Archbishop Fred Hiltz calls for apology for ‘spiritual abuse’ of Indigenous people

Posted on December 7, 2018 
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“The Anglican Church of Canada should apologize to the country’s Indigenous people for having ‘demonized’ their traditional spirituality, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, told Council of General Synod (CoGS) November 24. …”

– Report from Anglican Journal (Canada), via Anglican Samizdat.

Related: 1 Corinthians 10:14-21.

Biblical friendship (part 2): Being a friend

Posted on December 6, 2018 
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“In part 1 we looked at John 15 and saw that a friend is loving, sacrificial and outward looking.

The book of Proverbs fleshes out this picture of what it means to be a friend. Proverbs is immensely helpful in thinking through the issue of friendship, which isn’t surprising because it’s a book of wisdom that tells us how God’s creation operates. So let’s look at what we can learn from Proverbs about friendship. …”

– Caitlin Orr continues her series on Biblical friendship. At The Australian Church Record.

Themelios 43.3 now available

Posted on December 6, 2018 
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The latest edition of Themelios is now available for free download from The Gospel Coalition.

Last Minute Christmas Ideas from Reformers Bookshop

Posted on December 6, 2018 
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Reformers Bookshop in Stanmore has some ‘last minute’ gift ideas – on special until 16th December.

Algonquin ‘spiritual teacher in residence’ appointed at Ottawa cathedral

Posted on December 5, 2018 
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“Indigenous spirituality has a powerful new voice at Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa.

In a historic appointment, local Indigenous spiritual leader Albert Dumont has been named Algonquin Spiritual Teacher in Residence for a two-year term at the cathedral. During his term, Dumont will help educate members of the cathedral community on traditional Indigenous spirituality …”

– Story from The Anglican Church of Canada.

Link via Anglican Samizdat.

The Derby Cathedral scandal and the alleged establishment bias of conservative evangelicals

Posted on December 5, 2018 
Filed under Church of England, Opinion Comments Off on The Derby Cathedral scandal and the alleged establishment bias of conservative evangelicals

“Derby Cathedral has given biblical orthodoxy a great boost by banning the Revd Melvin Tinker from preaching at a university Christian Union carol service.

The ban has built a tremendous platform for Mr Tinker and his supporters to demonstrate how intolerant of biblical Christianity the Church of England establishment is increasingly becoming.

But it is important to reflect on something Mr Tinker said in the course of the controversy in an interview on Anglican Unscripted. …”

– The Rev. Julian Mann writes this opinion-piece at Anglican Mainstream.

For the background, see Kevin Kallsen’s interview with Melvin Tinker at Anglican Unscripted.

Debate to be resumed on Sex Discrimination Act amendments on Wednesday morning

Posted on December 4, 2018 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on Debate to be resumed on Sex Discrimination Act amendments on Wednesday morning

“Despite the deferral on Monday of a Bill introduced in the Senate to amend balancing clauses applying to religious bodies in the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth), the Bill has now been rescheduled for debate in the Senate on Wednesday, December 5, between 11am and 12:35pm.

The Senate Notice Paper for December 5 contains the following entry, listed for 11 am …”

– Associate Professor Neil Foster has the latest. (Emphasis added)

Your gut is wrong

Posted on December 4, 2018 
Filed under Theology Comments Off on Your gut is wrong

“The gut plays a very important role in the day-to-day life of those born after 1980. For one, these generations are obsessed with food, with every second meal being posted on Instagram and every second TV show relating to food.

But the gut also plays a powerful role in the initial reaction to any given situation. The initial gut reaction often controls the emotions and determines the response that follows, even directing the ongoing course of action.

We see it in evangelism when we mention that Jesus is the one and only way to God (John 14:6). The hearer’s gut reaction is …”

– Mike Leite writes at The Australian Church Record.

Result of Senate debate on amendments to SDA

Posted on December 3, 2018 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on Result of Senate debate on amendments to SDA

“A brief update on Parliamentary developments. The Senate debate on the ALP-sponsored Bill to amend the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 took place today. While initially the Bill had been subject to a tight time limit which meant it would have passed today if not actually voted down, at the last minute a Government motion amended this arrangement. The result is as follows:

Debate on this bill will continue at a later date.

It seems that the bill [reportedly identical is likely to be referred for consideration to a committee, and the debate will presumably be picked up in the New Year.

There was a similar Bill, however, introduced into the House of Representatives this morning by the Leader of the Opposition. At the moment it is not clear whether this Bill will be debated again this week. More updates will be provided when more is known.”

– Thanks to Assoc-Professor Neil Foster for this update.

Photo: Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Shorten, who has introduced a similar Bill into the House of Representatives.

Anglican Church of Tasmania finalises list of properties for sale

Posted on December 2, 2018 
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“The Anglican church has finalised its list of properties for sale, with 73 set to be closed and sold-off.

Anglican Bishop of Tasmania, the Right Reverend Richard Condie, said the church had listened and responded to community feedback. …”

– Report from The Advocate.

See also: One third of Anglican Church properties removed from sale list – Diocese of Tasmania.

Pakistani clerics who led violent protests over blasphemy acquittal are charged with terrorism

Posted on December 2, 2018 
Filed under World news Comments Off on Pakistani clerics who led violent protests over blasphemy acquittal are charged with terrorism

“Leaders of a hard-line Islamist group that staged violent protests across Pakistan after a Christian woman was acquitted of blasphemy will face charges of terrorism, according to the Government. …

Since she was freed on October 31, Ms Bibi and her family have been constantly threatened. Several countries have offered her asylum, however it is not known if she and her family have left the country.”

– Report from ABC News.

Contacting Parliament on sex discrimination amendments

Posted on December 2, 2018 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars, Resources Comments Off on Contacting Parliament on sex discrimination amendments

“A number of Christian and other religious organisations are deeply concerned about the proposals in the ALP-sponsored private Bill due to be debated in the Senate on Monday Dec 3. As I have discussed in previous comments (here and here) the Bill, which started out as an agreed measure to stop religious schools from expelling gay students on the basis of their “orientation” alone, has a number of other serious consequences for religious freedom, not only for schools but for churches, mosques, synagogues and other religious organisations (such as, for example, University student ministries.)

The Bill amends the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to remove some clauses which have previously provided protection for Christian organisations to operate in accordance with their religious beliefs. …

I have been asked how concerned citizens can contact their Parliamentary representatives. …”

– Associate Professor Neil Foster shares some points you might make to your Parliamentary representatives. (Emphasis added.)

Why Australian Religious Freedom is under legal threat

Posted on December 2, 2018 
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“Religious Freedom in Australia is under immediate legal threat.

A new bill introduced into the Senate last week (due to be debated this Monday, December 3rd) will, if passed unamended, severely erode Religious Freedom in our land. Especially for religious schools. …”

At the Gospel Coalition Australia, Akos Balogh urges Christians to pray and act, and explains why.

Government amendments to religious schools bill

Posted on December 1, 2018 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on Government amendments to religious schools bill

“For those following the debates about proposed amendments to discrimination laws removing religious freedom from faith-based schools, the LNP Government has now tabled a number of amendments to the ALP Bill released earlier this week.

While these amendments are a move in the right direction, there are still some serious concerns about their effect on religious schools and their ability to operate in accordance with their religious beliefs. …”

– Associate Professor Neil Foster continues his coverage of the debates about religious freedom in Australia, at Law and Religion Australia.

Praying through Advent 2018

Posted on December 1, 2018 
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Andy Geers shares some helpful resources you can access through PrayerMate.

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