So much for Possibility Thinking
Posted on October 29, 2008
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Bad news must be especially hard to bear when you build your world on positive thinking, but the news out of Garden Grove this past Sunday was not happy. Robert H. Schuller, founder of the Crystal Cathedral and the “Hour of Power” television ministry, announced that he had removed his son, Robert A. Schuller, as host of the television ministry…
In the elder Schuller’s view, preaching “what is sin and isn’t sin” is out of bounds for his television program.
– Al Mohler on events at the Crystal Cathedral. (Photo: crystalcathedral.org)
Sydney diocese votes for lay and diaconal presidency – again
Posted on October 29, 2008
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“The General Synod of the Diocese of Sydney, Australia, has voted ‘overwhelmingly’ in favor of lay and diaconal presidency, which means that lay people and deacons could be permitted to administer the sacraments at Holy Communion – a role that is usually limited to priests.
In the motion, the synod affirmed ‘its conviction that lay and diaconal administration of the Lord’s Supper is consistent with the teaching of Scripture, and that the Lord’s Supper in this diocese may be administered by persons other than presbyters…”
– Episcopal Church’s coverage of Sydney Synod’s vote.
What’s really at stake in the gay marriage debate?
Posted on October 28, 2008
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“The activists promoting the normalization of homosexuality have been tremendously successful in their efforts. The mainstream media, the educational elites, and various culture shapers have pushed this cause.
Today, on the average college or university campus, homosexuality is not considered to be a major moral issue…”
– In part 4 of his series ‘What’s really at stake in the Gay marriage debate?’, Al Mohler writes about the ideological struggle for recognition of ‘gay marriage’.
See also part 1, part 2 and part 3. (Photo: Together for the Gospel.)
Barack Obama: The 2004 ‘God Factor’ interview transcript
Posted on October 28, 2008
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In 2004, Chicago religion journalist for the Chicago Sun-Times, Cathleen Falsani, interviewed Barack Obama on his Christian beliefs –
“Do you believe in sin?”
“Yes.”
“What is sin?”
“Being out of alignment with my values.” …
Cathleen Falsani writes: “Because of the staggering interest in now U.S. Sen. Obama’s faith and spiritual predilections, I thought it might be helpful to share that interview, uncut and in its entirety, here.”
Martin Luther at study
Posted on October 27, 2008
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On October 31, 1517, German monk and theologian Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg.
In this free audio download from Christian Audio, John Piper speaks on the discovery that Martin Luther made 491 years ago – that God speaks to us in his Word.
How should pastors today go about their ministry? Piper draws us back to God’s word – the Bible.
The 36MB mp3 file runs for 1 hour 19 minutes – to get it, start at this page.
(You will need to create an account if you don’t have one and go through the check-out process, but the file is free of charge.)
Petition in support of St. John’s Shaughnessy
Posted on October 27, 2008
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Many from around the world have signed the online petition in support of the churches of Good Shepherd and St. John’s Shaughnessy in Vancouver, against expected action by the Diocese of New Westminster.
Read the St. John’s website to discover some reasons for signing – or see our related posts.
If you haven’t yet signed it, please consider doing so. The text of the petition, released on October 18, says,
We, the undersigned, as active clergy and lay members of the Anglican Communion, stand with those parishes in Vancouver that are part of the Anglican Network on Canada, affirming that they are authentically Anglican.
The petition is available here – and there’s an equivalent petition for members of the Church of England. (Photo: Joy Gwaltney)
Voting for generations of children and their right to live
Posted on October 27, 2008
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“What would you think if a politician said ‘I’m not pro-rape, I’m simply prochoice about rape. And though I would not choose to rape a woman, I believe that every man should be free to rape a woman if that is his personal choice.’ And what would you do if that politician promised the rape lobby that if he is elected president, the ‘first thing I would do’ is to sign legislation that would invalidate all the state laws that restrict rape in any way?…”
– Randy Alcorn writes persuasively about choices facing voters in the US election.
Canberra & Goulburn to vote this week
Posted on October 27, 2008
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The Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn will elect its tenth Diocesan Bishop at an election Synod beginning on Friday (31st October). Bishop George Browning retired in August.
– Details on the process from the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn website. (Image: Dioc. Canb & Goulb.)
