Jesus and Richard Dawkins

Posted on November 9, 2011 
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In a recent lunchtime gathering at St Helen’s Bishopsgate, William Taylor addressed the challenge of the ‘new atheists’. This is a six minute video clip from a longer message.

Big Porn Inc

Posted on November 8, 2011 
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At The Centre for Public Christianity, Justine Toh interviews Melinda Tankard Reist on her new book (‘Big Porn Inc’) exposing the destructive forces of the Mega porn industry. See the interview here.

(She’s also speaking in Sydney on 21 November. For more information and to register, see the Centre for Christian Living at Moore College.)

And Steve Kryger at Communicate Jesus has a list of online safety resources.

2012 Priscilla & Aquila Centre conference

Posted on November 8, 2011 
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The Priscilla & Aquila Centre at Moore College is holding its 2012 conference, ‘Side by Side’, on Monday 6th February. Looks to be very encouraging.

The conference is aimed – (i) to encourage women in a variety of biblical appropriate ministries; and (ii) to think more seriously and creatively how men and women can work better together in ministry. Details here.

A sweet and bitter providence

Posted on November 6, 2011 
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This album, inspired by John Piper’s book A Sweet & Bitter Providence, is worth checking out:

“Big truth and beautiful sounds are a powerful combination. The Joy Eternal has touched me both ways. One of my biblical sieves for what is real is the apostolic word ‘sorrowful yet always rejoicing’. I hear that in these songs, and they ring true. Beautifully true. May God give them wings.” – John Piper.

Get it here. (And you can leave a tip.)

His Story is History and History is His Story

Posted on November 5, 2011 
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“Tacitus the great historian of First Century Rome leaves us in no doubt about the main historical outlines of the New Testament. Tacitus, a leading politician and a provincial governor, reports that the ‘Christians’ took their name from a person called ‘Christ’ who was executed by Pontius Pilate in Judea in the era of Tiberius Caesar.

Tacitus expected the movement to die with its founder but instead it spread to Rome where, by the time of the great fire in AD 64, it had become ‘immense’.

Tacitus’s history tell us (a) Jesus was known as ‘Christ’, (b) that he was therefore a genuine figure of history, (c) when and where he was executed, and (d) that in spite of his death as a disgraced felon within thirty years his movement spread from Palestine on the edge of the empire to its heart, Rome…”

– Read it all – at Dr Paul Barnett’s blog.

9Marks eJournal — Revitalize

Posted on November 4, 2011 
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The latest 9Marks eJournal is on the theme of “Revitalize: Why We Must Reclaim Dying Churches – and How”. Editor Jonathan Leeman writes:

“Church planting is a great thing, and there’s no need to take anything away from it. But there should also be a default setting in a Christian’s heart that always longs to see dying churches revitalized.”

See it at the 9Marks website.

A creative approach to reaching people

Posted on November 3, 2011 
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“Mission happens wherever Christians find themselves. Pilgrim Hill is an example of a very creative approach to reaching people with the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ.

Pilgrim Hill, which is not yet opened, will be a family-run hostel for travellers in Tasmania’s Huon Valley…”

– The Mission Partners website reports on this innovative venture to help pilgrims lose their burdens. (HD version of the opening video here.)

The Sydney Family Album — 7

Posted on November 2, 2011 
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Mark Thompson has returned to his theme of Sydney’s Family Album with the story of Nathaniel Jones, Moore College Principal 1897–1911:

“Jones’ legacy was a determined evangelicalism, determined equally to live out the faith in quiet godliness and to resist the liberalism (a.k.a. modernism) that would seek a foothold in the diocese over the next two decades.”

Nathaniel Jones, Principal of Moore College from 1897 until 1911, must be included in any reckoning of those who shaped contemporary Sydney Anglicanism. He influenced a generation of Sydney clergy during his fourteen years as principal of the college. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the Katoomba Christian Convention. It would be Jones’ men who would promote Howard Mowll for Archbishop in 1933.  Read more

US Diocese asked to rehabilitate Pelagius

Posted on November 2, 2011 
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“The Diocese of Atlanta has been asked to rehabilitate Pelagius.

Delegates to the diocesan convention will be asked to reverse the condemnation of the Council of Carthage upon Pelagius, and to explore whether the Fifth century heretic may inform the theology of the Episcopal Church…”

(Of course, they may vote No…)

– George Conger writes for the Church of England Newspaper. Photo: Diocese of Atlanta.

Why God became Man

Posted on November 1, 2011 
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“The title of this post is the translation of one of the most famous books in the history of Christian theology: Cur Deus Homo by Anselm of Canterbury. In it he expounded the biblical doctrines of Christ’s incarnation and atonement, demonstrating their fundamental connection. The one who died was God the Son become fully human. God the Son became fully human in order to die.

The necessity of the incarnation arises from both God’s character of holy love and determined purpose to have human beings for himself even in the face of the monumental attack upon God and his character that is human sin. …”

– ACL President Mark Thompson writes at Theological Theology.

Abandon the Reformation, Abandon the Gospel

Posted on October 31, 2011 
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“There they sat. Relics. Lots of them. There was a cut of fabric from the swaddling cloth of baby Jesus, 13 pieces from his crib, a strand of straw from the manger, a piece of gold from a Wise Man, three pieces of myrrh, a morsel of bread from the Last Supper, a thorn from the crown Jesus wore when crucified, and, to top it all off, a genuine piece of stone that Jesus stood on to ascend to the Father’s right hand…”

– At The Gospel Coalition, Matthew Barrett writes for Reformation Day (October 31).

New Church Army website

Posted on October 31, 2011 
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The Church Army in Australia has relaunched its website – here.

Includes a link to the National Director Martin Morgan’s recommendations of good books on Evangelism.

Canon Phil Ashey reports from London

Posted on October 29, 2011 
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In his weekly report, Canon Phil Ashey of the American Anglican Council writes from London –

“GAFCON was not just a moment; it is a movement. The purpose of the 2012 leadership conference will be to gather existing and emerging FCA leaders… to promote the ongoing renewal and reformation of the Anglican Communion.”

“Dear Friends in Christ,

I have been working this week from London in meetings of the global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (FCA), which has just opened an office here under the able leadership of Bishop Martyn Minns.  Next year, there will be a conference of about 200 leaders from the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans held in London in the spring. Read more

Endemic Anhedonia — Bishop Peter Brain

Posted on October 28, 2011 
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Wise words from Bishop Peter Brain – published on the Diocese of Armidale website:

In recent trips around the Diocese we have been taken by the blossoms of trees flowering randomly along the main roads and standing alone in the paddocks. The colours have been stunning – pinks, purples, whites abound, and in some trees colours are combined and blended. It has been a fascinating exercise to ponder how they got there. Are they the result of discarded seeds thrown from cars? or dropped by opportunistic birds? or planted near houses that no longer exist? Whatever their origin, one thing is for sure: seeds continue to grow, shoots continue to bloom and God displays His unmistakeably splendid handiwork yet again. Read more

The Barber Who Wanted to Pray

Posted on October 27, 2011 
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The Barber Who Wanted to Pray is a new book for children by R C Sproul. It tells the story of Martin Luther’s barber and his question about prayer. Beautifully illustrated with an outline of Luther’s advice on prayer.

You can read the entire book at the Crossway website (scroll down to ‘Preview the Book’), and it’s available locally from Reformers bookshop.

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