The clever move of Leo XIV. Five factors of attraction

“In chess terms, the election of Leo XIV was a knight’s move: surprising, indirect, coming from the rear, and disrupting the board in ways that force everyone to rethink their position. The game has changed. …”

– In taking a first look at the election of the new Pope, Leonardo De Chirico reminds us that we must not be lacking in ‘evangelical discernment ’. At Vatican Files.

Anglican Heroes: Thomas Cranmer — Church Society podcast

From Church Society:

“In the first of a new miniseries on the podcast, Lee Gatiss talks to Ros Clarke about Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, his life, work and legacy for the Church of England today.”

Learn about Cranmer’s aim to reform the Church, and how his ideas and methods are very relevant to us today.

– Listen here.

Portrait of Thomas Cranmer by Gerlach Flicke.

Related: Dr. Ashley Null on Thomas Cranmer – from an interview with ACL News in 2001.

‘Not so fast my friend’ – 1700 years since Nicaea – with Rachel Ciano and Leonardo De Chirico

From The Pastor’s Heart:

“It is 1700 years since the Council of Nicaea and the publication of the Nicene Creed – but what are we to make of it?

It was the twentieth of May in the year 325 that the Council of Nicaea first met. Pope Francis said ‘The Nicene Creed is a powerful sign of unity among Christians.’

The 17 hundredth anniversary of the Council of Nicaea is being used by the Roman Catholic Church to push the idea that ‘All Christians are Nicene Christians.’

However the difficulty is that while we say the same words, Roman Catholics and Protestants mean vastly different things, and any unity is a fake unity at best.

Leonardo De Chirico is pastor of the Church Brecha di Roma and director of the Reformanda Initiative.

Rachel Ciano lectures in Christianity and History at Sydney Missionary and Bible College. She is a faculty member at the Rome Scholars and Leaders Network, hosted by The Reformanda Initiative.”

– Watch or listen here.

Related:

The Nicene Creed – The nature of Christian unity and the meaning of gospel words  – Edited by Mark Gilbert and Leonardo De Chirico. Matthias Media.

“The Diversity of Religions is the Will of God”. A Window into Pope Francis’s Theology of Religions – Leonardo De Chirico at Vatican Files.

The Genesis of Science

From Phillip Jensen:

“You knew that we couldn’t undertake a series on Genesis 1-11 without dealing with science – and so here it is.

Mind you, it may be different to what you are expecting as we explore the background to the warfare between science and religion (aka Christianity). We do not want to hold the Bible to ransom from the captivity of science, but science from the captivity of history. Where has science come from and how has it been derailed or helped by an understanding of the sinfulness of humanity?

Neither Peter or I claim any expertise in the practice of science, but both of us have serious questions about the history of science, the understanding of Genesis in the light of science and the understanding of science in the light of Genesis. I hope you find it informative.”

– Listen at Two Ways News.

Albert Mohler on the new Pope

In his The Briefing broadcast of 09 May 2025, Dr Albert shares his thoughts on the new Pope and what his election might mean for the Roman Catholic Church.

– Listen here.

See also:

9 Things You Should Know About Pope Leo XIV – How Carter at The Gospel Coalition.

The Woman Who Saved Capitol Hill Baptist Church

“In 1944 America was in the throes of an existential crisis. With World War II still raging, the nation’s future felt uncertain. But amid the global turmoil, another crisis – less dramatic but no less significant – was unfolding in a church just a mile from the US Capitol.

After forty-one years as pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church (later renamed Capitol Hill Baptist Church), Dr. John Compton Ball had finally decided to retire. …”

– Crossway has published this excerpt from Caleb Morell’s book, A Light on the Hill: The Surprising Story of How a Local Church in the Nation’s Capital Influenced Evangelicalism.

(The book was reviewed by Tim Challies last month.)

Photo: The U.S. Capitol in Washington.

Everyone needs (to be) a mother

“When someone becomes a parent – whether to biological, adopted or fostered children – it means, among other things, that they have the privilege and responsibility of teaching that child about God. Because God has revealed himself in the Bible, it means teaching their child God’s word and modelling to them what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus Christ. The child’s parents are primarily responsible for this teaching and modelling (Prov 1:8-9; Eph 6:1-4).

Yet the gospel is also taught and modelled by members of the church family more generally. …”

– As Mother’s Day approaches, The Australian Church Record team have dug into their archives to hear again from Jane Tooher on what it means to be a spiritual mother.

Preaching Mentoring – new semester begins Sunday 27 July

From The Expository Preaching Trust:

“Mentoring of preachers is one of the most effective inputs the Trust has into the ministry of preachers.

The Trust is pleased to offer mentors free of any charge to preachers.

