The Inerrancy of Scripture: The Fifty Years’ War… and counting

Posted on August 17, 2010 
Filed under Opinion Comments Off on The Inerrancy of Scripture: The Fifty Years’ War… and counting

“Back in 1990, theologian J. I. Packer recounted what he called a ‘Thirty Years’ War’ over the inerrancy of the Bible. He traced his involvement in this war in its American context back to a conference held in Wenham, Massachusetts in 1966, when he confronted some professors from evangelical institutions who ‘now declined to affirm the full truth of Scripture.’ That was nearly fifty years ago, and the war over the truthfulness of the Bible is still not over — not by a long shot…”

While it’s never been quite the issue in Australia as it has been in the US, the implications of questioning the trustworthiness of Scripture are clear in this piece by Albert Mohler.

Global Impact conference

Posted on August 16, 2010 
Filed under News Comments Off on Global Impact conference

The 2010 Equipping Your Church For Global Impact conference will be held at SMBC on Saturday 18th September.

“We live in a world where vast numbers of people still wait to hear the good news of Jesus. God has given to his church the responsibility to make him known throughout the world. … More than ever, we need well informed, fully resourced global mission enthusiasts in every local church. This conference will provide ideas, resources and opportunity for discussion with other mission enthusiasts.”

– Read the details at the SMBC website.

Idea for your church: Garage Sale Giveaway

Posted on August 14, 2010 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Idea for your church: Garage Sale Giveaway

Some Canadian churches are running garage sales with an difference:

“The only way to explain that God’s love is free in a tangible way … is to say every item here is free.”

Read about it here. (h/t Anglican Essentials Canada blog.)

To Serve is to Suffer

Posted on August 14, 2010 
Filed under Opinion Comments Off on To Serve is to Suffer

“In a world where physical health, appearance, and convenience have gained almost idolatrous prominence, God may be calling Christians to demonstrate the glory of the gospel by being joyful and content while enduring pain and hardship. People who are unfulfilled after pursuing things that do not satisfy may be astonished to see Christians who are joyful and content after depriving themselves for the gospel. This may be a new way to demonstrate the glory of the gospel to this hedonistic culture.”

– Christianity Today has published this challenging essay by Ajith Fernando, national director of Youth for Christ in Sri Lanka.

Embattled Episcopal Bishop, seeks allies overseas

Posted on August 14, 2010 
Filed under News Comments Off on Embattled Episcopal Bishop, seeks allies overseas

“Jefferts Schori recently wrapped up a whirlwind tour of six Anglican provinces–all of them English-speaking–where she defended her church’s acceptance of gay bishops and same-sex unions, and its commitment to maintaining ties with other provinces.

In June and July, Jefferts Schori traveled to Canada, Scotland, England, Australia, New Zealand and Wales, addressing synods, preaching at cathedrals, sitting on panels, talking with parishioners, and meeting with powerful archbishops.

At almost every stop, the presiding bishop’s message was subtle but clear…”

– This story about the not-so-subtle meetings with ‘powerful’ archbishops from The Huffington Post. (Image from a July 28 webcast from ECUSA HQ in New York City)

New website for Defence Anglicans

Posted on August 13, 2010 
Filed under News Comments Off on New website for Defence Anglicans

A new website to raise awareness of Anglican Chaplaincy in the Defence Forces was launched last month at RMC Duntroon in Canberra.

The new site includes resources and contact information – and also is a good reminder to pray for those serving as Chaplains, and those to whom they minister.

(Photo of Director Chaplaincy Air Command Kevin Russell at the website launch, by Sgt Dave Morley.)

30 days of prayer

Posted on August 12, 2010 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on 30 days of prayer

Now that Ramadan has begun (August 11 – September 9 2010), it’s a great time to love Muslim people through prayer.

30-days.net has much helpful information, including PDF resources and a 2.2MB downloadable prayer guide. Worth passing on.

Tribunal disagrees with diaconal administration

Posted on August 12, 2010 
Filed under News Comments Off on Tribunal disagrees with diaconal administration

Anglican Media Sydney has posted this story on the latest opinion from the Appellate Tribunal –

‘The tribunal was not asked to consider the theological merits of persons other than a presbyter administering the Lord’s Supper, given a previous opinion which endorsed its doctrinal validity.’

“An Anglican judicial panel has disagreed with Sydney’s Synod on the introduction of diaconal administration of the Lord’s Supper.

The Diocese of Sydney Synod in 2008 overwhelmingly agreed there was no impediment to persons other than a presbyter administering Holy Communion.  Read more

Australian Christian Book of the Year 2010

Posted on August 12, 2010 
Filed under News Comments Off on Australian Christian Book of the Year 2010

Losing My Religion by Bishop Tom Frame has been announced as the 2010 Australian Christian Book of the Year by SPCKA.

And The Trellis and the Vine was awarded second place.

Related: Dr Stuart Barton Babbage reviewed Losing My Religion in a recent issue of CASE Magazine (320kb PDF download from CASE).

The Wages of Spin

Posted on August 11, 2010 
Filed under News Comments Off on The Wages of Spin

“…I think that the attitude of the reformers to tradition was very different to that which we have today.

Today we have, I would say, culturally a suspicious attitude to tradition. … But the reformers’ attitude towards theological traditions was different. I think if you look at how Calvin and Luther connected to the tradition of the church—which to an extent as young men they inherited, and then they reformed, or critiqued and interacted with it—they have what I say to the students is a “hermeneutic of trust.”  Today we have a “hermeneutic of suspicion,” we are naturally suspicious, if you like, of traditional things, of anything that comes from the past…”

– Carl Trueman was recently interviewed on US radio about his book The Wages of Spin – and Westminster  Seminary has the transcript.

‘Religious agencies seek gay adoption bill exemption’

Posted on August 8, 2010 
Filed under News Comments Off on ‘Religious agencies seek gay adoption bill exemption’

“The New South Wales Cabinet will consider exempting two adoption agencies from a plan to allow gay couples to adopt.

Independent MP Clover Moore introduced a bill in June that seeks to legalise adoption for gay couples.

But Anglicare has written to MPs urging them to vote against the bill and is threatening to withdraw its adoption services if the laws are introduced. … Its chief executive Peter Kell wrote to MPs outlining 11 reasons why the bill should be rejected, including that children need the opportunity to have both a mother and a father. …”

– Report from ABC News. (Photo of Peter Kell: Anglicare.)

Who is Arthur Bennett?

Posted on August 8, 2010 
Filed under History Comments Off on Who is Arthur Bennett?

At Between Two Worlds, Tony Reinke shares his research on the author of the much loved collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions, The Valley of Vision.

Federal Election resources

Posted on August 7, 2010 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Federal Election resources

While not supporting any party, the Centre for Public Christianity has assembled a range of material to help Christians to make an informed choice in the coming Australian Federal Election.

As well, the Australian Christian Lobby has just posted a new interview with Julia Gillard, in addition to its earlier material.

August–September DNWA prayer notes

Posted on August 6, 2010 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on August–September DNWA prayer notes

The latest Diocese of North West Australia Prayer Notes and Bishop’s Letter are now available on their website – for your prayers.

Preach Christ

Posted on August 6, 2010 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Preach Christ

“The motto of all true servants of God must be, ‘We preach Christ; and him crucified.’ A sermon without Christ in it is like a loaf of bread without any flour in it. No Christ in your sermon, sir? Then go home, and never preach again until you have something worth preaching.”

– At Between Two Worlds, Tony Reinke has assembled some challenging reminders from C H Spurgeon.

← Previous Page — Next Page →