Societas 2016
This year’s Societas (the magazine of Moore College’s students) is now ready for your enjoyment and edification.
Download it (a 10MB PDF file) from the College website, or read it online.
Printed copies are also available.
It’s a great way to get a feel for what is happening at Moore College, and is a good resource for prayer.
Also from the College: Moore breaks boundaries of geography with its newest course.
“After 75 years of supporting lay ministry, Moore College is pleased to announce its first fully-accredited online course for laypeople, the Diploma of Biblical Theology (DBT). In development over the past few years the College will launch the DBT in Semester 1, 2017. …”
Moore’s global vision given a new focus
“Launched at Synod tonight, Moore’s Centre for Global Mission (CGM) promotes theological reflection and practical engagement in cross-cultural mission work. The Centre provides a pathway for the rich biblical theology taught at the College to be deployed in service of those seeking to make disciples across cultural boundaries in Sydney and around the world. …”
– Report from Moore College. Related: Centre for Global Mission.
Synod approves gay marriage booklet
“Sydney Synod has expressed deep concern about moves to remove gender from the marriage act and has authorised the distribution of a booklet outlining the consequences of same-sex marriage for families and society.
Debate on the third night of Synod was led by Bishop Michael Stead, who chairs the Archbishop’s Plebiscite Task Force and the Dean, Kanishka Raffel. …
‘… the Task Force was convinced of the need to provide resources for Sydney Anglicans. The booklet “what has God joined together?” is the first such resource. The booklet aims to engage, equip, and embolden Sydney Anglicans to be a part of the debate on same-sex marriage.’…”
– full report from SydneyAnglicans.net.
Chappo’s legacy lives on with Preaching Clinics
“John Chapman was a much loved and great evangelist and preacher not only in Sydney but around the world. He was also a champion of engaging expository preaching and the need to train preachers well. He regularly used to say ‘There is nothing in the world like good preaching. Mind you, there is nothing in the world like the opposite either!’ …
The Chapman Preaching Clinics are part of an integrated program to help preachers keep improving from the day they commence preaching until the end of their ministry.” – News from Moore College.
(Illustration from a Department of Evangelism videocassette cover, 1986.)
Statement regarding Dr Keith Mascord – Sydney Diocese
“The Archbishop does not normally comment on applications for licences, which are the subject of private discussions and correspondence with the applicants.
However, given misrepresentations in the media, the following points are relevant…”
– The Diocese of Sydney has released this Media Statement.
Audio files from the 2016 ACL Synod Briefing
On Wednesday 5th October, the Rev. Craig Roberts, Rector of St Augustine’s Neutral Bay, Standing Committee member, and ACL Vice-President, discussed the main issues coming up at this year’s Sydney Synod.
The event was organised by the ACL as a service to members of Synod.
If you weren’t able to be present, here are the audio files. To listen to each section, click on the link under “Audio file”. Each file will open in a new window.
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Introduction and prayer from the Rev. Jason Ramsay. |
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Schools, Archbishop’s election, Synod membership, Conduct of Synod business, Parental leave for clergy. Requests for something to happen: funding church plants, Licensing incumbents, Professional development. |
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Asylum seekers in detention, Same sex marriage. |
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Our Reformation heritage, Growth in churches, Restoring faith, hope and trust in our society, Thanksgiving motions, Community chaplains, Renumeration of Anglicare, Youthworks, Schools Corporation Chairs, Equipping Rectors in leadership, Restricting the length of sermons. |
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Proposal to fund ministries in new growth suburbs, New churches for new communities fundraising drive, Reinvigorating ministry in small congregations, Funding projects in low socioeconomic parishes, Drawdown of diocesan endowment ($3.5m), |
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Thinking theologically about voting in Synod. |
Dr Bill Dumbrell (1926 – 2016) with Christ
From Moore College:
In the late morning of Saturday 1 October, Dr Bill Dumbrell was called home into the presence of the Lord he had loved and served for more than sixty years. Dr Dumbrell was a long time lecturer at Moore and Vice Principal from 1975 until 1984.
Dr William J Dumbrell was born in 1926, was converted when he was twenty-five in 1951 and began his studies at Moore Theological College four years later, and took out a BD externally from the University of London with First Class Honours in 1961. He later earned an MTh from the same university in 1966 and a ThD from Harvard University in 1970.
He was ordained in 1956 and served in churches in Parramatta and Ermington before lecturing at Moore College from 1963–66. Upon his return from Harvard, he lectured at Moore College in Old Testament from 1971 to 1984 and was Vice Principal from 1975–84. He then taught at Regent College, Vancouver, from 1984–88, before returning to teach at Moore College from 1988–1994.