Mentors can be accessed on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis.

Mentors available include: Don Barker, Graham Barnes, Jono Buesnell,  David Burge, Elizabeth Burns, David Cook, Stuart Coulton, David Jones, Michael Leong, Simon Manchester,  Jim Mobbs, Janet Riley, Jenny Salt and Marshall Scott.

A pastor writes, ‘Nothing has helped my preaching  more than the encouragement and correction of a preaching mentor who speaks with grace, truth and a deep grounding in God’s word’. …”

– Learn about this encouraging ministry at their website.

What’s really going on in the faith lives of young Australians?

From The Pastor’s Heart:

“We explore the findings of the Your Story Research Report — a significant national study that listens to the voices of more than 400 young people as they reflect on their spiritual journeys.

We find out who and what has, and is, shaping young people’s faith from their childhood, though to adolescence, to right now.

There are insights into the eight “faith journeys” —from Embracing to Reconstructing to Disengaging— highlighting the importance of relationships, trust, and belonging in shaping faith over time.

Plus advice for churches, families, and schools on how to nurture young people in ways that are both personal and sustainable.

Graham Stanton is Director of the Centre for Children’s and Youth Ministry. He lectures in Practical Theology at Melbourne’s Ridley College.”

– Watch or listen here.

In Praise of Mothers

From Phillip Jensen:

“Motherhood and apple pie is no longer the foundation of Western civilisation. Apple pie is still pretty important, but motherhood has now been challenged. Peter and I had the privilege of the same mother, whom we loved and admired, and remember with great fondness. Yet the kind of family life in which we were raised has undergone considerable change during our lifetime. Mother’s Day brings us to reconsider family life.”

– Phillip and Peter Jensen discuss mothers and family life in the latest Two Ways News podcast.

From Obscurity to Influence: The Legacy of A. W. Pink

“Few figures in modern Reformed history are as paradoxical – or as vital – as Arthur W. Pink. During his lifetime (1886–1952), Pink lived largely in obscurity, often isolated and out of step with the ecclesiastical landscape of his day. Yet after his death, his writings sparked a widespread retrieval of historic Calvinism across the English-speaking world. His works, particularly The Sovereignty of God, still nourish those who hunger for robust, God-centred theology.

One hundred years ago this year, in 1925, Pink arrived in Australia, pastoring briefly in Sydney before retreating into the quieter, itinerant years of his life. His sojourn here, though short, lasting only three years, reminds us that his theological voice was already crossing continents long before it found wider acclaim.

Pink’s theological influence is hard to overstate. …”

– At AP, the Presbyterian journal, Brett Lee-Price has this reminder of A. W. Pink.

Photo via The Banner of Truth.

Praying for the Australian Federal Election

As Australians cast their ballots tomorrow, continue to pray for those in authority, those who aspire to be, and for our nation.

These words from 1 Timothy 2:1-4 are relevant:

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” – ESV.

Remembering Anzac Day — What is it we’re remembering?

From Phillip Jensen:

“For Australians, Anzac Day is the great national day. But what is it we’re remembering? And should we celebrate Anzac Day? In particular, should Christians be remembering or celebrating a military battle of the First World War? Does Anzac Day glorify war? Is it an alternative religion for Australians?

I hope you will enjoy our discussion as Peter and I try and grapple with the history and purpose of Anzac Day observances.”

– Listen to the latest Two Ways News podcast with Peter and Phillip Jensen.

Was Pope Francis a ‘gospel man’?

“Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary. … I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.” (Santa Marta, Vatican City, 29 June 2022)

These are the words contained in Pope Francis’ testament where he outlines his last wishes. His deep devotion to Mary is pervasive and profound.

On one hand, there is no surprise …

– At The Australian Church Record, Leonardo De Chirico takes a look at what Pope Francis said was most important to him.

Could it be revival? The surprising UK youth culture shift towards Jesus – with Glen Scrivener

From The Pastor’s Heart:

“For decades, the trend across Western countries seemed one-way: away from faith in Jesus Christ. But could the tide be turning?

Evangelist and author Glen Scrivener outlines signs of a ‘quiet revival’ emerging, particularly among young people in the United Kingdom (and how things are different in Australia).

Drawing on new research from the UK Bible Society and reflecting on wider cultural shifts, Glen discusses why the story of secularisation may not be as inevitable as once thought — and why a surprising number of young adults are returning to church.

We also reflect on influences like Jordan Peterson, the role of community in a hyper-individualistic culture, and the opportunities — and challenges — now facing churches in both the UK and Australia.

Is this the beginning of a new movement towards Christ?”

– Fascinating. Watch or listen here.

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