Follow our tweets
Join our facebook page
Feed yourself
Home 
Articles
Articles
ASH Articles
ASH Articles (123)
Has the Potter No Right Over the Clay?
Published in
Doctrine
Numerous biblical passages can be cited that plainly teach the divine truth that God predestines men unto salvation. John 6:35-45 , Romans 9:10-24 , and 2 Timothy 1:8-10 all teach this truth. But I shall focus first upon the classicus locus, Ephesians 1:3-11 , for my initial exegetical defense of this divine truth.…
Read 102 times
Tagged under
In Praise of Homeschools
Published in
Education
The most admirable group of entrepreneurs is perhaps the least appreciated. Homeschool parents, or parentrepreneurs, are not waiting for politicians and technocrats to fix broken systems of education. Rather, they are eschewing the status quo and finding innovative ways to advance the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual growth of their children.…
Read 126 times
Tagged under
A Theology of Work - Kids and Work
Published in
Education
These are encouraging interviews of Rachel Jankovic. The discussions are around work, motherhood and children.
Read 129 times
Tagged under
What Is Reformed Theology - Limited Atonement
Published in
Doctrine
There is something healthy about returning to one's roots. When it comes to evangelical Christianity, its roots are found in the soil of the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation. Just as the Reformers protested the corrupt teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, so today evangelicalism itself is in need of a modern…
Read 135 times
Tagged under
Efficacious redemption
Published in
Doctrine
We must begin by rejecting a term that is commonly applied to this doctrine. The rejected term is that of limited atonement. It should be rejected for two reasons. One is that it is misleading with regard to the teaching of the Bible, and the other is that it misrepresents the…
Read 126 times
Tagged under
Augustine and the bondage of the will
Published in
Doctrine
"Augustine argued that there are four states, which are derived from the Scripture, that correspond to the four states of man in relation to sin: (a) able to sin, able not to sin (posse peccare, posse non peccare); (b) not able not to sin (non posse non peccare); (c) able…
Read 229 times
Tagged under
Limited atonement 1
Published in
Doctrine
A very unhealthy notion that plagues the fundamentalist church is the idea that Christ laid down his life for each and every individual; that he went to the cross to save all men without exception. Such a view is not consistent with Biblical Christianity. Sometimes a person will acknowledge the…
Read 238 times
Tagged under
Households, the church’s model
Two of the key concepts behind the writing of the Pauline household texts seem to be institutional and ethical order within the household of God...
Read 193 times
Tagged under
Israel and the church
Published in
Doctrine
There is much talk about Israel and the Jews in modern Christian circles. Many, many Christians feel that the ethnic Jews still hold a special place in God’s salvific plan. Even more Christians believe the physical land of Israel is still significant in Biblical prophecy and history. Are these things…
Children's ministry strategy
Published in
Worship
As parents the end goal in training our children should be to mature them in worshiping God. Covenant children should be in the worship service to learn how to fear God, both through verbal and observational instruction. Our children need to hear dad and mum instruct them in the ways…
Read 179 times
Tagged under
Fathers shepherd your family
Published in
Education
Husband’s and fathers you are to love your wife as Christ, the great Shepherd, loved the church, according to Ephesians 5:25 and you are to train up your children in admonition of the Lord according to Ephesians 6:3 . This is the work of a shepherd. Men the shepherding of your…
Let the little children come to me
Published in
Worship
This is a lengthy article looking at church life. I am building a case for children to worship with dad, mum and their siblings each Lord’s Day and for our ministries to follow the patterns in Scripture. Why?
Read 388 times
Tagged under
Why I don't go to church
Published in
Apologetics
What is the reason people do not go to Church? Is it because we do not have the best band or do not welcome well or is it because the sermons are too long? Perhaps it is because we do not engage with people enough or are not loving enough…
Read 256 times
Tagged under
Fathers and Christian revival
Published in
Education
As Christian, westerners we will be surprised at what Scripture says about revival. Philip Lancaster describes Biblical revival in familial terms in his book Family Man, Family Leader:
Read 323 times
Tagged under
Dividing the church - childrens ministries
Published in
Worship
The Sunday School movement characterises the modern Church. This movement has evolved from an outreach to unbelieving children, in surrounding society, into separating the family for corporate worship. If a child does not understand, it is better for him/her to be occupied while dad and mum receive the sermon download…
Read 443 times
Tagged under
Lord Christopher Monkton Debate Dr Richard Dennis - National Press Club Address
Published in
Apologetics
The climate change debate continues to roll on as a mechanism for the Green agenda of societal change.