Bill and Norma then left for missionary service in Singapore, where Bill taught at Trinity College. Bill has been a prolific author of books and articles, including Covenant and Creation: An Old Testament Covenantal Theology (Exeter: Paternoster, 1984; 2nd edn 2013); The Faith of Israel: Its Expression in the Books of the Old Testament (Leicester: IVP, 1988; 2nd edn 2002); and The Search for Order: Biblical Eschatology in Focus (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994). Bill is survived by his wife Norma and his adult children, David, Ian, Grace, Naomi, and 6 grandchildren.
Moore Theological College Principal, Dr Mark Thompson, commented on his passing with this tribute:
“Bill Dumbrell has been a teacher, mentor and friend to many. His enormous impact as a biblical exegete, theologian and minister of the gospel is felt throughout the world. Those of us who have had the privilege of being taught by him have much for which we can thank God. Alongside his highly respected contributions in the area of Old Testament studies, his theological acuity more generally, and his sense of humour and unique personality, his commitment above all else to the Lord Jesus and his gospel will leave an enduring mark on all of us. His prayerful interest in, and deep love of Moore College, right from those early days as a student through his time as Vice Principal in the 70s and 80s and into his retirement, was undoubted. It was most definitely reciprocated. If there were such a thing as a ‘Number One Borrower’ card at the Moore College library, it would undoubtedly be held by Bill. At the time of his call home to be with the Lord he had been a dearly loved and respected member of the Moore College community for more than sixty years.
One of Bill’s enduring concerns was the unity of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, a unity to be found in the idea of God’s unfolding covenant. He would emphasise again and again that this began at creation and not just at Genesis 12! His contributions in this area revolutionised the thinking of many and continues to be drawn upon by scholars, students and pastors across the world. Yet Bill had so much more to say as well, writing on many books of the New Testament as well as the Old Testament and theological themes such as eschatology. His memorable Annual Moore College Lectures, delivered in 1983 and later published as The End of the Beginning: Revelation 21–22 and the Old Testament (Sydney: Lancer, 1985), were the first I ever heard and they shook the foundations and stretched the mind of more than just this single first year student.
My initial interview to come to Moore College as a student was with Bill Dumbrell in 1982. I remember thinking at the time that he was more nervous than I was. That, of course, wasn’t true, but he was certainly able to put me at ease. Later, when he returned from study leave in Canada, I discovered his lectures were a unique experience, full of gems even if the structure wasn’t always visible. His humour was memorable. One group of students a couple of years later purged the tapes of his lectures that year of all substance and kept just the jokes and asides, labelling it ‘The Best of Bill’. We all knew we were in the presence of a very fine mind but he was always deeply engaging as just ‘Bill’. He could certainly argue his position strongly and took no prisoners in debate, but he was genuinely concerned for the students he had the opportunity to teach and shape as gospel men and women of the future.
Bill now enjoys the presence of the Lord he served throughout his life and though we grieve his loss to us, and especially to Norma and their family, we rejoice that he is safe in the care of the one who has loved him from eternity.”
Others have reflected on Dr Dumbrell and his impact. We feature some of these comments here.
Dr Paul Barnett, Former Bishop of North Sydney and Emeritus Faculty member:
“Like many others I owe a great debt of gratitude to Bill Dumbrell. He was my first teacher of Greek and later as Dean of Regent College, Vancouver extended the invitation that began a thirty year association with that distinguished hall of learning. Bill was a clever and good man, a devoted servant of Jesus.”
Dr Andrew Shead, Head of Old Testament, Moore College:
“Bill Dumbrell was unparalleled in his ability to master the trees and the forest simultaneously, combining knowledge of numerous languages and fine details of the text with a sweeping theological perceptiveness that spanned the extent of Scripture. He was a highly original and adventurous thinker, who never allowed age to set him in his ways. In particular, his work on covenant has helped to shape the thinking of generations of biblical theologians around the world. Bill’s air of the absent-minded professor could not hide his sharp wit or his interest in people, which made him a much loved teacher, colleague and friend.”
Dr Bill Dumbrell’s funeral will be held at St Philip’s Caringbah (402 Port Hacking Road), on this Wednesday 5 October at 1:30pm.
– Reproduced with permission from Moore Theological College.
Moore College Faculty, circa 1985. Dr. Dumbrell arrowed. Click for a larger version. Photo: Moore College. Top photo courtesy Baker Publishing.
