Islam in the Public Square

From AP, the Australian Presbyterian online journal –

“I have been engaging publicly with Islam for over 30 years and have a noticed a recent change in the way it is discussed in public. The Bondi shooting, the war with Iran, and the ISIS brides have changed public discourse.

Up until recently, a Muslim could commit an act of violence against a non-Muslim, say it was done in the name of Islam, and quote from the Qur’an for justification; but most Western leaders and media would respond by saying it had nothing to do with the religion and that Islam is a religion of peace. I hear this response a lot less often, if at all, now. …”

– Sam Green looks at possible responses to a growing knowledge of Islam in the West, and urges Christians to respond in a Christian way, “because we have experienced the love of God for his enemies ourselves”.

Image: Sam Green on The Pastor’s Heart in September 2024.

See also Sam Green — Engaging with Islam – December 2024.

Christian Identity

From Phillip Jensen –

“Today as we proceed through 1 Corinthians 3, we think of the pressing problem for modern Western culture: that of identity.

Apparently, many people struggle with the questions, ‘Who am I?’ or ‘What am I?’. This chapter answers these questions for Christians.”

– Listen at Two Ways News.

Helping kids engage with the Epistles

From Tara Sing at SydneyAnglicans.net –

“When the Rev Matt Dodd, from Lakemba, noticed the lack of material as he was looking for resources for his kids’ ministry, he decided to do something about it. With a genuine desire to open the Scriptures for kids, he produced the new series God’s Very Special Letters.

Partnering with illustrator Thom Bransdon from St Mark’s, Sadleir, the duo have translated the epistles into language that children would use in the school playground, and have brought them to life with vivid drawings of the early church. …”

– Read all about it here.

And a link to an earlier story at The Australian Church Record – and do watch the promotional video.

The production quality is top class.

The first three books (just released) are on sale currently at The Wandering Bookseller.

Knowing your place – Acts 7:1-19

Moore College’s Lionel Windsor spoke at College Community Chapel on Tuesday morning.

He spoke from Acts 7:1-19 – God’s chosen place – Stephen’s speech. An encouraging reminder of the key importance of Biblical Theology.

– Watch here.

The Global Anglican — Church Society Podcast

From Church Society –

“Peter Jensen and Kirsten Birkett discuss The Global Anglican theological journal, and Peter shares his thoughts on the state of global Anglicanism more broadly.”

– Listen here. Recorded just before G26 met.

The Two Wisdoms

From Phillip Jensen –

“Dear friends,

We do appreciate comments and feedback, and even questions from our many subscribers.

Sadly, we haven’t got the time or resources to be able to answer each question; however, two of the comments that came in to us on the Acts 17 passage we thought would be very helpful to air in this episode of Two Ways News, before we look at the two wisdoms contrasted in 1 Corinthians chapter 2.”

– Listen here. And, as always, thoughtful, helpful and informative.

Understanding Evangelism

From Phillip Jensen –

“We do appreciate comments and feedback, and even questions from our many subscribers.

Sadly, we haven’t got the time or resources to be able to answer each question, however two of the comments that came in to us on the Acts 17 passage we thought would be very helpful to air in this episode of Two Ways News, before we look at the two wisdoms contrasted in 1 Corinthians chapter 2.”

They begin by clarifying some things about anti-semitism and then go on to speak about the vital topic of evangelism.

– Listen here. Most helpful.

Preaching When Opportunity Knocks

“Some years ago now, John Chapman, Sydney Diocesan Evangelist, came to Melbourne to lead a workshop for preachers. As you would expect, it was absolutely loaded with good advice conveyed with machine-gun-like speed and precision. …

Of all the standouts from that day, one thing still comes to my mind each year as Christmas and Easter approach. …”

– Bob Thomas, retired Presbyterian minister, shares brief encouragement at The Expository Preaching Trust.

Also new at their website:

Preaching Wisdom –

“The wisdom books of the Bible are Job, Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Song of Songs and there is a wisdom category of the Psalms, Psalm 119 being an example of a Wisdom Psalm.

