Free e-Book — The Universal Compass: Why Study the Bible?
Posted on September 4, 2013
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People from all walks of life would benefit from getting to know and understand the Bible.
George Whitefield College in Capetown has made available, as a free e-Book, “The Universal Compass: Why Study the Bible?” by Dr David Seccombe (Principal, 1993-2012). From the first chapter:
“From the death of the last apostle, the Bible has been the determiner of true Christianity. Almost all churches have accepted it in their statements of belief as the written Word of God, and as the final authority in matters of faith. …
However, although most modern denominations still subscribe in their statements of faith to the Bible as the final authority, some have abandoned it in practical terms. This collapse of confidence stems from the philosophical mood of the past two centuries. Man has placed himself at the centre and rejected all forms of authority not based on his own discovery of truth. …
[This book] is written in the hope that you will begin to read the Bible for yourself, or be encouraged to study it more deeply, if you already are a Bible reader. My prayer is that you may also consider the possibility of full-time study in a Bible-believing theological or Bible college.”
– The book is available as a 4.4MB PDF file from this page on the College website.
Get a copy and pass on the link to others who would benefit.
Archbishop Glenn Davies: Statement on PM’s Q and A comment
Posted on September 3, 2013
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Anglican Diocese of Sydney – Media Release 3/9/13
“To sanction same-sex ‘marriage’ is not the teaching of the Anglican Church of Australia nor is it the teaching of the Bible.”
Full statement below:
Statement by the Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, about comments by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on ABCTV Q and A, Monday Sept 2nd.
“Kevin Rudd was profoundly wrong in his understanding of the Bible. He misquoted the Bible and attributed to the Bible something that Aristotle said (that slavery is a natural condition). The Bible never says that. The Bible sees slavery as the result of fallen and broken relationships in society and it is crystal clear in its condemnation of the slave trade.
I was disappointed by Mr Rudd’s comments last night in the same way that I was disappointed by the position he announced in May despite, as he said, after much reflection. Unfortunately in my view he has not been reflecting on the teaching of Scripture. To sanction same-sex ‘marriage’ is not the teaching of the Anglican Church of Australia nor is it the teaching of the Bible. The Bible views marriage as an institution that God has created. Jesus brings clarity to the nature of marriage by saying that it is an exclusive relationship between a man and a woman, for life. Although there are many kinds of relationships in our society, to describe the relationship between two persons of the same sex as marriage is contrary to the Bible’s teaching.
As a bishop in the Church, I do not tell our people how to vote. They have a responsibility to vote wisely and as Christians they should vote in accordance with their conscience and their understanding of Scripture. Christians realise that no political party will reflect their views in every policy. So they have to make a judgment as to which party best represents their views. I encourage all Christians to think prayerfully and wisely about how to vote on polling day.”
– ends –
(Source – SydneyAnglicans.net. The Prime Minister’s comments may be seen here.)
Related: Shellfish, slavery and same-sex marriage — How not to read the Bible.
‘PM misrepresents the Bible’
Posted on September 3, 2013
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“Last night, on a serious Australian current affairs program, Q&A, our current serving Prime Minister, a self-professed Christian, grossly caricatured the Bible. ….”
– Sandy Grant responds to the Prime Minister’s statements on Q&A last night.
And Eternity Newspaper’s John Sandeman spoke today with the Prime Minister’s questioner, Pastor Matt Prater –
“I did get attacked a lot on social media last night. And got called a lot of nasty names. I just want to make it clear to anyone reading this that I am not a homophobe. I don’t hate homosexuals. I love everyone with the love of Jesus.”
(Images: ABC TV.)
Update:
The Prime Minister further explained his response (YouTube) in Launceston on Tuesday 3rd September.
Question lands pastor ‘in lion’s den’ – The Australian.
“The first time Pastor Matt Prater interviewed Kevin Rudd, the year was 2006 and the then opposition foreign affairs spokesman was deeply obliging. …”
And Sandy Grant reflects on the whole thing at The Briefing.
Kevin Rudd defends his view on ‘gay marriage’
Posted on September 3, 2013
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On ABC Television’s Q&A last night, in answering a question from a Christian pastor, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd defended his new view on ‘gay marriage’ and explained his view of the Bible.
“Well, mate, if I was going to have that view, the Bible also says slavery is a natural condition – Saint Paul said in the New Testament, ‘slaves be obedient to your masters’.”
– Watch on Youtube. ABC News report. (Image: ABC TV.)
Related:
‘PM says he may have disappointed churches’ – NineMSN (03 September 2013)
Backlash in Western Sydney (14 August 2013)
Equality not the issue says Archbishop (22 May 2013)
Bishopscourt on the market
Posted on September 2, 2013
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Bishopscourt, the home of the last seven Archbishops of Sydney, is on the market.
(Photo: Domain.)
The answer to dull and boring preaching
Posted on September 2, 2013
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What’s the place of illustrations in preaching? Or emotion? How can we make our preaching better?
Dr Peter Bolt is interviewed for the latest instalment of Preaching Matters from St. Helen’s Bishopsgate in London.
