Four stages of ‘evangelical’ affirmation of gay marriage

Posted on August 2, 2017
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“I have noticed a pretty consistent progression among those who eventually embrace gay marriage. …

It usually takes some time to move from number 2 to number 3. McLaren and the Hatmakers both took four years to make that transition. But the transition from 3 to 4 can sometimes happen very rapidly. My observation, however, is that anyone who makes it to 3 eventually makes it to 4 also.”

– Denny Burk, Professor of Biblical Studies at Boyce College, shares what he has seen among those who call themselves ‘evangelicals’ in the USA.

Why next week’s Liberal Party showdown on Marriage as a proxy for the soul of our nation

Posted on August 2, 2017
Filed under Culture wars, Opinion Comments Off on Why next week’s Liberal Party showdown on Marriage as a proxy for the soul of our nation

“A glance at today’s headlines shows that same-sex marriage is tearing our political class apart. For an issue that doesn’t even register as a concern with the average punter – it is number 16 on the priority list for the left-leaning GetUp! supporters – it is dominating politics. …”

– The Australian Christian Lobby’s Lyle Shelton calls for prayer for Australia and its political leaders.

[Note: The Australian Christian Lobby and the Anglican Church League are not related. We just happen to have the same initials.]

Ready to give an answer

Posted on August 2, 2017
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“Though we’re reading mixed signals from Parliament, let there be no mixed signals from the church. Though we hear rumours in Canberra of deferrals, reneging and equivocation … is our word our word? Are we ready to give an answer, even if that makes us unpopular with people we love?…”

– Presbyterian Moderator-General John P Wilson encourages Christians to be clear about what they believe, and to speak with gentleness and respect.

Reflections on the 50th anniversary of my Diving Accident

Posted on August 1, 2017
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Joni Eareckson Tada reflects on the the Lord’s faithfulness, these fifty years, since she had her diving accident.

At The Gospel Coalition.

Reformation Public Lecture — Graham Cole — The legacy of the Reformation through the eyes of J.C. Ryle

Posted on August 1, 2017
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Dr Graham Cole spoke at Moore College on July 19th, about The legacy of the Reformation through the eyes of J.C. Ryle. Most encouraging.

Take the time to watch.

The message lives on

Posted on August 1, 2017
Filed under History, People, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on The message lives on

“Mr Eternity could never have imagined he would have crowds of Sydney-siders remembering him 50 years after his death, but that’s what happened at St Andrew’s Cathedral on Sunday.

But then again, he wouldn’t have imagined he would prompt city authorities to emblazon Eternity in fireworks on the Harbour Bridge at the turn of the century, either.

Arthur Stace was an alcoholic converted during the Great Depression, who then went on to devote his life to reminding people of Eternity by writing the word in perfect copperplate on Sydney Streets.…”

– Russell Powell reports on the tribute to Arthur Stace, “Mr. Eternity”, last Sunday at the Cathedral. (Photo of Arthur Stace courtesy HammondCare.)

Enemies of Christianity declaring new war on religion

Posted on August 1, 2017
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“Christians, prepare for persecution. Open your eyes and choose stronger leaders for the dark days.

I am not a Christian, but I am amazed that your bishops and ministers are not warning you of what is already breaking over your heads. …”

– Andrew Bolt writes in The Herald-Sun. (Subscription.) Image: Sky News.

I was born in a free country

Posted on July 30, 2017
Filed under Culture wars, Opinion Comments Off on I was born in a free country

“Media release July 28 2017 in response to complaints accepted by the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner.

Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Sarah Bolt has informed me that she has accepted a complaint against my church, in part for things that I wrote on my blog in 2011 in defence of marriage.

No one is forced to read my writings, it is the mere fact of their existence that may prove to be unlawful.

I bear no ill-will whatsoever towards the complainant. I am however bemused that a Christian pastor can be called to account before a government tribunal for expressing Christian teaching about marriage. …”

– Pastor of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Hobart, Campbell Markum, responds publicly to correspondence from the Tasmanian ‘Anti-Discrimination Commissioner’. Read it all.

Nathan Tasker sings Eternity

Posted on July 30, 2017
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From Nathan Tasker’s album “Home” (iTunes), the single “Eternity (What we were made for)”.

Eternity: How Arthur Stace’s handwritten chalk message became a symbol of Sydney – Sun-Herald.

From here to Eternity: Arthur Stace in his own words

Posted on July 29, 2017
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In 1964, 79 year-old Arthur Stace was interviewed on Sydney radio about why he wrote “Eternity”.

We’ve transcribed the brief segment. (A few words are unclear.)

Presenter: [One of ] the things that strikes a visitor to Sydney, and indeed many other towns right throughout New South Wales, is the fact that someone has been there before, in writing “Eternity” on the footpaths, on walls, almost anywhere, in very fine handwriting, and in yellow chalk.

For Monitor, Jim Waugh found Mr Arthur Stace, who writes “Eternity” and asked him, “Why?”. Read more

Colin Buchanan sings about Mr Eternity

Posted on July 29, 2017
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“Award-winning musician Colin Buchanan will perform a special tribute tomorrow to the man who emblazoned Sydney and Melbourne with ‘Eternity’.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Arthur Stace, Buchanan wrote Eternity (Arthur Stace).

During a 10:30am commemorative service tomorrow for Stace at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney, Buchanan will perform the song – which you can listen to below. …”

– Listen at Eternity newspaper.

Relationship building between city and country with spirit levels and spiritual support

Posted on July 29, 2017
Filed under Australian dioceses, Encouragement Comments Off on Relationship building between city and country with spirit levels and spiritual support

“For many years, Stewart Cuddy has been a Sydney lawyer attending an Anglican parish in one of Sydney’s most affluent suburbs. But this week he is a labourer, on the end of a chainsaw or power drill, working with a church in remote the remote New South Wales town of Walgett.

Mr Cuddy is part of a group of volunteers who head west every year on a grey nomad trip with a difference…”

– Story about St Peter’s Walgett and St James’ Turramurra from ABC News.

Societas 2017

Posted on July 29, 2017
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Moore College’s annual student magazine publication, Societas, is now available.

Always a good read!

‘Mr Eternity’ remembered at Hammondville

Posted on July 28, 2017
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“This month will mark 50 years since the death of Arthur Stace at Hammondville. Internationally recognised as ‘Mr Eternity’, Stace spent 30 years anonymously writing the word ‘Eternity’ across the streets of Sydney. …

After spending more than three decades writing Eternity on footpaths (500,000 times) – with initial inspiration coming in a sermon by Baptist evangelist John Ridley – Arthur Stace spent his final years as an aged care resident at Hammondville before dying of a stroke on July 30, 1967.”

– Story from HammondCare.

We understand that HammondCare’s David Martin will be on Open House on Hope 103.2FM this Sunday evening.

Cathedral to remember ‘Mr Eternity’, Arthur Stace, this Sunday.

The Eternity waterfall after 40 years.

(Photo: Arthur as the Emergency depot Manager at the Hammond Hotel Chippendale, 1930s. Courtesy HammondCare, used with permission. © HammondCare.)

Leaving the denomination

Posted on July 27, 2017
Filed under Encouragement, Other denominations Comments Off on Leaving the denomination

“In 2012, the Tron Church in Glasgow City Centre, to which I belong, took the difficult decision to leave the Church of Scotland. In this short article I hope to describe something of the experience our congregation went through, and something of what it feels like five years on, in 2017.…”