Does the Cross save?

At Stand Firm, David Ould asks what the Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Grafton believes about salvation – and about what she describes as a “rather mechanistic and grim understanding of atonement” (among other things).

Read it here.

Your spiritual appetite

“This day was the best that I have seen since I came to England.… After Dr. Twisse had begun with a brief prayer, Mr. Marshall prayed largely two hours, most divinely, confessing the sins of the members of the Assembly, in a wonderful, passionate, and prudent way. Afterwards, Mr. Arrowsmith preached an hour, then a psalm … Dr. Twisse closed with a short prayer and blessing.”

‘So wrote Robert Baillie, one of the Scots commissioners at the Westminster Assembly, about one of the best days he had in England.’

– Food for thought. Read the whole post by Jeremy Walker at Reformation21 for a challenge, and then, over at the Proc Trust, see Adrian Reynolds brief words.
(Image: University of Glasgow.)

Don’t go it alone!

“It is no accident that so many of the commands given in the New Testament letters involve ‘one another’:

welcome one another; care for one another; bear with one another; forgive one another; submit to one another; admonish one another; exhort one another, and so on. Don’t judge one another, deprive one another, lie to one another, speak evil of one another, envy one another…etc, but do comfort one another, encourage one another, edify one another, and – above all – love one another.

The reason for all these injunctions is quite obvious: clearly, we need one another! …”

– William Philip at The Tron Church in Glasgow with a great reminder about the importance of church. (Photo: Russell Powell.)

How can Systematic Theology enrich and energise preaching?

Canon James Packer spoke recently for The Charles Simeon Trust in the US.

Classic Packer. Set aside an hour and be encouraged and strengthened in your preaching (or in encouraging others in their preaching).

On Vimeo. (h/t Justin Taylor.)

9Marks Journal on Evangelism — part 2

The latest 9Marks Journal is free to download. It’s packed with articles of interest to Sydney Anglicans as we plan for the ‘Jesus Brings’ outreach… articles include:

Evangelism in the Workplace
Reaching the “Converted”
Evangelism across Economic Boundaries
How can Churches Evangelise their Neighbourhoods?
Three Lessons for Cross-Cultural Evangelism
Evangelising the Nations at Home
The Gospel for a Gay Friend

Download it from 9Marks.

An unavoidable truth: the doctrine of sin today

“The heart and wellspring of all evangelical theology is the cross of the Christ. It is in the light of the cross that we truly understand God and truly understand ourselves.

It demonstrates God’s deep and determined love and it demonstrates God’s deep and determined love for sinners (Rom 5:8). I cannot avoid the reality and seriousness of my sin when I attend to the awful glory of what happened outside the walls of Jerusalem 2000 years ago. I cannot avoid the determined and loving purpose of God when I consider who it was who died there. …”

– Mark Thompson writes at The Briefing.

10 Tips for your next Hospital visit

“Pastors should be prepared to minister when they step foot in a hospital room. With someone under your care in frail condition, this is no time to wing it. Visiting someone is not just about what you do once you are in the room, it is about being prepared before you arrive…”

– Maybe this ought to be common sense, but it’s a good reminder (h/t Tim Challies).

Probably few use the Prayer Book’s The Order for the Visitation of the Sick these days, but if you haven’t read it lately, take the time to do so. Here’s the 1552 version. And the 1662 version.

Related: A visit means more than a text – Jean Williams.

J.C. Ryle on Sickness, and Some Thoughts on Affliction, by Neil Prott (both on the old part of our website).

Phillip Jensen & Kel Richards in The Chat Room — The Bible, Old & New Testaments

In the latest edition of The Chat Room, Phillip Jensen & Kel Richards talk about the Big Picture of the Bible, and the perils of reading it without seeing that bigger picture.

33 minutes. Well worth showing in small Bible Study groups, for example.

Related: At The Proclamation Trust, Adrian Reynolds has been blogging about “The New Testament Use of the Old” – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.

‘Strange Fire’ Conference audio now available

Two weeks ago, the Strange Fire Conference, organised by John MacArthur, was held to “evaluate the doctrines, claims, and practices of the modern charismatic movement”.

Speakers included John MacArthur, Conrad Mbewe, Joni Eareckson Tada, R.C. Sproul and Steve Lawson.

As expected, this unique conference generated quite a bit of interest. Tim Challies blogged summaries of each of the main messages, and the audio and some video have now been made available.

St. Helen’s Training: Bible Overview

The next two videos (3 & 4 of a total of 6) in the St. Helen’s Training series on getting a Bible Overview are now online.

GAFCON 2013 and Authority in the Church

GAFCON 2013 begins in Nairobi tomorrow, so now would be a good time to uphold in prayer this significant gathering.

This 2008 theological resource paper by Dr Mark Thompson is a good reminder as to why GAFCON is committed to the authority of the Bible.

We’ll be posting news from GAFCON as it comes through.

Priscilla & Aquila Centre conference registration open

‘Singleness, Marriage, Divorce, & Remarriage in Ministry’ is the topic of next year’s Priscilla & Aquila Centre conference at Moore College.

It’s on Monday 3rd February 2014. Registration opens today. Details from the College.

A Life Already Started Conference

“With one in three women under 40 in Australia having had an abortion, it’s a rare church that has not been touched by this issue.

For this reason, Fervr invites you to the A Life Already Started Conference.

Connect with other rectors, youth ministers, women’s workers and chaplains. Hear about the options available for women faced with an unwanted pregnancy. Get equipped to lovingly respond to and support these young women.

Valuable speakers include author Dr Megan Best, representatives from Diamond Pregnancy Support and Women’s Forum Australia, and also two women who will share their personal stories of God’s healing after abortion.”

The conference is on Saturday 2nd November at MBM, Rooty Hill – Registration: $40, includes morning tea, lunch and a free copy of Dr Best’s new book.