The Gardener — What is our work?
From Phillip Jensen:
“Apart from sleeping, we spend more of our life working than anything else we do. But what is God’s plan for our work? Indeed, what is work? And how does it differ from doing good works, or does it?
After responding to a letter from one of our subscribers, Peter and I explore what Genesis means by our gardening. At the end of our transcript are details of a talk on the subject of work.”
– Listen here at Two Ways News.
Does it matter how much a pastor preaches?
“The latest edition of the ACR includes the results of a survey we conducted in order to investigate how frequently senior ministers are preaching in relation to the number of full-time staff and adult church attendance.
On the whole, there is a negative correlation between the number of full-time staff and the amount a pastor preaches.
On average, a minister serving as the only full-time staff member of a church (35% of responders) preaches 4.3 weeks out of 5. For those serving in a staff team of two full-time equivalents (50% of responders), that average drops to 3.5 weeks out of 5.
What is notable, however, is that this trend flattens out as the size of the staff team increases, stabilising at about 3 weeks out of 5. For a staff team of three (26% of responders), the average is 3.2 weeks out of 5. For a staff team of four (13% of responders), the average is 3 weeks out of 5. For a staff team of five or more (27% of responders), the average slightly increases back up to 3.1 weeks of out 5. This indicates that pastors have a general preference to preach no less than 3 in every 5 weeks.
This, however, prompts the question: Does it matter how much a pastor preaches? Or more specifically, does it matter to God how much a pastor preaches? …”
– At The Australian Church Record, Charles Cleworth explores the question.
The Two Trees
From Phillip Jensen:
“In the middle of the garden, full of beautiful trees, there are 2 trees in particular. What is the importance of the tree of life? What is it telling us about God’s plans for humanity? Why is it singled out for special mention?
The other, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, seems to be even more important in establishing the drama of life in the Garden of Eden and subsequently the storyline of the rest of the Bible. But what does it mean to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?
I hope our discussion prompts more discussion among you and your friends.”
– Listen to the latest stimulating podcast from Phillip and Peter Jensen as they continue to think through the early chapters of Genesis.
Was the Garden Paradise?
From Phillip Jensen:
“Peter and I love gardens but hate gardening. However, all the good things about the garden are set out in Genesis 2.
In today’s podcast, we explore God’s generous provision symbolised in the Garden of Eden. To what extent was the garden paradise that we need to regain? To what extent is the paradise promised to the thief on the cross something greater than the Garden of Eden?”
Related:
Two Ways Ministries’ 2025 King’s Birthday Conference is coming up at Moore College next Monday 9th June.
“From Feminism to motherhood, from animal rights to toxic masculinity, from racism to euthanasia, Australia is in an ethical turmoil on many issues. Christians often feel in the crossfire of these culture wars. Do Christian ethics apply to non-Christians?
This year at the King’s Birthday Conference, Phillip Jensen is going to look at how becoming a Christian takes us back to the universal morality of Creation.” …
– See the details, and register before it’s too late!
The Reason to persevere in Prayer — Luke 18:1–8
“This is a parable Jesus told his disciples ‘to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart’ (Luke 18:1). And we all need this encouragement, don’t we? Because prayer is hard. Especially that persistent, daily habit of praying, day after day, month after month, year after year. …”
– Lionel Windsor speaks in Chapel at Moore College.
Discussing The Nicene Creed
Mark Gilbert and Leonardo Di Chirico chat about their new book The Nicene Creed – The nature of Christian unity and the meaning of gospel words, published this month by Matthias Media.
This 17 minute video is a terrific introduction to understanding the key differences between Romans Catholics and Protestants, so that we can love our Catholic friends from a position of better understanding.
It may also make you want to get the book! (If so, click the image for details.)
Towards the end of the video, Mark mentions The Reformanda Initiative. where there are additional resources.
More interesting than any Dan Brown novel — The Council of Nicaea
“This year, in May to be specific, marks 1700 years since the start of the Council of Nicaea. The town is now known as Iznik, in modern Turkey. From this Council’s determinations sprang the core content of what Christians now know, and regularly recite, as the Nicene Creed.
Why does the anniversary of such an old statement matter? It’s not ultimately about philosophical theology, or winning a debate, let alone the intersection of religion and politics, as some suggest.
Ultimately, it’s about worshipping God properly, as he truly is, and not just as we imagine or find convenient.
In particular, it was about honouring Jesus not just as perfect man, but truly as God.…”
– At the Cathedral website, Sandy Grant, Dean of St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney, explains the significance of the Council of Nicaea.
He reminds us, “the background story is more interesting than any Dan Brown novel conspiracy theory. And the theology is more important” – so take the time to read (and also see the resources he links).
