Rev Brett Murphy leaves the Church of England

Posted on July 8, 2023 
Filed under Church of England Comments Off on Rev Brett Murphy leaves the Church of England

The Rev Brett Murphy, well known through his posts on YouTube, has announced he has left the Church of England and his church in the Diocese of Leicester – to start a church plant with a fellowship many know and love.

It would be good to uphold him and his family (and others in similar positions) in your prayers.

Watch here. Do watch right to the end.

Lord’s Prayer opening may be ‘problematic’, says Archbishop of York

Posted on July 8, 2023 
Filed under Church of England, Culture wars Comments Off on Lord’s Prayer opening may be ‘problematic’, says Archbishop of York

“The archbishop of York has suggested that opening words of the Lord’s Prayer, recited by Christians all over the world for 2,000 years, may be ‘problematic’ because of their patriarchal association.

In his opening address to a meeting of the Church of England’s ruling body, the General Synod, Stephen Cottrell dwelt on the words ‘Our Father’, the start of the prayer based on Matthew 6:9–13 and Luke 11:2–4 in the New Testament. …”

– Report from The Guardian.

To be fair, in his Presidential Address, the Archbishop wasn’t advocating for a change to the Lord’s Prayer, or necessarily endorsing the views of those who find the use of ‘Father’ to be ‘problematic’.

Rather, the thrust of his address was that Christians should be unified by their baptism into Christ, even when they disagree. The context, of course, is the push by the Bishops to bless same-sex unions, contrary to Scripture, and that is where the Archbishop’s words about ‘unity’, while sounding lofty, may be seen as rather hollow.

Decide for yourself – the Archbishop’s full remarks may be seen here.

Photo: The Archbishop of York speaking at General Synod on Friday 7th July 2023.

Related:

From the previous Archbishop of York.

Letters reveal divisions among the Bishops over prayers for same-sex couples

Posted on July 8, 2023 
Filed under Church of England, Culture wars Comments Off on Letters reveal divisions among the Bishops over prayers for same-sex couples

“A burst of letter-writing has laid bare disagreements in the College of Bishops about the best mechanism for introducing the Prayers of Love and Faith to be used to bless same-sex couples in church.

The moves come as the General Synod prepares to gather in York on Friday.

Earlier this week (News, 5 July), a group of leaders from 11 different C of E organisations, including the HTB network, as well as the Catholic and Evangelical Groups on the Synod, wrote to the College of Bishops to argue that the Prayers, drafted under the auspices of the Bishops, should be subject to the Synod’s authorisation under Canon B2, a process that requires two-thirds majorities in each of the three Houses of Synod at the final-approval stage.…”

– Report from Church Times.

Related:

Text of the letter to the College of Bishops, as published by Anglican.ink.

Netflix gives Narnia to “Barbie,” “Little Women” director

Posted on July 7, 2023 
Filed under Culture wars Comments Off on Netflix gives Narnia to “Barbie,” “Little Women” director

“It seems the post-modernists that C.S. Lewis spent so much time skewering have finally decided it’s time for endless winter in Narnia.…”

– News (and opinion) from Not the Bee.

Image: Christianity Today.

Related:

https://vimeo.com/43983754

J I Packer speaks about reading C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity, the Narnia books, and his conversion. – 2012 video from Desiring God.

FIEC Standing with Friends in the Church of England

Posted on July 7, 2023 
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In the latest FIEC podcast from the UK, Adrian Reynolds speaks with Lee Gatiss.

“What is ‘Living in Love and Faith’? How can we support our Anglican friends through the process?”

And what is the first thing Christians should be doing in the face of false teaching?

– Watch here.

Is taking over Calvary Hospital a religious freedom breach?

Posted on July 5, 2023 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars, Opinion Comments Off on Is taking over Calvary Hospital a religious freedom breach?

“There has been a lot of controversy around the recent decision of the ACT government to compulsorily acquire Canberra’s Calvary Hospital.

One question that is worth asking is this: could this move be an unlawful breach of religious freedom rights? In this post I want to consider the possibilities. …”

– At Law and Religion Australia, Associate Professor Neil Foster suggests some avenues which could be explored.

Image: Diocese of Sydney.

The Gender Revolution – with Patricia & Kamal Weerakoon and Rob Smith

Posted on July 5, 2023 
Filed under Culture wars, Resources, Theology Comments Off on The Gender Revolution – with Patricia & Kamal Weerakoon and Rob Smith

From The Pastor’s Heart:

“What is meant by each of the terms biological sex, gendered behaviours or expressions, sexual orientation and gendered identity? How do the various terms relate?

We talk to former director of Sydney University’s  Graduate Program in Sexual Heath, Dr Patricia Weerakoon, Rob Smith, who is head of doctrine at Sydney Missionary and Bible College and Rev Kamal Weerakoon, who has done masters studies in this area.

Rob, Patricia and Kamal  are encouraging us to treat with love and compassion those with gender dysphoria or gender incongruence. …”

– Watch or listen here.

Rebranding of Calvary Hospital Bruce to North Canberra Hospital

Posted on July 4, 2023 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on Rebranding of Calvary Hospital Bruce to North Canberra Hospital

“Canberra Catholics and staff of Calvary Public Hospital grieved as the compulsory acquisition of Calvary by the ACT Government took effect on 3 July.

