Why Bible translation is easier, harder and more needed than you think

This looks to be a fascinating event.

“A Sydney Rare Book Week event

When Tyndale translated the New Testament 500 years ago, English was a minority language in need of a translation. These days, that’s hardly the case: we have a multitude of different English versions, and many other languages in our region use English Bibles in their translation process.

At this event, we’ll look at the shape of the history of English translations and how it has influenced local language versions across Australia and the South Pacific, and consider the places where modern translation is difficult, but where there is also great scope for creativity in faithful communication. We’ll even have a go together at practising translation principles in modern Australian contexts.

Sam Freney is a translation consultant with the Bible Society of Australia. He is involved in the work of translation teams as they work on communicating Scripture in their contexts. He’s also an honorary post-doctoral research associate with Morling College and an ordained deacon in the Anglican diocese of Sydney. His training is in biblical studies and biblical languages, and he helps teams understand what a passage meant in its original language and context, and how that connects to what they’re saying now. Many people justifiably call him a nerd, which he prefers to ‘geek’. He’s interested in many different languages, speaks only some of them, and works across Australia and the South Pacific with about 20 different translation teams.”

Free. 21st October 2026. Moore College Library Amphitheatre.

– Details and registration at this link.

Moore College 2026 Ministry Showcase

“In September, Moore College welcomed a new group of ministry organisations to campus for its second Ministry Showcase of 2026.

The event gave students another valuable opportunity to explore gospel ministry pathways and speak directly with representatives about life and service after College. …”

– What a great idea.

Moore Matters — Spring 2026

The latest issue of Moore Matters (Spring 2026) is now available.

It’s a very encouraging issue, showcasing how the Lord is using Moore College graduates in a range of parishes. As well, there are highlights of scholarly contributions made by members of the faculty over the decades, and much more.

If you can’t find a printed copy at your church, be sure to check out the online version.

Moore College at Sydney Synod 2026

“ ‘College isn’t so much trying to shape me to recall four years of theology. It’s shaping me to do theology for forty years.’

When fourth-year student Nick Pearson spoke at the 2026 Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney, he captured something central to a Moore College education. Theological education is not simply about acquiring knowledge. It is about being formed for a lifetime of listening to Jesus, serving his people and proclaiming his word.

Moore College’s presentation gave Synod members a glimpse of how their prayers and support are bearing fruit in students’ lives and, through them, in churches and communities far beyond the College campus. …”

– Moore College has this report on the College’s presentation at Sydney Synod earlier this month.

John 11:55 – 12:11. Discipleship: Empty extravagance or Extravagant emptiness?

Moore College Principal Mark Thompson spoke at College Chapel on Friday morning. It was also the last day of Moore’s Open Week. His passage was John 11:55 – 12:11, The anointing at Bethany.

Watch here.

Plan a Sermon Series — on Luke

From Moore College:

“Prepare a sermon series! Join us for a day of expert teaching and planning on the book of Luke.

Dr Peter Orr is a lecturer at Moore Theological College and is currently finishing a commentary on the book of Luke. Peter will work closely with individuals and staff teams to help them prepare a future sermon series.

Peter will spend the morning exploring the theology and overall message of Luke as well as considering the issues that arise from the books. The afternoon will provide time, space and resources for collaborative work preparing your sermon series, with College Library resources being made available. Each day will finish with an opportunity to share your sermon series with other participants and ask our lecturers any follow-up questions.”

– 6th October 2026. Details here. :-)

A faith shared across generations

“At the National Grandparent Conference, Moore College celebrated the vital ministry of grandparents and encouraged older Christians to keep growing in their knowledge of God’s word through the Moore PTC.

What does faithful ministry look like across a lifetime and across generations?

This was at the heart of the 2026 National Grandparent Conference, where Moore Theological College joined hundreds of grandparents and ministry leaders seeking to leave a living legacy of faith. …

The value of faith shared across generations can be seen in the Ramsay family where three generations have been trained at Moore in order to be equipped to serve God’s church.

Nathan, first year student at Moore, speaks warmly of the wisdom he has received from his parents and grandparents …”

– Moore College has this encouragement for older Christians, including those who are grandparents.

The Sydney Family Album 9 — T.C. Hammond

In 2011, Mark Thompson, now Principal of Moore College, published a series of posts, entitled “The Sydney Family Album”, for his website, Theological Theology.

We felt they merit wider distribution, so, with Mark’s kind permission, we are re-posting them on the ACL website, at the rate of one a week.

Here’s the ninth and last in the series, on T.C. Hammond, Principal of Moore College, 1935 – 1953.

One of the most important of Howard Mowll’s many influential appointments was that of Thomas Chatterton (T. C.) Hammond as Principal of Moore College.

Appointed at a time when the College seemed to be shifting its theological position, Hammond, who already had a worldwide reputation as an evangelical preacher, teacher and apologist, would be, it was hoped, precisely the kind of leader who would strengthen the College and set its course firmly in the mainstream of evangelical Anglican theology. He would meet all of these expectations and surpass them.

