Burning Down ‘The Shack’

Tim Challies reviews James De Young’s new book Burning Down The Shack:

“James De Young writes from an interesting perspective—that of a former friend, or acquaintance at least, of Paul Young. He begins his book by providing some important but little-known background to The Shack.

In April of 2004 De Young attended a Christian think tank and there Young presented a 103-page paper which presented a defense of universal reconciliation, a Christian form of universalism—the view that at some point every person will come to a right relationship with God. If they do not do this before they die, God will use the fires of hell to purge away (not punish, mind you) any unbelief. Eventually even Satan and his fallen angels will be purged of sin and all of creation will be fully and finally restored.

This is to say that after death there is a second chance, and more than that, a complete inevitability, that all people will eventually repent and come to full relationship with God…”

– Read it all.

Southwark clergy write to The Times

A letter to The Times, 12th June 2010:

“We, the undersigned clergy of Southwark diocese, distance ourselves from Bishop Schori’s teaching and presiding in our cathedral.”

“Sir, We wish to express our concern over the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church (USA), Katherine Jefferts Schori, preaching and presiding at Holy Communion in our cathedral at Southwark tomorrow.   Read more

TEC’s gospel on show at missions conference

This week, TEC Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori spoke about her understanding of the gospel at the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel’s ‘Witnessing to Christ Today’ Annual Conference in Edinburgh. From an Episcopal Life Online report:

The Episcopal Church’s mission in the world is shaped by the United Nations Millennium Development Goals “as a proximate vision of the reign of God,” she said.

– Full report here. Photo: Matthew Davies.

Archbishop Bob Duncan and the last 50 weeks

On Tuesday, Archbishop Bob Duncan reflected on the first fifty weeks of the Anglican Church in North America – in his address to the Annual Provincial Council.

He reaffirmed that ACNA’s mission is ‘to reach North America with the transforming love of Jesus Christ’.

See his address courtesy of Anglican TV. Runs for 24 minutes.

Latest North West news and prayer points

The latest North West Network (June 2010, PDF) and Prayer Notes & Bishop’s Letter (June – July 2010, PDF) are available on the Diocese of North West Australia website.

‘Provocative’ visit to Southwark Cathedral

Statement from the CEEC, 08 June 2010:

“The Church of England Evangelical Council observe that the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church (USA), the Most Revd Katharine Jefferts Schori, is to preach and preside at the Eucharist at Southwark Cathedral on June 13.  Read more

Short list announced for Australian Christian Book of the Year

The short-listed books for the 2010 Australian Christian Book of the Year Award have been announced by SPCK. They are:

A century of influence: Australian Student Christian Movement 1896-1996 – Renate Howe
Hebrews: A New Covenant commentary
– William Dumbrell
Desolate beauty – Trudy Adams
Losing my religion: Unbelief in Australia – Tom Frame
Montgomery of Tasmania: Henry and Maud Montgomery in Australasia
– Robert Withycombe
The third choice: Islam, dhimmitude and freedom – Mark Durie
The trellis and the vine: The ministry mind-shift that changes everything
– Colin Marshall & Tony Payne.

Winner to be announced in Melbourne on August 10.

Peter Adam at Latimer Conference in NZ

Dr Peter Adam, Principal of Ridley College in Melbourne is speaking at the Latimer Fellowship’s 2010 Conference in New Zealand – to be held in Christchurch, Hamilton and Auckland later this month.

His topic? Hearing God’s Word: Exploring Biblical Spirituality.

Details at the Latimer Fellowship website.

‘SJEC seeks to heal SRE damage’

Jeremy Halcrow at SydneyAnglicans.net writes:

“In a wide-ranging and in-depth interview, Simon Longstaff from the St James Ethics Centre (SJEC) has responded to concerns about the implementation of the ethics trial in public primary schools, particularly the way the lessons competed directly with Special Religious Education (SRE).

In a major development in the debate, Mr Longstaff concedes that the ethics lessons should not compete head-to-head with SRE, but rather that SRE should remain ‘opt-out’…”

– read it all.

Canadian Primate supports Episcopal Church

“Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, has allied himself with the U.S.-based Episcopal Church in a dispute with Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.

Hiltz repeated some of the objections made by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori to the Pentecost Letter that Williams sent to the Anglican Communion May 28 … Jefferts Schori is scheduled to address General Synod on Tuesday, Jun. 8.”

– Nothing especially surprising in this report on the Canadian General Synod – on the Episcopal Church website. (Photo: Sam Carriere.)

Canadian General Synod meets

Anglican Network in Canada member, David Jenkins, reports on the ACC General Synod for the National Post –

“The Church is trying to maintain a delicate balance: on the one hand it has been apparent for well over a decade that the intent of the Anglican leadership is to convince Canadian Anglicans that same-sex attraction is God-given and, therefore, active same-sex partnerships are holy and entirely consistent with Christian principles. On the other hand, there are over 60 million Anglicans that don’t agree and want Anglican provinces like Canada and the U.S. booted out of the Anglican club. It looks as if the finesse that will be attempted at this synod is to squash motions that would publically commit the whole Canadian church to the blessing of same sex unions.

Instead, synod will push for the local option: dioceses and churches that want to proceed can do so – the decision will be delegated down. Even the most naive will be able to see through this ruse, of course: get those who work for you to make the tough decisions so you can’t be held accountable…”

– At The National Post.

(The Saturday session began with several minutes of ball throwing activities. Participants were also given tennis balls, elastic bands and other equipment for ‘community-building’ exercises. You can watch the sessions live here.)

Updated Desiring God website

Desiring God has unveiled the public beta of their new website.

See it here.

‘The Spirit seems to be saying…’ — Schori

Katharine Jefferts Schori has released a ‘pastoral letter’, in which she refers to Archbishop Rowan Williams’ Pentecost letter:

“We live in great concern that colonial attitudes continue, particularly in attempts to impose a single understanding across widely varying contexts and cultures. … As Episcopalians, we note the troubling push toward centralized authority exemplified in many of the statements of the recent Pentecost letter…”

– Her letter is available here.

And Joe Carter at First Things writes –

“I realize I may be expressing latent colonialist tendencies and committing spiritual violence by imposing a singular understanding of basic logic on Bishop Schori, but it appears that she is forcing us to choose between two alternatives…” Read here.

Help for Paraburdoo/Tom Price?

Bishop of North West Australia, David Mulready, writes to say that the Parish of Paraburdoo/Tom Price will be vacant from January 2011.

“I would love to hear from anyone who might be interested in the possibility of serving in this Parish, supported by BCA. A profile on the Parish will be available soon.”

Girls Gone Wise: reviewed

“I read a lot of books targeted for Christian women. Many, if not most of them, will include a token mention of the gospel: a page and a half (if that) ABC explanation followed by “Pray this short prayer and you’re in the family of God.” Blech!

I counted two separate times in which Kassian explains the gospel, not as “by the way, here’s what Jesus did for you,” but within the context of the chapter. She begins with the holiness of God and ends with repentance and faith. Yes, she actually describes repentance. She even differentiates justification and sanctification. Folks, I just don’t see much of that in books written by women for women, and I appreciate it when I do.”

– Leslie Wiggins reviews Mary Kassian’s Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild – at Discerning Reader.

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