Did Rowan Williams Just Call Donald Trump Satan?

From Clerical Whispers and a puff piece on former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams came a memorable quote that was repeated on the web,

“I honestly don’t know whether the Communion will survive,” he says bluntly...

...On the Church of England, which many unhappy members fear is in terminal decline, he sounds almost resigned. 

“I keep going to mass in my parish church in Cardiff, and making the most of that. What reassures me, what anchors me, is ultimately an act of faith, of theological conviction, that if God wants the Church to exist, the Church will exist.”

At the end of the article comes the part to which my title refers. 

Is he saying that British public life has lost its moral centre? 

“Yes,” he replies, boldly and without any caveat. “Increasingly, we permit and collude with dishonourable forms of behaviour, and we don’t seem very concerned about that.”

I press him to be more specific. 

“I’m thinking of truth-telling in public life, and even more so when I look across the Atlantic – the venting, coarsening of the whole fabric of public office, with no sense that to hold public office requires a certain level of maintaining public dignity.”

I think we all know who he is referring to. Can he give me a name? “Satan,” he replies, with a laugh.

I think he just called Donald Trump... Satan. 

What do you think?

 

Out of the deep: Psalm 130

 

This Sunday's psalm is #130, De profundis. It is appropriate for the depths of Lent. John Rutter's setting above is one of my favorites. It does end on a positive note as we look forward to our glorious redemption. I have sung it several times in church and in concert. 

1 Out of the depths have I called to you, O Lord;

Lord, hear my voice; *

let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.

2 If you, Lord, were to note what is done amiss, *

O Lord, who could stand?

3 For there is forgiveness with you; *

therefore you shall be feared.

4 I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for him; *

in his word is my hope.

5 My soul waits for the Lord,

more than watchmen for the morning, *

more than watchmen for the morning.

6 O Israel, wait for the Lord, *

for with the Lord there is mercy;

7 With him there is plenteous redemption, *

and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins

Sweden Rips Children From Christian Family

From Premier Christian News,

The daughters of a Swedish Christian family at the center of a religious freedom battle could be put up for adoption, according to the organization Alliance Defending Freedom.

Daniel and Bianca Samson have been separated from their daughters for three years, after the eldest complained to teachers that her conservative Christian parents wouldn't let her wear makeup or have a mobile phone.

Social services stated that the Samsons’ regular attendance at church three times a week would corroborate the “religious extremism” accusations. The girls were taken into care in December 2022.

So attending church three times a week is religious extremism? Anglicans could be doing Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Compline every day, and what would their Social Services say about the Muslim call to prayer five times a day? 

The daughter later retracted her complaint against her parents, insisting that she wanted to remain with her family. However, the girls have not been allowed to return home.

The Alliance Defending Freedom International, which has championed the family’s case, says they now risk having all contact with their parents cut.

“Unfortunately, we received a communication from the social services in the community of Hasselholm,” said legal counsel Guillermo A. Morales Sancho. “What they want is the total restriction of contact with the parents, with the idea of putting the girls into adoptions in the future.”

He described the situation as “really sad,” adding that the daughters’ mental health has suffered immensely. ADF said child who made the original complaint has been suffering with depression and “constant pain” over its consequences, and has been at risk of potential self-harm.

This is horrible. 

Pray that this family will be reunited. 

ADF have asked Christians around the world to pray for the family.

The Blind Shall See. (Not all of them)

This Sunday's reading from John 9:1-41 has Jesus, on the Sabbath, healing a man who was born blind much to the consternation of the Pharisees.

As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. The neighbours and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, ‘Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?’ Some were saying, ‘It is he.’ Others were saying, ‘No, but it is someone like him.’ He kept saying, ‘I am the man.’ 1But they kept asking him, ‘Then how were your eyes opened?’ He answered, ‘The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, “Go to Siloam and wash.” Then I went and washed and received my sight.’ They said to him, ‘Where is he?’ He said, ‘I do not know.’

