An Exposition of the Theses — 3
Posted on March 7, 2011
Filed under Opinion Comments Off on An Exposition of the Theses — 3
“I turn now to the third of the twelve theses which I posted as a way of giving shape to a new reformation of the Anglican Communion.
If the Anglican Communion is to be reformed again it needs to hear and heed these crucial truths:
3. The most urgent and important need of every human being is to be reconciled to God. We are all naturally God’s enemies (Rms 5:10) with the result that we stand under the wrath of the God who loves us (Rms 1:18; Eph. 2:1–3). Our natural disposition is to insist on our own autonomy, to repeat the folly of the Garden of Eden where the goal was to determine right and wrong without reference to God and the word he had given (Gen. 3:4–6). If we are to be reconciled to God, then the cconsequences of our rebellion against him — our guilt, corruption, enslavement to sinful thinking and behaviour, and death — must all be dealt with in their entirety. A gospel which does not explain this most basic need is no gospel at all.…”
– Read Mark Thompson’s full post at Theological Theology. (Part 2, Part 1, ‘Theses for a new reformation in the Anglican Communion’.)
Do you treasure God’s Word?
Posted on March 7, 2011
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Do you treasure God’s Word?
This ten minute video is a wonderful challenge to the apathy of many western Christians towards reading the Bible.
(h/t Justin Taylor and many others.)
The Sydney Family Album — 2
Posted on March 6, 2011
Filed under History Comments Off on The Sydney Family Album — 2
“The Rev. Samuel Marsden, second Chaplain to the Colony of NSW, was born in Farsley, Yorkshire on 25 June 1765. He was brought up under a Methodist and Evangelical influence and came under the patronage of the evangelical Elland Society which provided for his education from Grammar School to Magdalene College, Cambridge University, the centre of Evangelical influence at the time.
He was appointed second Chaplain to the Colony of NSW, arriving in 1794 with the backing of the Rev. Charles Simeon, William Wilberforce and the Rev. John Newton…”
– in a guest post at Theological Theology, David Pettett reminds us about Samuel Marsden.
The Lesson of David Swing
Posted on March 5, 2011
Filed under Opinion Comments Off on The Lesson of David Swing
“While the internet has rocked with information about a prominent minister who has denied the reality of hell, being more historically minded, I couldn’t help but think about David Swing.
Most people don’t know who David Swing was–but in the 1870s and 1880s, David Swing was the most popular minister in Chicago: bigger than D. L. Moody, more significant than anyone else. As Swing’s New York Times obit put it, at one point, he had the largest church and the largest salary of any minister in Chicago…”
– Sean Lucas writes at Reformation21 with a valuable history lesson.
Church and Parachurch: Friends or Foes?
Posted on March 3, 2011
Filed under News Comments Off on Church and Parachurch: Friends or Foes?
‘Church and Parachurch: Friends or Foes?’ – that’s the title of the latest eJournal from 9Marks. Grab your free copy.
UK: Should Christians be allowed to keep children?
Posted on March 2, 2011
Filed under Opinion Comments Off on UK: Should Christians be allowed to keep children?
“Apparently, according to the High Court, Christians who are not willing to commend homosexual acts ought not to be given other people’s children to foster.
If this is what was said, and if it is a valid judgement, is it therefore right that Christians should nevertheless be allowed to keep their own natural children, if they similarly will not commend homosexual acts to them?”
– John Richardson wonders about the logical outcome of a controversial court case in the UK. Story from the BBC – and many more linked at Anglican Mainstream, including this one from The Spectator.
R C Sproul — free audiobook March 2011
Posted on March 2, 2011
Filed under Resources Comments Off on R C Sproul — free audiobook March 2011
This month’s free audiobook from ChristianAudio is R C Sproul’s The Holiness of God. (180MB for the mp3 version, 95MB for the M4B version.)
Last year Tim Challies promoted the book in his ‘Reading Classics Together’ series.
