The Queen’s Christmas message 2015
Posted on December 26, 2015
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Queen Elizabeth II has released her 2015 Christmas Message.
And you can also read the Christmas 2015 sermon from Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, preached at Canterbury Cathedral. In part, he says, –
“Today, across the Middle East, close to the area in which the angels announced God’s apocalypse, ISIS and others claim that this is the time of an apocalypse, an unveiling created of their own terrible ideas, one which is igniting a trail of fear, violence, hatred and determined oppression. Confident that these are the last days, using force and indescribable cruelty, they seem to welcome all opposition, certain that the warfare unleashed confirms that these are indeed the end times. They hate difference, whether it is Muslims who think differently, Yazidis or Christians, and because of them the Christians face elimination in the very region in which Christian faith began. This apocalypse is defined by themselves and heralded only by the angel of death.”
Archbishop Glenn Davies’ Christmas message 2015
Posted on December 23, 2015
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Archbishop Glenn Davies has released his Christmas message for 2015.
Watch it on Vimeo.
As Australians, we love to celebrate Christmas with lights. On Christmas trees, in shopping centres and in suburban houses, we see lights everywhere—nativity scenes aglow and twinkling lights in rhythmic patterns. Even though we are in the height of summer, lights are very much a part of Christmas. It is a wonderful time.
But this year, the world we live in has been overshadowed by darkness. We are appalled at the dark acts committed in Paris, Beirut, San Bernardino and elsewhere. We long for light to dispel the darkness. Yet that is exactly the message of Christmas, when God’s light shone into the world and the darkness did not overcome it.
Just as the Creator declared “Let there be light” and there was light, so God sent Jesus to shine into our darkness. Nothing can compare to the brightness of his star nor outshine his brilliance, no matter how many lights we might create.
Though we see these dark acts and cry out to God, remember this – he has answered with the words of Jesus – “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Download it as a PDF file from SydneyAnglicans.net (will download to your computer).
Larger image. Audio file here.
Archbishop Wabukala writes to GAFCON clergy
Posted on December 22, 2015
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GAFCON Chairman, Archbishop Eliud Wabukala has written to GAFCON clergy concerning the Primates’ gathering in January –
“Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray you will take a moment to read this important message.
As those who are ordained, we have a special responsibility to care for the people of God. In the foundational liturgy of our Communion, Archbishop Thomas Cranmer described this work as being that of messengers, watchmen and stewards of the Lord.
For many of us that calling is becoming harder as we face the challenges of a compromised church and an increasingly hostile culture. GAFCON was formed in 2008 to enable faithful gospel ministry to survive and thrive in today’s world as we stand united in our testimony to the truth of God’s Word.
Sadly, that truth continues to be called into question in the Anglican Communion and I am writing to invite you to partner with us as a decisive moment approaches. …”
– Read the full letter here via Anglican Ink.
See also: The Anglican Communion is at a Crossroads (on GAFCON’s updated website).
Update: Archbishop Wabukala has also issued this GAFCON Chairman’s Christmas Pastoral Letter, 2015.
(Archbishop Wabukala welcomes Archbishop Welby to Nairobi’s All Saints Cathedral in this 2013 photo by Russell Powell.)
Bishop Greg Anderson’s Christmas message
Posted on December 22, 2015
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Bishop of The Northern Territory, Greg Anderson, has released his Christmas message – read it on the NT website.
9Marks Journal on Missions: Adding Wisdom to Zeal
Posted on December 22, 2015
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The latest issue of 9Marks Journal is up on their website, and is full of encouraging articles with headings like “Ways your church can get involved in Global Missions starting tomorrow”.
Going to a CMS Summer School? (Not going to a CMS Summer School?) Thinking about the year ahead? This will be a very worthwhile issue to read.
Archbishop of Melbourne’s Christmas message 2015
Posted on December 21, 2015
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Melbourne Archbishop Philip Freier’s Christmas message for 2015 has been released. His focus is on the ‘humanness’ of Christ’s incarnation, and ‘Jesus’ way of peace’.
You can watch it here.
Should Evangelicals evolve on Homosexuality?
Posted on December 19, 2015
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“While acceptance of homosexuality may be a growing trend among professing evangelicals, still the majority of evangelicals simply aren’t convinced. Evangelicals, for the most part, aren’t buying the arguments the ‘gay Christian movement’ is selling.