Here’s a sermon on Luke 19:41-42 preached by Dr. Dumbrell at Moore College Chapel in 1986.
ACL Pre-Synod Briefing — TONIGHT Wednesday 5th October
Pre-Synod Briefing, This Wednesday 5th October, 6:30 – 8:00pm at Chapter House.
As a service to the Synod, the ACL is holding a Pre-Synod Briefing for Synod members.
The Rev Craig Roberts, Rector of St Augustine’s Neutral Bay, Standing Committee member, and ACL Vice-President, will discuss the main issues for this year’s Synod.
Download your invitation here.
The Synod Survival Guide — got your copy?
New to Synod? The Synod Survival Guide (4th edition), by Robert Tong is an invaluable help to make sense of it all.
Presented by the ACL as a service to the Synod of the Diocese of Sydney, you can download your PDF copy here.
The Legacy of Broughton Knox — MTC Library Day 2016
Don’t miss this special event coming up at MooreTheological College on Saturday 29th October.
David Broughton Knox (26 December 1916 – 14 January 1994) was the long serving Principal of Moore Theological College from 1959 until 1985.
DBK is considered by many to have been hugely influential, under the Lord, in the shaping of Sydney Diocese into what it is today.
The 2016 Moore College Library Day will explore Broughton’s life and theology as well as its enduring influence on Sydney diocese and beyond.
When: Saturday 29 October, 2016, 9:15 am for 9:30 am start, 3:30 pm finish
Where: Broughton Knox Teaching Centre, Moore Theological College, 15 King Street Newtown
Registration: $40 includes coffee/tea on arrival, morning tea & lunch.
Speakers include:
- Mark Thompson
- Robert Tong
- Peter Jensen
- Robert Doyle
Who was Broughton Knox? See these tributes in our Resources section.
- David Broughton Knox – What we owe to him – by Archbishop Donald Robinson.
- Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus – tribute to Broughton Knox – by Archbishop Sir Marcus Loane.
New website for Moore College’s Centre for Christian Living
Moore College’s Centre for Christian Living has a new website, with easy access to resources and recordings of past events.
See it here – including news of the upcoming ‘Can we talk about Same-Sex Marriage?’ on Wednesday October 19.
Our Neighbours, the Muslims
“Our local community here in Southwest Sydney has been rocked over the weekend with the news of what looks like another Islamic terror attack. …
I got a call from our local newspaper today asking for a comment. After chatting for a bit with the journalist I realised that what we really needed was a co-ordinated response from our local Anglican churches. …”
– David Ould shares how some are extending the hand of friendship to their Muslim neighbours.
Zac Veron to move on from Youthworks
“The Rev Zac Veron has announced his decision to step down as CEO of Anglican Youthworks by the end of 2017 at the latest, pending the recruitment of a new CEO.”
– Read the full announcement at the Youthworks website.
Please uphold Zac and his family as they consider future ministry, and the Youthworks Council as, in due course, they begin the process of seeking a new CEO.
And here’s a statement from Youthworks Council Chairman, Chris Braga:
“The Rev Zac Veron has shared with the Council his intention to finish his time as CEO of Youthworks at the latest by the end of 2017. The Council is thankful to God for Zac’s almost decade long service as the CEO of Youthworks.
Zac has led the organisation through significant challenges, including the impact of the Global Financial Crisis and the resulting reduction in Synod funding, the world-wide decline of traditional publishing and the ongoing secularization of the ministry context in our Diocese.
He has been an advocate for ministry to children and youth in our Diocese and abroad, particularly through the continuing work of SRE. Zac leaves the organisation with certainty about its mission, clarity about its finances and a leadership team united in a common purpose. He has modelled to everyone a deep commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ and the cause of his gospel. We are thankful to God for the unique and important contribution Zac has made to this strategic ministry.
Please pray for Zac and Sheree as they work out where the Lord would have them serve next, and pray for the Youthworks Council and the Archbishop as a search is made for the best possible candidate to lead Youthworks into the future.”
9/11 to be remembered in Sydney
“Former Prime Minister John Howard will join the US ambassador and diplomatic representatives for a special remembrance service on Sunday, September 11 to commemorate the fifteenth anniversary of the attacks on New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania.…
The Dean of Sydney, the Very Rev. Kanishka Raffel, who will lead the service, has issued an open invitation for members of the public to join the congregation for the event.”
– Story from SydneyAnglicans.net.
ACL Pre-Synod Briefing Wednesday 5th October & Synod Dinner Monday 10th
Two special events for Sydney Synod members: Read more
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…