‘Brilliant expositions of Colossians and Philemon’
Posted on March 1, 2011
Filed under Opinion Comments Off on ‘Brilliant expositions of Colossians and Philemon’
“What do you get when one of the finest Bible teachers in the world slightly modifies a brilliant series of sermons on Colossians and Philemon for publication as a commentary? You get John Woodhouse’s latest book, a commentary in the Focus on the Bible series. I can’t wait to work my way through these two New Testament letters again, aided by John’s expositions…”
– Mark Thompson commends John Woodhouse’s commentary on Colossians and Philemon in the Focus On the Bible series. (Available from Moore Books.)
More on Science and Genesis
Posted on February 28, 2011
Filed under Theology Comments Off on More on Science and Genesis
Barry Newman, well known to many in Sydney Diocese, and one of the ACL’s vice-presidents, has resumed his blogging on ‘Science and Genesis’.
Rob Bell preaching Universalism?
Posted on February 27, 2011
Filed under Opinion Comments Off on Rob Bell preaching Universalism?
A soon-to-be-released book by Rob Bell, influential in US ‘emergent church’ circles, seems to be teaching plain old universalism. Justin Taylor and Kevin DeYoung each have responses to what the author – and his publisher – have said about the book.
(Even though Rob Bell is unknown to many Australian Christians, the ideas in the book may receive wide attention.)
Related: What to think of the NOOMA videos.
St John’s Latimer Square: Growing the Kingdom
Posted on February 27, 2011
Filed under News Comments Off on St John’s Latimer Square: Growing the Kingdom
There’ll be no Sunday services today at St. John’s Latimer Square in Christchurch, due to the devastating earthquake. The St. John’s building was badly damaged in last September’s earthquake, and was further damaged last week.
Last June, the Diocese of Christchurch website ran this story on what makes St. John’s tick. This would be a good time to pray for the members of St. John’s, that they may continue to bring light and hope to their city.
(The photos shows the current senior minister, Dave Morgan, and his predecessor Wally Behan, who is currently in Sydney. Photo: Dave Wethey / Anglican Life)
‘Me and Muammar: What we have in common’
Posted on February 26, 2011
Filed under Opinion Comments Off on ‘Me and Muammar: What we have in common’
“it is worth remembering that Gadaffi is only an extreme example of that which dwells in each of us. The desire to be in control, to make a mark, to make ourselves indispensable…”
– Carl Trueman at Westminster Seminary has a perspective you probably won’t see on the TV news. At Reformation21.
Praying in Crisis: Helpful or Hypocritical?
Posted on February 26, 2011
Filed under Opinion Comments Off on Praying in Crisis: Helpful or Hypocritical?
“It is an old wartime saying that ‘there are no atheists in foxholes’.
Leaving aside the silly arguments as to whether this is statistically true or an aphorism – is it a good thing? Will God be pleased to answer the prayers of those in danger? Is God honoured when we pray to him in times of trouble? …”
– Dean of Sydney Phillip Jensen writes.
Archbishop Peter Jensen at the service for Christchurch
Posted on February 25, 2011
Filed under News Comments Off on Archbishop Peter Jensen at the service for Christchurch
Christchurch Prayer Service
Thursday 24th February, 2011, St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney
Remarks by Archbishop Dr Peter Jensen
The Bible says, ‘God is our refuge and strength a very present help in time of trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.’ God’s word also says that we should pray for all people, for all are in the image of the one God who made us all and cares for us all.
As we are meeting here, tremendous efforts are going on in Christchurch to find the lost, to heal the injured, to bring order out of chaos. We long to help; all our compassion is engaged because of our common humanity, but especially because these are our beloved New Zealanders. Read more
Review of Michael Horton’s Systematic Theology
Posted on February 25, 2011
Filed under Opinion Comments Off on Review of Michael Horton’s Systematic Theology
ACL President Mark Thompson offers a brief review of Mike Horton’s recently-released systematic theology, The Christian Faith – at Theological Theology.
(Michael Horton is well known as the host of The White Horse Inn broadcast. He teaches at Westminster Seminary California.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…