A Review of Rosaria Butterfield’s Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age
Posted on September 3, 2023
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“Here is one way to summarize Butterfield’s thesis: Don’t believe our culture’s lies about God’s design for men and women.
She presents five lies and explains, ‘What all these lies have in common is they don’t think that God had a plan and purpose when he created men and women’ (p. 290). At the root of the lies is what she calls ‘our nation’s reigning idol, a formidable monolith represented by the letters LGBTQ and the symbol +’…”
– At American Reformer, Andy Naselli reviews Rosaria Butterfield’s latest book. It will be available in Australia later this year. (Reformers bookshop, for example, has it on pre-order.)
Moore Matters Spring 2023 now online
Posted on September 2, 2023
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The Spring 2023 edition of Moore Matters from Moore College is now available in parishes – and also online. The theme for this issue is Trusting the Bible.
Head of Church History, Dr Mark Earngey, contributes an article, “The Bible in the English Reformation” –
“Lord, open the King of England’s eyes!”
These were the dying words of William Tyndale who earnestly desired that the ploughboy would grasp as much of the Scriptures as would the priest.
There years later his prayer was answered in abundance when King Henry VIlI authorised the Great Bible in 1539. Every parish in the realm was ordered to purchase it and have it physically chained to a convenient place, such as the lectern. It was great, not only because of its size, but also because of its authority. In its Preface, Archbishop Thomas Cranmer said, “this book … is the Word of God, the most precious jewel, the most holy relic that remains on earth.”
Cranmer knew that the Bible needed to be central to his Reformation agenda. He believed that the Holy Scriptures were God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. I:21) and that they judge the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts (Heb. 4:12). Thus, the sharpness of the written Word of God could cut out those errors of the church which had crept in through the Middle Ages. The penetrating clarity of the written Word of God could assist men, women, and children to understand the will of God for their own lives. …
New City of London Deanery Chapter commissions gospel worker
Posted on September 1, 2023
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“On Wednesday 30 August the New City Deanery Chapter held a commissioning service for George Diwakar. George has now completed his training at Oakhill. His new role at St Helen’s will involve training associates and serving in gospel ministry across the congregations.”
As William Taylor suggests, unless the House of Bishops changes direction, there will be many others seeking to be commissioned outside the authority of heterodox bishops.
– Watch a five minute summary of the service here – and the full Commissioning Service here.
Jeremy Greaves elected Archbishop of Brisbane
Posted on September 1, 2023
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“Earlier this morning an ad clerum was issued to clergy in the Diocese of Southern Queensland (Brisbane) announcing that current Assistant Bishop Jeremy Greaves has been elected the next Archbishop of the diocese …
I’ve spoken with a number of senior Anglican leaders … one told me ‘you couldn’t have a clearer expression of the differences we have in the Anglican Church of Australia. …’”
– David Ould has this report.
And from 2016:
New ‘progressive’ Assistant Bishop for Brisbane.
Humility at the Heart of Mission
Posted on September 1, 2023
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From Moore College’s Centre for Global Mission:
“What does it mean to ‘clothe yourself with humility’ in cross-cultural ministry and mission work
For most of the last 200 years of evangelical mission history, the gospel has been taken from wealthy and powerful countries to the majority world. Sometimes this missionary expansion has been marked by decidedly more pride than humility. This has disfigured the gospel and distorted expectations about what God promises his people. Humility must be at the heart of mission.
In this public event Dr Simon Gillham will be unpacking what the Bible says about the humility of the Lord Jesus and any who would serve in his name. We will also explore the particular relevance of humility as a virtue in cross-cultural engagement and Christian mission.”
– Watch here.
What do Anglican clergy think about ‘Christian’ Britain, sexuality, and clergy morale?
Posted on August 31, 2023
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“At the end of July, Kaya Burgess, the Religious Affairs correspondent of The Times, sent out an email to 5,000 Church of England clergy, inviting them to complete a questionnaire giving their views on a whole range of issues, including whether Britain is a ‘Christian’ country any more, the Church’s teaching on sexuality, their own morale, and the leadership of the Church. …”
– At Psephizo, Dr Ian Paul provides some much-needed context and balance to the survey of Church of England clergy.
“This really is the worst way to conduct an opinion poll or survey. …
I completed the survey in August, but with just about every section I wanted to say ‘But that is a false dichotomy!’ or ‘Yes, but not for the reason you think’.”
Richard Dawkins asks an important question and here is my answer
Posted on August 31, 2023
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“I can imagine Richard Dawkins sitting in the back row at the Areopagus, stern-faced and shaking head, and leading a small chorus of sceptics.
Richard Dawkins is continuing his mission to evangelise people out of Christianity (and religion altogether) and to secure his message of a world without hope.