Read 462 times
Tagged under
Importance of choosing children's books
Published in
Education
Gary DeMar, from American Vision, explains the importance of Christian parents selecting wholesome books. What we soak our children in shapes their character. Children are seeds, they grow into trees and then bear fruit. This fruit represents what you have watered and fertilized with.
Read 343 times
Seven Thoughts on Time Management
Published in
Ethics
This is a fantastic article written by Pastor Doug Wilson. Fruitfullness is desired over effeciency. This goes against everything we are taught at school, uni and the culture in general.
Read 273 times
Former abortion clinic director visits Hobart
Published in
Ethics
Abby Johnson, author of bestselling book UnPlanned is visiting Hobart, Tasmania as part of The Right to Life Australia annual conference and dinner.
Read 358 times
Tagged under
Matthew 25
Published in
Matthew
The talents, a sermon.
Some background to Matthew’s Gospel will set the context of the parable of the talents. Context is important. It helps you to understand the first audience and the cultural and historical setting of the passage. Doing so does not discount application of the text to your…
Read 321 times
Tagged under
The Rise and Fall and Rise of Motherhood
Published in
Education
Only women can be mothers. Have we forgotten this fundamental?
Only a woman can carry in her body an eternal being which bears the very image of God. Only she is the recipient of the miracle of life. Only a woman can conceive and nurture this life using her own…
Read 312 times
Tagged under
Abortion and the avenger of blood
Published in
Ethics
There are many angles to the abortion issue. Emotional, technical, pragmatic etc. What I am horrified about is the response of the Church in Australia to this issue. Who is it that is organising rallies, vigiles and protests? Where is the instruction for Christians to lobby their local member coming from?…
Read 467 times
Tagged under
The Principalities and Powers Part 1
Published in
History
Paul contends that with the death of Christ on the Cross, there was an overcoming of the Principalities and the Powers (Col. 2:15 ). A great deal has been written on this subject over the last 60 years. What was for a long time either ignored, or regarded by liberal scholars…
Read 290 times
Tagged under
A Christian Response to Earth Day
Published in
Apologetics
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20 )
All men are religious because all men have an object of worship. All…
Read 298 times
Tagged under
Parenting Young People 2
Published in
Education
Dim lights
Embed Embed this video on your site
INTRODUCTION:The hardest thing to maintain in this unbalanced world is balance. We react, we pull away, we lurch, and we tumble. We do this in many ways. And, having heard the exhortation that we should teach our children to love the standard and, if they don’t, to lower the…
Read 273 times
Tagged under
Saving marriage
Published in
Ethics
To engage in the current Australian debate over the definition of marriage Campbell Markham, a minister in the Presbyterian Church of Tasmania, organised the hosting of a public address on the subject. The campaign, Saving Marriage, took place at the Stanley Burbery Theatre on Wednesday 30/03/2011. Jim Wallace, MD of…
Read 561 times
Tagged under
Parenting Young People 1
Published in
Education
Dim lights
Embed Embed this video on your site
INTRODUCTION:When it comes to parenting, you have often heard me say that our parental responsibility does not consist in getting young people to grit their teeth and conform to the standard. The task before us is to bring up our children in such a way as to love the…
Read 392 times
Tagged under
In the Middle of the Action
Published in
Doctrine
Dim lights
Embed Embed this video on your site
Does the universe have a centre? Could our galaxy be somewhere near the centre?Visit the Creation Store to purchase this 40 minute DVD.
Read 255 times
Tagged under
Revelation - 1
Published in
Revelation
This is the first article in a series on the book of Revelation. It is an introduction, laying some groundwork for further study. Many people have found this book perplexing, troubling & difficult to understand, even to the extent of describing it as: “a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside…
Read 426 times
Tagged under
Gospel questions
Published in
Doctrine
"When people are saved it is because of the righteousness of Jesus Christ being given to them as a gift PLUS nothing."
"It is not possible for one of the elect to loose their [decreetal] justification." "There is no assurance without looking to Christ."
For those who "hate" the Federal…
Read 354 times
Tagged under
Federal Vision and justification by grace
Published in
Doctrine
Justification can be seen in at least two lights: definively and as a vindication. We cannot save ourselves thus our definitive justification is grounded in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. This sacrifice fulfilled all of the Law's demands. No further blood atonement for sin…
Read 342 times
Tagged under
Norman Shepherd and Justification
Published in
Doctrine
Federal Vision seems to be a slippery fish. Why? In my opinion and experience most who find themselves asserting all men associated therewith are heretics do so out of ignorance or from second/third/fourth hand information. This is not good. There is much that can be learned from all of the…
Read 287 times
Tagged under
Strange and Glorious New Rites
Published in
Worship
At the last supper, Jesus took bread and, having given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples while saying, “Take, eat, this is My body given for you. Do this for My memorial.”
