Resolving the ‘Romans controversies’ — with Brian Rosner

Posted on February 18, 2026 
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on Resolving the ‘Romans controversies’ — with Brian Rosner

From The Pastor’s Heart this week –

“Well, we give it a serious go in 30 minutes.

What is the ‘righteousness of God’?
Is it faith in Christ or the faithfulness of Christ?
Who is the ‘I’ in Romans 7?
What exactly is Paul saying about Israel and the Law?
How does Romans use the Old Testament?
And is the gospel mainly about individual salvation or shaping a new community?

Ridley College’s Brian Rosner has just released a major theological overview of Romans ‘Strengthened by the Gospel’ — and along the way he thoughtfully engages nearly every major scholarly controversy.

If you’ve ever taught Romans, struggled with Romans, or simply wanted to understand Romans more deeply you will enjoy this fast moving discussion through the controversies of Romans.”

– Watch or listen here. Most encouraging.

An Archaeological discovery may shed light on the Gospel of Luke

Posted on February 17, 2026 
Filed under History, Resources Comments Off on An Archaeological discovery may shed light on the Gospel of Luke

In a video published last week, Shane Rosenthal (long involved with The White Horse Inn podcast, and now hosting The Humble Skeptic) extends earlier discussion on the Joanna Ossuary –

“In this video, Shane Rosenthal, host of The Humble Skeptic podcast, takes a trip to a museum on the campus of the University of Haifa in Israel, in order to take a closer look at what he believes is one of the most significant, yet overlooked, archaeological discoveries related to the Bible.

In 1983, an ossuary belonging to Joanna, the granddaughter of Theophilus, the high priest, was discovered near Jerusalem. Could this be a reference to the Joanna and Theophilus mentioned in Luke’s Gospel (Lk 1:3, 8:3, 24:10)?”

Watch here.

In his forthcoming book, Luke’s Key Witness, he also looks at the suggestion that Andronicus and Junia, mentioned in Romans 16:7, may be the same people as Joanna and her husband Chuza mentioned in Luke 8:3.

On his podcast, he interviews many scholars, including Peter Bolt (Who is Theophilus?), who also proposes the link between Joanna of the ossuary and the Joanna of Luke’s Gospel, as well as many other fascinating ideas about Luke.

And in a similar vein, he interviews T.C. Schmidt, who makes the case for the authenticity of Josephus’ mention of Jesus. (T.C. Schmidt’s book Josephus and Jesus: New Evidence for the One Called Christ was reviewed recently by John Dickson at The Gospel Coalition.)

The One Church Divided

Posted on February 17, 2026 
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on The One Church Divided

From Phillip Jensen:

“Church division dishonours our Lord and creates great pain amongst his people. Sadly, it is all too frequent in our experience. But what is the nature of church unity, and what level of priority should we give to it? Clarity of thought and expression is very important when painful disagreements are being addressed; this is particularly true when we discuss the nature of unity and the church.

In Corinth was the disunited church of God. This is the issue that Paul discusses in his first letter to the Corinthians. However, we must remember that he not only addresses the particular situation of the Corinthian church, but also ‘all those who in every place call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.’ ”

– Listen here at Two Ways News.

Pottery of the Roman Era

Posted on February 16, 2026 
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on Pottery of the Roman Era

“In 1995 I took a semester of Study Leave and went back to University.

The founding Professor of Ancient History, Edwin Judge, was still lecturing at Macquarie University and I enrolled in all his classes.

One of the extra classes available, which I didn’t think would be especially relevant,  was, ‘Pottery of the Roman Era’.

The class turned out to be surprisingly interesting.

The assessment involved writing a 3000 word essay on observations of a piece of pottery …”

– David Cook shares some encouragement to grow in your knowledge of something even more exciting than Roman pottery.

The Rights and Wrongs of Rights

Posted on February 15, 2026 
Filed under NSW, Opinion Comments Off on The Rights and Wrongs of Rights

“Dear Friends, Monday night was a tumultuous evening at the Cathedral and I thank God for the hundred or so who attended Evening Prayer, despite the thousands outside. I am thankful for those who attended to site security and those who ensured the PA was loud enough to hear the Bible readings and prayers, despite the cacophony.

I am sorry to those who could not find a way through the crowds but I am grateful to God we were all able to get away safely, even though only one exit remained passable with all other exits effectively blocked.

Sadly almost 1500 school students missed out on their co-curriculaar activities that afternoon, such as music lessons, or sports training, or drama classes. And I think the Red Cross Donor Centre lost upwards of 30 lifesaving blood donations as a result of people cancelling or being unable to walk in because of the protest. …”

– In the current Cathedral Newsletter, Dean of St. Andrew’s Cathedral Sandy Grant recognises other people’s freedom of speech and assembly but speaks out for all who have been told to “stay away”.

