Rowan Williams on the uniqueness of Christ
Posted on April 3, 2010
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“On 2 March Rowan Williams, 104th Archbishop of Canterbury delivered a lecture in Guildford, England entitled ‘The Finality of Christ in a Pluralist World’. It presents as a meditation on John 14:5–6 and Acts 4:8–13…”
– So, exactly what does the Archbishop of Canterbury say about the uniqueness of Christ? See what ACL President Mark Thompson thinks – at Theological Theology.
The answer to my doubts
Posted on April 3, 2010
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“I find no balm for a sore conscience, and a troubled heart, like the sight of Jesus dying for me on the accursed tree.
There I see that a full payment has been made for all my enormous debts. The curse of that law which I have broken has come down on One who there suffered in my stead. The demands of that law are all satisfied. Payment has been made for me, even to the uttermost farthing. It will not be required twice over.
Ah! I might sometimes imagine I was too bad to be forgiven. My own heart sometimes whispers that I am too wicked to be saved. But I know in my better moments this is all my foolish unbelief. I read an answer to my doubts in the blood shed on Calvary. I feel sure that there is a way to heaven for the very vilest of men, when I look at the cross.”
— J.C. Ryle, Old Paths. (With thanks to Of First Importance.)
John Piper on Rick Warren
Posted on April 2, 2010
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John Piper explains why he has asked Rick Warren to speak at the 2010 Desiring God Conference.
For another perspective see John Macarthur’s comments on The Purpose Driven Life. And pray that Christ will be honoured, and the gospel made clear, in all the discussion of these things.
The Weekend that Changed the World
Posted on April 2, 2010
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Bishop John Harrower shares the notes he used at today’s Good Friday service of reflection at St John’s Launceston.
The audio files of his sermons are already up on the St John’s website.
Easter Message from Abp Robert Duncan
Posted on April 2, 2010
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“Go make the tomb secure…”
Pilate invites Jerusalem’s leaders to “secure” the tomb of Jesus [Mt.27.62-66]. They “secure” the tomb with a stone, sealant and soldiers. As if these could contain our Lord… Their efforts prove inadequate. Their materials and means turn out to be no match for the One through whom all things were made. …
– Read the rest of the message here.
The Death of Death in the Death of Christ – Packer’s introduction
Posted on April 2, 2010
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Dr Jim Packer’s introductory essay to The Death of Death in the Death of Christ by John Owen remains a classic essay on Christ’s atonement. Written in 1958, it is probably even more relevant now than it was then.
Among other things, Dr Packer gives a helpful introduction to Calvinism. The essay will repay careful reading.
There are several copies of the essay on the Internet – Monergism has one here.
Every good thing is to be found in Christ
Posted on April 2, 2010
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“Every good thing we could think or desire is to be found in this same Jesus Christ alone. For he was sold, to buy us back; captive, to deliver us; condemned, to absolve us. He was made a curse for our blessing, sin offering for our righteousness; marred that we may be made fair.
He died for our life; so that by him fury is made gentle, wrath appeased, darkness turned into light, fear reassured, despisal despised, debt cancelled, labour lightened, sadness made merry, misfortune made fortunate, difficulty easy, disorder ordered, division united, ignominy ennobled, rebellion subjected, intimidation intimidated, ambush uncovered, assaults assailed, force forced back, combat combated, war warred against, vengeance avenged, torment tormented, damnation damned, the abyss sunk into the abyss, hell transfixed, death dead, mortality made immortal.
In short, mercy has swallowed up all misery, and goodness all misfortune.”
—John Calvin, preface for Pierre Robert Olivétan’s 1534 French translation of the New Testament. (From Of First Importance.)
Anglicans warn of lonely heart at the centre of glittering city
Posted on April 1, 2010
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“If Sydney were a person, she would have a loud laugh but a lonely heart.
The city’s Anglican archbishop, Peter Jensen, says ‘our glittering city contains so much loneliness’, and he is so concerned he has made it the theme of his Easter message…”
– from The Sydney Morning Herald. (Related: ‘Christians urged to reach out at Easter’.)
See the Archbishop’s message – and video files – here.
Daylight Saving ends Easter morning
Posted on March 31, 2010
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In 2010, NSW Daylight Saving ends on Easter morning, April 4th.
Reserve Bank Governor uses ‘God given capabilities’
Posted on March 31, 2010
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“Glenn Stevens used a charity breakfast in Sydney this morning to say he was using his god-given talents to do the job of managing the economy.…
Mr Stevens also responded to a direct question about his belief in God. ‘I would say that, despite claims to the contrary, there is a God. This is worth checking out and the critical issue people have to deal with is, was Jesus Christ who he claimed to be? If he wasn’t then you can forget about it, and if he wasn’t then I am living in a fool’s world…'”
– report from ABC News. (Photo: Reserve Bank.)
Easter and history
Posted on March 31, 2010
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Simon Smart from the Centre for Public Christianity, writes, “[We] would like to draw your attention to a resource that we thought might be of assistance to you as you prepare for the lead-up to Easter and Easter services. …
How do we respond to claims that Jesus didn’t even exist? What about answering questions about the reliability of the New Testament documents? Why is the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus such a crucial aspect of the Christian story? How might one respond to the New Atheist claims that the crucifixion represents cosmic child abuse?
For all that and more, just click here to gain access to our Easter page. We hope you will be able to use the material in whatever way is most helpful to you.”
‘Easter Show bans Jesus’
Posted on March 31, 2010
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“It’s a curious thing that an event bearing the name “Easter” has disallowed anything to do with the very thing Easter is all about – the death and resurrection of Jesus,” – CEO of Bible Society NSW, Daniel Willis. Report from Eternity newspaper.
‘Calvinism is back’
Posted on March 30, 2010
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“New Calvinism draws legions to the sermons of preachers like John Piper of the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis.
Here at CHBC, the pews and even rooms in the basement are filled each Sunday, mostly with young professionals. Since senior pastor Mark Dever brought Calvinist preaching here 16 years ago, the church has grown sevenfold. Today it is bursting at the stained-glass windows…”
– The Christian Science Monitor takes a look at the ‘New Calvinism’ – via Capitol Hill Baptist Church. (h/t Justin Taylor. Photo: Mary Knox Merrill / Christian Science Monitor.)
Holy Week Geography and Harmony in Google Earth
Posted on March 28, 2010
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Justin Taylor writes:
“Today is the first day of “Holy Week,” where Christians recount Jesus’ final pre-glorified week on Earth.
Here is something you might find fruitful while contemplating the events leading up to our Saviour’s death and resurrection: an attempt in Google Earth to show the locations of the major events (to the best of our knowledge) along with descriptions and biblical passages describing those events.”
‘Canonically Permissible Graciousness’
Posted on March 28, 2010
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“…on May 15 the Presiding Bishop intends to do the very thing that the Joint Standing Committee — on which she serves — urged the Episcopal Church not to do. …
… even a rudimentary grasp of Jesus’ admonition to “let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’” (Matt. 5:37) highlights a conflict between the Episcopal Church’s rhetoric of reconciliation and autonomous actions.”
– from an editorial in The Living Church.
(Photo taken at the November 2008 Joint Standing Committee meeting: ACNS Rosenthal.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…