Creator, King and Country — The importance of the first five words
Posted on February 26, 2025
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From Phillip Jensen:
Citizenship is a wonderful thing. To be part of something larger than yourself gives meaning purpose and identity. Peter and I grew up in the British Empire having been born before the granting of Australian citizenship. It was for the Empire that our parents and grandparents generation went to the world wars. Today that is almost unimaginable, for now people find their identity in being Australians.
However, when we read Genesis 1 we are confronted with a ruler who is over and above every empire and nation because he is the Creator of all things. In this episode of Two Ways News we look at the meaning and implications of the opening words of Genesis 1.
– Listen here.
J. D. Vance on Scotland – Some Lessons for Australia
Posted on February 26, 2025
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“The US vice-president, JD Vance, recently caused quite a stir in the circles of the European and UK elites. His explosive speech in Munich may well turn out to be one of the most significant political speeches for decades. He has been accused of everything from being a fascist to a Trump stooge, but his speech deserves much more careful consideration, other than name calling and partisan abuse.
I want to fact check one claim he made in the speech concerning my native country, Scotland. This is also relevant to Australia because the same tactics used in Scotland are being used here – to undermine the pro-life stance and portray those who are opposed to abortion as extremists. …”
– At AP, the Presbyterian journal, ‘Scot-in-exile’ David Robertson fact checks the fact checkers.
Rob Smith: The body and the gendered self
Posted on February 25, 2025
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From The Pastor’s Heart:
“As pastors we’re expressing leadership in our churches on gender and sexuality. We want to help our people think biblically – and yet with the culture moving so fast – it is an area that we feel ill equipped.
On today’s Pastor’s Heart we benefit from the hard work of Sydney Missionary and Bible College Theology and Ethics lecturer Rob Smith who has just published a reworked version of his PhD under the title ‘The body God gives’.
As transgender visibility reaches new heights, we explore its historical and philosophical roots, noting the pivotal cultural shifts since the ‘Transgender Tipping Point’ in 2013.
We outline the biblical stance on the sex and gender binary while engaging with contemporary philosophical debates.
We dissect the relationship between second-wave feminism and the transgender movement.
Our discussion ventures into the diverse theories surrounding sex and gender, distinguishing between non-trans, soft trans, hard trans, and queer perspectives.”
“Rob has done us a great service with this book.” – Dominic Steele.
Church of England General Synod summary — Church Society Podcast
Posted on February 24, 2025
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Confused about what happened at the Church of England’s General Synod meeting this month?
From Church Society: “In this double-length episode of the podcast, Michael Hayden and Ros Clarke discuss the February 2025 meeting of General Synod, what happened, what didn’t, and the differences watching online and in person.”
– Listen here.
Mainstream media pays little attention to reports of massacre in eastern DR Congo
Posted on February 24, 2025
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“On 12 February 2025, Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militants entered the village of Mayba in Lubero Territory, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo and abducted at least 70 Christian civilians.
The captives were subsequently taken to a Protestant church in Kasanga, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, where they were executed by beheading via machetes. Their bodies were discovered on February 14. …”
– This Wikipedia article includes references to a number of reports of a massacre in a church in eastern DR Congo.
Update (25 February) – SydneyAnglicans.net has this story:
Christians massacred in Congo chaos.
“Hate speech” and religious freedom: Recent developments in Australia
Posted on February 24, 2025
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“Recently there have been a number of legislative moves or proposals attempting to deal with issues around the area of ‘hate speech’. The term of course is problematic – we will try to unpack it shortly.
But the context, in Australia at least, is the shocking rise in the number of anti-semitic slogans and actual violence being seen in the last few months. Insults have been daubed on buildings and cars, fires lit at buildings associated with the Jewish community. And more recently…”
– At Law and Religion Australia, Neil Foster looks at what is happening in terms of Federal, NSW and Victorian legislation.
Bathurst Diocese – updated list of Ministry Opportunities
Posted on February 24, 2025
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The Diocese of Bathurst has updated its profiles of Parishes without Rectors.
