Admittedly, mature adults cannot be dominated by other people's "concerns", that is, by a psychological compulsion to please. Such compulsion shows not strength but weakness of character. We may succeed in pleasing most of the people most of the time, but our need to please others is driven by a deeper need to please ourselves. While Jefferts Schori can be counted on for charm, she certainly is not dominated by any compulsion to please.
Read moreConversion
Janani Luwum spoke of when he surrendered his life to Christ:
Read moreForty five years ago I was brought to faith largely through the human agency and mentorship of holy priests, many of whom were of homosexual orientation but who had no inclination whatsoever to confuse their condition of fallenness with the agenda of social justice.
Quite the contrary.
Read moreBorrowing Tom Wright's words, this is a dark time indeed. And darker it is than it was in the Advent. Then, at least, the "upstarters" who dared to propose the Covenant got immediate and clear illumination from the learned Bishop. This time, I wonder if it would be all quiet at the establishment front. After all, the presenters of the Sub-group Report (ANCS 4249) are eminent people, led by Canterbury himself.
Read moreFROM MY EAR TO YOURS...
But this morning, at breakfast, an excited orthodox bishop told VOL that "it ain't over till the fat lady sings", and "think Rocky Balboa". So, surprises are still in store. The Global South archbishops have not yet mounted their main offensive; there is more to come. The line has only been breached temporarily; the ecclesiastical Maginot Line is still holding.
Here's just one example: if you don't agree with the homosexual that his lifestyle is good and right in the eyes of God, then you hate him. Since people of good will do not wish to be seen as hateful, they will acquiesce to the idea that the homosexual lifestyle is good and right in the eyes of God. They may never believe it, but they will not dare oppose it. They will retreat from a conservative biblical understanding and begin calling themselves "moderates".
Read moreIn a world of division, great international movements such as churches are precious reminders that we all belong to the same human race. Through them, people from around the world care for each other in practical and effective ways. Christians are world citizens. Unity matters.
Read moreClassical Christianity affirms that humans can no longer after the fall of Adam have experience of God on their own, lest they die. Genesis tells us that the place of that experience, Eden, is divinely guarded from human re-entrance by angels, divine servants, wielding death. John's Gospel tells us, though, that angels ascend to heaven and descend to earth on the Son of God, Jesus Christ, because He has opened the way into the presence of God for all who believe in Him.
Read moreShe's only the presiding bishop of the Episcopalian Church you say? Au Contraire my friend. She is divine. She said so herself. In her February 5th, 2007 interview with USA today, she says, "God became human in order that we may become divine. That is our task." A pretty tall order? You bet, but our Episcopalian goddess has that special divine spark.
Read moreFor those who assume that Christianity is (or should be) 'nice', 'kind' or 'gentle', may find the above a little disconcerting. Why such a harsh denunciation? Well, before answering that question it's worth considering first the genuine article.
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