Rob Bell, Andrew Wilson and presuppositions about Christianity and homosexuality
Posted on May 14, 2013
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“In a recent episode of Unbelievable, Andrew Wilson and Rob Bell have an engaging dialogue about the legitimacy of homosexual relationships within Christianity. …”
– Trevin Wax has a response and also the video from Premier Christian Radio in the UK.
A Call to Prayer for the Election of a New Archbishop of Sydney
Posted on May 14, 2013
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Prayer Meetings 10th – 20th June.
The next Archbishop of Sydney will be elected at the special session of Sydney Synod beginning Monday 5th August.
This election is of strategic importance for the work of the gospel in Sydney and the most important thing we can do is pray.
Members of the Anglican Church League invite all Synod members and all church members to join us during June at these venues to pray together for this election Synod and that the Lord Jesus will be glorified. Venues and times below, starting 10th June. Read more
Themelios Volume 38, Issue 1
Posted on May 13, 2013
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The latest issue of the theological journal Themelios (Volume 38, Issue 1) was released at the end of April. A 2.4MB download – from The Gospel Coalition.
The Look
Posted on May 12, 2013
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“For years, I heard C.J. Mahaney reference a John Newton hymn that began with the lines, ‘In evil long I took delight.’
Newton imagines the Savior looking down at him twice from the cross. The first look communicates our guilt and responsibility for the death of Christ. The second look assures us that this sacrifice forever secures our forgiveness before God.”
– Bob Kauflin writes about “The Look” (it’s been out for a while on Sovereign Grace Music’s “Songs for the Cross Centered Life”) – and also provides a free download.
And – much thanks to Marylynn Rouse of The John Newton Project – here is the original hymn in Newton’s own handwriting (Hymn number 309). She suspects Newton was strongly affected by hearing George Whitefield preach on “the look” of Jesus towards Peter – Newton uses it several times in Olney Hymns. She confirms, from his diary, that Newton wrote the hymn for Sunday 5 April 1778.
The Gutenberg Bible
Posted on May 10, 2013
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“The Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas in Austin contains a copy of what many people consider the most valuable book in the world. The Gutenberg Bible is not only the oldest surviving book to be printed using moveable type, but also the first complete book to be produced with that technology…”
– Canadian Tim Challies has been surveying the History of Christianity in 25 Objects. This week, he turns to the Gutenberg Bible.
An introduction to the series, and a list of the posts so far, is here.
Two websites for the Archbishop’s election
Posted on May 9, 2013
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Websites have been established commending two nominees for the office of Archbishop of Sydney. These are intended for Synod members who may not know the nominees personally.
There’s one from supporters of Glenn Davies, the Bishop of North Sydney (glenndavies.info), and another from supporters of Rick Smith, the Senior Minister of Naremburn Cammeray Anglican Church (whyrick.info).
Please continue to pray for our two brothers (and any others) who have been nominated, and for all involved. Pray that the Lord Jesus will be honoured and glorified, and that believers will be edified.
Details of the coming ACL-organised prayer meetings across the diocese may be seen here.
See also – The ACL commits to Prayer for the election of the next Archbishop of Sydney.
Support palliative care not euthanasia — NSW Council of Churches
Posted on May 8, 2013
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Media release from the NSW Council of Churches:
“8 May 2013. Support palliative care not euthanasia.
The NSW Council of Churches today called on all members of the NSW Legislative Council to vote against a private member’s bill that would legalise euthanasia and assisted suicide in NSW. Read more
Going without in a time of plenty
Posted on May 8, 2013
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“Joint research launched 8 May by ANGLICARE Sydney, the Samaritans Foundation and Anglicare NSW South, NSW West and ACT has revealed the extent of hardship for low income households accessing their Emergency Relief (ER) services.
Of the people surveyed who accessed these ER services, 98% were found to be food insecure and 82.2% were severely food insecure. This means that they were not sure where their next meal was coming from or they were unable to provide food for their family on a regular basis. …”
– Read it all at Anglicare Sydney.
Church Record editorial May 2013
Posted on May 8, 2013
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“The Ordinal in our Prayer Book provides the job description. It is time to read it again. There is nothing the Archbishop will be required to do that he is not already doing as a gospel minister. …”
– The editorial in the latest Australian Church Record, “Preparing for an Election without mystery”, touches on the coming Archbishop’s election Synod.
The Lifeguard
Posted on May 8, 2013
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“The day had seemed to start quite well,
The ‘sea of life’ a gentle swell.
When all at once I felt a change,
The world around was growing strange. …”
– Take the time to read “The Lifeguard”, by John Richardson.
On the elimination of the suffering
Posted on May 7, 2013
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“Why is it, as soon as we see someone suffering, that we so quickly think of eliminating the sufferer?
Is it that we think that their suffering is so bad that they would be better off dead than to continue as they are?
Or is it that we are fearful that their suffering would only increase if they were to continue to live in a society which is unwilling to change so that their needs will be met? Or are we concerned that we would suffer because of them?…”
– Dr Megan Best asks some challenging questions in this article at SydneyAnglicans.net. (Photo: Matthias Media.)
Euthanasia lives again
Posted on May 6, 2013
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“On Thursday 2nd May 2013, the NSW Greens MLC, Cate Faehrmann, introduced to the NSW Parliament’s upper house a bill to make assisted suicide legal in this State, under certain conditions. It is a private members’ bill, which she has given a speech to commend. MLCs will likely debate it again next Thursday 9th May.
The Bill will make it lawful for persons with a terminal illness who are resident in NSW to receive assistance in certain circumstances if they wish to end their life. That is, it will legalise a form of euthanasia in NSW. …”
– Andrew Cameron from the Social Issues Executive of the Diocese of Sydney draws attention to what’s happening in NSW State Parliament (PDF file).
On the same PDF file, there’s also an excellent resource – Notes on the Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill 2013 – from Dr. Megan Best (pictured).
See further material relating to Euthanasia, on the SIE website – and we have links to more here.
Your church is too small
Posted on May 6, 2013
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“I decided to go along to the week-long convention to get a feel for where Hillsong was up to. I went expecting a fairly different experience to my normal church life—and sure enough, it was an astonishing few days.”
– The Briefing Editor Sam Freney shares his reflections from the most recent Hillsong Conference in Sydney. (Image: The Briefing.)
Persecution in 1 Peter — Preaching Matters
Posted on May 6, 2013
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Andrew Sach talks about the meaning of ‘fiery trials’ in 1 Peter in the latest Preach Matters video from St. Helen’s Bishopsgate in London.
Great for thinking about applying 1 Peter today.
GAFCON 2013
Posted on May 4, 2013
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Archbishop Peter Jensen on GAFCON 2013 –
‘God is establishing new churches creating new believers and transforming lives. Our hope for the future is in him. Our aim is to move forward confidently, to plan and experience in fellowship a future for Anglicans in which his Word is honoured and our witness is clear. We are looking forward with great expectation to seeing God at work as we meet in Nairobi.’
– from the latest news release on GAFCON 2013, which is coming up in October.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…