 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, ‘He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.’ Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.’ But others said, ‘How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?’ And they were divided. So they said again to the blind man, ‘What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.’ He said, ‘He is a prophet.’

 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked them, ‘Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?’ His parents answered, ‘We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.’ His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, ‘He is of age; ask him.’

 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, ‘Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.’ He answered, ‘I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.’ They said to him, ‘What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?’ He answered them, ‘I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?’ Then they reviled him, saying, ‘You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.’ The man answered, ‘Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.’ They answered him, ‘You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?’ And they drove him out.

 Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ He answered, ‘And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.’ Jesus said to him, ‘You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.’ He said, ‘Lord, I believe.’ And he worshipped him. Jesus said, ‘I came into this world for judgement so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.’ Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, ‘Surely we are not blind, are we?’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, “We see”, your sin remains.

Ooh... Jesus just pinned the sinner label back on the Pharisees. 

They are not going to like that. 

 

The Future of Global Anglicanism

GAFCON has met and to sum it up, at least we won't have an "Uber-Archbishop," and we shall have no ties to Canterbury unless she forswears her foolish ways.

From Anglican Futures comes this summary,

The Abuja Affirmation sets out and explains the decisions taken by the leaders of the Gafcon movement in Abuja.  Here are five key takeaways to share with all faithful Anglicans.

1.  New Leadership is Necessary

For decades the leadership of the Anglican Communion (known as the Instruments of Communion) have unrepentedly:

"... compromised the authority of the Scriptures by normalising hermeneutical pluralism, elevating cultural capitulation, and reframing the rejection of Scripture’s authority and clarity as “good disagreement”, and not what it really is – false teaching."

They have:

"...neither restrained nor challenged false teaching and instead have called for the acceptance of false teachers as fellow members of the Communion."

2.  The Global Anglican Communion now offers that Leadership 

Gafcon have expressed a commitment to reform the Anglican Communion for many years, they have authenticated Anglican dioceses and provinces (e.g. the Anglican Church in North America, the Diocese of the Southern Cross and the Anglican network in Europe) and encouraged real global fellowship

This week is a development of that work and represents:

" ...a shift of the stewardship of the Anglican Communion from the Canterbury Instruments to the Global Anglican Communion."

The Global Anglican Communion will be led by the Global Anglican Council, consisting of Primates, Advisors and Guarantors as voting members.

The Most Revd Dr Laurent Mbanda was elected as the Chair of this Council and will hold that office until the next five-yearly gathering of Global Anglicans, which will take place in Athens in 2028.

3.  True Communion is Confessional not Institutional

The Abuja Affirmation asserts that, "True communion is confessional, rather than defined by a shared history or institutional structures."  The re-ordered Global Anglican Communion will therefore be open to all who assent to the 2008 Jerusalem Declaration.

"The Jerusalem Declaration was written as an expression of authentic Anglican doctrine because the Canterbury-led Anglican Communion had lost connection to its biblical roots, compromising its values, structures and mission. To embrace the Jerusalem Declaration is to apply historical Anglican doctrine and practice to the needs of contemporary society."

Provinces, dioceses, PCCs and individuals are all encouraged to give their assent to the Jerusalem Declaration and thus become part of the Global Anglican Communion.

4.  The Global Anglican Communion is not a schismatic breakaway group 

The Abuja Affirmation explains:

"There are not two Communions, but two incompatible definitions of communion – one confessional, the other institutional."

It is the Canterbury-led Anglican Commmunion which has, "lost connection to its biblical roots, compromising its values, structures and mission." This means that it has to look to shared history to find connection and thus it,"defines communion on an institutional basis."

In contrast, the Global Anglican Communion is, "... returning the Anglican Communion to its roots. The Global Anglican Communion is not a new Communion, but the historic Anglican Communion reordered from within."

5.  Leadership of the Global Anglican Communion will require 'principled disengagement' 

The Global Anglican Communion is, "committed to supporting faithful Anglicans whether they stay in revisionist or mixed provinces or decide to leave and establish separate provinces or dioceses."

