Is there a God? Lennox and Singer head to head

David Wilson

Angry Atheists, jumping up and down on the spot, slandering all types of religious belief and vitriolic in their attacks on the Christian faith. Pathetic Christians, highly unintelligent, bland and boring, moralistic and out of touch with what’s really going on out there. Such are the stereotypes. But any thought of these stereotypes were shattered in the Melbourne Town Hall last night as Professor John Lennox of the University of Oxford debated Professor Peter Singer of Melbourne and Princeton Universities. Singer, the Atheist, was respectful, gentle and calm. Lennox, the Christian, was confident, intelligent, humorous, and engaging. So much for stereotypes!

The debate was around the question ‘Is there a God’ and the content from both sides was predictable and yet well presented. Singer posted his arguments against the existence of God by stating that the idea of God was no longer necessary to explain questions of origin or design. Although there may be some psychological need in some people to believe in the existence of God there was certainly no scientific need.

Peter Singer and John Lennox debate - a view from the Melbourne Town hall

Sophie Gyles

I don't know about you, but I've always been agnostic about inter-faith debates. I could be convinced of their merit, but the sense that no one is persuaded by reason alone, has left me doubtful.
One friend remarked to me debates are the Christian equivalent of rock concerts. Another said they're all about the atmosphere, like going to the footy.
As I entered the Melbourne Town Hall I have to admit to feeling a buzz of excitement when I saw Oxford Professor John Lennox and bioethicist Peter Singer adjusting their lecterns. Yet I asked myself, “Is that all I'm here for, to eye-witness an intellectual celebrity fighting match?”

Tim Meyers becomes principal of Melbourne School of Theology.

Melbourne School of Theology Timothy Meyers will become Principal of the Melbourne School of Theology (Formerly Bible College of Victoria) from December this year.

“We are truly grateful for the gifts of leadership and strong relationships Tim will bring to this new season in the development of MST and we ask supporters to support and pray for Tim as he prepares to take up his new responsibilities,” MST Council President Ian Cathie said.

“Tim joins the college at a strategic time, highlighted by the College's move to new premises at Wantirna in Eastern Melbourne to co-locate the various arms of MST” .

John Lennox and panel talk spirituality on QandA

Joshua Maule

It was an unprecedented night for the ABC political program QandA. Normally populated with commentators and politicians, last night's show was dubbed a "spiritual special" and featured voices from a number of religious and secular viewpoints. If nothing else, the diverse conversation about God, forgiveness and morality revealed something of Australia's ongoing interest in discussing the transcendent.

Christians withdraw from debate in response to gay activists

A debate on gay marriage organised by the University of Tasmania will no longer take place, following the withdrawal of the pro-traditional marriage team.  Tasmanian Liberal MP Michael Ferguson and the Australian Family Association’s Terri Kelleher were joined by the Australian Christian Lobby’s Jim Wallace in withdrawing from the debate, protesting the increasing use of ‘demonisation’ techniques by gay activists.

 

Pitjantjatjara want the whole Bible

Paul Eckert and Karen Mudge
The Pitjantjatjara people, whose traditional lands are close to the centre of Australia and include Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), are so eager to have God’s Word completed in their own language that they are willing to translate the Old Testament in their own time and using their own expertise.

UK Equality Human Rights Commission backs Christians in Euro Court.

John Sandeman

Judges have been too hard on Christians in the UK according to the government body that advises on equality law.

The commission plans to argue for “reasonable accommodation” for religous belief, similar to the rights of disabled people in four cases which have been appealed  the European Court of Human Rights all involving religious discrimination in the workplace.

It is State v State in the chaplaincy court case

Karen Mudge Three states are poised to support government funding of school chaplains in a court case before the High Court in August. The West Australian government has intervened in support of the challenger who is suing Scripture Union QLD and the Commonwealth in order to prevent government funding of School Chaplains.

Baptists distance themselves from comments on ABC Compass

Australian Baptist Ministries have distanced themselves from comments supporting gay marriage, made by a Baptist Minister on the ABC's Compass Program.

Nathan Nettleton, a minister in the Baptist Union of Victoria at South Yarra Church, spoke in favour of Gay marriage on a Compass panel broadcast on Sunday July 10.

"For myself I actually support [Gay Marriage] and would be willing to conduct a same sex wedding were such things allowed" Nettleton told Compass compere, Geraldine Doogue.

“Tens of thousands come to Christ in jails” An interview with Nicky Gumbel

Nicky Gumbel, was wearing a knitted sweater and a grin, just like in the Alpha Course videos, when Eternity met him in a sparsely furnished dungeon in the bowels of Sydney’s Entertainment centre during the Hillsong Conference.

Gumbel is the presenter of the Alpha Course that has been seen by 15 million people across the world, ranging from Holy Trinity Brompton in London, where it began, to jails in South Africa. Over 35,000 Alpha courses are run each year in Churches large and small.

A prayer on a wintry Sunday

Dear Father,

 

Sometimes life with you is smooth and gentle, just like paddling a kayak through quiet waters.

Then the wind is up, and the waves surge, and the sun goes behind a cloud. And before we know it life is rough and ragged.

Pray as Southern Sudan becomes independent

Karen Mudge

This Saturday, conflict-torn South Sudan will celebrate its independence as the world's newest nation. For millions of Christians suffering from decades of the violence between the Muslim north and the Christian and Animist south of Sudan, this independence may bring some measure of relief.

 

Acton lecture tackes religion and politics

The Annual Acton Lecture on Religion and Freedom in 2011 will discuss the question, “what is the influence of religion on politics”?

Christian Management Australia separates from the Evangelical Alliance

Karen Mudge

 

Christian Management Australia (CMA) is leaving the Evangelical Alliance, which they have been a part of since they began in 2002.

Hillsong conference turns 25

Suzanne Schokman

Music and crowds set the scene at Hillsong Conference 2011, now on at Sydney’s Darling Harbour.  The iconic City venue reflects the sense of celebration as Hillsong holds its 25th annual Conference.