Victoria’s Conversion Practices Bill is as bad as they say it is

Posted on January 15, 2021 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars, Resources Comments Off on Victoria’s Conversion Practices Bill is as bad as they say it is

“The Bill creates a powerful set of bureaucratic mechanisms by which religious groups presenting the classic teachings of their faith may be subject to investigation and ‘re-education’ by human rights officers. It arguably makes the presentation of some aspects of Biblical teaching unlawful if the aim of that teaching is to encourage someone to follow that teaching in their own life.

Despite the appearance of addressing horrific and oppressive quasi-psychological procedures inflicted on young people, the Bill goes well beyond this laudable goal, and will make it unlawful to provide assistance in obeying the Bible to those who explicitly and with full understanding request such help. Enactment of this legislation would be a serious mistake. …”

– In an important post, Neil Foster at Law and Religion Australia, takes a careful look at the Victorian legislation.

Plans for Bishop of Armidale’s Consecration and Installation

Posted on January 15, 2021 
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From the Diocese of Armidale:

“Our new Bishop, the Reverend Rod Chiswell, will have his consecration and installation service at St Peter’s Cathedral Armidale on Saturday 27th February 2021 at 10 am, followed by a reception at the Armidale Ex Services Club.

The Metropolitan of NSW, the Most Reverend Dr Glenn Davies, will be presiding.

Unfortunately COVID-19 restrictions mean that numbers at the service and reception will be limited, and so attendance will have to be by invitation only. However there are plans to make a live stream of the service available.”

Photo: Rod and Jenni Chiswell.

Blayney’s new Anglican minister

Posted on January 14, 2021 
Filed under Australian dioceses, People Comments Off on Blayney’s new Anglican minister

“Reverend Wally Cox is the iteration of Bishop Calder’s plans to bring new life and energy into the Bathurst diocese parishes, and Reverend Cox is under no delusions as to the difficulty of the task in front of him as he begins his life as Blayney’s new Anglican minister…”

– Report and photo Mark Logan, The Blayney Chronicle.

You are Not Your Own

Posted on January 14, 2021 
Filed under Culture wars, Resources, Theology Comments Off on You are Not Your Own

“This set of resources has been produced by Church Society to help Christians learn about the Bible’s teaching on sex and marriage, particularly as the Church of England engages with the Living in Love and Faith material on identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.

The seven topics in the series are designed to help Christians understand the Bible’s teaching on sex and marriage within a broader biblical context. …”

– Worth checking out.

Somewhat related: Colin Buchanan sings “You are not your own”.

George Orwell’s ‘1984’ tops Amazon’s Best-Seller List

Posted on January 14, 2021 
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After a tumultuous 2020 and a similar start to 2021, George Orwell’s “1984” is currently number 2 on Amazon’s best seller list.

There may be a sermon illustration or a gospel opening in that news.

Marriage has always been…?

Posted on January 13, 2021 
Filed under History, Theology Comments Off on Marriage has always been…?

“The purpose of this paper is to provide a short account of the development of marriage within the Christian faith.

It is sometimes argued that the presence of incidental changes to the practice of marriage throughout the history of the Christian church legitimises any kind of further change. It will be demonstrated that while aspects of Christian marriage have changed throughout history, the substance of the doctrine of marriage as a union between one man and one woman does not change. The reasons for the persistence of the core doctrine of marriage fundamentally relate to the Church’s continual effort to remain faithful to Holy Scripture…”

– At The Australian Church Record, Mark Earngey publishes what he wrote as part of the Diocese of Sydney submission to the recent Appellate Tribunal.

Lady Jane Grey: A Firm Faith

Posted on January 12, 2021 
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“Post tenebras spero lucem. After darkness, I hope for light. This phrase was reportedly etched with a pin onto a wall within the Tower of London shortly before 12 February 1554. The significance of these words arises, in part, because of their author: Jane Dudley, otherwise known as Lady Jane Grey, the so-called ‘Queen of Nine Days.’ She was England’s first female monarch, and her execution at age seventeen remains one of the most moving and mysterious episodes of English political and religious history.

