The Vibe Shift: What does it mean for the Gospel?
“All of the conservative ducks have lined up in a row. Did you notice? The cultural and political vibe has shifted? Have you felt it?
The vibe has turned against the progressive framework that sought to shut down voices it did not like, including orthodox Christian voices who wanted to speak about ethics. Yes the ducks have lined up, the vibe has shifted and we’re not gonna take it, we’re not gonna take it, we’re not gonna take it anymoooore!
Heady days for many people. It seems we are in for a long period of relative sanity in some areas of life that were previously either insane or being run by those who were. Or we are in for Armageddon, who can tell?
But let’s be positive. Clearly, as many a commentator has pointed out, the vibe has indeed shifted, and with strokes of the pen left, right and centre, the US President is not only changing the vibe in the USA, but across the Western world. Craven tech bros journey up to the new Jerusalem to pay homage.
What was once orthodox, or at least was declared to be orthodox to all and sundry, yet believed by far less than all and sundry, is being banished to the sidelines. …”
– Stephen McAlpine reminds Christians where our focus must be.
California’s End of Life Option: ‘An Awful Way to Die’
“ ‘Imagine dying without pain and suffering, peacefully, in a dignified, controlled manner, on your terms, on a date and at a time of your choosing,’ reads the advertisement for an information session on California’s End of Life Option Act.
To anyone who believes in God’s sovereignty, the last part of that sentence rings false. Even if a person does decide on suicide or assisted suicide, it’s the Lord who numbers our days (Job 14:5; Ps. 139:16). It’s he who gives life, and we’re warned against ending it prematurely (Ex. 20:13; Eccl. 7:17; 1 Cor. 3:16–20).
But the first part of that advertisement may not be true either. …”
– At The Gospel Coalition, Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra shares some details which are distressing but important to be understood.
MAID Canada Or KILL Canada? The Power of Words in Our National Conversation
“I propose that we who are opposed to MAID [Medical assistance in dying] stop using that acronym and start using KILL. Many people would like the government to provide free maid service; no one wants the government to kill them. The acronym KILL stands for ‘Killing Innocent Lives Legally.’ Many people still love Canada, so who can be in favour of KILL Canada?
One moment, how does KILL Canada help? Don’t people already know what MAID stands for?
Let me explain further. …”
– At The Gospel Coalition Canada, George Sinclair, one of the first ministers to join the Anglican Network in Canada, points out what MAID is really all about – and calls Christians to speak the truth.
The Gender Revolution — a new blog to go with the book
The authors of the book The Gender Revolution, Patricia Weerakoon, Rob Smith, and Kamal Weerakoon, have started a blog to discuss related topics.
The first post, Every Body Has Authority, by Kamal Weerakoon, is now online.
The book is published by Matthias Media. (It’s also on special at the moment!)
“There are times when I receive a new book and find myself saying ‘I don’t think we need a new book on that.’ …
Yet sometimes I receive a new book and find myself saying, ‘I’m so glad someone has written a book on that!’ …
The Gender Revolution falls squarely in the second category. This is a book that has been written to provide a biblical, biological, and compassionate response to the modern day gender ideology that has been flooding our world and sweeping away so many victims.”
Image: Matthias Media.
The Trumpet Gives an Unclear Sound
“ ‘Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?’ (1 Corinthians 14:8)
The reaction to the bishop of Washington’s sermon at the President’s inauguration tells us as much about the confusion in the Western Church today, as did the reaction to bishop Curry’s sermon at the royal wedding. …”
– At AP, David Robertson examines some of the reactions to the recent ‘sermon’ by the Bishop of Washington.
Image: Bishop of Washington Mariann Edgar Budde.
California drops all charges in Planned Parenthood undercover videos case
“California has agreed to drop all charges against David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt, following years of legal battles over the pro-life activists’ release of undercover videos showing abortion providers discussing the procurement and selling of aborted babies’ body parts. …
Daleiden was quoted in the announcement as saying that the settlement was ‘a huge victory for my investigative reporting and for the public’s right to know the truth about Planned Parenthood’s sale of aborted baby body parts.’…”
– Report from The Christian Post. This saga has dragged on for almost ten years.
Image: A 2022 billboard paid for by the Government of California.
Make America pro-life again
“Christians across America have been praying for the incoming administration. Regardless of our personal politics – we have been praying for the leadership of this nation, that they govern with wisdom, integrity, and a heart for the Lord.
This week, you had your new President and Vice President inaugurated in the Capitol. Again, putting party politics aside, because this has nothing to do with who we like or who we do not like – this has entirely to do with living in a Christian nation, living by Christian values, with a Christian moral compass. …
In less than a week, this has already become the most pro-life government in history.”
– Anglo-Catholic priest Calvin Robinson, now a resident of the USA, prays that governments around the world will be inspired to emulate recent actions of the new Administration.
(via Anglican.ink.)
Related: 1 Timothy 2:1-4.
