Preaching Matters: Gospel Certainty in Luke

Posted on May 7, 2017 
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on Preaching Matters: Gospel Certainty in Luke

More resources from St. Helen’s Bishopsgate:

“How does Luke provide certainty for his readers? Why is it important for the word of God to make sense of the works of Christ? If certainty comes from something other than first-hand experience of physical evidence, what are the implications for the way we do evangelism?

Preaching Matters is back with William Taylor tackling these questions, and more, from Luke’s Gospel.”

Christians under siege, religious freedom inquiry hears

Posted on May 6, 2017 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on Christians under siege, religious freedom inquiry hears

“A Melbourne IT specialist engaged to work on the Safe Schools program was sacked after privately expressing concerns about the contentious initiative during a staff meeting, with his employer later accusing him of ‘creating an unsafe work environment’. …

His predicament is just one of several cases of discrimination ­alleged by Christians or opponents of same-sex marriage that have come to light as part of the inquiry, which, in the wake of the Coopers Brewery fiasco, has heightened concerns about free speech and a growing intolerance towards traditional views.”

– Report from today’s The Australian.

Installation of Archbishop of Adelaide — in pictures

Posted on May 5, 2017 
Filed under Australian dioceses Comments Off on Installation of Archbishop of Adelaide — in pictures

Bishop Geoff Smith was installed as the fifth Archbishop of Adelaide last week.

The Diocese of Adelaide has posted some pictures.

Six ways to be prepared

Posted on May 5, 2017 
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on Six ways to be prepared

“One of the ways you ‘honour Christ the Lord as holy’ as a Christian is by ‘being prepared to make a defence [or a ‘reasoned statement’] to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you’ (1 Pet 3:15). Preparation is also a key way to feel more confident and positive about sharing Jesus with those around you.

So here are six ways to be prepared…”

– Ian Carmichael, CEO and Publishing Director at Matthias Media (and formerly Secretary of the ACL Council), shares these useful ideas.

Dick Lucas on Mark’s Gospel – volume 2

Posted on May 5, 2017 
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on Dick Lucas on Mark’s Gospel – volume 2

Back in January, we noted that a series of recordings by Dick Lucas, to help God’s people think through the meaning of Mark’s Gospel, had been published by St. Helen’s Bishopsgate.

“The most recent fruits of his retirement are recordings of his latest reflections on Scripture, aimed primarily at the Bible expositor but suitable for everyone. Recorded in his kitchen, where most of his sermon preparation takes place, they are starting to be published just prior to Christmas 2016.”

At that point, his observations on Mark 1-8 were available. Now Volume two, covering chapters 9-16, is also online.

“This is a significant development because it is the first time ever that Dick has covered the whole of the second half of the gospel in consecutive Bible exposition.”

Our thanks to Dick Lucas, and to St. Helen’s, for making these available.

Moore Theological College Open Week, May 8 – 12, 2017

Posted on May 4, 2017 
Filed under Resources, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Moore Theological College Open Week, May 8 – 12, 2017

Moore College is holding its next Open Week from Monday 8th May.

Click the image for a larger version, or go here for details of what’s on.

‘Not an attempt to storm Lambeth Palace’ — Peter Jensen

Posted on May 3, 2017 
Filed under Anglican Communion, GAFCON Comments Off on ‘Not an attempt to storm Lambeth Palace’ — Peter Jensen

“GAFCON, a worldwide group of conservative Anglicans, has told Premier it’s not looking to break up the Church of England but is instead working to keep Anglican Communion united. …

Addressing the issue on Premier’s News Hour, Most Rev Peter Jensen, GAFCON’s General Secretary and a former Archbishop of Sydney, said: “There are many issues that divide us, where we have diverse opinions, and that’s OK — but some of them are so important that a stand has to be taken. A painful and costly stand.’…”

– Listen to the interview here. (h/t Anglican Mainstream.)

What Justification means

Posted on May 3, 2017 
Filed under Theology Comments Off on What Justification means

“The eleventh Article is so crucial that no apology need be offered for dwelling a little upon it.

Luther has been severely criticised for declaring that Justification by Faith only was ‘Articulus aut stantis aut cadentis ecclesiae,’ ‘The Article of a standing or a falling Church.’ But it may confidently be declared that the whole Reformation movement stands or falls according to the interpretation placed on Justification. …”

– The Australian Church Record has republished T.C. Hammond’s commentary on Article XI, Of the Justification of Man.

The real reasons your people aren’t turning up to church every week

Posted on May 3, 2017 
Filed under Opinion, Resources Comments Off on The real reasons your people aren’t turning up to church every week

“Church just feels like a sanctified busy activity or round of activities. And activity and a perceived requirement to be active is wearing people out.

