STEP: A free online Bible Study resource
Posted on July 25, 2013
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“Today the STEP development team of Tyndale House Cambridge launched the Beta-test version of a new free Bible study resource at www.StepBible.org. … The Beta launch of STEP invites users to try out the new tools and give suggestions for improvement.”
– Justin Taylor draws attention to this valuable new resource from Tyndale House.
New Moore College website — and Societas 2013 is out now
Posted on July 24, 2013
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Moore Theological College has launched its updated website – www.moore.edu.au – check it out.
In addition, the 2013 issue of Societas – the produced by the Moore College student body – is also available. You can get printed copies from student ministers at your church, and you can also read it online.
Standing our ground
Posted on July 23, 2013
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“In a democracy, what happens when a view, previously supported by the majority becomes a minority view? Do you change your position – to retain ‘credibility’, or ‘influence’, or just simply not to be classed as a ‘nutter’, or stand your ground?…”
– Vinay Samuel and Chris Sugden reflect on the passing of the same-sex marriage bill in the UK.
Anglican Mainstream response to legalisation of same-sex marriage in England & Wales
Posted on July 23, 2013
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“With other marriage advocates, we at Anglican Mainstream are distressed but not entirely surprised by the passage of last week’s legislation. …
Of course the entire social fabric will not collapse overnight. Social mores do not function like that. … But SSM will have unintended and for some unforeseen consequences. …”
– Read it here.
Is Scripture enough?
Posted on July 23, 2013
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“It’s tough believing that Scripture is enough for building and leading churches.
The ‘old man’ in us is continually tempted to build our churches on other things, things we can see and measure.”
– The role of the Word of God in our churches is the focus of the just-released July/August 2013 edition of 9Marks Journal.
The 1933 Election
Posted on July 22, 2013
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The Australian Church Record takes a look back at one of the key Archbishop’s elections – that of Howard West Kilvinton Mowll in 1933.
Oak Hill Commentary magazine — Summer 2013
Posted on July 21, 2013
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The latest issue of Oak Hill’s magazine is available for download.
What’s So Great about the Doctrines of Grace? — free eBook
Posted on July 20, 2013
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“During the month of July, Reformation Trust is giving away the eBook edition of Richard Phillips’ What’s So Great about the Doctrines of Grace.” – might be worth checking out.
Same-sex marriage bill granted Royal Assent
Posted on July 18, 2013
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“The Daily Telegraph and BBC reported yesterday afternoon that royal assent has been given to the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Billl, paving the way for the first same-sex weddings next spring in England and Wales.
The Queen, who is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, gave her formal approval to the Bill yesterday afternoon.” – from Evangelicals.org.
Seminar audio files from the 2013 EMA
Posted on July 18, 2013
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From Adrian Reynolds at the Proclamation Trust –
“The audio of seminars from the 2013 EMA [Evangelical Ministers Assembly in London] is now available to download for free here.”
The Archbishop’s Election: A Political Process
Posted on July 18, 2013
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“As people have spoken of my involvement in the election of our next Archbishop I thought it may be helpful for friends, especially those on synod, to understand how I view the election of Sydney’s Archbishop. …”
– Dean of Sydney Phillip Jensen writes the first of several articles designed to help Synod members think through the issues behind the election of a new Archbishop.
Related:
“The ACL confirms its longstanding practice of not promoting a preferred candidate for the Archbishop’s election.” – February 2013.
Prayer suggestions (PDF file).
Archbishop-in-waiting – profile from Southern Cross, July 2013.
Packer: Playing the Numbers Game
Posted on July 17, 2013
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“I have found that churches, pastors, seminaries, and parachurch agencies throughout North America are mostly playing the numbers game—that is, defining success in terms of numbers of heads counted or added to those that were there before…”
– J. I Packer, via Justin Taylor.
Mark toolkit – last two instalments
Posted on July 16, 2013
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If you’ve been following the videos of Andrew Sach and his Mark Toolkit, the last two video files are now available. These are part of the video resources from St. Helen’s Bishopsgate, and are ideal for all who teach or who lead Bible studies.
The Archbishop of Canterbury on a coming royal birth
Posted on July 15, 2013
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“When this baby is old, it will be the 22nd Century. Yet he or she will be able to tell children about a great grandmother… who served in the Second World War.
By then, the 1940s will be as far away as the Crimean War and the charge of the Light Brigade is today.”
– Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby reflects on the hope a new baby brings. In Mail Online.
‘Irreconcilable’ understandings of the nature of God
Posted on July 13, 2013
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John Richardson in the UK writes,
“There aren’t many things that qualify in my view as ‘must read’ articles, but this from Colin Coward, Director of Changing Attitude, is one of them. Here is a taster:
“The Church of England knows it has a crisis on its hands. It thinks the crisis might be solved by gently persuading enough conservatives to overcome their convictions and vote yes for women bishops. I am convinced the problem is far deeper than that. I think we hold dramatically different understandings about the nature of God and they are irreconcilable.”
For a rather different perspective from that of Changing Attitude: Rosaria Champagne Butterfield on DOMA (the Defense of Marriage Act) and the Rock.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…