D.B. Knox: The Authority of the Bible — Pt 1

Posted on January 27, 2017 
Filed under Theology Comments Off on D.B. Knox: The Authority of the Bible — Pt 1

From a lecture to the Evangelical Union, Sydney University, as appeared in The Australian Church Record, November 18, 1948.

“The subject I have chosen is the authority of the Bible, and I propose to deal:

1. Content of Authority.
2. The reasons for giving the Bible that authority.

The first part can be dealt with in a sentence or two. As the Presbyterian Confession of Faith has it: ‘The Bible is given by inspiration of God to be the rule of faith and life,’ or as the Church of England puts it in her Articles ‘Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary for Salvation,‘…”

– Read Part 1 at The Australian Church Record.

(Photo: D. Broughton Knox in Sydney in 1956.)

Australia Day Honours 2017

Posted on January 26, 2017 
Filed under Australia Comments Off on Australia Day Honours 2017

Over at SydneyAnglicans.net, Russell Powell has a report on Sydney Anglicans recognised in today’s Australia Day Honours.

Audio of the Thanksgiving Service for Mike Ovey

Posted on January 24, 2017 
Filed under People Comments Off on Audio of the Thanksgiving Service for Mike Ovey

Audio of the Thanksgiving Service for Mike Ovey (held yesterday, 23rd January 2017) has now been posted to the website of the Enfield Evangelical Free Church.

It runs for 86 minutes and includes hymns, readings, appreciations, the sermon, and prayers.

(Photo courtesy Oak Hill College.)

Update: Oak Hill College shares more about the service.

Proposed bill ‘doesn’t protect religious freedom’

Posted on January 24, 2017 
Filed under Culture wars, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Proposed bill ‘doesn’t protect religious freedom’

“The Diocese of Sydney has told a Senate Inquiry the proposed bill on same-sex marriage does not sufficiently protect freedom of religion.

The Senate inquiry into the exposure draft of the legislation allowing same-sex marriage has been holding public hearings in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra this week. The government has vowed the issue must be put to a plebiscite first, although a bill to enable a public vote was defeated the first time it was introduced into the Senate.

However, the committee is still examining enabling legislation which would be introduced, if a plebiscite were to result in a vote in favour of same-sex marriage.

The Diocese of Sydney made a submission to the public inquiry [PDF download], and the Chair of the Religious Freedom Reference Group, the Bishop of South Sydney Michael Stead, appeared at the inquiry. Bishop Stead was called alongside the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney. …”

– Read the full report by Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Update: The Australian Christian Lobby also has a report, with a copy of their submission.

Impossible to Believe — Preaching in a Secular Culture

Posted on January 24, 2017 
Filed under Culture wars, Resources Comments Off on Impossible to Believe — Preaching in a Secular Culture

“When people identify as believers in Jesus Christ they are making a far more individualistic statement than was possible in years past. Furthermore, they are doing so in the face of alternative worldview options that were simply unavailable until very recently.

In fact, as I was doing research for my book on atheism I learned that the very first use of ‘atheist’ in English came from Miles Coverdale who invented the word during his time translating Scripture.

The remarkable thing to notice is that Coverdale had to invent a term for someone who did not believe in God because he did not know anyone who actually held that conviction. No one in the Elizabethan age would have denied God’s existence.…”

– In his second article in a series on Preaching in a Secular Age, Albert Mohler makes some very worthwhile observations. Read it here.

New Women’s Ministry Stream at Moore College

Posted on January 23, 2017 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on New Women’s Ministry Stream at Moore College

The Australian Church Record chats with Jane Tooher about Moore College’s new women’s ministry study stream in its Advanced diploma of Bible, ministry and mission. 

Who is this study stream for?

“Any Christian woman wanting to be better equipped to serve Jesus Christ and His church in a variety of settings. We are anticipating a range of ages, personalities, backgrounds, and gifting. Some women may not have studied for many years or not at a tertiary level before. Others may have just finished university. Women are able to study the Advanced Diploma either part-time or full-time, as little as one subject at a time with only one day at College per week, so it’s flexible to suit as many women as possible.”

– Read it all here.

Archbishop of Sydney welcomes new Premier

Posted on January 23, 2017 
Filed under Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Archbishop of Sydney welcomes new Premier

Public Statement on the election of Gladys Berejiklian as the 45th Premier of NSW 

I welcome the uncontested election of Gladys Berejiklian as Leader of the Liberal Party and thus Premier of NSW.

I have known Ms Berejiklian since she entered Parliament and became my local member when I lived in her electorate. She is a well respected local member who has managed her ministerial portfolios with industry and competence.  

While a member of the Armenian Church, she has been a strong supporter of Anglican ministry and never missed a service marking the commencement of ministry of new Anglican rectors in her electorate.

All our Anglican churches pray for those who govern us, and as we have prayed for Mike Baird we shall now pray for Gladys Berejiklian that she might exercise this new responsibility with wisdom and grace, for the good of all citizens and the glory of God.

Archbishop Glenn Davies

23rd January, 2017. (From SydneyAnglicans.net. Photo from the NSW Liberal Party.)

Luther: The Life and Legacy

Posted on January 23, 2017 
Filed under History Comments Off on Luther: The Life and Legacy

This forthcoming documentary on Martin Luther features contributions by R.C.Sproul, Robert Godfrey, Steven Lawson, Carl Trueman and other reformed theologians. 

It looks to be well worth promoting, and is now available for pre-order. It’s due for release in April 2017.

