Mark Dever interviews Phillip Jensen — full version
In August, while he was in Sydney, Mark Dever interviewed Phillip Jensen, and the video of a portion of that interview was posted online.
Now, audio of the full 63 minute interview is available at 9Marks. As well, an interview with Iain Murray has also been posted.
Updated website for Matthias media
Matthias Media have updated their website — check it out here.
New churches promote old beliefs
“Local Anglicans could have another choice in what church they attend locally, including what interpretation of scriptures they agree with.
The Anglican Network In Canada (ANiC) is exploring the possibility of establishing new churches in Chatham and Belle River…”
– Just one small peek at what appears to be happening in many places in Canada – from The Chatham Daily News in south-west Ontario.
‘Dissident Anglican parishes have no rights to property’
“A B.C. court ruling that four dissident Anglican parishes have no legal right to their buildings and land is being viewed as a watershed moment in a decade-long battle within the Church over same-sex blessings.
The case is sure to have ramifications for the other 35 dissident parishes spread across Canada that have chosen to leave the national church over doctrinal issues, raising questions about where they will worship if other courts follow suit and rule in favour of the Anglican Church of Canada on the property issue…”
– Report from The National Post.
(Photo of Bishop Michael Ingham courtesy of the Diocese of New Westminster.)
British Columbia Supreme Court issues mixed decision in church property dispute
Anglican Network in Canada News Release
25 November 2009, 4:30pm PST
Mr. Justice Kelleher found that the Bishop of New Westminster did not have legal or canonical authority for his purported termination and replacement of the Trustees…
Without deciding the issue, Mr. Justice Kelleher also expressed his opinion that “the parish properties are held on trust for Anglican ministry as defined by the [Anglican Church of Canada].”
Mr Justice Stephen Kelleher of the British Columbia Supreme Court issued a mixed decision today in the case involving the Anglican Church of Canada (ACoC) Diocese of New Westminster and four Greater Vancouver parishes in the Anglican Network in Canada.
The four parishes – St Matthew’s (Abbotsford), St Matthias & St Luke’s (Vancouver), St John’s Shaughnessy (Vancouver) and Church of the Good Shepherd (Vancouver) – had asked the courts in early September 2008 to clarify their Trustees’ responsibilities in light of hostile action taken by the Diocese of New Westminster. Read more
Collision at the Dendy
From the Dendy Cinema’s website –
SPECIAL EVENT SCREENING – COLLISION
Christopher Hitchens vs Douglas Wilson
Dendy Newtown, Monday 30th November, 7pm
Followed by Q&A with:
Dr Greg Clarke (Director of Christian Studies Institute at Macquarie University)
and
Dr Peter Slezak (Senior Lecturer School of History and Philosophy at UNSW)
Details here. Justin Taylor blogged about the film here. (Photo: Greg Clarke.)
Premier’s intervention unwelcome
Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney — Media Release
Wednesday November 25, 2009
Premier’s intervention unwelcome
The special intervention of the Premier Nathan Rees in announcing a trial of ethics classes as part of the Special Religious Education system is flawed and the Anglican Church is asking for the decision to be reconsidered.“This proposal at first glance might not seem like a bad idea, but there are several inherent problems with the way this is being proposed,” says Bishop Glenn Davies, Chairman of the Anglican Education Commission.
“For the Premier to waive the regulations to enable a secular organisation to deliver its program at the same time as SRE sets a precedent for other groups to seek special access to school students,” says Bishop Davies.
“Among other things, it appears to be a vote of no-confidence in teachers. The values of truth and honesty are modelled each day in the classroom by teachers as well as in General Religious Education (GRE) that covers moral values across a variety of world views. Is there such an ethical hole in the current system? If so, then teach it as part of the curriculum rather than allowing a non-religious group to enter the realm of SRE.”
Special Religious Education, as it has been practised in our schools for more than 120 years, provides a valuable link with community groups – the local religious institutions. I can’t understand why the Premier doesn’t value that,” says Bishop Davies. “To give this group special treatment is not a way to build confidence in the public system.”
“I could understand parents being concerned if there were vast numbers of students left idle during SRE, but we do not believe that is the case. For students who do not participate, there are many ways that they are managed during SRE. It is a rare school where such students are not meaningfully engaged during this time. Teachers and SRE providers generally work well together. In our case, we will continue to deploy 2500 voluntary teachers (trained, authorised and screened) each week. Churches and faith institutions are long established in the community, if this group wants accreditation as a religious body it should go through the normal processes.”
“I want to assure teachers that we support the job they are doing and the valuable co-operation between principals, school staff and religious groups that goes on every week all over New South Wales,” says Bishop Davies.
(Background: Non-religious ethics classes for NSW schools.)
