"It is sometimes said that conduct is supremely important, and worship helps it. The truth is that worship is supremely important, and conduct tests it." Archbishop William Temple Dear Brothers and Sisters, If there is one lesson the revisionists have learned and learned well it is that if they win the bishoprics they not only control the direction of the church, they have the majority vote in the House of Bishops and who will eventually succeed Frank Griswold. They also know

By the Rev. Dr. Joseph Murphy In Mel Gibson's new film, The Passion of the Christ, the Aramaic text of the account from the Gospel of Matthew is provided in English subtitles, except for Matthew 27:25. That verse is not included because of the potential for misunderstanding given the history of Jewish-Christian relations. The passage reads, "And all the people said, "His blood shall be on us and on our children!" (NASV). In one sense, its meaning is simple enough. Using a com

As they arrived where the evangelist was to speak, a crowd of 200 people was already packed into the house. Like many others, Duan had to sit in the courtyard and listen to the teacher through the open window. When Brother Wang began preaching, Duan felt a terrible shock. It was like hearing himself! He began to tremble with fear. Was he dying? Even the phrases the teacher used sounded familiar. Confused, he staggered up to the window to see the preacher, causing a commotion

As they made their way to the meeting, they told him some of the stories about this mysterious Brother Wang. It was clear they loved him dearly, and one of the men explained why. "We were once holding a training seminar here and heard the police were coming. Brother Wang got everyone out, except our main pastor. When the police arrived, Wang dared to bargain with them. He would go to jail if our pastor -- whose wife was eight months pregnant - could go free. The policeman acc

News Analysis By David W. Virtue PAOLI, PA--Doug, (that's not his real name) is now 17. He started taking drugs at the age of 12. He was quickly hooked, and was fast heading toward an early grave. Then he encountered some young Christians who took an interest in him and told him there was a way out. Desperate, Doug took it. Through an encounter with Jesus Christ at a Faith Alive weekend, Doug surrendered himself to Jesus, and thus began the long journey back to a drug-free li

The Significance of Bisexuality - shedding light on the nature/nurture debate By Peter May Church of England Newspaper The recent discussion document, Some Issues in Human Sexuality, which was debated in General Synod, raises questions about the significance of bisexuality. It highlights, for instance, that Ancient Greek & Roman cultures did not have gay/straight terminology in their language. They viewed people as being simply 'sexual', expressing their sexuality in a variet

News Analysis By David W. Virtue Dan England the communications director for the Episcopal Church said at the recent meeting of the church's Executive Council in Tampa, Florida that "some people seem to want to start a war, but we're not going to show up." He was parroting the Very Rev. George Werner, president of the House of Deputies who first coined the phrase after the last General Convention. It is in the same category of foolishness and naivete that convinced the Americ

By J. Michael Parker Express-News Religion Writer 2/22/2004 The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas ended its annual council Saturday by consecrating a popular 47-year-old San Antonio priest as its newest bishop. The Rev. Gary Richard Lillibridge, former rector of St. David's Parish, became coadjutor bishop, which means he has the automatic right to succeed Bishop James E. Folts as head of the diocese when Folts retires or dies. Folts, 63, has announced no retirement plans and ma

FAITH UNDER FIRE. Huge Christian growth shocks China's leaders. Crackdown reportedly sparked by new video, books released in U.S. February 20, 2004 Christianity Today More than 50 Chinese Christians, including three prominent Protestant leaders have been arrested in a new crackdown that follows the release of a video and book in the United States documenting the massive growth of the unregistered, or "underground" church. A report by the evangelical magazine Christianity Toda

Associated Press 2/22/2004 CHARLESTON, S.C. - Theological differences over homosexuality are causing rifts in the Episcopal Church, but they do not have to be fatal to the church's unity, according to speakers at a forum here. Nearly 200 Episcopalians from around the state gathered Saturday to discuss ways of coping with conflicts over the 2003 confirmation of V. Gene Robinson, the denomination's first openly gay bishop. Clergy and laity, most from the Charleston-based Episco

