Thanks to Dr. Andrew Brown of the Melbourne School of Theology for the heads-up on a two day conference on Recapturing Evangelical Identity to be held in Melbourne on 25-26 July. Recapturing Evangelical Identity is a two day mini-conference for pastors, teachers, students and engaged Christians  in late July at Melbourne School of Theology featuring  guest speakers from North America,  Dr Carl Trueman and Dr Darrell Bock. The Conference is an attempt to rearticulate the core of Gospel conviction that has historically identified evangelicals.  This... Read more

I have to confess to always being perplexed not only by American opposition to universal healthcare, but to opposition to universal healthcare by evangelicals on purportedly theological grounds. I was simultaneously amused and confused by the image on TV of two pastors prostrating themselves before the Supreme Court and praying that Obamacare would be thrown out. Did they really think that God would be opposed to everyone in America having access to healthcare (even if legally required to purchase it)?... Read more

I learned a new word this week during my meetings in Cambridge. The noun form of the word is “narratology” with the adjective “narratological”. Daniel Kirk used this word and it’s the first time I heard it. At first, I assumed he coined it because he’s such a creative thinker and knows how to turn a phrase. Well, he is very sharp tool – I knew that going in, but I am more firmly convinced now, but alas narratology is... Read more

Things don’t change much since 430 BC do they! Read more

Some students from Covenant Seminary in St. Louis have  launched their own journal called The Bantam Review. You need to read it just to find out why this is the only theological studied journal that has a rooster has its logo! Their first issue is on-line with some good stuff in their first issue, including an article on paedo-communion that I particularly enjoyed. Read more

The last Australian Census (2011) has some interesting statistics. Note the following (HT: Australia Incognita) Same sex couples: 33, 714 (so 67, 428 people); Jedi Knights, 65,000. So there are roughly the same number of gay and lesbians as there are jedi knights in Australia. Two implications: (1) Perhaps we should provide state sponsored ceremonies to affirm and validate the jedi order and to give them the same rights and privileges as non-Jedi people – it’s time for justice for... Read more

In a strange and disconcerting turn of events, a German court has banned circumcision! Read about it at ABC News. The court said: “The child’s body is permanently and irreparably changed by the circumcision. This change runs counter to the interests of the child, who can decide his religious affiliation himself later in life.” I guess paedo-baptism might be next! Read more

My uber-talented friend Con Campbell -the  NT scholar, Greek expert, evangelist, and jazz musician- has a new website show casing some stuff he’s done in biblical studies, preaching, and music. Also, a must read is his forthcoming book on Paul and Union with Christ, this man knows his Greek, and I think he really cracks Paul’s use of en Christo! Read more

Certainly not your average 7/11 in Australia! Read more

I have a genuine question (and this is a genuine question): Does the Bible’s “explicit gospel” demand that humans acknowledge how rotten they are before they will truly apprehend how glorious Christ is? Read more