What Jesus did was recognized by the disciples, because it took place every morning…
Gospel - Jesus died and resurrected
Published in
Doctrine
The Gospel is new news!
Read 322 times
Tagged under
The Gospel - new news
Published in
Doctrine
The Gospel is the Good News (“euangelion” ~ Strongs Greek Number 2098). It brings something new to the scene. By definition the salvation of man by grace through faith was not new revelation in the New Testament. Hence the Gospel’s central message takes in more than the salvation of individuals.…
Read 373 times
Tagged under
Wine or grape juice?
Published in
Doctrine
Should we be using grape juice in the Eucharist or should full blooded alcoholic wine be used?
Which is more faithful to the Scriptures?
Why do many modern Churches use grape juice?
Dim lights
Embed Embed this video on your site
Read 372 times
Tagged under
The Gospel and civil disobedience
Published in
Ethics
At the outset it is important to understand that the Bible is a very large book. This has implications. It means that more than man’s salvation is revealed within its pages. If this were not the case there would be no need for more than 90% its content. Scripture defines…
Read 401 times
Tagged under
Armageddon Now
Published in
End Times
This is from the book Armageddon Now! It is written by premillennialist Dr Dwight Wilson and he shows the failed end times predictions of many a dispensationalist. One of the major concerns with the doomsday view of dispensationalism is that it drives Christians to retreat from the cultural mandate. It…
Read 267 times
Tagged under
Paradise Restored
Published in
End Times
Instead of a message of defeat, the Bible gives us Hope, both in this world and the next. The Bible gives us an eschatology of dominion, an eschatology of victory. This is not some blind, “everything-will-work-out-somehow” kind of optimism. It is a solid, confident, Bible-based assurance that, before the Second…
Read 209 times
Tagged under
The Days of Vengeance
Published in
End Times
The following excerpt is from David Chilton's exposition of the book of Revelation. You can download the entire book in PDF (6mb) for free at the end of this article. The exposition is brilliant and a must read.
Read 303 times
Tagged under
Christian worship - part 4
Published in
Worship
The Biblical Form of The Divine Service
Day and night they never stop saying: Holy, Holy, Holy. . . ( Revelation 4:8 ).
I must pause to defend the corporate nature of our liturgy, specifically the use of coordinated, congregational prayer in our service. I am referring to the responses and…
Read 174 times
Tagged under
Christian worship - part 3
Published in
Worship
The Three Crucial Steps in the Service
Without going into too much detail, the basic order of sacrificial/covenantal worship ought to be clear in your mind before we proceed to explain the service in detail. You might think about the three major “sections” or “movements” within the service as three…
Read 186 times
Tagged under
Christian worship - part 2
Published in
Worship
What, then, is the purpose of our Lord’s Day service? According to the Scriptures, in corporate Christian worship members of the believing congregation are engaged by the Spirit and drawn into the Father’s presence as living sacrifices in Christ. “Through Christ we. . . have access in one Spirit to…
Read 239 times
Tagged under
Christian worship - part 1
Published in
Worship
There is a great deal of confusion today about the meaning and practice of Christian worship. Why does the church come together on Sunday? What is the purpose of a church service? What is supposed to happen? What part does the congregation have in the service?
One way to answer…
Read 198 times
Tagged under
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Published in
Worship
A very merry Christmas to all of our readers and supporters. May Christ richly dwell in your hearts and minds at this time of the year. Remember all that He has done for you and your family.
My favorite Christmas carol is the classic O Come, O Come Emmanuel. Enjoy…
Read 253 times
Tagged under
Advent and Christmas traditions - 1
Published in
Worldview
The season of Advent is well and truly upon us. We are preparing down to celebrate the Messiah’s birth. In the southern hemisphere we enjoy long light filled evenings, warm days and madness in the shops! I suppose that latter characteristic is shared worldwide. The cliches; “know the reason for…
Read 329 times
Tagged under
Global warming fiasco
Published in
Apologetics
Climate change has been a focus of the big government proponents agenda for some time now. The surrounding hype and hysteria has proven to be quite remarkable (and entertaining) to say the least. Name calling, objective statements like "the debate over global warming/climate change is over" and the amounts of…
Read 303 times
Tagged under
What about the para church?
