Further surgery for Bishop Ivan Lee
“The Bishop of Western Sydney, Ivan Lee, is to undergo further surgery after a recurrence of cancer.
The news was disclosed in an emailed letter to rectors from Bishop Lee on Wednesday, 18th June. …”
– SydneyAnglicans.net has this unwelcome news on Bishop Ivan Lee (one of the ACL’s Vice-Presidents).
Please be do continue to uphold Ivan and Virginia in your prayers.
The Church in Ireland: An interview with Trevor Johnston
The Australian Church Record speaks with Trevor Johnston, Senior Minister at All Saints’ Church, Belfast, in Northern Ireland, about his links with Australia, and with GAFCON –
“My own connection stretches back to 1995 and a Proclamation Trust conference for theological students. Several of us from Ireland travelled to hear Dick Lucas, David Wells, Jim Packer and Peter Jensen.
For me, this was a moment of personal reformation.
The year before, the (charismatic) Toronto Blessing had significantly impacted the youth and church movements in Northern Ireland, causing much confusion. Yet many of us – mostly because of little theological training or thought – were acting on instinct when identifying it as seriously wrong. Peter Jensen spoke on the true ministry of the Holy Spirit. This was revolutionary for us. …”
Interview with Archbishop Ben Kwashi
“AB Kwashi seemed calm and joyful when he greeted us today. One would never know that just the night before last, his own compound was attacked, all his cows stolen by Fulani raiders, and his neighbor murdered while trying to protect his friend (the Archbishop). The terrorists seemed to be sending the Archbishop a warning. …”
– This interview with Archbishop Ben Kwashi was conducted earlier this week, just after the attack on his compound. (Link via Anglican Mainstream. Photo: Patheos.)
Prayers urged for Archbishop Ben Kwashi and Nigeria
“The premises of the Archbishop of Jos was breached overnight by suspected Fulani Herdsmen days after he was appointed General Secretary of GAFCON for the Anglican Church worldwide.
Archbishop Ben Kwashi who was named GS just this week after a meeting in Israel attended by hundreds of Anglican leaders from around the world is believed to have recently returned to Nigeria only for this attack to occur.
The esteemed clergyman posted on his Facebook page decrying attacks and insecurity inspite of a curfew announced following last weekend’s massacre of at least 238 people …
Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi also lamented the death of a driver during last night’s attack…”
– Troubling news from Plateau State in Nigeria.
(Photo: Archbishop Kwashi with Archbishop Foley Beach during GAFCON 2018.)
Related: Christians Slaughtered. Yawn.
John Piper interviewed at Dundonald Church
John Piper spoke at Dundonald Church in London last Sunday (03 June 2018).
Before the sermon, he chatted with Richard Coekin in this encouraging 13 minute video.
You can also listen to his sermon that day, “Enjoying God”.
Using my tumour for God
“My name is Zack Hankin, I’m 23 years old and I have eight to 14 years to live.
I have only wanted two things in life: to help and serve people and to become a pilot. I thought my best chance of fulfilling both of these things was to become a search and rescue pilot. At age 18 I joined the Army. …”
– Read Zack’s story at SydneyAnglicans.net.
A tribute to David Wheaton — former Principal of Oak Hill
At Church Society’s website, Gerald Bray pays tribute to David Wheaton, former principal of Oak Hill College and sometime vice-president of Church Society.
Tim Challies on history, evangelism, technology, culture and more
“Tim Challies is known throughout the Christian world as a prolific and insightful blogger and author. More recently, he has turned his hand to documentary film-making, with a new project in the works looking at the history of Christianity through significant objects.
While in Sydney to look at some of our Christian treasures (like the First Fleet Bible), Tim dropped into the CCL studio for a wide-ranging and fascinating chat about history, technology, evangelism, Billy Graham, Western culture and more.”
– Tony Payne chatted with Tim Challies for the Centre for Christian Living Podcast from Moore College. Listen (or read the transcript) here.
I’m a Sinner too
“People’s lives are not for me to judge. Only God can do that.