See it here. Invest 10 minutes of your time.
C of E Christmas Campaign back to basics
Posted on September 2, 2013
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“A marketing initiative established to remind Brits about the true meaning of Christmas is trying something different this year … they have swapped their shock tactics for a simple, direct campaign message: Christmas starts with Christ. …
‘Just 12 per cent of adults know the nativity story, and more than one-third of children don’t know whose birthday it is.’” (emphasis added)
– from the Anglican Communion News Service. Photo: ChurchAds.net
Top stories from August 2013
Posted on September 1, 2013
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These are some of the key stories you might have missed during August –
Glenn Davies elected Archbishop of Sydney
Archbishop Davies at Moore College Chapel
Launching the ‘Jesus brings’ campaign
J.C. Ryle’s Evangelistic Strategy
ACL President’s address — 2013 Annual General Meeting
New Life newspaper 1st Sept 2013
Posted on August 31, 2013
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The latest issue of New Life newspaper from Melbourne (1st September 2013) includes stories on persecution in many countries. It’s an 800kb PDF file from the New Life website.
What is the Problem?
Posted on August 31, 2013
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“Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury and symbolic head of the Anglican Communion, has issued his most serious and straightforward diagnosis of the crisis within the Anglican Communion.”
– The American Anglican Council’s Canon Phil Ashey thinks the Archbishop of Canterbury has made a serious misdiagnosis. Related: Tearing the Fabric. (PDF.)
Archbishop Davies at Moore College Chapel
Posted on August 31, 2013
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“Moore College was privileged to have Dr Glenn Davies visit today to deliver one of his first sermons since being inaugurated as Archbishop of Sydney last week.
Students, faculty and staff gathered in a packed Knox Lecture Theatre to hear from Dr Davies.
The Archbishop has been a member of the Governing Board since 2000, but he was also a member of the Moore College faculty in the 1980s and 1990s, lecturing in both Old and New Testament as well as serving as the College Registrar. Now, as Archbishop of Sydney, he is the President of the College’s Governing Board.
The Principal Dr Mark Thompson was delighted that the new Archbishop was able to visit the College so early in his term and encouraged by his sermon on Mark 2 with its critical message on the forgiveness of sins that is ours in Jesus.
‘Glenn’s unreserved support of the College and his interest in its work is well known. He has a very longstanding association with the College going back more than 30 years. He shares with his predecessor a love for the College, a personal relationship with many of the faculty and a keen concern to see the College prepare men and women effectively for gospel ministry in today’s world. It was a delight to have him among us again’ said Dr Thompson.
‘Coming just one week after the Archbishop took office, our chapel service was a great opportunity to hear from him and pray for him as he begins this new ministry and takes on a new role with respect to the College.’
‘We are looking forward to many more visits from Archbishop Davies.’”
– report from Mark Fairfull.
Hear the entire chapel service as a 78MB mp3 file at this link.
(Principal Mark Thompson welcomes the Archbishop at 13:20,
and the sermon, on Mark 2:1-12, begins at 19:40.)
Church of the Triune God
Posted on August 31, 2013
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New from Aquila Press is Church of the Triune God, a Festschrift to honour Dr Robert Doyle.
From the Publisher’s blurb: “Church of the Triune God explores the work of the Trinity in the Church today in conversation with key theologians such as Calvin and Augustine, and explores how the three persons of the Trinity are active in the different aspects of church life, such as prayer, preaching and mission.”
Contributors, sample pages, and ordering information.
Barnabas Fund urges prayer for Syria and Egypt this weekend
Posted on August 30, 2013
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“This Sunday (1 September), we are urging churches and individuals to hold a time of prayer for Syria and Egypt’s Christians.”
– Details from Barnabas Fund.
And you can find a prayer for ‘the Forgotten Church in Syria’ here. (h/t Carl Trueman.)
Syria: Archbishop Welby’s speech in the House of Lords
Posted on August 30, 2013
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“We have heard already about Lebanon and about Iran, particularly the effect that an intervention would cause on the new Government in Iran as they are humiliated by such an intervention.
However, there is a further point. I talked to a very senior Christian leader in the region yesterday and he said that intervention from abroad will declare open season on the Christian communities. They have already been devastated. There were 2 million Christians in Iraq 12 years ago; there are fewer than 500,000 today.”
– Read it here.
ACL President’s address — 2013 Annual General Meeting
Posted on August 29, 2013
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President of the Anglican Church League, the Rev. Gav Poole, gave this address at the Annual General Meeting earlier this month:
“Chappo knew as much about denominational politics as anyone. He was after all a member of the ACL. But the legacy he left us with was a passion for the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
ACL President’s address, 15 August 2013
In 2003 I received an important lesson in priorities. At the time I was ministering in The Episcopal Church (TEC), Dallas, Texas.
In 2003, the TEC General Convention consented to a practicing homosexual becoming the Bishop of New Hampshire. That led to a sequence of events that changed the Anglican Communion forever. Read more
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…