Du Fresne begins with the following…

OPINION: It went unnoticed by the media, but Justice Minister Simon Power recently issued a press statement announcing that Rosemary Fenwicke had decided not to seek reappointment to the Abortion Supervisory Committee.

There’s a story behind this. Dr Fenwicke, a member of the three-person committee since 2007, is an abortion certifying consultant who earns fees by approving the termination of pregnancies.

She is also a former medical director of the Family Planning Association, a major abortion referral agency.

She was nominated for the committee in 2007 by the Labour government of Helen Clark, whose pro-abortion sympathies are well known.

The appointment seemed not only an unconscionable conflict of interest, but a calculated insult to the many New Zealanders who regard abortion as deeply repugnant.

Were they really expected to believe the government couldn’t find someone who didn’t have a material stake in the abortion business? (Certifying consultants were paid $5 million in 2008, and even pro-abortionists acknowledge it’s a lucrative business.)

The very nature of her professional activity suggested Dr Fenwicke was not neutral on this divisive issue, yet Parliament rejected an attempt by MP Gordon Copeland, a staunch opponent of abortion, to overturn her nomination.

(It was supposedly a conscience vote but Labour MPs were instructed to support Dr Fenwicke, meaning her appointment was assured.)

The issue didn’t excite much interest at the time. Even MPs with misgivings about abortion have little stomach for debates on the subject and probably wanted to get the matter out of the way with as little fuss as possible.

Besides, they don’t want to be reminded that the administration of the abortion law is a travesty – a point I believe was borne out in a High Court judgment by Justice Forrest Miller in 2008.

New Zealand effectively has an abortion-on-request regime, something Parliament never intended when it passed the Sterilisation, Contraception and Abortion Act in 1977.

The abortion supervisory committee’s annual reports show that more than 98 per cent of abortions are approved by people like Dr Fenwicke on the spurious basis that the mother’s mental health is at risk.

That Dr Fenwicke should have been appointed to the committee charged with ensuring the act is upheld demonstrated what a grotesque sham the administration of the abortion law has become.

Fortunately, anti-abortionists refused to let the matter rest. They lobbied against the renewal of Dr Fenwicke’s appointment and the Government appears to have recognised the force of their argument.

You can find the rest of the sobering piece, which you should read… HERE!

Always Informing, For the Always Reforming, From the Land of the Long White Cloud

Man of Spin

H/T: Bob McCoskrie on Facebook

VOM AT THE LAKE WHAKAMARU CHRISTIAN CAMP

SAT. 31 JULY 2010  WORKSHOP: 10am to 12noon

See a presentation on persecuted Christians

Hear how you can personally make a difference

Write encouraging letters to Christian prisoners

Lunch will be provided

Outdoor activities: 1 – 3pm for fun fellowship and activities on site        

A MUST GO FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

All ages from 8 years to 108 welcome!

(Children must be accompanied by an adult)

Suggested donation $5

For further information, please phone Sylvie 07 856 00 45

Lake Whakamaru Christian Camp1105 Ongaroto Road (S.H. 30) R.D. 1Atiamuri 3078 New ZealandPhone/Fax: +64 7 343 2352 E-mail: info@lwccamp.com

If you are interested, please make contact!

Always Informing, For the Always Reforming, From the Land of the Long White Cloud

Man of Spin

By the way, it is also FREE!  I would say this one’s on me because I love JC… but I am too hip for that!

This will be a debate between two scholars – Matt Flanagan and Raymond Bradley.

To find out more about these men, you can visit the Thinking Matters blog, where they would like to think that thinking matters… and I think that this type of thinking is correct!

While you are thinking about it, you should go HERE and check out all the details!

I have just been on the MandM website and located some details and interaction that should be helpful, which you can find… HERE!

For the Fame of His Name

Man of Spin

This is a crucial year in the fight to preserve religious freedom worldwide.  The Defamation of Religions Resolution seeks to criminalize words or actions as attacks against a particular religion, namely Islam.

As incredible as it sounds, passing this resolution could allow a Christian to be persecuted under UN approval.

Voice your protest of this resolution by signing the petition

To get a greater grasp on what they are communicating, check out the following video…

You can find the details to download the PETITION, sign it, and send it back, by going to the following link… HERE!

Always Informing, For the Always Reforming, From the Land of the Long White Cloud

Man of Spin

Don’t believe me?

Take a look at the details from the Catalyst site

‘Christ in the Workplace’ is a conference where people from all professions and disciplines, at every career stage, can come together to consider the gospel’s impact upon our work and our lives.