Today in a video message, he asks, ‘Do you want to be comforted by a falsehood?’
It’s a good question and an important one. Does anyone want to find consolation in a fabrication? Does anyone want to pour all their hopes into a dead end? For Professor Dawkins death is of course the dead end, with nothing beyond and no light to give hope to either the dead or those who are left behind. …”
– Murray Campbell shares his answer to Richard Dawkins.
“Most Church of England priests back gay marriage, survey finds”
Posted on August 30, 2023
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“Most Church of England priests want the C of E to allow same-sex weddings and to drop its opposition to premarital and gay sex, according to a survey. …”
– Story from The Guardian.
Modern India, Hindus, Christians and the Bible
Posted on August 30, 2023
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From The Pastor’s Heart –
“Leading Indian Christian Intellectual Vishal Mangalwadi on understanding Modern India, the Hindu and how we might see our Hindu friends saved.
Vishal and Ruth Mangalwadi are arguing that modern India has been created by the Bible, the Protestant Missionary Movement, and that missionary William Carey is the father of Modern India. …”
Lessons from Lay Members of Sydney Synod
Posted on August 29, 2023
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“With Sydney synod fast approaching, it is worthwhile remembering that two-thirds of the synod are lay members. Quite apart from the numerical majority, lay folk play an important role in the business of the synod, and in its ministry outcomes.
The ACR took some time to interview various lay representatives (old and new!) in order to gain a ‘view from the pew’. We hope this will be encouraging for lay and clergy alike. …”
– The Australian Church Record begins its pre-Synod “Lessons from Lay Members” by speaking with the Chancellor of the Diocese, The Honourable Justice Michael Meek.
Related:
The Synod Survival Guide by Dr Robert Tong. An invaluable free resource for Synod members.
The ACL Synod Dinner 2023 coming up on Monday 11th September.
Photo with thanks to Russell Powell.
The Mark Drama — 2023
Posted on August 29, 2023
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From Moore College:
“A fast-paced re-enactment of Mark’s Gospel.
JESUS?
Jesus has to be one of the most hotly debated people of all time. During his lifetime many questioned his origin and authority, while others feared he was a dangerous revolutionary. A production of the Moore College community, the Mark Drama turns Mark’s biographical account of Jesus into a 90-minute, theatre-in-the-round stage production. Fully immersed in the action, here you can decide for yourself – is Jesus just another guy with imaginative ideas about God, or is he truly the King of the universe? …”
– A great idea. Details from the College.
Turning Biblical Convictions into Practical Expectations
Posted on August 29, 2023
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“At the end of 2021, Suellen Milham was feeling unsettled. As the Women’s Ministry Worker at Orange Evangelical Church (OEC), there was a lot of change happening in her ministry space. The Covid years had meant she felt some disconnection with the women; there had been virtually no opportunities over the previous couple of years for large gatherings in the women’s ministry context; the church was just about to transition into their new building; and there were 3 new ministers on the staff team.
One of the tools that Suellen devised to tackle this unease was to hold a number of Women’s Focus Groups – just to see where the women were at, spiritually, and to pull women together after this period of disconnection. …”
– At Equal But Different, Lesley Ramsay shares a story of one church’s journey towards clarity.
Psalm-Like Songs in “Real Self, Real God”
Posted on August 28, 2023
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“The Aussie Christian music scene boasts very few who’ve stayed the course.
Nicky Chiswell is one such gem who continues to gift the Church her heart-on-sleeve music. Thirty years since releasing her first solo album, 2023 saw Nicky release her fifth studio album, Real Self, Real God. …”
– The Gospel Coalition Australia’s Kingsley Davidson writes of Nicky Chiswell’s latest album.
Will there be a ban on sports betting ads?
Posted on August 28, 2023
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“Long-time campaigner for poker machine reform, the Dean of Sydney, Sandy Grant, has welcomed the Federal parliamentary report that recommends a ban on online gambling advertising within three years. …”
– Russell Powell reports at SydneyAnglicans.net.
The Death of Church and Pub
Posted on August 27, 2023
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“My annual trip to my home village in England is typically a week when I enter the land that time forgot. Nothing much changes. The shop still sells newspapers and houses the local post office. The view across the valley from my mother’s cottage still reveals nothing—not even a street light or a power cable—that would indicate it has a point of origin in the last century and a half. And the Baptist chapel bell still strikes the hour ten minutes late.
But even in this land where nothing seems to change, some things do bear the unmistakable marks of late modernity. …”
– At First Things, Carl Trueman sees the disintegration of community, and a tremendous opportunity for the church (maybe your church!).
Image: Crossway.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…