Christmas isn’t Pagan
Posted on December 18, 2024
Filed under History, Resources Comments Off on Christmas isn’t Pagan
“Growing up I was taught that the date of Christmas, December 25th, was a borrowed pagan festival. I couldn’t tell you exactly when or where, but I remember being told (more than a few times) that there were a myriad of ancient pagan festivals like Sol Invictus, Saturnalia, Brumalia, and European feasts like Yule, that also took place on the 25th of December.
‘The Christians,’ the narrative went, ‘moved the celebration of Christ’s birth to the place of these other pagan festivities in order to make it easier for converts and/or to encourage pagans to convert.’
In many ways this story made sense. …”
– Published two years ago at Gospel Coalition Canada, Wes Huff sheds some light on the alleged origins of Christmas.
Parents, Talk to your Teens about Pornography
Posted on December 18, 2024
Filed under Culture wars, Resources Comments Off on Parents, Talk to your Teens about Pornography
In his The Briefing broadcast for Tuesday 17th December 2024, Dr Albert Mohler looks at why pornography is immoral and what opposition to restrictions on porn reveals.
He underlines the importance of Christian families.
William Taylor: What to do when the denomination around you is imploding?
Posted on December 17, 2024
Filed under Church of England Comments Off on William Taylor: What to do when the denomination around you is imploding?
From The Pastor’s Heart:
“It is difficult times in the Church of England.
Having previously publicly betrayed his ordination and consecration vows – the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby – has now resigned over his handling of a safeguarding matter, following the release of the Makin report.
The Church of England is tearing itself apart over sexuality.
There are more apostate bishops than faithful bishops in the English House of Bishops.
And there is now a massive group within the Church of England called The Alliance, representing 42% of the denomination’s attendance, basically pleading to the house of bishops to repent.
William Taylor has served since 1998 as the senior pastor of St Helen’s London. Taylor is paralleling the difficult times faced by Evangelicals today to those faced by the Apostle Paul at the time of writing the Pastorals.”
Related:
Southern Cross December 2024 – January 2025
Posted on December 17, 2024
Filed under Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Southern Cross December 2024 – January 2025
The latest issue of Southern Cross magazine is now available from the Diocese of Sydney.
Surfing and serving
Summer prayer diary
Baptism testimonies
Teachers and preachers
Grandparents
Faithfulness
Movies and summer reading
PLUS: news, views, reviews and more.
Disney movies, Moana and the human heart
Posted on December 16, 2024
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on Disney movies, Moana and the human heart
“I’ve always been a fan of Disney movies. As a child growing up in the 90s, I was there for every new release, ready to sing along to songs that would become classics.
I haven’t yet seen the new Moana movie, but I loved the first one. I loved that it was set in Polynesia; I loved the gorgeous animation; I loved that Moana was a strong, independent woman unafraid of big challenges; and I loved that Moana was one of the first Disney princesses whose storyline did not revolve around finding Prince Charming.
But as I watched, I remember thinking that something wasn’t quite right. It took me a while to work it out because the movie was so very entertaining. But eventually I figured out my discomfort …”
– Susan An analyses the problem, at The Australian Church Record.
A Devotional on the Most Glorious of Birthdays by Charles Spurgeon
Posted on December 15, 2024
Filed under Encouragement, Good News, Resources Comments Off on A Devotional on the Most Glorious of Birthdays by Charles Spurgeon
“The angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (Luke 2:10)
The birth of Christ should be the subject of supreme joy. We have the angelic warrant for rejoicing because Christ is born. It is a truth so full of joy that it caused the angel who came to announce it to be filled with gladness. …”
– Crossway has republished this excerpt from an 1976 sermon by Charles Spurgeon, plus some commentary by Leland Ryken.
(It’s to raise awareness of a new book of classic Christmas devotions.)
You can be Certain — Luke 1.26-38
Posted on December 15, 2024
Filed under Australian dioceses, Good News, Resources Comments Off on You can be Certain — Luke 1.26-38
“What do we do with Mary? We don’t pray to her or worship her, or claim she remained a virgin – for the very same reason we believe the virgin birth… because we trust the Bible to tell us what is true and real… and if it’s not here – in the orderly account – we don’t claim it or teach it or embrace it! But we ARE moved by her beautiful submission and surrender… and we endeavour to live with her level of trust: ‘I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to be me fulfilled.’ ”
– Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder continues his Advent series.
Also from the Diocese of Bathurst:
“This morning Bishop Calder announced the appointment of lay stipendiary ministers for an initial period of 6 months to the parish of Nyngan – praise God for the generous sacrifices involved for Philip and Deanne Gerber.”
