It’s one thing to host evangelistic events at your church. It’s quite another when your outreach function features an apron-clad Archbishop cooking a curry.
“People loved it and really enjoyed hearing from Kanishka – his story, his Sri Lankan background, and he was clearly passionate about Sri Lankan curries as well!” says one of the parish’s assistant ministers, the Rev Gavin Parsons.
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Dr Kirsten Birkett brings a wide range of intellectual interests to the Psalms. She has written books on science and the Christian faith, the epistemology of the Reformers, the spiritual practices of the Puritans, psychology, feminism, and the family. While on faculty at Oak Hill College, London, she also published in the area of pedagogy and theological education. Her latest book, in three small volumes, draws on many of these interests. As the subtitle clarifies, Living Without Fear seeks to address our anxieties, and Birkett applies tools from psychology and the science of human behaviour to the task. Fears are often deep-rooted and hard to alter, but pedagogical insights can help us move knowledge from the head to the heart. Most importantly, however, Birkett understands that the answer to our fears does not lie within, nor in anything we might do to alter our circumstances, but is only found in knowing God himself.
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On the 12th of April, the Donald Robinson Library of Moore Theological College hosted an insightful seminar titled “Biblical Languages in the Early Modern Period.” The event featured speaker Douglas Fyfe, a pastor, Hebrew and Old Testament tutor, and PhD candidate at Sydney University. Fyfe’s expertise on biblical languages provided attendees with a fascinating overview of the publication of early modern Hebrew Bibles, the development of the standard order for biblical books, and how they shaped the field of biblical studies.
The seminar began with an introduction to the early modern period, a time of significant scholarship in biblical languages. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century paved the way for numerous key editions of the Hebrew Bible and Greek New Testament to be published by major printing houses. The emergence of polyglot Bibles, such as Brian Walton’s 1657 Biblia Sacra Polyglotta, also allowed scholars to compare linguistic differences and similarities across different languages.
The seminar also highlighted several early works on display at the Donald Robinson Library’s lower ground floor. These exhibits showcased rare and valuable examples of early modern printed editions alongside two 19th century manuscripts, providing attendees with a unique opportunity to examine these artifacts up close. Fyfe’s expertise and guidance made the examination of these works an enlightening and engaging experience for all in attendance.
Throughout the event, Douglas Fyfe demonstrated his passion for the subject by sharing his extensive knowledge of the Old Testament and the Hebrew language. His background as a pastor, tutor, and researcher allowed him to provide a well-rounded and insightful perspective on the importance of biblical languages in the early modern period.
The event not only showcased the significance of the printing press and early modern manuscripts in shaping the field of biblical studies but also highlighted the importance of preserving these historical artifacts for future generations. Douglas Fyfe’s engaging presentation and the opportunity to examine rare biblical works made the event a memorable and enriching experience for all who attended.
New Testament lecturer Chris Conyers attended the event and reflected on it afterwards: “Printed texts are everywhere today, but seeing the care and effort that went into books in previous ages reminds us how precious a book can really be. I was especially struck by the way Hebrew scribes went to so much effort to make their text look special by putting crowns on every letter! It was also incredible to see an interlinear Bible from 1608, designed to help the Latin speaker learn Hebrew – I never would have guessed that such a thing existed, but it’s a great insight into how our forbears studied the scriptures.”
Erin Mollenhauer, the Senior Archivist of the Donald Robinson Library, shared her thoughts on the event, saying, “It was a privilege to host Douglas Fyfe and have our guests explore the rich history of biblical languages. His expertise brought these artifacts to life, inspiring a deeper appreciation for the scholarly work of the early modern period. We hope this event fosters continued interest in our collection and the invaluable knowledge it holds for understanding the development of biblical studies.”
Last week, Moore Theological College students, lecturers, and chaplains left Moore College to spread the gospel across various regions in Australia.
The teams went to 14 different locations, from the lush landscapes of Jamberoo to the vibrant communities of Alice Springs, and from the coastal beauty of Sans Souci to the bustling urban centres of Blacktown and Doonside. These teams join hands with local churches and ministries, working to share the message of hope and salvation throughout our nation.
During their mission trips across Australia, Moore Theological College students and staff members found themselves engaged in encouraging and at times challenging experiences that impacted both the local communities and the mission team members. For example, in Minchinbury and Rooty Hill, students Sarah and Anna had the opportunity to join an afternoon tea with a group of women from Doonside Anglican Church. Sarah shared a touching passage from Luke 7 and her own personal journey to faith as an international student. The group of women displayed immense faith and support for one another, even as they faced personal hardships and health challenges. Their dedication to evangelism and their heart-warming efforts to create a loving family for international students at the church showcased faith in action.
In Albion Park, mission team members joined the Men’s Shed Open Day and connected with older men who eagerly taught them woodworking and metalworking skills. The Men’s Shed ministry offered a valuable space for community building and camaraderie among its members, with one man even crediting the group for saving his life. One of the long-time members, George, shared a remarkable testimony of how he became a Christian through a Moore College mission over 50 years ago, demonstrating the enduring impact of these missions throughout the years.
