Bowl up for the Moore College Open Day Saturday, 13 October 2018

Posted on October 12, 2018 
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Here’s a reminder about this Saturday’s Open Day at Moore College.

Details here.

The enduring vision of Albert Mohler at Southern Seminary

Posted on October 12, 2018 
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Here’s an encouraging 15 minute video about the rejuvenation of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, celebrating 25 years since Albert Mohler was appointed as its President.

It’s also a good reminder to pray for Moore College and other theological colleges, they they will remain faithful and committed to the truth of God’s Word.

The pastor in your background

Posted on October 12, 2018 
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“But even if we can’t bring to mind exactly what was said six weeks ago, I promise you that cumulatively your regular preachers are wearing down paths through your brain. They are having an impact on you, unseen or not. What they teach you from one Bible passage provides you with context for other passages you read, influencing the way you understand the Bible as a whole. …”

– At GoThereFor.com, editor Rachel Macdonald writes to encourage you to pray for your pastors.

Christian Writing Seminar

Posted on October 11, 2018 
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Matthias Media is holding a free Christian Writing Seminar (“Christian writing in a secular world” with Scott Monk) at Moore College on Monday 15th October.

Details here.

UK: The Transgender trend and the pressure on frontline clergy

Posted on October 11, 2018 
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“With affirmative counselling increasingly becoming a requirement for doctors, psychologists and social workers over the current transgender trend, frontline clergy are bound to come under pressure to affirm individuals’ life-style choices in pastoral conservations. …”

– Julian Mann, Vicar of Oughtibridge in South Yorkshire, is thankful the Ordinal reminds gospel ministers where their focus must lie. (He is pictured here with Archbishop Ben Kwashi.)

Destroy and kill: the command for Israel and for us

Posted on October 11, 2018 
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“If God didn’t want idolatry to be a snare for the people of the old covenant, how much more does he want us to kill what will turn our hearts away from single-hearted devotion to the Lord? …”

– Andrew Barry reflects on what it will mean to be genuinely holy. At The Australian Church Record.

No sexual orientation discrimination in declining to make a ‘gay cake’

Posted on October 10, 2018 
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“The UK Supreme Court has now ruled that the Ashers Bakery in Northern Ireland was not guilty of sexual orientation discrimination by politely declining to bake a cake decorated with a message in support of same sex marriage- see Lee v Ashers Baking Company Ltd [2018] UKSC 49 (10 Oct 2018).

This is an important decision illustrating the clear difference between a decision based on someone’s personal characteristics, and a refusal to support a specific message. …”

– Neil Foster at Law and Religion Australia points to the reasoning behind this latest UK decision.

That Hideous Strength — video overview

Posted on October 10, 2018 
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Here’s a short video overview of Melvin Tinker’s book That Hideous Strength.

GAFCON Chairman’s Letter — October 2018

Posted on October 10, 2018 
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“My dear people of God,

Last week, the Standing Committee of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) issued a communiqué in which it affirmed the unanimous decision of the House of Bishops not to attend Lambeth 2020 unless the Archbishop of Canterbury reverses his policy of inviting those who have rejected biblical teaching and not inviting those who remain faithful but have been forced to leave their traditional spiritual homes. …”

– The Chairman of the GAFCON Primates Council, Archbishop Nicholas D. Okoh, has released his pastoral letter for October 2018. As well as addressing the bigger issues of the Anglican Communion, he also writes of the double tragedy in the church of South Sudan.

Religious Freedom at Australian Universities

Posted on October 9, 2018 
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“I presented a paper today to a seminar at the University where I work, on the topic of ‘Religious Freedom at Australian Universities’.

It explores some of the challenges facing staff and students in this area, and explores some of the ways that religious freedom is currently protected (and where there are gaps in that protection.) I use examples from the policies framed in my local context, but similar policies and legislation would be relevant at most Australian Universities.

Others involved in this area may find the paper helpful in outlining issues and options.”

– Neil Foster writes at Law and Religion Australia. His paper can be found here.