Obama on Homosexuality
Posted on October 27, 2008
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“Regardless of how one votes on election day, it is important to be aware of how this presidential candidate interprets Scripture to fit his political views and what kind of impact this will have on his policies regarding government endorsement of, and incentives for, homosexual practice should he become president. Obama’s record is clear…”
– Robert A. J. Gagnon, Associate Professor of New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary writes on “Barack Obama’s Disturbing Misreading of the Sermon on the Mount as Support for Homosexual Sex”.
See this page for the introduction, and you can find the article here. (h/t Justin Taylor.)
Terrific Gospelling idea
Posted on October 25, 2008
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Here’s a reminder about an event coming up this week –
St. Philip’s Church in the Sydney CBD is modelling a great idea for outreach. Later this month they are hosting a public reading of Mark’s Gospel over two lunch hours.
The purpose is to provide Christians who work and shop in the City with an opportunity to bring their non-Christian friends and work colleagues to hear about Jesus from the Scriptures. Read more
‘Gay wedding’: underlying problem of false teaching sidestepped
Posted on October 25, 2008
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David Phillips, General Secretary of Church Society –
St Bartholomew the Great statements
The Diocese of London has issued a statement regarding the so called ‘gay blessing’ service at St. Bartholomew the Great. The Rector, Martin Dudley, who conducted the service has allowed a letter to be published in which he indicates that his action was not in line with the House of Bishops’ guidelines on civil partnerships. He goes on to indicate that he does not agree with those guidelines but will abide by them. He also calls attention to the anecdotal evidence that the guidelines are being breached by many others.
The House of Bishops guidelines were themselves a travesty because they do not uphold Biblical standards and accept the validity of Civil Partnerships which are a mockery of marriage. Moreover, the House of Bishops has consistently failed to stand against the root problem. They have focussed on certain actions such as entering into a Civil Partnership or being in a non-celibate relationship whilst ignoring the Biblical focus on false teaching.
Those who encourage others to sin are just as guilty, apparently more so, than those who engage in sin. Speaking of children the Lord Jesus Christ said: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18.6). And the Apostle James wrote reminding teachers of the weight of responsibility they bear – “we who teach will be judged more strictly” (James 3.1).
The presence of gross false teaching within the Church of England has fractured it as evidenced by the statement recently issued by members of the Deanery in which St. Bartholomew the Great is situated. The statement by Mr Dudley and the Diocese of London will not close the matter because the underlying problem of false teaching has once again been sidestepped.
David Phillips
General Secretary, Church Society.
– from Church Society’s news website, EVnews.
For earlier stories, see here.
TEC promises support to continuing Episcopalians
Posted on October 25, 2008
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The Episcopal Church’s Executive Council October 23 renewed its ongoing support of dioceses in which the leadership has left or plans to leave the church, and pledged the church to seek reconciliation “without precondition on our part.”
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori told council members that she appreciated their sense that irreconcilable differences are inconsistent with the gospel. “It is profoundly unchristian and unhopeful to say that differences can be irreconcilable,” she said…
– Spin from Episcopal Life Online. (Photo: ENS / Mary Frances Schjonberg.)
Final decision from the Bishop of London
Posted on October 24, 2008
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In a letter to clergy in the diocese (October 24th 2008) the Assistant Bishop of London declares that since Martin Dudley has apologised, the case is now considered closed.
– Read the letter here at Reform London.
For earlier stories, see here.
(Photo of Bishop Richard Chartres: Diocese of London.)
Anglican bishop seeks OK to bless same-sex marriages
Posted on October 24, 2008
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An Anglican church in Ottawa may soon be the second in Canada to bless same-sex marriages.
Bishop John Chapman plans to ask the Canadian House of Bishops next week if he can develop an appropriate rite, then designate one parish — possibly Saint John the Evangelist on Somerset Street — to offer blessings to gay couples already married in a civil ceremony…
– Report from The Ottawa Citizen. (Photo: The Anglican Journal.)
Connect09 orders due next week
Posted on October 24, 2008
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Just a reminder for Sydney parishes – the phase 1 orders for Connect09 Gospels (versions in English, Chinese and Arabic) close next Friday (October 31). Don’t miss out!
(See also The Essential Jesus.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…