
‘Conscience trampled by the regime’
“[T]he Obama administration is now ready to use the coercive power of the state to force medical personnel to perform acts they consider to be morally wrong and unhealthy for their patients…”
– Al Mohler reports on new policies announced in the US just yesterday.
Preaching Christ from the Old Testament
Justin Taylor draws attention to a project to draw together resources relating to preaching Christ in the Old Testament.
On the Gospel Coalition website, it includes featured resources from David Jackman, John Woodhouse, Tim Keller and Sinclair Ferguson.
‘A not too subtle attempt to mislead’
“The Presiding Bishop and her Executive Council are currently meeting in Fort Worth…
her appearance in Fort Worth was preceded by some unusual shenanigans which seem to have been designed only to mislead, demoralize or confuse the members of one of the larger parishes in Bishop Iker’s Fort Worth Diocese.”
– Lawyer A S Haley (the Anglican Curmudgeon) keeps his eye on TEC’s activity in Fort Worth.
Griffith Thomas’ Principles of Theology – Introduction
Church Society is continuing to post online sections from Griffith Thomas’ classic work, Principles of Theology. They’ve just added his Introduction. At Church Society.
Don Carson on the Church — at YEMA
Don Carson spoke at the 2011 Yorkshire Evangelical Ministry Assembly two weeks ago. His topic? The Church.
The Yorkshire Gospel Partnership has graciously made the audio files available on their website. (h/t Unashamed Workman.)
An Exposition of the Theses — 1
“A number of people have suggested that, like Luther, I should expand on the theses I posted to help people think through the basis of a new reformation of the Anglican Communion. Luther’s Resolutiones disputationum de indulgentiarum virtute was published in 1518 and sought to explain the basis for each of the 95 theses. I have already risked mockery for being so presumptuous as to write the twelve theses I posted in January. Who do I think I am to suggest such a theological basis for the necessary change? But now do I dare go further and explain my own theses as Luther did?
I have decided it is worth doing, if for no other reason than the opportunity to clarify my own thinking and make it just a little more difficult for my words to be misunderstood…”
– Mark Thompson expands his thoughts at Theological Theology.