The world needs godly people who are willing to be salt and light to others by putting their faith and works together, bringing grace and truth into their professional lives. The world needs people who:

• communicate the gospel in word and deed
• translate the Bible’s story into their profession
• live for Christ on Monday as much as Sunday
• are participants with God in his global mission

Join us at ‘Christ in the Workplace’, the 2010 National Catalyst Conference where a compelling program of speakers, worship and seminars combine to nurture heart, soul, mind, and strength.

‘Christ in the Workplace’ offers excellent opportunities to create and deepen professional, intellectual, and spiritual relationships. It is fertile ground for cross- pollination. How much might we gain from learning to collaborate across professional and generational boundaries?

• Café Connect—offers a great opportunity to foster the formation of groups and networks within your profession.
• Tracks—put you in direct contact with colleagues gathered from around New Zealand.
• Optional workshops—all are intended to invigorate the broader conversation.

Return soon for a Promotional Powerpoint, or Register Now!

What are you waiting for?

Always Informing, For the Always Reforming, From the Land of the Long White Cloud

Man of Spin

And I am sure we can intuitively connect with this concept, but when it is FREE, yet worth the price of admission, it is definitely worth our time  and effort, and such an offer fits such a profile!

Francis Chan hit mainstream with his first title, Crazy Love, which as the subtitle makes clear is about being Overwhelmed by a Relentless God, something we all desperately need!

His second title has also been well received, Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit, which has a similar, timely, urgent message for all those who have been sought by God, and who are seeking to live out His will, in their generation!

Thanks to the made-good people at ChristianAudio, for the month of June, you are able to download the whole Audiobook for FREE!

If you would like to read a couple of bloggers reviews, you can go… HERE… and… HERE!

Without further ventilation of words, you must go… HERE… and do the damage.  I have already downloaded this, and you should too.

For the Fame of His Name

Man of Spin

Things have been developing at break-neck speed in the world of the Man of Spin, and time has taken its toll, but I would like to think that we are getting on top of things, returning to some semblance of normality!

If you are a regular reader… okay, maybe “watcher” will do, here at CNNZ, and you have not made yourself known, please drop in and say, “Hi there!”

We have a couple of exciting things in the offing, so please stay tuned, and we can enjoy the fun together.

That is all.  Nice and Short, just the way my fixer likes it!

For the Fame of His Name

Man of Spin

I tell no lie.

Reading this post could change my life.

… probably not!

You’ve come for one purpose…

…here is the link

NOW SHOPNOW SHOPNOW SHOPNOW SHOP

NOW SHOPNOW SHOPNOW SHOPNOW SHOP

NOW SHOPNOW SHOPNOW SHOPNOW SHOP

NOW SHOPNOW SHOPNOW SHOPNOW SHOP

NOW SHOPNOW SHOPNOW SHOPNOW SHOP

NOW SHOPNOW SHOPNOW SHOPNOW SHOP

NOW SHOPNOW SHOPNOW SHOPNOW SHOP

w.i.t.h. w.i.s.d.o.m.

Always Informing, For the Always Reforming, From the Land of the Long White Cloud

Man of Spin

But, suffice-it-to-be-presently-saying, if the above header is raising temperatures… you might just have a fever, call the Doctor, because unlike you, this post is about to get down… or, you could just be recognising-to-realising the true extent as to what this header is claiming. Yes, the Man of Spin will be posting an interview with a very current ALL BLACK.  As you will perceive from this blog, it will be succinct, incisive, grilling, and loaded with breaking news… Somebody stop me!

i am jonny king – Interview with an ALL BLACK

Who are the All Blacks?… pagan… Let me try and provide some illumination!

This is a, make-your-hairs-stand-up-on-the-back-on-the-neck, well-put-together, tribute!  Although, it must be said, the dying part is reserved for One alone… You feel me!

I have hesitated to announce the news as discussions have been taking place with his people and my people, however, with recent deliberations, negotiations have firmed, and we are awaiting the appropriate means to make this a reality… So Stay Tuned!

i am jonny king – Interview with a FOLLOWER OF CHRIST

And on that note, feeling a little nostalgic toward our band of rugby brethren, the following is a reminder of those, some fallen, but all, not forgotten!

I will keep you posted as we have some other news waiting for me to give it wings… Gotta fly!

For the Fame of His Name

Man of Spin

Well, it just so happens that Richard Dawkins, with his Hitchens side-kick, the Christopher version, seem to be pretty intent on making this a reality, as the following affirms…

Professor Dawkins, the British evolutionary biologist who wrote The God Delusion, has assembled lawyers in an attempt to have Pope Benedict XVI charged with crimes against humanity, the Times Online reports.

Dawkins and fellow anti-religion campaigner Christopher Hitchens are believed to be exploring the option of having the Pope arrested under the same legal principal that saw Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet arrested during a British visit in 1998.

“This is a man whose first instinct when his priests are caught with their pants down is to cover up the scandal and damn the young victims to silence,” the report quoted Professor Dawkins as saying.

