Tribute to Sir Fred Catherwood

Posted on December 7, 2014
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“Sir Fred Catherwood, eminent British industrialist and politician, died peacefully on Sunday 30 November at the age of 89. Sir Fred gave more than 45 years of faithful service to IFES.

Married to Elizabeth – daughter of pastor and theologian Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones who helped found IFES – Sir Fred held senior offices in both IFES and UCCF Great Britain from 1961 to 2007…”

– Penny Vinden has a fitting tribute to Sir Fred Catherwood on the IFES website. His funeral was on Friday in Cardiff.

Asia Bibi: no release without international pressure, lawyer says

Posted on December 7, 2014
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“The human-rights lawyer who is risking his life by defending Asia Bibi has denounced the blasphemy law under which she has been sentenced to death as a ‘tool of oppression’.

Her lawyer, Naeem Shakir, told an audience at Westminster Abbey on Saturday that the international community must put pressure on the Pakistani authorities to reform the law…”

– Story from Church Times.

Related: Barnabas Fund campaign “Save Aasia Bibi: Don’t let her die”.

Church Society on the Appointment of a ‘headship’ evangelical Bishop

Posted on December 6, 2014
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“Church Society welcomes the news that a man who upholds the complementarian view of headship will soon be appointed to the vacant See of Maidstone. …

The imminent appointment of a bishop with this conviction is an important step in realising that commitment and rebuilding trust in the family of the Church. We are particularly encouraged by the recognition that the evangelical complementarian perspective should be represented in the College of Bishops after several years without a spokesman.

We wish to stress that this is but a first step: for flourishing, rather than mere toleration and tokenism, more surely needs to be done. For example, if soon a complementarian suffragan were to be appointed in the province of York also, that would be a further positive expression of the Church’s intent that complementarians can flourish within the structures and life of the Church.…”

– Statement from Church Society by the Rev Dr Lee Gatiss, Director, and the Rev Paul Darlington, Chairman.

Vanishing Church? Latest 9Marks Journal

Posted on December 5, 2014
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The latest 9Marks Journal has been released. The theme: Vanishing Church? Seeking the Right Perspective as Opposition Grows.

Download it as a PDF file.

Challenge and Choice — Australian Anglican Schools Today

Posted on December 5, 2014
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“The book Challenge and Choice – Australian Anglican Schools Today by Dr Ruth Edwards was launched in Brisbane on Wednesday 3 December.

The work represents a significant attempt to not only survey the history of these religious schools but to map something of the future that lies before this sector.”

– See the story from the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn.

A Church that sues itself?

Posted on December 5, 2014
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“The highly litigious Episcopal Church in the United States of America (“ECUSA”) has settled a lawsuit with itself, according to a press release from its rump group (which cannot legally be called a “diocese”) in South Carolina.

Shall we run that one by our eyes again? ECUSA has settled a lawsuit which it brought against itself…”

– AS Haley (The Anglican Curmudgeon) looks at the latest legal twists and turns in The Episcopal Church.

Moore College redevelopment under way

Posted on December 5, 2014
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Archbishop Glenn Davies has ceremonially started the demolition of 1 King Street, Newtown, as part of Moore College’s redevelopment of their site.

“The new building will provide a new purpose-built facility for the College, including a library and research centre, more teaching areas, research and study spaces and a large auditorium enabling the entire student body to come together in one space.”

– from Moore College. See also SydneyAnglicans.net.

Gideons switching to the ESV

Posted on December 4, 2014
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“Gideons have distributed almost 16 million Bibles in Australia since they were established here in 1956. There are Gideons Bibles in hotels and motels, prisons, and hospitals. But this year, they’ve changed translations, switching from the NKJV to the ESV.

– Story and photo from Bible Society Australia.

Hold lightly to this world: Anne Bradstreet

Posted on December 4, 2014
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“God has given us many Christian brothers and sisters throughout history whom we can benefit from, and whom we do benefit from. They teach, challenge, and comfort us largely through the ministry of writing that lives on many years after they have died. These writings include books, sermons, tracts, songs, letters, and poetry. Many of these men and women are well known, but others are less so. One of our lesser known sisters is Anne Bradstreet.

Anne Bradstreet (nee Dudley) was born in 1612 and died in 1672…”

– Never heard of Anne Bradstreet? Now’s a good time to learn, thanks to Jane Tooher, Director of the Priscilla and Aquila Centre at Moore College.

Prayer in the English Reformation

Posted on December 3, 2014
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In the latest issue of Credo magazine (h/t Tim Challies), Gerald Bray contributes part 1 of an essay on Prayer in the English Reformation.

Take the time to read it – it starts on page 24 of the 13MB PDF file linked from this page. (Image: Moore College.)

Preaching Matters: Charlie Skrine and contextualisation

Posted on December 3, 2014
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In the latest Preaching Matters from St. Helen’s Bishopsgate, Charlie Skrine thinks through Acts 17 and contextualisation. Encouraging and helpful.

Watch it here.

Themelios Vol 39 No 3 (November 2014)

Posted on December 3, 2014
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The latest issue of the academic journal Themelios is now available from The Gospel Coalition. As always, a wealth of material, including book reviews. (h/t Andy Naselli.)

Anderson Consecration photos

Posted on December 2, 2014
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Adam Burgan of the Diocese of the Northern Territory has shared these photos he took at Dr Greg Anderson’s consecration as Bishop on Saturday.

‘Bishops worldwide pray and fast for the climate’

Posted on December 2, 2014
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“The Bishop of Salisbury is praying and fasting today, and on the first day of every month, for a meaningful and fair agreement at next year’s UN climate talks. … Bishop Nicholas said: … “Climate change affects people of all countries and all faiths. It should be something which unites the human race. …”