Other posts in the The Sydney Family Album series are in our Resources section.

Photo: T.C. Hammond standing at the Moore College gate on Carillon Avenue, Newtown. Frame from late 1940s movie film digitised by the Moore College Archives.

The Mark Drama – coming up at Moore College

Coming up at Moore College on Friday 25 September 2026 –

“A production of the Moore College community, the Mark Drama turns Mark’s biographical account of Jesus into a 90-minute, theatre-in-the-round performance.

Fully immersed in the action, here you can decide for yourself – is Jesus just another guy with imaginative ideas about God, or is he truly the King of the universe?”

– Details and booking here.

The Sydney Family Album 7 – Nathaniel Jones

In 2011, Mark Thompson, now Principal of Moore College, published a series of posts, entitled “The Sydney Family Album”, for his website, Theological Theology.

We felt they merit wider distribution, so, with Mark’s kind permission, we are re-posting them on the ACL website, at the rate of one a week.

Here’s the seventh in the series, on Nathaniel Jones, Principal of Moore College, 1897–1911.

Nathaniel Jones brought to Moore College a passion for serious theological education. He immediately set about raising the academic standard at the College, preparing students for the Oxford and Cambridge Preliminary Examination for Holy Orders.

He was concerned to give his students the theological resources necessary to meet the challenges of liberal theology, which was already being exported to Australia from England and from America.

His students would be able to face these challenges with confidence based on a deep grounding in the Scriptures and a clear evangelical Anglican theology of the type being taught at this time at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford by Jones’ lifelong friend W. H. Griffith Thomas…

Other posts in the The Sydney Family Album series (as we add them) are in our Resources section. There are still two more to go!

Photo: Nathaniel Jones in 1899, detail from a photo held by Moore College. See the post for the full reference.

2026 Annual Moore College Lectures Recap – Peter Orr interviews Andrew Atherstone

From Moore Theological College –

“Professor Andrew Atherstone joins Dr Peter Orr to reflect on the 2026 Annual Moore College Lectures, discussing evangelicalism within mixed denominations, the relationship between Sydney and UK Anglicanism, theological education, and his hopes for the future of the Church of England

The 2026 lecture recordings will be released in the coming weeks.”

– Watch above or at this link.

Ten thousand Rwandan churches shut down

Could this be a good thing? Russell Powell explains at SydneyAnglicans.net –

“The so-called ‘prosperity gospel’ – which promises wealth in return for faith – has long been a problem in Africa but now, in Rwanda, the government has shut 10,000 churches.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame announced a crackdown last year, saying of the churches, ‘Many are just thieving… some churches are just a den of bandits’. While the government’s intentions may reach beyond the prosperity gospel, in order for churches to open, regulations mandate that preachers must be theologically trained. …

Enter a strategic partnership between African Enterprise, Moore Theological College, and several Sydney rectors…”

– Read it all here.

Photo, and more information: African Enterprise Australasia.

The Sydney Family Album 6 — Thomas Moore

In 2011, Mark Thompson, now Principal of Moore College, published a series of posts, entitled “The Sydney Family Album”, for his website, Theological Theology.

We felt they merit wider distribution, so, with Mark’s kind permission, we are re-posting them on the ACL website, at the rate of one a week.

Here’s the sixth in the series, on Thomas Moore.

“When the foundation stone [of St. Luke’s Liverpool] was laid (7th April 1818), Thomas and Rachel were present, as well as Governor Macquarie’s four-year-old son, Lachlan.

Thomas and Rachel had been appointed guardians for young Lachlan, should anything happen to his parents while in the colony.”

Other posts in the The Sydney Family Album series (as we add them) are in our Resources section.

Dr Robert Tong thanked for 45 years of service on the Board of Moore College

From Moore Theological College:

“Dr Robert Tong was acknowledged for 45 years of faithful service on the College Board this month.

Robert has served under 6 Archbishops and 4 Principals and has always been motivated by his devotion to Christ and his gospel. We are greatly indebted to this gifted and faithful governor.”

Photo: Robert Tong with three College Principals – Mark Thompson, John Woodhouse and Peter Jensen.

– More photos here.

On a related note, The Anglican Church League is also grateful to the Lord for Robert’s long and faithful service as the Chairman of the ACL. He retired from that position at our Annual General Meeting last month. The ACL is immensely grateful for Robert’s wisdom and generosity over many years.

Kara Hartley appointed Faculty Member of Moore College

From Moore Theological College –

“The Moore College Governing Board has accepted the Principal’s nomination of Archdeacon Kara Hartley to join the College Faculty in January 2027 in a part-time capacity.

Kara is a graduate of the College (BD 2007, MA(Theol) 2019), has continued her involvement with it in many ways, and has extensive ministry experience, both lay and ordained, in the Diocese of Sydney. …”

– Read the full story from the College website.

Photo: Kara Hartley with Moore College Principal Mark Thompson.

Next Page →