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.

Written on Our Hearts — a new book from Phillip Jensen

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

From the publisher’s description:

“Few pieces of writing, if any, have shaped our world in the way that the Ten Commandments have. Thousands of years after God first gave them to Moses and Israel, they remain one of the most discussed and most memorized texts in history.

But are they revered? Are they obeyed? Are they loved? Even those who know the commandments well may struggle to see how they apply to Christians living “not under law but under grace” (Rom 6:14). How and why would a follower of Jesus today share the words of the psalmist: “Oh how I love your law” (Ps 119:97)?

In Written on Our Hearts, longtime pastor and preacher Phillip Jensen takes readers into the mind of the eternal, unchanging God who authored the commandments. Jensen shows that the commandments are not only relevant for today’s world, but also central to the transformation of mind, heart and life that God desires for his people.

Here is a radical vision of grace-filled living that delights in the law of the Lord and does good to all people.”

Published by Matthias Media, it’s available through their website.

Understanding Body Image

From Phillip Jensen –

“Body image today often refers to our perception of our own physical bodies. But Paul used the image of the body 2000 years ago when he spoke of the Body of Christ, and that’s what we need to explore when looking at 1 Corinthians chapter 12.

It is particularly important in today’s controversies that we understand the image of the body.”

– Here Phillip and Peter discuss at Two Ways News.

The Age of the Spiritual

From Phillip Jensen:

“In 1 Corinthians 12-14, we come to a passage that has dominated Christian discussion for the last 60 years. It is one that Peter and I have been thinking and preaching on for most of our public ministries. But I hope that you find this fresh take on the passage to be a helpful way of understanding Paul’s letter.”

In the discussion, Phillip recalls writing his book, The Coming of the Holy Spirit –

“In the writing of that book was a verse which held up the whole of my writing for 12 months, for there was a translation problem which one of the editors pointed out to me. That verse was 1 Corinthians 14:12, ‘So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.’

The trouble is, the Greek doesn’t say, ‘the manifestations of the spirit’. What it really says is, ‘since you are eager for spirits’, plural. The Holy Spirit is never spoken of in plural form, so it can’t be referring to the Holy Spirit—thus it should be written with a lowercase ‘s’. But then that raises the question: what spirits is it talking about?…”

– Hear Phillip and Peter Jensen discuss these key chapters – at Two Ways News.

At the bottom of that page, there are ways you can support the ministry.

Darrell Bock answers questions on Luke’s Gospel

From The Pastor’s Heart –

“Leading New Testament scholar Darrell Bock gives a rapid fire exploration of Luke and Acts.

Bock, who is Senior Research Professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, outlines what first drew him to Luke and answers questions including:

Plus Luke’s distinctive emphasis on the world wide expansion of the gospel, the kingdom of God, the Holy Spirit, care for the poor and the creation of one new family from Jews and Gentiles.”

– Watch or listen here.

The Lord’s Supper — Uniting in fellowship

From Phillip Jensen –

“One of the longest standing debates amongst Christians is, strangely, about one of our strongest illustrations of unity. For the Lord’s Supper is meant to be an expression of our unity in the death of the Lord Jesus Christ as we proclaim his resurrection. Yet as long ago as 1 Corinthians was first written, we find Christians divided at this event to such an extent that Paul declared that what they did was not the Lord’s Supper.

So what is the Lord’s Supper about, and what were they doing that so disqualified them from celebrating it?

It is an interesting and defining passage on this important activity which is so central to church life.”

– Peter and Phillip discuss in the latest episode of Two Ways News.

God’s Best Work Is Cross-Shaped

At The Gospel Coalition Australia, David Ould calls us back to the Cross of Christ –

“How are we meant to understand distressing, painful and complex moments, whether in our church life together or in our own personal stories? The most straightforward response is grief or sadness at what has happened. That is, of course, entirely appropriate. Alongside this might be anger directed at those we understand are in some way responsible. Yet it rarely stops there. After our initial reaction, we often start to try and find some meaning in the events. For the Christian, this leads quickly to questions about God: how has he allowed this to happen? Is he in charge of these things? If he is, then how can we reconcile his sovereign purpose with tragedy? …”

– Read it all here.

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