(Image from the Cathedral Newsletter.)

Prayers of blessing STILL commended in the Church of England

Posted on February 14, 2026 
Filed under Church of England, Culture wars Comments Off on Prayers of blessing STILL commended in the Church of England

From Anglican Futures –

“Don’t believe everything you read in the papers.

The Church of England has not “abandoned proposals to deliver blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples in churches.” If only that were true.

What has happened is much more subtle and much more ‘English’. …”

– Read here.

“The most important Englishman who has ever lived”? — William Tyndale’s Life and Legacy, part 2

Posted on February 14, 2026 
Filed under History, People Comments Off on “The most important Englishman who has ever lived”? — William Tyndale’s Life and Legacy, part 2

From Tyndale House, Cambridge:

“This is the second episode in our series exploring William Tyndale’s life, Bible translation, and legacy.

In this episode, Tony Watkins interviews experts in the sixteenth century and the history of the Bible to explore William Tyndale’s life leading up to the publication of his New Testament in 1526.

This was the first to be translated directly from Greek into English, and the first New Testament to be printed in English.”

– Watch here – or direct on YouTube.

(Part 1 is here.)

Richard Johnson: The first chaplain of New South Wales

Posted on February 13, 2026 
Filed under Australia, History, People Comments Off on Richard Johnson: The first chaplain of New South Wales

From Moore College’s Moore in the Word podcast –

“In this episode and in honour of Moore Theological College’s 170th anniversary, we bring you a special episode taken from the 2025 Donald Robinson Library lectures on the topic of ‘The Clapham Sect and their influence on Sydney’.

Mark Thompson, Principal of Moore Theological College, introduces us to Richard Johnson and the story of how he ended up becoming the first chaplain to the fledgling colony in New South Wales, laying the spiritual foundations of Christian witness. Drawing on personal letters and historical records, Mark traces Johnson’s courage, hardship and lasting legacy in shaping gospel ministry in early Australia.”

– Listen here – or on the Moore in the Word page.

If you would prefer watch, rather than just listen, you can watch all eight talks from the Library lectures at this playlist.

Bathurst Diocese newsletter Summer 2026

Posted on February 12, 2026 
Filed under Bathurst Diocese, for your prayers Comments Off on Bathurst Diocese newsletter Summer 2026

The Newsletter of the Diocese of Bathurst is now available on their website.

It includes this letter from Bishop Mark Calder:

“Dear friends,

For many Australians, summer is a season of gathering – time with family, perhaps a few days away by the coast, a change of pace from the year just past. And yet, we know that this year summer has been anything but restful for so many across our nation.

Some communities have been living with the fear and disruption of bushfires; others have endured the devastation of flooding. The long work of recovery has begun.

Closer to home, across our own Diocese—and particularly in the west—summer has brought a different but no less heavy burden. The lack of rain is becoming acute. Dams are drying, stock numbers are being reduced, and the uncertainty of what lies ahead weighs heavily on farmers and their families. For many, summer has been a time of anxiety, watching the skies and refreshing the weather apps, hoping for relief.

As God’s people, we are invited to bring all of this before him. Please pray that, in his mercy, God would send good, soaking, refreshing rain in the right measure. Pray too for those facing the slow grind of drought—that they would be given strength, patience and grace to keep trusting God through circumstances that often feel overwhelming.

Across our Diocese, I trust that we will commit ourselves this new year to loving and serving one another in practical and generous ways. As we draw near to God together, may we keep turning up for one another—encouraging, supporting and spurring each other on in love and good works—so that we may continue Sharing Jesus for Life.

With every blessing,

Mark

Bishop Mark Calder.”

The newsletter includes important prayer requests, notably to –

“pray for the bishop’s election board as they prepare to begin in earnest on 19 March”.

At 1:00pm on Saturday 19th September, there will be a Service at All Saints Cathedral in Bathurst for the end of Bishop Mark’s episcopacy.

Please pray for Mark in the coming months before his retirement, and pray that the Lord may lead the Bishop’s Election Board to the right man to continue the work of building up the Churches in the Diocese of Bathurst.

A additional reminder for prayer:

“Pray for our parishes without clergy – that the Lord raise up clergy to love and serve our people:

1. Bourke / Brewarrina
2. Coonamble
3. Warren
4. Cumnock
5. Trundle
6. Condobolin
7. Coonabarabran
8. Wellington
9. West Wyalong
Including these with resident lay ministers for whom we are very thankful:
10. Nyngan
11. Coolah–Dunedoo.”