The ACT Government took over the Catholic-run hospital from midnight, ending a five-week battle to save it from the takeover — including a failed Supreme Court challenge.

Now named North Canberra Hospital, all of the crucifixes and other religious symbols were removed and staff given unbranded uniforms to wear. …”

– Report from The Daily Declaration. Photo: Australian Christian Lobby.

Christian graphic designer not required to produce websites for same sex weddings

Posted on July 4, 2023 
Filed under Culture wars Comments Off on Christian graphic designer not required to produce websites for same sex weddings

“In a much anticipated decision, the US Supreme Court (by 6-3) in  303 CREATIVE LLC v. ELENIS 600 U. S. _ (2023) (30 June 2023) has ruled that a Christian graphic designer cannot be required by Colorado law to produce websites supporting and celebrating same-sex weddings, contrary to her religious beliefs.

The ruling was based on the US First Amendment protection of free speech, and sets out a principle that the government cannot compel citizens to say what they object to saying, in an “expressive” business like web design, even if that business provides services to the public. It seems clearly correct, and will be helpful in protecting free speech on a range of issues, but in particular will support religious freedom.

But, contrary to some comment, it is not a “license to discriminate”. The decision does not allow refusal of ordinary commercial services to same-sex attracted people. It only relates to the sort of artistic and expressive work engaged in by the designer. …”

– At Law and Religion Australia, Neil Foster reports on an important US decision.

Canadian Anglicans Approve Liturgies for Gender Transition

Posted on July 4, 2023 
Filed under Anglican Church of Canada Comments Off on Canadian Anglicans Approve Liturgies for Gender Transition

“Those delegates in favor said such liturgies would evangelize and bring people into the church for the first time, or bring them back. Bishop Stephen London of Edmonton said the liturgies were ‘well-written,’ ‘scriptural,’ and ‘theological.’ He added: ‘We can’t evangelize if people don’t trust us.’…”

– Report from The Living Church on the Canadian General Synod.

Photo: Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, Archbishop Linda Nicholls, opens the General Synod in Calgary, 28 June 2023.

An open letter from Calvary

Posted on July 3, 2023 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on An open letter from Calvary

This open letter form Calvary Health Care was posted on Friday, in anticipation of today’s ‘hostile takeover’ of Calvary Public Hospital, Bruce, by the ACT Government –

“This Sunday marks the end of an era for Calvary. We have been a trusted healthcare provider for public patients in the ACT for 44 years, providing care from birth to end of life, and everything in between.

Since Calvary Public Hospital Bruce opened its doors in 1979, we have been there for significant moments in the lives of many patients and their loved ones. …”

– Read it all here.

Related:

Canavan and Pocock call for Inquiry into the Calvary Hospital Takeover – Australian Christian Lobby.

King’s Birthday Conference 2023 Talks now available

Posted on July 3, 2023 
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on King’s Birthday Conference 2023 Talks now available

The first King’s Birthday Conference from Two Ways Ministries was held at Moore College on 12th June.

Peter Jensen spoke on True Government and  Philip Jensen spoke on Long Live the King?

– Watch or listen to the whole conference via this link.

The Peace-Maker

Posted on July 3, 2023 
Filed under Good News, Theology Comments Off on The Peace-Maker

“Alienation is a word often used to describe our human plight. Everywhere relationships are broken – between or within nations, in the workplace, between friends and within families. The phrase ‘the power of love’ or ‘love is everything’ is said to be the cure-all for brokenness and division. But what do these expressions really mean? What does real love look like?

Throughout the Bible, especially as it relates to God and his relationship with us, we find a radically different way that love is understood.…”

– At the Anglican Connection, John Mason doesn’t want us to forget the wonder of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Ban Sports Bet Ads ASAP — Dean of Sydney

Posted on July 2, 2023 
Filed under Opinion, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Ban Sports Bet Ads ASAP — Dean of Sydney

“Long-time campaigner for poker machine reform, the Dean of Sydney, Sandy Grant, has welcomed a unanimous report from federal Parliament, “You Win Some, You Lose More”.

From St Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney, Dean Grant said …”

– Read last week’s full Media Release at the Cathedral website.

Christian charity holds protest outside Barclays Bank HQ over ‘ex-LGBT discrimination’

Posted on July 1, 2023 
Filed under Culture wars Comments Off on Christian charity holds protest outside Barclays Bank HQ over ‘ex-LGBT discrimination’

“A Christian charity is holding a peaceful demonstration outside the London headquarters of Barclays Bank after it agreed to pay £20,000 in compensation for closing its account.

The protest on Thursday has been organised by The Core Issues Trust and The International Federation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice (IFTCC), a Christian ministry that offers counselling to people struggling with their sexuality or gender identity.

The charity’s account with Barclays was closed in 2020 without any reason given by the bank, which was the main headline sponsor of the London Pride event that year…”

– Report at Christian Today.

Related:

It’s not only Christian organisations which have had their accounts closed by various banks. Former Brexit leader and now GB News presenter Nigel Farange has had all his accounts closed by his (as yet unnamed) bank, and others are reporting similar treatment. Sky News report (video).

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