Aasia Bibi placed in solitary confinement over fears for her life
Posted on October 26, 2015
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“Aasia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman who has been languishing on death row since 2010 after she was unjustly convicted of blasphemy, has been transferred to solitary confinement amid fears she could be attacked by vigilantes…”
– from Barnabas Fund. (Photo: Barnabas Fund.)
Update, 27 Oct 2015: Asia Bibi ‘healthy and safe,’ says her lawyer – World Watch Monitor.
‘God is not a he or a she’, says first female bishop to sit in House of Lords
Posted on October 25, 2015
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“God should not necessarily be seen as a masculine figure, according to the UK’s first female bishop to sit in the House of Lords on Monday. ‘God is not to be seen as male. God is God,’ said Rachel Treweek, bishop of Gloucester, who is to be inaugurated in parliament.
While acknowledging that many Anglicans would profoundly disagree, Treweek said the Church of England should use both male and female pronouns when referring to God…”
– Story from The Guardian. (Photo: Diocese of Gloucester.)
See also: Is God a She?
‘The Episcopal Church has come a long way’
Posted on October 25, 2015
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“The Episcopal Church has come a long way in the last 10 years. We are no longer consumed by internal conflict over various social issues…”
– Few would disagree with TEC Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori’s assessment as she leaves office.
Related: The Sydney Lambeth Decision Briefing (2008 – and much has happened since then!)
GAFCON Chairman’s Pastoral Letter October 2015
Posted on October 24, 2015
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Speaking of the meeting of Primates called by the Archbishop of Canterbury for January 2016, GAFCON Chairman Eliud Wabukala writes:
“I believe this will be an historic meeting unlike anything that has gone before. There is now a shared realisation that the time for dialogue is over and there must be a decision that will settle the future direction of the Communion and free us from being dragged down by controversy and confusion.”
– Read his full October 2015 Pastoral Letter here.
Reformation Sunday 2015
Posted on October 23, 2015
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It’s Reformation Sunday this weekend, and the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals has some free (and some paid) downloadable resources for your edification.
Hearing 1 Corinthians — as a letter
Posted on October 22, 2015
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Andy Naselli recited the full text of 1 Corinthians as the sermon at Bethlehem Baptist Church back in August.
In “Why and How to Memorize an Entire Book of the Bible”, he provides a link to the video, and also addresses the Why and How of memorising a book of the Bible.
He’s got the whole world in His hands
Posted on October 22, 2015
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Use these daily images of Earth to prompt your praises of our great God.
(Background story.) Image: GSFC/NASA.
Kara Hartley — encouragement for women in ministry
Posted on October 21, 2015
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Kara Hartley, Archdeacon for Women in the Diocese of Sydney, spoke at the Priscilla & Aquila Centre Refresh Conference in August.
The theme was ‘Stress & Ministry’. The first talk – by Kara Hartley – on Psalm 100 – and the second – by Dr Helen Rienits – are now on Vimeo.
Centre for Ministry Development to focus on Clergy needs
Posted on October 21, 2015
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“Moore College’s Centre for Ministry Development (CMD) has been assisting in the development of clergy for the past three years.
The Centre has recognised the need to more deeply research the development needs of clergy and has released its founding Director, Archie Poulos, from the Directorship in order to undertake this research…”
– Read the story at the Moore College website.
Herman Who?
Posted on October 21, 2015
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“Much of the debate in the media about fundamentalism and radicalisation would be solved if all involved developed a commitment to responsible hermeneutics.
Hermeneutics is the science of interpretation.
When a solicitor reads a legal deed, words are to be understood literally. When I read the newspaper, I adopt different hermeneutical principles in reading the news items, the comment, the editorial and the comic strip.
All of the Bible is to be taken seriously and that means that not all will be taken literally…”
– David Cook writes about the importance of hermeneutics.
(Image: St. Helen’s London.)
More Packer
Posted on October 20, 2015
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Crossway has released more short videos filmed as part of their forthcoming documentary entitled, J. I. Packer: In His Own Words.
“We’re also giving away a free e-book by J. I. Packer to everyone who signs up to receive the videos via email at JIPacker.com.”
Released so far:
What is Repentance?
What is Faith?
What is the Church?
What is Doctrine?
What is Christian Unity?
Who is the Holy Spirit?
The full video will be released on Tuesday, November 3rd.
Ka-Ching! Designed for addiction
Posted on October 20, 2015
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Tonight (Tuesday 20th October 2015, at 9:29pm) ABC TV is screening a documentary on the inner workings behind the all-pervasive poker machines in Australian clubs and pubs.
They have come a long way since the mechanical machine pictured!
You can see a trailer for the programme at The Pokies Play You.
Global South Primates — Cairo Communiqué
Posted on October 19, 2015
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The Global South Primates have released a Communiqué after their meeting in Cairo, October 14–16.
“While we were disappointed that the general Global South Conference in Tunisia was cancelled at the last minute due to security reasons, we are immensely grateful to God who blessed this rescheduled Primates Meeting in Cairo.”
– Read their full Communiqué via the Anglican Communion News Service.
George Conger at Anglican Ink also has the Communiqué with some commentary.
Stories you might have missed — Monday 19th October 2015
Posted on October 19, 2015
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Here are a few stories you might have missed from the last week –
- New biography of Sir Marcus Loane launched in Sydney.
- Archbishop Glenn Davies’ Presidential Address to Sydney Synod.
- Dr Ed Loane speaks at ACL Synod Dinner.
- ACL Good Governance Workshop for members of diocesan boards and schools.
- Sydney Synod affirms marriage.
- Sydney Synod ‘deeply grieved’ by actions of two Bishops in Victoria.
Positive complementarianism
Posted on October 19, 2015
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“Always defending means that often our churches are so concerned with what women are not allowed to do, that we do not take the time to think hard about what women should be encouraged to do to build up the body of Christ. This conference gives us just that opportunity…”
– At Equal But Different, Phil and Vic Colgan are thankful for conferences which move beyond the theological ‘battle ground’ into positive encouragement. And they suggest one you can attend.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…