How did we get here? How 1776 culturally and intellectually shaped the post-Christian West

From The Pastor’s Heart –

“Wisdom for pastors seeking to preach and lead well in a post-Christian age.

So much of our culture judges events in isolation — a single moment, a single failure, a single decision — detached from what led to it and what flows from it. But history doesn’t work like that. Events emerge from long trajectories, and they reshape the future in ways no one fully controls or intends.

We’re joined by Archie Poulos, Head of the Ministry Department at Moore Theological College, to reflect on Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West by Andrew Wilson.

Wilson’s argument isn’t that everything changed overnight in 1776, but that the events clustered around that year give us a window into the forces that have shaped the WEIRDER world we now inhabit — Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich, Democratic, Ex-Christian and Romantic.

We explore why reading history as an ecosystem rather than isolated episodes matters, why Romanticism isn’t just a past movement but our present operating system, and how Christian faith — offers a deeper, more hopeful way to understand our moment.”

– Watch or listen here.

Anglican Heroes: Josephine Butler — Church Society Podcast

From Church Society:

“Ros Clarke talks to Sarah Allen about the life, faith and work of 19th century social reformer Josephine Butler.”

– Listen here.

God is the Judge of the World

From Phillip Jensen:

“The climax of Paul’s great Athenian sermon is the call of God for all people to repent. But there are some strange elements in this call. One important element is its timing. Another is in the judgement ‘by a man’.

Let’s listen afresh to Paul’s great gospel statement.”

– Here Phillip and Peter Jensen discuss, including the difference between repentance and remorse. Who will judge the world? Why is the Resurrection so important?

The faith of our fathers and my hope for Australia

Andrew Hastie, Federal Member for Canning in Western Australia, shares this thoughts for Australia Day.

Regardless of one’s political persuasion, this is worth reading. It’s also worth contemplating how we might gently point people to true hope in Christ, in whatever realm of life we find ourselves.

And it’s also a reminder to pray for members of Parliament.

“Let me share a memory that gives me hope for my country, from the Sydney suburb of Ashfield, where I saw my father weave together a people from vastly different ethnic groups. And I will offer my thoughts on the kind of politics that will let us repair a fraying nation.

This hope is a gift from my father. At Bondi Beach in 2025, we saw how one man’s hatred was passed to his son. Decades earlier, in Ashfield, my father passed to me his love for others as he faithfully served his church community. His example is why I do not despair for our country and our future. …”

– Read it at his Substack.

Photo: The front doors of Ashfield Presbyterian Church.

Richard Johnson’s Address to the Inhabitants of New South Wales

 

This Australia Day, give thanks once more for the Rev. Richard Johnson, Chaplain to the First Fleet and first Chaplain to the Colony of New South Wales.

In 1792, Johnson wrote a tract designed to be distributed widely in the Colony. He gives his reasons for doing so:

“My Beloved,

I do not think it necessary to make an apology for putting this Address into your hands; or to enter into a long detail of the reasons which induced me to write it.

One reason may suffice. I find I cannot express my regard for you, so often, or so fully, as I wish, in any other way.

On our first arrival in this distant part of the world, and for some time afterwards, our numbers were comparatively small; and while they resided nearly upon one spot, I could not only preach to them on the Lord’s day, but also converse with them, and admonish them, more privately.

But since that period, we have gradually increased in number every year (notwithstanding the great mortality we have sometimes known) by the multitudes that have been sent hither after us. The colony already begins to spread, and will probably spread more and more every year, both by new settlements formed in different places under the crown, and by a number of individuals continually becoming settlers. Thus the extent of what I call my parish, and consequently of my parochial duty, is enlarging daily. On the other hand, my health is not so good, nor my constitution so strong, as formerly. And therefore I feel it impracticable, and impossible for me, either to preach, or to converse with you so freely, as my inclination and affection would prompt me to do.

I have therefore thought it might be proper for me, and I hope it may prove useful to you, to write such an address as I now present you with…”

Johnson’s warm pastoral tone, and his urgent call to trust Christ and to turn from sin, are clearly evident in this Address.

Download An Address to The Inhabitants of The Colonies Established in New South Wales and Norfolk Island as a PDF file here.

(Photo: Richard Johnson’s Address – copy held by Moore College.)

Mentoring 2026

From David Cook at The Expository Preaching Trust –

“Ian Healy believed that one aspect of Shane Warne’s  genius was that he always looked for feedback and who better to give it than his wicketkeeper, Healy.

The Trust makes available preaching mentors, men and women who have had many years of preaching and training experience to give feedback on preaching.

Mentors are available free of charge on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis.

Comments from mentees:

‘…mentoring is the hour each week when I slow down and sharpen the saw. I want to make sure I keep growing sharper in my preparation rather than getting dull over time’.

‘Preaching mentoring is one of the most valuable things I receive, I am a teacher of God’s people, as I am mentored, I have the privilege of being a learner myself’.

One of our mentors, Jenny Salt, adds her encouragement …”

– Read the encouragement here.

A Missing Ingredient in our Sermons and Studies: Biblical Theology

“Imagine a small group of believers gathered in a sweltering church hall after a long day’s work.

As the Bible opens there’s excitement. But there’s also some confusion. Each person brings a different takeaway from the study. One clings to ‘their verse.’ One wonders how the ancient story connects with today. Another debates a fine theological point.

