Defending the Resurrection
Posted on April 2, 2018
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“Though age would be rapidly catching up with him, some people believe that Elvis Presley is still alive. Despite certified death certificates, a very public, photographed funeral, and no verified appearances after the date of his death, fans insist: Elvis lives.
How many people view the resurrection of Christ similarly to conspiracy theories about Elvis? Is there compelling evidence that Christ actually rose from the dead? Or, is the story repeated simply because people wish him to not be dead? The stakes are high. Without the resurrection of Jesus Christianity is empty and those who adhere to the faith “are of all men the most pitiable” (1 Cor. 15:14, 19). …”
– At Reformation21, William Boekestein provides good reasons for having confidence in Christ’s Resurrection.
Stuart Robinson farewelled from Canberra & Goulburn
Posted on April 1, 2018
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“It was a time of reminiscence for Bishop Stuart Robinson and his wife Jane at their final Easter service in St Saviour’s Cathedral on Saturday morning. …”
– Story from The Goulburn Post.
(Stuart will be inducted as Rector of St Michael’s, Vaucluse and Rose Bay, on May 5th.)
Resurrection … you can stake your life on it
Posted on April 1, 2018
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“Burying my aunt – the senior member of the Wilson clan – focussed my mind sharply.
Our family met last week in a medieval Cotswolds church, and these words rang out clearly: ‘in sure and certain hope of the resurrection from the dead’. As we laid my aunt to rest alongside her long-deceased husband, and my grandparents, I challenged myself again as to whether I believe this and … WHY?
Don’t panic, the moderator is not in any doubt. But, standing in the face of a biting Oxfordshire wind, I lowered the body into the ground and tested my beliefs afresh. Why do I believe in resurrection? It’s a good thing to ask. …”
– Presbyterian Moderator-General, John P. Wilson, speaks of the centrality of the Resurrection.
Blogging in the Name of the Lord
Posted on March 31, 2018
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David Robertson, of St. Peter’s Dundee, is in Oz and speaking at this weekend’s Easter Convention at Katoomba.
The website Exiled Preacher recently conducted a brief interview. David blogs at The Wee Flea, where he has posted some observations on his first week here:
“I’m completely fascinated by people and cultures everywhere I go – for me it is part of the incredible diversity and equality with which God has endowed humanity. Made in His image we find ways of expressing creativity, beauty and love- in every culture.
Ruined by the Fall, we find ways of distorting and perverting that image – in every culture. Australia is no different. …
Observation 4 – Australian TV is rubbish.” – Read it all.
The Heart at Peace — Lent Reflections from Dr Peter Jensen – Part 7
Posted on March 29, 2018
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GAFCON General Secretary, Dr. Peter Jensen, speaks about how our hearts are now at peace with God.
Citing Romans 5, he reflects that while many of us doubt this, ‘the work of the Holy Spirit is to assure us of the love of God for us.’
It’s not cricket: “Crucify him”
Posted on March 29, 2018
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“In the wake of one of the most controversial weeks in Australian sporting history, Shane Warne was out in the press today and bowling this delivery,
‘You shouldn’t crucify someone unless they deserve to be crucified.’ …
Warnie’s analogy couldn’t be more fitting, because this weekend happens to be Easter.”
– writes Murray Campbell in Melbourne.
Why did Jesus die?
Posted on March 29, 2018
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“There are a numbers of ways we could answer the question “Why did Jesus die?”
On the historical level, we can say that Jesus was caught between the crunching gears of apocalyptic messianic expectation, Jewish temple politics, and Roman imperial intrigue.
On the theological level, there is so much more to say. …”
– At With Meagre Powers, Dr George Athas addresses the big question of Easter.
Katoomba Christian Convention planning major redevelopment
Posted on March 29, 2018
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“In one of the largest developments ever seen in the Mountains, Katoomba Christian Convention has plans for a $64 million rebuild on its premises at Cliff Drive.
Plans for the major redevelopment are now on public display with council.
They call for the demolition of several existing buildings and building of a new auditorium for public worship, a 500-seat dining hall, six eco-lodges and three eco-chalets to accommodate 390 people, a new reception building, bookshop and cafe. …
The DA is on public exhibition until April 11. It will then go to the Sydney Western City Planning Panel, rather than council, because of the size of the development.”
– See the full story from The Blue Mountains Gazette.
Related: Development application – Blue Mountains City Council.
Image: The Blue Mountains Gazette. Link via SydneyAnglicans.net.
Archbishop of Sydney Glenn Davies’ Easter message 2018
Posted on March 28, 2018
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“The leader of Australia’s largest Anglican Diocese, the Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, has urged Christians to be talk about their faith, especially at Easter. …”
A most encouraging message. Read about it here – and you could download it from Vimeo to use in church.
Anglican cleric disciplined for entering same sex marriage
Posted on March 28, 2018
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“The recent decision of the England and Wales Court of Appeal in Pemberton v Inwood [2018] EWCA Civ 564 (22 March 2018) upholds what was in effect disciplinary action taken against a Church of England clergyman, the Reverend Canon Jeremy Pemberton, on account of his entering into a same-sex marriage.
The decision is a sensible one which upholds the religious freedom of the Anglican church to operate in accordance with its fundamental religious beliefs. …
Since Australia now recognises same-sex marriage, there is now the potential for a similar case to arise in this country. …”
– Associate Professor Neil Foster comments on a development last week in the Church of England, and the possibility of similar cases in Australia.
Catch up on the talks from Nexus18
Posted on March 27, 2018
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All the main presentations from Monday’s Nexus18 Conference are now available for you to watch online. A wonderful resource.
Download a PDF file of the Program – and watch the talks here.
De-Conversion
Posted on March 27, 2018
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“De-conversion is the reverse of conversion. While some creep away from the faith like a gliding glacier, the de-converted are glaciers calving off, crashing into the sea with devastating effect. Read on with holy fear. …”
– Do read on. From Reformation21.
The Final Week of Jesus
Posted on March 27, 2018
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Justin Taylor writes:
“Each day this week I’ll post a video on what happened during the original Easter week of April, AD 33. …
For more information, including a day-by-day guide with the complete biblical text and commentary, you could pick up the Kindle version of The Final Days of Jesus: The Most Important Week of the Most Important Person Who Ever Lived by Andreas J. Köstenberger and Justin Taylor.”
– at The Gospel Coalition.
The ‘so what’ of Easter: Part 2 – The death of death
Posted on March 27, 2018
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“In part 1 we thought about how the resurrection shows Jesus’ work to be successful and effective in dealing with sin.
Here in part 2 we see how the resurrection also declares the death of death. Death is one of those things in our modern western world that people like to ignore – until a friend or family member dies.
For the majority of the human race who live in the rest of the world, however, death is often front and centre …”
– From Mike Leite at The Australian Church Record. (Image: St. Helen’s Bishopsgate.)
The ‘so what’ of Easter: Part 1
Posted on March 26, 2018
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“When it comes to the resurrection of Jesus, most contemporary Christian writing has been centred on its historicity. Preaching often tends to focus on the historical details and the fact that it really happened, rather than its meaning.
As a result, the average pew sitter might have a robust apologetic in response to the historical claim of the resurrection, but be somewhat cloudy when it comes to its theological significance. …”
– At The Australian Church Record, Mike Leite doesn’t want us to miss the point of Easter.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…