Spiritually Discerning the Redefinition of Marriage
“Between the 11th and 15th of January 2016 the Primates of the Anglican Communion met to deliberate over a number of issues, including the question of a growing demand for affirming homosexual unions within the Western provinces.
This week, in his Presidential address to the General Synod, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby spoke of the Primates meeting, the beauty and energy of the Anglican communion coming together in unity, as well as the crucial process of decision-making and development not being a matter of canons and rules, but one of discernment by the Spirit, based in relationship – but apparently not in revelation. Amidst all the Christian-sounding terminology, what is it that the archbishop was actually saying?
When Welby’s address is read in conjunction with the recently published letter of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to Jayne Ozanne, a homosexual activist and director of Accepting Evangelicals, a clear pattern and approach to the questions of marriage and human sexuality on the part of the Anglican church emerges, which reflects the radically changed priorities of the established church – a process that has been going on for many decades – to declare man’s word for the cultural moment rather than God’s unchanging word to the world. …”
– So, whose word is our authority?
Dr Joe Boot, Senior Pastor at Westminster Chapel, Toronto, has published this strong piece at the Ezra Institute of Contemporary Christianity. Read the full article here.
Preaching Christ in the Old Testament — Kevin DeYoung at Preaching Matters
Kevin DeYoung has been preaching at St. Helen’s Bishopsgate in London, and took time out to address ‘Preaching Christ in the Old Testament’ for Preaching Matters.
Priscilla & Aquila Centre Annual Conference 2016
The Priscilla & Aquila Centre Annual Conference is coming up on Monday 1st February. Moore College Principal, Mark Thompson is speaking – and there’ll be a number of electives.
The theme? “The Christian and Submission”.
Registration for the conference closes January 22.
Do we need to Contextualise our Preaching?
Do we need to Contextualise our Preaching?
In the latest Preaching Matters video from St. Helen’s Bishopsgate, William Taylor addresses that question.
He argues that we need better communication, rather than contextualisation, because the gospel is relevant in every culture and context. Very helpful, as always.
There’s a great quote from Broughton Knox’s book “Everlasting God”.
From the Vault: Are we stronger then He?
9Marks Journal on Missions: Adding Wisdom to Zeal
The latest issue of 9Marks Journal is up on their website, and is full of encouraging articles with headings like “Ways your church can get involved in Global Missions starting tomorrow”.
Going to a CMS Summer School? (Not going to a CMS Summer School?) Thinking about the year ahead? This will be a very worthwhile issue to read.
Themelios — December 2015
The latest issue of the online theological journal Themelios has just been released.
In the editorial, General Editor Professor D A Carson looks at ‘disputable matters’. Where is there room for Christians to disagree? And how should we respond to the argument that same-sex marriage should be adiaphora?
The issue is available from The Gospel Coalition.
Two big issues… One word answer
“I have noticed that articles on Facebook are often headlined: ‘Three reasons why…..’ or ‘Four ways to ….’ or ‘5 key thoughts on ….’.
So I thought I would finish this year in that vein: Two big issues… A one word answer?
Having now been back in parish/pastoral work for four years, I find that there are two issues that often crop up and they are each answered by one truth. …
The first is the issue as to whether Jesus’ life and work is enough to make us right with God, or, that His work needs to be supplemented by our good works. …
The second issue, in my opinion, even more common in evangelical circles than the above, is the expectation that God still has more to say than He has said in the Bible.”
– Read the full post by Presbyterian Moderator General David Cook.
Principles for how Christians should relate to those of other faiths
“Since September 11, 2001 the question how Christians and Muslims relate to each other has been more urgent. This question is part of the larger issue of how Christians are called to live in a pluralistic world…”
– John Piper penned these twenty principles back in 2002, and they have been highlighted today by Justin Taylor at his blog. Worth spending the time to work through.
Limited prayer limits evangelism
“Many people own Nelson Mandela’s book Long Walk to Freedom but have not actually read it. Many Christians love the idea of prayer, but struggle to actually implement it.…”
– At GoThereFor, Stephen Liggins encourages you to pray – for evangelism!
Preaching the Book of Judges
In the latest Preaching Matters from St. Helen’s Bishopsgate in London, Charlie Skrine speaks about preaching from Judges.
The first decision, he says, is to discern if the main characters are heroes, or are they villains? How do you apply the book?
Watch the 11 minute video here. Very helpful – particularly if you are planning a sermon series on the book.
Is God a She?
“As Christians, we cede power to God. We give up the claim to run our own life, and submit to him as our Lord. That is our basic relationship to him: we are creatures and disciples. …
I found it noteworthy that Mrs Treweek … asserts her right to be addressed as she wants to be addressed, so that Her Majesty the Queen herself has to comply in her writs. … Should we not extend the same courtesy to God as Bishop Rachel insists upon for herself?”
– Church Society’s Dr Lee Gatiss responds to statements by Bishop Rachel Treweek, that Christians should use male and female pronouns when referring to God.
(Photo: Diocese of Gloucester.)
More Packer
Crossway has released more short videos filmed as part of their forthcoming documentary entitled, J. I. Packer: In His Own Words.
“We’re also giving away a free e-book by J. I. Packer to everyone who signs up to receive the videos via email at JIPacker.com.”
Released so far:
What is Repentance?
What is Faith?
What is the Church?
What is Doctrine?
What is Christian Unity?
Who is the Holy Spirit?
The full video will be released on Tuesday, November 3rd.
When Billy Graham (almost) gave up on the Bible
“…what do we do when we experience doubts that might cause us to give up on Christ, or even to radically alter our views about the Christian faith? …
Having recently read his autobiography, I found it very interesting to learn how Billy Graham faced a crisis of this kind…”
– A most encouraging piece from Moore College’s Dr. Peter Orr. Read it all.
(Photo: Archbishop Marcus Loane and Billy Graham at the 1979 Crusade. Courtesy Ramon Williams / Worldwide Photos.)
Australian Church Record October 2015
The latest issue of The Australian Church Record is now out. Just in time for Sydney Synod.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…