When the Lights Came On: An Appreciation of Graeme Goldsworthy

Scott Polender in the USA writes to share his deep appreciation for Graeme Goldsworthy and his unfolding of Biblical Theology:

“Many of us can remember the moment when the lights came on. We were already believers, familiar with the stories, the commandments, and the promises, but suddenly everything connected. The many pieces of Scripture formed a single picture centered on Jesus Christ. It was nothing less than a revolution in how we saw the Bible and, in a sense, how we saw everything else. Once the story, like a jigsaw puzzle, lay in pieces, all edges and fragments. Then someone flipped the box over, and the picture on the package brought it all together. Once you’ve seen it, you can’t go back. …

For many years, Graeme Goldsworthy taught Old Testament, Biblical Theology, and Hermeneutics at Moore Theological College in Sydney. Building on the foundations laid by Broughton Knox and Donald Robinson, and working alongside contemporaries such as William Dumbrell and Barry Webb, he gave biblical theology a distinctive voice and a reach that stretched across the globe.

In the years since his retirement, he has continued to write, mentor younger pastors and Christians, and to preach and lecture.”

– Read the whole article at Christ Over All.

Very encouraging, and a good opportunity to recommend Graeme Goldsworthy’s books to a new generation.

Related:

Graeme Goldsworthy on Biblical Theology – with Nancy Guthrie, podcast at The Gospel Coalition.

Base photo: Graeme Goldsworthy speaking at City On A Hill Brisbane, February 2018.

Living and Speaking of Christ in a Secular Age

From Moore College:

“If you have ever felt like your life is a set of non-overlapping bubbles, work here, sport there, church on Sundays, neighbours somewhere else, you are not alone. Josh and Susannah Apieczonek reflected that this kind of compartmentalisation has become sadly normal in Western life. It is not how we were made to live, but it has quietly shaped how we see the world. This is one reason many Christians feel held back from sharing the gospel: our worlds rarely intersect, our schedules are full, and our instincts are shaped by a culture that prizes the here and now over the eternal. …”

– Sarah Bingham shares highlights from a talk by Josh & Susannah Apieczonek.

She explains,

“Josh and Susannah Apieczonek have long been connected to Moore College. Josh, now the incoming Head of Mission and Lecturer in Mission, completed a Bachelor of Divinity and Diploma of Ministry in 2004, and Susannah studied at the College in 2008. Before moving to France, Josh taught Christian Studies and served as a chaplain at St Andrew’s Cathedral School, Sydney.

Together, they have spent the past decade serving with CMS in Lyon, France, in student and church ministry, particularly among university students and in church planting. …”

– Read it all here.

Reflecting Christ’s Love

“Here at Moore, we want to be as helpful as we can in preparing students who are married to love their spouses well and to invest in their marriages—for the good of their families and for the good of the church. This love needs to be nurtured and informed.

While this is true for every marriage, there are some additional pressures, expectations and joys that come to married couples in Christian ministry. …”

– Simon and Margie Gillham share how important it is to support married couples among the student body at Moore College.

Since God so loved us – Sandy Grant and Rob Elder

“St Andrew’s Cathedral has always played a significant role in Sydney caring for the needs of the surrounding community. During and after World War II (1940-1947), approximately 3.5 million meals were given to active and returning soldiers in temporary Nissen huts erected on Cathedral grounds – the combined efforts of approximately 900 volunteers working for the Church of England National Emergency Fund (CENEF).

Over the last couple of decades, like many other church communities, the Cathedral has offered free English classes to serve the needs of overseas migrants and visitors. Bible reading is included as part of the approach – very appropriately, since the Bible and its message is so influential on our language, laws and culture.

Most recently, we have been especially delighted with the impact of Reverend Rob Elder on our ministry. Rob, a Moore College graduate, was appointed Community Chaplain at the start of 2024, and his position is funded by the Myfanwy Peters Estate for the relief of the needy in CBD of Sydney. …”

– Learn about and pray for this important ministry. Via the Moore College website.

Moore College Style Guide: Music Video

A bit of fun from the 2025 Moore College Review and Dr. Lionel Windsor.

Even if it’s not your style, you might learn something!

Jesus’ hardest words – John 6:22-71

Moore Theological College Principal Dr Mark Thompson spoke in College chapel on Friday (31 October 2025 – Reformation Day) as part of a series from the Gospel According to John.

Feeling weary? Let down? Needing encouragement? Here is food for the soul.

Jesus’ words are “a monumental comfort to us“.

– Watch here.

Love in action: Praying for Moore College

“Over many decades, a group of godly women has been meeting regularly in Newtown to pray together. They pray for the College and its students, faculty and staff, and their prayers are a labour of love, creating deep bonds of fellowship, as these women unite in their desire to see Christ’s gospel proclaimed throughout our world, with the College resourced to play a critical role in that.