Why I am not Catholic
Posted on December 14, 2024
Filed under Opinion Comments Off on Why I am not Catholic
“Speaking at the Leonine Forum in D.C. recently, I was asked a friendly but pointed question: ‘Why are you not a Catholic?’ The questioner noted that in my talk I had expressed a love for the early Church Fathers, admiration for Thomas Aquinas, and an approach to ethics that resonated with John Paul II’s theology of the body.
It’s hard to answer such a question in brief compass at the end of a lecture. Many issues are important in my commitment to Reformed Protestantism: authority, salvation, the nature of the ministry, and the significance of sacraments are just a few of the more obvious. And while I am open to the criticism that Protestantism hasn’t given Mary her due, I believe the Catholic Church has given her a significance that is well beyond anything the Bible would countenance. But above all, at the current moment, Catholicism doesn’t appeal to me because of the man at the top: Pope Francis. In my answer, I did try to be respectful of my audience, but I could not help but observe that the present pope seems to be nothing more than a liberal Protestant in a white papal robe. And as a Protestant, I am acutely aware of the damage such people do. …”
– Carl Trueman writes at First Things.
Photo courtesy Grove City College.
Prepare Him Room
Posted on December 14, 2024
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on Prepare Him Room
“We all know that Christmas is a great evangelistic opportunity. Yet with the gun going off to tie up work, attend all kinds of events, plan gatherings, buy gifts, and somehow still function after it all … how could I ever add evangelism into the mix?
Rather than tell you simply to ‘share the gospel’, I want instead to spend a moment together pondering the glory of Christmas. Because before Christmas is a time of proclamation, it is a time to make room in our hearts for adoration. And it’s from a full heart that our mouth will speak. …”
– Callan Pritchard writes with this encouragement at The Australian Church Record.
Gambling in America is Booming
Posted on December 13, 2024
Filed under Opinion Comments Off on Gambling in America is Booming
In his latest The Briefing broadcast (12 December 2024), Dr Albert Mohler looks at the American gambling epidemic.
He reveals the breathtaking statistic that gambling in the USA has grown from $7 Billion in 2018 to $150 Billion projected for 2025.
Bathurst Diocese Advent 2024 Newsletter
Posted on December 12, 2024
Filed under Australian dioceses Comments Off on Bathurst Diocese Advent 2024 Newsletter
The Bathurst Diocese Advent 2024 Newsletter is now available to download for your encouragement and prayers. (PDF file.)
Antisemitic attacks — Statement from the Archbishop of Sydney
Posted on December 11, 2024
Filed under Australia, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Antisemitic attacks — Statement from the Archbishop of Sydney
Here is a Media release from the Diocese of Sydney:
Anglican Diocese of Sydney
Statement from the Archbishop of Sydney
Antisemitic attacks
The latest attack on the Jewish community in Sydney is egregious, cowardly and despicable.
All people of good will, faith or none, will condemn this outrage. It follows the terrorist attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne, and more than a year of increasing hostility and intimidation of the Australian Jewish community in multiple, grotesque ways.
This is totally unacceptable.
The Jewish community in Sydney is resilient and peace-loving, contributing to the welfare and harmony of our city in myriad ways. Jewish people arrived in Sydney with the First Fleet. Sydney is the home we all share.
I urge all political, community and religious leaders to unite and I offer the support of Sydney Anglicans as together we stand against hate.
Archbishop Kanishka Raffel
11 December 2024.
Source: SydneyAnglicans.net.
Interview with Richard Chin
Posted on December 11, 2024
Filed under Moore College, People Comments Off on Interview with Richard Chin
Moore College has published this video interview by Archie Poulos with Richard Chin.
Most encouraging and challenging. Runs for 19 minutes.
Related:
The Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students.
Tragic murky mess of gambling ruining people’s lives
Posted on December 11, 2024
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Tragic murky mess of gambling ruining people’s lives
From The Pastor’s Heart:
“Church Leaders have welcomed the report of the trial of cashless gambling which recommends that ‘account based gambling’ be introduced in New South Wales by 2028.
There are bigger problems with gambling in Sydney and New South Wales than pretty much anywhere in the world (outside Las Vegas).
But the Clubs and Hotels industry is running a narrative attempting to discredit the trial, calling it a three million dollar waste of money.
Senior Minister of Sydney’s Wesley Mission Stu Cameron was the church representative on the inquiry panel and says while the outcome is welcome, it’s now up to the government, ‘the devil will be in the details’ and we need to keep the pressure on.”
Barnabas Fund: Helping the Persecuted Church
Posted on December 10, 2024
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Barnabas Fund: Helping the Persecuted Church
From the Profiles in Christian Living Podcast (produced by AP, the national Presbyterian online journal:
“In this episode AP talks with Ashley Saunders from Barnabas Fund who helps churches around the world who are being persecuted.
This interview is well worth your time, not only if you’d like to know how and where the money is being spent but if you’d like to bless believers who are undergoing suffering.”
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…