According to Rosaria, the leading merchant for the gay Christian movement is Matthew Vines. He believes it’s possible to practice homosexuality and genuinely profess Christianity…”
– At Desiring God, Phillip Holmes sits down for a coffee and chat with Rosaria Butterfield.
Read his article and watch both videos from the conversation.
Insightful comments on the nature and danger of sin.
Related: Human Sexuality and the ‘Same Sex Marriage’ Debate — a review.
Christian women in Baghdad face intimidation to veil
Posted on December 19, 2015
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“The few Christians still holding out in Baghdad have found themselves at the receiving end of another barrage of intimidation.
Posters appeared on the morning of 13 Dec. – a Sunday – near Christian places of worship with a message to Christian women to cover up…” – Report from World Watch Monitor.
Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God?
Posted on December 19, 2015
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“Hard times come with hard questions, and our cultural context exerts enormous pressure on Christians to affirm common ground at the expense of theological differences. But the cost of getting this question wrong is the loss of the Gospel.”
– Albert Mohler answers the question in the light of controversy over the suspension of a professor at Wheaton College.
Related: Thinking Theologically About Islam – Kevin DeYoung.
Liberation Letter
Posted on December 18, 2015
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“Nowhere is the chameleon-like character of Mormonism on display more than at Christmastime.
After a richly-orchestrated, pitch-perfect ‘O Holy Night,’ one of the Mormon ‘apostles’ is now preaching. He started out by awarding Luke a brief honorable mention for providing us an account of the Christmas story, but after dispensing with this lip service, he went on to ‘another record’ in The Book of Mormon. It was some of Joseph Smith’s make-believe about Samuel the Lamanite and the Nephites in America at the time of Jesus’ birth, etc., etc.
The blind leading the blind, and the ditch here that they’ve fallen into is lined with Christmas lights, yet it is horribly dark.”
– Tim Keesee of Frontline Missions shares his experiences of his trip to Salt Lake City, and also a letter of liberation from a former Mormon, now his sister in Christ.
See Tim’s photos here.
Related: Unveiling Grace: Wonderful news for Mormons.
Moore College — New Building rising
Posted on December 18, 2015
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The new building at Moore College (on the old Master Builders’ site) is continuing to rise.
This 30 second clip, posted on the College’s Vimeo account, shows progress as at November 23.
From the College: “Our fundraising is well on track to our target, but we still have a way to go.”
Nexus 16 registration open
Posted on December 17, 2015
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Registration for Nexus 16, on Monday May 23, 2016, is now open. Details here.
RefNet: 24/7 streaming audio
Posted on December 17, 2015
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We mentioned this back in 2012. Here’s a reminder – stream it at your desk, on your phone, in your car…
Justin Taylor writes: “Ligonier Ministries is making available a resource that I hope spreads far and wide: a free, always-streaming, 24-hour Christian internet radio featuring solid biblical teaching and preaching.”
Can be streamed via a web browser or the RefNet iOS app. Worth checking out.
Star Wars and the Ancient Religion
Posted on December 17, 2015
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“The appearance of a new episode of the Star Wars film series is an important moment for Christian witness. To be sure, we can shrug our shoulders, since Star Wars is old news. …
However, in examining Star Wars’ account of the mystery and nobility of human life, the Bible’s answer, in comparison, emerges with incomparably more convincing power.”
– At Ligonier Ministries, Peter Jones asks his readers to consider the worldview of the hugely popular movies.
Hearing both Sides of the Argument
Posted on December 16, 2015
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“In a nation where all things in politics seem possible, some things still amaze me – or perhaps the word should be ‘stagger’ me.
It is always dangerous for a man of the cloth to make political comment. While I appreciate the separation of church and state, that does not exclude the church and the sum of its members from entering national debate. So as a citizen of this great country, who happens to be a Bishop of the Anglican Church, I write.
Occasionally, the foolish thoughts of politicians expressed in emotive and seemingly protective and manipulative rhetoric should be exposed. …”
– Bishop of Armidale, Rick Lewers, responds to reported comments by the Leader of the Opposition about a plebiscite on same-sex marriage.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…