seeing in a mirror dimly

Ok folks, here’s a cracker poddy with an absolutely top bloke: Adrian Foxcroft.

He’s a good mate of Steve and mine from Moore College, and is aiming to work in the Anglican diocese of Sydney.  Particularly though, Adrian (“The Fox”) is keen for youth minstry and aims to spend his ministry life doing just that.  I’ve got tonnes of time for a bloke who’s keen and passionate about dedicating himself to a particular ministry, and so this interview is great and encouraging!

We get to know The Fox a bit, but spend a bunch of time chatting about his  latest endeavor to reach out to young guys and girls: The Nugget.   It’s a short Vodcast (Video-cast) which can be found in the New and Notable section on iTunes, and also from Podomatic.  Basically, Fox’s aim to give you a “Nugget” of gold from the Bible and unpack it for you – all in less than 5 minutes! It’s great.  Engaging.  Simple.  Applicable.  And fun.  Check it out!

Also, we give a bunch of overdue shoutouts, and have some hilarious banter.  Enjoy!

The Nugget:
http://thenugget.podomatic.com/

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Ever wondered why, in celebrating the Lord’s Supper, we say:

Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord

Richard Muller, in his fantastic Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological Terms writes of the meaning of Sursum Corda:

“Lift up (your) hearts; a phrase from the liturgy of the Lord’s Supper.  It is especially important to the Reformed as an explanation of the union (see unio sacramentalis) between the participant in the Lord’s Supper and the resurrected Christ.  Rather than argue the presence of Christ’s body in the elements, the Reformed will argue, in effect, the spiritual union of the believer with the exalted Christ, a participation in the thing signified (see  res sacramenti) by means of faithful participation in the sign (signum) and the concomitant operation of the Spirit that joins together by grace the uplifted heart of the believer and the person of Christ with all its benefits. ”

I love this explanation of the words we use each week at St. Anne’s in the APBA Prayer Book.  What a joy to receive the whole Christ in this wonderfully, yet spiritually mysterious way! Also, as a minor note, it makes me want to learn latin (I’m looking at you Seamus!).

This is a cracker of a podcast! Steve and I get to interview the one and only Rev. Dr. Bill Salier!

Bill is the Vice-Principal of Moore Theological College, and one of the New Testament faculty.  Married to Sue, and with three daughters, Bill has a special interest in John’s Gospel and letters and is currently thinking about the language of sonship, family and adoption through the Bible and the use of the Old Testament in John’s Gospel.  He’s a great and wise brother, and also has a great sense of humour (see: Flash Salier!)

In this podcast, Bill tells Steve and I about how he became a Christian, and what led him subsequently into Christian ministry, and then theological education.  Beyond that, we get stuck into a bit about John’s Gospel and what Bill finds so interesting about it.  Bill also reflects upon some of the trials and tests involved with theological training and gives a few stories of what urged him on, and gave him assurance during his own studies.

Perhaps what is most striking is that Bill supports the Manly Sea Eagles.  Whilst this blogger is a North Sydney Bears fan (they’ll be back in 2012!), this podcast is a true example of Christian unity despite serious differences

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This is awesome.  Steve McGuinness, Chris Swann and a bunch of like minded brothers and sisters at Moore Theological College have launched the first ever Moore College undergrads theological journal.  Here’s what Steve wrote to announce it:

“It is a blessing and a privilege to announce that our student magazine, The Catechist, has been officially launched.

The theme, Forgiveness and Reconciliation in the Real World, has its feature article written by Chew Chern from Fourth Year 2009, and we have submissions from all over the current college community

At the moment, it is available only on the website (http://catechist.co.cc), so we’d love if you would come visit and share in the fruits of the authors.”

So, can I urge you to check it out.  It’s really great.  I’ve done a little piece on the Extra Calvinisticum which should provoke a bit of thought too

Well this is a first for the poddy! We’re begetting another poddy!

Yes, that’s right.  As of later this week, the first episode of Dwarfs and Giants will be launched.   Run by Angus Courtney, this podcast will be an 8-10 minute yarn about some interesting ways in which pop-culture, theology and history intersect.  Topics like Freedom, Art, J.S. Bach, and many others will be discussed as we realise why we are like dwarfs standing on the shoulders of giant thinkers who have come before us!

In this Pilgrim’s Podcast – we interview Gus, finding out about his interests and why he’s launching this podcast.  Gus is a recently married, good fella who currently attends St. Phillip’s York Street.  He’s got enthusiasm, passion and genuine love for the Lord Jesus.  And my guess is that if you get to listen to Gus on this interview, you’ll be hooked by his upcoming podcasts!

Coming up next week: Rev. Dr. Bill Salier, from Moore College!

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Well, here’s a really great podcast interview.  The only thing missing is Steve, who was in the Holy Land at the time.

Nevertheless, I managed to sit down with Col Marshall, who is a really lovely older brother in the Lord, and someone who has been a great encouragement and comfort to me personally.

Col, a cricket tragic, was one of the founders of the Ministry Training Strategy (MTS) which has taken off all around the globe.  It’s a great way for ministers to integrate the training of young guys and girls in Christian ministry (Uni, Parish etc.).  After many years in the ministry, Col has recently co-written a book with Tony Payne entitled The Trellis and the Vine (Matthias Media).  It’s a great book about disciple-making, and calls on ministers of the Gospel to think carefully about who are the people under their care, and what gifts and personalities do they have for Christian ministry.  The subtitle of the book is: “The Ministry Mind-Set that Changes Everything.”  It is part of Col’s latest initiative to begin the “Vinegrowers” ministry.  Check it out here for more details!

