mgpcpastor's blog

For a change it’s me who is late writing up Australian Presbyterian. The November issue has been in hand for a while now.

Richard Phillips, senior minister of Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville, South Carolina, is the subject of the feature interview.
Among a lot of other experiences, he and his wife, Sharon, recently had a book published under the title of ‘Holding Hands, Holding Hearts.
The interview ranges over issues such as the absence of ‘dating’ as a biblical concept, the difference between male and female expectations, the idea of being intentional about finding a marriage partner, personal maturity, intimacy outside of marriage, the need for shared faith with a marriage partner, and finishes with specific advice for young men and young women.
The feature article is complemented with pieces from Mark Powell, written as ‘Father To Son’ with ten points he’d like his son (and all young men) to know as they contemplate marriage; and Sheryl Sarkoezy writes ‘To My Daughters’ passing on the observations of one who has been involved vocationally teaching many young women.
These two articles are succinct, simple, heartfelt and practical in their advice.
Bruce Christian provides Bible Studies on Isaiah 33-39 and Jonah.
A couple of local items are mixed amongst four pages of news items from around the world.
Murray Capill, principal of Reformed Theological College, Geelong offers a piece on idolatry. Idols look legitimate, demand we offer them that which should be offered to God, and grow. They also fail us. Capill provides practical teaching about how to be free and to avoid such snares.
David Palmer offers a personal overview on the outcomes which are part of the Victorian Government’s revisions of the Equal Opportunity Act. Though the proposed changes are not as invasive or proscriptive as was feared there are still concerns that will need to be addressed and worked through. Palmer gives good credit to those various bodies who worked to bring about a better outcome than may have been expected.
The letters page contained a deeper interaction with various issues than is often the case. One letter in particular expressed thoughtful disagreement with the position presented by the interviews in the September issue. I think the letter writer believes that various social justice issues can be included within an understanding of Gospel proclamation. I would think the position of our church really places those issues as outworkings of the good news, not as core to its proclamation and saving work.
Perhaps related to this concern is the back page article in which Charles Woodrow muses on a personal experience with people who identify as Christian in Africa, but do not identify the work of the Lord Jesus Christ as being what makes them a Christian. He prays that God will raise up those who will proclaim the Gospel to work in addition to those who are seeking to alleviate suffering and bring social stability.

Past issues of Australian Presbyterian are available online, three months after original publication. The pdf of the August issue can be found here. My review of that issue is here.