Doctrine - Australian Church Record

What’s in a name? (I AM)

March 17, 2019March 14, 2019 by Kate Hamer

In every culture, names carry significance. This is especially true in the Semitic culture of Bible where names are frequently used to define a person’s characteristics and actions. In this short series, we’ll explore the many and varied names…

Christian Living Doctrine

Could someone open in prayer?

March 12, 2019March 12, 2019 by Amy Wicks

Is there any question in a Bible study that causes more awkward silence than ‘Could someone open in prayer?’ Well, maybe the classic ‘What colour is this passage?’ (a legit question, I might add, if used with appropriate care and caution.) But…

Christian Living Doctrine

Little ones to him belong

March 3, 2019March 5, 2019 by Peter Blair

Over 40 years ago, Jay E Adams opened his little book, The Meaning and Mode of Baptism, with an observation that still rings true today: “obviously, some immersionists speak overmuch on the subject; but just as truly, most of those who disagree…

Christian Living Doctrine

Why God’s names matter: YHWH

February 19, 2019February 7, 2019 by Kate Hamer

In his best-known love story Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare famously wrote:“What’s in a name? that which we call a roseBy any other name would smell as sweet.”For Shakespeare’s character, Juliet, a name doesn’t seem to matter much at all. A rose…

Christian Living Doctrine Ministry

Creating a culture of doctrinal literacy

February 17, 2019February 7, 2019 by Ben Pakula

My favourite book on Christian doctrine is Peter Jensen’s At the Heart of the Universe. It’s short, sharp, soaked in Scripture, and came about as a result of research for presenting the material orally. Best of all, it begins with eschatology—something…

Christian Living Doctrine Evangelism

This God (Ephesians 1:2)

February 12, 2019February 12, 2019 by Lionel Windsor

I teach at a Sydney theological college that’s right in the middle of one of the most irreligious parts of the Western world. Our campus sits between a long-established, determinedly secular university, and a vibrant, socially progressive…

Complementarianism Doctrine Ministry

Encouraging women in ministry

February 10, 2019February 7, 2019 by Ben Gray

When I asked one of my female colleagues the question, “How do I encourage you in ministry?” her answer was: “By being normal”.So as I think about how we can encourage women in ministry, the theme is “trying to be normal”. I want to consider how we…