‘Same-sex intimate unions’
Posted on June 26, 2016
Filed under Culture wars, Resources Comments Off on ‘Same-sex intimate unions’
“Once again the issue of same-sex intimate unions is in the headlines. …
The supporters of these changes insist that this is an issue of fundamental human rights — the right to marry the one I love — and of equality. The slogan that has been used with most effect in the campaign in Australia is ‘marriage equality’. Just as racial equality was the great cause of the mid-twentieth century, and gender equality similarly in the late twentieth century, the time has come for marriage equality. It is presented as the great civil liberty issue of our time. Listen to the speeches of the advocates — the stakes are very high indeed. …
It is possible to present this change as both necessary and inevitable and even to suggest it is a change that can be made without any adverse consequences at all. But how can we be sure that is the case if we do not listen—seriously and sympathetically listen— to the voices of dissent?”
– In the light of talk about a plebiscite, Dr Mark Thompson’s article on Same-sex intimate unions, published in July 2015, is an important one, and well worth re-reading.
Character in Leadership — does it still matter?
Posted on June 25, 2016
Filed under Opinion Comments Off on Character in Leadership — does it still matter?
“In the 1976 presidential campaign, former Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter, then the Democratic nominee, made headlines in the United States and around the world merely by granting a single interview. That interview was with Playboy magazine.
The interview was a political bombshell. No major American politician had come within any distance of Playboy magazine. It was considered the iconic symbol of American pornography, and the very fact that a political candidate—not to mention the nominee of one of America’s major political parties—had granted an interview to Playboy magazine, seemed almost morally unbelievable and indefensible…”
– Albert Mohler asks whether evangelical Christians care any more about the moral character of leaders.
21 Questions with Barronelle Stutzman
Posted on June 24, 2016
Filed under Culture wars Comments Off on 21 Questions with Barronelle Stutzman
“Barronelle Stutzman is the Washington florist sued by a gay man, a friend and client of almost a decade, who was outraged by her refusal to do the flowers for his same-sex wedding. Whatever you think you know about her case, I bet you don’t know a lot of things in that short three-minute video.”
– Rod Dreher at The American Conservative highlights this video. (h/t Tim Challies.)
Why we need a plebiscite
Posted on June 23, 2016
Filed under Culture wars, Opinion Comments Off on Why we need a plebiscite
“In his campaign launch speech last Saturday the leader of the Federal Opposition, the Hon. Bill Shorten, has politicised the same-sex marriage plebiscite, making it a key point of differentiation between Labor and the Coalition. Mr Shorten affirmed Labor’s commitment to introduce same-sex marriage legislation if elected on July 2, and claimed that the Coalition promise of a plebiscite to allow Australians to have their say on this important social change would be a ‘taxpayer-funded platform for homophobia’…”
– Bishop Michael Stead, chair of the Religious Freedom Reference Group for Sydney Diocese, argues the case for an informed choice about same-sex marriage in the form of a plebiscite.
Bishop Stead was interviewed by John Sandeman for Eternity Newspaper. (Scroll to the bottom of the page for the video.)
“Our driving agenda is telling people about Jesus.”
ACNA Provincial Council 2016
Posted on June 23, 2016
Filed under Anglican Communion, GAFCON Comments Off on ACNA Provincial Council 2016
Canon Phil Ashey sends this video report from the ACNA Provincial Council, currently meeting in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
GAFCON 3 to be held in Jerusalem in 2018
Posted on June 23, 2016
Filed under GAFCON Comments Off on GAFCON 3 to be held in Jerusalem in 2018
News from GAFCON:
GAFCON Conference 2018
June 22, 2016
The Chairman and fellow Primates of the GAFCON Council are pleased to announce that the third GAFCON conference will be held in Jerusalem in 2018.
Jerusalem has a special place in the hearts of the GAFCON movement as it was the location of the first conference in 2008. Moreover, Jerusalem stands as a constant reminder of the birth of the Gospel and the movement’s determination to remain true to the teachings of our Lord and his Holy Word.
GAFCON was greatly blessed by both the initial conference and the second meeting in Nairobi in 2013. When Anglicans from across the Communion come together in unity it is a tremendous blessing, and we are excited to see the Church built up in the land where it was given its foundation.
Dates and further details will be announced in due course.
Pressies gear up for Reformation 500
Posted on June 22, 2016
Filed under History, Resources Comments Off on Pressies gear up for Reformation 500
What better way to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s Ninety-five theses?
The Presbyterians take a lead.
Terrific.
The Church Praying — latest 9Marks Journal
Posted on June 22, 2016
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on The Church Praying — latest 9Marks Journal
“Abraham prayed. Moses prayed. David prayed. The prophets prayed. The apostles prayed. Jesus himself prayed.
But do our churches pray when they gather together?
My own experience suggests, not much. There might be a few cursory upward glances through the course of a church service. But there are almost no studied, careful, extended times of prayer—little to no adoration, confession, thanksgiving, or supplication. And that lack of praying, when you think about it, is embarrassing. Do we actually think we can change the leopard spots, or bring the dead to life? Anything a church does that will be eternally worthwhile must be done by the Lord, which is to say, through prayer.
Our primary hope for this Journal is that it would both encourage churches to pray more together and offer a few pointers on how.”