In the 1940s, this group was known as the Women’s Auxiliary and it originally helped furnish student rooms. A number of the doors in what is now John Chapman House still have Women’s Auxiliary plaques on them.

But with the growth of the College, the practical needs of the students became the responsibility of administration staff. So in the 1990s, the group was rebranded by Christine Jensen as the ‘Prayer and Support Group’ and it shifted to focusing solely on prayer support for the College. …”

– Kathryn Thompson shares much encouragement to pray for Moore College – with links to sign up for the Moore College Prayer Bulletin.

Image from Moore College footage from the 1940s possibly showing a gathering of the Women’s Auxiliary.

Cash Chapel Repointing Works 2025

“When Peter Jensen left Moore College in 2001 as Principal to become the Archbishop of the Sydney Diocese he left clear instructions to Neil Ferguson who was the Property Manager at the time and my boss to ‘Look after the Cash Chapel’. …”

– Jon Telfer, the current Property Manager at Moore College, shares what’s being done to preserve the John Francis Cash Memorial Chapel.

The Clapham Sect and their Influence on Sydney

Videos from the 2025 Donald Robinson Library Lectures at Moore Theological College – The Clapham Sect and their Influence on Sydney:

“Held on 8 October 2025, the Library Day Lectures explored the remarkable legacy of the Clapham Sect — a network of evangelical reformers whose faith and friendships shaped British society and left a lasting mark on early Australia.

Through eight talks by Moore College faculty and guest scholars, the event traced their impact on mission, education, social reform, and the formation of Sydney’s evangelical heritage.”

– See all the lectures in this YouTube playlist from Moore College.

Annual Moore College Lectures 2025 — A Biblical Theology of Faith — now available to watch

Earlier this month, Dr. Peter Orr gave the 2025 Annual Moore College Lectures on the theme A Biblical Theology of Faith.

The College has now made video recordings of the lectures and Lectures Outlines available for your instruction and edification.

Lecture 1.
Faith in God’s promises from Genesis to 2 Kings.

Lecture 2.
Faith in God alone in the Prophets and the Psalms.

Lecture 3.
Faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ through Paul’s Letters.

Lecture 4.
Faith in Jesus Christ in the Gospels and Acts.

Lecture 5.
Faith that bears fruit in Hebrews, James, and Revelation.

Richard Gibson Memorial Service livestream at Moore College

“Memorial Service Live-Stream Gathering

Saturday 18 October, 3:00pm, TC Hammond Room, adjacent to the Dining Room, Moore College, 1 King Street Newtown.

Please join with us as we grieve the loss of a brother in Christ, remembering a friend, teacher and colleague, and honouring a life given in service to our Lord and Saviour.”

– from Moore College.

The Huguenots and The French Reformation

From Moore College:

“Last Wednesday evening, the Moore College came alive with stories of courage, faith and endurance as Pamela Summers from the Huguenot Society of Australia delivered a fascinating and captivating talk on The Huguenots and the French Reformation.

The turnout exceeded expectations, prompting the event to move to Marcus Loane Hall to accommodate the larger audience, a clear sign of the interest in this remarkable chapter of church and world history. The presentation was particularly helpful for those to whom the French Reformation was unexplored. …”

– Full story here.

Compelled by the love of Christ

Archbishop of Sydney Kanishka Raffel preached at Chapel at Moore Theological College on 30th September.

He spoke on 2 Corinthians 5:11-21.

“…the crucial Christian conviction – we are convinced that one died for all – the foundation of Christian hope.”

Watch on YouTube, for your encouragement and edification.

Moore Matters Spring 2025 edition

The latest edition of Moore Matters – from Moore Theological College – is now available.

The theme of this issue is Love.

If you are not able to pick up a printed issue at church, you can read online or download a PDF version from the College website.

Moore College Staff and Faculty Thanksgiving Service in the John Francis Cash Memorial Chapel

“This September, staff and Faculty gathered in the John Francis Cash Memorial Chapel for a Service of Thanksgiving, the first such staff service to be held there in many years. For some, it was the first time they had joined in worship within the Chapel, which made the occasion particularly significant. …”

– Sarah Bingham writes at the Moore College website.

Related –

The John Francis Cash Memorial Chapel 75th anniversary – Moore College archives.

from five years ago –

A unique memorial: the John Francis Cash Memorial Chapel after 70 years – Moore Theological College.

And from 75 years ago –

The opening of the John Francis Cash Memorial Chapel, 22 July 1950. (Governor-General Sir William McKell and Archbishop Howard Mowll are standing in front of the Australian flag.)

Image via footage from Moore College:

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