A Fresh Look at Romans

“Commentaries on Romans often begin with a short justification as to why the author thinks we need yet another commentary on Romans. Rosner does not need to justify his contribution, as his volume is a genuinely fresh approach to the letter. His book is not a commentary, and it does not cover every detail, but it gives readers a comprehensive overview of the letter.

For preachers and bible study leaders, this kind of theological overview can often be as helpful as a commentary which is stronger at the detailed, exegetical level. This volume will be helpful for any reader who wants to grow in their knowledge of Romans.…”

– At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Peter Orr reviews Brian Rosner’s Strengthened by the Gospel.

The Birth of Multiculturalism

From Phillip Jensen:

“The Australian government glories in the development of multiculturalism. However, Australian society is now straining to maintain social harmony. Consequently, the government is trying to regulate freedom of speech, freedom of association, and freedom of religion. For while migration can enrich a country, the concept of a nation celebrating and encouraging many cultures is a recipe for failure.

In the Bible, the creation of multiculturalism was God’s judgement at the Tower of Babel. In this episode of Two Ways News, we turn back to that great event recorded in Genesis 11.”

– Hear Phillip and Peter Jensen at Two Ways News.

Meals, missionaries, and the ‘Israel of God’: fresh light on the crisis in Galatia

From Dr. Lionel Windsor:

“Galatians is a letter with sharp edges. It addresses fundamental doctrinal issues. Yet behind Paul’s forceful rhetoric lies a very human, very concrete social situation. It’s a situation that sheds light on the theological debates about justification, circumcision, and Paul’s relationship to the law. My academic study, published as Chapter 16 in the book Paul in His Jewish and Graeco-Roman Context, offers a fresh account of this concrete situation.

I argue that the crisis in Galatia needs to be understood in light of early Christian missionary practices, hospitality, and the dynamics of table fellowship.

This new angle helps illuminate a passage at the end of the letter that has long been contested: Paul’s blessing of ‘as many as will conform to this rule … and mercy also upon the Israel of God’ (Gal. 6:16). …”

– If you are preaching through Galatians, or simply want to understand the Galatians better, do check out this latest post at Forget the Channel.

Time to book for Launch 2026

Launch 2026, the camp for school leavers, is approaching –

“Launch is the camp for school leavers keen to live for Jesus, where you will

  • Meet others who have just finished school
  • Listen to great Bible talks from Phillip Jensen
  • Equip yourself for University/TAFE alongside leaders and staff-workers

Our leaders are an awesome group of young women and men just a few years ahead of you! They are keen to help you work out what it means to align your priorities to God’s in this next phase of your life whilst having a fantastic time meeting others doing the same thing. Launch camp truly is the best investment you can make to think through how to live for Jesus!

Your Launch registration payment includes accommodation and all meals.

There will be a bookstall on camp so bring some extra money to take home some good reading :)…”

– See the link for more details and registration. Phillip Jensen asks us all to uphold the camp in our prayers – and to encourage school leavers to attend.

A Biblical Response to Transgender Theory

From The Gospel Coalition –

“If gender is constructed, it can be deconstructed. If we built it, we can tear it down.

Now you know why some activists have been so determined to convince us that gender is something we assign, rather than something we receive. If we assign it, then we can reassign it as we wish. We don’t receive our bodies. We can remake our bodies.

No doubt you’ve observed the rise of transgender theory in Western culture. It’s the denial that the sexed body reveals and determines the gendered self. That’s the helpful summary we find in the excellent new book The Body God Gives: A Biblical Response to Transgender Theory, written by Rob Smith.”

– Hear Rob Smith interviewed by Colin Hansen. Programme starts 2 minutes into the audio file.

A very helpful insight into the whole field of research and debate.

How to revolutionise your church towards a 5% conversion target

From The Pastor’s Heart –

“How to turn around evangelistic stagnation in your church — or how to start pursuing a 5% goal?

Across Australian Evangelicalism there is a bold goal — growing our churches by 5% per year through conversion growth.

But some pastors are asking:  “We haven’t seen anyone become a Christian here in years… where do we even start?”

We talk:

• Should we even have an evangelism target?
• What are the theological issues?
• How do you start when conversions have been rare?
• What cultural changes actually make a difference?
• Funnels, programs and “conversion engines.”
• And how to build momentum with stories, prayer and team alignment.

Three pastors who are right at the beginning of the journey, Brett Middleton (St Luke’s Miranda), Ben Molyneux (St Faith’s Narrabeen) and Dan Au (Cornerstone Kogarah) — We set an evangelism target – Now what?”

– Watch or listen here.

The Question for Joggers: Why are you Running?

From Phillip Jensen:

“Last week’s episode of Two Ways News was very dark and gloomy.

This week, we are looking at the same passage, but turning our attention to the light of salvation that is caught in the rainbow covenant of God as we read of the saving of Noah and his family.”

– Hear Peter and Phillip Jensen in (theological) conversation at Two Ways News.

Among other things, Peter shares what happened the day he came to Christ – as well as the topic of Billy Graham’s sermon. Phillip recalls that same day.

