Broughton Knox: servant of Christ Jesus
Posted on May 18, 2017
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“More than a hundred years ago, Broughton Knox, Principal of Moore College from 1959 until 1985 and one of the most influential figures in the history of the Diocese, was born.
He was a man loved by many and yet he deeply irritated others. For forty years he was a dominant force in the Diocese of Sydney, shaping generations of clergy and impacting the core convictions of the diocese.
He shaped its theological college, Moore College, into a modern institution capable of making a significant contribution on the world stage. Then, after retiring from a record principalship of the College in 1985, he accepted an invitation to found another college in South Africa, George Whitefield College, which today is playing a strategic role in equipping the burgeoning churches on that vast continent.
What was it that animated Broughton Knox throughout his ministry and his life as a disciple of Christ? …”
– Moore College Principal, Dr Mark Thompson, writes about his renowned predecessor – at the Moore College website.
Why so many churches hear so little of the Bible
Posted on May 18, 2017
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“In many churches, there is almost no public reading of the Word of God. Worship is filled with music, but congregations seem disinterested in listening to the reading of the Bible.”
– Albert Mohler writes at the Southern Seminary blog. We would hope things are better in Sydney.
Evangelism in the Latter Days – Sharing the gospel with ageing parents
Posted on May 17, 2017
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“Ever since I became a Christian at the ripe old age of 18 I’ve been trying to share the gospel with my parents.
Not surprisingly, they weren’t receptive to my early methods, driven as they were by excessively youthful enthusiasm. My decision to give up all for gospel preaching in my late twenties only increased their hardness towards that message. …”
– Here’s some encouragement from The Australian Church Record.
Related: Keith Green – Song to my Parents.
Duty to Die? — ‘Australian Presbyterian’ on Euthanasia
Posted on May 16, 2017
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In the light of today’s news of a proposed “Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill” to come before NSW Parliament (ABC News story here), the current issue (Winter 2017) of Australian Presbyterian magazine is particularly timely as it addresses the issue of euthanasia.
Article 1: Opening Pandora’s Box. Why Christians must stand firm against euthanasia. An interview with Dr. Scott Rae.
Article 2: A bad move. By Moore College graduate Dr Neil Chambers.
(In addition, Marylynn Rouse from the John Newton Project reflects on John Newton’s experience of God’s amazing grace.)
The issue is available as a PDF file at this link.
Objections to the election of the Rev. Jacob Worley as Bishop of Caledonia
Posted on May 16, 2017
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“Rev. Jacob Worley has been elected bishop of the Diocese of Caledonia. He was to replace Bishop William Anderson, one of the few remaining conservative bishops in the Anglican Church of Canada and is probably a good fit for the position.
Provided the wolves don’t eat him first. …”
– Canadian blogger Anglican Samizdat comments on the overturning, by the Provincial House of Bishops of BC & Yukon, of the election of a new Bishop of Caledonia. (Photo via Anglican Journal.)
Gospel Presentation and Eulogies: Part 1
Posted on May 16, 2017
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“One reality of ministry is that funerals come along and impose themselves on our carefully planned out diaries. Sometimes you go for a while without many and then five or six come in quick succession. Other times they come in a steady stream.
No matter when they come along they are a wonderful opportunity to share the hope of the Gospel and the love of Christ to those who are grieving. It is easy to overlook how significant these opportunities are to pastor and reach out to those who rarely, if ever, come to church.…”
– At Church Society’s blog, Adam Young discusses the opportunities for ministering good news at a funeral.
Camino Faith and Christian Faith
Posted on May 15, 2017
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“With some friends I recently traversed the beautiful and famous Camino Trail in Spain. Some of our group walked the shorter stretches of the trail but we mostly travelled in the comfort of our coach.
The journey provided opportunity to visit some amazing Cathedrals. The standout was the Cathedral in Leon whose colour-glazed windows were breathtaking.
Some of the pilgrims were walking to meet the athletic challenge of the Camino. For others it was a spiritual exercise, a time of reflection based on the journey of St James Zebedee all those years ago. …”
– In his latest post, Bishop Paul Barnett compares the stories concerning St. James with the historical evidence for Jesus.
Why bother with women’s conferences?
Posted on May 15, 2017
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“In the run-up to women’s conferences, I often hear the ‘why bother?’ question. I think the underlying thoughts are that Christian conferences generally are useful – but why do we need to have a conference just for women? And why do we need to have only female preachers at a women’s conference? Don’t we just want the best preacher for the job, regardless of whether they are male or female? …”
– At GoTherFor.com, Kirsten McKinlay suggests there is real value in creating a context for women to preach to women.
Why do good works?
Posted on May 13, 2017
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“The first question that arises when the Doctrine of Justification by faith only is clearly set forth is: What then is the place of good works in the Christian economy?”
– The Australian Church Record continues to republish Archdeacon T.C. Hammond’s thoughts on The Thirty Nine Articles.
Related: A city’s care, two ways – SydneyAnglicans.net.
