Kirralie Smith- transgender vilification and sport
Posted on August 1, 2026
Filed under Culture wars, Opinion Comments Off on Kirralie Smith- transgender vilification and sport
Associate Professor Neil Foster writes –
“I have previously written about the case of Kirralie Smith. Ms Smith is part of an advocacy organisation, Binary Australia Ltd, which advocates for sex-based rights, especially for women, and sometimes posts about biological males who have been allowed to compete in women’s sport. Stephanie Blanch (and Riley Dennis) were mentioned on the website of Binary and elsewhere online in this context, and then claimed that this amounted to ‘transgender vilification’ under section 38S(1)(a) of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1975 (“ADA”). The plaintiffs in the original litigation were each described by Deputy Chief Magistrate Freund as a ‘transgender woman’, and were both born biologically male.
In the earlier proceedings (judgments linked in my previous post) Smith was found to have committed vilification, ordered to pay a total of $95,000 in damages to the two plaintiffs, and found liable for costs. An appeal was lodged, and the NSW Supreme Court (Rigg J) has now handed down a judgment granting leave to appeal in some respects, but mostly dismissing the appeal grounds: see Smith v Blanch; Smith v Dennis [2026] NSWSC 879 (24 July 2026) (Blanch and Dennis Supreme Court Appeal, ‘BDSCA’). Smith remains liable to pay $95,000, is forbidden ‘from publishing on social media or otherwise anything relating to the defendant[s] to the same or similar effect as held to be unlawful vilification in [the previous] Local Court proceedings’ – see BDSCA [261], [262]. She also has to pin a notice about the proceedings ‘on all social media pages and websites over which [she has] control, including Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter) and the website of Binary Australia’, for 3 months. (See Annexure A to BDSCA for the content.)
In this post I will aim to explain the basis for the court’s decision. As will be seen, I think there may be grounds for a further appeal. …”
– Read it at Law and Religion Australia.
Artefact in Focus: The Taylor Prism
Posted on August 1, 2026
Filed under History Comments Off on Artefact in Focus: The Taylor Prism
From Tyndale House in Cambridge – this page and short video by George Heath-Whyte, Junior Research Fellow at Christ Church College, Oxford.
“The ‘Taylor Prism’ has stood on display in the British Museum for 170 years. Named after Colonel R. Taylor, the British diplomat who purchased it in the 1830s, it is a masterful example of ancient Assyrian cuneiform and craftsmanship, with its six tightly-inscribed columns standing almost 40 cm tall.
Remarkable to look at, it is even more remarkable to read. …”
– Watch the video and read the accompanying story.
Dr Robert Tong thanked for 45 years of service on the Board of Moore College
Posted on July 31, 2026
Filed under Moore College, People Comments Off on Dr Robert Tong thanked for 45 years of service on the Board of Moore College
From Moore Theological College:
“Dr Robert Tong was acknowledged for 45 years of faithful service on the College Board this month.
Robert has served under 6 Archbishops and 4 Principals and has always been motivated by his devotion to Christ and his gospel. We are greatly indebted to this gifted and faithful governor.”
Photo: Robert Tong with three College Principals – Mark Thompson, John Woodhouse and Peter Jensen.
On a related note, The Anglican Church League is also grateful to the Lord for Robert’s long and faithful service as the Chairman of the ACL. He retired from that position at our Annual General Meeting last month. The ACL is immensely grateful for Robert’s wisdom and generosity over many years.
Kara Hartley appointed Faculty Member of Moore College
Posted on July 31, 2026
Filed under Moore College, People Comments Off on Kara Hartley appointed Faculty Member of Moore College
From Moore Theological College –
“The Moore College Governing Board has accepted the Principal’s nomination of Archdeacon Kara Hartley to join the College Faculty in January 2027 in a part-time capacity.
Kara is a graduate of the College (BD 2007, MA(Theol) 2019), has continued her involvement with it in many ways, and has extensive ministry experience, both lay and ordained, in the Diocese of Sydney. …”
– Read the full story from the College website.
Photo: Kara Hartley with Moore College Principal Mark Thompson.