‘Catholic church reneges on Anglican offer’
No, not that offer.
“The Catholic Church in the central Victorian city of Bendigo has withdrawn an offer to let Anglicans use one of its churches…”
– from ABC News. (Image: Diocese of Bendigo.)
Free Church suspends talks with Kirk
“The Free Church of Scotland has decided to suspend its regular discussions with the Church of Scotland.
The biannual talks involved representatives of both denominations and had been taking place over the past 5 years. They involved a frank but friendly exchange on the theological issues which divided the two denominations, along with an acknowledgement of the good relations which exist in many localities between congregations of both churches.
However, the Free Church has said that, in the light of the uncertainty over the Kirk’s position on homosexuality following the induction of an allegedly gay minister earlier this year, which appeared to be sanctioned by their General Assembly, it cannot for the time being continue ‘as if nothing had happened.’ Read more
Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience
(Originally signed on October 20th, released November 20th.)
“We will be united and untiring in our efforts to roll back the license to kill that began with the abandonment of the unborn to abortion.”
– for the full text, see manhattandeclaration.org
Updated website for Moore College
The Moore College website has a new look, and the beginning of lots of new resources.
It’s clearly the result of much hard work. See it here – and watch a welcome message from the Principal, Dr. John Woodhouse.
“A great turning of hearts must begin”
“In the lead up to the Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change 7-18 December, CEO of World Vision Australia the Revd Tim Costello and US author Brian McLaren have co-written the following prayer…”
“This is the moment, God, when a great turning of hearts must begin. So through this prayer, we of many traditions who follow Christ — joined by friends and neighbors of many faiths – unite our hearts in a cry for change.”
No, it’s not a prayer for gospel repentance or the salvation of the nations through Christ.
– It’s available via Anglican Media Melbourne. (Photo: brianmclaren.net.)
Reform regrets a ‘lost opportunity for peace and unity’
Reform regrets a ‘lost opportunity for peace and unity’ over Revision Committee’s decision on Women Bishops.
Media statement issued 16.11.09, following the announcement from the Revision Committee on Saturday November 14.
November 16th, 2009
The decision of the General Synod’s Revision Committee to back away from proposals to give opponents of women bishops a way of staying in the Church of England has “overturned the will of Synod, created the spectre of confrontation, and risks extending the controversy for another five years,” according to the chairman of Reform, the Rev’d Rod Thomas.
Responding to the announcement made on Saturday 14th November that the Revision Committee had failed to approve the transfer of jurisdiction from female to male bishops where parishes could not accept their oversight, Rod Thomas said:
“At last February’s General Synod there was a clear desire to provide legislative safeguards for those who could not, in conscience, accept the oversight of women bishops. This has now been overturned by the Revision Committee. Whereas there was a prospect of agreement, the Revision Committee has now set the General Synod on a course of confrontation. It has served the Church badly.
“There has been much speculation about Anglo-Catholics leaving the Church of England for Rome. What has been overlooked is the number of large evangelical churches which the Church of England now risks losing – not to Rome, but to independence or alternative Anglican affiliations.
“Within the General Synod there will be many who will be deeply unhappy at the bullying tactics being used to dismiss opponents of the proposed new legislation. Some evangelicals who do support the introduction of women bishops will nevertheless vote against proposals which have the effect of excluding other evangelicals. This means that by the time the proposals have finished their tortuous progress through the General Synod, they will be likely to fail, since they will be unable to garner the two thirds majority support needed.
“It may be that in the providence of God, the result of the Revision Committee’s decision may be the reverse of what they intend: that this unbiblical move to put women in positions of headship in the church will fail. Reform will now renew its commitment to work towards this outcome.”
– from Reform.
Retire? Not in Bible, not in plans
“It’s been a good year for J.I. Packer, one of the world’s best-known theologians.
In March, the Anglican pastor and Regent College professor won Bible of the Year and Book of the Year honors for editing the English Standard Version Study Bible.
He also released two of his own books — ‘Praying: Finding Our Way Through Duty to Delight,’ in June, and a yearlong devotional using his seminal work, ‘Knowing God,’ due out later this month…”
– an interview with J I Packer in The Modesto Bee. (Links added. Image: Anglican TV.)
Greetings to the bishops-elect of the Anglican Network in Canada
To Bishop Donald Harvey, and Bishops-elect Stephen Leung, Charlie Masters and Trevor Walters –
From Archbishop Peter Jensen, Secretary of GAFCON Primates Council:
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the whole armour of God so that you can take your stand. Preach the word, correct, rebuke and encourage. With our love, prayers, support and encouragement for your ministry.
Read the greetings from other Anglican leaders at Anglican Mainstream.
(Photo: Anglican Essentials Canada.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…