In Blacktown and Doonside, team members had an insightful conversation with a Muslim man from Pakistan. Despite facing personal challenges, this man showed great interest in understanding the Bible, leading to an in-depth discussion on the Scriptures and the story of Jesus. In Tamworth, the mission team visited the Coledale Anglicare food pantry, connecting with community members over tea and coffee, and assisting with setting up and packing up. This event facilitated an impromptu Bible study and prayer session among indigenous women, bringing much joy and encouragement to the mission team.
These highlights from a few of the mission teams illustrate the experiences and connections formed during the mission trips, as they worked to spread the gospel and support local ministries across Australia.
Moore Theological College Vice Principal Simon Gillam emphasised the importance of mission trips as a crucial aspect of the College experience. He said, ‘Embarking on Mission with Moore College not only allows our students to put their learning into practice but also fosters a deep commitment to God’s work, grounded in the relationships they build along the way. These missions help cultivate a passion for service that extends well beyond their time at the College, shaping them into dedicated ministers who are prepared to make a lasting impact in God’s harvest field.’
On March 13, 2023, Moore College hosted a special event showcasing a groundbreaking platform for studying 16th-century documents.
The platform, www.bullinger-digital.ch, uses cutting-edge AI technology to help researchers delve into the vast Heinrich Bullinger correspondence (HBBW). Developed in collaboration with the Institut für Computerlinguistik at the University of Zurich (UZH), this innovative tool is continually updated with new features and is freely accessible to all.
A total of 12,000 letters written to and from Bullinger have been preserved at the Zurich State Archives and the Zurich Central Library.
Thanks to the dedicated work of Prof Dr Peter Opitz and his team of experts, some of these letters (from 1524 to 1547) have already been edited and published by the IRG (https://www.irg.uzh.ch/de/bullinger-edition.html).
In recent years, Prof. Dr Martin Volk and his team have digitized many of these letters, making them easily accessible with just a mouse click. On February 24, 2023, to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the first letter of the HBBW, Prof Volk shared the impressive results achieved by his team using computer linguistic tools. The presentation can be viewed here: https://www.bullinger-digital.ch/downloads/Bullinger_digital_ZB_2021_11_03.pdf
The event at Moore College attracted researchers and enthusiasts interested in the 16th-century Reformation. Led by Prof Volk and Moore College’s Head of Church History, Dr Mark Earngey, the attendees were captivated by the platform’s use of AI to analyze the historical documents.
The presentation featured new updates added since the February talk in Zurich, sparking lively discussions and an informative Q&A session.
Despite the challenges posed by the fact that 75% of the correspondence was written in Latin and 25% in Early New High German, with additional letters in French, Italian, and Greek, the platform can accurately recognize and digitize the texts. This remarkable achievement is even more impressive considering the many different handwriting styles of the authors.
As Dr Mark Earngey noted, events like these highlight Moore College’s commitment to promoting innovative research and fostering a global community of scholars. The College eagerly anticipates this groundbreaking AI platform’s continued impact on the study of historical texts.
On March 20, 2023, Moore College held its annual Graduation at the City Recital Hall in Sydney. The ceremony celebrated the successful completion of study at the College and the places God has taken our graduates to serve since they finished in 2022.
One hundred and seven students completed their studies in 2022, and most of them could be present at the graduation ceremony along with their families, friends and supporters. These graduates, and those who weren’t able to be with us in person, come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, united in their passion for the Lord Jesus and his gospel, and in their desire to keep growing in faith and knowledge of God to serve wherever the Lord might take them.
This year the keynote address was delivered by Dr Donald West, the Principal of Trinity Theological College in Perth. In his address, Dr West reminded graduates how the gospel is shaping them and their ministries into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
A highlight of the night was the conferral of degrees and diplomas to the graduates. Not only did each graduate receive their testamur from the Archbishop and President of the College’s Governing Board, Kanishka Raffel, but as their names were read, we were told where they were now serving. Our graduates have gone out all around Sydney, to rural Australia, Asia, Africa, and the United Kingdom. God’s wonderful work of sending labourers into his harvest continues, and it was a cause of great rejoicing.
For all the formality of an occasion like this, it really was a celebration of God’s goodness and his powerful work in the lives of men and women today. As the graduates, faculty and Governing Board left the hall to the sound of the hymn “Yet not I but through Christ in me”, we were reminded of how good God has been to us.
“Our Graduation is one of the most encouraging nights of the year”, said the Principal, Dr Mark Thompson.
“It celebrates the work of these wonderful men and women, but even more the work of our Lord and Saviour in sending us out with the most exciting message a person can hear. We also catch a glimpse of the reach of the College throughout the world, something which itself is entirely a gift of God. This is a day we look forward to every year.”
