Albert Mohler speaks with John Anderson
Posted on June 21, 2017
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In his latest ‘Thinking in Public’ series of conversations, Albert Mohler speaks with former Australian Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson (mp3 audio).
Well worth hearing.
Loose Canons? Andy Lines and the Canons of Nicaea
Posted on June 21, 2017
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“On Friday 30th June, Andy Lines will be consecrated at a meeting of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), as a ‘missionary bishop’ for Europe. This is in response to the recent decision of the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) to modify its definition of marriage to include same-sex couples, placing it at variance with scripture and with the majority of the Anglican Communion.
In a letter to the Primates of the Communion, Archbishop Justin Welby expressed profound concern over the upcoming consecration of Canon Lines. For Welby, the Church’s continued commitment to ‘those with differing views’ (exemplified by the role of the Bishop of Maidstone in providing oversight for those who oppose the ordination of women), made the appointment of a missionary bishop unnecessary. Such an argument rests, of course, on a theological parity being drawn between disagreements over ordained ministry, and over sexual ethics – a parity that is by no means self-evident, as Lee Gatiss argued last week.
What was most intriguing, however, was what the Archbishop went on to say next: …”
– At Church Society’s blog, Mark Smith takes a look at the Canons of the Council of Nicaea, to which the Archbishop of Canterbury appeals. What do they really say?
Conserving Moore College’s treasures
Posted on June 20, 2017
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“In 2016 a special fundraising program was launched to invite people to partner with the Library in conserving some of the most precious items in the Rare Book and Archives collections. …
The photographic collection of the Reverend Dr Frank Cash (1887-1964) carries great historical significance as it documents in hundreds of images the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. For decades, most of these images have remained in their original form as glass plate negatives and lantern slides – fragile and inaccessible formats. Now they have all been digitised and are available on Myrrh…”
– Generous gifts have helped close the gap in funding important conservation at Moore College.
Newcastle Bishop Nomination Board to hold regional workshops
Posted on June 20, 2017
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This week, the Newcastle Diocese Bishop Nomination Board is holding a series of regional consultation workshops (PDF), as they reflect on who could be the next Bishop of the diocese.
Doubtless, they would appreciate our prayers for wisdom in this task.
What it means to be a disciple
Posted on June 19, 2017
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Tony Payne, co-author of The Vine Project, explains what it means to be a disciple and what it therefore means to make disciples – in this video posted at GoThereFor.com.
Car wash to become homeless aged care centre
Posted on June 18, 2017
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“In the inner-city suburb of Darlinghurst, early work has begun on an aged care centre catering for homeless men and women.
The 42-bed centre will be operated by the charity HammondCare, on a site previously occupied by a car wash. …”
– Story from ABC News.
Artist’s impression of the new centre via St. John’s Darlinghurst.
Good News that is also True News
Posted on June 18, 2017
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“Gospel means ‘good news’ because its message is that Jesus the Son of God has saved us from the penalty of our sin and blessed us with his life-changing Spirit.
This ‘good news’ is no less true news’ – true historically. If the gospel is not historically true, then its message is not ‘good’, but ‘bad’, misleading and a cruel mockery.
But the ‘good news’ is no less ‘true news’. …”
– Dr. Paul Barnett has made available the text of his talk, delivered at the Anglican Connection Conference in Dallas, June 12-14, 2017.
Vision 2022 for Tasmania — video
Posted on June 17, 2017
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In a follow-up to his 2017 Synod Presidential Address, Bishop of Tasmania, Richard Condie, speaks in this video about the new Vision 2022 for the churches of Tasmania.
How to venerate a relic
Posted on June 16, 2017
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“A relic of Mother Teresa (now Saint Teresa of Calcutta) – a drop of her blood – is being taken to Roman Catholic Churches throughout Ireland.
It has its own Facebook page where you can see it being venerated by crowds of people.
There’s also a video to tell you how to properly venerate it. The Reformation isn’t over!” – From Tim Challies.
Screenshot: The relic arriving in Newry Cathedral last weekend.
See also: Do Catholics and Protestants believe in the same Trinity? – by Mark Gilbert.
A big moment for the Presbyterian Church in America
Posted on June 16, 2017
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“As a denomination we are facing what I believe is a watershed moment.
Overture 2 which was submitted by Calvary Presbytery will grant full constitutional status to Book of Church Order (BCO) 59 which states that ‘Marriage is to be between one man and one woman, in accordance with the Word of God’ (59-3), and that ministers are required to obey the civil laws of the community regarding marriage ‘to the extent that those laws do not transgress the laws of God as interpreted by the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America’. …
by granting BCO 59 constitutional status the PCA would be offering additional protections to pastors and chaplains who are being and will continued to be called upon to perform homosexual weddings.”
– At The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, Todd Pruitt writes about one move to protect biblical teaching on marriage.
Head to Head about 1 Corinthians 11:3-16
Posted on June 16, 2017
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“Chapter 11 of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians … deals with what women wear on their heads. And to most of us, the issues he raises seem as foreign to us as hats at royal funerals and the experience of young Muslim women. Culturally, it is a world away.
So what do we make of 1 Corinthians 11 in this day and age? Is there anything in it for us as modern Christian women and men?”
– There’s been some unhelpful fuss lately about 1 Corinthians 11. Confused? To bring clarity, The Gospel Coalition Australia recently published this article by Dr. Claire Smith.
And, back in 2010, Kevin DeYoung wrote Why Complemegalitarian Doesn’t Work – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.
My favourite Reformer is John Calvin
Posted on June 16, 2017
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“Having been an active member of the Roman Catholic Church for 28 years, only leaving it 4 years before I started studying at Moore, reading Calvin’s Institutes was for me like discovering the Protestant play book for Catholic Evangelism!
Most of the arguments and answers to the questions and challenges I would put to my Protestant friends as a Catholic, I discovered when I started reading Calvin, actually came from him. …”
– The Rev. Mark Gilbert points out that Calvin’s insights are very useful in sharing the gospel with our Catholic friends.
Craig Roberts to be new Youthworks CEO
Posted on June 15, 2017
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Here’s an announcement from Youthworks –
“The Archbishop of Sydney, the Most Rev Glenn Davies, and Youthworks Council Chair, the Rev Chris Braga are most pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev Craig Roberts BEc BD(Hons) DipMin MA(Theol) to the position of Chief Executive Officer of Youthworks. Craig will be joining Youthworks after fourteen years as the Senior Minister at Neutral Bay Anglican Church. Read more
Diocese of Truro advertises for Mission leader, but “You do not need to be a practising Christian”
Posted on June 15, 2017
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“The Diocese of Truro (strapline: ‘Discovering God’s Kingdom / Growing the Church’) is advertising for a Strategic Programme Manager who will be responsible for ‘the strategic leadership of the Transforming Mission programme’.
This post is not simply managerial, but one of leadership. They specify to potential applicants: ‘You do not need to be a practising Christian’…”
– This story, via “Archbishop Cranmer”, epitomises much of what is wrong with the Church of England today.
See the advertisement here, on the Diocese of Truro website. Full job description (docx file.)
Protection of Religious Freedom through Discrimination Balancing Clauses
Posted on June 14, 2017
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Associate Professor Neil Foster presented a paper with the above title at today’s Freedom 17 Conference in Canberra.