For many men, the 2.4 kids, job promotion and house in the suburbs are accompanied by a dramatic decline in meeting with others to read the Bible.
The trouble with travel
Life
I’ve just spent a few weeks travelling and I’ve made a discovery: travelling and church-going don’t mix well. I found that it involved about 45,000 times more effort on my part to go to any church … let alone a church with good teaching! It wasn’t just a problem with my own motivation, either, or the distractions around me. I stayed with people who don’t go to church. I found it physically difficult to get around in some cities. There were obstacles at every turn.
Diary of an urban parson
Everyday Ministry
Time … and what to do with it
Life
It is our greatest asset and worst enemy. Time. We all feel it slipping away; we all feel its pressure. But David Andrew thinks we don’t grasp the fact that the gospel of Jesus should change the way we understand time and how we use it.
The Human Genome Project
Life
It has been called 21st century science in a moral dark age. Bill Clinton and Tony Blair announced the completion of the first working draft of the human genome sequence in June last year. Alongside those who were anticipating wonderful new medical advances in the near future were many who were pondering what new atrocities would be committed in the name of science. At a time when there is no consensus as to what a human person is, for what purpose will the human ‘book of life’ be used?
Calling the shots: Science and ethics collide
Life
Scientific breakthroughs are big news these days. Scientists discover the gene for this or that disease; new drugs let you lose weight or feel happier or pay attention; there are techniques to make babies for infertile couples or grandmothers; and soon we’ll be able to give grieving parents an exact copy of the child who died. What is more, we all have the absolute right to all of it.
The Hard Ask: Disagreeing with your pastor
Life
“When I have disagreements with my pastor, how can I deal with them in a godly way?”
This question is a subset of the question “What do I do when I disagree with any brother or sister in Christ”? Since the Bible is for realists and not romantics, it gives us guidelines for action. God knows that we are sinful people and he doesn’t pretend that such events won’t happen.
What’s stopping you?
Everyday Ministry
Why we don’t evangelize and what to do about it
We sing about having the words of eternal life and wonder how we ever “keep them in”, but keep them in we do. Many of us would claim to be less evangelistic—to have the gospel on our lips less often, to miss more golden opportunities for witness—than we would like. What is stopping us?
The Good Drover or the Good Shepherd?: The question of context for preaching the gospel
This article was adapted by James Wackett, Greg Clarke and Tony Payne from an address given at the Australian Forum on Evangelism in 1992.
The blessing of infertility
Life
I’m surprised that in this world of political correctness, the word ‘infertility’ still exists. I would have thought by now that my wife and I would have been classed among the ‘reproductively challenged’, or some other ghastly term. ‘Infertility’ is certainly a word we have both come to know and accept over the last three years—more as an embarrassing out-of-town relative than as a dearly loved member of the family.
The Christianity of Costello
Review
The Reverend Tim Costello is famous. Not simply because he’s the brother of the Australian Treasurer, but for a ministry of social action which in its own right has had a wide influence and enjoys a good reputation. From legal practice and street ministry in St Kilda, to being the Mayor of that same city, to having an increasing national voice on social issues, and now as the President of Australian Baptists, Costello’s responsibilities and profile have grown. He is actively sought out by the Australian media for his opinion on a whole range of issues, religious and social. With this high profile, Costello is able to speak passionately and articulately about issues such as gambling, and so bring attention to the damage and injustice that are taking place in the name of ‘progress’. For this we must be thankful. (more…)
The culture of self and the kingdom of God
Bill Muehlenberg is National Secretary of the Australian Family Association and teaches apologetics and ethics at several Melbourne Bible Colleges.
After two millennia of church history, the Christian church is at a crossroads. For the first time in human history, contemporary culture is seeking to build a kingdom with no thought or recognition of God. Secularism has triumphed in the late twentieth century, and as the twenty-first emerges, a great challenge faces the Body of Christ. Simply put, will the church allow itself to be seduced by the culture it finds itself in, or will it reemerge as a genuine counter-culture, fully upholding the values and worldview of a kingdom that has held sway for nearly 2000 years?
Is the church a house of worship?
An e-mail dialogue with Don Carson
From: Tony Payne
To: Don Carson
Subject: Worship
Dear Don,
Don’t you just hate it when you have a conversation and think afterwards of all the things you wish you’d said? After our interview on worship, I had just this experience. In particular, I wish that I had explored with you further about whether we should think about church in the categories of worship. Seems to me that we were in thorough agreement whilst ever we were talking about what we should actually do in church, etc. I remain deeply puzzled, however, about your fondness for retaining worship language to describe the endeavour. Perhaps it’s a cultural thing. Or perhaps there is more to it.
The Bible and homosexuality
Three studies for small groups
Natasha Langford is a student worker in Melbourne, Australia.
These studies can be used by anyone wishing to explore the Bible’s teaching on homosexuality. They may be especially useful for people dealing with same-sex attraction and seeking to understand God’s word on sexuality, suffering and sin. Following the studies you will find notes for group leaders to help them with the logic of the studies.
Interchange: ‘The Sabbath Rest’
Originally published in Briefing #295 (April 2003).
Sabbath wisdom
Thank you for the stimulating essay by Joshua Ng on the Sabbath (Briefing #293). I especially appreciated the reminder that as Christians living under the law of Christ, the fourth commandment points us to the heavenly rest for which we were created.