However, leaders who hold office in the Global Anglican Communion will be required to disengage from the Canterbury Instruments and the power, influence and finance they provide.

They must not attend future Primates' Meetings, the Lambeth Conference or participate in meetings or commissions of the Anglican Consultative Council.  Neither may they, "receive financial assistance from compromised sources."

Whether those in the Church of England, who receive stipends, diocesan support and buildings from "the compromised ecclesial structures" can therefore hold office is therefore in doubt.

Is that it?

G26 in Abuja marks the inauguration of the reordered Global Anglican Communion.  Anglican Futures is committed to following the implications of this momentous decision as they are worked out in the coming weeks, months and years.

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman

 This Sunday's reading is from John 4:5-42,

So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon.

 A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink’. (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?’ (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, “Give me a drink”, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.’ The woman said to him, ‘Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?’ Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.’ The woman said to him, ‘Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.’

Jesus said to her, ‘Go, call your husband, and come back.’ The woman answered him, ‘I have no husband.’ Jesus said to her, ‘You are right in saying, “I have no husband”; for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!’ The woman said to him, ‘Sir, I see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshipped on this mountain, but you* say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.’ The woman said to him, ‘I know that Messiah is coming’ (who is called Christ). ‘When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am he, the one who is speaking to you.’

 Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, ‘What do you want?’ or, ‘Why are you speaking with her?’ Then the woman left her water-jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, ‘Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah,* can he?’ They left the city and were on their way to him.

 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, ‘Rabbi, eat something.’ But he said to them, ‘I have food to eat that you do not know about.’ So the disciples said to one another, ‘Surely no one has brought him something to eat?’ Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. Do you not say, “Four months more, then comes the harvest”? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, “One sows and another reaps.” I sent you to reap that for which you did not labour. Others have laboured, and you have entered into their labour.’

Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I have ever done.’ So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there for two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Saviour of the world.’

For details on the Samaritans, who they were, what makes them different, and where they are today, see this link from the Fellowship of Israel Related Ministries.  

Legalizing an Assisted Suicide "Exception" in France

From the European Conservative,  

The introduction of euthanasia in France entered its final phase with the formal vote on the bill on Wednesday, February 25th.

This is the culmination of a long and chaotic process initiated by Emmanuel Macron himself when he was first elected president in 2017.

After multiple postponements and rewrites by both chambers, the version that was voted on reflects what is perhaps the most progressive vision ever implemented on this major issue.

All the efforts of a handful of right-wing and centrist MPs to try to put safeguards in place against this deadly rush forward have been reduced to nothing.

The latest version of the text confirms the adoption of the principle of assisted suicide as a reference, rather than ‘euthanasia’ in the strict sense: the amendment introduced by former Health Minister Frédéric Valletoux, making self-administration of the lethal substance the rule and assistance from a third party when the person is unable to do so the exception, was adopted by a large majority.

I wonder if one exception is when the lethal substance is given as an intravenous injection.  Starting the IV line would certainly require assistance. 

As a small consolation, a government amendment aimed at excluding “psychological suffering alone” from the scope of the law on assisted dying was approved by 159 votes to 130. 

An amendment creating an offence of “incitement to assisted dying” was widely adopted, but it provides for penalties that are half as severe for the offence of incitement as for the offence of obstruction.

What will constitute "incitement" or "obstruction"? 

The final vote on the bill was 299 in favor and 226 against, with an absolute majority set at 263 votes.

...The Nursing and Medical Associations, the Academy of Medicine and leaders of all religions all voiced their opposition. In vain

.When ethical and moral standards are set by politicians, who we know tend to practice questionable ethics and morality, instead of the standards of God, this is what you get. 

Cut out all that circumcision talk!

That's exactly what the Revised Common Lectionary editors did to today's reading, Romans 4:1-5,13-17. I have included the missing verses highlighted in red below.

What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.’ Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.

