Why we pursued prosecution
It was 19 February, 2013 when Mum and I walked into the police station in Cairns and reported decades of crimes that had taken place in our home over the forty years leading up to that day. A few weeks ago, more than ten years later, we finally closed that chapter as the judge read out the sentence against my father, Rev. Larry Harris (Illawarra Mercury). He has now been convicted on nine criminal counts
A prayer for those in poverty
This prayer is designed for use in a worship gathering of a Christian assembly. By praying for those in poverty, we can help to shape our thinking about those in poverty in ways which are compassionate and Christian. This prayer is adapted for use in an Australian context from a prayer composed by Janet Eriksson. A prayer for those in poverty God of justice, We bring before you those who are living in poverty in
A prayer on the death of Queen Elizabeth II
The Apostle Paul instructed an early Christian leader: I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.1 Scripture enjoins us to pray for those who are in authority This is a prayer I wrote for use in our church the first Sunday after the passing of Her
Welcome to the new site
Welcome to my new website! This website will have two functions going forward. First, it will serve as an online home for my writing. Second, it will serve as an archive for the best articles published at InFocus over the years. InFocus began in 2005 as the official blog of Give Me Truth. It passed through several forms over the years until it was closed down in April, 2022. I want to take a moment
MacArthurisation: Some pushback
To think and consider. This link is to an essay, being a response by John MacArthur to the Church Growth Movement. You might be best to read John MacArthur's address to better understand my "pushback" against some of his ideas. It is apparent that John MacArthur's address was the opening address at something similar to a Grace Church Impact conference. It is probable that later addresses at the conference picked up on John MacArthur's themes
How can I be glad in God’s anger?
Question: "How do you reconcile the angry, wrathful God of the Old Testament to the loving, good God of the New Testament?" It's a question that I've wrestled with and am often asked about so I've decided to compile a small list of resources to address it. These are sermons I've preached to our assembly. I pray they will be of assistance to you. Series: The Gospel of God: Paul's Letter to the Romans
Dear Thomas, (Why I think David is wrong about your same-sex attraction)
A number of months ago, David Strain wrote an open letter to "Thomas," a fictional seminary student struggling with same-sex attraction. I appreciated the tone of his letter. It was a welcome contrast to Phil Johnson's handling of the topic to which I offered a somewhat salty—but no less intellectually and biblically rigorous—response. Hope for Thomas My goal here is to address David's error in order to give people like Thomas some hope. Not the
Cancer
That c-word. No one expects it. No one welcomes it. It's just a small lump in the middle of my back. Not even sure it's worth mentioning to my doctor. Sure... we'll watch it and see if it grows or becomes irregular in shape. It'll be fine. It wasn't fine. The doctor excised it and off it went to the lab. Being too unusual to identify, it was sent off to the big city. Results:
Why rejecting the social sciences feels reasonable… but isn’t
Let's face it. Conservative Christians tend to be wary of the social sciences such as psychology, sociology, and anthropology. I have many friends in church leadership who view the soft sciences with moderated suspicion at least. Others reject them overtly. And this feels reasonable because, it is argued, the social sciences aren't "real" science. And they have been hijacked by radicals who use them to push an anti-Christian agenda. And they treat sin as illness.
When pastor kills himself
Moments ago I saw the news of an American megachurch pastor, Andrew Stoecklein, who took his own life after a battle with depression and anxiety. Almost immediately the commentary on Facebook began. As a pastor who battles mental health struggles, I feel compelled to insert a few thoughts into the discussion. But first, my heart goes out to Andrew's family. This is a world-shattering moment for them. I pray that God will give them comfort