The Doctrine of Baptism – DWB Robinson

Church Society has republished a 1962 paper by Donald Robinson (then Vice-Principal of Moore Theological College, and later Archbishop of Sydney) on the doctrine of Baptism.

“For our Church’s doctrine of baptism we must go first of all to the Thirty-Nine Articles. The Prayer Book services must always be interpreted in accordance with the Articles, and not the other way about.”

– This enlightening paper is available as a PDF file from Church Society.

(This has also been republished as chapter 26 in Volume 2 of Donald Robinson, Selected Works, Australian Church Record / Moore College, 2008.)

Biblical Authority in an Age of Uncertainty

In this video from The Gospel Coalition, Don Carson, John Piper and Tim Keller speak together about the importance of knowing what the Bible says.

Related: David Ould looks at the debate in the UK on Women Bishops – “It’s Just the Vibe of the Thing” – at Stand Firm.

William Taylor on ‘Why Expository Preaching?’

William Taylor spoke at a Simeon Trust workshop on Biblical Exposition, in 2008. The audio of the workshop is available on their website. Most encouraging – especially for preachers of God’s word.

Science and Genesis 3:1-24

Barry Newman is continuing to write stimulating notes as he reads through the early chapters of Genesis. He’s posted his latest complete series of explorations, “Science and Genesis 3:1-24” – as a PDF file – at his blog.

The Great Creeds

“The earliest function of the creeds was baptismal, that is for instruction beforehand and interrogation of the candidate at the baptism itself. Between their embryonic beginnings and ultimate finalization of the creed in the forms we have them further elements were added.

This was because the era between the New Testament and the finalization of the Creeds in the fourth century was chaotic, with the intrusion of serious doctrinal errors threatening the survival of apostolic truth and the unity of the church. …”

– Bishop Paul Barnett is continuing to post some of his writings online.

Related: J.I. Packer: More Catechesis, Please.

Why did Jesus have to die?

In a new 5 minute video from The Gospel Coalition, David Short is asked, “Why did Jesus have to die? and What actually takes place on the Cross?”.

Also see his discussion of the question, “If homosexuality is simply another sin, why is it treated differently in churches?”.

(Worth reading in conjunction with the first video are these excerpts from an interview with John Piper.)

Transformed by God: David Peterson interviewed at Oak Hill

Last month, David Peterson travelled back to Oak Hill College in London to give the annual School of Theology lectures.

While there, Vice Principal Chris Green recorded a 15 minute interview about the ideas in David’s forthcoming book, “Being Transformed by God”. Encouraging.

Revising the C of E Baptism services (again)

“When the Common Worship services were produced in 1995 the problems about baptism within the wider church came to the fore. The Liturgical Commission set about the service with a particular rationale but this did not find favour with the General Synod, as a result a Revision Committee, and the Synod itself… changed the services significantly. The resulting service, authorised in 1997, was unsatisfactory to many people and is confused theologically. …

The discontent surfaced again in 2005 when further changes were made. Now, another six years on a third attempt is being made to revise the services…”

– in this article (PDF file) for Cross†Way, Church Society General Secretary David Phillips provides several glimpses into the state of liturgical reform in the Church of England.

Dr Peter Adam to resign as Ridley Principal

“Canon Dr Peter Adam will resign as Principal of Ridley Melbourne at the end of study and long service leave in January 2012.

In announcing his decision, Board Chair, Claire Rogers, reflected on Dr Adam’s service to Ridley: ‘Peter has exercised significant biblical and theological leadership across Australia and internationally. His distinguished service of the College over several decades includes Board Member, Adjunct Lecturer and most recently as Principal.’…”

– from the Board of Ridley College, Melbourne. (h/t Wayne Schuller.)

Hearing the voice of Satan

“The Bible clearly teaches of the devil, but referring to Satan in polite society is prone to miscommunication. The community’s level of confusion about spiritual realities is so great that any casual reference to Satan is doomed to misunderstanding…”

– Dean of Sydney, Phillip Jensen, reminds us of the reality and the tactics of Satan – and the best response to him. Via SydneyAnglicans.net.

Foundations journal now online

Foundations is the journal of evangelical theology published twice a year by Affinity (formerly The British Evangelical Council).

It has now become an online journal, and the first digital issue (1.4MB PDF file) is online with articles by Carl Trueman Greg Beale and others. (h/t Reformation21)

Five thoughts on worship

“There is no shortage of good books (and bad!) on the theology of worship. The best is David Peterson’s Engaging with God: A Biblical Theology of Worship (IVP, 1992). Peterson’s book is not a practical how-to on worship planning, but rather an in-depth, exegetical look at the biblical understanding of worship.

Worship, according to Peterson, is first of all a whole life lived to the glory of God…”

– so writes Kevin DeYoung at the Gospel Coalition blog.

Engaging with God is available from Moore Books (who currently have a stock reduction sale).

Shadow Gospel: an uncertain faith

We’ve noted Charles Raven’s book – published in September 2010 – before, but it’s worth drawing attention to it again.

This week’s GAFCON Primates’ Statement from Nairobi includes these words:

“We continue to be troubled by the promotion of a shadow gospel that appears to replace a traditional reading of Holy Scriptures and a robust theology of the church with an uncertain faith and a never ending listening process. This faith masquerades as a religion of tolerance and generosity and yet it is decidedly intolerant to those who hold to the ‘faith once and for all delivered to the saints’.”

Charles Raven’s book, Shadow Gospel: Rowan Williams and the Anglican Communion Crisis, is important reading for all who want to understand the theology of the Archbishop of Canterbury and how it is informing his leading of the Anglican Communion. He writes in his introduction:

“Although I seek to show that Rowan Williams’ theological vision is so problematic that a biblically faithful future for the Anglican Communion will have to come from elsewhere, I have not set out to portray him as an Antichrist or even to suggest that the current crisis is simply ‘his fault.’ He is interesting as much for what he illustrates about the Anglican Communion and its governance structures as for what he generates, being deeply shaped by the same theological and social trends which were straining the Communion well before he came to Canterbury.”

The book is published by The Latimer Trust in the UK, and can be ordered from them, however Australian readers might find this link useful.

Church Membership: Holding the Body Together. 9Marks eJournal May 2011

The latest 9Marks eJournal is on church membership. Get it here.

Of First Importance — The Cross and Resurrection at the Centre

“The Christian faith is not a mere collection of doctrines — a bag of truths. Christianity is a comprehensive truth claim that encompasses every aspect of revealed doctrine, but is centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ. And, as the apostolic preaching makes clear, the gospel is the priority.

The Apostle Paul affirms this priority when he writes to the Christians in Corinth. In the opening verses of 1 Corinthians 15, Paul sets out his case…” – Albert Mohler writes with a reminder of what is of first importance.

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