For the average family juggling mortgage repayments in the commuter belt, working two jobs, with three kids in two different schools ten kilometres from each other, and ageing parents two hours drive away, busy is the enemy, whether that’s secular busy or church busy. Church no longer looks like a safe place, regardless of whether it’s signed up to Safe Churches or not. Church feels like a busy place, and busy is no longer safe. …”

– Stephen McAlpine in Perth responds to a recent article on declining church attendance among evangelical Christians.

Oak Hill Commentary — special tribute to Mike Ovey

Posted on May 2, 2017 
Filed under People Comments Off on Oak Hill Commentary — special tribute to Mike Ovey

Recently, Oak Hill College published a special edition of their Commentary magazine, “in thanksgiving for the life and ministry of Mike Ovey”.

It includes contributions from Don Carson, Mark Thompson, David Peterson and William Taylor.

If you haven’t seen it, you can read the issue online, or download the 4MB PDF file (direct link). Most honouring to the Lord Jesus.

Bishop Greg Thompson to be farewelled

Posted on May 2, 2017 
Filed under Australian dioceses Comments Off on Bishop Greg Thompson to be farewelled

The Diocese of Newcastle is holding a Farewell Service for Bishop Greg Thompson.

Sunday 21st May, 6:00pm at Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle.

Keeping the faith: Andrew Hastie on poetry, political courage, and not banning the burka

Posted on May 2, 2017 
Filed under People Comments Off on Keeping the faith: Andrew Hastie on poetry, political courage, and not banning the burka

“Andrew Hastie has been typecast as a Christian politician from day one.

While he says that can be frustrating, it’s meant he’s never felt the need to hide who he is.

The member for Canning has been in the spotlight for his views on same-sex marriage and changes to racial hate laws.

But he says at the heart of his worldview is the belief that everyone is equal and has dignity.

And he says that plays into his views on all policies. …”

– The ABC’s Alexandra Beech has this piece on Andrew Hastie, the member for Canning in Western Australia. (Photo by Alexandra Beech / ABC News.)

Mainstream … or on the margins?

Posted on May 1, 2017 
Filed under Encouragement, Opinion, Other denominations Comments Off on Mainstream … or on the margins?

“If ever we could have considered the church to be a core part of Australian culture (and that’s not at all certain), the Christian church is now being slowly edged to one side. It is increasingly less mainstream.

Have you noticed though that there are key moments in the year’s calendar and certain elements of our culture where we’re let back in? It’s strange, but true. Consider… ”

– John Wilson, Moderator-General of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, offers encouragement to take the opportunities we do have to share the Christian hope.

GAFCON UK response to the Primates’ Communique

Posted on April 30, 2017 
Filed under Anglican Communion, Church of England, GAFCON Comments Off on GAFCON UK response to the Primates’ Communique

“We appreciate the way GAFCON has recognised that this intervention is giving global support to one of a number of initiatives being taken by biblically orthodox Anglicans in Britain; others include the work being done to strengthen the Free Church of England. …”

– Read the full statement from GAFCON UK.

GAFCON Primates Communiqué — ‘Missionary Bishop’ for Europe

Posted on April 30, 2017 
Filed under Anglican Communion, GAFCON Comments Off on GAFCON Primates Communiqué — ‘Missionary Bishop’ for Europe


After their meeting in Lagos, last week, the GAFCON Primates issued this Communiqué –

“Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As your Primates, we met in Lagos, Nigeria from 24th -28th April 2017 to pray and work for the continued renewal of the Anglican Communion. We give thanks for the extraordinary hospitality of the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, the Archbishop of Lagos, and the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).

We began our time together each day with prayer and the study of God’s Word. Aware that we are approaching the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, we gave thanks for the faithful witness of those leaders who challenged the Church to recover the authority of the Scriptures. They were men and women who were willing to take costly action, and sealed that testimony with their own blood. …”

– Read it all here.

Note one key section of the communiqué:

“During our meeting, we considered how best to respond to the voice of faithful Anglicans in some parts of the Global North who are in need of biblically faithful episcopal leadership.

Of immediate concern is the reality that on 8th June 2017 the Scottish Episcopal Church is likely to formalize their rejection of Jesus’ teaching on marriage. If this were to happen, faithful Anglicans in Scotland will need appropriate pastoral care. In addition, within England there are churches that have, for reasons of conscience, been planted outside of the Church of England by the Anglican Mission in England (AMiE).

These churches are growing, and are in need of episcopal leadership. Therefore, we have decided to consecrate a missionary bishop who will be tasked with providing episcopal leadership for those who are outside the structures of any Anglican province, especially in Europe.” [Emphasis added.]

← Previous Page — Next Page →