You can read the rest of the article where this quotation is sourced from… HERE… or you can take a look at the following article in The Times… HERE!

Do you agree with Dawkins and Co.?

Assuming their contention is correct, of course!

As I reflect on this reality, the question can not be answered in the context of the individual’s in question, as many in the Catholic faith will have an a priori against any such Papal possibility and against any such reality, and from their authority belief structure, I can understand their frame of reference.

However, once again, the question for me is very simple, is it both morally and legally wrong to knowingly shield pedophile’s?  If someone has this knowledge, and if this can be proven beyond any reasonable doubt, then no matter who the individual is in question, they should and must be dealt with through the appropriate legal channels!

The only other possibility is that there are certain individuals who are above the law!

What say you?

Always Informing, For the Always Reforming, From the Land of the Long White Cloud

Man of Spin

Postscript: Here is the article in the The Times where Dawkins unloads his thoughts!

Ahem, Now that I have focused my attention, after scaring yours, let me say it loud, but also say it clear, the only shots fired will be those of the intellectual kind, as the bullets from this man emanate forth from his brain!

With these bullets soon to fired in Oxford of all places, as this Person seeks to head to a conference where he will deliver… a paper.

See, Please Sir, Can We Have Some More… or concepts to that effect…

I will let the man explain the details for himself (He will make more sense)…

I got some good news today. A few months ago I told you that there was a conference coming up this year that I’d like to take part in. Well, I’ve been chosen to present a paper at Merton College at the University of Oxford, as part of the 18th Conference of the European Society of the Philosophy of Religion.

The only reason I know this is that I bugged them about it. The official notifictions are about to be sent out, so I’m told.

The theme of the conference is Religion in the Public Square, one of my special interests, and the keynote speaker will be Nicholas Wolterstorff. My paper will present an argument that I’ve addressed in other formats, namely the question of whether or not religious convictions and by extension the policies that they might be used to support could meet any standard of “public justification.”

It’s a great opportunity for me. It is a way of getting exactly the right kind of exposure in the international academic arena, and for professional academic roles it’s a great addition to my C.V. It would, in theory, push me one step closer to that elusive big time. There’s one problem. The keynote speaker, as well as the other speakers on the schedule, along with virtually everyone presenting a paper, will be from university departments that provide funding for travel to conferences. I on the other hand am not, and will need to meet the expenses myself. I’ve been crunching the numbers and it’s pretty painful. Flights, conference registration and accommodation will cost around $4,400 New Zealand dollars (using today’s exchange rate, that’s about $3,136.02 US).

You can read about all the details as to how YOU can also help get Glenn to Oxford… HERE!

I really do encourage all those individuals who may reading this post to play some part, particularly if you are visiting from another God-forsaking nation.  Raising funds in a New Zealand Christian context is not easy, so any assistance will be so appreciated, and while you may not have the necessary skills to deliver the deal at Oxford, by contributing, you are playing your part!

Glenn, as a blogging community in New Zealand we will band together and help make it happen.  If we have the grace-empowered will, I am sure He will make the way!

Imagine that… Glenn Peoples at Oxford.  I wonder if anybody else will be doing their Heavy Metal?  MMmm

For the Fame of His Name

Man of Spin

It just so happens that this description is killing two concepts with one line, as Christianaudio, for some of your Christian audio needs, is offering Stuff Christians Like… Where have you been people… Yes, such is the title of the book by Blogger moonlighting (I still remember that series, which was good before it lost the plot… well, the writers, at least) as an Author, Jonathan Acuff,

Looks wholesome enough!  Well, he is putting together some of his finest blog meat, along with some fresh meat, in book form…

Here is how Jon describes this work…

The book is a collection of more than 120 ideas, including more than 80 never before seen, brand spanking new posts and reader favorites from the site. It’s illustrated to amplify the hilarity and features a collection of classic Serious Wednesday posts as well.

Here is how the publisher pens together their prose for this title…

Sometimes, we fall in love on mission trips even though we know we’ll break up when we get back.

Sometimes, you have to shot block a friend’s prayer because she’s asking God to bless an obviously bad dating relationship.

Sometimes, you think, “I wish I had a t-shirt that said ‘I direct deposit my tithe’ so people wouldn’t judge me.”

Sometimes, the stuff that comes with faith is funny.

This is that stuff.

Jonathan Acuff’s Stuff Christians Like is your field guide to all things Christian. Like a satirical grenade, Acuff brings us the humor and honesty that galvanized 730,000 online readers from 209 countries in a new portable version. Welcome to the funny side of faith.

