Freedom18 Conference – The Limits of Religious Freedom

Posted on April 5, 2018 
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Freedom for Faith is holding their 2018 Conference –

“Join with lawyers, politicians, academics and faith leaders at the NSW Parliament for Freedom18.  Our conference theme is ‘the limits of religious freedom’.

The debates around marriage highlighted tensions between claims of religious freedom and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation – should religious freedom be curtailed by other claims to dignity and rights? How does freedom relate to security in our secular liberal democracy? Do we live in over-regulated times that are going too far in constraining civic freedoms?

Freedom18 is a unique opportunity to network with some of Australia’s leading thinkers and practitioners. In the contested intersection of culture, public theology, and law, we want to offer a platform for the best possible conversations. …”

– Read more about the Freedom for Faith conference to be held on Wednesday May 23 at NSW Parliament House.

FCANZ response to Motion 29 Working Group Final Report

Posted on April 4, 2018 
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“This is the formal response to the Motion 29 Working Group Final Report and Recommendations. The Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans New Zealand (FCANZ) is thankful for the opportunities the Working Group has provided the Province to offer feedback, and to some extent shape the final recommendations included within the report. …

The Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans has engaged fully and in good faith throughout the Motion 29 Working Group process. But, we repeat, if General Synod adopts recommendations allowing authorized services which contradict our existing doctrine and practice, many Anglicans will have been abandoned by their denomination and will have no alternative but to seek other ways of remaining authentically Anglican. …”

– The Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans New Zealand has released their response (PDF file) to Motion 29 Working Group Final Report.

When Facebook falls out of Like with your blog

Posted on April 3, 2018 
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“Sorry Facebook, it’s not me baby, it’s you.

Lots of people have fallen out of like with Facebook over the years, but when it’s the other way around, it stings a little.

So, Facebook, I’m starting to fall out of like with you – fast falling out of like with you actually – because you’ve fallen out of like with me.

Or more to the point, you’ve fallen out of like with my blog. You’ve gone all silent on me.  Don’t even talk about me to anyone anymore. It’s as if you’re ashamed of me. …”

– Stephen McAlpine in Perth has come to a realisation about Facebook.

Cricket scandal a lesson in forgiveness — Archbishop Glenn Davies

Posted on April 3, 2018 
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On Easter Sunday morning at the Cathedral, Archbishop Glenn Davies spoke of forgiveness in the context of the Cricket scandal.

Nine News had this report. Reuters had another.

Food, perhaps, for conversation at work today?

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.

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