Roman Catholicism as a “Temptation” for Evangelical Theology
Posted on January 3, 2022
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“The Presidential Address at the Evangelical Theological Society is a helpful barometer to measure where the wind blows in North American evangelical theology. This year (on November 16), President Al Mohler dedicated his address at the 73rd annual convention in Fort Worth, Texas, to the four temptations for contemporary evangelical theology.
In Mohler’s view, present-day evangelical theology faces these temptations: Fundamentalism, Atheism, Roman Catholicism, and Liberalism.
These words are not to be taken lightly; the trajectory of evangelical theology has not always been peaceful. What is interesting is to understand the main dangers surrounding it.
Let me briefly comment on three temptations and then focus on Roman Catholicism…”
– At Vatican Files, Leonardo De Chirico is thankful for Albert Mohler’s clarity.
(Link via Tim Challies.)
Related:
Article XIX of The Thirty Nine Articles.
‘Same-sex couple have marriage blessed in Albury Anglican church after two-year battle’
Posted on January 3, 2022
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“It’s just before nine o’clock on Sunday morning and the bells are ringing out loudly at St Matthew’s church in Albury.
It’s already 25 degrees Celsius and the sun is beating hot and bright onto a small knot of people milling around outside. Among them are two men with matching cream linen jackets and nervous smiles. …
The two men have driven 10 hours from their hometown in the north of New South Wales after their own parish would not recognise their relationship. …
Albury priest Peter MacLeod-Miller, a long-time advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, tells Sunday’s congregation that ‘we are celebrating a better, kinder world, and also a real change’.
He reads a letter from Bishop Clarence Bester, head of the Wangaratta diocese of which St Matthew’s is a part and which adopted a resolution to offer blessings for same-sex marriages in August 2019.”
– Report from the ABC. Base map: Anglican Church of Australia.
Earlier:
Sydney Diocese Response to actions in the Diocese of Wangaratta – December 10 2020.
“It would be naïve to think that mutually contradictory views on same-sex marriage can co-exist within our national Church. Pronouncing God’s blessing on a same-sex marriage is contrary to the teaching of Christ. It is therefore untenable to have some members of the Church purporting to declare God’s blessing in such circumstances. To pursue this course will not bring healing but will only lead to a collapse in the fellowship that binds us together.”
More good news from the Diocese of Bathurst
Posted on January 2, 2022
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Good news for Parkes and Peak Hill – from the Diocese of Bathurst Facebook page:
“With great thankfulness to God, we share the news that Ben Mackay, following his ordination on 12th February, will be appointed Deacon-in-Charge of the parish of Parkes and Peak Hill. We are also thankful that the Rev’d Natalie Quince will continue to serve in the parish as Assistant Priest. (Ben pictured here with is wife Bron, and three children, Ella, James and Elijah.)”
– Please continue to pray that the Lord will raise up men and women to share the good news of Jesus in the cities and towns of the Diocese of Bathurst, and pray for Bishop Mark Calder in this key work.
Sunday Morning Encouragement
Posted on January 2, 2022
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With thanks to Rob Smith and St. Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney.
Amazing Grace — a hymn for the New Year
Posted on December 31, 2021
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John Newton wrote his most famous hymn, Amazing Grace, 249 years ago.
Learn more at The John Newton Project.
“The words of Amazing Grace were etched on Newton’s heart daily.
But we assume that he first wrote this hymn for his New Year’s Morning sermon of 1 January 1773, for it fits his sermon notes so closely and the text he chose to write above it in the Olney Hymns, 1 Chronicles 17:16,17, is identical to the sermon’s text.”
You can also hear some of the earliest tunes used to sing the hymn.
Greg Sheridan on the 160 pages that may change your life
Posted on December 31, 2021
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At The Wee Flea, David Robertson has posted the full text (with permission) of Greg Sheridan’s a wonderful Christmas article in The Australian entitled 160 pages that may Change Your Life (subscribers’ link).
New Year’s Resolution: focus on the now
Posted on December 31, 2021
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“I was recently reflecting on the initial results released after the 2021 Australian Community Survey regarding what Christians think and know about Jesus and church. Already these things should cause us to come to God in prayer.
On the one hand, there are so many signs that the spiritual health of Australian mainstream society is poor.
On the other hand, one can’t help but notice the opportunities to share about Jesus, and the benefits of being part of a Christian community who love and care for each other.
This then also got me thinking about the fascination that we have (me included) with New Year’s resolutions. …”
– Ben George writes at The Australian Church Record.
The impact and ministry of the Archbishops wives
Posted on December 29, 2021
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“The Archbishop’s wife is a key person in our Diocese, providing her own leadership and gifts in the service of the Lord Jesus, church members, her family and her husband.
In Sydney we have been blessed by a succession of godly and able women, whose contribution has been sometimes underappreciated but always invaluable.”
– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Simon Manchester asks Pam Goodhew, Christine Jensen, Di Davies and Cailey Raffel about their roles and experiences in working alongside their Archbishop husbands.
Preserving preaching Christ – with Michael Stead
Posted on December 28, 2021
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From The Pastor’s Heart:
“The whole concept of a tolerant society is being spun around.
Sydney Anglican Bishop Michael Stead says there are moves afoot to block Christians from being able to say that ‘Christ is the only way to heaven.’
It’s also being claimed by Equality Australia that to say ‘marriage is between a man and woman’ is an offensive statement.
Bishop Stead says he wants to protect moderately expressed statements of religious belief. …”
– This is a very big issue. Watch or listen here.
Priscilla & Aquila Conference 2022 — The one another commands
Posted on December 27, 2021
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Peter Orr is the keynote speaker at the 2022 P&A Conference at Moore College on 31 January. (Also via livestream.)
Recently, The Australian Church Record asked P&A Director Jane Tooher what to expect. There’s a lot planned, including ten afternoon electives.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson after the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope
Posted on December 26, 2021
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Last night (Christmas morning in the US), after years of delays, the James Webb Space Telescope was launched for NASA from South America by the European Space Agency. It’s an incredibly complex and sensitive observatory with the potential to make astounding discoveries.
NASA administrator Bill Nelson spoke shortly after the launch, using words you may find familiar. (Starting at 2:04 into the video.)
Christmas morning encouragement
Posted on December 25, 2021
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With thanks to Emu Music.
Christmas Eve Encouragement
Posted on December 24, 2021
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O Come, All You Unfaithful – from Sovereign Grace Music.
The easiest conspiracy theory to debunk this Christmas
Posted on December 23, 2021
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“Are you feeling a bit apprehensive about your conversations with family and friends this Christmas?
The restrictions and lockdowns of the last few years have helped to keep us safe physically, but they’ve also played a role in dividing us socially. The combination of physical isolation, fears for safety, and the overwhelming stream of digital information at our fingertips have opened us up to all sorts of problems…”
– Dreading talking about COVID or US politics over Christmas lunch?
Lionel and Bronwyn Windsor have a suggestion for you. At The Australian Church Record.
Masks, density limits reintroduced in NSW
Posted on December 23, 2021
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“Wearing a mask while indoors will become mandatory in NSW from midnight tonight as the state government reintroduces restrictions to curb the Omicron wave.
Premier Dominic Perrottet has announced density limits of one person per 2 square metres for hospitality venues would also be reinstated from December 27, while QR code measures will be ‘back in a limited way’. …”
Updated Rules for people in NSW.
And from SydneyAnglicans.net’s “COVID-19 Church Worker Frequently Asked Questions”:
“What process do we follow if we have a COVID-positive case at church?”
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…