The Gospel Coalition announces The Carson Center for Theological Renewal
At The Gospel Coalition, Collin Hansen writes,
“On behalf of The Gospel Coalition, I’m pleased to announce the launch of a major new initiative: The Carson Center for Theological Renewal.
Around the world today, biblical illiteracy inhibits spiritual depth—not just in the shrinking church of the West but even in the growing churches of the South and East. But there’s no spiritual renewal without returning to Scripture. And while the internet offers unprecedented access to the Bible, many of the most widely used resources for studying God’s Word are unhelpful at best or heretical at worst.
That’s why TGC has started The Carson Center for Theological Renewal, named in honor of TGC cofounder Don Carson. …”
– Read all about the plans here.
New book on the Peter Cameron Presbyterian “Heresy trial”
Many Sydney Anglicans will remember the so-called ‘heresy trial’ of Presbyterian minister Dr Peter Cameron.
It began in 1992 when Dr Cameron, the Principal of St Andrew’s College at the University of Sydney, spoke at a centenary women’s event at Ashfield where he referred to the Bible as ‘sub-Christian’. In response to the apostle Paul teaching about women, he replied, ‘So what?’.
The disciplinary proceedings came about not because Dr Cameron was in favour of women’s ordination (even though most media reports claimed that was the case), but because he dismissed the authority and trustworthiness of Scripture (not just in that sermon, but on other occasions).
The Presbyterian Church had to make a crucial decision. Would they accommodate theological liberalism as did the Uniting Church which they had declined to join fifteen years earlier?
Now, thirty years on, Paul Cooper and David Burke have edited a series of essays exploring what happened and why –
From the back cover of the book:
“In 1992, the Presbyterian Church of Australia through its disciplinary procedures convicted one of its ministers, the Rev Dr Peter Cameron, Principal of St Andrew’s College, of what the newspapers of the time called ‘heresy’. The secular media and commentary were strongly supportive of Cameron and highly critical of the Church.
Cameron, in 1994, published ‘Heretic’ which told the story from his point of view.
This book, Principle & Principal, invites the reader to consider the other side of the Cameron Case. It reflects a different bias to that propagated by Cameron and his supporters. It tells why the Presbyterian Church took this action knowing that it would result in an avalanche of criticism. While over thirty years have passed since the finalisation of the Cameron Case, and the ranks of those involved have thinned, many of the chapters in this book are written by people who participated in these events.”
Campbell Markham at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Hobart has written this review for AP.
– Details and ordering information from Eider Books.
Related:
The Crisis of ’77 – personal reflections by the Rev Bob Thomas on the decision of Presbyterians to ‘continue Presbyterian’.
The train is leaving the station
In his The Briefing for Wednesday September 20, 2023, Dr Albert Mohler examines the trajectory of a well-known US pastor and his church –
When a Conference is More Than a Conference: The Trajectory of Andy Stanley and the “Unconditional” Conference
and in his remarks, he gives some background to, and reads from, his current article in World Magazine – The train is leaving the station:
Andy Stanley, one of the most influential pastors in the United States, has been moving in this direction for years, often by suggestion and assertion but clouded by confusion and the deliberate avoidance of clarity. Back in 2018, he called for the church to be “unhitched” from the Old Testament, arguing that the Old Testament should not be understood as the “go-to source regarding any behavior in the church.” There goes “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22). But, in truth, there goes the entire Old Testament. …
Reframing the social justice discussion – with Ed Loane, Tim Swan and Berthier Lainirina
This week on The Pastor’s Heart:
“Social Justice is a fiercely contested concept among Christians. Often discussions about caring for the poor have not been grounded in a biblical vision for gospel ministry..
Evangelicals have been criticized for appearing to be weak on social justice. The charge is that we have been so focussed on gospel ministry that the poor and disadvantaged have been neglected. How does caring for the poor fit with the mission of Jesus church?
Tim Swan is the CEO of Sydney’s Anglican Aid, which hosted an important conference last weekend ‘Reframing Social Justice.’
Ed Loane is Warden at St Paul’s College in Sydney and lectures in Church History part time at Moore Theological College.
Berthier Lainirina is Principal of St Patrick’s Theological College Madagascar.”
Love Sydney’s Walk for Life — Saturday 23rd September
Love Sydney’s Walk for Life is on again this Saturday.
“Our role is simple – to stand in the gap and be a voice for the voiceless, as we cover Sydney in prayer and love.”
– Details at their TryBooking page
We are Repaganizing
“Christians have always been unusually vehement in their disapproval of the killing of infants, whether born or unborn, and their legal regime prevailed until the mid-twentieth century when we experienced a religious shift that will probably be understood by future historians as a Second Reformation. …”
– Several Christian bloggers have linked to this thoughtful article at First Things by Louise Perry.
Tim Charlie’s writes, “This article is not written by a Christian but still shares an interesting perspective on what society will lose as it turns from its Christian roots back to paganism.”
