‘Catholics should not try to convert Jews, Vatican says’
“The Vatican has told Catholics that they should not seek to convert Jews and stressed that the two faiths have a ‘unique’ relationship. …
Turning to the vexed question of salvation, the document says: ‘that the Jews are participants in God’s salvation is theologically unquestionable, but how that can be possible without confessing Christ explicitly, is and remains an unfathomable divine mystery’. …”
– BBC News report. Read the full text of the document, at Vatican News.
10 churches destroyed in Aceh
“A church was burnt to the ground in Aceh Singkil in the province of Aceh, Indonesia last month, and a further nine churches destroyed by police.…”
– Report from Bible Society Australia. (Photo: Open Doors Australia.)
Aasia Bibi placed in solitary confinement over fears for her life
“Aasia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman who has been languishing on death row since 2010 after she was unjustly convicted of blasphemy, has been transferred to solitary confinement amid fears she could be attacked by vigilantes…”
– from Barnabas Fund. (Photo: Barnabas Fund.)
Update, 27 Oct 2015: Asia Bibi ‘healthy and safe,’ says her lawyer – World Watch Monitor.
Police raid Sat-7’s Cairo offices
“Egyptian police raided Sat-7 channel’s Cairo offices on Oct. 10, confiscating equipment and briefly detaining the pioneer Arabic Christian broadcaster’s country office director.
Detained for hours before being released, director Farid Samir faces possible charges related to operating a satellite TV channel ‘without the necessary licenses,’ a press release by the Sat-7 Cyprus office said two days later…”
– Report from World Watch Monitor.
UK Christian leaders speak out on proposed Extremism Disruption Orders
“More than 50 Christian leaders from across England and Wales have written to The Daily Telegraph to warn that the Government’s proposed Extremism Disruption Orders (EDOs) would be a “disaster” for the church.
The initiative was backed by: Revd Tony Jones, Senior Minister of Christchurch Durham; Revd Dr Mike Ovey, Principal of Oak Hill College; and Andrea Williams, CEO of Christian Concern [and Colin Hart Director of the Christian Institute]…”
– from Anglican Mainstream.
UK government backtracks on ‘sinister’ faith leaders watchlist
“A Home Office minister has signalled that the Government now has ‘no plans’ to introduce a ‘watchlist’ for faith leaders…”
– from The Christian Institute.
UK Govt extremism plans ‘would target Christian charities’
“The Government could remove trustees from Christian charities, including schools, across England and Wales if they are deemed ‘extremist’, according to leaked Government legislation…
It comes after a proposal to enact a ‘national register of faith leaders’ was criticised as an attack on religious freedom not seen since the 17th century.”
– news from The Christian Institute.
International Women’s Consultation — report
“In late June 2015, Caitlin Hurley, Emma Little, Jane Tooher and I headed to London at the invitation of the Proclamation Trust.
The Proclamation Trust has been a leader of evangelical ministry in the UK, through their training of men and women in expository Bible teaching; conferences for clergy, women in ministry, and ministry wives; their Cornhill course; and their many written resources.
The invitation included the opportunity to attend The Proclamation Trust’s flagship conference, the Evangelical Ministry Assembly (EMA), and after EMA to participate in an international women’s consultation organised by Carrie Sandom…”
– at the Equal But Different website, Kara Hartley – Archdeacon for Women’s Ministry in Sydney Diocese – reports on a recent and strategic International Women’s Consultation.
Related: Audio of the EMA 2015 talks. (Proc Trust’s Adrian Reynolds says that the video files will be uploaded in coming days.) Photo by Sam Law.
Australian Christian Lobby welcomes Government response to Syrian crisis
Here’s a media release from the Australian Christian Lobby:
9 September 2015
The Australian Christian Lobby today welcomed the federal Government’s response to the Syrian refugee crisis with the allocation of 12,000 additional places for asylum seekers. …
“ACL believes that assistance should be based on human suffering. Naturally the most needy groups are religious minorities like Christians, Yazidis, Mandeans and others. We support including these groups in the allocation, not merely because of their religion, but because of their need” Mr Shelton said.
Related: Syrian crisis ‘too great to be ignored’ – Archbishop Davies (06 Sept 2015)
8th Planned Parenthood video + resources
“C. S. Lewis once wrote in the preface to the Screwtape Letters,
The greatest evil is not now done in those sordid “dens of crime” that Dickens loved to paint. It is not done even in concentration camps and labour camps. In those we see its final result. But it is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried, and minuted) in clean, carpeted, warmed and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voices.
He could have been writing about Planned Parenthood and StemExpress.
Today (August 25, 2015), The Center for Medical Progress released its eighth video using undercover footage exposing the reality of what goes on behind these closed clinical doors…”
– At The Gospel Coalition, Justin Taylor has a description of the video, plus some resources for healing.
Bible Society Australia ‘acquires’ Koorong
Here’s an interesting development:
“Bible Society Australia – whose core cross denominational mission is to translate, distribute and engage people with the Bible – has acquired leading Christian retailer Koorong…”
– Real the media release (PDF), or watch the announcement video from Bible Society Australia CEO, Greg Clarke and Koorong Managing Director Paul Bootes.
And some more info here from Bible Society Australia.
Two days left to have your say for NSW scripture in schools
“There’s only two days left to contribute to the NSW government review of special religious and ethics classes in schools.
The independent review looking into Special Religious Education (SRE) and Special Ethics Education (SEE) in NSW primary and secondary schools was announced in October last year and began in March.
Parents and carers, SRE and SEE teachers, current and former students and other interested parties are able to contribute their views here, before submissions close this Friday 31 July…”
– Report from the Bible Society. (Emphasis added. Image: Youthworks.)
President’s Address — ACL AGM 2015
Anglican Church League AGM
President’s Address
The fundamental problem with the world continues to be alienation from God.
The solution remains the gospel of peace which proclaims reconciliation by Christ’s death. This is a gospel for all creation and the church remains the pillar, defender and herald of that truth. Read more
‘Stoush over NSW public school enrolment forms’
“Accusations that Rev Nile asked for the ethics changes in exchange for his support of the government’s power privatisation plans have also emerged, and have been denied by Rev Nile and the Christian Democrats.
While the media has focused on Rev Nile’s request to take ethics classes off the enrolment form, there has been barely a mention that the same request has been made unanimously by faith groups offering Special Religious Education in NSW schools…”
– helpful background from Bible Society Australia to a story that’s in the news.
John Woodhouse on 1 Kings 1 and the Servant King
Former Moore College Principal, Dr. John Woodhouse, was back at college this week, and preached in Chapel for the first time since he retired.
Hear the sermon on 1 Kings 1:1-10 and the Servant King. Most challenging and encouraging.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…