– Download the Summer 2026 Newsletter here (direct link to PDF) or via this page.

From Canterbury to Abuja – with Paul Donison and Jodie McNeill

Posted on February 11, 2026 
Filed under GAFCON, Global Anglican Communion Comments Off on From Canterbury to Abuja – with Paul Donison and Jodie McNeill

From The Pastor’s Heart this week –

“We’re just three weeks away from what may prove to be one of the most significant gatherings of Anglican leaders in a generation — as bishops, clergy and lay representatives from across the world meet in Abuja to chart the future of global Anglicanism.

We preview the conference being led by Global Anglican Futures Conference (GAFCON), and explore how its proposed ‘reordering’ of the Anglican Communion compares with the approach of the Global South Fellowship of Anglicans.

With the centre of Anglican Christianity now firmly in the majority world, the conference in Abjua, Nigeria brings together a broad representative cross-section of the global church.

Our guests are Paul Donison, General Secretary of the GAFCON movement, and Gafcon Operations Manager Jodie McNeill, who is helping coordinate the gathering.”

– Watch or listen here.

Explaining for impact

Posted on February 10, 2026 
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“In his book Setting Hearts on Fire, the Sydney evangelist, John Chapman, counsels preachers to do six things for every point in their sermons:

• State the point
• Show where it’s from in the Bible
• Explain the point
• Illustrate the point
• Apply the point
• Restate the point.

Of these, our explanations are often the most dull and unexciting parts of the sermon. Illustrations are relatable, illuminating, and often humorous; applications are concrete and practical. When preachers explain the text, however, we wish they’d just get on with it and tell us what to do; it feels like a hoop we have to jump through in order to get to the good stuff. …”

– At The Expository Preaching Trust, Michael Leong explains how to Explain for Impact in a sermon.

Thanks for the Church

Posted on February 10, 2026 
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on Thanks for the Church

From Phillip Jensen:

“Today we start our year’s work by looking at the opening of
1 Corinthians. It’s such an exciting letter covering so many topics that we look forward to God using this podcast to challenge us all.”

– In their first podcast on 1 Corinthians, Phillip and Peter Jensen lay the foundations for what’s ahead. Listen at Two Ways News.

How should a Christian respond to the Bondi Beach shooting?

Posted on February 9, 2026 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on How should a Christian respond to the Bondi Beach shooting?

From The Australian Church Record –

“Although the shooting of Jewish people at Bondi Beach occurred over a month ago, the questions it raises have not faded. Acts of targeted violence leave lasting wounds—within individuals, communities, and cities—and the way we respond to them continues to shape our shared life long after the headlines move on. For Christians, reflection after the immediacy has passed is often when deeper, more faithful responses can be formed. This article is written in that spirit.

By way of background, I am of Jewish descent. My mother accepted Jesus as the Messiah, as I have, and we are often described as Messianic Jews. This heritage shapes how I grieve acts of violence against Jewish people in our own city and how I reflect on them as a Christian pastor in this city who is Jewish.

The shooting of Jewish people at Bondi Beach confronts us with intentional evil, resulting in grief, and was designed to bring fear. As Christians, we must be careful not to respond as the world does. …”

– Andrew Bruce, Rector of St Barnabas’ Westmead, helps Christians think about what we can do, and how we can pray.

Sudan and South Sudan Crisis — Gafcon Prayer Request

Posted on February 9, 2026 
Filed under World news Comments Off on Sudan and South Sudan Crisis — Gafcon Prayer Request

“Today we ask our global Anglican family to pray urgently for Sudan and South Sudan, where suffering continues. Millions have been displaced by conflict, families have fled with nothing, and famine and acute food insecurity threaten whole communities. Pray for safe access for humanitarian aid, protection along dangerous journeys, and for those living in overcrowded camps with scarce food, shelter, and medicine.

We also pray for children who are traumatised, malnourished, and out of school, and for women and girls facing heightened risks of violence. Ask the Lord to bring peace amid political instability, and relief from flooding and disease.

As Gafcon seeks to be faithful in generating missional resources, pray that churches on the ground—especially the Anglican Church in Sudan and South Sudan—would be strengthened, resourced, and sustained as they serve the hungry, hurting, and traumatised, in Jesus’ name.”

– From Gafcon.

The First Evangelical Minister

Posted on February 9, 2026 
Filed under History, Moore College, Thanksgiving Comments Off on The First Evangelical Minister

Thanks to Moore Theological College for producing this graphic to remind us of John Newton and how he came on the First Fleet.

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