The War of the Cross
“When ISIS changed its name in June from ‘the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’ (ISIL, or the Arabic acronym ISIS) to simply ‘the Islamic State’, this was a shift of enormous theological and eschatological significance. …
The Islamic State sees itself … playing a key role in the End Times in fulfilment of many prophecies, when all the enemies of Islam (particularly Christians) will be defeated.”
– Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Fund, writes that the theology and eschatology of ISIS explains a great deal about their actions. (Photo: Barnabas Fund.)
Cranmer the evangelist
“The language of The Book of Common Prayer may be over 400 years old, but captured within it is a clear evangelistic structure, based on scripture: a recognition of personal sin, repentance, forgiveness and praise at God’s goodness.
We may not use BCP liturgies directly, but let us use the truths of scripture contained within for our own good, the good of our families, our church and our nation, and ultimately for the glory of God. This article is worth reading not just for its look at the BCP services, but also as a reminder that the structure of our services can be evangelistic, not just our preaching.”
– At Church Society’s blog, Chris Kilgour recommends Samuel Leuenberger’s 1992 Churchman article, “Archbishop Cranmer’s Immortal Bequest: The Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England: An Evangelistic Liturgy” (PDF file).
Loving Muslim neighbours with the gospel
Samuel Green’s “Engaging with Islam Training Course” is an invaluable resource.
“The Engaging with Islam course is designed to give Christians a practical introduction to the history and teaching of Islam and a foundation for answering common questions.
The course can be done individually, in a small group or as part of leadership training. Anyone can lead this course as no previous knowledge of Islam is required and leader’s notes are provided. The course is a mix of preparation material, group discussion and a video presentation.”
New commentary on Matthew
Peter Bolt’s new commentary, Matthew: A Great Light Dawns, was laucnhed last week at Moore College’s of School of Theology.
Read about it here – and order a copy here.
(Photo: Executive Director of Youthworks Media Marshall Ballantine-Jones and Peter Bolt.)
Moore Matters, Spring 2014
Moore Matters, the newsletter from Moore College, is now out for Spring 2014.
You can download your copy here as a 3.7MB PDF file.
The work of the Lord
“But what does Paul mean by ‘abound in the work of the Lord’? In this article I want us to simply do two things – work out what this phrase actually means, and then think through its implications.”
– Looking at 1 Corinthians 15, Peter Orr at Moore College explains that all Christians do gospel ministry – and then turns to an encouraging example. Here.
End of The Briefing?
“With some considerable wistfulness, we’ve come to the decision that the next issue of The Briefing (number 414) will have to be its last.
We’re sad about this, obviously, but not too sad – because although the medium of communication now has to change, the theology and vision of Christian life and ministry that The Briefing has always championed has not changed, and must not change. We have some exciting plans in motion to keep spreading and promoting and encouraging that Bible-based vision of Christian life and ministry – plans that take advantage of the very wave of digital publishing that has helped make the current form of The Briefing no longer viable.…”
– Sam Freney and Tony Payne write to explain what’s happening with Matthias Media’s flagship publication.
How Should We Then Live?
Francis Schaeffer’s classic work, “How Should We Then Live?” is September 2014’s free audiobook from Christian Audio.
It’s a 230MB download, and is read by Kate Reading.
John Woodhouse on Preaching — at Preaching Matters
In the latest “Preaching Matters” video from Great St. Helen’s Bishopsgate in London, former Moore College Principal John Woodhouse is asked about preaching.
The GWC Whitefield Symposium
The audio of the talks given at the Whitefield Symposium at George Whitefield College in Cape Town is now on their website.
Speakers include David Seccombe and Melvin Tinkler. Available here.
Face to Face with the Message of Matthew
“Face to Face with the Message of Matthew” is the theme of this year’s Moore College School of Theology – being run at the College on Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th September 2014.
Dying with Dignity?
“Here’s the submission I made to the relevant committee of the Senate of the Australian Parliament regarding Senator Richard Di Natale’s private member’s Exposure draft of the Medical Services (Dying with Dignity) Bill 2014…”
– Sandy Grant at St Michael’s Cathedral, Wollongong, shares what he’s written – at The Briefing.
Themelios 39.2
The Gospel Coalition has released the latest issue of Themelios with 192 pages of articles and book reviews.
Included: What Are Gospel Issues? – D. A. Carson.
Projection Atheism: Why Reductionist Accounts of Humanity Can Lead to Reductionist Accounts of God – Michael Ovey.
Encouragement to keep on in ministry
Hugh Palmer, from All Souls’ Langham Place, spoke on “Growing the next generation” at last year’s Equipped Ministry Assembly run by the East Anglia Gospel Partnership.
Well worth taking the time to be encouraged and directed back to the work of the gospel.
Lord & Life-Giver: The Holy Spirit Changes Everything
The Annual Moore College Lectures continue this week with special guest Professor Mike Horton from Westminster Seminary California.
This year’s topic is “Lord & Life-Giver: The Holy Spirit Changes Everything”.
If you can’t be at Moore College for the lectures, you can live-stream them – or watch later. Recommended!
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…