High Court challenge to ACT same-sex marriage set for December 3 & 4
Posted on November 4, 2013
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The Australian Christian Lobby’s Lyle Shelton sent this 90 second video update from outside the High Court in Canberra.
An unavoidable truth: the doctrine of sin today
Posted on November 4, 2013
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“The heart and wellspring of all evangelical theology is the cross of the Christ. It is in the light of the cross that we truly understand God and truly understand ourselves.
It demonstrates God’s deep and determined love and it demonstrates God’s deep and determined love for sinners (Rom 5:8). I cannot avoid the reality and seriousness of my sin when I attend to the awful glory of what happened outside the walls of Jerusalem 2000 years ago. I cannot avoid the determined and loving purpose of God when I consider who it was who died there. …”
– Mark Thompson writes at The Briefing.
10 Tips for your next Hospital visit
Posted on November 4, 2013
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“Pastors should be prepared to minister when they step foot in a hospital room. With someone under your care in frail condition, this is no time to wing it. Visiting someone is not just about what you do once you are in the room, it is about being prepared before you arrive…”
– Maybe this ought to be common sense, but it’s a good reminder (h/t Tim Challies).
Probably few use the Prayer Book’s The Order for the Visitation of the Sick these days, but if you haven’t read it lately, take the time to do so. Here’s the 1552 version. And the 1662 version.
Related: A visit means more than a text – Jean Williams.
J.C. Ryle on Sickness, and Some Thoughts on Affliction, by Neil Prott (both on the old part of our website).
Another Reflection on GAFCON 2
Posted on November 3, 2013
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“GAFCON was likened to ‘a taste of heaven’, with believers from many nations, races, colours and languages worshipping the one Lord together. The daily pattern was praise and prayer, a morning Bible exposition from the book of Ephesians, followed by plenary lectures and seminars.…”
– Andrew Atherstone gives his perspective on GAFCON 2013.
The Sydney Family Album — 9, T. C. Hammond
Posted on November 2, 2013
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“One of the most important of Howard Mowll’s many influential appointments was that of Thomas Chatterton (T. C.) Hammond as principal of Moore College.
Appointed at a time when the College seemed to be shifting its theological position, Hammond, who already had a worldwide reputation as an evangelical preacher, teacher and apologist, would be, it was hoped, precisely the kind of leader who would strengthen the College and set its course firmly in the mainstream of evangelical Anglican theology. He would meet all of these expectations and surpass them. …”
– Moore College Principal Dr. Mark Thompson makes a welcome addition to his series on those who, under God, shaped Sydney Diocese.
See the earlier posts in this series at Theological Theology.
MAF Pilot attempts 140 takeoffs to raise money for second East Timor plane
Posted on November 2, 2013
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“An Australian pilot is today attempting to complete a record number of takeoffs in one day to raise enough money to buy aid agencies in East Timor their second plane.
Since the withdrawal of the United Nations last year, aid agencies in East Timor have only one plane left to do their work. The plane is used by 30 non-government organisations working in the developing country.
Which is why, at Parkes in the central west of New South Wales today, pilot Ron Watts will attempt to take off 140 times to set a new Australian record.”
– from ABC News. Watch the MAF video on Vimeo. Donation page.
Background: A little on the church in Timor Leste – via APWM.
Phillip Jensen & Kel Richards in The Chat Room — The Bible, Old & New Testaments
Posted on November 1, 2013
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In the latest edition of The Chat Room, Phillip Jensen & Kel Richards talk about the Big Picture of the Bible, and the perils of reading it without seeing that bigger picture.
33 minutes. Well worth showing in small Bible Study groups, for example.
Related: At The Proclamation Trust, Adrian Reynolds has been blogging about “The New Testament Use of the Old” – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.
Church Society report on GAFCON
Posted on November 1, 2013
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“Last week I had the privilege to attend the Global Anglican Futures Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. My experience of this conference of over 1300 bishops, clergy, and laity from around the Anglican world was moving, positive, and optimistic. …”
– Church Society Director Lee Gatiss shares his experience of GAFCON 2013 in Nairobi. GAFCON Media photo of the Bishops’ photo by Andrew Gross, ACNA.
‘Strange Fire’ Conference audio now available
Posted on November 1, 2013
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Two weeks ago, the Strange Fire Conference, organised by John MacArthur, was held to “evaluate the doctrines, claims, and practices of the modern charismatic movement”.
Speakers included John MacArthur, Conrad Mbewe, Joni Eareckson Tada, R.C. Sproul and Steve Lawson.
As expected, this unique conference generated quite a bit of interest. Tim Challies blogged summaries of each of the main messages, and the audio and some video have now been made available.
Effective personal evangelism
Posted on October 31, 2013
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Over at Reformation21, Jeremy Walker has been writing brief encouragements relating to ‘Effective personal evangelism’.
So far he’s written: Introduction, Love, Tenacity, Boldness, Consistency, Understanding and Prayer.
“Could it be that one of the reasons why, with our children, friends, colleagues and communities, we are less effective than we wish to be is because we have not proved to be men and women of earnest, pleading prayer, borne of a love for God that seeks his glory above all else and a love for people that longs to see them saved from sin?”
New Directions in Assisted Reproduction: How did we end up here?
Posted on October 31, 2013
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Dr Megan Best spoke at a workshop at the Gospel Coalition 2013 National Conference in Florida in April.
Very enlightening and pastorally helpful.
56 minutes / 52MB mp3 file via this page.
(Photo: Matthias Media.)
GAFCON Final Day highlights
Posted on October 30, 2013
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This video of GAFCON Final Day (Saturday) highlights has now been posted.
It includes the reading of The Nairobi Commitment.
San Joaquin Diocese mourns retired Bishop John-David Schofield
Posted on October 30, 2013
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“It is with a heavy heart but a joyful spirit that I must share with you the passing of our beloved brother, the Rt. Rev. John-David Schofield. Bishop Schofield died peacefully at home sometime last night sitting in his favorite green chair and was found this morning by friends.”
– from current Bishop Eric Menees. (Bishop Schofield led his diocese as they broke from ECUSA in 2007.)
Story: Fresno Bee. Related posts on our website.
The Spiritual Reformation
Posted on October 30, 2013
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Just in time for Reformation Day (31st October), you can hear last Sunday’s sermon from St. Andrew’s Cathedral by Phillip Jensen – on ‘The Spiritual Reformation’.
Good to hear and to pass the link on to others.
Reformation Day
Posted on October 30, 2013
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Back in 2011, Justin Taylor posted some resources for Reformation Day (observed on 31st October in many places, to remember Martin Luther’s nailing of the 95 Theses to the Wittenburg door on 31st October 1517).
Though the video links no longer work, there are plenty of other useful links to help in understanding what it was all about.
See also: Why the Reformation Is Not Over.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…