Archives: thought

Fire extinguishers

Thought, Sola Panel

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There is a growing consensus that prayer (or lack of it) is a real problem for modern western Christians. The questions is “Why?” Why does prayer seem to be so lacking in emphasis amongst Australian evangelicals? There are great things happening in ministries all over the country, but why is concerted prayer generally not one of them?

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Does their worm really die?

Thought

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Hell isn’t something many of us like to ponder in our spare hours. However, sometimes its horror is hard to get out of our heads. Concern for the dreadful fate of the unsaved, or a simple fear of our own destiny can, at times, be overwhelming. The topic of hell and punishment has arisen with considerable frequency in the last six months. Dr James Packer chose to speak on this in his public lecture at Enfield. At the second Katoomba Youth Convention weekend in January, question time was filled with inquiries about this very issue. Although unmentionable in most secular circles, Christians sense a need to understand this aspect of eschatology.

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Loving the sinner but hating the sin

Thought

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A lot of the time, we explain our way through the world with a set of sayings. They tumble off our lips and seem to make sense, and they help us feel like we know what’s going on and how we should act. But often, when I think I am understanding or explaining the world, I am merely reassuring myself by using a safe but misleading label. It pays to ponder these everyday experiences, and look beyond the cliche.

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The Relationship Between the Testaments: Church

Thought

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What should Christians do when they meet together? What relationship should there be between the leaders of a congregation and the flock? What is the essence of Christian ministry? What place should ‘worship’ have in the Christian meeting?

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Taking the protest out of Protestant

Thought

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Now that everyone calls themselves ‘evangelicals’, Bible-believing Christians are left to cast around for a new, distinctive name that captures their emphasis. Perhaps that old chestnut ‘Protestant’ could be a candidate. But these days, is Roman Catholicism still worth protesting about? This is the second of two articles about Roman Catholicism—the first appeared in Briefing #36.

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Heaven is for sinners

Thought

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I was talking to a group of students. “Good people go to hell”, I said. “The only people who go to Heaven are bad people.”

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John Wimber changes his mind

Thought

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Just prior to the Spiritual Warfare Conference in March, John Wimber met with three of Sydney’s leading evangelicals. The discussions, which lasted just under three hours, were requested by some Sydney people who had reservations about the Signs and Wonders ministry. Present at the meeting with John Wimber were Jack Deere and Paul Cain from the Vineyard Ministries, Dan Armstrong from Kairos, and John Woodhouse, David Cook and Phillip Jensen from Sydney. Although the meeting was conducted privately at John Wimber’s hotel it was agreed from the outset that what was said privately would be published openly later. Careful notes were made of the discussion.

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From every nation: A Christian multiculturalism

Thought

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Sir William Keys, the past president of the RSL, maintains that “meeting the challenge of multiculturalism is the single most important task facing Australia today”. If this is so, what contribution will Australian Christians make to this challenge? Will the Gospel of Jesus Christ contribute to this task in any way? Peter Bolt examines the issues.

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When in Rome …

Thought, Sola Panel

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With the Archbishop of Canterbury seemingly ready to defer to the Bishop of Rome, Protestant-Catholic relations are back on the agenda. Rome seems to be changing, but by how much and in what direction? The Briefing looks at some of the issues.

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No justification!

Thought

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There comes a time when even the most sacred of cows must face the mincer. Is it time to ditch justification by faith?

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Evangelism and social responsibility

Thought

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How should Christians relate to society at large? To what extent should we be involved in social and political action? Evangelicals are divided on the issue. This article by John Woodhouse is taken from a longer paper that first appeared in Explorations 3: Christians in Society.

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The God I don’t believe in

Thought, Sola Panel

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In our last issue, it was suggested that the cross of Jesus is being neglected by many modern Christians. In the face of intellectual scepticism, an increasing desire for miracles, and the contempt that is bred by familiarity, the cross is looking worn out. We need to regain our focus on the cross.

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