Caring for missionaries when they are not doing so well
From The Pastor’s Heart:
“We send out missionaries. But sometimes it doesn’t work out. There’s a forced return home. Dashed hopes. And all sorts of understanding and support – from the mission agency, supporter churches, pastor friends and others.”
If your church supports missionaries, this will be very helpful in caring for them, under whatever circumstances they may return.
ACR Journal for Synod 2023
A special issue of ACR Journal – from The Australian Church Record – is out in time for Sydney Synod.
Download your copy from the Church Record’s website.
2023 ACL Synod Dinner Address — Archdeacon Simon Flinders on The Importance of the Local Church
Archdeacon Simon Flinders gave the address at tonight’s ACL Synod Dinner in Sydney.
His topic? The Importance of the Local Church.
Take the time to listen to his most encouraging address:
or download the audio by right-clicking here.
The transcript is available as a PDF file.
This would be great to share with members of your church.
Related:
The Robinson-Knox view of Church — Interview with Chase Kuhn.
Scams… and how to avoid the worst sort
“Have you ever received an SMS telling you to urgently pay a toll?
An email informing you of an incredible investment opportunity?
An unsolicited telephone call apparently from a reputable organisation asking for your personal details?
Or a Facebook friend request from someone whose name you don’t know and whose somewhat provocative profile photo you suspect is probably not a photo of them at all?
If so, you have almost definitely been the target of a scam. …”
– At The Gospel Coalition of Australia, Stephen Liggins wants Christians to avoid the most dangerous scams of all.
Resources for Sydney Synod members 2023
Sydney Synod meets this month. Here are three resources from the Anglican Church League for Synod members. The updated Synod Survival Guide will be especially helpful for new Synod members.
- The Synod Survival Guide by Dr Robert Tong, updated – free download.
- The ACL Synod Dinner – Hear Simon Flinders’ encouraging address.
- The ACL Synod Briefing Podcast – now online!
Latest posts below.
Preaching the Doctrine of the Church
“In April 1979 I attended the Pastors’ Conference held at St Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney, which coincided with the Billy Graham Crusade being held at Randwick racecourse at that time.
One of the speakers was John Stott, and I remember him saying that if he were going into ministry at that time he would spend the first year preaching on the doctrine of the church.
Much has changed since, but the vital relevance of that doctrine has become more apparent. Post Covid, our people have become more used to staying away from the Sunday gathering and following church online, either our services or someone else’s…”
– At The Expository Preaching Trust, David Cook argues that understanding the nature of the Church is vital – and, very helpfully, he suggests a series you could use or adapt.
Photo: David Cook preaching to a live congregation at St. Helen’s Bishopsgate in London, August 2022.
Pride will destroy you, your ministry, and people around you
“You may be familiar with this famous saying, ‘Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall’. It comes from the Bible, Proverbs 16:18.
We have mixed feelings about pride in Australia. On the one hand, we like to run over any tall poppy with the lawnmower. And yet pride is splashed across Instagram and Facebook pages all the time: pride in achievement and success, pride in people, pride about identity. Pride has become an idea or slogan to embrace and celebrate. …”
– The Australian Church Record has republished a sobering article by Murray Campbell.
Songs for Today – Doubt
“One of the things I love about the Bible is its earthy realism. It understands the world we live in – the good and the bad, the grief and the joys. It also understands how we feel about life’s injustices especially when we see people who mock the notion of God, enjoying success. Nothing ever seems to go wrong for them.
And as well as the unfairness we often feel, there are the realities of droughts and famines, floods and fires, earthquakes and ruthless autocratic rulers. Why doesn’t God step in? It seems so out of character, if he is all-powerful and truly good. …”
– In his latest Word on Wednesday reflection at the Anglican Connection, John Mason looks at Doubt.
The ACL’s Synod Podcast now online
Hear the ACL’s 2023 Synod Briefing Podcast.
Our 2023 Pre-Synod Briefing Podcast aims to serve members of the Sydney Synod by highlighting the likely substantive issues and main debate points.
It’s also relevant for anyone who wants to stay informed and pray for the Lord Jesus to be honoured and churches strengthened through the decisions of the Synod.
Listen here:
or right-click on this link to download your copy.
Timestamps:
0:00 – Introduction to the Podcast
2:36 – Introduction to Synod and Order of Business
5:25 – Discussion of Elections
7:30 – M4 (Purpose and Priorities)
10:40 – M6, B5 & B6 (Money Bills)
23:00 – B8 (Ministry Standards Ordinance)
24:45 – B1-B3 (General Synod Ordinances)
27:50 – M12 (Review of Governance Policy)
32:35 – B4, M16, M17 (Pastoral Supervision)
36:38 – 13.4, 13.5, and M20 (Discussion on The Voice)
And here are some relevant links:
Sydney Synod 2023 – with reports and business papers.
The Synod Survival Guide, by Dr. Robert Tong.
About the Anglican Church League.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…