Are the Church of England’s bishops running scared from gay wedding celebrations?
“Are the Church of England’s bishops running scared from the problems caused by the prospect of gay wedding celebrations in parish churches across the country?
That would appear to be the political reality behind the House of Bishops’ decision at its meeting on January 20 to delay the introduction of stand-alone services of same-sex blessing. …
What has changed since that gung-ho General Synod vote in February 2023 when 34 bishops voted for the introduction of services of same-sex blessing, called Prayers of Love and Faith (PLF), with only four voting against and two abstaining?”
– At Christian Today, Julian Mann surmises what might be behind the delay in going ahead with same sex weddings in the Church of England.
‘The Woke Will Regroup’ — Albert Mohler interviewed on Dual Citizens
In the latest Dual Citizens podcast from David Ould and Stephen McAlpine –
“Steve and Dave speak with Dr. Albert Mohler to explore the implications of Trump’s re-election on American Christianity. He candidly shares his evolving stance on Trump, the persistence of ‘woke’ ideology, and the role of American evangelicals during a time of societal upheaval. He navigates the complexities of faith in a politically charged era, offering a beacon for Evangelicals in a changing landscape.
Dr. Mohler also engages with Christian nationalism, examining how faith and national identity can coexist without overshadowing the Gospel’s universal message. He invites us to ponder our dual citizenship, emphasising the eternal over the temporal.”
Abortion was the leading cause of death worldwide in 2024. And it wasn’t even close
“Throughout 2024, the mainstream press woke up to a brutal reality: Despite decades of sinister fearmongering about ‘overpopulation,’ the world is experiencing a critical shortage of babies that will threaten our way of life in every way imaginable.
… abortion was the leading cause of death globally in 2024, ‘with a record 45 million unborn babies killed in the womb, according to data provided by Worldometer.’ The numbers are excruciating and impossible to fathom: As of 12 p.m. on December 31, 2024, an estimated 45.1 million abortions were perpetrated throughout the year. For context, Canada’s entire population is 40.1 million. …”
– Very sobering article from The Bridgehead, via Anglican Mainstream.
An Australian Creed for Sexual Integrity
From Mark Powell at AP, the Australian Presbyterian national journal:
“Glenn Davies, the current bishop for the Diocese of the Southern Cross and former Archbishop of Sydney, discusses why he helped to produce an Australian creed for sexual integrity.
This document seeks to faithfully uphold the teaching of the Bible and provide a positive vision for human flourishing.”
See The Australian Creed for Sexual Integrity.
Also mentioned:
Diocese of The Southern Cross.
Presbyterians extend hand of fellowship to Bishop of the Diocese of the Southern Cross – August 2022.
Parents, Talk to your Teens about Pornography
In his The Briefing broadcast for Tuesday 17th December 2024, Dr Albert Mohler looks at why pornography is immoral and what opposition to restrictions on porn reveals.
He underlines the importance of Christian families.
Britain’s new National Death Service?
“If Labour MP Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally ill Adults (End of Life) bill ends up on the statute book, it could well be that the principal (perhaps only) achievement of Sir Keir Starmer’s government in Britain will have been the introduction of a National Death Service.
It will also signal the assisted suicide of Britain as a moral society. Indeed, Friday’s Commons debate on the issue revealed that Leadbeater herself clearly doesn’t understand what she has done because she doesn’t understand the moral distinction between killing and dying. Nor do some other MPs. …”
– British journalist and author Melanie Phillips takes a closer look at what MPs actually voted for on Friday in the House of Commons.
(Image from an interview at johnanderson.net.au. John Anderson has spoken with Melanie Phillips on a number of occasions.)
Dark day as MPs vote in favour of assisted suicide Bill
“MPs have voted in support of the principle of Kim Leadbeater MP’s assisted suicide Bill.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill intends to allow those in England and Wales deemed to be terminally ill and with less than six months to live to receive help to kill themselves. MPs have now voted by 330 to 275 in favour of legalisation.
The backbench MP’s Private Member’s Bill will now proceed to Committee Stage, where it will be considered further. …”
– Reaction from The Christian Institute to the vote in Westminster this morning Australian time.
I am so grateful my husband ignored those who would have assisted his dying
“In 2011 my husband was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. This is one of those illnesses for which people such as Anne Turner, whose death was portrayed in a BBC documentary, have sought assisted suicide.
It never entered my husband’s head that he would like to die early. To the contrary, he set about doing all the things he could possibly do to live as long as possible and I helped him. We had a young daughter, we loved each other very much and we wanted to be together for as long as possible, come what may. It never entered either of our minds.
But a point came when that changed. …”
– At The Conservative Woman, Gabriella Dunn shares her story – and that of her husband.
It’s written in light of the British Parliament’s upcoming vote this week on the Assisted Dying Bill. Important reading, even here in Australia where similar laws are already in place.
Related:
Britain’s religious leaders unite against assisted dying in major intervention – Telegraph via Anglican Mainstream.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…