Read “Knowing God” with Tim Challies

Posted on August 14, 2015
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“One week from today I am going to begin a very public reading of a very good book. I would love for you to join me. Why don’t you read on to see if it would be beneficial to you?

For the past few years I have been running an ongoing program called ‘Reading Classics Together.’ This is the way I force myself to read those classic Christian books that I somehow otherwise neglect. I do it by inviting others to join me so we can read those books together.

Next week I will begin reading J.I. Packer’s modern-day classic Knowing God…

All you need to do is obtain a copy of the book and read chapters 1 and 2 prior to August 20.”

– An excellent idea from Tim Challies in Toronto.

Katy Faust: daughter of lesbian parents cautions against gay marriage

Posted on August 14, 2015
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“American Katy Faust was raised by her lesbian mother and her partner and she now runs a blog called asktheBigot, which is fiercely opposed to gay marriage.”

– She was interviewed on ABC TV’s Lateline.

A Biblical Doctrine of Humanity

Posted on August 12, 2015
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Tim Keller spoke at this year’s Evangelical Ministry Assembly in London – on a doctrine of humanity.

You can watch it here, thanks to the Proclamation Trust. Very relevant to many contemporary situations.

(The theme of this year’s EMA: “Identity Crisis: Preaching to a Confused World”. The audio files are already available.)

Reading the Newspaper

Posted on August 11, 2015
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“At Theological College it was suggested that we students read the newspaper, standing up, giving it a cursory reading. I have never followed that advice, I enjoy the daily paper in a comfortable chair, newsprint and all, no online version for me!

Last week, I was asked to speak to a group of men about ‘how Christians read the newspaper’.

The news is usually confronting: ISIS, travel entitlements, single gender marriage, human trafficking as well as the natural disasters of fire and drought.

The starting point for the believer is the sovereign rule of God over all things…”

– a very helpful comment from Presbyterian Moderator-General David Cook.
(Image: St. Helen’s Bishopsgate.)

Don’t let it fall off the table!

Posted on August 11, 2015
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“A couple of years ago, I attended some seminars run by an American church growth expert named Dr Paul Borden.

From all the wisdom that he passed on, one thing I remember was that, unless we are very deliberate and diligent, evangelism will almost always ‘fall of the table’ when push comes to shove in church (or Christian group) practice. He is not an expert for no reason!…”

– at GoThereFor.com, Stephen Liggins writes to encourage churches to keep focussed.

Perth consecration

Posted on August 11, 2015
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From The Book of Common Prayer, 1662, Consecration of Bishops: The Archbishop is to ask the candidate,

“Be you ready, with all faithful diligence, to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrine contrary to God’s Word; and both privately and openly to call upon and encourage others the same?”

(page 591, Cambridge pocket edition.)

David Ould publishes some excerpts from a recent consecration at St. George’s Cathedral in Perth.

Australian Marriage Forum takes out full page ad

Posted on August 10, 2015
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The Australian Marriage Forum today (10th August 2015) took out a full page advertisement in The Australian newspaper, on the eve of a move to change marriage legislation in Federal Parliament.

“The Ad was funded entirely by online donations at the AMF website. No corporations, no churches, just concerned Australians donating online.”

See the A3 advertisment (3.6MB PDF file), and the associated media release.

‘Parents push back against religion in public schools’

Posted on August 10, 2015
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“Parents concerned about religious evangelism in public schools will launch a campaign urging families to opt out of scripture classes…”

– Read the full story from The Sydney Morning Herald.

See also: Why Christians don’t need to hate the new anti-scripture billboard – from Bible Society Australia.

“A billboard purchased by an anti-religion in schools group has been unveiled in south west Sydney today. Some Christian leaders think that it’s an opportunity to talk more about the gospel.

‘God says you are stuck in your sin and need to be rescued from his judgement,’ the ad from FIRIS group (which stands for Fairness in Religion in Schools) reads…” (emphasis added)

Image: Youthworks.

Vaughan Roberts interviewed at Moore

Posted on August 10, 2015
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Vaughan Roberts was interviewed and answered questions during Moore College’s Mission and Ministry Hour last week.

Vaughan shares how he came to faith in Christ, about his influences, ministry at St. Ebbes’, challenges of working in the Church of England, and surviving in ministry.

Encouraging and well worth watching, especially for people in full time ministry, and those supporting them.

Also on the college website, see the progress of Moore’s building project via some time-lapse videos. (What’s being built? Details here.)

Anglican Communion ‘Secretary-General’ affirms Lambeth 1.10

Posted on August 9, 2015
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Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, the new Secretary-General of the Anglican Communion, affirms his commitment to Lambeth 1.10 in an interview on the BBC Radio 4’s Sunday Programme and speaks against criminalisation of homosexual behaviour.

“Any resolution from any province that does not take Resolution 1.10 seriously is against the agreement within this church….. As Secretary General my job is to present and execute the decisions of the four instruments of unity we have…. I stand by Resolution 1.10…. This Communion has a position.”

BBC 4 Sunday Programme August 9, 2015. The segment begins 11:50 into the programme, with the interview starting at 18 minutes. (via Anglican Mainstream.)

TV networks ‘refuse to show ad’ asking for more debate on same-sex marriage

Posted on August 7, 2015
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“A television ad suggesting there’s more to same sex marriage than has been considered so far in public debates has been denied airings on Channel 10, Channel 7 and some radio stations this week.

The ad campaign, titled “There’s more to it than you think,” was created by newly formed group the Marriage Alliance and launched this week in Sydney. The ads depict same-sex marriage arguments around equality as just the “tip of the iceberg” of issues that haven’t yet had a proper public airing…”

– Report from The Bible Society.

Creation and new creation

Posted on August 7, 2015
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“In this second part of his consideration of Psalm 104, Dan Wu looks at the difference between the world’s sinfulness, the joy of the psalm and how we should respond.”

– from the Moore College website. (Part 1 here.)

GAFCON Chairman’s July — August 2015 Pastoral Letter

Posted on August 6, 2015
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“I am writing to you on the day when the Church has traditionally celebrated the Transfiguration. The veil that covered Jesus’ glory in his earthly ministry is briefly drawn aside before he begins his journey to Jerusalem and death upon the cross. While Jesus prayed, Peter, James and John slept, but we must not judge them harshly. Climbing mountains is hard work! In fact, they were so deeply asleep that the reality being revealed was not immediately clear to them, yet the impact was lasting.

Years later, Peter recalls this moment on the mountain as he writes to spiritually sleepy Christians who are in danger of forgetting the truth of the gospel and have become complacent about false teachers…

The problem TEC in particular continues to pose for the rest of the Communion was highlighted by another but less reported resolution from its 2015 General Convention, A051, ‘Support LGBT African Advocacy’ which mandates that Church to spread its ideas to Africa…”

– GAFCON Primates’ Council Chairman, Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, sends his latest Pastoral Letter.