The preacher of these books will never be accused of being anything but contemporary, down to earth and practical. …”

– David Cook shares opportunities to develop skills in preaching these books.

Reading the Bible In Church

“Looking for people who can read the Bible out loud in church? Trying to fill the Bible reading roster? Building a team of Bible readers? Then let me ask you, what qualifies someone to be able to read the Bible? Do they need to have a background in performing arts? Or perhaps have been a newsreader in a previous life?

Should they audition for the task? Or complete a training course for reading in front of others? Is volunteering enough or is vetting needed?

What makes a good Bible reader? …”

– Dave McDonald writes at The Gospel Coalition Australia.

Thoughts on AI — A helpful resource from Crossway

At AP, The Australian Presbyterian, Cooper Rispin shares some brief reflections on resources around AI –

“Should we be afraid of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it is influencing our world, or should we be embracing it? If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably felt unsure or overwhelmed by all the rapid developments.

That said, Large Language Models (LLMs), often referred to as AI, have already been a wonderful asset, but not without their concerns. I am particularly thankful for how quickly tools like Grammarly have improved, helping me with my daily job of writing emails, talks, etc. It’s an example of how these tools have been a great asset to humanity.

If you want help thinking about AI/LLMs for you, your family, and your church, I want to recommend a two-part series from the Christian publisher Crossway, along with books by some of the hosts of these episodes. …”

– He reminds us that technology is never neutral.  Worth checking out.

Children’s Bibles are helpful—but they’re not enough

“When I ask parents if they read the Bible with their children, they’ll often respond enthusiastically and say something like, ‘Yes! We read them a chapter from a children’s Bible before bed every night!’

And that’s so encouraging to hear! But it’s not what I meant.

What I’m really asking is: ‘Do you read the actual Bible with your children?’…”

– At The Australian Church Record, Leah has a point.

Boasting in the Cross

From Phillip Jensen –

“Is pride a virtue or a vice? Is it right or even wise to boast of oneself? Traditionally, modesty has long been commended and pride decried. But today, we encourage the young to be proud of themselves, and we hear celebrities of all kinds proclaiming pride in themselves and their achievements. What place, then, does pride have in the Christian life? Should we be proud to be Christians?

The ancient world, as with the modern, places great emphasis on learning, education and wisdom. The human ability to think deeply is one of the great distinctive characteristics of our species. But does God set limits on human wisdom? Can we judge God or even know him by our wisdom?

The gospel always undermines human pride in ways we never expect, and so I hope you enjoy our discussion in this episode. Thank you to those who have inspired conversations by contacting us and providing feedback; if you want to do the same, please write to us at respond@twm.email.”

– Phillip and Peter Jensen discuss at Two Ways News.

Church Society podcast — 1 and 2 Kings with Nathan Lovell

At Church Society’s podcast, Lee Gatiss learns about 1 and 2 Kings from Nathan Lovell, author of the Hodder Bible Commentary on these books.

Encouraging and well worth hearing.

As many of our readers will know, Nathan serves at George Whitefield College in South Africa.

The commentary is available now, including at The Wandering Bookseller.

The Joy of Enough — Mothers Union Sydney annual seminar

The Mothers Union Sydney annual seminar for 2026 is coming up next week – Friday 27 February – at St. Andrew’s Cathedral OR via Livestream. It’s a free event!

Details at the Mothers Union website.

Can AI Preach my Sermon?

“We have crossed a strange and significant line. For centuries, those who gathered to hear the preaching of God’s Word could safely assume that the messages they heard were prayerfully prepared by a human pastor. That pastor was someone called by God, shaped by Scripture, and burdened with the task of proclaiming it. In 2026, that assumption can no longer be made.

Recent polling confirms it. …”

– Caleb Phelps at the Proclaim and Defend blog encourages preachers to do the hard Spirit-enabled work of sermon preparation themselves.

He reminds his readers that, “Pastors do not need to lead the charge in technological advancement. We need to give ourselves to the Word. We must study it until we know it, know it until we love it, and then preach it for the spiritual good of God’s people”.

(Link via challies.com.)

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