Pakistan top court hears blasphemy appeal – reserves verdict

Posted on October 9, 2018 
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“On Monday, Pakistan’s Supreme Court began the hearing of Asia Bibi’s final appeal against her 2010 death penalty.

The three-judge bench said it has reserved the verdict on the appeal, however the judges did not say when they will announce it.

If the top court upholds her death sentence, the only recourse for the 53-year-old would be to appeal to the country’s president for clemency. …”

– this report from Deutsche Welle.

A Pastor pushes forward as a Drought threatens his town and his church

Posted on October 8, 2018 
Filed under Australia, People Comments Off on A Pastor pushes forward as a Drought threatens his town and his church

“The Rev. Bernard Gabbott bumped along on a road so remote the asphalt had given way to gravel, heading out to see a farmer who had been working seven days a week, straining to keep his cattle and sheep fed.

He pointed to an empty patch of earth. The farmer had plowed it to plant as pasture for his livestock, but instead, the afternoon wind kicked up clouds of dust. …

Mr. Gabbott, who is gregarious and quick to laugh, grew up in Sydney, the son of missionaries.”

– This story in The New York Times is a good reminder to pray – not only for more rain, but for those who minister the gospel in the bush.

Photo: Wee Waa Anglican Church, Facebook.

See also:

Final death penalty appeal for Asia Bibi to be heard by Supreme Court judges on Monday

Posted on October 6, 2018 
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“After repeated rejection, on Monday 8 October 2018, the long awaited final appeal to prevent the execution of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy, will be heard at Pakistan’s Supreme Court …”

– News from the British Pakistani Christian Association – and cause for much prayer.

Melbourne’s third woman bishop – and other news from the dioceses

Posted on October 6, 2018 
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“When Kate Prowd is consecrated a bishop in Melbourne on Saturday, it will create Anglican history: she will be half of the first brother and sister pair to be bishops, both in the same diocese. …”

– News from the diocese of Melbourne.

Also from around other dioceses in the Anglican Church of Australia:

Bendigo:

“It takes passion to persevere in professional sport. Even the best players need to be so in love with what they do that the training and sacrifice pales into insignificance. Perseverance in faith is enabled by setting our affection on God. How do you remind yourself how beautiful, sufficient, good, capable and praiseworthy God is? As Thomas Cranmer (the architect of Anglicanism) said, what the heart desires, the mind justifies and the will enacts. How does your affection for God then influence everything else?”

– Bishop of Bendigo, Matt Brain, writing in the October 2018 edition of The Spirit. (PDF)

Newcastle:

Blessing of our furry and feathered friends – at Christ Church Cathedral.

Tasmania:

“Saturday 22 September saw over 400 Anglicans from across the state gathering together for the 3rd annual Bishop’s Training Event, with a sense of excitement and expectation. …”

– Bishop’s Training Event 2018 – Making Disciples Every Day.

Northern Territory:

“There are many ways gardening is like Christian ministry. It takes time and we have to be patient. It is nearly three years since I planted the pineapple tops (they might have fruited faster without the Carpentaria palms). We might have conversations over a long period with someone before we see a new stage of Christian growth or a big step forward in understanding what it means to follow Jesus. …”

– Bishop Greg Anderson writes in the current issue of Top Centre. (PDF)

What Is the Greatest of all Protestant “Heresies”?

Posted on October 6, 2018 
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“Let us begin with a church history exam question.

Cardinal Robert Bellarmine (1542–1621) was a figure not to be taken lightly. He was Pope Clement VIII’s personal theologian and one of the most able figures in the Counter-Reformation movement within sixteenth-century Roman Catholicism. On one occasion, he wrote: ‘The greatest of all Protestant heresies is _______ .’

Complete, explain, and discuss Bellarmine’s statement.

How would you answer? What is the greatest of all Protestant heresies?

Perhaps justification by faith? Perhaps Scripture alone, or one of the other Reformation watchwords? …”

– Sinclair Ferguson writes at Ligonier Ministries.

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