6 So also David speaks of the blessedness of those to whom God reckons righteousness irrespective of works:

7 ‘Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven,

   and whose sins are covered;

8 blessed is the one against whom the Lord will not reckon sin.’

9 Is this blessedness, then, pronounced only on the circumcised, or also on the uncircumcised? We say, ‘Faith was reckoned to Abraham as righteousness.’ 10 How then was it reckoned to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the ancestor of all who believe without being circumcised and who thus have righteousness reckoned to them, 12 and likewise the ancestor of the circumcised who are not only circumcised but who also follow the example of the faith that our ancestor Abraham had before he was circumcised.

 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.

 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, ‘I have made you the father of many nations’)—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

I guess the lectionary editors wanted to avoid any squirming in the pews during the reading of Paul's letter.  

Canadian Parliamentary committee recommends physician assisted suicide for children

Now, this is evil:

From Care, 

A committee of Canada's parliament has called for the country's assisted suicide and euthanasia programme to be extended to "mature minors".

A report by the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) suggests children whose deaths are "reasonably forseeable" should be eligible.

The report also recommended that parental consent is not always necessary in certain cases where a child is considered eligible for a doctor-assisted death.

No parental consent! Pure evil. 

It calls for the Government of Canada to "establish a requirement that, where appropriate, the parents or guardians of a mature minor be consulted in the course of the assessment process for MAID"

But it adds that "the will of a minor who is found to have the requisite decision-making capacity" in the eyes of the state should "ultimately take priority".

In the eyes of the State? What is that supposed to mean?  

Canadian MPs objected to the proposal to expand MAID eligibility to children, highlighting how decision-making capacities, even for mature young people, remain questionable.

Citing Dr. Maria Alisha Montes, a clinical associate professor of pediatrics, the report states: "I would argue that MAID for mature minors carries the highest amount of risk, as the consequence is death."

"We need to ask ourselves if we should be legalizing this for mature minors when biology shows us that the ability to balance risks and rewards is one of the last areas of the brain to mature", she added.

This proposal is indicative of the decline in Christian morality in Canada.

I wonder when this will spread to the U.S.A.. 

Happy Lent!

The Psalm for this Sunday is number 32, Beati quorum, and it is appropriate for the first Sunday in Lent, and it begins by wishing us a happy Lent.

1 Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, *

and whose sin is put away!

2 Happy are they to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, *

and in whose spirit there is no guile!

3 While I held my tongue, my bones withered away, *

because of my groaning all day long.

4 For your hand was heavy upon me day and night; *

my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer.

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, *

and did not conceal my guilt.

6 I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord." *

Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin

7 Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in

time of trouble; *

when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach them.

8 You are my hiding-place;

you preserve me from trouble; *

you surround me with shouts of deliverance.

9 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you

should go; *

I will guide you with my eye.

10 Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding; *

who must be fitted with bit and bridle,

or else they will not stay near you."

11 Great are the tribulations of the wicked; *

but mercy embraces those who trust in the Lord.

12 Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord; *

shout for joy, all who are true of heart.

Be glad and be happy this Lent for your sins have been forgiven and look forward to Good Friday for without the cross there is no crown.

Why the ashes brother?

After Fat Tuesday's blowout at Pewster Manor we will be headed to to church tomorrow at noon for the imposition of ashes. I did meet a few people last night who were clueless as to the reasons we do this. I wish I were as eloquent as some in explaining things, and I wish I had the following for them.    

This comes from the Rev. Matt Kennedy and is reposted in its entirety,

"Some of my reformed friends annually bemoan the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday, as if it were;

1. merely some Roman Catholic custom unthinkingly adopted and 

2. an outward show of piety by which Christians seek to win approval from men (contra Matthew 6, which, not accidentally, is read during the service). 

My friends, I think, miss the point. The purpose for the imposition of ashes is so that we might publicly proclaim, not our piety, but rather our worthiness for condemnation. We publicly say: I am a sinner, worthy of death. Ashes are hardly a mark of spiritual pride. If used rightly, the ashes undermine the public view of Christianity, that it is a religion of moral improvement. The ashes say 'no.' The Church is an assembly of the would-be damned who have been rescued by Christ and his work on the cross alone. The ashes say, we have no hope but the cross. 

