Covid Vaccines and the “Mark of the Beast”

“In this time of pandemic, in which vaccines have been quickly developed and rolled out across the world, some Christians are asking whether the vaccines are the ‘mark of the beast.’ The ‘mark of the beast’ comes from Revelation 13. …

Now, lots of Christians read this chapter with one eye on the news to see if anything happening in our world today lines up with the weird and wonderful imagery of Revelation’s rich apocalyptic world. And some have suggested that the Covid vaccines seem to match the description of the mark of the beast.”

– Dr. George Athas, Director of Research and Lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew at Moore College, has written a very helpful post, putting ‘the mark of the beast’ into its historical and theological context. At With Meagre Powers.

Dr Bill Salier contributes this month’s GAFCON Devotions

For the month of October, Bill Salier is contributing GAFCON’s Lift Up Your Hearts devotionals.

Read or listen as Bill begins in John’s Gospel, chapter 1.

Southern Cross October 2021

The latest Southern Cross magazine (October 2021) is now available to download from magazine.sydneyanglicans.net.

This issue includes a profile of Archdeacon for Women Kara Hartley, news on reopening, Bishop Michael Stead on “Why we must oppose assisted suicide”, and much more.

The Archbishop writes on “Safely ministering to all” –

“I was pleased to hear that the week after 80 per cent of the community have received two doses of a COVID vaccine (estimated to be by October 25), there will be no restrictions on who may attend church – while other venues, such as cinemas and gyms, will be open only to double-vaccinated people until December 1.

This reflects two important principles. The first is that church is not entertainment like the cinema or recreation like a gym, but something more essential. Church is more akin to the supermarket or the hospital in offering spiritual ‘food’ and spiritual ‘health’.

The other principle is that church, by nature, is a place from which people should not be turned away. It should be open to all.

Throughout the lockdown, I have publicly encouraged people to follow NSW Health advice about vaccination, and consult their medical advisors with any questions they may have about vaccination. As a Diocese we remain committed to ensuring that those who attend churches are kept safe in accordance with Government public health orders, and we have and will continue to comply with those orders. …”

Read it all on pages 14 and 15.

New album from Emu Music: Joy in Sorrow

“Ten new songs about the goodness of God in the midst of suffering.”

Released today.

See the album singles here.

Thought-provoking video for Harvest season

From Speak Life in the UK.

How to win people (not arguments) in our preaching? – with Peter Adam

“How to preach sermons which are hospitable and  have a good reputation with outsiders?

The former Principal of Melbourne’s Ridley College Peter Adam says the Bible’s call for us to be hospitable should impact how we preach. …”

– Thought-provoking and helpful. From The Pastor’s Heart.

Learning to forgive

“Jesus teaches his disciples to pray to our Father to ‘forgive us our debts’ (Matthew 6:12). He reminds us that we need forgiveness and God is the one who grants it.

The word ‘debts’ conveys one aspect of what the Bible calls sin, and what we owe God. We need forgiveness because we do not give God what we owe him: thanks, praise, love and obedience, and because, as the Anglican confession prayer says, ‘we have not done what we ought to have done’.

Yet, amazingly and wonderfully, the God we offend is a God of mercy. …”

– SydneyAnglicans.net has published this edited version of Archbishop Kanishka Raffel’s address from the Centre for Christian Living’s Learning to Forgive event in August.

Kristyn Getty reads the ESV for Crossway

Crossway has added Kristyn Getty’s recording of the entire Bible to its ESV Bible apps and at ESV.org. It’s another encouragement to engage with God’s Word.

See a video and links to download the apps here.

Bible Trek Conversations: Dr Peter Williams

In this 24 minute video Andrew Ollerton chats with the Principal of Tyndale House Dr Peter J. Williams about the significance of Galilee in the life and ministry of Jesus.

This is a part the Bible Trek series of short videos recorded on location by Andrew Ollerton.

Review of Reformation Anglican Worship

“Reformation Anglican Worship by Michael Jensen is the latest volume in The Reformation Anglican Essentials Library. As its name suggests it provides a thorough survey of the principles of Anglican worship found in the denomination’s Reformation legacy.

For what is obviously a scholarly work, Reformation Anglican Worship is a surprisingly enjoyable read. Jensen has found just the right balance between depth of information and an accessible style which anyone with an interest in the topic will appreciate. …”

– David Ould provides this review, plus a link to a special price from The Wandering Bookseller.

The road map back to public church meetings in NSW – with Michael Stead

Dr Michael Stead, Bishop of South Sydney, is Dominic Steele’s guest on The Pastor’s Heart to discuss how churches in NSW will likely need to adjust when they reopen (possibly from 31st October). A very helpful discussion.

Watch or listen here.

Lifting our voices to God — Wednesday at 7:00pm

Anglican churches across the Diocese are encouraged to join together and pray at 7:00pm on Wednesday, September 22 at the Lifting Our Voices to God livestream event.

In the one-hour online event, Christians will be encouraged to corporately lift their hearts, minds and vision to God during the pandemic. Read more

Encouragement to use The Word One to One

John Mason, President and Chairman of Anglican Connection, is encouraging his North American readers to consider using The Word One to One as a very helpful tool in evangelism.

As part of that, he reminds us of this brief 2016 interview with the then Dean of Sydney, and now Archbishop, Kanishka Raffel.

The books are available locally from The Wandering Bookseller.

 

Community supports beloved bookseller

“It was a message that Karl Grice hoped never to write.

The unexpected and severe impact of Sydney’s second major lockdown, which is still ongoing, meant that just as things were starting to look up for the event-based Christian bookseller, everything came to a stop once more. …”

– SydneyAnglicans.net reports on The Wandering Bookseller and how you can support them.

And here’s The Wandering Bookseller’s website.

COVID Vaccination and The Church

“The recent announcement by the Australian government that increased freedoms would be available to citizens who were double vaccinated for COVID-19, or have exemption on medical grounds, has caused significant consternation in the Christian community. Issues of conscience and concerns about exclusion have been raised as reasons why such measures should not be introduced.

This paper has been written to consider how Australian churches should respond. …”

– The Gospel Coalition Australia has republished this very helpful article by Dr. Megan Best (palliative care doctor, researcher and bioethicist).

Well worth taking the time to read and consider.

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