FIEC Standing with Friends in the Church of England

Posted on July 7, 2023 
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In the latest FIEC podcast from the UK, Adrian Reynolds speaks with Lee Gatiss.

“What is ‘Living in Love and Faith’? How can we support our Anglican friends through the process?”

And what is the first thing Christians should be doing in the face of false teaching?

– Watch here.

Is taking over Calvary Hospital a religious freedom breach?

Posted on July 5, 2023 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars, Opinion Comments Off on Is taking over Calvary Hospital a religious freedom breach?

“There has been a lot of controversy around the recent decision of the ACT government to compulsorily acquire Canberra’s Calvary Hospital.

One question that is worth asking is this: could this move be an unlawful breach of religious freedom rights? In this post I want to consider the possibilities. …”

– At Law and Religion Australia, Associate Professor Neil Foster suggests some avenues which could be explored.

Image: Diocese of Sydney.

The Gender Revolution – with Patricia & Kamal Weerakoon and Rob Smith

Posted on July 5, 2023 
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From The Pastor’s Heart:

“What is meant by each of the terms biological sex, gendered behaviours or expressions, sexual orientation and gendered identity? How do the various terms relate?

We talk to former director of Sydney University’s  Graduate Program in Sexual Heath, Dr Patricia Weerakoon, Rob Smith, who is head of doctrine at Sydney Missionary and Bible College and Rev Kamal Weerakoon, who has done masters studies in this area.

Rob, Patricia and Kamal  are encouraging us to treat with love and compassion those with gender dysphoria or gender incongruence. …”

– Watch or listen here.

Rebranding of Calvary Hospital Bruce to North Canberra Hospital

Posted on July 4, 2023 
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“Canberra Catholics and staff of Calvary Public Hospital grieved as the compulsory acquisition of Calvary by the ACT Government took effect on 3 July.

The ACT Government took over the Catholic-run hospital from midnight, ending a five-week battle to save it from the takeover — including a failed Supreme Court challenge.

Now named North Canberra Hospital, all of the crucifixes and other religious symbols were removed and staff given unbranded uniforms to wear. …”

– Report from The Daily Declaration. Photo: Australian Christian Lobby.

Christian graphic designer not required to produce websites for same sex weddings

Posted on July 4, 2023 
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“In a much anticipated decision, the US Supreme Court (by 6-3) in  303 CREATIVE LLC v. ELENIS 600 U. S. _ (2023) (30 June 2023) has ruled that a Christian graphic designer cannot be required by Colorado law to produce websites supporting and celebrating same-sex weddings, contrary to her religious beliefs.

The ruling was based on the US First Amendment protection of free speech, and sets out a principle that the government cannot compel citizens to say what they object to saying, in an “expressive” business like web design, even if that business provides services to the public. It seems clearly correct, and will be helpful in protecting free speech on a range of issues, but in particular will support religious freedom.

But, contrary to some comment, it is not a “license to discriminate”. The decision does not allow refusal of ordinary commercial services to same-sex attracted people. It only relates to the sort of artistic and expressive work engaged in by the designer. …”

– At Law and Religion Australia, Neil Foster reports on an important US decision.

Canadian Anglicans Approve Liturgies for Gender Transition

Posted on July 4, 2023 
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“Those delegates in favor said such liturgies would evangelize and bring people into the church for the first time, or bring them back. Bishop Stephen London of Edmonton said the liturgies were ‘well-written,’ ‘scriptural,’ and ‘theological.’ He added: ‘We can’t evangelize if people don’t trust us.’…”

– Report from The Living Church on the Canadian General Synod.

Photo: Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, Archbishop Linda Nicholls, opens the General Synod in Calgary, 28 June 2023.

An open letter from Calvary

Posted on July 3, 2023 
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This open letter form Calvary Health Care was posted on Friday, in anticipation of today’s ‘hostile takeover’ of Calvary Public Hospital, Bruce, by the ACT Government –

“This Sunday marks the end of an era for Calvary. We have been a trusted healthcare provider for public patients in the ACT for 44 years, providing care from birth to end of life, and everything in between.

Since Calvary Public Hospital Bruce opened its doors in 1979, we have been there for significant moments in the lives of many patients and their loved ones. …”

– Read it all here.

Related:

Canavan and Pocock call for Inquiry into the Calvary Hospital Takeover – Australian Christian Lobby.

King’s Birthday Conference 2023 Talks now available

Posted on July 3, 2023 
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The first King’s Birthday Conference from Two Ways Ministries was held at Moore College on 12th June.

Peter Jensen spoke on True Government and  Philip Jensen spoke on Long Live the King?

– Watch or listen to the whole conference via this link.