From the Church Times THE CHOIR of St Andrew's Cathedral in Sydney will not proceed with a planned tour of churches in the United States, in response to the consecration of Canon Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire. The tour, which had been scheduled for April, was to have been in conjunction with a tour by the St Andrew's Cathedral School orchestra, and was to have included engagements in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington DC. Phillip Heath, the head of the

Dr. Ephraim Radner responds to Mark Harris's article Contending with Anglican Realignment By Ephraim Radner As Paul Zahl, the Dean of Advent Cathedral in Birmingham recently said, the accusation of "homophobia" when once leveled within our church at a Christian interlocutor, has the effect of stopping conversation cold and, with a little manipulation, tainting reputations and spoiling careers. It is also grossly unfair when used, in the present debate over the proper Christia

By Jacinthia Jones February 22, 2004 Episcopalians back unity vow. Vote angers W. Tenn. conservatives Promoting the themes of unity and reconciliation, Episcopalians from across West Tennessee refused Saturday to back efforts that would have distanced the local diocese from actions taken by the national church. On the final day of the diocese's annual convention meeting here, clergy and lay delegates passed a resolution supporting Bishop Don Johnson "in his leadership and com

After the meeting, the statement released by the Commission said that it was saddened that tensions within the Communion, "exacerbated by the use of strident language", have continued to rise in recent months. "The Commission requests all members of the Anglican Communion to refrain from any precipitate action, or legal proceedings which would further harm 'the bonds of communion' in the period while it completes its work. Mission and ministry, including prayer for unity, rem

By Rachel Harden CHURCH TIMES ANGLICAN leaders across the world were warned this week to stop taking "precipitate action or legal proceedings" because of conflicting views over homosexuality. The warning came from the Eames Commission, also known as the Lambeth Commission, which met for the first time last week, under the chairmanship of the Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Robin Eames. It is considering how divisions over this and other issues will affect the Anglican Communion. The

By Staff ReporterBelfast Telegraph20 February 2004 THE major Anglican Commission chaired by Archbishop Robin Eames in the aftermath of the controversy involving homosexual bishops has called for a period of calm. The Commission on Anglican Structures, which met for the first time at St George's, Windsor, for three full days last week, has issued a statement requesting all members of the worldwide Anglican Communion "to refrain from any precipitate action, or legal proceedings

Rev. David Short, rector of St. John’s, Shaughnessy, Vancouver—who led opposition to same-sex blessings in the Diocese of New Westminster—is to address Church of Ireland clergy in Portadown. His parish, with ten others, formed the Anglican Communion in New Westminster (ACiNW), recognized by successive Archbishops of Canterbury and representing ~25% of the diocese’s worshipers. Their chief concerns: departure from traditional Biblical Christian faith and morals, and threats to

Enemy-occupied territory—that is what the world is. —C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity A satirical “diabolical communiqué” from Tapeworm (Senior Tempter) to Dogwood (Junior Tempter), analyzing a flattering Vancouver Sun profile of an Anglican bishop (implied: Michael Ingham). The tone mimics The Screwtape Letters: witty, ironic, and theologically trenchant. Tapeworm scolds Dogwood for taking credit for the article’s fawning tone. He notes how skillfully the secular press portrays

VATICAN CITY — Pope John Paul II criticized the media, saying they often give a positive depiction of extramarital sex, contraception, abortion, and homosexuality that is harmful to society. His message for World Communications Day—“The Media and the Family: A Risk and a Richness”—stated: “All communication has a moral dimension. People grow or diminish in moral stature by the words they speak and the messages they choose to hear.” While some media portrayals of marriage cele

Recently, I was asked to hold the funeral of a close friend and 83-year-old colleague, Glenn. As we sang “There is a Balm in Gilead,” his widow Marlys bent over his open casket, took his hands, and kissed him goodbye. Six hundred people wept—not just for the farewell, but for a marriage faithful over half a century. Such commitment is rare in a culture obsessed with romance and sex—where sex has displaced God. Encouragingly, students recently held a “Day of Purity,” wearing w