Jesmond Conference 2017 talks
Posted on May 12, 2017
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Concerning the Church of England:
“One recent survey was particularly depressing. It showed that disbelieving clergy are correlated with church decline, for example, only 50% of clergy from declining churches agreed it was ‘very important to encourage non-Christians to become Christians’, compared with 100% of clergy from growing Churches.
Also 100% of clergy and 90% of worshippers from growing churches agreed that ‘God performs miracles in answer to prayers’, compared with 80% of worshippers and 44% of clergy from declining churches. …”
– This excerpt from the February 2017 Jesmond Conference Statement (PDF file download link) highlights the desperate need for clear gospel proclamation in the Church of England.
Bishop Martin Morrison of REACH-SA spoke of one way forward being the irregular consecration of bishops. Conference talks here.
The Jesmond Consecration
Posted on May 11, 2017
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“Bishop Pryke is a godly man who is committed to the teaching of the Scriptures. He is a conscientious Anglican who believes the classic doctrine of the church as expressed in the 39 Articles and the Book of Common Prayer.
His godly character is attested by those who have observed him in ministry over many years. He is an entirely appropriate candidate for leadership among God’s people. The consecration is valid, there can be no doubt about that.
It is, however, irregular, but that irregularity is borne out of the desperate situation in which believers who remain within the Church of England find themselves. …”
– In his latest post at Theological Theology, Principal of Moore Theological College, Dr. Mark Thompson, writes about the consecration of Jonathan Pryke, and why so many see it is necessary.
Abortion bill defeated in NSW Parliament
Posted on May 11, 2017
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“The decision of the NSW Legislative Council to reject Greens MP Mehreen Faruqi’s extreme abortion bill is a win for both women and unborn children in the state, according to the Australian Christian Lobby.
The Abortion Law Reform (Miscellaneous Acts Amendment) Bill 2016 sought to make abortion legal up to birth, remove the rights of doctors to conscientiously object, and ban prayer vigils and sidewalk counselling outside abortion facilities or be subject to 12 months in prison or a $16,500 fine.
ACL NSW director Mark Makowiecki said the bill did not include any safeguards for women seeking abortion, nor did it require abortion practitioners to hold a medical qualification. …”
– from an Australian Christian Lobby media release.
And from Paul Green, MLC, Christian Democratic Party:
“We have received hundreds of emails and letters, including a correspondence from the Catholic and Anglican Archbishops. As well as support of over 55,000 people signing and promoting petitions regarding this Bill.
I also commend the work of organisations such as Australian Christian Lobby, Abortion Rethink, Canberra Declaration and many more for vocally standing against this Bill. Rather than decriminalising abortion, we need to review our attitudes and practices to ensure there are appropriate safeguards for the well-being of the unborn child, the woman, and others impacted by the decision.
We need to address the underlying causes and provide women with real alternatives to unplanned pregnancies that are not going to expose them to further harm.”
(both via e-mail)
Earlier post: Proposed Abortion Law changes in NSW.
Jesmond Parish Church Press Statement — New Style English Bishop
Posted on May 11, 2017
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“On St Athanasius’ Day, 2 May 2017, Jonathan Pryke, the senior minister, under its vicar, of Jesmond Parish Church, Newcastle upon Tyne, was consecrated a ‘bishop in the Church of God’.
This was by the Presiding Bishop of REACH SA (the Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church of South Africa), formerly known as CESA (the Church of England in South Africa) …
The service took place neither in a Church of England “place of worship” nor an unconsecrated place of worship designated under s.43 of the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011. It did not take place in Jesmond Parish Church. The ceremony was according to the REACH SA consecration Holy Communion service with only REACH SA bishops taking part. …”
– Read the whole statement from David Holloway, Vicar of Jesmond Parish Church.
Image: Jonathan Pryke at The Jesmond Conference — Reformation in the Nation and Church, March 2017. Bible Reading 1. Bible Reading 2.
Watch all the videos from the Conference for the theological background to the decision to consecrate a new bishop.
Hotel hosting Christians targeted by ‘Safe Schools’ supporters
Posted on May 10, 2017
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“A Melbourne hotel has been caught in the crossfire of debate about the contentious Safe Schools program.
Arrow on Swanston, in Carlton, had agreed to host an Australian Christian Lobby event last night with speakers discussing Safe Schools and gender reassignment.
Before the event, the hotel received harassing phone calls and online threats that called the ACL a hate group and condemned the business for associating with them. …”
– Report from The Australian.
Background: What is Safe Schools? – The Australian Christian Lobby.
GAFCON UK Statement on the consecration at Jesmond Parish Church
Posted on May 9, 2017
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“Gafcon UK are aware that Jesmond Parish Church have for some years been in a form of impaired communion with the Bishop of Newcastle, and have developed a special relationship with REACH-SA (formerly CESA). …”
– A statement from GAFCON UK on the consecration, by the REACH-SA Presiding Bishop, of Jesmond Parish Church’s Jonathan Pryke. (Jesmond Parish Church is a key evangelical church in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.)
See also this story from Christian Today.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…