Ian Cox new Archdeacon
Posted on August 29, 2008
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It’s been announced that Ian Cox, currently the Rector of Brighton/Rockdale, will become the new Archdeacon of Liverpool in the Georges River region of Sydney Diocese from December 1st.
Please pray for Ian as he prepares to take on this new role.
SydneyAnglicans.net has the story.
John Piper on abortion
Posted on August 29, 2008
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An 8 minute video clip – “Abortion is about God”.
From Desiring God – at YouTube. (Hat tip to Justin Taylor.)
New Westminster moves to seize control of ANiC parishes
Posted on August 28, 2008
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From the Anglican Network in Canada
On August 26, 2008, the Anglican diocese of New Westminster informed St. Matthew’s in Abbotsford and St Matthias and St Luke’s in Vancouver that the bishop had dismissed the parish Wardens and other officers (Trustees) that were duly elected by the congregation and appointed new Wardens who are more “loyal” to the bishop. According to their press release, these actions were taken to regain “control of the parishes”, which includes control of the properties and buildings. Read more
Thinking about the Thirty Nine Articles
Posted on August 28, 2008
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“The doctrine of the Church is grounded in the Holy Scriptures and in such teachings of the ancient Fathers and Councils of the Church as are agreeable to the said Scriptures. In particular, such doctrine is to be found in the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion, the Book of Common Prayer and the Ordinal…”
– Thus the Jerusalem Declaration at the conclusion of GAFCON called Anglicans back to the Thirty Nine Articles. But who is familiar with the Articles these days?
At his blog Thirty-Nine, Michael Jensen is writing a response to and commentary on the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion. He’s has begun working through the Articles and is currently up to number 4. Check it out – you may like to start with the Introduction.
New Westminster takes steps against Southern Cone clergy
Posted on August 27, 2008
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“The Diocese [of New Westminster] has taken steps under Canon 15 towards removing clergy who have left the Anglican Church of Canada rather than accepting the decisions of the Diocesan Synod and General Synod.
The Diocese has invoked the provision that returns control of the parishes to the Diocese, an action that was approved by Diocesan Council.
The parishes are St. Matthew’s Abbotsford and St. Matthias and St. Luke, Vancouver…
No steps have been taken at present at Good Shepherd, and at St. John’s Shaughnessy, Vancouver, two other parishes where former diocesan clergy remain who have left the Anglican Church of Canada…”
– from the Diocese of New Westminster. A press release (pdf format) may be found here.
Mark Dever interviews Os Guinness
Posted on August 27, 2008
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Mark Dever interviewed Os Guinness earlier this year – the audio is now online at Nine Marks.
He speaks on his life and shares fascinating insights on his time with Francis Schaeffer at L’Abri.
Direct link to 28MB / 62 minute mp3 file.
Archbishop of Canterbury writes on Lambeth
Posted on August 26, 2008
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The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has today sent a letter to the bishops of the Anglican Communion, setting out his personal reflections on the Lambeth Conference.
“The Conference was not a time for making new laws or for binding decisions… The Conference Design Group believed strongly that the chief need of our Communion at the moment was the rebuilding of relationships – the rebuilding of trust in one another – and of confidence in our Anglican identity. …”
– from the Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury. (Photo: Lambeth Conference media.)
Evangelical Fellowship of India calls for prayer for peace
Posted on August 26, 2008
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Following the murder of a Hindu leader, the Evangelical Fellowship of India reports widespread attacks on Christians in Orissa State, North India.
Anglican Mainstream has published this report along with a request for prayer.
From Mainline to Sideline – The Death of Protestant America
Posted on August 26, 2008
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The collapse of the Protestant mainline has been swift, steady, and self-inflicted. These denominations embraced theological liberalism and adopted accommodationism as a cultural posture. Bottum estimates that less than 8 percent of Americans are now members of “the central churches of the Protestant Mainline”.
– Al Mohler comments on a revealing article by Joseph Bottum in the current issue of First Things.
Choosing a children’s Bible
Posted on August 26, 2008
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At Nine Marks, Justin Taylor reviews his three favourite children’s Bibles – including one that draws on Graeme Goldsworthy’s Gospel and Kingdom.
– see the review at Nine Marks.
(The Big Picture Story Bible is available from Moore Books – as is Graeme Goldsworthy’s Gospel and Kingdom.)
After Lambeth, what now?
Posted on August 25, 2008
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The unfortunate truth of the Lambeth conference is that the only certain outcome has been a £1.2 million debt. As for the rest, opinions vary widely. …
The official figures have since revealed that The Episcopal Church sent the largest contingent of bishops, almost one quarter of the total. …
Rt Rev Michael Scott-Joynt, the Bishop of Winchester … said, “I cannot see that the members of an ‘international family of Churches’ can thrive and grow and offer a clear witness to Jesus Christ as Lord while offering contradictory teaching, on a matter as central as the character of the Holy Life, in different parts of a world knit together by instantaneous e-communications.”
– Russell Powell provides a helpful summary at SydneyAnglicans.net.
(Photo credit: Archbishop of Canterbury’s website.)
Jesus: Made in America
Posted on August 25, 2008
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Last week’s broadcast from The White Horse Inn features an interview by Michael Horton with Stephen Nichols, author of Jesus: Made in America, published by Inter-Varsity Press.
The interview is helpful (especially for Australians unfamiliar with the American landscape) in understanding some of the historical reasons so much US “evangelicalism” isn’t at all evangelical.
The audio (37 minutes long) is available from One Place.
Related: This 1995 article by Michael Horton, The Legacy of Charles Finney, is also well worth reading. Charles Finney (1792–1875) is regarded as the Father of the Altar Call –
“one need go no further than the table of contents of his Systematic Theology to learn that Finney’s entire theology revolved around human morality…”
Whirlwind tour of the Anglican world
Posted on August 23, 2008
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David Virtue’s weekly summary of goings-on in the Episcopal and Anglican world makes sobering reading –
“It was not a good week for The Episcopal Church especially in the Diocese of Virginia. For the third time, a judge ruled in favor of 11 churches in that diocese who had decided to depart for greener spiritual pastures. …
The next big speed bump for the House of Bishops is the deposition of the Rt. Rev. Bob Duncan at the HOB meeting in Salt Lake City Sept 16-19. Mrs. Jefferts Schori is planning on installing her bishop within days after the vote…”
– from VirtueOnline.
Charles Simeon: Prince of Evangelicals
Posted on August 23, 2008
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“Much has been written about Charles Simeon by biographers, historians, and ecclesiologists that it may appear unnecessary to write more. But in dealing with his ministry, achievements and widespread influence, the spiritual principles that motivated his life and character may be largely by-passed.
It is needful to ask, What made him the man and Christian he was as outstanding preacher, servant-leader of countless students, co-founder of missionary societies, voluminous correspondent, and counsellor of many who were in need? …”
– Church Society has republished this 20-year old Churchman article by Canon Arthur Bennett. Good weekend reading – available as a 260kb PDF file (direct link).
TEC’s Virginia seminary welcomes first Muslim exchange student
Posted on August 22, 2008
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Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) welcomed its first Muslim exchange student, Salih Sayilgan, on August 20 as part of its continuing effort to encourage deeper cross-cultural conversations within the VTS community and equip students to envision new and creative ways to undertake ministry in the world.
Sayilgan’s arrival marks a new relationship between the Seminary and the Istanbul Foundation for Science and Culture …
– from Episcopal Life Online.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…