Dr Mike Ovey Obituary by Chris Green

Posted on January 22, 2017 
Filed under People Comments Off on Dr Mike Ovey Obituary by Chris Green

At Ministry Nuts and Bolts, Chris Green, former Vice Principal of Oak Hill College, shares his obituary of Mike Ovey written for Church Times.

“In 1995, after a happy curacy with Andrew Cornes, the young family moved to Moore College, Sydney, with Mike as a junior lecturer in doctrine, and working on his MTh: Truth in John’s Gospel. This was seminal, both in experiencing doctrinally deep theological education, and coming under the influence of his life-long mentor…”

Read it all here.

Dr Gavin Ashenden resigns as Chaplain to the Queen

Posted on January 22, 2017 
Filed under Church of England Comments Off on Dr Gavin Ashenden resigns as Chaplain to the Queen

“After a conversation instigated by officials at Buckingham Palace, it is with regret that the Rev’d Dr Gavin Ashenden – theologian, academic, columnist and occasional contributor to [The Archbishop Cranmer] blog – has decided to resign his position as Chaplain to the Queen.

It was, he says, “the most honourable course of action” following “attempts to silence or defenestrate” him…”

– News from “Archbishop Cranmer”.

And you can read Dr. Ashenden’s full statement here.

“I have held the position for the last nine years. But over the last few years people who objected to my defending the Christian faith in public wrote to both Lambeth Palace and Buckingham Palace to try to get the association ended. …”

40th anniversary of the murder of Archbishop Janani Luwum to be observed

Posted on January 21, 2017 
Filed under History Comments Off on 40th anniversary of the murder of Archbishop Janani Luwum to be observed

“The Government of Uganda and the country’s Anglican Church will join forces next month for a major commemoration to mark the 40th Anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Janani Luwum. Archbishop Luwum was murdered by Uganda’s then-president, Idi Amin, on 16 February 1977. …”

– Report from the Anglican Communion News Service.

Remnant in Scotland finding hope through GAFCON

Posted on January 20, 2017 
Filed under GAFCON Comments Off on Remnant in Scotland finding hope through GAFCON

GAFCON has posted this video message from The Rev. David McCarthy, Rector of St. Thomas’ Church, Edinburgh.

GAFCON General Secretary Dr. Peter Jensen writes, “In this video, Revd David McCarthy, rector of St Thomas’s Edinburgh, laments the crisis which hit the Scottish Episcopal Church in June 2016 when the General Synod rejected the bible’s teaching by voting to change the church’s Canon on marriage.

However, reminded how in the recent past the Gafcon Primates came to the aid of Anglicans in North America, David and fellow orthodox Anglicans in Scotland are encouraged by support from within the wider communion and ask for our prayers.”

Archbishop of Sydney’s Statement on resignation of Premier Mike Baird

Posted on January 19, 2017 
Filed under People, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Archbishop of Sydney’s Statement on resignation of Premier Mike Baird

Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney, 19th January, 2017. Public Statement on the resignation of Premier Mike Baird.

With the unexpected resignation of Mike Baird as Premier, the State has lost an outstanding leader.

A man of principle and of mature Christian faith, Mike Baird has ‘made the difference’ that he intended to make when he entered politics a decade ago.

His bold agenda for improving the infrastructure of our cities and our transport networks will stand the State in good stead for the next half century. His willingness to eschew short term political gain in order to do the right thing for the citizens of NSW is a model for political leaders from all sides.

Yet leadership of this calibre naturally attracts its critics, especially when powerful minorities are challenged and chastened as to their genuine concern for the common good, rather than their own sectional interests. 

For Mike Baird, his commitment to his family is both serious and important, not a smokescreen for a resignation due to other reasons. Mike Baird is trustworthy and while I am personally sorry to see him leave the office of Premier, I thank God for the impact he has made over the past ten years, and especially the last three years as Premier.

May God raise up more leaders like Mike, a person of transparency and genuine concern for the long term good of the citizens of NSW.

Archbishop Glenn Davies.

– Media Release. See also this story from SydneyAnglicans.net.

Funeral of Mike Ovey set for Monday 23 January

Posted on January 19, 2017 
Filed under People Comments Off on Funeral of Mike Ovey set for Monday 23 January

“The funeral of Mike Ovey will be held at Enfield Evangelical Free Church on Monday 23 January 2017 at 1.00pm. This will be a chance for Mike’s family, close friends, colleagues and local community to celebrate his life.

We are aware that a much larger group, including former students and the wider church network, will want to give thanks for Mike’s life and work. A wider thanksgiving service will take place at a larger venue in the coming months. Details to follow.”

– Read the full notice from Oak Hill College.

The Archbishops’ Statement on the Reformation

Posted on January 19, 2017 
Filed under Church of England, History Comments Off on The Archbishops’ Statement on the Reformation

“The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have released a joint statement on the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The statement recognises that ‘many Christians will want to give thanks for the great blessings they have received to which the Reformation directly contributed’. Furthermore it includes among those blessings, ‘clear proclamation of the gospel of grace, the availability of the Bible to all in their own language and the recognition of the calling of lay people to serve God in the world and in the church’. The Archbishops make clear that the Church of England will be participating in the celebrations of this anniversary, ‘including sharing in events with Protestant church partners from Continental Europe’.

So despite how some of the more popular press might try to spin it, this statement is not a repudiation of the Reformation nor of its doctrine. …”

– At Theological Theology, Moore College Principal Dr Mark Thompson asks if “the departures from biblical truth that occasioned the split at the time of the Reformation have been addressed by the Roman Church”.

← Previous Page — Next Page →