If you would like to download this title…

Yes, this title, for FREE, if you will head to a page that I will blog out of thin air, then, if you have already joined Christianaudio, all you will need to do is follow the promps, which will result in you, yes you, enjoying listening times of leisure as you chortle along to the stuff that you the Christian will like… Therefore, without further prognosticating…  GO…  HERE!

Don’t thank me, it is my blog to deliver!

And, while I am in the mojo of the moment, if you would also like to check out the author’s blog, you can find it… HERE!

For the Fame of His Name

Man of Spin

Step Right Up, Step Right Up…

In a Heaving weight of Intellectual Discourse, the said two gentlemen will be engaging in some thrust, parry… and even some debate… and the details are as follows…

Atheist and author Christopher Hitchens and Catholic conservative Dinesh D’Souza will present a public debate on the topic “Is Religion the Problem?” on April 7 at the University of Notre Dame.

The debate will be at 7:30 p.m. in Leighton Concert Hall in the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center.  [Emphasis Mine]

To read more about this, you can check out this post… HERE!

Or, you can go to the site where the previous source was sourced, which you can find… HERE!

One would think that, at the very least, audio will be available, and if such is the case, we will do our best to be on the case!

Always Informing, For the Always Reforming, From the Land of the Long White Cloud

Man of Spin

Yes, none other than Richard “Atheism’s Present Top Model” Dawkins, will be touching down, bringing the gagging kool-aid drinkers out of their parents basements from Cape Reinga to the Bluff! Now if you are feeling all hot and bothered by the Man of Spin’s jocularity, this could mean a number of things… Consult your Doctor… However, such surely shows that the Dawkins behemoth is something that delights your rationale functions… or so you would like to think!

I know, I Know, I am a man not a mouse, but I am not above taking the Mickey, and such a context seems worthy of such a riposte, as I find the overtly warming fuzzies and impervious prognosticating defined interaction on issues like this, which have been observed on CNNZ before Man of Spin’s time, to be as pointless as asserting… (fill in the presupposition)… I was thinking of… trying to justify not debating William Lane Craig, when one thought the search for truth in the world of ideas would be motivation enough!

Am I joining the party?!

Now, you may be wondering what the point of all this posturing is all about, and I am getting there!

There!

Recently, Ray “This man can provide Southern Comfort“, after all, he is from Christchurch, and he does know Christ… Anyway, it has made the airwaves that Comfort is out to dis-comfort the coming of the Delusion-Dissing-Dawkins.

ChristianNewsWire, after detailing how Comfort has stalked, in a scientific manner, Dawkins activities, affirms that Comfort is saying, “Not in My City,” with the following details…

When asked about the giveaway to 170,000 university students in the U.S., he called Comfort “an idiot” on international television.[2] Comfort said, “And then he began to use my comedy routine, and was getting quite a few laughs when doing it.”[3]

But when the author heard that Professor Richard Dawkins was going to his home town of Christchurch, New Zealand, it became even more personal. “This is a city where I (almost daily), for 12 years, poured my heart out in the local ‘Speaker’s Corner.’ Over 3,000 times I climbed onto a soapbox and spoke to crowds in an effort to turn people’s thoughts to God, and if the learned professor thinks he is going to walk right in and undo that without any opposition, he has another thought coming. All I want is for people to know that the theory of evolution is bogus science. Charles Darwin lamented the lack of species-to-species transitional forms, and 150 years later, the missing link is still missing.”

Comfort maintains, “Man, with all his technology can’t create a grain of sand from nothing, let alone a leaf, a flower, or a frog. So how intellectually dishonest is it for Richard Dawkins to say that nothing created everything (something he believes). Add to that the fact that the professor has a weird belief that we may have been created by aliens,[4] that we are cousins of bananas,[5] that nothing did create everything,[6] and he does it all in the guise of science. Then he says that anyone who doesn’t believe as he does is ‘ignorant, stupid or insane.’[7] He turns 70 next year, so I hope that he comes to see the difference between the hypocritical religion he so despises, and God, before he goes to meet His Maker.”

You can read the entire article… HERE!

The ChristianNewsWire site also provides the links to these two Youtube video’s, where, Dawkins calls Comfort an “Idiot”…

With Dawkins even taking the arch-angel of Comfort’s Banana Splitting Humour…

You can also visit the following site about the title that will be given away… and, if you are so inclined, you can purchase these for only $1.00 each (Minimum of 36 purchases)… and you can also download the “Introduction”… for FREE… which you can all find on this website… HERE!

This debate has also made it into the mainstream news, in NZ, with TV3 having a piece on this context, on their nightly news… with the Video available HERE… and the Manuscript available HERE!

NOW…

What do you think about this?

I am particularly thinking of thoughtful Christian or otherwise commentary…

Is this the right approach?

Is this the right individual who should be viewed as the leader of the righteous riposte?