In Defense of the Abuja Affirmation
Posted on July 30, 2026
Filed under GAFCON, Global Anglican Communion Comments Off on In Defense of the Abuja Affirmation
Writing in Covenant, the online journal of the American publication The Living Church, Bishop Glenn Davies responds to an article by the Rev. Dr. Matthew Olver about the Abuja Affirmation –
“I am grateful for the irenic article that the Rev. Dr. Matthew Olver published on Covenant on April 13, 2026, where he engages theologically with the Abuja Affirmation.
As a participant in the G26 Assembly in Abuja in March, I have a good idea of what was achieved in that extraordinary gathering, which was a celebration of the Global Anglican Communion launched by the Gafcon primates on October 16, 2025.
The heart of the issue that Gafcon has been addressing since its 2008 inaugural assembly in Jerusalem is the authority of Scripture in its plain, canonical sense. …”
– Glenn’s response is an important setting out of why Gafcon / The Global Anglican Communion is needed.
It is worthy of careful study.
________________
Related: (each will open in a new window)
The Kuala Lumpur Statement, 1997.
GAFCON Final Statement and the Jerusalem Declaration – 29 June 2008.
The Jerusalem Declaration – as a PDF file – formatted to two A4 pages.
The Abuja Affirmation – 2026.
Darrell Bock on Engaging Aussie (or any) Culture
Posted on July 30, 2026
Filed under Encouragement, Evangelism Comments Off on Darrell Bock on Engaging Aussie (or any) Culture
A special from The Pastor’s Heart –
“In this special ‘pop up’ episode of The Pastor’s Heart we talk with New Testament Professor Darrell Bock about how best might Christians might engage culturally to reach Australians for Jesus.
Plus his love of Sydney, Sydney Swans Australian football team and why he would move here if he didn’t have grandchildren. Bock is known for getting up at 2am in Dallas to watch the Swans play live on TV. He will see three Swans games during his current visit to Australia.
Darrell Bock is executive director of Cultural Engagement at The Hendricks Center and Senior Research Professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary.”
– Very helpful. Watch here.
Preaching God’s Way Of Salvation
Posted on July 30, 2026
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on Preaching God’s Way Of Salvation
From The Expository Preaching Trust:
“In his previous article, Bob Thomas encouraged us to preach with single-mindedness, focused on the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this article, Bob walks us through an example of how this might be done when preaching from Ephesians 2:8-10 and 3:14-20, bringing a gospel shape to a sermon. …”
– Read it here.
Ordinations for Bathurst Diocese announced for 22 August
Posted on July 29, 2026
Filed under Bathurst Diocese, for your prayers Comments Off on Ordinations for Bathurst Diocese announced for 22 August
From the Diocese of Bathurst –
“Bishop Mark [Calder] has announced today that, God willing, five people will be ordained at All Saints’ Cathedral, Bathurst, on Saturday 22 August at 11am.
Robert Yemm, Xanthe Yemm and Justin Baker will be made Deacons,
and Robbie Nichols and Jim Kapetangiannis will be ordained Priests.
Please join us in thanking God for each of them and praying that the Lord will strengthen and sustain them as they prepare for this significant step in their ministry.
(Steve Cimarosti will be commissioned as Archdeacon in this service.)”
–Source, Bathurst Diocese Facebook page.
Darrell Bock answers questions on Luke’s Gospel
Posted on July 29, 2026
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on Darrell Bock answers questions on Luke’s Gospel
From The Pastor’s Heart –
“Leading New Testament scholar Darrell Bock gives a rapid fire exploration of Luke and Acts.
Bock, who is Senior Research Professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, outlines what first drew him to Luke and answers questions including:
- Is Luke writing before or after Matthew and Mark?
- What—what kind of historian is Luke?
- How do you explain the difference between Luke’s genealogy and Matthew’s genealogy?
- How do we reconcile the birth narratives in Luke and Matthew?
- What is Luke’s theology of atonement?
- What is the kingdom of God in Luke?
- How does Luke use the Old Testament in ways that are different to the other Gospel writers?
- Why is the Sermon on the Plain from Luke 6 different to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 to 7?
Plus Luke’s distinctive emphasis on the world wide expansion of the gospel, the kingdom of God, the Holy Spirit, care for the poor and the creation of one new family from Jews and Gentiles.”
