Talking about Mary
“You would have to be living on another planet not to notice the avalanche of publicity about Mary MacKillop at the moment. …
However, when talking with people from a Catholic background, rather than raising … concerns straight away, it would be better to take another approach. …”
– Mark Gilbert makes some helpful suggestions on how to start a conversation with your Romans Catholic friends – at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Find the Bible boring?
John Piper has some words of exhortation in this video excerpt from a sermon on Philippians 2:14-16.
(Or see the whole thing.)
Air Conditioning Hell: How Liberalism happens
Tempted to be embarrassed by the biblical doctrine of hell?
“Though some lampoon the stereotypical “hell-fire and brimstone” preaching of an older evangelical generation, the fact is that most church members may never have heard a sermon on hell — even in an evangelical congregation. Has hell gone dormant among evangelicals as well?
Interestingly, the doctrine of hell serves very well as a test case for the slide into theological liberalism. The pattern of this slide looks something like this…”
– Read this article by Al Mohler in the current 9Marks eJournal. (Photo: Together for the Gospel.)
9Marks eJournal on the dangers of Liberalism
The latest 9Marks eJournal has been published online and is essential reading. Editor Jonathan Leeman writes –
“Michael Lawrence, Carl Trueman, Al Mohler, and Phil Johnson examine how liberalism happens and offer wise counsel for the academic and the pastor’s heart.
Greg Gilbert, Michael Ovey, Russell Moore, and I point to several specific areas where evangelicals appear to be walking on thin ice…
Greg Wills, Michael Horton, and Darryl Hart present notable lessons from history…”
– and there’s much more for your edification. It’s available from 9Marks. (We’ll highlight some key articles over the next few days.)
10 ways to encourage a Missionary
At The Gospel Coalition blog, Mark Rogers shares the fruit of asking some missionaries what they find encouraging –
“One of the most encouraging/inspiring things we receive from people is a quick note via email to say that they are ‘thinking’ of us…”
Although it’s written from a US perspective, there are some good ideas here.
(h/t Justin Taylor.)
Preach through the Lectionary or books of the Bible?
The Diocese of Tasmania website has posted an article by David Roger-Smith on planning a preaching programme. Especially helpful for those whose practice is to preach on Lectionary readings –
“If you’ve never preached through or helped preached through a biblical book, it might seem a bit daunting, but we would encourage you to have a go. Start with small steps. Devote one school term this year to preaching through a biblical book rather than from the Lectionary readings.”
Download it as a PDF file here from the updated Preaching page.
What you can do in three pages a day
Stephen Altrogge asks, “What would happen if you resolved that, in addition to your Bible, you would read three pages of a spiritual book every day?”
He lists some practical suggestions on what you could read at The Blazing Center.
(Most of the books mentioned would be available at Moore Books or Reformers’ Bookshop in Sydney.)
Mike Raiter and Radical Discipleship
Mike Raiter, Principal of the Bible College of Victoria, opened God’s word, starting in Luke chapter 9, at this week’s CMS Summer School at Katomba.
CMS has graciously made Mike’s first talk available for download.
It, and the whole series, were a great blessing, challenge and encouragement to all who were present. The other talks are available for purchase from CMS NSW.
This Life I Live — new hymn free download
At the 2010 CMS Summer School held in Katoomba this week, a new hymn by Michael Morrow was taught. ‘This Life I Live’ is a beautiful song ‘celebrating the fact that we who died with Christ now live for him, and live in hope of a glorious resurrection’.
‘The Life I Live’ is not yet available on CD, but you can hear it and download the mp3 file and sheet music at Morrow Music.
For the Love of God
Excerpts from Don Carson’s devotional resource, For the Love of God, are being posted daily at The Gospel Coalition.
You can subscribe to to receive a daily e-mail or subscribe to the RSS feed. A very helpful resource.
Teach us to number our days
At the 9Marks blog, Michael Mckinley recommends this sermon (from last year) on Psalm 90 by Derek Thomas (Professor of Systematic and Practical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi).
Sobering and encouraging.
Outline of redemptive history
At Between Two Worlds, Justin Taylor has posted a useful summary of Graeme Goldsworthy’s outline of redemptive history–
See it here – and download a copy of the famous ‘coathanger’ chart here.
If you are not familiar with Graeme Goldsworthy’s books, in Sydney, you can get copies at Moorebooks or from Reformers Bookshop.
Ten years closer to Eternity
Ten years ago, Sydney celebrated the beginning of 2000 by displaying on the Harbour Bridge the word Eternity in the iconic copperplate handwriting of Arthur Stace.
A lot of water has passed under the bridge (literally) since then, and in many ways the world has changed. But the basic need of men and women is the same – to hear the gospel and be saved.
In 2010, please be encouraged to continue to trust Christ, and to live in the light of eternity. Read the story of Arthur Stace in our Resources section.
Bible reading plans for the new year
Justin Taylor, at Between Two Worlds, has links to some helpful Bible reading plans.
Objections to Christmas
“Column 8 of the Sydney Morning Herald last week had an interesting entry from a man identifying only as a ‘Canberra Anglican parish priest’. In the lead up to Christmas he had organised some community carols in his local shopping centre, but met some resistance.
‘To my great amusement,’ he wrote, ‘the manager of the centre objected, because she thinks the “[expletive] Christians want to take over Christmas.”
I’d always assumed that the “Christ” bit in both words might serve as a clue.’ …”
– read the full article by Simon Smart at the Centre for Public Christianity.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…