The Glorious Body — Dust to dust, ashes to ashes.

Phillip Jensen writes –

“Dear friends,

People’s attitudes towards their bodies can be quite diverse: from those who are embarrassed, to those who are proud; from those who hide their appearance behind excessive clothing to those who glory in their display of flesh.

Within the ancient world, and still amongst ‘super spiritual’ people, there has been the desire to be free of our bodily limitations. Yet Christians boldly proclaim the resurrection of the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, and more than that, of our future hope of the resurrection of our own bodies.

But the obvious question comes about the nature of our future resurrection bodies—will I still be limited by my imperfections, or at a geriatric age? Paul was addressing the doubters in 1 Corinthians 15 when he spoke of our glorious body which will be like unto Jesus.

I hope you enjoy this discussion on this vital teaching of Christians about the resurrection.

Yours,

Phillip.”

– Hear (or read the transcript of) Phillip and Peter’s conversation at Two Ways News.

Jesus exceeds

Michael Leong writes at The Expository Preaching Trust –

“ ‘Jesus is like the lifeguard who pulls you out of the rip at the beach, rescuing you from danger.’

’Jesus is like the parachute instructor who used his body to cushion the impact for his student, giving His life for yours.’

’Jesus is like the Son of the King who vouches for you, so that you can be adopted into His family.’

All of these illustrations are fine for helping our people understand the person and work of Christ – they use categories that are familiar (rescue, substitution, advocacy) to help us grasp what Jesus has done for us.

At the same time, though, I’ve been challenged recently in my preaching to go further than simply saying Jesus is like something in our world. I call this principle ‘Jesus exceeds’ – it’s the truth that, while Jesus might be like certain things in our world, He is also better than all of those things. …”

– Read it all here.

Inconsistent Faith

From Phillip Jensen:

“Dear friends,

Two Ways News is freely available and we encourage our subscribers and regular listeners to advertise it freely amongst their friends and associates. It is freely available because it is provided by the generosity of others. If you would like to share in being generous, the details on how to contribute to this ministry are found at the foot of this transcript.

Today, we are looking at 1 Corinthians 15:12–34, which talks about the inconsistency of those who want the gospel of Jesus without his resurrection. It is a vital passage to see the significant and important consequences of Jesus’ resurrection for life now as well as the future.

Yours,

Phillip.”

– Hear this week’s episode with Peter and Phillip Jensen.

Abuse in Christian Marriage – with Darby Strickland

From The Pastor’s Heart –

“How might we better (as pastors) better come alongside victims of domestic abuse?

Abuse in Christian marriage is easy to miss—and even easier to minimise.

How can pastors recognise what is happening behind closed doors and help our churches become places of refuge for the oppressed?

Counsellor and author Darby Strickland joins us to discuss domestic abuse, the entitlement that drives it, and the patterns of control that can be hidden beneath an appearance of Christian respectability.

Darby Strickland is a counsellor and faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF), and author of Is It Abuse? A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims.

We explore how to listen carefully and ask better questions.

We consider how Christ’s sacrificial love shapes our care for those living with oppression and fear.”

– Watch or listen – and find links to useful resources.

The Victory

Phillip Jensen writes:

“Last week, we started our series in the Resurrection Chapter, 1 Corinthians 15. Naturally, we started at the beginning, but today, we are jumping to the end. For the Resurrection is the end to which the world is heading, and we don’t want to wait until after the doubter’s arguments before hearing the great proclamation of the victory of the risen Lord Jesus.

Don’t forget to mention this podcast to your friends—it is provided free of charge by the generosity of others.”

– Hear Philip and Peter discuss!

9/11 Twenty-Five Years On

John Mason reiterates and expands his reflections on the horrible events of 11 September 2001 –

“Twenty-five years ago Judith and I were living three short blocks south of the Twin Towers in Downtown Manhattan. I had received an invitation from Timothy Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian Church New York City, to set up a gospel-focused Anglican Church to complement the ministry of Redeemer Church in the city.