Published in
Doctrine
I have argued elsewhere for the relevancy of “para-church” organisations (here). It is important to understand these organisations in correct context. As a general rule for living faithfully as Christians we should have the freedom to participate/do something unless the Scripture clearly prohibits the activity. This is relevant for the…
Read 248 times
Tagged under
Creation and time
Published in
Doctrine
The creation week has been great attack for the past 150 years. Unfortunately much of this attack has come from not only within the members of the Church, but also the leaders of God's people. Many Churches have departed from understanding this week as cosmic and covenantal creation. This week…
Read 224 times
Tagged under
The Church - where do we start?
Published in
Doctrine
The authority, function and responsibilities of the Church have diminished in recent years. Snyder (1977, p. 138 & 143) argues that “the Church is biblically: the community of God’s people, not an institutional or organizational structure,” and it contains no “formal organizational structures.” He (Snyder, 1977, p. 144) goes on…
Read 525 times
Tagged under
Three kinds of Churches - Heads Hands and Hearts
Published in
Doctrine
What should the focus of our churches be? Are we to emphasise head (doctrine, things you believe and the truth you believe), hands (works of mercy) or hearts (love)? We ought to stand back and comprehend the picture Scripture paints. "The shape of the Gospel is triune because God is…
Read 266 times
Tagged under
Chemical happiness
Published in
Worldview
More than 30,000 children in Australia take Ritalin or a similar drug.1
Our society seeks to restrain itself and children with chemicals. This "chemical happiness" measure will lead to many serious body, mind and soul dangers in the years to come. Good, Biblical directive counseling is urgently needed to provide…
004 - Beasts and Metal Men
Published in
Acts
Many of Paul’s missionary activities in the book of Acts are not practiced/experienced as normative within the modern church. This indicates that any analysis of Paul’s missionary strategy should consider the redemptive historical context of the New Testament. We are investigating the activities of a major prophet/Apostle who was foundational to…
003 - The Great Commisson and Acts
Published in
Acts
The church has historically battled the issue of what the Great Commission actually means to individuals, churches, societies and nations. A survey of world history shows a “definite growth and maturation…and though the wicked also grow and mature, their development is in the direction of degradation, not of glorification. The…
002 - Cyclical growth in the steps of the Master
Published in
Acts
Modern Christendom can easily misapply or misunderstand the book of Acts by failing to recognise its historic and literary contexts. Luke is writing in a specific time of transition, a time when the Old World of a centralised Temple and closed Sanctuary was waning and the New World of a…
001 - The body follows the Head
Published in
Acts
When considering a document it is important to set its historical and literary context. It is vital to understand the context of Acts in order to correctly apply it today. Acts is part of the canon and is thus God breathed ( 2 Timothy 3:16 ). The Old and New Testaments…
Godly government 4
Published in
Ethics
With Saturday’s federal election looming it is important for all Christians to pause and take stock of who to entrust their vote to. There are some weighty issues to consider. The “big ticket” issues; including marriage, abortion, sodomite rights and many others are all important to consider. However, underlying all…
Read 219 times
Tagged under
Before I try to prove that dressing up for church is Biblical, Ithink I need to deal with another objection that is uppermost in people’s minds. As one person (who prefers to remain anonymous) worded it, “Church finery also opens the door for economic and class distinctions which we've been…
Read 255 times
Tagged under
Godly government 3
Published in
Ethics
Through this series on government (one, two, three) I commenced building a foundation for assessing and understanding government across all of life. I have sought to illustrate how a right understanding of government flows from a right understanding and application of the covenant. It has also been argued that government…
Read 253 times
Tagged under
Tasmania euthanasia bill
Published in
Ethics
Tasmanian Attorney-General Lara Giddings confirmed her commitment to legislate professional, assisted killing. According to The Mercury she;
"used her parliamentary Budget reply speech to unveil progressive plans for law reform in Tasmania in the next four-year term of the Labor-Greens government.