Is the context of these events put on by ThinkingMatters… HERE and HERE, a much more effective response?

Is an all hands on deck approach, from various Christian sources, fine with you?

Will you buy a load of these titles?

What say you?  TYPE!

Please note that this post will be moderated, so if you feel like throwing your pamphlets out of the basement, and assert your fidelity to the Dawkins, leave your Presuppositional Pom Poms, at the door… Yes, I know that such is really impossible, but do your best to change for good… or seek the grace of God, while He can be found!

You can Save the Whales at some other destination… Jonah’s God Need Not Apply, as He is the Boss, and He knows Best

For the Fame of His Name

Man of Spin

Don’t ask me how that got into my head!  I said, Don’t Ask… Okay, maybe one could put that down as proof-positive evidence of the Fall!

I think it’s time to move on… Ah-hem

For the rest of the March on, the common gracing of the people at Christian Audio is once again on show, as this month, they are offering a deuce of FREE audiobooks for willing attendees.

To redeem this offer, you need to go to the right destination, which will be forthcoming, where you can download… 50 Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die, by John Piper… and… The Cost of Discipleship, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer… for FREE, as long as you pass or have passed over your details, of course!

To make the most of this time… GO HERE!

Note: Christian Audio are also offering all OTHER Piper and Bonhoeffer downloads for $4.98 (US), for each title, for this month.  To view the Piper potential, go HERE… To view the Bonhoeffer bonanza, go HERE!

That is all… Now You Must Go…

…To Christian Audio, that is!

But please, return when I blog-call!

Always Informing, For the Always Reforming, From the Land of the Long White Cloud

Man of Spin

H/T: VitaminZ

I could rabbit on about the details, but here is the news from the source… a Press Release…

New online Christian bookstore

In February the Tertiary Students Christian Fellowship launched ‘Catalyst Books’: an online bookstore stocking high quality books in the area’s of Christian living, study and work. Primarily aimed at resourcing students and graduates, but available to the wider church in New Zealand, the site has was launched in earlier this month.

The bookstore is one part of Catalyst – TSCF’s ministry to graduates in the workplace, postgraduates and academics.  One of the stores unique features is that it focuses on providing a range of books helping Christians relate the gospel to their study and work.

With a growing number of books on a wide range of professions including architecture, agriculture, linguistics, law, sciences, sport and much more.  There are books at different levels for those just starting to think about these issues, as well as those who want to really dig deep into issues surrounding the gospel and their work – everyone can find a good book here!

The team at TSCF have worked hard with people around the world to review and select some of the best books on these subjects, so although the range of books might be smaller than other Christian bookstores  - these books have been tried, tested and recommended.

But Catalyst Books isn’t just a bookstore, the website will enable customers (who want to) to connect with others who have read the same books, allowing those who want to, to start conversations around these subjects.  These conversations will allow reading to be more than an individual activity, and to be shared with others with similar interests.  These dialogues have the potential to develop into valuable networks, reading groups or professional groups.

Mark Grace (Catalyst Team Leader) has three more reasons why you should take a look at Catalyst Books: ‘First is price– thanks to our partners we can offer amazing value to students and graduates.  The second reason is delivery is free, and the third is that this is a Kiwi initiative, so the books we have in stock are in New Zealand, so we can deliver them to your door in just a few days.’

Check out the bookstore at catalyst.ac.nz/store

If you didn’t pick it up in the details, what is particularly significant about this bookstore, which may be the first of its kind with such comprehensive coverage, is their selection of titles, arranged in a number of vocational disciplines/contexts, which seeks to encourage the Christian to Gospel-centre their context, thinking through such implications for the glory of God!

Not only this, but it is also cheap… skate, which is further encouraged with FREE SHIPPING!

While this store is only available for those in a “kiwi” context, the job that has been completed, in sourcing these titles, is definitely catalytic in world-wide context, as anyone can search this site, finding an appropriate title, in a chosen discipline, which one can subsequently purchase from a book-selling-source, in one’s neck of the woods!

If I may get a little autobiographical… I have had a little bit to do with the “grunt” work behind the scenes, so I am aware of the time, effort, and commitment that has been involved in getting this site up and running, which you should definitely redeem… and spread!

This is the place to head… NOW!

catalyst.ac.nz/store

For the Fame of His Name

Man of Spin

Such is surely what many in our cultural contexts will want to affirm!  Do you provide a response to such, if indeed you disagree with this perspective?

Not sure?  Well, this event will help…

Today, many best-selling atheists argue that belief in God is delusional and a roadblock to political, moral, and scientific progress.

In this public Q and A event, several of New Zealand’s top Christian thinkers come together to consider popular arguments against Christianity and whether belief in God is merely a consequence of superstition and credulity.

