The Bishops of the Church of England have announced that same sex relationships will be able to be blessed in Church of England churches. In a massive turnaround, the English bishops are saying that what God says is sin, is blessed. The prophet Isaiah says, Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. - Isaiah 5:20Despite the u-turn, in a fudge, the Bishops claim that by not authorising same sex weddings, in church there is no change in doctrine. We talk with General Secretary of the Gafcon Movement, Ben Kwashi and Director of the Church Society UK, Lee Gatiss. https://www.gafcon.org/news/response-to-cofe-bishops-statementhttps://www.churchsociety.org/resource/responding-to-the-bishops-proposals-for-same-sex-blessings/https://www.churchsociety.org/resource/the-hypocrisy-of-authoritarian-bishops/Statement released after meeting of Evangelical Leaders (after this interview):https://ceec.info/ceec-formally-responds-to-house-of-bishops-proposals-and-subsequent-public-communications/The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches.  Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

Leonardo De Chirico, a theologian and educator, along with Rachel Ciano, discuss the mistakes evangelicals make in engaging with Roman Catholicism. They explore the contrasting perspectives on Catholicism, the differences between Jesus and Mary within the Catholic system, and the importance of intentional engagement with Roman Catholics. They also delve into the diminishing role of the Holy Spirit and the promotion of Mary in Roman Catholicism, and its implications on the understanding of the Trinity and Jesus' humanity.

How does the Bible’s unfolding story makes sense of modern life and culture ?Christopher Watkin, who lectures in Philosophy at Monash University, has a new book out that paints a picture of a Biblical Theological worldview and interacts well along the way with all the major thinkers of the age. Chris has done us pastors a significant service here. One of my friends has called it the most helpful book for those of us in pastoral ministry since Don Carson’s late 1990’s contribution, The Gagging of God.What is the difference between living in a universe where everything personal reduce to the impersonal and living in a universe where everything impersonal is transfigured by its personal origin? How do the biblical ideas of transcendence and immanence differ from their extrabiblical namesakes? In what ways does the biblical account of humanity challenge Thomas Hobbes’ understanding of human worth? What are the main reasons why the Bible’s account of sin is one of the great overlooked resources for cultural engagement?Why is AUTONOMY such an important dogma for the Enlightenment?  What are some of the main points to make in a biblical assessment of the concept of human autonomy? Why is the biblical asymmetry of good an evil such an important truth for Christian cultural critique? In what ways does the doctrine of wretchedness of humanity testify to human dignity? What is meant by viewing the Christian experience of this life as ‘being towards fulfillment’ vs being towards yes’ ?How does the Biblical idea of covenant diagonalize the different social contract theories of Hobbes and Rousseau?In what way is our knowledge of ultimate things U-shaped in the Bible?  What difference does that make to our view of ourselves and God? How are the genre, language and content of the gospels politically subversive? What is the ‘great reversal’ and how has it shaped the outlook and assumptions of the west? You say ‘late modernity puts the logic of super abundance in the service of the logic of equivalence.’ What did you mean by that?   How does the bible challenge this? How does the church nuance and complexify the simple modern relationship between the individual and the state? The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches.  Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

Today we profile the Christian faith of one of the most significant figures of the early colony of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie, and his evangelical wife Elizabeth (yes the one used to sit in Mrs Macquaries Chair just aros from where the Sydney Opera House is). In this ‘Best Of’ episode we discuss John Harris’ book ‘Judging the Macquaries’ - with Peter AdamHarri’s book scrutinises and reassesses the lives of early governor of NSW Lachlan Macquarie and Elizabeth.  John Harris paints a more spiritually positive picture of Governor Lachlan Macquarie than had previously been understood.  Mrs Macquarie was a clear evangelical.  Lachlan Macquarie’s Christian faith causes him to stand out in significant policy areas from the dominant views of the time: in his attitudes, behaviour and policies relating to both convicts and indigenous persons.  As Harris paints it - The picture of Macquarie is in sharp contrast to his chief antagonist Rev Samuel Marsden.  The book caused me to reassess the more positive view of Marsden that I argued in 2015 (http://bit.ly/steele-on-marsden).  Harris’ conclusions are debated by Marsden scholar David Pettett, who says Harris is biased against Marsden (See his comment in the discussion here bit.ly/3G90Btu). The Former Principal of Ridley Theological College Melbourne Peter Adam is one of the foremost voices in this space in Australian Christianity and he is delighted with Harris’ new work. Links: https://www.thepastorsheart.net/podcast/judging-the-macquariesTo order ‘Judging the Macquaries’ online: http://bit.ly/wondering-macquariesDominic Steele’s 2015 address on Samuel Marsden: http://bit.ly/steele-on-marsdenThe Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches.  Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

