The Queen’s Christmas message 2015
Queen Elizabeth II has released her 2015 Christmas Message.
And you can also read the Christmas 2015 sermon from Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, preached at Canterbury Cathedral. In part, he says, –
“Today, across the Middle East, close to the area in which the angels announced God’s apocalypse, ISIS and others claim that this is the time of an apocalypse, an unveiling created of their own terrible ideas, one which is igniting a trail of fear, violence, hatred and determined oppression. Confident that these are the last days, using force and indescribable cruelty, they seem to welcome all opposition, certain that the warfare unleashed confirms that these are indeed the end times. They hate difference, whether it is Muslims who think differently, Yazidis or Christians, and because of them the Christians face elimination in the very region in which Christian faith began. This apocalypse is defined by themselves and heralded only by the angel of death.”
9Marks Journal on Missions: Adding Wisdom to Zeal
The latest issue of 9Marks Journal is up on their website, and is full of encouraging articles with headings like “Ways your church can get involved in Global Missions starting tomorrow”.
Going to a CMS Summer School? (Not going to a CMS Summer School?) Thinking about the year ahead? This will be a very worthwhile issue to read.
Should Evangelicals evolve on Homosexuality?
“While acceptance of homosexuality may be a growing trend among professing evangelicals, still the majority of evangelicals simply aren’t convinced. Evangelicals, for the most part, aren’t buying the arguments the ‘gay Christian movement’ is selling.
According to Rosaria, the leading merchant for the gay Christian movement is Matthew Vines. He believes it’s possible to practice homosexuality and genuinely profess Christianity…”
– At Desiring God, Phillip Holmes sits down for a coffee and chat with Rosaria Butterfield.
Read his article and watch both videos from the conversation.
Insightful comments on the nature and danger of sin.
Related: Human Sexuality and the ‘Same Sex Marriage’ Debate — a review.
Liberation Letter
“Nowhere is the chameleon-like character of Mormonism on display more than at Christmastime.
After a richly-orchestrated, pitch-perfect ‘O Holy Night,’ one of the Mormon ‘apostles’ is now preaching. He started out by awarding Luke a brief honorable mention for providing us an account of the Christmas story, but after dispensing with this lip service, he went on to ‘another record’ in The Book of Mormon. It was some of Joseph Smith’s make-believe about Samuel the Lamanite and the Nephites in America at the time of Jesus’ birth, etc., etc.
The blind leading the blind, and the ditch here that they’ve fallen into is lined with Christmas lights, yet it is horribly dark.”
– Tim Keesee of Frontline Missions shares his experiences of his trip to Salt Lake City, and also a letter of liberation from a former Mormon, now his sister in Christ.
See Tim’s photos here.
Related: Unveiling Grace: Wonderful news for Mormons.
Nexus 16 registration open
Registration for Nexus 16, on Monday May 23, 2016, is now open. Details here.
RefNet: 24/7 streaming audio
We mentioned this back in 2012. Here’s a reminder – stream it at your desk, on your phone, in your car…
Justin Taylor writes: “Ligonier Ministries is making available a resource that I hope spreads far and wide: a free, always-streaming, 24-hour Christian internet radio featuring solid biblical teaching and preaching.”
Can be streamed via a web browser or the RefNet iOS app. Worth checking out.
Do More Better: A practical guide to productivity
“Do More Better is the most clear and concise book on productivity I’ve read.”
– Andy Naselli reviews Tim Challies’ new book, Do More Better.
Oak Hill’s Commentary magazine Winter 2015
The Winter 2015 issue of Oak Hill’s Commentary magazine is now up on their website.
It’s available as a 19MB PDF file – or read it online.
You may have missed — 14 Dec 2015
Here are some recommended posts you may have missed:
Dick Lucas on the Letter to the Galatians (and a full English breakfast).
The Diocese of North West Australia’s December 2015 Northwest Network.
Peter Williams on ‘Does the Bible support slavery?’
Glen Scrivener’s new Christmas video you can use.
Charles Raven on the Archbishop of Canterbury’s upcoming Primates’ meeting.
Does the Bible support Slavery?
Dr. Peter Williams, Warden of Tyndale House in Cambridge, recently spoke at the Lanier Theological Library in Houston, Texas.
His topic: “Does the Bible support Slavery?”
The fascinating 57 minute address (followed by 18 minutes of questions) is well worth your time. You may be surprised by some of the conclusions he draws.
Watch it here. (Note that the HD video is just over 1GB in size.)
10 questions to ask at your Christmas gathering
Any Christmas gatherings (work parties, BBQs, etc) coming up? At the Southern Seminary blog, Don Whitney has some ideas –
“Here’s a list of questions designed not only to kindle a conversation in almost any Christmas situation, but also to take the dialogue gradually to a deeper level.”
Four Kinds of Christmas — video
Glen Scrivener in the UK has done it again, with another thought-provoking Christmas video.
You can use it in church – and pass it on to your friends.
See it at, as well as previous videos, and an evangelistic e-book, at fourkindsofchristmas.com.
Here’s a direct link to the 33MB mp4 file (to download, right-click and Save As.)
New Master of Arts (Theology) subject at Moore
From Moore College:
“The Master of Arts (Theology) program at Moore College is aimed at providing continuing education in theology for graduates in full-time ministry. In 2016 we are offering a new subject in this postgraduate degree program…
In September 2016, Professor Daniel Block from Wheaton College, world-renowned for his work in Ezekiel and Deuteronomy, will be delivering the MA unit Recovering the Gospel According to Moses…”
– Info here.
Themelios — December 2015
The latest issue of the online theological journal Themelios has just been released.
In the editorial, General Editor Professor D A Carson looks at ‘disputable matters’. Where is there room for Christians to disagree? And how should we respond to the argument that same-sex marriage should be adiaphora?
The issue is available from The Gospel Coalition.
Reading Challenge
Tim Challies has a challenge for readers in 2016.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…