It included an unexpected decision to reintroduce a voluntary euthanasia proposal…
Read 258 times
Tagged under
Dress Up For Church 2 - Outward or Inward Clothing
Published in
Ethics
One myth is that there is no relationship between the outward man and the inward heart of a Christian. This is the most frequent objection that I hear: “I am of the opinion that God looks at your heart and not the clothes you wear.” If you mean by such…
Read 194 times
Tagged under
Cabbie assaults young lady passenger
Published in
Ethics
The Mercury, Hobart's major local newspaper, reported that "Harmeet Singh, 34, sexually assaulted the 18-year-old after picking her up in his taxi." Singh's original story was that he did not assault this young lady but that she offered him sexual favours to pay for her taxi fare. "However he pleaded guilty in…
Read 170 times
Tagged under
Dress Up For Church 1 - Stand Out in a Crowd
Published in
Ethics
Wow! I feel like a radical bucking tradition! I visited a church some time ago with my family and noticed that we got the same attention that men with piercings got ten years ago! Tattoos are so yesterday! Let me tell you a secret: if you want to stand out…
Read 178 times
Tagged under
Godly government 2
Published in
Ethics
I commenced to build a covenantal foundation for governance in my last two government articles (part one, two). In those articles I commenced the foundation. This article stands on that foundation. What we must remember is that “God is a Person. He is interested in everything He has made. God…
Read 204 times
Tagged under
The government can - tax trees
Published in
Ethics
Last week a friend of mine found out that his local Council would charge between $250 and $500 (each) for him to clear some trees from his land. This fee was cutely termed a carbon offset! Note that the council does not remove the trees, but charges the land owner (?) a carbon offset…
Read 181 times
Tagged under
The bondage of debt
Published in
Economics
With all of the current economic uncertainty it is important for the church to be continually instructing the people of God. Christ's sheep must be fed, not only the milk but also solid (meaty) food. The Bible gives a blueprint for how we can live our lives in humble obedience to God.…
Godly government 1
Published in
Ethics
Last week I commenced a series on government. When we think of government it is often assumed that the word simply encapsulates what occurs in Canberra or within the hallowed walls of our State parliaments. This is not the case. Historically government has been a broader concept. In western nations…
Read 222 times
Tagged under
Religious ethics
Published in
Ethics
The Australian Rudd government would like us to believe that their education, health and hospital policies are a revolution in thinking. This is a somewhat grandiose statement that cannot be left unchallenged. In their recent Labor Connect (an E-News letter) we were informed that the incumbent party will, “put in…
Read 178 times
Tagged under
The bashed cop and teaching evolution
Published in
Apologetics
One of today’s (24/05/10) cover stories for The Mercury, a Hobart newspaper, is entitled “Bashed cop speaks out.” The off duty constable went to the aid of a lady who had been hit and kicked by a thug. Three men then proceeded to beat the police officer until they were…
Read 206 times
Tagged under
Christian culture - part 1
Published in
Worldview
It is a strange time in the history of the Church. We have been living off the capital of the Reformation for several centuries. However, we are also experiencing the judgment of God for the Church’s failure to continue believing and obeying the Scriptures. As a nation we are witnessing…
Read 192 times
Tagged under
Family culture
Published in
Worldview
The once blurry Spiritual battle lines are becoming clearer as our children grow up. It seems like the more we seek to apply all of Scripture to our family life, the greater the opposition. I suppose this is to be expected. It is surprising to discover where it comes from.…
Read 177 times
Tagged under
I am continuing with some study in the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). In the first article I presented a brief history giving you the back drop to the calling of the Westminster Assembly by the Long Parliament in the English summer of 1643. In article two I established the…
Read 160 times
Tagged under
This is my second consideration of the Westminster Confession of Faith. My first article can be found at this LINK . This time I will consider chapter 1, section 1 of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). Before I look at that chapter I want to briefly discuss two issues;…
Read 169 times
Tagged under
Family worship & liturgy
Published in
Worship
We all know that ‘children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb, a reward’ (Psalm 127:3 ), and that as parents seeking to be obedient to God our Father we are to diligently teach our little ones that above all else they are to ‘love the Lord…
Read 296 times
Tagged under
Christians across the western world enjoy freedom. We need to ask ourselves; “what are we doing with our freedom?” Now, it depends what I mean by freedom. Yes, we are freed from sin through the atoning death of Christ. So this leads us to ask where this freedom leads us.…
Read 140 times
Tagged under
Ethical roulette
Published in
Ethics
Russian roulette is the absurd practice of placing a single slug in the chamber of a revolver to play with death. Does Christianity have an ethical standard? Do we, as heirs of Christ, owe allegiance to any standard of morality? Is the Christian ethical mandate a smorgasbord approach? Should Christians…