These differences and confusion arise because something is missing: a sense of the grand story God is telling, a thread binding every biblical text and lesson together; in a phrase, we’re missing biblical theology. …”

– At The Gospel Coalition Africa, Fredrick Imbayi reminds of the need for Biblical Theology.

In Sydney, where we are blessed with so much good preaching, it’s easy to take this for granted.

Related:

When the Lights Came On: An Appreciation of Graeme Goldsworthy.

Men Meeting the Challenge Conference 2026

The Men Meeting the Challenge conference for 2026 is coming up at The Kings School on Saturday 14 March.From the organisers:

“This year’s theme, ‘Burn Your Boats: Join the Mission, Change the World’ speaks directly into the lives of men who are juggling work, family, church and many other responsibilities. While life is busy and full, this conference provides an opportunity to pause, refocus, and be reminded of the greater mission God has called us to.

‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.’ (Matt 16:24)

Men Meeting the Challenge exists to encourage and equip men to follow Christ faithfully in the everyday realities of life. It is your conference, shaped by and for men who desire to live with purpose, integrity, and gospel conviction.”

– Details and booking here, including a promo video and other resources.

God is the Father of the Nations

From Phillip Jensen:

“Fathers are so important in life, even in this anti-patriarchal age. For fatherhood is derived from God the Father. He is the provider and protector of us all, who knows our needs before we even ask. He is not far from us, and he is open to our prayers.

This is an important point in Paul’s logic as he attacks the inconsistency and incoherence of Athenian idolatry.”

– Peter and Phillip Jensen continue their discussion based around Paul’s speech at the Areopagus in Acts 17.

Have the bishops put the LLF Travelator into reverse?

“Just over two years ago, an Anglican Futures blogger adopted the concept of the ‘Travelator’ as a way of explaining how the process of changing the Church of England’s practice and teaching about sexual relationships works.

The blog explained how David Porter, the then Archbishop of Canterbury’s Strategy Consultant, ensured that the process would itself become the outcome, by legitimising the questions being asked and preventing any ‘end point’, other than the introduction of blessings and/or same-sex marriage, with the expectation that those who disagree are required to ‘walk together’/ ‘agree to disagree’.

Just like a Travelator – once the first step is taken, there is no way off.

Today, however, some are suggesting that the House of Bishops’ latest statement represents a reversal of the Travelator. If this were true it would be a cause for great rejoicing amongst orthodox Anglicans throughout the Anglican Communion.…”

– Is the LLF Travelator really going into reverse?

Anglican Futures has six reasons why it isn’t.

World Watch List 2026

Open Doors has released their World Watch List for 2026.

North Korea is still identified as “the most dangerous country to be a Christian”, but there are many other runners-up.

Much to pray about – including the people of Iran.

See the list here.

Faith Leaders “express serious concern regarding the Combatting Antisemitism Hate and Extremism Bill 2026”

A wide range of Faith Leaders, including the leaders of Anglican, Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Islamic, Buddhist, and Sikh communities, have written to the Prime Minister expressing “serious concern regarding the Combatting Antisemitism Hate and Extremism Bill 2026, both because of its (perhaps unintended) adverse implications for religious freedom and freedom of expression and the inadequate consultation and review”.

They conclude, “We offer these views in a constructive spirit and stand ready to engage further with all parties to develop appropriate amendments to ensure an appropriate legislative response to hatred and extremism.”

Download the PDF file here.

This is an important letter and deserves wide distribution.

It would also be good to share with your Federal Member of Parliament for their information.

A bursary to attend the Rome Scholars and Leaders Network 2026?

The Rome Scholars and Leaders Network 2026 is an invitation-only gathering designed to create a context for evangelical scholars and leaders:

Certainty4Eternity is offering 1 x $3000 bursary in 2026 for Christian Educators and Leaders who can, or intend to, make a significant contribution to Roman Catholic Evangelism and Discipleship in Sydney and beyond.

– Details from Mark Gilbert at Certainty4Eternity.

Young People are turning to the Bible

Murray Campbell writes:

“Search is on for meaning and for hope.

Last year reports from the UK and USA suggested that the Bible is becoming more popular than ever. Indeed, a huge resurgence in Bible sales is taking place, especially among the U25s. These whispers are growing louder, with The Guardian reporting yesterday,

‘Sales of the good book reached a record high in the UK in 2025, increasing by 134% since 2019 – the highest since records began – according to industry research. Last year, total sales of Bibles in the UK reached £6.3m, £3.61m up on 2019 sales.

Leading the charge is young people. Only 4% of 18- to 24-year-olds said they attended church monthly in 2018, but in 2024 that number rose to 16% – the largest increase of any age demographic.’…”

– Read here.

Trauma and devastation after Philip Yancey’s adultery

From The Pastor’s Heart, the first episode of 2026 “and not the episode we had planned”:

“How should Christians react to news one of our heroes has engaged in an eight year sinful affair with a married woman?

• How should churches respond when leaders fall?

• Why do accountability structures fail?

• How do we speak of grace without minimising harm?

• What does faithfulness look like for pastors, churches and ordinary believers in moments like this?…”

– A most sobering discussion with strong exhortations at the end.
Watch or listen here.

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