Update on the Church of England’s General Synod — July 2023
Posted on July 29, 2023
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Tony Rucinski from the Coalition for Marriage in the UK speaks with the Rev Dr Ian Paul for an update on the July session of the Church of England’s General Synod.
What actually happened with the Bishops’ push for the blessing of same-sex relationships? “We’re in this sort of bizarre no-man’s land.”
Link via Anglican Mainstream.
The book for concerned and confused parents
Posted on July 29, 2023
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“The 1960s had the sexual revolution and the 2020s has brought us the gender revolution. So this is a fitting title for a book with the clear purpose to ‘provide the biblical basis for a contemporary Christian response to the complicated feelings and experiences of gender dysphoria’. …”
– Russell Powell writes about The Gender Revolution at SydneyAnglicans.net.
The Gender Revolution — book review
Posted on July 29, 2023
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“There are times when I receive a new book and find myself saying ‘I don’t think we need a new book on that.’ After all, some topics have been covered so skillfully, repeatedly, and exhaustively that yet another book on the subject could only be overkill.
Yet sometimes I receive a new book and find myself saying, ‘I’m so glad someone has written a book on that!’ There are some topics that may not have been covered sufficiently or that may reflect such new realities that we are still awaiting good analyses.
The Gender Revolution falls squarely in the second category. …”
– Tim Challies draws attention to an important book from an Australian publisher. Most of our readers should be able to find a copy.
Related:
The authors speak with Dominic Steele on The Pastor’s Heart.
Review of J. C. Ryle, ‘Christmas Thoughts’
Posted on July 29, 2023
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“J. C. Ryle was an unusual clergyman in that he could preach and write, and he could write in different styles while all the time being clear and engaging.
Andrew Atherstone has gathered and edited five of Ryle’s Christmas tracts written during the 1850s and 1860s, and published them for our benefit. …”
– Peter Barnes, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, writes a brief review at AP.
From the foreword of the book:
“This little book contains five of Ryle’s most popular Christmas tracts, originally published during the 1850s and 1860s. They have not been issued in this Christmas form since they were first printed more than a century and a half ago.”
Christmas Thoughts is published by Banner of Truth.
New to Ryle? See –
His Sermons Roused a Sleeping Church – John Piper.
Euthanasia in Canada. MAiD in hell?
Posted on July 28, 2023
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“More people are being euthanised in Canada than anywhere else in the world. In the last official report, for 2022, 10,064 people died through what Canadians call ‘medical assistance in dying’ (MAiD). …”
– Michael Cook writes at Mercator. Link via Anglican Mainstream.
Can I share a little secret about speaking at Conferences?
Posted on July 28, 2023
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“for me, all things being equal, the hard part of ministry isn’t giving talks at conferences. The hard part is Everything Else.”
– At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Rory Shiner shares what’s easy – and what isn’t.
Heresy! Why Christians must confront false teaching
Posted on July 27, 2023
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“Jesus warned his disciples that false doctrine and false teachers would arise within the Church. He spoke of thieves, robbers, strangers, hired hands and wolves (see John 10) and of himself as a good shepherd, protecting the flock. So it ought to come as no surprise when the Church becomes something of a battleground, and all kinds of heresies spring up. This has happened throughout history. …”
– Church Society’s Lee Gatiss writes for Premier Christianity.
1 Timothy 2 and the scholarly debate
Posted on July 26, 2023
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From The Pastor’s Heart:
“1 Timothy 2:8-15 might be the most controversial New Testament passage.
There has been an enormous amount of scholarly attention on this section of scripture, especially over the last few decades, and there are practical questions that we can’t ignore in church life.
Lionel Windsor is a New Testament lecturer at Sydney’s Moore Theological College. Lionel teaches the pastoral epistles to third year students. So is abreast of the scholarly debate.
Lionel gave a super helpful seminar a few months ago at the Priscilla and Aquila Conference held by Moore College. We have linked to that seminar and Lionel’s notes here.
What are the elephants in the room – Culturally, Philosophically, in Scholarship.
What are the issues of interpretation? How do we approach the passage?
What issues surround 1 Timothy?
What is the significance of ‘quietness’?, ‘let her learn’?, ‘to teach’?
What is the connection between teaching and authority?”
Penal Substitution Evidences the Godness of God
Posted on July 25, 2023
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“Man of Sorrows is a much-loved hymn that meditates on the wonder of Christ’s death for us. Like so many Christian songs that churches sing with conviction and praise, we are reminded of the intense beauty and grace of God’s sacrifice on behalf of sinners.
What happens though when a pastor decides to tell his congregation that the heart of the gospel is not only not the heart of the gospel, but is objectionable and not believed by him?
A Facebook comment appeared on my feed yesterday that caught my attention …”
– Murray Campbell has done Christians a great service by pointing us back to the cross. (He also points us back to the important book, Pierced for our Transgressions.).
Former Engadine Anglican Church youth leader Karen Darda – a missionary in Japan for 26 years – farewelled after death at 58
Posted on July 25, 2023
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“About 300 people have packed Engadine Anglican Church to farewell Karen Darda, a former congregation member and youth leader, who passed away after a life of service as a Christian missionary, including 26 years in Japan.
A similar number of mourners watched online as there was no more room in the church. …”
Two very differs approaches to ‘Babylon’
Posted on July 25, 2023
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Here are two unrelated stories – but both about Christians responding to ‘Babylon” –each response will generate a range of reactions.
John MacArthur’s “The Essential Church” film documents Grace Church’s stand against satanic tyranny – Not the Bee.
Anglican leader welcomes Pope’s vigil for Christian unity – The Catholic Leader.
30th Anniversary of the terror attack on St James Church, Cape Town
Posted on July 24, 2023
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Anglican Mainstream has posted these excerpts from an interview with the Rev Ross Anderson.
See also:
From ten years ago, this article by David Mansfield, at SydneyAnglicans.net –
“Rev. Ross Anderson, the Associate Rector of St James’ at the time, was leading the service as the attack occurred. He witnessed this indescribable carnage unfolding before him as he stood at the podium. He orchestrated the events that followed the attack to help the panicked congregation exit the building, help the elderly and small children avoid being crushed or trampled, triage immediate support for the casualties and keep exits clear for the arrival of the first response medical teams. Ross testifies to the Lord’s gracious help in enabling him to do this while he was dealing with his own emotions in the crisis.”
Images from the memorial service at St. James’ Kenilworth in 2013.
What’s really going on? – Revelation 1
Posted on July 24, 2023
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Moore College Principal Mark Thompson, preaching in the College chapel on Friday, began a series on the Book of Revelation.
He starts in chapter 1, asking, “What are you afraid of?”. He points out that the Book of Revelation is not a code book, but a revelation given to bring blessing to those who will listen.
– Watch here.
Bathurst Ordinations Saturday 22 July
Posted on July 22, 2023
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Today (Saturday 22 July 2023), Jonny Lush, Tim Smith and James Boardman will be ordained at Bathurst Cathedral. Do pray for them.
The service will be steamed live from 10:50am.
Photo via the Bathurst Diocese Facebook page.
“The Surprising Genius of Jesus” — Peter Williams
Posted on July 21, 2023
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Tyndale House Principal Peter Williams gives three lectures at the Southern Baptist Seminary.
The title for his talks, “The Surprising Genius of Jesus“, is drawn from his forthcoming book.
Fascinating and enlightening. Well worth setting aside the time to watch and listen.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…