Speakers:

Jeff Tallon (PhD) is Distinguished Scientist at Industrial Research Ltd and a former Professor of Physics at Victoria University. He is internationally known for his research in high-temperature superconductors, is a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand and in 2002 was awarded the Rutherford Medal, New Zealand’s highest science award.

Matthew Flannagan (PhD) lectures in the History of Philosophy at Laidlaw College and specialises in applied ethics and the interface between philosophy and theology. He is currently relief teaching philosophy, ethics and religious studies for St Peters College. He is a prominent New Zealand Christian thinker, debater and blogger at www.mandm.org.nz.

Michael Drake (DipTeach) is the principal of Carey College in Panmure and a pastor of the Tamaki Reformed Baptist Church. He has been involved in advocacy for Christian schools and in raising issues about race, education, and Christianity before Parliament. He is also a Tertiary Student Christian Fellowship Associate Chaplain at the Manukau Institute of Technology.

Joe Fleener (MDiv) lectures in Old Testament, Church History, Christian Worldview, Apologetics, and Christian Ethics at The Shepherd’s Bible College.

Sponsored by the Tertiary Student Christian Fellowship.

And, note the following details…

Date: Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Location: 260 – 098 Owen G Glenn Building, 12 Grafton Road, The University of Auckland

What this means is that the location for this event, has been confirmed!

I would encourage you to visit this Thinking Matters post, or the Facebook page, where you can register your attendance, and even connect with some of those who will be attending!

You never know, I actually may be at this one, as I am planning on being in Auckland, the “Big Smoke,” at this stage!

Always Informing, For the Always Reforming, From the Land of the Long White Cloud

Man of Spin

It just so happens that the horizon is now in the foreground, with quality events, from a Christian worldview, in the coming days!

If you are a searcher for truth, then such should YOU, be making the most of, and here are the details…

Has Science Disproved God?

Time: 7pm, Thursday March 11Location: (Exact room to be announced) Owen G Glenn Building, 12 Grafton Road, The University of Auckland

Have the discoveries of modern science proved that belief in God is irrational and untenable? Does faith hinder or inspire scientific research? In this public Q and A event, several of New Zealand’s top scientists and Christian thinkers come together to examine the claims of popular atheists, such as Richard Dawkins, and explore the the credibility of God in the context of cosmology, biology, and physics.

Speakers:
Neil Broom (PhD) is Professor and Head of the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at The University of Auckland. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand in 2008 and is the author of the book How Blind Is the Watchmaker?: Nature’s Design & the Limits of Naturalistic Science.

Jeff Tallon (PhD) is Distinguished Scientist at Industrial Research Ltd and a former Professor of Physics at Victoria University. He is internationally known for his research in high-temperature superconductors, is a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand and in 2002 was awarded the Rutherford Medal, New Zealand’s highest science award.

Robert Mann (PhD) previously taught biochemistry and environmental studies at the UoA and and has been on the council of the NZ Association of Scientists.

Matthew Flannagan (PhD) lectures in the History of Philosophy at Laidlaw College and specializes in applied ethics and the interface between philosophy and theology. He is a prominent New Zealand Christian thinker, debater and blogger.

To find out more information, you can check out the Thinking Matters page, head to Facebook, or go to MandM blog!

Sadly, Man of Spin will not be able to make this event, but he can only encourage you to make the effort.

May this event be catalytic!

and Remember…

Time: 7pm, Thursday March 11.  Location: OGGB4, in the shiny new business school; Owen G Glenn Building, 12 Grafton Road, The University of Auckland

STAY TUNED TO THE MULTIPLE SOURCES

For the Fame of His Name

Man of Spin

Here some initial details about this event…

A one day seminar

An interactive day taken by Bev Norsworthy, one of New Zealand’s leading educators.

We’ll be exploring three crucial questions:

What is the gospel and how does it impact our post-graduate study?

In what ways can the gospel be applied to post graduate study, research and teaching?

Research for the glory of God: How can you honor God in and through your postgraduate study?

Such are indeed important questions to think through, finding biblical answers that… Soli Deo Gloria!

What about the damage?  After all, this is for students we are talking about…

Cost: $20

A delicious morning and afternoon tea will provided but you’ll need to bring your own lunch.

Who is Bev Norsworthy?

Dr Bev Norsworthy is the Dean of Teacher Education at Bethlehem Tertiary Institute in Tauranga. She is passionate about the role education has in shaping a nation and has been involved as teacher, principal, and teacher educator across primary and secondary schools in New Zealand and South Australia as well as with teacher education in New Zealand. Her research is in the field of assessment, curriculum design, reflective practice and its role in effective adult learning and transformation. She has presented papers in New Zealand, Australia and USA and has publications in a number of journals.