On Tuesday morning, September 11, we had awakened to see from our apartment clear blue skies and the sparkling waters of New York Harbor. But it was not to last. …”

– Many ACL members know John well. He’s ministered in Sydney, Canberra and New York. He founded the Anglican Connection in the USA and also served as Commissary to the Archbishop of Sydney in the USA.

Read his reflections at Anglican Connection.

Or listen to them here:

 

Related:

The Day the World Stood Still – Phillip Jensen spoke at St. Andrew’s Cathedral on the tenth anniversary, 11 September 2011.

Seeing God at Ground Zero: an Aussie’s testimony from 9/11 – Anthony Philips, published by The Australian Church Record, 10 September 2019.

The Gospel Foundation — The hope of worms?

From Phillip Jensen:

“This week we start a 4-week series on one of the pivotal chapters in the Bible: 1 Corinthians 15. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not an afterthought of the gospel. It is not a tidying up of the events of Jesus’ death at Calvary. The resurrection is the gospel; it is foundational to the Christian understanding of Jesus’ mission and the world’s future.

In this episode of Two Ways News we look at the first 11 verses which are on the truth of the gospel. As we recall the message that was preached, in the coming weeks we will see the significance of doubting the resurrection as well as the marvellous implications of our confidence in Christ’s resurrection.”

– Here Phillip and Peter discuss – at Two Ways News.

Learning from History

David Cook shares some important lessons from our not-so-distant history –

“In 1961 my father, at the age of 46, became a follower of Jesus Christ.

Within a week my mother stood at his side, having been converted at an evangelistic business dinner.

My father led us back to the local Presbyterian church at which his grandfather had been a foundation elder. My dad was soon to become an elder at that church and was in the vanguard of promoting involvement in the forthcoming Billy Graham meetings in Sydney in 1968.

However, such was the state of the church, enduring a long history of liberalism, involvement in the Graham meetings was opposed and any advertising of the event was resisted.

The minister at the time was an immigrant whose English was not good, and though orthodox, was not influential and was overshadowed by other more liberal leaders in the church.

I heard many preachers at that time whose theological commitment was liberal and was greatly helped to recognise it for the poison it was and to resist it, by our local youth leader.

Here is what I remember about it …”

– Read it all at The Expository Preaching Trust.

Illustration: J I Packer, Billy Graham, Marcus Loane, Graham Miller (below), Broughton Know, John Chapman (below), T C Hammond.

The Australian Church Record’s Synod 2026 Journal

Lionel Windsor, Editorial Director of The Australian Church Record, introduces the ACR’s Synod 2026 Journal –

Dear friends,

Many readers will know 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” Yet Paul writes these words amid opposition to gospel truth, rejection of godly living and persecution. He therefore urges Timothy: “Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it” (2 Timothy 3:14).

We are encouraged to remember both the biblical truths we have learned and those through whom God has taught us. As I take on the role of editor of the ACR, I am conscious of this rich heritage. This year marks 100 years since it became the Australian Church Record, building on generations of faithful evangelical witness. We give thanks for those who have stood for the gospel, most recently including Mike Leite, under whose leadership the ACR has grown and flourished.

Though today’s challenges differ, the need to hold firmly to God’s word remains. I trust this edition will encourage us to do just that.

Peter Orr examines the nature and importance of the pastoral office, while Simon Hingston considers biblical clarity in evangelism. Jen Richards offers practical encouragement for regular public Bible reading, and James Chen explores how our gatherings and the sacraments point us back to Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice and forward to our future hope.

With a new Sydney synod triennium beginning, we include key sections from the Standing Committee’s report on the theological and historical purpose of synod. We have also published this on our blog as a resource that can be used in preparation for synod.

We also hear encouraging accounts of gospel ministry from Vic Colgan in Carlton, Steve Thurgar in Eagle Vale and James Daymond in the Diocese of Bathurst.