The Peace-Maker

Posted on July 3, 2023 
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“Alienation is a word often used to describe our human plight. Everywhere relationships are broken – between or within nations, in the workplace, between friends and within families. The phrase ‘the power of love’ or ‘love is everything’ is said to be the cure-all for brokenness and division. But what do these expressions really mean? What does real love look like?

Throughout the Bible, especially as it relates to God and his relationship with us, we find a radically different way that love is understood.…”

– At the Anglican Connection, John Mason doesn’t want us to forget the wonder of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Ban Sports Bet Ads ASAP — Dean of Sydney

Posted on July 2, 2023 
Filed under Opinion, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Ban Sports Bet Ads ASAP — Dean of Sydney

“Long-time campaigner for poker machine reform, the Dean of Sydney, Sandy Grant, has welcomed a unanimous report from federal Parliament, “You Win Some, You Lose More”.

From St Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney, Dean Grant said …”

– Read last week’s full Media Release at the Cathedral website.

Christian charity holds protest outside Barclays Bank HQ over ‘ex-LGBT discrimination’

Posted on July 1, 2023 
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“A Christian charity is holding a peaceful demonstration outside the London headquarters of Barclays Bank after it agreed to pay £20,000 in compensation for closing its account.

The protest on Thursday has been organised by The Core Issues Trust and The International Federation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice (IFTCC), a Christian ministry that offers counselling to people struggling with their sexuality or gender identity.

The charity’s account with Barclays was closed in 2020 without any reason given by the bank, which was the main headline sponsor of the London Pride event that year…”

– Report at Christian Today.

Related:

It’s not only Christian organisations which have had their accounts closed by various banks. Former Brexit leader and now GB News presenter Nigel Farange has had all his accounts closed by his (as yet unnamed) bank, and others are reporting similar treatment. Sky News report (video).

God’s goodness in 1 Timothy

Posted on June 30, 2023 
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“Paul’s first letter to Timothy is full of goodness. Terms for ‘good’ appear 25 times in the letter.

That should lead us to expect that 1 Timothy would bring us delight, joy, peace, and satisfaction in God’s goodness. But when we come to read or teach this letter, there’s often a measure of anxious apprehension. That’s because to our modern ears, some of the things Paul writes in 1 Timothy, especially about human relationships, sound naïve, harsh, or just plain bad.

In this short article, I want to help us to grasp the fundamental goodness of 1 Timothy. I want to help us to better know and share that delight, joy, peace, and satisfaction in God’s word and his world that resounds throughout the letter. Seeing this goodness in 1 Timothy can be chal­lenging, as we grapple with our own and our modern world’s assumptions about what is truly good. But I’m convinced it’s worth the challenge. …”

– Here’s some great encouragement to read 1 Timothy – from Lionel Windsor at The Australian Church Record.

Moore College’s New Curriculum

Posted on June 30, 2023 
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“Moore College launched its new curriculum at the start of the 2023 Academic Year. Moore College Principal Dr Mark Thompson unpacks the key features of the new curriculum in this new video.”

– Watch here.

Walking Together?

Posted on June 30, 2023 
Filed under Church of England, Theology Comments Off on Walking Together?

“There has been much talk in the church of ‘walking together’ despite differences.

Obviously on some issues and in some ways that is good. We don’t want a new church every time we disagree about the colour of the carpet. Churches can endlessly fracture over secondary matters, as the proliferation of denominations and congregations shows. But we must ask: walking together despite what differences? Walking in what direction? In what manner? What is the basis, purpose and mode of our unity, of our walking together? …”

– Marc Lloyd looks at what the Bible says about ‘walking together’ – at Church Society’s website. (Emphasis added.)

A possibly related photo: The Bishop of London speaks at the General Synod of the Church of England in February 2023.

Three lies of Pride Month

Posted on June 29, 2023 
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“From a Biblical perspective, there are remarkable parallels between Pride Month and idol worship under King Nebuchadnezzar II. Just as the Babylonians were mandated to worship the golden image, LGBT activists demand that we pledge allegiance to the rainbow flag. While the stakes aren’t as high as they were under Nebuchadnezzar, there are real risks involved in refusing to bow the knee.

If my suspicion is correct, most Australians are not particularly concerned about Pride Month. In fact, many are beginning to feel uncomfortable with how politicised and intolerant the LGBT movement has become. In response, many people have flocked to culture warriors like Jordan Peterson for answers.

While figures like Peterson are insightful and worth listening to, their answers are ultimately psychological rather than spiritual. They don’t acknowledge that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only truth that sets people free. It is only the grace of God in the person and work of Jesus that gives answers and hope to a world lost in sexual confusion.

What follows are three of the lies paraded during Pride Month, along with the gospel answers Jesus provides. …”

– A very helpful article by James Jeffery in AP, the National Journal of the Presbyterian Church of Australia.

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