By Rod Benson The NSW government is considering changing the law governing shop trading hours to allow retail outlets to open on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Anzac Day, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. With Anzac Day trading currently allowed from 1pm, there are just four-and-a-half days a year with restricted trading provisions – and a …
Many different kinds of Baptists
Extract from a column by Martyn E. Marty, "American Baptists," Sightings, 24 October 2011, published by the Martin Marty Center at the University of Chicago Divinity School: ... Notre Dame’s Mark Noll, who knows as much as anyone about this subject, wrote in the July-August issue of Books & Culture magazine, “So You’re a Baptist—What Might …
A biblical context for workplace relations
By Rod Benson In biblical times a distinction between work and life, and between workplace relationships and social relationships, was less apparent than it is for many workers today. In addition, scholars disagree on how to interpret and apply the social structures assumed by Scripture writers. Further, contemporary models of the welfare state, and capitalist/socialist …
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God’s call and my perceived needs
For those of you who are engaged in church or parachurch ministry, here's an important excerpt from the October 2011 issue of the "Pastors E-newsletter" published by Ken Clendinning, director of Ministry Support and Development for the Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT: How do you understand God’s call in your life to ministry? For many of us responding …
Six quick thoughts on marriage
Today the State of New York voted to legalise same sex marriage, and advocates of same sex marriage in Australia are calling on Prime Minister Gillard to follow suit. Here are six thoughts on marriage that I've posted to Twitter today: 1. Historically, the institution of marriage precedes both the state and the church, and both have …
