Confident: Why we can trust the Bible

“Last February and on into March, Mike Ovey and I each wrote a number of little blog posts responding to Steve Chalke’s article, ‘Restoring Confidence in the Bible’. We’ve reworked those posts, added some more material and discussion questions, and the result is a new little book published by Christian Focus and called, Confident: Why we can trust the Bible.

It’s not a finger-pointing, hand-wringing book (Steve Chalke isn’t mentioned at all). Rather it’s a book to encourage and equip Christians…”

– from Dan Strange at Oak Hill College in London. (Availability.)

Professor Edwin Judge — Engaging Rome and Jerusalem — book launch

On March 11th 2015, Bishop Paul Barnett gave this address at the launch of a collection of essays by Professor Edwin Judge. Very encouraging:

(Update: See also Assoc. Prof. Stuart Piggin’s remarks, and ordering details for the book.)

Book Launch – Text of Bishop Paul Barnett’s remarks:
E.A. Judge, Engaging Rome and Jerusalem,
(ed. S. Piggin; North Melbourne: Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2014).

In 1966 E.A. Judge, Reader in History at the University of Sydney had a small third year Roman History class of which I was a member, along with a younger Tom Hillard.

Tom has gone on to great things as a Roman historian and I have pursued the study of Christian origins within the canon of Jewish, Roman and early Christian texts. Another in the class, Judith Nicholls, now a senior mature age student, is researching her PhD on Jerome.

Edwin Judge’s office is lined with the higher degree theses of his dozens of supervised students. These volumes are silent tribute to a master teacher’s scholarship but equally to his generosity. Read more

Human Sexuality and the ‘Same Sex Marriage’ Debate

This promises to be a very useful book:

“The current debates about gender, the meaning of marriage and human sexuality are of interest to people inside and outside the Christian churches. A massive exercise in social engineering is underway around the world and it is often difficult to discern how Christians might contribute to the debate in a way that will not simply be dismissed as traditionalist bigotry.

The Sydney Diocesan Doctrine Commission has spent two years reflecting upon the issues and has produced this little book as a resource for Christians who wish to understand what is happening and how they might respond, as well as an explanation to others of why Christians have found the debate and the way it has been conducted in the public arena deeply disturbing.”

The members of the Doctrine Commission who have contributed to this report include:

Rev Dr Peter Bolt
Bishop Robert Forsyth
Archdeacon Kara Hartley
Rev Dr David Höhne
Rev Tony Payne
Rev Gavin Perkins
Rev Robert Smith
Rev Canon Dr Mark Thompson (chair)

– Now available as a pre-order from Anglican Press Australia (an imprint of Youthworks’ Christian Education Publications).

The Mark Drama at Moore College

Moore College is putting on two performances of The Mark Drama – on Wednesday April 1st and Thursday April 2nd.

Why not take a friend? Details and booking here.

For Christians who missed the memo: the Bible abhors all domestic abuse

I’m thankful for the many in our community from Australian of the Year Rosie Batty, to the Sydney Morning Herald’s ‘shine a light’ campaign who are speaking out on domestic violence. Even if it makes me and my own tribe – more theologically conservative Christians – uncomfortable.

I’m grateful since one of the best-known facts of Jesus Christ’s life is his compassion to women, especially those in need. Jesus protected women.…”

– Sandy Grant writes an opinion-piece for The Sydney Morning Herald.

Ligonier Ministries 2015 Conference

“On February 19-21, 2015, Ligonier Ministries hosted its 28th annual National Conference to call out for the Lord to revive the light of His truth in our churches and culture.

Alistair Begg, Rosaria Butterfield, Tim Challies, Kevin DeYoung, Sinclair Ferguson, Robert Godfrey, Peter Jones, Steven Lawson, Russell Moore, Stephen Nichols, and R.C. Sproul Jr. joined R.C. Sproul in considering the theme, “After Darkness, Light.”

Together, they explored our need to be revived and restored to a high view of God, His law, His people, and His plan for the world.”

– The conference talks have now been made available for viewing, free of charge.

(Tim Challies is pictured, speaking on ‘Purity in a Digital Age’.)

By the Book

The latest issue of Credo Magazine is out – with the theme of knowing the Bible.