Man in the Garden
From Phillip Jensen:
“One of the high points, if not the high point, of Genesis 1 is the creation of man, both male and female, in the image of God. There we are told of our responsibility to govern the earth, to multiply and to fill it. When we turn to chapter 2 of Genesis we are again told of the creation of man. This time it is in much more detail, and yet it still gives the same prominence and importance of man in God’s creation.
Today’s podcast is a discussion of the movement of Genesis 1 to Gen 2 where we look at man in the garden.”
What It Means To Be Protestant — Book review
“Gavin Ortlund, not to be confused with his brother Dane Ortlund who wrote Gentle and Lowly (Crossway, 2020), is one of Protestantism’s foremost ‘accidental’ apologists. This is because, as Ortlund himself says in the introduction, he didn’t set out to become this but instead responded to a need he identified on social media.
Ortlund’s YouTube channel Truth Unites has become immensely popular and he is known for discussing various Biblical topics in a clear, historically insightful but most irenic way. This is also the case with What It Means To Be Protestant (Crossway, 2024) which I think is something of a model for how inter-faith dialogue – especially with Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox – should be done.
Due to the nature of the topic, this could easily become abrasive or overly hostile. However, Ortlund does a masterful job at maintaining a respectful and engaging tone.…”
– At AP, the Australian Presbyterian journal, Mark Powell reviews What It Means To Be Protestant.
Exposition
“Along with the many students who studied at Moore College under the Principalship of Dr. Broughton Knox, I have deep gratitude for his twice-weekly lectures to first year students, Doctrine 1.
What struck me most was Dr. Knox’s determination to test all things against Scripture. We studied using T.C. Hammond’s, In understanding be men, and Dr. Knox would even correct that fine book, in minor areas, when he believed it to be inconsistent with the Bible.
In 2 Timothy, Paul’s last letter in the New Testament, Paul reminds his young mentee, Timothy, of the nature of Scripture. …”
– David Cook reminds us of the essential place of faithful and engaging expository preaching. At The Expository Preaching Trust.
Image: Dr. Broughton Knox.
Celebrating Nicaea
From Moore College:
“Today Moore College celebrates the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, a landmark event in the history of the Christian church that reaffirmed the perfect equality in being, honour, and power, of God the Father and God the Son.
Though the Father and the Son are distinct persons in asymmetrical and non-reciprocal relationship (the Father is always the Father and the Son is always the Son, so they are not interchangeable), they are entirely and absolutely one in being.
This great truth has always been taught and held unequivocally at Moore College. There is only one true and living God, and the Son is as much God as the Father is (something that is true of the Holy Spirit as well). The creed formulated by the Council of Nicaea used one little Greek word to express this truth, homoousion, which in English becomes the phrase ‘of one being with’ or ‘of the same being as’. It also insisted repeatedly that the Son was ‘begotten not made’. …”
Work and Rest — What does God’s rest mean for his people?
From Phillip Jensen:
“The creation account of Genesis finishes in a most unexpected place – rest. The idea of God resting on the seventh day is so familiar to us that we sometimes miss how extraordinary it is. That God should rest and bless the seventh day, inviting us to share it with him is one of the wonders of the Bible.
In a society dominated by and priding itself in ‘busyness’ and confused and conflicted over ‘work/life balance’, God’s teaching on the Sabbath day is a welcome relief for Christians. Yet it is not simply an individual issue, for the Sabbath is to be celebrated by all of creation.”
– Listen at Two Ways News – including listeners’ feedback!
Hope in the Psalms of Lament
“I am frequently drawn to the Psalms of Lament. These psalms are highly personal. They reflect deep pain but also hope and trust in our loving God.
The psalms of lament resonate with the brokenness I see and experience. Their first lines are poignant, moving …”
– Dr. Veronica Hoyt, Director of the Priscilla & Aquila Centre at Moore College, reflects on the Psalms of Lament.
King’s Birthday Conference 2025
Two Ways Ministries’ 2025 King’s Birthday Conference is coming up at Moore College on Monday 9th June.
“From Feminism to motherhood, from animal rights to toxic masculinity, from racism to euthanasia, Australia is in an ethical turmoil on many issues. Christians often feel in the crossfire of these culture wars. Do Christian ethics apply to non-Christians?
This year at the King’s Birthday Conference, Phillip Jensen is going to look at how becoming a Christian takes us back to the universal morality of Creation.” …
“As we expect to fill the Marcus Loane Hall to capacity, we are planning to have an overflow venue. We have introduced an early bird rate which will end on May 31 so those who register early can get a seat in the Marcus Loane Hall – confirmation of seating in the Marcus Loane Hall is only possible until the hall is full.
Early bird $25, Early bird concession $10
From 1st June: Regular price $30, Regular concession $15.”
– See the details, and register.
‘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.”
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.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…