Thoughts on faith, culture, and public life.
The term “salvation by allegiance” is a recent attempt to recover what its advocates regard as the fuller New Testament meaning of the notion of faith. Associated especially with American theologian Matthew Bates, it argues that saving faith (pistis) should not be reduced to intellectual assent or inward trust. In the context of salvation, Bates proposes allegiance …
Continue reading "Lordship salvation or salvation by allegiance?"
Albert Mohler’s recent reflections on “the future of American Protestantism” raise important questions about Christianity, national identity, political culture and religious liberty. Mohler is a significant player in American political and religious life. Among other responsibilities, he is the ninth president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In an August 2026 interview with American Reformer, he …
Continue reading "Albert Mohler and the flawed rhetoric of Christian nationalism"
He Qi, Peace, Be Still (1998) I can imagine it now: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese steps up to his despatch box in the federal parliament to claim Jesus as the hero of progressive politics: “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” (Mt 22:21) – a tacit endorsement of big government as an instrument of …
Artist's impression of the Rev Charles Haddon Spurgeon at work on sermon preparation in his pastor's study. Daniel Nealon’s January 2026 essay, “Why Pastors Should Question AI for the Sake of Their Souls” (published here), raises legitimate questions about the formative effects of generative artificial intelligence on Christian ministry. Technologies are not merely passive instruments: they …
Continue reading "Pastoral formation and generative AI: A critical response to Daniel Nealon"
Sydney Anglican Archbishop Kanishka Raffel reads from the Gospel of John at St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney. Generative artificial intelligence offers preachers powerful tools for biblical research, theological reflection, sermon preparation, editing, rehearsal and post-sermon evaluation. Used well, AI can serve as a research assistant, critical interlocutor and editorial aid. It can widen the field of …