These words are also significant because they were etched within the broader context of that great movement of God five hundred years ago, which we know as the Reformation. …”

– The Australian Church Record has published this excerpt from Mark Earngey’s short biography of Lady Jane Grey. Copies have been sent to Sydney Anglican Rectors, courtesy of the ACR.

Ministry Tip: Communicating Christ Clearly

Posted on January 11, 2021 
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“I think the most important thing that I have been taught in the whole area of Communicating Christ, was to know what you are aiming for, and be focussed on getting there.”

– In this short and to-the-point video, Dominic Steele encourages preachers to be focussed.

Handling the Bible in Love and Faith

Posted on January 10, 2021 
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“I want people to be convinced that the word of God is good. God is so generous, and his word saves and enriches and fulfils life. God will offer anyone the opportunity to approach him, unashamedly, in Christ. He will teach us all to let go of the old ways of hate, and separation, and disunity. His welcome is universal and unconditional. …”

– At Church Society, Kirsty Birkett continues her reflections on the approach to Scripture of the Church of England’s Living in Love and Faith.

See also Lee Gatiss’ preview (last October) of Living in Love and Faith:

“The problem here is that we are never allowed to come to a settled mind on this, and it is repeatedly said that clergy are free to preach and teach the opposite of what the church has always believed.”

David Peterson’s Commentary on Romans republished

Posted on January 9, 2021 
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David Peterson shares,

“My commentary on Romans, which was published in 2017 by Holman in Nashville, has been republished by Lexham Press in Bellingham. They have picked up the whole series and renamed it Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary.

Everything remains the same, except that they have used a different type-face for headings in the text. It is really pleasing to have this series up and running again, because it is well conceived and its future was uncertain for some months.”

Launch 2021, 1st – 3rd February 2021

Posted on January 8, 2021 
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An event for school-leavers keen to live for Jesus!

Speakers: Phillip Jensen and Richard Chin.

For details, go to phillipjensen.com/launch.

Moore College Library Day 2021 – H.W.K. and Dorothy Mowll

Posted on January 8, 2021 
Filed under History, People, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Moore College Library Day 2021 – H.W.K. and Dorothy Mowll

From Moore College:

“H.W.K. Mowll (Archbishop of Sydney) and his wife Dorothy are two of the most significant figures in 20th century Australian church history, and had a lasting and godly influence on Moore College, the Diocese of Sydney and beyond.

Our Library Day for 2021 features Moore College faculty and guest speakers who will explore important aspects of the Mowlls’ life and ministry, onsite and via livestream.”

– Details from the College.

GAFCON Lawyers Task Force

Posted on January 7, 2021 
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“The Gafcon Lawyers Network provides legal and canonical counsel and resources to the Primates, bishops, clergy and other leaders of Gafcon as we seek to live out the Jerusalem Declaration and its implications for our life and ministry together under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the supremacy of the Holy Scriptures. …”

– GOFCON highlights the Gafcon Lawyers Network, of which the ACL’s Chairman, Dr. Robert Tong, is Assistant Leader.

Gafcon Australasia 2021 – More Than a Giant Selfie

Posted on January 5, 2021 
Filed under Australia, GAFCON Comments Off on Gafcon Australasia 2021 – More Than a Giant Selfie

“As we prepare next July to bring together faithful Anglicans from Australia, New Zealand and our neighbouring Pacific Islands, we are planning a week-long conference that aims to help us enjoy and celebrate our common faith, so that we might be equipped and energised to faithfully proclaim Christ in our region. …”

– At The Australian Church Record, Jodie McNeill, Deputy Chair of the Gafcon Australasia 2021 Organising Committee, writes about what’s planned for the Conference.

Photo: GAFCON Media.

Albert Mohler on the Georgia elections

Posted on January 4, 2021 
Filed under Culture wars, Opinion Comments Off on Albert Mohler on the Georgia elections

In the first of his Briefings for 2021, Albert Mohler explains why the Georgia Senate Runoff Elections on Tuesday are key to what happens in the U.S. Government.

What happens in the US has a major influence world wide, and so should be a matter for prayer (1 Timothy 2:1-4.).

Listen here.

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