9Marks Journal: Ecclesiology for Calvinists
Posted on February 6, 2019
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on 9Marks Journal: Ecclesiology for Calvinists
The latest 9Marks Journal – February 2019 – is now available as a free download.
Plenty to think about.
Bigoted Quackery?
Posted on February 6, 2019
Filed under Culture wars, Opinion Comments Off on Bigoted Quackery?
“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
Filed under Theology Comments Off on Visible and invisible
“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
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on Nexus19 on Monday 25th March — for constructive encouragement in evangelism
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.
Anglican Aid Prayer Diary 2019
Posted on February 4, 2019
Filed under Resources, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Anglican Aid Prayer Diary 2019
Sydney parishes will have received copies of The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid Prayer Diary for 2019.
If you find it more convenient to download as a PDF file to your device, for use on the go, you can get a copy here – or read it online.
If you use the free PrayerMate app, you can subscribe to the Anglican Aid feed.
“New $7.3 million Glebe residence planned for Archbishop Glenn Davies”
Posted on February 3, 2019
Filed under Sydney Diocese Comments Off on “New $7.3 million Glebe residence planned for Archbishop Glenn Davies”
“For more than a century Sydney’s Anglican archbishops resided in the 1841-built sandstone mansion Bishopscourt, but the church’s official Sydney residence may take on a far more contemporary look in the future, according to DA plans before Sydney City Council. …”
– Story from Domain (however, at Sydney Synod, it was explained that Archbishop Davies is expected to have retired by the time the planned residence is built).
The Pilgrim’s Progress — free audiobook for February 2019
Posted on February 2, 2019
Filed under Resources Comments Off on The Pilgrim’s Progress — free audiobook for February 2019
ChristianAudio’s free audiobook for February 2019 is The Pilgrim’s Progress.
This version is read by Nadia May. It runs for 10 hours and 10 minutes.
Better than Inclusion: Welcome! Response to Church of England Guidance on Gender Transition Services
Posted on February 1, 2019
Filed under Church of England, Culture wars Comments Off on Better than Inclusion: Welcome! Response to Church of England Guidance on Gender Transition Services
Glen Scrivener from Speak Life speaks with Dr Ian Paul about the open letter released this week, ‘A Response to the House of Bishops guidance on Transgender Welcome’, and the whole issue of gender dysphoria.
Ian Paul reaffirms that everyone is welcome at church, and explains why.
Read the Letter and see the signatories which includes more than a thousand Church of England clergy.
The evangelistic conversation
Posted on February 1, 2019
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on The evangelistic conversation
“Evangelistic conversations can be tough. Really tough. They can be so tough and discouraging that, after having a few, many people give up and never try again.
However, there are things we can do to allow a tough situation to become enjoyable – and more importantly, effective.
So, what’s a good way to engage in an evangelistic conversation? …”
– Here’s some encouragement from Dave Jensen at GoThereFor.com.
“Transgender Baptism” – How should we Respond? — GAFCON UK
Posted on January 31, 2019
Filed under Church of England, Culture wars, GAFCON Comments Off on “Transgender Baptism” – How should we Respond? — GAFCON UK
Gafcon UK has published a briefing for Parochial Church Councils in the Church of England –
“Just before Christmas, the House of Bishops published pastoral guidance which ‘welcomes and encourages the unconditional affirmation of trans people’ – and encourages clergy to use existing liturgy (of Baptism, Confirmation or the Affirmation of Baptismal Faith) if a transgender adult wishes to reaffirm their Christian faith and mark their transition.
This has caused considerable concern amongst lay and ordained members of the Church of England for a variety of theological and pastoral reasons. This briefing seeks to summarise some of those concerns and suggest ideas for further reading.”
– Read the briefing, and related documents, here.
See also:
2,000 clergy sign letter saying new Church of England service for trans people may ‘harm’ children – Telegraph.
