24th March 2014
Glen O’Brien’s paper from the 2013 Conference examines John Wesley and his understanding of scripture within the context of different positions on scripture. A timely wider account of the arrangements. Also included is Max Champion’s final report as Chair, giving helpful insights into the confessing and reforming movements in the UCA. In books, Peter Bentley reviews Karen Booth’s study on the United Methodist church and sexuality issues, and Gordon Watson reviews a tribute of essays on the Trinity to Robert Doyle.
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Greetings all ...I always read the contents of the ACCatalyst & many a time some of the articles are a real plough just to be sure there isn’t some gem hidden within. Sept 2013 Marriage article by Rod James was well worth the read from the opening to closing words. Pass on my thanks to Rod for presenting it so thoughtfully. Also to Robyn for her meaningful cat ponderings and to Ian Clarkson for his short point specific subject articles and to Peter for the Film reviews. Every article every time can’t be a winner to all but the magazine caters for all somewhere within its contents with eyes to read & a mind to ponder.
Brenton Sutton…. Bute Uniting Church
(Published March 2014 ACCatalyst)
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 01/09 at 03:02 AM
The letter ” Creation and evolution, Sep. edition seems somewhat confusing given the debate about debate is not really an issue, especially when we consider the comment “an argument they were bound to lose as knowledge increased”.
Truth always actually wins an argument in spite of what people may think. Just because a majority may yell the loudest, makes no difference to what is true. As has been said before, even if no-one believes for instance, that God exists, makes no difference to the fact He does exist, and conversely, even if everyone believes that something which is not true, is true, makes no difference to the fact it is false.
The evolution versus Creation debate is not about whether anything evolves or not, but rather about whether the ridiculous theory that says life came about by a cosmic big bang, or some other fanciful idea which at its core seeks to do away with the existence of God, is true or not. Note the comment about the “recent work in genetics”.
What is not needed is “that we must read the early chapters of Genesis in a different way”. Far too many in the church have been doing that for a long time anyway. That is basically why the necessity for the confessing movement in the church.
What must be borne in mind in regard to evolution as being the source of life is that this belief completely cuts across the essence of the gospel. As Ken Ham points out in several books, the Bible clearly teaches, death only came about because of man’s sin.
The general theory of evolution indicates life and death over millions of years, so this is easily seen to be false in the light of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. If there was no death as a result of sin, Jesus did not need to die on the cross.
Trevor C Carter SA
(published in March 2014 ACCatalyst)
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 01/09 at 03:08 AM
The paradigm of evolution has absolutely nothing to do with the Big Bang or cosmic origins, contrary to the claim in the Letters section (March 2014). It simply explains how life has evolved over billions of years on Earth. Evolution does not completely cut across the essence of the gospel, at least not for me and the majority of Christians who accept our evolutionary origins. The long existence of life before humanity does, however, invalidate some ways of explaining the Christian story. The idea of Jesus as the second Adam, for example, and attempts to ground women’s subordination in Eve’s misleading of Adam.
Ken Ham is right that Genesis teaches that death came about because of man’s (sic) sin. And Genesis is wrong about that. Or at least those who insist that the Bible teaches literal historical origins are wrong. Death was in the world long before humans arrived, as was pain, sickness, earthquakes (contra Wesley) and so on. It does not follow that Jesus’ life was pointless, nor even invalidate sacrificial atonement: unless nobody reading this has sinned themselves.
Biologos.org would be a much more fruitful organization for your readers to be resourced by than Ken Ham.
It is not evolutionists who are undermining belief in God, but people who insist that Christianity rises or falls with a six day creation. I used to be a creationist, and of course they can be wonderful Christians, but they are placing an unnecessary stumbling block in the way of those who know they are wrong about science, and therefore presume we are all wrong about God.
(Rev Dr) Jason John (NSW)
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 01/09 at 03:13 AM
I found Ian Clarkson’s article (Dec 13) refreshingly honest and helpful. How often we confuse caring forthrightness with Judgement, and honest opinion with accusation. Far too limiting if we are to be guided by God’s word and the ministry of our Lord (John 4:17) and (1 Tim 4:14, James 5:13—16). It would mean that we sit on our hands while some of our brothers and sisters self destruct, and governments, and (at times) church leaders go awry with impunity. Ian’s paper encourages, and frees elders and pastors to actually engage in ministry with those in need of support, guidance, and maybe correction. Many who call at this manse are seeking someone to listen, and guide by way of God’s word- the last thing needed is judgement, but a close second is abrogation—engagement means , of necessity, sharing the issues. Thank you catalyst team for a great publication.
Blessings ( Pastor) Grant Jewell (SA)
(Published March 2014 ACCatalyst)
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 01/23 at 02:19 AM