Locations around New Zealand, are as follows…

Dunedin	Canterbury	Palmerston North	Auckland
Saturday 17th April 9am-5pm Register Evision Lounge Clubs and Societies Centre 84 Albany Street Dunedin Contact: Dave Baab TSCF Otago staff worker daveb[at]tscf.org.nz	Saturday 1st May 9am-5pm Register Laidlaw College 70 Condell Avenue Bryndwr Christchurch Contact: Mark Santich TSCF Canterbury Team Leader marks[at]tscf.org.nz	Saturday 8th May 9am-5pm Register Massey University Chaplaincy “The Centre” Colombo Rd Massey University Contact: Mark Grace TSCF Palmerston North Team Leader markg[at]tscf.org.nz	Saturday 29th May 9am-5pm Register Carey College (Not Carey Baptist College) 21 Domain Road Panmure, Auckland Contact: Jeff Pelz TSCF Auckland Team Leader jeffp[at]tscf.org.nz

So what are you waiting for?

If you would like to REGISTER NOW, you can do so through this page… HERE!

However, if you would like more material on this seminar, more can be given, and here it is…

What is the gospel and how does it impact our post-graduate study?

For many the gospel is limited to a one off experience of faith when one is ‘saved’. The gospel is seen to relate to ensuring one’s eternal destiny with little implication for living in the 21st century. However, it is much more than this. The Gospel provides the framework within which we can make meaning of life and our place in God’s plan. In this session we will explore the parameters of the gospel in terms of an invitation to live in a “God-centred universe” (Gould, 2007, p. 18), exploring the ramifications of the fact that ‘God is here and he is not silent’ (Schaeffer’s, 1976). The gospel opens to us the reality that God is near and has spoken to us through the Bible, Jesus and Creation. The story of the gospel starts and finishes with the Biblical God who “. . .reveals himself to all people at all times and in all places and through various means” (Allison, 2009, p. 75). The gospel is confronting, restorative and comprehensive and has significant implications for understanding how our postgraduate activity is an inherent part of our witness, embodying the gospel in visible lives (Greene, 1998).

For many the gospel is limited to a one off experience of faith when one is ‘saved’. The gospel is seen to relate to ensuring one’s eternal destiny with little implication for living in the 21st century. However, it is much more than this. The Gospel provides the framework within which we can make meaning of life and our place in God’s plan. In this session we will explore the parameters of the gospel in terms of an invitation to live in a “God-centred universe” (Gould, 2007, p. 18), exploring the ramifications of the fact that ‘God is here and he is not silent’ Schaeffer’s (1976). The gospel opens to us the reality that God is near and has spoken to us through the Bible, Jesus and Creation. The story of the gospel starts and finishes with the Biblical God who “. . .reveals himself to all people at all times and in all places and through various means” (Allison, 2009, p. 75). The gospel is confronting, restorative and comprehensive and has significant implications for understanding how our postgraduate activity is an inherent part of our witness, embodying the gospel in visible lives (Greene, 1998).

The gospel begins with an invitation to know God – something which the Bible demonstrates to be intensely practical. As Watkins (2008, p. 58) suggests:

Our society is ‘secular’ in that the religious is generally rejected as a part of public, societal discourse, on the basis that such belief must be seen as non-rational (if not irrational) and so merely a matter of private coping. It is not so much that ‘God is dead’ more that he has been privatised.

During this session, Bev will draw on the work of N. T. Wright, Craig Bartholomew and Michael Goheen in understanding the gospel as a drama, a six act play – which both provides the framework for interpretation of life and living but also invites us to participate as faithful actors.

The gospel implies that the final state of humanity is based on the original unfinished work and in this regard, the work given to Adam was a work of inquiry, research and development – the original creation wasn’t the final product. And yet, there was Shalom in the garden – a Shalom to which we are called. Jesus’ model prayer in Matthew 6 clearly indicates our role to do what we can to bring the Shalom of the kingdom – on earth as it is in heaven. The insights we learn through research can enable us to do this – across all fields of endeavour. The Christian scholar, shaped by the gospel, seeks and sees God’s presence at work in the ‘ordinariness’ of life.

In what ways can the gospel be applied to post graduate study, research and teaching?

This session will consider how the three Gospel mandates (Creation Mandate, Great Commission, and Great Commandment) with their very practical themes of stewardship, discipleship and fellowship together with Biblical themes of justice, love and shalom shape the purposes and processes of our postgraduate activity – whether that be research, scholarship or teaching. In fact, identifying facets of the gospel story enables us to be faithful influential participants within that story.

This session will consider how the three Gospel mandates (Creation Mandate, Great Commission, and Great Commandment) with their very practical themes of stewardship, discipleship and fellowship together with Biblical themes of justice, love and shalom shape the purposes and processes of our postgraduate activity – whether that be research, scholarship or teaching. Identifying facets of the gospel story enables us to be faithful, influential and intentional participants within that story.