More importantly, Peter appeals to everyone listening to take the opportunity to repent today – before it is too late.

Related:

Two Ways to Live – the choice we all face.

Living and Speaking of Christ in a Secular Age

From Moore College:

“If you have ever felt like your life is a set of non-overlapping bubbles, work here, sport there, church on Sundays, neighbours somewhere else, you are not alone. Josh and Susannah Apieczonek reflected that this kind of compartmentalisation has become sadly normal in Western life. It is not how we were made to live, but it has quietly shaped how we see the world. This is one reason many Christians feel held back from sharing the gospel: our worlds rarely intersect, our schedules are full, and our instincts are shaped by a culture that prizes the here and now over the eternal. …”

– Sarah Bingham shares highlights from a talk by Josh & Susannah Apieczonek.

She explains,

“Josh and Susannah Apieczonek have long been connected to Moore College. Josh, now the incoming Head of Mission and Lecturer in Mission, completed a Bachelor of Divinity and Diploma of Ministry in 2004, and Susannah studied at the College in 2008. Before moving to France, Josh taught Christian Studies and served as a chaplain at St Andrew’s Cathedral School, Sydney.

Together, they have spent the past decade serving with CMS in Lyon, France, in student and church ministry, particularly among university students and in church planting. …”

– Read it all here.

Reflecting Christ’s Love

“Here at Moore, we want to be as helpful as we can in preparing students who are married to love their spouses well and to invest in their marriages—for the good of their families and for the good of the church. This love needs to be nurtured and informed.

While this is true for every marriage, there are some additional pressures, expectations and joys that come to married couples in Christian ministry. …”

– Simon and Margie Gillham share how important it is to support married couples among the student body at Moore College.

The “eye-opener” of disability

“When you see provisions for people with disability at your church, do you ever put yourself in the shoes of the person who will use them?

Or do you just assume that the hearing loop has a practical set-up for visitors, the news sheets and overheads can be read by everyone, and no-stairs access into the church means that those with physical impairments can get around easily? …”

– Very helpful article by Judy Adamson at SydneyAnglicans.net – with practical suggestions.

How to Present Your Sermon Really Well

“Like every skill worth doing, good preaching requires sustained study, effort, practice, self-evaluation, and a determination to improve and master the skill.

Good delivery must come not as a replacement for, but as the culmination of the certain basic convictions about preaching:

That preaching is central to Christian worship, growth, and evangelism;

That preaching must be Christ-focussed;

That the preacher must be a godly Christian growing in Christ;

That the sermon must expository and carefully prepared. …”

– Agree or disagree with details, Campbell Markham writes to encourage and help preachers do what is vitally important. At AP.

Related:

The Preacher Responding To Criticism – Bob Thomas writes at The Expository Preaching Trust…

“Criticism of our preaching falls into three categories: ‘mindless’ criticism and therefore not worth worrying about except to try graciously to correct; negative criticism but worth swallowing our pride, taking notice of and responding to; and positive criticism, so thankfully received as it spurs us on to greater endeavour.”

Church music in a culture obsessed with self expression – with Alanna Glover

From The Pastor’s Heart –

“What does healthy, joyful, word-shaped congregational singing look like in a culture obsessed with self-expression?

We are shaped more than we realise by the culture around us. And today one of the most powerful cultural forces pressing on our churches is expressive individualism — the idea that the authentic self must be expressed and affirmed.

But what happens when this cultural air we breathe seeps into our church music? When sincerity becomes more important than truth, when the band is excellent yet the congregation is silent, and when singing shifts from ‘we proclaim Christ together’ to ‘I express what I feel’?

If we do not address this, we risk disengaged congregations, weakened church identity and a missed opportunity for deep spiritual formation that comes as we sing God’s word to one another.

Alanna Glover — longtime church music leader, former member of Garage Hymnal, ten years with Emu Music, songwriter, trainer and theologian — has just completed significant research on expressive individualism and congregational singing in evangelical churches.”

– Watch here. (Emphasis added.)

Seeing God at Work — Unearthing genealogical treasure

From Phillip Jensen:

“This week in Two Ways News, we continue the theme of family. Having dealt with the family of Cain in chapter 4, we turn to the new family of Adam. In this family, God’s word enables us to see the Lord’s plans for salvation, hinted at in Genesis 3:15 and worked out in Noah.

We don’t often have sermons on genealogies, but hopefully this episode will help us see their importance.”

– hear the latest podcast with Peter and Phillip Jensen at Two Ways News.

Moore College Style Guide: Music Video

A bit of fun from the 2025 Moore College Review and Dr. Lionel Windsor.

Even if it’s not your style, you might learn something!

Family Likeness — Who do you think you are?

From Phillip Jensen:

Welcome again to Two Ways News. Working with my brother makes it a bit of a family concern.

The last episode of the older brother killing the younger reminds us of the mixed blessing of family life. In this episode, we follow through the family of Cain. It’s not a pleasant story, though in the midst of evil there are great achievements.

Don’t forget to tell others of Two Ways News.

– Listen at Two Ways News.

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