Monthly Archives: April 2009

Review: “Evangelical Feminism: A new path to Liberalism?”

Review

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Evangelical Feminism: A new path to Liberalism?

Wayne Grudem

Crossway, Wheaton, 2006, 272pp.

Evangelical Feminism

Writing or even reviewing a book about the Bible’s teaching on male and female responsibilities within marriage or the church is a task fraught with difficulty. The issue is more emotionally charged than most doctrinal or church practice issues because it reaches to the very heart of what it means to be human. In addition, it is an area that is alien to our culture and a possible impediment to the spread of the gospel in the world. So how important is it to get the role of women in the church right? Is it a so-called ‘gospel’ or ‘first order’ issue, or is it fine for Christians to have a wide range of views on the subject? (more…)

Happy 21st, Briefing! (A birthday card)

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To The Briefing on the occasion of your 21st birthday:

I think I was about 21 when I first met you. I was at a conference up at Merroo (the centre where the showers alternated between scalding hot and freezing cold, and the hall was large enough to house a small aeroplane). You were introduced to me and 500 other Christian university students by your founder, Phillip Jensen, who spoke highly of you as very good reading material—for when you’re on the toilet. (more…)

Love and the cost of change

Up front

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There’s a saying in corporate life that goes “change will only happen if the perceived benefit is greater than the perceived cost”. Like most sayings, it makes sense: you’ll only do something new if you think the effort is worth it. (more…)

The gospel and the quiet time

Interchange

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Paul Grimmond’s article on ‘The gospel and the quiet time’ was fabulous. I have noticed over the past few years that The Briefing encourages us in the week between Christmas and New Years of the need to start again in our Bible reading and praying (i.e. in time to get in on our New Years’ resolution list). Paul’s article does this very graciously. (I’ve got to admit, this is actually the best way to win me over; I don’t usually respond well to the ‘firm rebuke’.) So thank you, Paul! (more…)

The first 21 years are the hardest

Resource Talk, Sola Panel

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There’s no doubt about it: this 21st birthday Briefing has put me in a nostalgic frame of mind. I’m finding myself daydreaming about the late 80s when New Zealand wore beige and brown body shirts in one day cricket, when U2 was a young, emerging supergroup, and when the book to give away to a non-Christian friend was John Chapman’s bestselling A Fresh Start. (more…)

Review: “Living the Cross Centered Life”

Review

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Living the Cross Centered Life: Keeping the gospel the main thing

CJ Mahaney

Multnomah, Sisters, 2006. 176pp.

Living the Cross-centered Life

Is there anything more important than the cross of Christ? Each of the Gospels centres on Jesus’ journey to the cross. Jesus’ wonderful mission statement in Mark 10:45 describes the goal of his ministry as the giving of his life as “a ransom for many”. The Apostle Paul resolved to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified (1 Cor 2:2). The cross is the centre of God’s plan for humanity. (more…)

Fallen short

Up front

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Psalm 19 is famous and rightly so:

The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Day to day pours out speech,

(more…)

Time out to learn and grow, undistracted and exposed to the word of God

Pastoral Ministry

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I am on study leave at the moment—a lovely privilege of being a lecturer at Moore College—‘time out’ from the normal routine in order to enable all kinds of extra thought and reflection, which is always refreshing and productive. I talk to friends who don’t have such a privilege, and they are immediately envious and immediately see the value of it. (more…)