Tried for a Tweet
Posted on August 17, 2024
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“I have been a member of the Finnish Parliament for twenty-nine years. During that time, I have witnessed a dramatic change in the value system undergirding our modern society. From the protection of life to the defense of marriage, the changes we are living through are undeniable, with far-reaching implications for us all. And it’s evident that the general atmosphere toward Christianity grows increasingly hostile every day.
Only ten years ago, I could not have imagined that I would soon be summoned to my country’s Supreme Court to defend my religious convictions. …”
– Päivi Räsänen shares the story of her persecution. (Link thanks to Anglican Mainstream.)
Earlier:
The Criminalization of Christianity in Finland – January 2022.
Finnish Christian MP to appear before Supreme Court over ‘hate crime’ Bible tweet – April 2024.
Fearing God Our Creator
Posted on August 17, 2024
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“When was the last time you heard a sermon about the fear of God?
My guess is that if you have, it was a long time ago. But the Scriptures teem with references to the fear of the LORD. Most famously: “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov 9:10). Or again, from the great Psalm 2: “Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling” (Ps 2:11).
Yet one of the most frequent commands in Scripture is “do not be afraid”. So are we to fear, or not to fear?…”
– Richard Chin begins a series of articles on the fear of God – at The Gospel Coalition Australia.
Image: Richard Chin speaking at Moore College earlier this year.
When will bishops be held to account?
Posted on August 16, 2024
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“I have been the victim of religious discrimination within the Church of England. Because of a sermon delivered in 2019, I am being treated as a safeguarding risk. I don’t know why, because they have so far failed to tell me exactly what the problem is, but it appears to be because my sermon upheld the Church’s own teaching on marriage.
I was reported to secular safeguarding authorities, but they have all cleared me. Only the Church stands out against the acceptability of the Church’s own beliefs. …”
– The Rev. Dr Bernard Randall shares his story.
Background:
Chaplain who was sacked for identity politics sermon to appeal ruling – March 2023.
Image: Christian Concern.
Home Office ‘considering banning silent prayer outside abortion clinics’
Posted on August 16, 2024
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“MPs voted last year to stop protests within a buffer zone of 150 metres of a clinic or hospital but legislation has not yet come into force.
The Home Office is to consider banning silent prayer outside abortion clinics, The Telegraph understands. …”
– Anglican Mainstream has links to this concerning story.
They also have many links to stories on the clamp down on expression of opinion in the UK – e.g. –
We can no longer say that Britain is a free country.
Jailing Brits for Facebook posts isn’t justice.
Armidale Diocese “The Link” for July-August 2024
Posted on August 16, 2024
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Earlier we missed mentioning that the current issue of The Link – the magazine of the Diocese of Armidale – for July and August 2024 is now up on their website.
For your encouragement and prayers. (PDF file.)
How Long, O Lord…?
Posted on August 15, 2024
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“In April 2017, The Spectator (UK) carried an article by Douglas Murray who asked, ‘Who Will Protect Nigeria’s Northern Christians?’ Murray pointed out that the Fulani (militia) are watching everything closely from the surrounding mountains. Every week, their progress across the northern states of Plateau and Kaduna continues. Every week, more massacres – another village burned, its church razed, its inhabitants slaughtered, raped or chased away…
‘For the outside world, what is happening to the Christians of northern Nigeria is both beyond our imagination and beneath our interest…’ …”
– In his Word on Wednesday at The Anglican Connection, John Mason draws us back to Palm 13.
NEPAL: Understanding the Bible
Posted on August 15, 2024
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“In February, 145 pastors, leaders, and theology students from Nepali Anglican parishes gathered at the Anglican Training Centre in Kathmandu for a three-day training course. Supported by Anglican Aid, the course taught the church leaders to read and teach the Bible well. …”
– Encouraging news via Anglican Aid in Sydney.
Dr Rhys Bezzant to be next Principal of Ridley College, Melbourne
Posted on August 14, 2024
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“The Reverend Canon Dr Rhys Bezzant has been announced as the new principal of Ridley College.
Canon Bezzant is currently dean of Missional Leadership at Ridley College, and a canon of St Paul’s Cathedral.
In its announcement, the Ridley College Board said ‘Rhys has demonstrated experience of and love for mentoring [and] equipping the next generation of men and women for God’s mission.’…”
– News from The Melbourne Anglican.