See the profiles to inform your prayers – and there’s a link to use if you are interested in serving in Bathurst Diocese.
Preaching Workshop 3-5 June 2025 — Expository Preaching Trust
Posted on February 23, 2025
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At The Expository Preaching Trust, David Cook shares details of the Preaching Workshop coming up on 3-5 June at Drummoyne.
A valuable resource for preachers.
27 Ordained and Director of Indigenous Ministry Commissioned in Sydney
Posted on February 23, 2025
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Russell Powell writes at SydneyAnglicans.net –
“With more than 1000 people in the congregation and 27 servant-hearted men and women, St Andrew’s Cathedral echoed with the sound of singing, fulfilling Charles Wesley’s hope for ‘O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise’.
Newly ordained, the deacons then made their way through the crowds for a group photo on the steps of the cathedral and then celebrated with family and church members from across Sydney, Wollongong and beyond. …”
Scotland: Pensioner Arrested for Silent Abortion Protest
Posted on February 22, 2025
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“A 74-year-old woman has become the first person to be charged under Scotland’s new abortion buffer zones law.
The quiet, unthreatening pensioner was handcuffed and detained under new rules that came into force late last year, setting a 200-metre zone around abortion clinics in which ‘protests’ – including silent prayer– are not allowed.…”
– Report from The European Conservati . (Link via Anglican Mainstream.)
The reality of ministry – 2 Corinthians 4
Posted on February 21, 2025
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Archie Poulos preached at Moore College’s chapel this morning.
From 2 Corinthians chapter 4, he spoke about The Reality of Ministry.
Pray for your enemies
Posted on February 21, 2025
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“Friends in Christ, here are some words I would like you to consider learning off by heart:
‘But to you who are listening I say: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who ill-treat you.’ [Luke 6:27-28]
These are the words of the Lord Jesus. He spoke them particularly to his disciples, but also in the hearing of the large crowds who were following him.
And these are words for our times, our very divided and uncertain times …”
– Dean of St. Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney Sandy Grant was writing in last week’s Cathedral Newsletter.
ESV Bible Translation Update
Posted on February 21, 2025
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From Crossway, publishers of the English Standard Version of the Bible:
“The ESV Translation Oversight Committee (TOC) is a standing committee of the Crossway Board of Directors. The purpose of the TOC is to carry forward the publication of the English Standard Version Bible translation and to preserve the ongoing accuracy and fidelity of the ESV Bible for this generation and generations to come.
The Stability and Future of the ESV
With this purpose in mind, we are committed to maintaining a faithful, stable, and standard ESV Bible text that will meet the reading, memorizing, preaching, and liturgical needs of Christians worldwide. It should be noted that Crossway does not plan to introduce frequent text updates, and it has been nearly ten years since the last update in 2016. …
In light of this commitment, the TOC met over the summer of 2024 to consider a limited number of changes to the ESV text. Briefly summarized, the committee made text changes to 36 Scripture passages involving 42 verses, resulting in a total of 68 word changes.”
Pray for Congo as atrocities echo those of the Rwandan genocide
Posted on February 20, 2025
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“Horrific reports are emerging from the Democratic Republic of Congo as the nation is being torn apart by fighting which has echoes of the Rwandan genocide in the 1990s…
In the isolated city of Goma, rebels have conducted a campaign of looting, rape and indiscriminate killing.
The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid has launched an emergency appeal to provide food, clothing, and medicine to those in extreme need. …”
– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Russell Powell shares something of what is happening in Congo, and what you can do to help those suffering (including by praying).
Related:
Back in 1997, ACL News spoke with Bishop Peter Dawson, then recently returned from DR Congo (then Zaire). He called for prayer for the churches of Congo. It would be good to pray such prayers now. (See the prayer included in today’s Sydney Anglicans report.)
A first glance at the pastor’s heart – 2 Corinthians 1:1–22
Posted on February 20, 2025
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Moore College Principal Dr Mark Thompson speaks from 2 Corinthians 1:1–22 at the start of the College academic year.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…