In this interview we discuss the Navigators ministry, the beginnings of the Ministry Training Strategy, and how the thinking behind the Trellis and the Vine can help your ministry.  Oh, and of course we talk cricket.  Col was the ex-chaplain to the NSW Blues, so he’s always up for a bit of cricket banter.  Enjoy!

Update: Click here to be taken to Col Marshall’s Vinegrowers ministry.  Dates for training, workshops and resources available!

More MTS Resources: Click Here.

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This is a world first for the podcast – a truly international recording via skype!

Steve and Claire Gardner have headed over to the Holy Land for a holiday, and they are spending roughly 3 weeks visiting places such as Turkey, Syria, Jordan and Israel.  How awesome!

So aswell as just catching up with each other, Steve and I decided to record a skype via the web! In this skype, Steve tells us all about what it’s like over there.  Some of the fascinating people he’s met.  And some of the opportunities (like getting offered a job!) and sadnesses of visiting countries in which a vibrant Christianity is almost extinct.  Oh, and we also discuss the icons which Steve is bringing back…*

It’s a great poddy, and I’m sure you’ll find it great to hear about the Holy Land.

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* Please don’t tell The Ministry Training and Development (MT&D) arm of our Diocese

Warning: This was one rowdy podcast!

Steve and I sat down and chewed the fat with Dave Miers.  Hailing from the Central Coast (home of the Bears NRL team coming in 2012), Dave currently studies theology with Steve and myself at Moore Theological College.  He’s got a whole lot of youth ministry under his belt from working at CCEC, and is a keen thinker and passionate guy who loves Jesus.  In fact, if you’re up at Katoomba Youth Convention (KYCK) this year you’ll see and hear him as he preached the Word to us.  He’s a top bloke, and a fella who I’m glad to be spending eternity with.

In this cracker of an episode, we have a whole lot of banter.  That’s a given.  But Dave talks to us about his story in becoming a Christian, and he tells us a little about his passion for youth ministry.  What’s the highlight (in my opinion!) of this episode that Dave shares with us what he thinks about Humble Orthodoxy.  Not being arrogant jerks who have the truth.  Nor being softies who love anything, except the truth.  It’s both: humble orthodoxy.

Get into it. It’s a great podcast!

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Since late last year I’ve been reading and thinking about a whole lot of Christological things.  Fascinating stuff which simply leads me to wonder and praise!  I think I might blog a little through some thing soon, but here’s an absolutely brilliant quote from Fr. Thomas Weinandy on Cyril’s understanding of the suffering of God:

“For Cyril this is the marvellous truth of the Incarnation.  God from all eternity may have known, within his divine knowledge, what it is like for human beings to suffer and die, and he may have known this perfectly and comprehensively.  But until the Son of God became man and existed as man, the Son of God, who is impassible in himself as God, never experienced and knew suffering and death as man in a human manner.  In an unqualified manner one can say that, as man, the Son of God had experiences he never had before because he never existed as man before – not the least of which are suffering and death.  This is what, for Cyril a proper understanding of the Incarnation requires and affirms, and this is what the communication of the idioms so remarkably, clearly, and even scandalously safeguards, advocates, and confesses.

The eternal, almighty, all-perfect, unchangeable, and impassible divine Son, he who is equal to the Father all in ways, actually experienced, as a weak human being, the full reality of human suffering and death.  What was an infamy to the Docestists, to Arius, and to Nestorius was for Cyril and the subsequent Christian tradition the glory and grandeur of the Gospel.  Even among those today who advocate a suffering God, the Incarnation is still a scandal, for while, with the best of intentions, having locked suffering within God’s divine nature, they have, in so doing, locked God out of human suffering.” (pg52-53, The Theology of St. Cyril of Alexandria: A Critical Appreciation)

This is one outstanding interview – a must listen to for young and old!

Steve Chong is the Lead Pastor of Kirkplace Presbyterian Church in Kogarah.  It’s awesome.  Totally new building, excellent design, powerful facilities and very thoughtful and principled use of space.  Steve Gardner and I were totally blown away.

Steve Chong is also the Director of RICE – a youth evangelism initiative which saw over 300 young men and women respond to Christ last year at the Entertainment Centre rally.

In this hilarious interview, both Steves and myself have a truly wonderful time thinking about God, His people and His work in the world.  Firstly, we get to know a bit about the history of Kirkplace – the wonderful blessing it is, yet the fear and trembling which Steve Chong feels as the one responsible for this gift.  Next, we get to delve into Steve’s life a bit – his background, and when things really kicked on for him in the faith.

The core of this interview has to do with ministry.  Steve has some paradigm-changing ideas on how to enable and equip members of church to do the Lord’s work – and it revolves around spiritual gifts and vocation.  Chong’s Triperspectival idea of gifts, need, and desires is something which seems similar to John Frame’s Triperspectivalism, so naturally, I’m drawn to it!  On similar things, see Tim Keller’s use of Frame’s Tri-perspectivalism.

Lastly, we spend some time talking about the men who have most influenced Steve.  Al Stewart, Mark Driscoll and Matt Chandler are spoken of fondly, and it is refreshing to hear about these men as fallible men like us.  Yet all three have been able to open up, share and impact Steve.  In fact, this is what Steve appreciates most about their relationships, and it’s a great thing to be encouraged by.

Have a listen.  Do learn.  And thank the Lord for the wonderful work He is doing.  Oh, and of course there’s plenty of shnouncements!

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Luther:

“Therefore I advise no one to enter any religious order or the priesthood, indeed, I advise everyone against it – unless he is forearmed with this knowledge and understands that the works of monks and priests, however holy and arduous they may be, do not differ one whit in the sight of God from the works of the rustic laborer in the field or the woman going about her household tasks, but that all works are measured before God by faith alone.”  Martin Luther from The Babylonian Captivity of the Church (1520)