The Betrayal of Judas

Posted on May 29, 2008
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‘Gospel of Judas’ Here’s an interesting article on the behind-the-scenes moves to publish ‘The Gospel of Judas’ –

“The announcement was timed so that the documentary, a book containing the translation and critical essays, an accompanying Web site, and an exhibit at National Geographic’s headquarters would all be unveiled more or less simultaneously. By keeping the translation under wraps, National Geographic had cornered the market on Judas, and now it intended to take full advantage of its position. …”

Read the article at the (US) Chronicle of Higher Education – and Al Mohler has some further thoughts in The Gospel of Judas – The Betrayal of Truth. (Image: National Geographic Society.)

‘A woman bishop’ – Compass

Posted on May 28, 2008
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Kay Goldsworthy, consecrated in Perth last week as an assistant bishop in that diocese, was interviewed on ABC TV’s Compass on Sunday night. The transcript of the programme is now available.

Geraldine Doogue: Why do you think really at base there is still so much ambivalence among some people about the notion of a woman playing a headship role in the church?
Kay Goldsworthy: Well that’s a mystery to me. Just is a mystery to me. And I couldn’t really say why.

David Ould has some comments over at Stand Firm. (Photo: Diocese of Perth.)

Up, Down and Out in Canada: J I Packer

Posted on May 28, 2008
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My wife and I moved from England to Canada in 1979. Principal James Houston has recruited me to teach theology at Regent College, which, though over age, I still do. God’s call was clear, and our only uncertainty was where we might find a spiritual home. New Westminster Diocese, of which Vancouver is the see city, was decidedly liberal, and its few evangelical clergy seemed to be keeping their heads down lest they be noticed.

But in 1978 my oldest friend among Canadian clergy, Harry Robinson, became rector of St. John’s Shaughnessy, only a mile and a half from where God, by a happy providence, gave us a place to live, so that problem was solved. Called as I am to be a pastor, I had found fulfillment before in an honorary parish appointment alongside teaching duties, and I became Harry’s honorary assistant the moment we arrived. …

– Dr Jim Packer tells his story – at VirtueOnline. (Photo: Ed Hird.)

Moment of Decision for Church of England

Posted on May 28, 2008
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The Church of England faces yet another theological challenge as it prepares for the meeting of its General Synod in July. This time the issue is the Gospel itself and the specific question concerns the evangelization of Muslims. In the end, the outcome of this debate may, more then anything else, determine the future viability of the Church of England.

Paul Eddy, a lay theology student from Winchester who aspires to the priesthood, has entered a Private Member’s Motion and has secured the signatures necessary to force the General Synod to deal with his motion.

The text of his motion sets the issue clearly:

“That this Synod request the House of Bishops to report to the Synod on their understanding of the uniqueness of Christ in Britain’s multi-faith society, and offer examples and commendations of good practice in sharing the gospel of salvation through Christ alone with people of other faiths and of none.” …

– Al Mohler observes that the vote on this motion is a crucial test for the Church of England.

Phillip Jensen on World Youth Day and Secularism

Posted on May 27, 2008
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As a Sydney Protestant I consider it an honour that our city is to host World Youth Day. Protestantism is a protest. Our protest is against the enormity of the claims of the Roman Catholic Church. … This protest against Roman Catholicism is no small complaint. It goes to the very heart of God’s central message to mankind – the way of salvation.…

– From an opinion-piece in The Sydney Morning Herald by Dean of Sydney, Phillip Jensen.

See a version written for the Cathedral newsletter. – “It is an honour for our city to host people from all over the world. It is to the credit of our city that we are willing to be hospitable not only to people with whom we agree but also to those with whom we disagree. ”

Diocese of Huron Synod: Same-sex blessings and native spirituality

Posted on May 27, 2008
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Bp Bruce Howe – Huron The Synod of the Canadian Diocese of Huron “has overwhelmingly voted to grant permission to clergy ‘whose conscience permits, to bless… civil marriages between same-sex couples’.”