Read 159 times
Tagged under
A collision of sovereigns
Published in
Ethics
Francis Schaeffer once asked “how should we then live?” This is a good question. It is one that ruffles our tendency to simply be nice. With purposeful precision it strikes at the heart of every view of life. It raises the issue of authority in Christianity’s ethical standards. Where do…
Read 161 times
Tagged under
Biblical masculine leadership
Published in
Education
Since moving to Australia in 1999 it has been interesting to observe how the average Aussie bloke operates. Very interesting. We could look into our society/churches and complain about the enormous feminist movement in this country. In doing so I think we miss the point. Should we men look to…
Read 202 times
Tagged under
Image bearers 6 - redeeming the world
Published in
Worldview
Freedom of conscience is one of Christianity’s trade marks. The Gospel brings liberty. Historically wherever the Protestant faith went liberty was gained, over time. Next time you look at the globe mentally check which nations are free. Research their heritage. You will inevitably find liberation came via consistent, intentional, familial…
Read 158 times
Tagged under
Image bearers 5 - Baptising the Nations
Published in
Worldview
Through these articles I have sought to illustrate that we bear the image of God. Genesis 1 reveals that we are made in God’s image and likeness. This carries enormous ramifications. We either faithfully go into the world to beautify/glorify it unto our God or in unbelief we distort the very image…
Read 147 times
Tagged under
Image bearers 4 - Restoring Paradise
Published in
Worldview
In the last Image Bearers article I looked at the undergirding principles to the modern view pitting “law versus grace.” As image bearers we ought to desire an understanding of the Scriptures and how they apply to all of faith and life. The image we ought to reflect is that…
Read 145 times
Tagged under
Legalism seems to be a loose term wildly thrown about in Christian circles today. It is used to warn believers of the “dangers” of seeking to be faithfully obedient to God’s Word/Law. Seeking to walk obediently before God is often equated with legalism. Labels stick. Nigel Mitchell informs us that…
Read 174 times
Tagged under
Image bearers 2 - Biblical lifestyle
Published in
Worldview
My wife and I have been blessed with four children. Through the expansion of our family the once blurry Spiritual battle lines are becoming clearer. As our children grow up the point of the “great war’s” engagement is slowly coming more into focus. It seems like the more we seek…
Read 170 times
Tagged under
George Santayana aptly stated; “[t]hose who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it.”[1]As 21st century Christians many of us know nothing of the historical roots of the Church. We pride ourselves in contemporary living. Credence seems to be given to fresh ideas. It is out with the old…
Read 302 times
Tagged under
Well Copenhagen has come and gone. If you wonder what one of the main agendas behind the climate change hysteria look at this link. As I watched and listened to the issues unfolding I couldn't but get a sense of the situation at the Tower of Babel as God confused…
Read 214 times
Tagged under
Humans as a cancer on the world
Conspiracy theories abound in many public debates, climate change being no exception. As Christians we know there is a battle for this world, because Scripture tells us so. That war was won definitively at Calvary and the remaining battles we fight are essentially…
Read 199 times
Tagged under
Lets Keep Christmas Commercialized
Published in
History
Today is Black Friday, the start of the Christmas shopping season. Every year about this time, there rises a hue and cry about the “commercialization” of Christmas, accompanied by impassioned pleas to get back to the “real meaning” of the celebration. Too much time and money, we hear, are spent…
Read 200 times
Tagged under
Dr Geoff Downes is a scientist who works in Tasmania. He is concerned with the current climate change and global warming hysteria. We at Anselm Study House see the climate change and global warming debate to be challenging the supremacy of the ascended Christ. If we do not bow to climate change conventions…
Read 226 times
Tagged under
Tax tax tax - Tasmanian government
Published in
Economics
On November 12, 2009 the Mercury reported that “anger brews at land tax hikes” in Tasmania. Influential businessmen gathered to protest these tax increases. Tasmania’s Labor government recently handpicked a group of people tp make a submission to the national taxation review (the Henry Review). The Business Tax and Regulation…
The influence of Carl Jung - 3 his modern impact
Published in
Ethics
For the past two weeks I have briefly explored Jungian psychology. I will now have a quick look at Jung's impact on the modern world. It has been substantial. His theories and work have shaped many modern schools of thought. Further than this, Jungian theory is assumed by many unsuspecting…
Read 180 times
Tagged under
Tasmanian voluntary euthanasia bill
Published in
Ethics
The Tasmanian Greens leader Nick McKim seeks to legalise euthanasia in this state. His Dying With Dignity Bill 2009 will be debated by our House of Assembly tomorrow (4 November 2009). In the providence of God this Bill was defeated 15 to 7. Read about the defeat and McKim's persistence to…
Read 180 times
Tagged under
The influence of Carl Jung - 2 the man
Published in
Ethics