– Jonathan Leeman introduces the latest 9Marks Journal.
Where do we find Anglican Communion?
Posted on June 21, 2016
Filed under Church of England Comments Off on Where do we find Anglican Communion?
“This idea that the church’s role is somehow to uncritically affirm the culture and hold out the love of God without any call to repentance is at the very least a defective view of New Testament Christianity and certainly cannot be called evangelical.
But for me to say such a thing is itself the problem, according to another Bishop, Colin Fletcher who has been acting Bishop of Oxford for the past 18 months…”
– At Anglican Mainstream, Andrew Symes reviews the notion being pushed ahead of the Church of England’s General Synod of “unity in [doctrinal] diversity”.
Built on Prayer: Moore College Sunday 2016
Posted on June 21, 2016
Filed under Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Built on Prayer: Moore College Sunday 2016
Churches will have received information packs for this year’s Moore College Sunday, set for August 7th.
Enjoy a sneak peak at the video that’s been produced to encourage you to uphold the College in prayer.
Or course, you don’t need to wait until August to pray for the College. Please don’t!
From the College:
“How wonderful to know that our College is, and continues to be, built on prayerful dependence and trust in the Almighty Creator of all.
Every year, one Sunday is carved out as an especially focussed day of uniting in prayer for our College. Moore College Sunday will happen across Sydney and beyond on August 7. Supporters, students, faculty and past College members will be joined in their asking for God’s sustained goodness towards Moore College.
To help you and your church family pray powerfully, the Moore College Sunday site is full of information and resources. You can send through prayer requests, sign up for our prayer bulletins or download sample prayers to share with your congregation.”
In the video, College Principal Mark Thompson is leafing through A Centenary History of Moore Theological College by Marcus Loane.
Diocese of the Northern Territory position vacant
Posted on June 20, 2016
Filed under Australian dioceses Comments Off on Diocese of the Northern Territory position vacant
The Anglican Diocese of the Northern Territory is seeking a full time Executive Assistant for the Diocesan Office located in Darwin.
Interested? Know someone who might be?
Details from the NT Anglican website.
Homosexuality and “hate speech”
Posted on June 19, 2016
Filed under Culture wars, Opinion Comments Off on Homosexuality and “hate speech”
“Simply expressing opposition to homosexuality from a religious perspective, not accompanied by incitement to violence, should not be classified as unlawful ‘hate speech’.
The terrible events at the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, where 49 people were killed by a man claiming to act in the name of the so-called ‘Islamic State’ group, have naturally generated much heated comment online and in the news media. As others have noted, this was almost a ‘perfect storm’ of hot-button controversies in the world today: Islam, homosexuality and gun control being some of the main ones.
… it might be worth reminding ourselves of some facts about homosexuality, religious perspectives, and the idea of ‘hate speech’. I’d like to offer five propositions, and comment on them briefly…”
– Neil Foster (Assoc Prof. in Law) provides some clarity on ‘hate speech’ in the context of current events. Read it all at the link.
Related:
Shorten, Greens dismay gay marriage foes – News.com.au
“Anti-gay-marriage groups have slammed comments by Labor and the Greens linking a national vote on same-sex marriage to the deadly Orlando mass shooting.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten backed away from associating a plebiscite with gay hate crime on Saturday, after earlier making reference to the mass killing, but he said he was concerned ‘ugly arguments’ would emerge.’
Dawson Trotman remembered with thanksgiving — 60 years on
Posted on June 19, 2016
Filed under History, People Comments Off on Dawson Trotman remembered with thanksgiving — 60 years on
At The Gospel Coalition, Justin Taylor has a profile of Navigators founder Dawson Trotman.
Trotman drowned at a Christian camp on July 18th 1956.
A Year of Mercy for Catholics
Posted on June 18, 2016
Filed under Resources Comments Off on A Year of Mercy for Catholics
“Pope Francis… has declared 2016 to be a Year of Mercy for all Catholics. This is quite a big thing for the world’s Catholics. Francis published a book containing one of his encyclicals on mercy in 2015 called The Name of God is Mercy, Catholic schools around the world have structured their syllabi around this theme, and Catholic churches are organizing their teaching programs around the theme of mercy this year as well.
Having recently read Francis’ book, I thought it would be good to share a few thoughts on how to engage with Catholics who will be thinking about mercy more this year…”
– Some good ideas from Mark Gilbert to help us connect with our Catholic friends. At GoThereFor.
(Photo via SydneyAnglicans.net.)
‘Bill Shorten says same-sex marriage plebiscite would not lead to homophobia-driven violence’
Posted on June 18, 2016
Filed under Australia Comments Off on ‘Bill Shorten says same-sex marriage plebiscite would not lead to homophobia-driven violence’
“The Federal Opposition Leader has said although a plebiscite on same-sex marriage could be damaging to the LGBT community, he does not think that it would lead to a shooting like the one in Orlando.
Bill Shorten said during the online leaders’ debate on Friday night that he did not want to hold a plebiscite because it would encourage homophobia.
He also referenced the recent shooting in Orlando and the murder of British MP Jo Cox…”
– Report from ABC News.
Related:
“Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s linking of the Orlando massacre to a people’s vote on marriage was an unfortunate form of emotional manipulation designed to silence debate, according to the Australian Christian Lobby…” – Australian Christian Lobby.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…