I have sinned many times in my life. I take responsibility for those sins and ask for forgiveness through repentance daily.
I understand a lot of people won’t agree with some of the things I’m about to write.
That’s absolutely fine. In life, you are allowed to agree to disagree.
But I would like to explain to you what I believe in, how I arrived at these beliefs and why I will not compromise my faith in Jesus Christ, which is the cornerstone of every single thing in my life.
I hope this will provide some context to the discussion that started with my reply to a question asked of me on Instagram two weeks ago. …”
– Israel Folau shares his story at PlayersVoice. (Photo: PlayersVoice.)
Related: The Bible and Same-Sex Marriage – Dr. Lionel Windsor.
Lee Gatiss on Church Society and Anglican evangelicals in the UK
Over at The Australian Church Record, Steve Tong interviews Lee Gatiss, Director of Church Society in the UK.
John Anderson in conversation with Jordan Peterson
Former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia John Anderson has recently launched his website.
“Like so many Australians, I’ve watched events with increasing concern.
The extraordinary loss of economic discipline, the revolving doors of political leadership, the increasingly strident silencing of out of favour views in a way that threatens our most important freedom, that of speech, the never-ending promotion of division over unity as a nation, and overshadowing it all the deteriorating global strategic environment, are all cause for deep and urgent reflection.
We need – now – to reunite as Australians in the face of a grim reality: we are in danger of eating ourselves out from within.”
One of his first posts features his interview with Jordan Peterson.
(Watch it – but also be sure to watch John Piper: Don’t Waste Your Life – or his earlier, shorter version.)
Albert Mohler on Martin Luther King Jr.
Last week, on his The Briefing podcast, Albert Mohler spoke about Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy, on the 50th anniversary of his death –
“For Christians trying to understand the historical significance of a figure like Martin Luther King Jr., we have to bring all the tools of historical evaluation to the fore.
We have to understand the man in his time. We have to understand the crucial role that a singular individual can play on the world scene and some of the great moral affairs of humanity. We also as Christians, however, must think in a providential understanding of history. History according to the biblical worldview is not just one event after another …”
– Listen, or read the transcript, here.
Statement on Israel Folau — Archbishop Glenn Davies — 9 April 2018
Here is a Media Statement from Archbishop Glenn Davies –
“The way Israel Folau is treated will be a test of Australian Rugby’s ‘inclusion’ policy.
Israel Folau should be free to hold and express traditional, Biblical views on marriage and sexuality without being penalized – just as other players have spoken out with their differing views.
Rugby Australia has said ‘rugby is a game for all, regardless of sexuality, race, religion or gender’ and it would be hypocritical for administrators to censure a player for expressing views which spring from his own faith and conscience.
Dr Glenn Davies
Archbishop of Sydney
9 April 2018.”
– Background, from MailOnline:
”Israel Folau defiant ahead of D-day meeting with Rugby bosses”
“Wallabies star Israel Folau has received the support of some of Australia’s top religious figures for his outspoken views on homosexuality.
Folau, a devout Christian, has been under fire for social media comments saying gay people would go to ‘hell unless they repent of their sins and turn to God’.
The comments have left Rugby Australia in a tough situation as major sponsors prepare to walk away if he continues to post in such a matter.
But the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Glenn Davies, told The Australian it was a matter of free speech, and Folau should be allowed to have an individual view…”
On The Way With MLK
“This Wednesday (April 4) marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King. He was 39 years old.
April 1968 is also the month that I was rescued from the consequences of my rebellion against God through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. I was 16 years young. …”
– This week, David Mansfield gives thanks for Martin Luther King Jr. – and his message about forgiveness. At SydneyAnglicans.net.
Stuart Robinson farewelled from Canberra & Goulburn
“It was a time of reminiscence for Bishop Stuart Robinson and his wife Jane at their final Easter service in St Saviour’s Cathedral on Saturday morning. …”
– Story from The Goulburn Post.
(Stuart will be inducted as Rector of St Michael’s, Vaucluse and Rose Bay, on May 5th.)