Additionally, in his Synod Charge, Bishop Bruce Howe spoke of his vision for the diocese – to “deepen our transition and reformation to be the Church of today and tomorrow”. He said, “As the Church embraces native or First Nations spirituality it strengthens all of us on our journey.” One wonders where the journey will lead.

Read the Bishop’s charge (pdf) at the Diocese of Huron website.

(Photo: Bishop Bruce Howe – Diocese of Huron.)

ANiC Conference video now online

Posted on May 27, 2008
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The Anglican Network in Canada’s ‘Compelled by Christ’s Love’ Conference in Vancouver last month featured addresses from David Short, Ken Moser, Archbishop Greg Venables, Dr Jim Packer and others.

Video of key sessions is now available at the ANiC website. (Photo: David Short speaks on 1 Corinthians 15.)

US Presiding Bishop wants it all

Posted on May 27, 2008
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Anglican bishops exercise universal jurisdiction over the geographical territories that lie within their dioceses, US Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, has argued.

This proprietary ecclesial oversight covers all parts of the geographic territory of a diocese, Bishop Schori said, and extends to entities outside of the Episcopal Church …

– Report by George Conger on Religious Intelligence.
(Photo: Mary Cox / Episcopal Life Online.)

When human life isn’t just cheap, it’s on special offer

Posted on May 26, 2008
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“Let’s have no more of this footling about over abortion. The issue isn’t how old a baby has to be before you cannot kill it. It is whether you think it’s right to do away with another human to suit your convenience.

Those who wonder what they would have done if they had lived at the time of some terrible injustice now know the answer. We do live in such a time. And we do nothing. …”

UK Commentator Peter Hitchens speaks out in Mail Online. (Hat tip to Anglican Mainstream.)

Anglican Church of Canada sets stage for same sex marriage

Posted on May 26, 2008
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“Anglican Church of Canada Council of General Synod – Highlights from May 24

Revision of the marriage canon

…the following resolution was adopted: the Council of General Synod –

concurs in the Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee’s understanding that it is to address the particular category of “legally qualified persons,” i.e. same-sex couples at least one of whom is baptized Christian;
agrees that development of a theological rationale for the marriage of such couples should precede the preparation of any draft amendments to or revision of the Marriage Canon;
requests the committee to report to the COGS no later than November 2009, and
directs that, if the Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee develops such a rationale, it should, in conjunction with the Handbook Concerns Committee, prepare draft amendments to, or a draft revision of, the Marriage Canon for consideration by the COGS in March 2010 for possible submission to the 2010 session of the General Synod.”

from the Anglican Church of Canada’s Council of General Synod meeting in Mississauga, Ontario. Emphasis added.

C of E General Synod to debate evangelism

Posted on May 25, 2008
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‘A traditionalist Anglican has said he will continue with a campaign for the Church of England to work explicitly to convert Muslims to Christianity. …’ – BBC News.

See also “Church is not doing enough to convert UK Muslims, says bishop” from Mail Online.

The primate, women’s ordination and homosexuality

Posted on May 25, 2008
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In a report on the consecration of Kay Goldsworthy in Perth, Ninemsn has this –

…the Australian Anglican primate, Archbishop Phillip Aspinall … said he believed the homosexual issue would need to be dealt with in “the same kind of way” as the ordination of women.

“It is a set of issues that will need to be dealt with in the same kind of way as the ordination of women questions has,” he said.

– From ninemsn. Emphasis added.

(Photo of Archbishop Phillip Aspinall: Diocese of Brisbane.)

‘Undiluted heresy’

Posted on May 24, 2008
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“This book includes undiluted heresy,” is how Al Mohler describes the novel The Shack by William P. Young.

The book has not really hit Australian shores in a big way – and perhaps it will not have a great influence here – but it may. It is a best-seller in the US and is available in some Australian Christian bookshops (but apparently not at others).

There are many glowing reviews of the book. On the cover, Eugene Peterson is quoted as claiming: “This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress did for his. It’s that good!”

Tim Challies comes to a very different conclusion. Download Challies’ review as an 830kb PDF file. Al Mohler spoke about the book on his US radio show last month (starting 11 minutes 20 seconds into the programme).