Why the Creeds are good
“To too many the creeds are a dusty vestige of a happily distant past. They were written centuries ago, born out of abstract battles whose players we can’t even name. Isn’t it just better to love each other and not get caught up in all those silly questions?…”
– In an age where creeds play little part in many church gatherings, R.C. Sproul Jr says that creeds are good guards of the faith. (h/t Gary Ware.)
Wesley Hill at Moore College
While in Australia recently for Liberty Christian Ministries, Dr Wesley Hill (Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry in Ambridge, Pennsylvania) visited Moore College.
He spoke with the Faculty, addressed the students, and also sat down for a guest interview with Archie Poulos.
Watch the interview (9 minutes).
Watch his lecture and Q&A session (52 minutes).
Good resources for pastoral ministry.
Will I know my loved ones on the other side?
“Every pastor has been asked “will I know my loved ones on the other side?”
The intermediate state is the time between our death and the day when Jesus Christ returns and we receive our new body. In that time we are disembodied souls, will we be able to recognise loved ones?…”
– David Cook writes to encourage.
Confident: Why we can trust the Bible
“Last February and on into March, Mike Ovey and I each wrote a number of little blog posts responding to Steve Chalke’s article, ‘Restoring Confidence in the Bible’. We’ve reworked those posts, added some more material and discussion questions, and the result is a new little book published by Christian Focus and called, Confident: Why we can trust the Bible.
It’s not a finger-pointing, hand-wringing book (Steve Chalke isn’t mentioned at all). Rather it’s a book to encourage and equip Christians…”
– from Dan Strange at Oak Hill College in London. (Availability.)
Human Sexuality and the ‘Same Sex Marriage’ Debate
This promises to be a very useful book:
“The current debates about gender, the meaning of marriage and human sexuality are of interest to people inside and outside the Christian churches. A massive exercise in social engineering is underway around the world and it is often difficult to discern how Christians might contribute to the debate in a way that will not simply be dismissed as traditionalist bigotry.
The Sydney Diocesan Doctrine Commission has spent two years reflecting upon the issues and has produced this little book as a resource for Christians who wish to understand what is happening and how they might respond, as well as an explanation to others of why Christians have found the debate and the way it has been conducted in the public arena deeply disturbing.”
The members of the Doctrine Commission who have contributed to this report include:
- Rev Dr Peter Bolt
- Bishop Robert Forsyth
- Archdeacon Kara Hartley
- Rev Dr David Höhne
- Rev Tony Payne
- Rev Gavin Perkins
- Rev Robert Smith
- Rev Canon Dr Mark Thompson (chair)
– Now available as a pre-order from Anglican Press Australia (an imprint of Youthworks’ Christian Education Publications).
For Christians who missed the memo: the Bible abhors all domestic abuse
I’m thankful for the many in our community from Australian of the Year Rosie Batty, to the Sydney Morning Herald’s ‘shine a light’ campaign who are speaking out on domestic violence. Even if it makes me and my own tribe – more theologically conservative Christians – uncomfortable.
I’m grateful since one of the best-known facts of Jesus Christ’s life is his compassion to women, especially those in need. Jesus protected women.…”
– Sandy Grant writes an opinion-piece for The Sydney Morning Herald.
Phillip Jensen on Anglican Evangelicalism
In the latest Preaching Matters video from St. Helen’s Bishopsgate, Phillip Jensen speaks about what it is to be an Evangelical Anglican.
In doing so, he explores the difference between ‘followers of Calvin’ and ‘followers of Calvinism’. (Mike Ovey responds here.)
The Death Bed
“That there is an element of fear as we face imminent death is natural, after all, none of us are experienced at dying, we only die once. It seems so permanent and separating from all that we love. …
The Christian facing death has two common questions, I will deal with the first in this column, the second question in the next column.”
– David Cook writes to encourage Christians to keep reminding each other of their hope. (Posted 02 March 2015. Image from a St. Helen’s Bishopsgate video.)
By the Book
The latest issue of Credo Magazine is out – with the theme of knowing the Bible.
Salvation is all God’s doing
“Do I contribute to my own salvation? Do I repent and believe and thus God regenerates me or is it the other way around? Is faith my contribution to the whole process – God does his bit and I add my necessary contribution?”
– David Cook writes to remind us that salvation is all God’s doing.
Power and Promise – studies for Lent 2015
Lent is coming up shortly (it starts Wednesday 18th February).
Some churches observe Lent – others don’t. Either way, the forty days leading up to Easter are a great time to encourage church members to reflect on God’s Word, and to understand how all of God’s promises find their ‘yes’ in Christ.
“This Lent, join Dr Peter Jensen in his new book, Power and Promise, as he explores God’s faithfulness and sovereignty from Adam to Abraham.
The opening chapters of the Bible are a majestic introduction to God, his Word, and the world as we know it. In Power and Promise, the former Archbishop of Sydney marvels at the intricacies of the rich landscape that is Genesis 1–15.
Through these chapters we also see the heartbreaking history that stemmed from humanity’s rejection of its Creator, and the certain hope offered in God’s covenants.
With 40 daily devotions and questions for group discussion and personal reflection, this book is an ideal resource for challenging Christian faith, devotion and obedience in the lead-up to Easter.”
Learn more, and order your copy from Christian Education Publications.
Theological College and the New People of God
“The new academic year is upon us. In my brief visit to GWC for the annual language Summer School, I’ve seen new students arrive, as well as old students and faculty return. One of the joys in this is seeing the diversity of people coming to the college. I’m reminded that when the gospel is preached, the Spirit draws people from all nations into Christ’s church to the glory of God the Father…”
– George Athas from Moore College has been visiting George Whitefield College in Cape Town. He’s written this encouraging piece for their website.
Kanishka Raffel — Do not lose heart
In the latest Preaching Matters video, Kanishka Raffel, who has been visiting St. Helen’s in London, speaks about why we should not lose heart as we preach the gospel.
Be encouraged.
Committed to the Gospel
At the Thinking of God Conference, held last November, Dr Peter Bolt spoke on Evangelicalism, calling his hearers to be discerning and uncompromisingly gospel-focussed.
Take the time to be challenged and encouraged. Watch or listen here.
How then, should we live?
“Defective theology will inevitably lead to defective Christian living.
There are three areas of systematics which require our careful attention – these truths often get lost in larger theological tomes, but they need to be taught thoroughly to our people.
I intend to write about each of them in my next three columns.
The first is the place of the law in the believer’s life, this bears on the relationship of old and new covenants…”
– Presbyterian Moderator-General David Cook begins a short series on key aspects of theology.
(Photo: St. Helen’s Bishopsgate.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…