Looking beyond Australia, Rod Chiswell reflects on the recent Abuja meeting and its significance for the worldwide Anglican Communion. Finally, Peter Adam reviews Tony Payne’s Let the Word Dwell Richly, on the vital ministry of Christians speaking God’s word to one another.

I trust this edition will encourage you to continue in what you have learned, and to give thanks for those from whom you learned it.

With deep gratefulness to the Lord for our contributors,

Lionel Windsor
Editorial Director

– After reading the above, you’ll absolutely want to download your own copy of the ACR’s Synod 2026 Journal.

You can do that by clicking this link (3.5MB PDF file). (Good to share too.)

Love in the church

From Phillip Jensen –

“Dear friends,

The second half of 1 Corinthians 14 gives us great insight into the nature of church life. Having addressed the subject of prophecy and tongues in the light of love, Paul now discusses their use specifically in the church. We know from the first half of the chapter that prophecy is greater than tongue-speaking, because of its edifying effect. But what is the effect of speaking in tongues in church? And how should we conduct it, if we have tongue-speaking at all?

Three times in this passage, Paul tells people to be silent. What does that mean and why does he want silence in church? As our ministries in church are to be conducted in love, so also we see here they are to be conducted in accordance with the character of God—not chaotically, but decently and in order. What does it mean and how are we to do it? I hope you enjoy this episode of Two Ways News and remember to subscribe and share it with your friends.

Yours,

Phillip.”

– Hear Phillip and Peter Jensen at Two Ways News.

Always worth your time. Along the way, they mention T.C. Hammond, about whom you can learn more here.

As Phillip mentions, issues discussed in this episode are also covered in his book The Coming of the Holy Spirit and also at this year’s King’s Birthday Conference.

Silicon Spiritualities podcast with Chris Watkin

At The Gospel Coalition, since early July, Christopher Watkin has been hosting a podcast about Artificial Intelligence –

“Introducing Silicon Spiritualities, a podcast from The Gospel Coalition exploring the deeper questions artificial intelligence raises about work, worship, truth, power, and what it means to be human.

Host Christopher Watkin helps thoughtful Christians move beyond hype and panic toward a wise, hopeful, and biblically grounded understanding of the technologies shaping our world.”

– Check out the episodes already online.

Phillip Jensen on the Ten Commandments — The Pastor’s Heart

Phillip Jensen has a new book out – Written on Our Hearts – The Ten Commandments and the radical life of grace.

Dominic Steele  speaks with him about the book, and about The Ten Commandments – at The Pastor’s Heart.

– Watch or listen here. Very much worth hearing and pondering.

And the book is available from Matthias Press.

Love in Action

From Phillip Jensen –

“Chapters 12-14 of 1 Corinthians are a unit. Paul uses one long argument that Paul is using.

Most people think it is about spiritual gifts, but it’s much more about what he calls “the spirituals”, whereas chapter 13 on the topic of love seems to have moved off topic. Chapter 14 brings us right back into the pointy end of the debate that Paul addresses. What of speaking in tongues? What of prophecy? What is the greater or higher gift?

I hope you enjoy this chapter as Peter and I discuss it.”

– Listen here.

Themelios 51.2 released

From The Gospel Coalition:

“The new [northern] summer 2026 issue of Themelios has 231 pages of editorials, articles, and book reviews.

It is freely available in three formats: (1) PDF, (2) web version, and (3) Logos Bible Software. …”

– Details here.

Charity

From Phillip Jensen –

“Should you read 1 Corinthians 13 at your wedding? And should we translate 1 Corinthians 13 as ‘charity’ or ‘love’? Today’s episode will answer both of these questions.

One of the best known and most popular passages of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13, is the topic of our podcast this week. The good news is, we are talking about it; bad news is, we cannot do it justice. Nevertheless, we hope you enjoy our discussion. Do take a moment to subscribe, and take every opportunity to share this podcast with your friends.”

– Peter and Phillip discuss at Two Ways News.

As always, very helpful. Do listen (or read) and share it with friends.

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