Taking our biblical rest — Encouragement from Archbishop Glenn Davies
Posted on February 11, 2019
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“The rhythm of work and rest is a biblical rhythm, founded in creation and expressed in the fourth commandment. The seven-day pattern of six days of work and one day of rest continues into the new covenant, because the end of the age when we enter God’s Sabbath Rest has not yet arrived. …”
– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Archbishop Glenn Davies encourages a biblical view of rest.
Franklin Graham touring Australia
Posted on February 10, 2019
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“On the 60th anniversary of Billy Graham’s historic 1959 visit, his son Franklin has started his tour to six Australian cities, including two events in Sydney.
The 1959 Billy Graham evangelistic tour changed the landscape of Christianity in Australia, with tens of thousands of people converted – including those who would later become significant leaders, such as Peter and Phillip Jensen. …”
– Russell Powell reports at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Infanticide becomes Justifiable
Posted on February 10, 2019
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“Infanticide was once ‘unthinkable.’ But over the last few decades, some of the world’s foremost bioethicists have considered baby killing worthy of respectable debate.
Princeton University’s Peter Singer is the most famous such advocate. A crass utilitarian, he argues that ‘being human’ doesn’t have any moral import. …
How is it that infanticide has become justifiable when it was unthinkable in the years following World War II (German doctors were hanged at Nuremberg for killing disabled babies)?”
– Wesley J. Smith writes at First Things.
See also: “The Unthinkable Sin” – by Joseph Randall, at Reformation21.…
And related posts.
With thanksgiving for Michael Green (1930-2019)
Posted on February 9, 2019
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“‘Share the good news of Jesus at every turn’, thrummed in the heart of every student touched by Michael Green, who died yesterday at the age of 88. Michael was a theologian, Anglican priest, Christian apologist and author of over 50 books.
Although initially a reluctant writer, the volume of Michael’s written works was evidence of indefatigable evangelistic energy that was present right until the day before he went to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for multiple surgeries. Typically for Michael, when not being operated on, he spent the time witnessing to the hospital staff and dispensing a selection of his books, which were never far from hand when a soul needed shepherding to the Lord. …”
– This tribute to Dr. Michael Green was published by Premier Christianity in the UK.
Photo via J. John.
See also this 2010 interview with Premier Radio.
Key Anglican reading this weekend
Posted on February 9, 2019
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Here are two articles worth reading this weekend:
Two weeks ago, Dr. Stephen Noll published “TAKING SWEET COUNSEL TOGETHER”: Lambeth Edition.
“On 28 December 2018 [the Feast of the Holy Innocents], the Anglican Diocese of Toronto announced, with attached photo (Bishop Robertson [left], Bishop Susan Bell [center] and Mr. Sharma [right]):
‘The Diocese of Toronto congratulates Bishop Kevin Robertson and Mr. Mohan Sharma, who were married today at St. James Cathedral in the presence of their two children, their families and many friends, including Archbishop Colin Johnson and Bishop Andrew Asbil. …
(Bishop Kevin and Mohan, who have been a couple since 2009, had their relationship blessed in 2016 according to the Pastoral Guidelines of the Diocese of Toronto and are now married under the marriage provision of the same guidelines.)
We wish them much joy in their marriage.’ [END]
This event could be a deal-breaker for the upcoming Lambeth Conference in 2020. And should be! Here’s why. …”
And the American Anglican Council’s Canon Phil Ashey writes “The Apostle Paul and Lambeth 2020”, where he quotes from Dr. Noll, but adds his own observations –
“I believe that there may yet be some Biblically faithful Bishops in the Anglican Communion who intend to go to the Lambeth Conference of Bishops in 2020 to object to false teaching and make a witness to the truth of the Gospel. I have listened to Bishops – especially those newly consecrated who have not attended these Communion wide meetings – who sincerely believe that they can make a difference by taking a stand at these gatherings which are organized and directed by Canterbury, with ‘minders’ from the Anglican Communion Office already assigned to these faithful bishops who intend to come, and with generous funding by The Episcopal Church and others who promote the very teaching contrary to the Gospel that we see pictured above.
Based on what I have observed at such official Communion wide meetings, there’s more I could say. …”
Related:
From the Anglican Communion News Service, 7th February 2019 – New Anglican Communion bishops receive induction in Canterbury, Lambeth and the ACO. (Bishop Kevin Robertson at left in this photo from ACNS.)
A Crisis in Koinonia: Biblical Perspectives for Anglicans – Canon David Short (published here 2004).
Keep Up or Die?: A Church that Won’t Hold a Heresy Trial isn’t Really a Church – Dr. Albert Mohler (on the United Church of Canada).
#inChrist (Ephesians 1:3)
Posted on February 9, 2019
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More treasures from Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, thanks to Dr. Lionel Windsor.
Posts already published at Forget the Channel:
- Lift Your Eyes: Introducing Ephesians.
- Paul: in his own words (Ephesians 1:1a).
- Amazing holiness (Ephesians 1:1b).
- This God (Ephesians 1:2).
- #inChrist (Ephesians 1:3).
– with plenty more planned.