“Some 2,155 bishops, priests and lay members of the church have added their names to the letter which condemns new guidance released last month on gender transition.”
The Cross — Why did Jesus die?
Posted on January 30, 2019
Filed under Theology Comments Off on The Cross — Why did Jesus die?
“Why did Jesus die?
This series is entirely given over to exploring answers to that question. It’s an odd question to ask in some ways. What sort of question are we asking?
It could, of course, be a medical question. History tells us Jesus died by crucifixion, but a coronial inquest might want to go into exactly how crucifixion brings about someone’s demise. Was exposure, or asphyxiation, or heart failure the actual cause of Jesus death? Jesus did after all die with unusual speed. A death by crucifixion often took days; for Jesus it was a mere six hours. There’s something here worth exploring.
Historians, on the other hand, are interested in the historical causes of Jesus death.
A historian might ask whether the claim that Jesus died by crucifixion is historically plausible. The French atheist Michel Onfray claimed several years ago that the Romans didn’t crucify Jews at this period in history, and therefore the claim that Jesus died by crucifixion was historically suspect. Onfray’s claim is a little perplexing, given the preponderance of evidence for first century Roman executions of Jews. Still, it is a claim that could be asked and answered in good faith by historical method.
Historians might also be interested in the political question. On which charges, and under who’s authority, and through the action which historical actors, was Jesus crucified?
These are all questions to which we may return. Christian theology is not easily partitioned off from history, politics, or even biology. But the primary purpose of this series is to address a different question, the theological question. What was God doing in the death of Jesus? …”
– Rory Shiner begins a six-part series at The Gospel Coalition Australia.
Anglicans honoured on Australia Day 2019
Posted on January 30, 2019
Filed under People, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Anglicans honoured on Australia Day 2019
Christian businessman and philanthropist Tim Sims and Anglicare Board member Ian Steward are among those on the Australia Day Honours List for 2019.
Asia Bibi blasphemy acquittal upheld by Pakistan court
Posted on January 30, 2019
Filed under World news Comments Off on Asia Bibi blasphemy acquittal upheld by Pakistan court
“Pakistan’s top court has rejected a challenge to the acquittal of a Christian woman on blasphemy charges.
The Supreme Court upheld its decision to overturn Asia Bibi’s conviction and death sentence. … Asia Bibi – also known as Asia Noreen – was unable to leave Pakistan while an appeal request was pending.”
– Good news from the BBC.
From The Express Tribune (Pakistan) –
“The hearing lasted nearly two hours and 45 minutes, during which both the prosecution and defence presented their points of view over the conviction.
Moments after the ruling was announced, Bibi’s lawyer Saif-ul-Mulook hinted that his client’s departure from the country was imminent. ‘I think at this time she is here (in Pakistan) – but by tonight, I don’t know,’ he told reporters outside the court. …”
And from Barnabas Fund –
“The present whereabouts of Aasia Bibi are unknown and remain confidential for security reasons. After her release from Multan’s woman women’s prison on 7 November 2018, she was flown to Islamabad and taken to an undisclosed place amid concerns for her safety and that of her family.”
Paul: in his own words (Ephesians 1:1a)
Posted on January 29, 2019
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Paul: in his own words (Ephesians 1:1a)
“Who do you think Paul is? He is, after all, one of the most influential – and therefore talked-about – figures in the history of Western civilisation.
There are plenty of opinions floating around about who he is and what he’s like. …”
– At Forget The Channel, Dr. Lionel Windsor introduces us to the real Paul.
NSW CMS Summer School 2019 — audio talks available
Posted on January 29, 2019
Filed under Resources Comments Off on NSW CMS Summer School 2019 — audio talks available
If you missed some of Gary Millar’s talks (or those by Simon Gillham) at CMS NSW & ACT Summer School – or if you want to listen again – they are now available.
Related: Dominic Steele spoke with Gary Millar at Katoomba for The Pastor’s Heart.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…