In my last article I commenced a series on the influence of Carl Jung. I believe his influence on the modern western world has been substantial. It has been far reaching and his psyche is certainly an integral part of many modern churches. These articles are seeking to briefly test…
Read 2510 times
Tagged under
The influence of Carl Jung - 1 psycho mumbo jumbo
Published in
Ethics
Over the coming few weeks I anticipate having a closer look at psychology and its influence upon Christians. Its impact has been enormous. Unfortunately it has flown under the radar of many. We can be enchanted and carried away by false doctrines (2 Peter 2:1-3 ). Therefore, as Christians it is…
Read 237 times
Tagged under
Debt slavery
Published in
Economics
Tough times are being experienced across the developed world. Unemployment is high, companies are closing their doors and our buck doesn’t buy quite what it used to. What should we do in times like this? There are two options; be thrifty with what you have or spend what is yours…
Agnostic goose steps
Published in
Apologetics
This article is an excerpt from a lengthy debate and witnessing opportunity that I have had with a work colleague. Our email and verbal discussions have been ongoing for more than half a decade now. For privacy purposes the name of the other person has been hidden. The email that…
Read 285 times
Tagged under
Scripture teaches that God is the sovereign Lord over all of His creation. He determines the beginning from the end. All things work according to His foreordained plan.[1] The question is; does this include the rise and fall of nations? Is God interested in petty politics and the discovery of…
Read 250 times
Tagged under
Family worship - is it important
Published in
Worship
We all know that ‘children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb, a reward’ (Psalm 127:3 ), and that as parents seeking to be obedient to God our Father we are to diligently teach our little ones that above all else they are to ‘love the Lord…
Read 225 times
Tagged under
Image bearers 1 - dying to self
Published in
Worldview
Family Bible reading with a simple exposition by the father seems to be a lost art. I mean exposition that does not put your children to sleep. My children have all had colds for a few days. So have I. This makes small concentration spans minute (I include mine here)!…
Read 182 times
Tagged under
Ethical monsters
Published in
Ethics
The architecture of our Christian heritage is crumbling. All around us we see the ungodly gathering together against the Lord and His anointed (Psalm 2 ). Long standing laws and societal norms are constantly challenged. This is happening like never before in the western world. The very core of our society…
Read 163 times
Tagged under
Story telling
Published in
Education
It is important to tell your children stories. They love to hear dad's voice. Telling stories of how God has worked in and through you will change their little lives. Reading to your family is also vital. The torch of Christendom is faithfully passed to the next generation via story telling,…
Read 189 times
Tagged under
To you and your children - part 4
Published in
Education
Through this series of articles (one, two and three) I have sought to answer some difficult questions surrounding education and schooling. I have highlighted some of the history and pitfalls of our government controlled school system. Allow me to recap on the statistics. Australian research shows that 95% of children,…
Read 175 times
Tagged under
To you and your children - part 3
Published in
Education
We are returning to the important topic of your children and their education. This is the third, of four articles on the topic. Please read part one and two for context and background.
The landscape of Australian education prior to the 1840s was largely in the hands of the Church…
Read 208 times
Tagged under
Proposed Tasmanian euthanasia legislation
Published in
Ethics
Christian Churches in Tasmania
Euthanasia
[The Tasmanian Greens are proposing legislation to decriminalize euthanasia in the State of Tasmania]
Introduction
It is incumbent on Christians to be salt and light in their generation. Sometimes this involves simple witnessing amongst friends, family, and acquaintances. Sometimes it calls upon us to put…
Read 219 times
Tagged under
To you and your children - part 2
Published in
Education
Your children’s education is of utmost importance. This should be stating the obvious. However, many Christian parents are not aware of the many agendas lurking behind our education system. The government recognises the importance of school. It knows that you win a generation through discipling them. I demonstrated this in…
Read 186 times
Tagged under
To you and your children - part 1
Published in
Education
We are embarking on a series regarding the education of our children. This is an important worldview issue. Education cannot be held in isolation. It is a piece of the worldview jigsaw that influences the entire makeup of our worldview puzzle. As Christians we are engaged in the battle over…
Read 217 times
Tagged under
End Times Madness - Part 4
Published in
End Times
This will be my final analysis of end times madness, for now anyway. It is a little long. But a bit of repetition is good! I will look at Matthew 24:15-34 and then draw some application. Many of you may think that one’s end times view has no bearing on…
Read 237 times
Tagged under
End Times Madness - Part 3
Published in
End Times
This article is the third of perhaps four. You need to read article one and two for context. Understanding how the New Testament writers use the Old Testament is crucial. Our conception of the future shapes how we live now. There are so many, well simply, weird eschatological ideas being…
