Wonderful quote from a Syriac document called The Teaching of the Apostles (9): The apostles further appointed: At the conclusion of all the Scriptures let the Gospels be read, as being the seal of all the Scriptures and let the people listen to it standing upon their feet: because it is the Gospel of the redemption of all men. I know that Jonathan Pennington would agree! Read more

I had the privilege of preaching at my church last weekend. I preached on the story of Nicodemus from John’s Gospel. Nicodemus’ story challenges me to live a life of genuine discipleship. Read more

For those interested in antipodean evangelicalism, the second edition of Stuart Piggin’s book on the history of evangelicalism in Australia is now out: Stuart Piggin Spirit, Word and World: Evangelical Christianity in Australia Melbourne: Acorn, 2012. Order here. This revised edition brings the story right up to the present, covering the worldwide expansion of Sydney Anglicans and Hillsong Pentecostals. While Australia has become increasingly ‘secular’, evangelicals have become more engaged than ever in politics, education and social welfare. Written in a... Read more

Some time ago, John Piper engaged in a Q&A about wives submitting to their husbands and what to do in the case of wife abuse (see a video here). This caused quite a bit of a stir, and rightly so, because it gave the impression that wives should just suck it up for the glory of God. Thankfully, however, Pastor John has offered some remarks to clarify (and I think modify) his views on this matter, including the statement: God... Read more

The adoption of the four Gospels by the proto-orthodox church is a remarkable feat of Christian history. At the dawn of the second century, the Jesus tradition crystalized into what are now the canonical Gospels, yet oral tradition and secondary orality remained quite alive, “other” Gospels were also composed at this time, soon after Gospel harmonies began to be written, and there were obviously other options on the table besides the adoption of a fourfold Gospel collection. As many Christians... Read more

The response, feedback, and debate stemming from Zondervan’s ebook series Fresh Perspectives on Women in Ministry has formally begun. Its causing a bit of a stir in Evangelical Anglican circles in Sydney and round about (wonder if Kath Keller is getting as much air time as Dicko and I are?). Some reviews include: Tamie Davis at Meet Jesus at Uni Craig Schwarz at his blog These Infinite Spaces here, here, and here. Dan Patterson at Otherness But the biggest opening salvoes... Read more

On the Christian calendar today is a holy day to remember the slaughter of the children of Bethlehem by the hand of Herod the Great in response to the visit of the Magi (Matt 2). It feels so much more  poignant to me today in light of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary just a couple of weeks ago, and certainly the devastating circumstances in Syria deserves mention. The prayer for the day in the Book of Common Prayer provides... Read more

In terms of the on going discussion this Christmas about the American “fiscal cliff” and Australia’s own debate of surplus vs. cutting services, well, St. Mary has something to say and it ain’t what many of us want to hear: 46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful     of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49     for the Mighty... Read more

The Matthean genealogy gives us an account of the colorful people who make up Jesus’ lineage when he is adopted into the house of David. The late Michael Goulder wrote a wonderful poem about Jesus’ genealogy: Exceedingly odd, Is the means by which God Has provided our path to the heavenly shore: Of the girls from whose line The true light was to shine There was one an adulteress, one was a whore. There was Tamar who bore – What... Read more

Blessed Xmas to everyone out there from Joel and I. But before you open presents, go to church, and eat too much turkey and ham, please have a read of these five articles: 1. Peter Leithart on First Things on How N.T. Wright Stole Christmas. I suggest a moratorium on new Christmas hymns, until we all learn the Magnificat and the Benedictus and the Nunc Dimittis so much by heart that they seep out our fingers at the keyboard, until we... Read more