The Alpha Course is 'emotionally powerful but theologically confused'.“Personally, I wouldn’t be game to use something that I know is inadequate” - Christian Author Tony Payne has watched through the latest Alpha materials.Tony joins Dominic Steele in this BEST OF episode to work through the strengths and weaknesses of the Alpha Course.This conversation is a high level discussion of  Alpha, beginning with the heart of the Christian leader and our obligation to build upon strong gospel foundations. Tony acknowledges Alpha's high production values, and powerful emotional content, but says Alpha still reflects CH Dodd's influence, 'There was a strong movement in theology to stand against the idea that God is judge of all the world, and that God's primary and only stand towards us is love.  And that our problem with God is that sin has natural cause and effect consequence, with no sense that sin is a personal offence to God, and that God is deeply angry with us and our sin.''It's a gospel in which sin is the doing of bad stuff that has bad consequences, and that God's attitude to us is only love.  And that what happens on the cross is a dealing with sin, a paying the price.  But there's no explanation of what that means.'     Tony also challenges us to reflect: are we trusting God to save people, or relying on our own ability to 'reshape' the message of the gospel to seem reasonable and attractive and explains his own reasons behind choosing not to use the course. Listen to the full conversation - regardless of whether you use the Alpha course or not - it is a good opportunity to reflect on our hearts towards evangelism. Tony Payne is the founding editor of Matthias Media, and Writer-in-residence at Campus Bible Study in Sydney. He has written (or co-authored) numerous books and ministry resources, including The Trellis and the Vine, and currently publishes an online blog/podcast  with Phillip Jensen called Two Ways News.Disclaimer: Tony Payne is one of the authors of Two Ways to Live.  Dominic Steele is author of Introducing God.The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches.  Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

One of the most respected voices in the Evangelical World, the senior minister of St Ebbes in Oxford, Vaughan Roberts, is calling on his own bishop and many of the leaders of the Church of England to repent and return to the Apostolic Christian Faith or failing that pursue a provincial level split. He says Church of England Bishops, who spent last week in meetings, have run out of long grass to hide in and says the Church of England is sleep walking towards the same disaster that has happend to the Episcopal Church in America, loosing 100,000 members and seeing hundreds of clergy leaving or deposed.Bishop of Oxford Steven Croft has recently written that the Church of England should bless same sex partnerships. Vaughan Roberts, who leads the largest church in Oxford Diocese, has published this book in response, explaining why Bishop Croft is wrong. (https://bit.ly/vaughanresponse)He says there will need to be a ‘Provincial Level Distinction’ between those who want to be faithful to the bible’s teaching, saying, “my strong preference would be for the creation of a new distinct province for those who wish for a change in the Church’s teaching and practice.” Vaughan Roberts is in Australia, on sabbatical, speaking at the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students National Conference in December, and the Church Missionary Society NSW conference in early January. He speaks here about Christ, Sabbath, caring for Christians experincing same sex attraction and the difficult future for the Church of England. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches.  Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

It’s World Cup Final week in Qatar and Muslims are using the event in a highly coordinated proselytizing campaign, or what they call Dawah, both in person and online.Sam Green, is a senior campus pastor with the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students, and his special interest for twenty years has been on reaching Muslims for Jesus Christ (See Sam's website see also his course Engaging with Islam). Sam first came to prominence in this exchange with Islamic Apologist Ahmed Deedat in 1996 at Sydney Town Hall.Sam Green says the culture war bumps between the west and the east about alcohol and LGBTI issues are just tip of the iceberg, compared with the coordinated efforts being put in by Muslims backed by the government of Qatar. The Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches.  Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

Peter Orr says there is a crisis among pastors.  He says a fight is on for our hearts, ministry and joy.Pastoral work will only be a joy and sustainable if the congregation self consciously reciprocates the love and encouragement that is extended by the pastor to the congregation. Peter Orr, who lectures in New Testament at Sydney’s Moore Theological College, is the author of a new book ‘Fight for your Pastor’Peter says the key words, as the congregation relate to their pastor needs to be Fight (in prayer), Encourage, Listen, Give, Forgive, Submit and Check.http://www.thepastorsheart.net/podcast/peter-orr-warzoneThe Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches.  Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

How is God’s power at work in human weakness?  What does it mean to say ‘True health is about being in right relationship with God?’ How do we affirm human worth and recognise the complexity of functioning?  What is the connection between our inner and outer life? How do we distinguish between sickness and sin?  What difference does a Christian community make?  And how can God’s compassion and care be expressed in the midst of difficulty? Plus pastorally:How do you affirm that the teaching of the word and meeting as God’s people are good for people struggling with mental health issues? How can we make mental health issues visible in the church context? How do we offer the consolations of the gospel?  How to talk about suicide?  What boundaries are appropriate? What does it look like to be trauma aware?What self care or care for the carers is needed? Sarah and Keith Condie are directors at the Mental Health & Pastoral Care Institute, which is part of Mary Andrew’s College in Sydney. (http://mentalhealthinstitute.org.au)http://www.thepastorsheart.net/podcast/mental-health-and-pastoral-care-keith-and-sarah-condieThe Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches.  Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.

It’s a reverse Pastor’s Heart today as Craig Hamilton asks Dominic Steele a series of questions at the Hustle Leadership Conference. How was Dominic, his heart and ministry changed by those ten things that went wrong and mistakes he made in 2010?What does it look like for him to ‘fill up in his flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions’?How did The Pastor’s Heart come about? What is his advice to ‘public Christian leaders’?What has he changed recently that's made a big difference to his ministry?  https://www.youtube.com/@dailybibletimeThe Church Cohttp://www.thechurchco.com is an excellent website and app platform built specifically for churches.  Support the show--Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.