Learning to Read and Write Again
Posted on July 29, 2026
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Learning to Read and Write Again
“The writer of Ecclesiastes couldn’t have begun to grasp the sheer volume of books, not to mention blogs, articles, and podcasts that saturate our world today. ‘Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body’ (Eccles 12:12). I confess to feeling overwhelmed and weary. There has never been so much information to take on board. The internet floods us with content. So much information. How do I know what matters most? How much do I need to understand as a Christian leader? I can’t read everything, so should I read anything?
The danger is we give up. Let AI decide what we read, what we hear, how we think. Don’t do the hard work. Have someone else (something else) curate our learning. Take all the short cuts. Stop being curious. Give up on exploring, investigating, comparing, researching, and discussing. …”
– Dave McDonald has encouragement to keep reading – and some reflections on what to read. At The Gospel Coalition Australia.
The Lord’s Supper — Uniting in fellowship
Posted on July 28, 2026
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on The Lord’s Supper — Uniting in fellowship
From Phillip Jensen –
“One of the longest standing debates amongst Christians is, strangely, about one of our strongest illustrations of unity. For the Lord’s Supper is meant to be an expression of our unity in the death of the Lord Jesus Christ as we proclaim his resurrection. Yet as long ago as 1 Corinthians was first written, we find Christians divided at this event to such an extent that Paul declared that what they did was not the Lord’s Supper.
So what is the Lord’s Supper about, and what were they doing that so disqualified them from celebrating it?
It is an interesting and defining passage on this important activity which is so central to church life.”
– Peter and Phillip discuss in the latest episode of Two Ways News.
Southern Cross for August – September 2026
Posted on July 28, 2026
Filed under Encouragement, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Southern Cross for August – September 2026
The latest issue of Southern Cross, the magazine of the Diocese of Sydney, is now up on their website. Printed copies should arrive in parishes soon, if not already!
Online version available here.
Three key positions for your prayers
Posted on July 28, 2026
Filed under Bathurst Diocese, for your prayers, Moore College, Other denominations Comments Off on Three key positions for your prayers
For your prayers – three strategic positions to be filled in the not-too-distant future –
• As readers of our website will know, Dr Mark Thompson, Principal of Moore Theological College, will retire at the end of 2027.
• Bishop Mark Calder, Bishop of the Diocese of Bathurst, is concluding his term as Bishop on 19 September 2026. (Bishop’s Election Board.)
• And in the Presbyterian world, Dr Ian Smith, Principal of Christ College (the NSW Presbyterian theological college, at Burwood) will also retire at the end of 2027. (Applications.)
Please do uphold these men in your prayers, and pray for the bodies responsible for finding their successors, so that Christ is honoured, so that churches are strengthened, and so that many hear and believe the gospel, are saved, and grow as disciples.
The Preacher’s Singlemindedness
Posted on July 28, 2026
Filed under Encouragement Comments Off on The Preacher’s Singlemindedness
“When Sir Marcus Loane was installed as Archbishop of Sydney in 1966 during a service broadcast nationally on ABC TV, he preached a powerful sermon on 1 Corinthians 9.16b: ‘necessity is laid upon me, and woe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel.’
Even those of us who were beyond his jurisdiction could see that it was a sermon in which he preached what he practised and which carried the undertone: ‘go and do thou likewise’. And we were happy to fall in behind a man of such biblical firmness and faithful conviction.…”
– Bob Thomas writes to encourage preachers – at The Expository Preaching Trust.
Jono Squire to be Bishop of Wollongong
Posted on July 27, 2026
Filed under People, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Jono Squire to be Bishop of Wollongong
From SydneyAnglicans.net –
“A church planter from the greenfield suburbs of south-west Sydney has been appointed as the next Bishop of the Wollongong Region.
Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has announced the Reverend Jonathan Squire will follow Peter Hayward who has given significant service as Bishop of Wollongong since 2010. As is required, Mr Squire’s appointment was approved by Standing Committee.
Describing the Bishop-designate as a ‘capable and effective minister of the gospel, and a godly and able pastor and teacher’, Archbishop Raffel pointed to his work as rector of the Parish of Camden Valley, a region he has served for 20 years. …”
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…