The worthwhileness of written prayers
Posted on April 27, 2018
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“God in his kindness has recorded for us prayers in his word the Bible, e.g. Dan 9:4-19; 2 Sam 7:18-29; Job 42:1-6; Ps 86; and Mt 6:9-13.
These prayers teach and remind us of many things, including the worthwhileness of written prayers. …”
– Back in 2016, this article by Jane Tooher was published in Moore College’s Think Tank series.
Thanks to Church Society’s Ros Clarke for the reminder (Written Prayers Redux).
Review of The Passion Translation of the Psalms
Posted on April 26, 2018
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“My colleague Andrew Shead has written a review of The Passion Translation of the Psalms (“Poetry on Fire”) for The Gospel Coalition’s journal Themelios. Andrew is the head of Old Testament and Hebrew here at Moore Theological College, and is a member of the NIV Committee on Bible Translation. Here’s the abstract of his review article:
Brian Simmons has made a new translation of the Psalms (and now the whole New Testament) which aims to ‘re-introduce the passion and fire of the Bible to the English reader.’ He achieves this by abandoning all interest in textual accuracy, playing fast and loose with the original languages, and inserting so much new material into the text that it is at least 50% longer than the original. The result is a strongly sectarian translation that no longer counts as Scripture; by masquerading as a Bible it threatens to bind entire churches in thrall to a false god. …”
– Moore College’s Lionel Windsor draws attention to an important review.
And you can read the whole of the newly-released Themelios 43.1 here.
Newcastle Diocese Strategic Directions 2018-2021
Posted on April 26, 2018
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After consultations across his diocese, Bishop Peter Stuart, Bishop of Newcastle, has released a Strategic Directions and Work Plan for 2018 – 2021.
Read about it and download it here and be encouraged to pray for the churches of the Newcastle Diocese.
T.C. Hammond on Baptism (Article 27)
Posted on April 26, 2018
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“The controversy concerning infant baptism has occasioned much difficulty to many students. The great body of the Reformed Churches accept it. A determined and earnest company, however, reject it as unscriptural.
There are two questions that need to be kept clearly distinguished from one another. …”
– In the latest posts from The Australian Church Record’s archives, T.C. Hammond turns to the question of Baptism from Article 27 – and then considers The Baptism of Young Children.
Related: The Thirty Nine Articles.
‘Men Praying for Moore’ Breakfast — Saturday 5th May
Posted on April 25, 2018
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Here’s an opportunity for men to gather, to pray for Moore College.
“…to share in breakfast and pray, and to be informed on how they might continue to pray. … Archbishop of Sydney The Most Rev Dr Glenn Davies … will lead a brief devotional.”
Saturday 5th May 2018, 8:30 – 10:00am.
RSVP by April 27.
Five reasons why Pope Francis’ answer was demonic
Posted on April 25, 2018
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“Pope Francis has made several controversial statements throughout the years, but perhaps none quite as controversial as the one in this video.
You can watch it here. …”
– At The Cripplegate, Jordan Standridge comes to a tragic conclusion. (link via Tim Challies.)
Anglican Future Conference — Super Early Bird Registration now open
Posted on April 25, 2018
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Get in early to register for the National Anglican Future Conference 2018, to be held in Southbank, Melbourne, 6th – 9th September.
Peter Jensen at the GAFCON Ireland launch
Posted on April 24, 2018
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Dr. Peter Jensen, General Secretary of GAFCON, spoke at the launch of GAFCON Ireland on Saturday 21st April 2018.
A most encouraging and galvanising address.
Watch it in this recording of the live video stream. Peter’s address is after the Bible reading, which begins 19 minutes into the video.
Related:
Is GAFCON a ‘ginger group’? – from Contending Anglican, Dr. Stephen Noll’s new website.
GAFCON is the only game in town for faithful Anglicans, declares South American Primate – VOL.
Dear @Channel9, Help me out and cut the family-targetted soft porn
Posted on April 24, 2018
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“Dear Channel 9,
We’re both adults. We need to talk.
Because we’re adults we’ll start by not pretending about where we’re coming from.
I’m a Christian and an Anglican minister at a cathedral. You’re in the business of making money off advertising by promoting TV shows that you think will be popular. …”
– David Ould writes an open letter to the Nine Network on their promotion of an upcoming series.
New trial expected soon for Asia Bibi
Posted on April 23, 2018
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“On Saturday, the Chief Justice of Pakistan confirmed a new hearing will be held soon and has ordered full security provisions to be given to Asia Bibi’s legal team. …”
– Report from Premier UK.
Tasmanian Anglicans to sell more than 120 properties for redress scheme
Posted on April 23, 2018
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“Tasmania’s Anglican Church will sell more than 120 of its properties to contribute to the national redress scheme for survivors of child sex abuse, prompting Tasmanian survivors to hail the plan as ’groundbreaking’.
The proposed figure equates to nearly half of all the Diocese’s property in the state. …”
– Story from The Examiner.
See also: Anglican Church in Tasmania sacrifices to fund Redress – Diocese of Tasmania.
Lee Gatiss on learning from Christians of the past
Posted on April 23, 2018
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The Australian Church Record has published part 2 of Steve Tong’s interview with Church Society Director Lee Gatiss.
What is the biggest problem facing Evangelicalism? Comfort
Posted on April 23, 2018
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“The biggest problem facing the British Evangelical church today is, without doubt, our own personal comfort.…
Far too many of us are happy in our middle-class Christian enclaves, in comfortable areas of the country, going to churches full of people exactly like them. …
… there is no soft and dressed-up way to say this, a generation of middle-class believers will have to give up their idolatrous worship at the altar of comfort and commit to taking the gospel to the urban poor and deprived communities.”
– Here’s a hard-hitting article by Stephen Kneale, minister at an evangelical church in Oldham, near Manchester.
GAFCON Primates Council Communiqué, Entebbe, April 2018
Posted on April 22, 2018
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“We gathered on 16-19 April 2018 in Entebbe, Uganda to share in Bible study, prayer, worship and fellowship. We give thanks for the gracious hospitality of Archbishop Stanley Ntagali and the Anglican Church of Uganda.
We began our day with Bible study led by Bishop Andy Lines, Archbishop-elect Laurent Mbanda and Archbishop Onesphore Rwaje. As we met, we finalised our plans for our upcoming conference in Jerusalem, discussed matters affecting our common life, and received updates from our Gafcon provinces and branches. …”
– GAFCON General Secretary Bishop Peter Jensen and Archbishop of Sydney Glenn Davies were among the participants at the GAFCON Primates Council meeting in Entebbe, Uganda, last week. Read the full Communiqué at the GAFCON website.
(Click the group photo for a larger version.)
Our Religious Freedom campaign — from Barnabas Fund
Posted on April 22, 2018
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Take the time to explore Barnabas Fund’s Our Religious Freedom website.
It includes resources such as the Turn the Tide booklet (PDF), which gives a good summary of the issues and helpfully documents some of the key developments threatening religious freedom in Australia.
As well, you can sign the Petition to the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives –
“We the undersigned call upon the Australian government to ensure full, permanent and adequate protections of religious freedoms:
the freedom to worship; to read Scriptures in public; to interpret Scriptures without government interference; to choose or change one’s faith; to preach and try to convince others; to establish places of worship; and the freedom from being required to affirm particular beliefs to study, stand for election, hold particular jobs (except where there is a genuine occupational requirement such as chaplaincy posts), or give parental care to a child.”
You can also download the printed petition sheet.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…