The Bible Theft: Guarding Against Those who Steal God’s Word from the Church
Posted on February 9, 2019
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Dr. Peter Sanlon (pictured), Vicar of St. Mark’s Tunbridge Wells, has recently published “The Bible Theft” – a book to help Christians spot the various kinds of anti-Biblical teaching running rampant in the Church of England.
It’s a very timely book, and Julian Mann draws attention to it:
“This tremendously accessible and intelligent book from the pastoral front line breathes the excitement of Christian truth and thus commends the Faith to both Christians and non-Christians.”
Australian readers can order copies from these booksellers (and, doubtless, others).
GAFCON Chairman’s February 2019 Pastoral Letter
Posted on February 8, 2019
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“My dear people of God,
Later this month I shall be travelling to Dubai for Gafcon 2019 to share fellowship with faithful brothers and sisters, many of whom will be coming from contexts where restrictions are imposed on Christian witness and faithful discipleship can be costly in many ways.
But I know that despite these hardships, our time together will be joyful because the gospel of God, the good news of our salvation and eternal life in Jesus Christ, will be at the centre of all that we do. …”
Related:
Toronto Bishop Kevin Robertson invited to Canterbury – Anglican Samizdat.
“On February 7th 2019, Justin Welby welcomed [Bishop Kevin Robertson] and 29 other bishops to Lambeth Palace.”
And a note in an e-mail from the GAFCON Secretariat: “Please remember Archbishop Okoh and his family in your prayers as they mourn the loss of his younger brother John to cancer.”
Knowing where we stand
Posted on February 8, 2019
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“Sometimes, in just one public argument, all the worst winds gather together as a perfect storm. Perhaps no article in recent months fits that mould more than an opinion piece that ran just days ago in The Washington Post by veteran columnist Richard Cohen. The headline of the article reads, ‘It’s Not Just Northam. Republicans Must Confront the Bigotry of the Pences Too.’ …
Cohen makes a now familiar argument – he creates a moral parallel between the question of racism and anyone who believes that LGBTQ behaviors and relationships are sinful. He equates discrimination based on skin color with the moral agenda of gay rights.”
– Once again, Albert Mohler reminds Bible-believing Christians of the challenges coming.
Why ‘We’re just like You’ isn’t a great ‘USP’
Posted on February 8, 2019
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“Like many of my generation, I was heavily influenced by student ministry, and set off to theological college ready to take on and change the world – or, to be more accurate, to change the church.
It wasn’t the only thing I wanted to do. I did long to see people become Christians, for example. But I also wanted church to be ‘good’. I wanted to do everything in my power to see the Bible taught well; to make sure that the cringe factor was eliminated from what we did when we were together. …”
– At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Gary Millar calls for a change of thinking in the way we present church. (Photo: CMS.)
Dr Gavin Ashenden — Conversations with John Anderson
Posted on February 7, 2019
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Dr Gavin Ashenden is the latest guest on Conversations with John Anderson, former Australian Deputy Prime Minister. They speak about the current threats to freedom in Europe and elsewhere.
9Marks Journal: Ecclesiology for Calvinists
Posted on February 6, 2019
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The latest 9Marks Journal – February 2019 – is now available as a free download.
Plenty to think about.
Bigoted Quackery?
Posted on February 6, 2019
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“Let me be the first to engage in some bigoted quackery and talk conversion.
That is to quote Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, who has announced plans to ban so-called ‘LGBT conversion therapy.’
Speaking on Sunday at Melbourne’s Midsumma Pride March, Andrews vigorously criticised the idea that someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity can be changed, calling it ‘a most personal form of torture, a cruel practice that perpetuates the idea that LGBTI people are in some way broken.’
‘We will drag these practices out of the dark ages and into the brightest of lights.’
Then he called it ‘bigoted quackery’ – see my opening remark.
This is at first bewildering for the average Christian reader if only because few have ever heard of something called ‘LGBT conversion therapy.’ It’s a term invented by them, not us.
So, we are left to ask what it means. …
The Human Rights Law Centre and La Trobe University … report condemns the ‘insidious practice’ of churches having a ‘welcoming but not affirming’ policy akin to the adage, ‘love the sinner but not the sin.’…”
– The Australian Christian Lobby’s Martyn Iles unpacks some of the challenges facing Christians in Victoria, and across Australia.
Visible and invisible
Posted on February 6, 2019
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“The distinction between the Church visible and invisible was coined by Luther and Zwingli in the sixteenth century, and was much used by all the Reformers, our own included.
The wording of Article XIX (“The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men…”) implies this distinction, and it was in fact basic to all Anglican thinking about the church for more than a century after the Reformation. …“
– The Australian Church Record has republished this 1962 article by Dr. J. I. Packer.
Nexus19 on Monday 25th March — for constructive encouragement in evangelism
Posted on February 5, 2019
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The Nexus Conference for 2019 is coming up at Carlingford on Monday 25th March.
For those who can’t be there in person, the event will be livestreamed to sites across Australia.
Read more about the conference – and let Canon Phil Colgan (who also spoke on this topic at the 2018 ACL Synod Dinner) encourage you to keep the proclamation of the saving gospel of Jesus front and centre.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…