Within the created order research foci include aspects of its beauty and complexity, its ‘way of working’ as a basis for further development – both technological and social; the inherent moral law which is written on our hearts, and the fact that, despite our desire to ignore or refute the fact, people are hardwired to seek God. With the challenges of ecological sustainability, societal issues and species extinction the Christian postgraduate scholar has many opportunities to contribute to culture formation as a response to the Creation Mandate. The Great Commission which typically is restricted to personal discipleship calls us to nation forming – working together rather than in isolation; focusing on redeeming institutional structures and their cultures such as governmental, family, educational, commercial and aesthetics, and calling them back to their God-ordained roles. Finally, in this session consideration of the Great Commandment guides the postgraduate scholar to work with issues of justice and love in practical ways to “do good to all” (Galatians 6).

Research for the glory of God: How can you honor God in and through your postgraduate study?

In this session which builds on the previous two, Bev will draw specific examples from her own and others’ research and scholarship to illustrate how we can honour God when our postgraduate activity is viewed as: a calling, expression of care, avenue for communication of God’s principles and ways in secular language, opportunity to critique the ‘status quo’ and offer an alternative voice into the university in the hope of contributing to change. Doing all to the glory of God.

In this session which builds on the previous two, Bev will draw specific examples from her own and others’ research and scholarship across a range of disciplines to illustrate how we can honour God when postgraduate activity is viewed as: a calling, expression of care, avenue for communication of God’s principles and ways in secular language, opportunity to critique the ‘status quo’ and offer an alternative voice into the university in the hope of contributing to change. Doing all to the glory of God.

Postgraduate scholarship and its foundational research provides the opportunity to discover the principles which God has embedded within human living – principles which he faithfully follows, and to work with how these principles can bring Shalom to our broken world. Understanding the gospel as the framework for one’s work leads to understanding that, in fact, postgraduate activity is an integral part of our daily worship (Romans 12), an expression of who God has designed us to be and, should, as Hamilton (2002) notes, emerge from a faith-based identity and journey with God. Importantly, viewing research and postgraduate activity as listening to and interpreting God’s world and his ways, positions it as “central to the task of learning to live theologically” lives that “incarnate the Christian worldview of creation, fall and redemption. When we love God with our whole hearts and our neighbors as ourselves, we clothe the biblical worldview with visible lives. We seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness“ (Greene, 1998, p. 275). It is imperative that Christian postgraduate scholars grasp the importance of their work as contributing components of the redeeming work of God on earth.

You’ll come away from the day with:

>New friends.

>Deeper convictions about the centrality of God in Tertiary education.

>Better skills to integrate your faith in Christ into the heart of your scholarship.

>Renewed confidence in God’s purposes for you as a post graduate student.

>A set of materials enabling you to put what you’ve learnt into practice.

>An overview of key books written from a Christian worldview in your area of research, available through the Catalyst books online store.

Book of the Seminar

The Two Tasks of the Christian Scholar

You can find all these details of this Seminar… HERE

Always Informing, For the Always Reforming, From the Land of the Long White Cloud

Man of Spin

For all those interested, the details surrounding these events, are as follows…

Start Time: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 7:30pm

End Time: Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 10:00pm

Location: AUCKLAND, HAMILTON, NAPIER, PALMY, WELLY, CHRISTCHURCH, and DUNEDIN

To celebrate the release of “Three Hours South” we will be doing a series of FREE showcase shows in groovy and intimate venues the length of the country in March. Featuring a 3 piece band.

WEDNESDAY March 10th – AUCKLAND – Roasted Addiqtion 487 New North Road, Kingsland

THURSDAY March 11th – HAMILTON – Momento Espresso Crn Hood & Victoria Street

FRIDAY March 12th – NAPIER – Take 5 Restaurant & Jazz Bar189 Marine Parade

SATURDAY March 13th – PALMERSTON NORTH – Grand Beer Café 341 Church Street

THURSDAY March 18th - WELLINGTON – Sandwiches 8 Kent Terrace

FRIDAY March 19th – CHRISTCHURCH – Bailies Irish Bar 50 Cathedral Square

SATURDAY March 20th – DUNEDIN – Circadian Rhythm Café 72 St Andrew Street

“Three Hours South” will be released to NZ retailers and iTunes worldwide from March 10th !!.! CDs will be on sale during the evening with eftpos available. Become a fan/friend on my Facebook page and you’ll stay up to date.

To confirm that I am not leading you astray, where you can also become a fan/ friend, head to these details on Derricutt’s Facebook page… HERE!

Always Informing, For the Always Reforming, From the Land of the Long White Cloud

Man of Spin