Bearing the cross: a letter to the Islamic State

“The Islamic State sent me a letter this week. This letter was in the form of a short film produced by the Islamic State’s Al-Hayat Media centre.

This was not addressed to me personally, but to all Christians everywhere…”

– Mark Durie reflects on the meaning of the message sent by ISIS in their murder of Coptic Christians.

Related: What ISIS really wants (The Atlantic)

What’s new in Moore College distance education

“Moore College distance education has re-imagined and re-built from the ground up the way it delivers solid Bible teaching for 21st century learners. For the first time you will be able to find everything you need online – course notes, lectures, resources, weekly quizzes, final exams, tutor groups and personal coaches…”

– Mark Fairfull at Moore College outlines the college’s distance education offerings.

Notes from another country

adrian-reynolds-sm2 “I’ve been leading a small Cornhill missions team this last week. We’ve been abroad somewhere hot and somewhere increasingly difficult to be a Christian. It’s probably not appropriate for me to say where (or necessary, even) because I don’t want to put believers at risk.

But, as ever, my heart has been stirred and my faith has been challenged by being with believers from a different culture. For sure, other cultures have their blind spots – and they are painfully obvious. But, more to the point, being with Christians in another culture allows us to see our own blind spots more clearly. And it’s this I want to write about this week.”

– Adrian Reynolds briefly shares some challenging observations at Proclamation Trust:

Part 1 – Preaching.
Part 2 – Salvation.
Part 3 – Prayer.
Part 4 – Colonialism.
Part 5 – Persecution.

‘Jesus: Watch Listen Follow’ — Peter Bolt, Moore College and Creek Road

“Rev Dr Peter Bolt, Head of Department of New Testament and Greek at Moore College, has been collaborating with Creek Road Presbyterian Church in Brisbane on a sermon series “Jesus: Watch Listen Follow”.

This sermon series is on Mark’s Gospel. A video has been produced as the first episode of the series, in which Peter takes us through the opening passage of Mark’s Gospel.”

– Check it out via the Moore College website.

50 Shades of Confusion

“The coming days offer an extraordinary opportunity for Christian growth. As the trailer hits our screens, as the chance to buy tickets drops into our inbox, we each have a choice to make… Let’s make choices that help us – and those around us in church – grow in Christ.”

– at The Good Book blog, Helen Thorne has some much-needed advice for Christians regarding a certain film and book.

Fifty Shades of Shame — The Evolution of Pornography – Albert Mohler.

“Going to see Fifty Shades of Grey, or reading the book series, is an exercise in pornographic intent and effect. It is also an act of defiance against the goodness of the gift of sex as granted to humanity by God. Furthermore, the series is an assault upon the dignity of every human being.”

The Real Abuse at the Heart of ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ – Relevant Magazine.

“The message is clear: by turning these same behaviors around to market them as ‘romance,’ this film effectively silences the experience of millions of victims of abuse.”

NZ church offers to exchange Fifty Shades of Grey tickets – Bible Society.

Google reveals Australians want to know who Jesus is

At Communicate Jesus, Steve Kryger has spotted something very interesting in the Google searches made by Australians in 2014.

How can your church use this information?

Power and Promise – studies for Lent 2015

Lent is coming up shortly (it starts Wednesday 18th February).

Some churches observe Lent – others don’t. Either way, the forty days leading up to Easter are a great time to encourage church members to reflect on God’s Word, and to understand how all of God’s promises find their ‘yes’ in Christ.

“This Lent, join Dr Peter Jensen in his new book, Power and Promise, as he explores God’s faithfulness and sovereignty from Adam to Abraham.

The opening chapters of the Bible are a majestic introduction to God, his Word, and the world as we know it. In Power and Promise, the former Archbishop of Sydney marvels at the intricacies of the rich landscape that is Genesis 1–15.

Through these chapters we also see the heartbreaking history that stemmed from humanity’s rejection of its Creator, and the certain hope offered in God’s covenants.

With 40 daily devotions and questions for group discussion and personal reflection, this book is an ideal resource for challenging Christian faith, devotion and obedience in the lead-up to Easter.”

Learn more, and order your copy from Christian Education Publications.