Whenever I look back over the history of The Briefing—all 366 issues, all 21 years—I find it almost impossible to resist thinking about my eldest daughter, who (like The Briefing) was born in April 1988. In fact, I’ve used the image so often in the past, I’m sure long-term readers are heartily sick of it by now. (more…)
The clarion call of the gospel: An interview with Phillip Jensen
Tony Payne speaks to The Briefing’s founder (Phillip Jensen) about Evangelicalism, church, preaching and the essentials of the Christian life. (more…)
Grace abounding to the chief of cynics
Life
Steve Young takes a look at bitterness in ministry—its causes and its cure. (more…)
“What do you say when…?” Bus stop graffiti
Everyday Ministry
Actually do it
Up front, Sola Panel
These three words are the secret to success in a multitude of circumstances. It’s certainly true of writing. When someone comes to me (as they quite often do), indicating their desire to be a writer, and then asks me how to go about it, I have only these three words to say to them: actually do it. (more…)
ShareThis
Interchange
Just wanted to say how impressed we were that you have an option to share old articles in your library via Facebook. Although personally I think Facebook is a tool of Satan, my wife loves it, and being able to quickly share articles for discussion and use in the church is a great benefit. Thanks for your technological insight. (more…)
Appreciating access
Up front
Last year Cathy and I had the opportunity to go and see Australian Idol live in the studio. (To tell you the truth, I’m not that into that whole thing.) But whether you’re into it or not, I have to admit it was kind of fun. We didn’t just go as part of the crowd, but as VIPs. We have a friend who works for one of the corporate sponsors of the series, and she got us the tickets. When we arrived, there were two lines to gain access to the studio—the long line for the plebs and the short line for the corporate sponsors. So while hundreds of people lined up behind the barricades, we ambled leisurely along the red carpet and were ushered straight to our seats while everyone else was kept standing outside. It’s funny how the human heart works: we weren’t special—there was no particular reason for us to be there, except that we had a friend; but I could really get used to being treated like that. It’s fun to feel important. (more…)
Where to from here?
Resource Talk
Review: “Evangelical Feminism: A new path to Liberalism?”
Review
Evangelical Feminism: A new path to Liberalism?
Wayne Grudem
Crossway, Wheaton, 2006, 272pp.
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)
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
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
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
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
Living the Cross Centered Life: Keeping the gospel the main thing
CJ Mahaney
Multnomah, Sisters, 2006. 176pp.
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
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,