Defining our terms
It seems extreme to suggest that denominations are idols for many Australian Christians, and yet it is hard to come to any other conclusion. How can we justify such a statement? First of all, let’s define our terms.
Monthly Archives: October 1988
Commentary: 1 & 2 Thessalonians, The Song of Songs
Review
1 & 2 Thessalonians
The Thessalonian epistles are possibly the earliest Pauline documents that we have in the New Testament. They reveal to us something of Paul’s motives and methods in ministry and show particularly his teaching about the return of Christ and its implications for us. (more…)
Building the Christian library: Systematic Theology (In Understanding Be Men)
Review
In Understanding Be Men
T.C. Hammond (IVP)
There are many books on Christian doctrine, but the one to start with is In Understanding Be Men. It is thoroughly Evangelical. Hammond’s intention was to present “the main outline of evangelical thought”. (more…)
Ford Dodges History
Was it Henry Ford who observed that “History is bunk”? Henry, of course, has long since laid down in his own bunk, but perhaps his idea is worth considering. (more…)
What is ‘Anglican’?
This article was originally written as a discussion paper for the Anglican Church League. It is reproduced here with the permission of the author, Vic Cole*. (more…)
How to survive your denomination
Thought
In this issue of The Briefing, we look at denominations—those organisations we love to hate. This first article looks briefly at how we should relate to our denomination, and what interplay there should be between the denomination and the local church.
The Teenager is Dead
It will leave our churches non-plussed. It may perhaps put our youth departments on the dole queue. It will cause parents to breathe a sigh of relief. And yet this news just slipped quietly into our world through a minor column in a morning newspaper: The Teenager is Dead. (more…)
Bishops and confirmation services
Interchange
Building the Christian library: Biblical Theology (Gospel and Kingdom)
Review
Gospel and Kingdom: A Christian Interpretation of the Old Testament (Paternoster, 1981)
“The boy David defeated the giant Goliath with God’s help. Like David, we too can beat the giants in our lives, boys and girls. All we have to do is rely on God.”
Commentary: Colossians, Philemon, Esther
Review
Colossians/Philemon
The letter to the Colossians gives us precious insights into aspects of Paul’s teaching that are only alluded to in his other writings. As the apostle deals with false teaching, he develops a magnificent picture of the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ and its implications for us. Most commentaries on Colossians also deal with the letter to Philemon which reveals Paul in another light, dealing with a particular problem of personal relationships. (more…)
Word and Bible: The God of Word III
Thought
In this, the final article of his series, John Woodhouse looks at the connection between the Word of God and The Bible. Are they one and the same? Does God speak new words today?
Where there is the word of God, and faith in God because of that word, there is the totality of Christianity (Briefing #10). (more…)