Read 178 times
Tagged under
End Times Madness - Part 2
Published in
End Times
Matthew 24 is embraced by end times prophecy gurus as one “of the most important [chapters] in the Gospels.”[1] In dealing with “Signs of the Lord’s Return” and looking at Matthew 24 , John Walvoord states; “For one approaching the description that Jesus gave of signs of the end of the…
Read 206 times
Tagged under
End Times Madness - Part 1
Published in
End Times
Are we living in the last days, the final generation of the world as we know it? Will the Church be raptured away from the earth? When Jesus returns will He battle with the nations and setup an earthly kingdom from socio-political Jerusalem? Will the temple be rebuilt? Many people…
Read 206 times
Tagged under
The Extremists - an allegory - part 3
Published in
Education
Many Yims felt that although the Community Meal Halls (CMH’s) were serving suspicious ingredients and an unbalanced diet, it was not bad enough to warrant any extreme changes in their daily routines. “We can fill them up with nutritious food at supper time", they would argue and that way "the…
Read 230 times
Tagged under
The Extremists - an allegory - part 2
Published in
Education
Official certification suited the ‘Chefs’ and those employing them because they felt more certain of the abilities such a one could exhibit. So it was not long before all the Community Meal Halls (CMH's) were run by Chefs. If the parents ever felt that perhaps the menus were chosen more to…
Read 193 times
Tagged under
The Extremists - an allegory - part 1
Published in
Education
There was once a people who lived in the land of Yim. Their Master placed them in this land and gave them a sheet of instructions to help them to raise strong and healthy children. “Feed your children well” read the instructions. Give them plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables,…
Read 196 times
Tagged under
During times of crisis rhetoric works wonders. Especially upon an unsuspecting public. Kevin Rudd’s financial crisis whipping boy, “free-market fundamentalism, extreme capitalism and excessive greed,” is the perfect example. It rolls eloquently off the tongue. Voters in a handout state thrive off such rhetoric. It breeds contempt against straw man…
Read 255 times
Tagged under
Australia's religious playground
Published in
Ethics
Humanists want the church to step back from the political scene. They have accomplished this by parading their religion as neutral, balanced and rational. We have sat back and let them do so. We, our children and grandchildren are/will reap the devastating consequences. Liberty, justice and prosperity will disappear if…
Read 195 times
Tagged under
It has often been said that evolution is to atheism, what creation is to Christianity. I have said so myself on occasion. The doctrines of evolution and creation are foundational to the worldviews built upon them. Atheism requires a naturalistic explanation for how we came to be. Thus a commitment to…
Read 192 times
Tagged under
Epistemology - say what
Published in
Apologetics
Many Christians today seem to shy away from knowledge, wisdom, learning, education and life philosophy. The usual reason is the false ideology that the starting point of a believer, conversion, is their final destination in this life for that believer. Nothing can be further from the truth. As Christians, those…
Read 197 times
Tagged under
It has been said before that “culture is religion externalised.”[1] What we believe, our basis for making moral decisions (religion) comes out our fingertips and impacts every area of life. I have been studying the history of the Australian Light Horse regiments in Palestine during World War 1, and their…
Read 227 times
Tagged under
Atheism and Evolution - Part 2 - Up or Down
Published in
Apologetics
There is only one standard that tells us if we are heading onwards and upwards, or heading down and out: the Bible. Scripture defines what the creator of the universe determines is good and bad. In Christ we have been given eyes to see and ears to hear what Moses and…
Read 195 times
Tagged under
Socialism, Social Democracy - Caution Required
Published in
Economics
Next time you are tempted to think; "the government must do something about that" - don't! Rather take action yourself, through your family and church. God will not be mocked. Departing His Word, in the field of politics or economics or anything else, will bring judgment (Deut. 28 ). We are…
Mr Kevin Rudd and capitalism
Published in
Economics
A crisis brings out the best and worst of people. Otherwise desperately hidden worldviews float to the surface. The current crisis has been no different. Economic policy and philosophy are under fire. The heathen are desperate to find a scapegoat. Nothing seems to escape their scourging attempt. Well, one thing…
Australian economic woes
Published in
Economics
As a society we should see God's covenant judgement on the "Christian West's" unsound political economics. These ungodly, sinful policies created the global financial crisis. An Introduction to Christian Economics presents the Biblical case for the free market and private property. To enjoy societal liberty, justice and prosperity we must repent and return…
Reformation in My Wardrobe
Published in
Worldview
On femininity and modesty
‘In seeking to become modest, I became masculine.’ I’m the eldest of seven children. I was blessed by being born into a gung-ho Christian family located in central New Zealand. I was raised to dress modestly. To me, being modest meant wearing clothing which was not…
Read 186 times
Tagged under
