At the Coronation of the Boy-King, Edward VI, in 1547, three swords were placed in his hands, one each to represent his right to the realms of England, Ireland, and France. But to the great surprise of the prelates and statesmen in the Abbey, Edward declared that there was another sword which had been overlooked; and in answer to their astonished inquiries, he said that this was the Word of God. He then “commanded the Bible with the greatest reverence to be brought and carried before him”. And this impromptu incident at the Coronation of Edward VI in 1547 was to become enshrined as a permanent element in the Service for the crowning of an English Sovereign from the time when William and Mary of Orange came to the Throne after the Revolution of 1688.
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From the vault: The Bible in the hands of the sovereign
Moore College gives thanks for the Queen
Moore College joins today with men and women around the world in thanking God for the life, service and Christian witness of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We mourn the loss of our Queen but we rejoice in the home-call of our sister in Christ.
The broadcast of a speech made by Princess Elizabeth on her twenty-first birthday, dedicating her life — whether long or short — to the service of her people, is being replayed by news services all around the world. It has a special poignancy on this day. This is a promise she has kept fulsomely and joyfully. Australians of all political persuasions agree that she has been tireless in service, committed to the welfare of her people, and an example of dignity, strength and grace, both in moments of joy and triumph and in those more difficult and even tragic. Those who have had the privilege to meet her have invariably spoken of her personal warmth, her genuine interest in each person with whom she speaks, and her sense of humour. The most regal woman in the world never took herself too seriously.
But we have a special reason to give thanks for her as the news of her death spreads around the world. Queen Elizabeth trusted the Lord Jesus. Her Christmas speeches attest her confidence and hope, which rested in him alone. They just seemed to get clearer and bolder in the last few years while always remaining perfectly appropriate and never feeling “forced”. They were a natural expression of the core commitment of her life. Her 2011 speech was a wonderful example of that. She said,
Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves — from our recklessness or greed. God sent into the world a unique person — neither a philosopher nor a general (important though they are) but a Saviour, with the power to forgive.
Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God’s love.
Queen Elizabeth sought to live out her life of service, despite the extraordinary circumstances of her position, as a humble disciple of Jesus. For that example and for her many encouragements to do the same, we can give great thanks to God.
At this time of mourning and thanksgiving, we commit ourselves to pray for the King and his family in their personal grief. As one former politician tweeted this morning, we are confident that God saved the Queen, we now pray God save the King.
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Elisabeth Arnett retires as Executive Assistant to the Principal
Many people who have visited or contacted Moore College will know Mrs Elisabeth Arnett. Elisabeth has served the College for nineteen years as the Executive Assistant to the Principal. In all that time she has been an adornment to the College, a magnificent example of grace and service, warm friendliness and thoroughgoing professionalism.
Nothing has ever been too much trouble for Elisabeth. Her devotion to the Lord Jesus and so her genuine commitment to the mission of the College in making him known, has meant she has regularly done far more than could ever have been expected. Her friendly manner, has put people at ease. Her remarkable discretion has given people confidence to share with her the things that really matter to them. She is trusted and deeply appreciated. She always made people feel welcome at Moore College.
Elisabeth is retiring today after a remarkable period of faithful service to the College, to its last two principals, and to the cause of Christ and his gospel.
The College Governing Board recently passed this minute of appreciation:
The Governing Board of Moore Theological College gives thanks to God for the contribution of Mrs Elisabeth Arnett as Executive Assistant to the Principal over the past 19 years. We thank Elisabeth for her faithfulness, her invaluable assistance to the Principal and the Board, her generous and gracious manner, and her commitment to the mission of the College. We pray for God’s richest blessing upon Elisabeth and Trevor in her retirement and look forward to opportunities for more informal fellowship in the future.
Please join us in our thanksgiving to God for Elisabeth and her ministry.
The new EA to the Principal by Ms Paula Darwin. Please pray for her too as she takes on this significant role in the College.
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Simon Manchester moves on from JCPI
Preaching Christ remains at the heart of the gospel mission. Moore College is committed to equipping those God sends to us to do that in a way that effectively connects the Bible and those who hear.
The John Chapman Preaching Initiative (JCPI), covering in-college preaching programs, preaching conferences and innovative preaching clinics, exists to facilitate this aim of developing young preachers and helping those already engaged in the task to improve what they do.
For the past two and a half years, JCPI has been strengthened by the involvement of the Rev. Simon Manchester. Simon’s fine preaching gifts and his long experience in pastoral ministry have enabled him to encourage others in biblical preaching that expounds the text and applies it directly to our lives as a disciples of Christ. We are grateful for the contribution Simon has been able to make.
In recent months, there has been an increased demand for Simon to participate in other preaching conferences that are reaching very diverse groups of people here in Australia and overseas. Simon is excited about these possibilities and believes both that this is a ministry that has arisen because of a specific need and that he is a person God might use to meet that need. However, in order to engage in that work, and the other things the Lord has given him to do since leaving full-time parish ministry, Simon will step back from being a Senior Mentor with the JCPI.
We want to enable Simon to make the most of the opportunity of this new conference ministry for the sake of a wider circle of Christian churches and ministries. Releasing Simon from his involvement as a Senior Mentor with the JCPI is one practical way we can do that. Of course, Simon remains a firm friend of the College and we commit ourselves to continue to pray for him (and for his wife Kathy) as he moves into this next stage of what has already been a very fruitful ministry. He has indicated that if any student would like help with a sermon or talk, then they should still feel free to contact him.
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Moore College Gives Thanks For The Life Of Dr. B. Ward Powers
Moore College gives thanks for the life of Dr. B. Ward Powers who died on 7th May 2022.
Dr. Powers graduated from Moore College in 1959 and joined the Moore College staff as the Secretary for External Studies in 1964. During the next four years, he oversaw the development of the PTC into a three-year correspondence course for church members. After studying for his doctorate through the University of London, he joined the staff of Sydney Missionary and Bible College, where he served with distinction from 1978 until 1989.
His writing often presented unique perspectives on the wide range of topics he covered, as evidenced by his The Principles and Practice of Religious Accounting and Taxation (1965), The Significance of the Sacraments in the Early Church (1970), The Progressive Publication of Matthew (1977) and Divorce: The Bible and the Law (1978).
Perhaps his most widely known and appreciated book remains his Learn to Read the Greek New Testament (1980), in which he brought linguistic principles to bear on the teaching of New Testament Greek.
Ward’s long-standing commitment to theological education and the faithful teaching of the Bible, not to mention his highly significant contribution to the development of Moore College’s correspondence course, are all gifts for which we give great thanks to God.
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Ask TGCA (2): What does it Mean to Say that Jesus is the Son of God?
In what sense is Jesus God’s Son? Moore College Faculty member David Hohne explains in this article.
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