More at the Ridley College website, including a video message.
The battle for the truth of the gospel — with Thomas Schreiner
Posted on August 13, 2024
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From The Pastor’s Heart:
“One of the world’s leading New Testament Scholars Thomas Schreiner is in Sydney for the Moore College Lectures on ‘The Battle for the truth of the gospel.’
At the centre of his attention is NT Wright and the New Perspective on Paul, a debate that questions whether ancient Judaism was legalistic.
Schreiner tells of his roots in Roman Catholicism, a transformative evangelical faith, and the enduring importance of the Reformation perspective of justification by faith alone.
Schreiner, who chairs the Christian Standard Bible translation committee, takes us behind the scenes of the Christian Standard Bible’s translation process, revealing the rigorous debates and decisions that shape how we read that translation.
He outlines how denominational diversity influences translation accuracy.
Plus we unpack the profound need to teach biblical gender roles in contemporary culture.
Thomas Schreiner is professor of New Testament at Southern Baptist Theological College in Louisville, Kentucky.”
– Thirty-two minutes well worth watching / hearing.
Beloved English hymn writer dies
Posted on August 13, 2024
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“The writer of one of the most popular and inspirational hymns of the 20th century has died at the age of 97.
Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith, who wrote the words to ‘Tell out, my soul’ in 1962, died in Cambridge on August 12th, 2024. …”
– Russell Powell has this report at SydneyAnglicans.net. Includes a tribute from Archbishop Kanishka Raffel.
(Image from a 2020 message from Bishop Dudley-Smith to the Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland.)
Update:
Bishop Dudley-Smith’s family is posting links to obituaries on his website.
Giving thanks for Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith (1926-2024)
Posted on August 13, 2024
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From The Living Church:
“Timothy Dudley-Smith, who wrote ‘Tell Out My Soul’ and more than other 400 hymns and served as Bishop of Thetford in the Church of England from 1981 to 1992, died August 12 at 97. …”
– Read here.
Image from a 2020 message from Bishop Dudley-Smith to the Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
See also:
One of many recordings of Tell Out My Soul – this one is from Grace Community Church in California.
Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided – London Emmanuel Choir.
World news you might not have seen
Posted on August 13, 2024
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AP, the Presbyterian Church of Australia’s national online journal, regularly publishes brief items of world news you probably won’t see in the mainstream media.
From their latest summary, for your information and your prayers:
“Iran … Laleh Saati, 45, an Iranian Christian convert from Islam, was sentenced on 16 March to two years’ imprisonment for ‘acting against national security by connecting with “Zionist” Christian organisations’. A further two-year ban on leaving Iran is effective upon her release. …
Nepal … Four Christians in Madhesh province, eastern Nepal, face trial, accused of trying to secure forced conversions to Christianity. … Seven Australian Christians in the town were detained and subsequently deported. …”
Societas 2024
Posted on August 11, 2024
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The latest issue of Societas, the wonderful magazine produced annually by the students at Moore Theological College, is now available.
If you can’t get hold of a printed copy via your church, you can read it online here.
Related:
Book Recommendations (mentioned in Societas)
Homelessness Week
Posted on August 10, 2024
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“Homelessness is an awful situation to be in. The 2021 national census found that over 122,000 Australians were homeless – this category includes rough sleepers, those in homeless shelters or boarding houses, ‘couch surfers’, and those in severely crowded dwellings. Another 93,000 people were found to be living in marginal housing, such as caravan parks. …
At the Cathedral we’ve taken some small steps in trying to care for our homeless and housing-insecure neighbours.
Our Monday and Tuesday ‘Street T’ breakfasts are, at heart, an expression of Christian hospitality. Meeting on the street – just outside the Cathedral building – we serve a simple meal and, most importantly, lend a listening ear. …”
– At the St. Andrew’s Cathedral website, Community Chaplain Rob Elder asks for your prayers for this important ministry.
Blow up your Church Newsletter
Posted on August 9, 2024
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“Rewind to 2019 and our church email newsletter looked like most. It was a highlight reel of upcoming events and advertisements, suffering from abysmal open rates and even more abysmal click-through rates. If it hit the inbox of 1000 people, fewer than 10 would click on anything. And those who read it were our most insidery insiders who love being in the know.…”
– Patrick Miller (via Tim Challis) has some worthwhile thoughts on your church newsletter.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…