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.

Read Part 1 here.

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.)

Blogging in the Name of the Lord

David Robertson, of St. Peter’s Dundee, is in Oz and speaking at this weekend’s Easter Convention at Katoomba.

The website Exiled Preacher recently conducted a brief interview. David blogs at The Wee Flea, where he has posted some observations on his first week here:

“I’m completely fascinated by people and cultures everywhere I go – for me it is part of the incredible diversity and equality with which God has endowed humanity. Made in His image we find ways of expressing creativity, beauty and love- in every culture.

Ruined by the Fall, we find ways of distorting and perverting that image – in every culture. Australia is no different. …

Observation 4 – Australian TV is rubbish.” – Read it all.

Ramon caps his lens

“A significant figure in the Australian Christian media landscape for the past 50 years has been forced to close his ministry due to ill health.

Ramon Williams, 87, whose pictures have regularly featured in Southern Cross magazine since it began, has issued his last news release from Worldwide Photos – the Religious Media Agency. …”

– At SydneyAnglicans.net Russell Powell reports on Ramon Williams’ reluctant decision to close Worldwide Photos.

Related: Ramon Williams, Australian Christian media powerhouse, decides it’s time to retire.

Moore College Graduation 2018 — Occasional Address

Dr Peter Jensen gave the Occasional Address at last week’s Moore College 2018 Graduation.

He particularly spoke to the parents of the graduates, to explain why their children had been “studying God”.

“You will be changed by the study of God. … We are getting to know God. We are relating to him, on his own terms. … And this is not something to be undertaken lightly.”

Watch it here on Vimeo.

See also the Graduand interviews – with Talar and Mike.

Most encouraging, and good to share.

Mark Earngey to join Faculty of Moore College

News from Moore College:

“We are delighted to announce that the Moore College Governing Board has accepted the Principal’s nomination of the Rev Mark Earngey to join the College faculty from 1 September this year. …”

– Read here at the MTC website.

Stephen Hawking explored the universe: Were the mysteries of his heart newsworthy?

“So here is the question of the day: Does it matter that famed physicist Stephen Hawking was – as best one can tell from his complex and even impish way of expressing himself – an atheist who still had moments when he could hint at doubts?

Does it matter that the mind that probed the far corners of the universe couldn’t handle the mysteries of the human heart and that this pained him? After all, in an empty, random universe, there are no moral laws to explain the physics of love and attachment. …”

– At GetReligion, Terry Mattingly asks what journalists writing about Stephen Hawking might have missed.

‘Mr. Graham, how would you like to be remembered?’

“By the time you read this, I will be in heaven, and as I write this I’m looking forward with great anticipation to the day when I will be in God’s presence forever. …

But I won’t be in heaven because I’ve preached to large crowds or because I’ve tried to live a good life. I’ll be in heaven for one reason: …”

– Read it all at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Link via Terry Mattingly at GetReligion.

New Billy Graham Archive Collections to be opened to the Public

“Today the Billy Graham Center Archives at Wheaton College announced that on March 19, 2018, they will open two new collections that had been embargoed by Graham and the BGEA until his death.”

– Justin Taylor at The Gospel Coalition shares news historians will find exciting.

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