Of course every ceremonial act even in the most liturgically low congregation can be misused and abused, but the tendency among my reformed brethren is to discard the entire rite on account of its misuse. This is folly. And, moreover, it's difficult to think of a better way to invite our unbelieving friends and neighbors to inquire about the gospel. 

What is that black smudge on your forehead...? The ash means I am a sinner. The cross reminds me that God sent his only Son to save sinners.

Reposted on Shrove Tuesday several years running now."

 

The Transfiguration

 This Sunday's reading from Matthew 17:1-9 recalls an amazing event.

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’ When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’

Why Moses and Elijah?

This from Christianity.com,

"Moses represents the law and all those who died before Christ's Incarnation. Elijah represents the prophets, and since he did not experience death, all those who are alive in Christ. Their presence shows that the law and the prophets, the living and the dead, all bear witness to Jesus as the Messiah, the fulfillment of the Old Testament."

 

False Teaching at Duke Divinity School?

From Fox News,

A course offered by Duke Divinity School is exploring "queer theology," and whether "theology can be queered." 

The course, "From Baptismal Font to Queer Theology," "examines and excavates 'queer' in relationship to theology and theory." 

Offered by the Durham, North Carolina-based school, the course description asks questions such as, "Is queer driven by identity politics, an umbrella term for sexual identity, gender identity, antinormativity politics, social locations, or is queer descriptive of something entirely different?"

Other questions to be examined include, "Does queer have an agenda? Secondly, this course seeks to answer the question of whether or not theology can be queered? What would that result, if that is something that is possible? What is queer theology? Is queer theology even possible?"

According to the course page, students will "develop strategies for asking questions in a way that broadens the discussion of queerness and theology for a productive intervention in the discipline of constructive theology seeking to hold faithfully to the intersecting realities of church, tradition, and scripture."

The school's website says, "Grounded in Christian Scripture and theology and guided by our desire to embody a faithful witness in a changing world, we seek to cultivate innovative approaches to ministry in its many forms."

The course was flagged in an article by Campus Reform.

Other questions to be examined in the course include, "Does queer have an agenda? Secondly, this course seeks to answer the question of whether or not theology can be queered?" 

The school adds that it strives for a theological vision "that is neither narrow nor homogeneous, but one that is deeply rooted in critical engagement with Scripture and honors a range of theological traditions in conversation with a plurality of historical, geographic, and social settings."

Another offered course is called "Queering the Old Testament" which explores "ways to interpret the Old Testament that acknowledge the diversity of gender expressions and honor the experiences and hermeneutical perspectives of sexual minorities and gender-nonconforming individuals."

Fox News Digital reached out to a representative of the school for comment. 

Those pesky commandments

 This Sunday's reading from Matthew 5:13-20 includes three separate statements,

‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

I've heard entire sermons on the salt of the earth. Revisionists focus on restoration of its savor whereas faithful preachers do not fail to discuss the consequences of  being on longer good for anything.

 ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

That one is obvious. The next one is the kicker, 

 ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

 Keeping those commandments is so tough that we need a Savior. 

Thanks be to God that we have One. 

Fear Not!

And I thought Jesus was considered a prophet by Islam. Apparently London Muslims consider Him a threat. 

From Christian Today,

A ‘Walk with Jesus’ march through a predominantly Muslim part of London has been banned by the Metropolitan Police over concerns that it will lead to “violence and serious disorder”. 

The march was due to take place in Whitechapel, in the London borough of Tower Hamlets, on 31 January.

“Join our parade in Whitechapel worshipping Jesus Christ on January 31, the month dedicated to the holy name of Jesus,” an advertisement read. 

It is the second time the Met have intervened after a planned march in the area by UKIP last October was forced to relocate to central London...

...The Tower Hamlets Palestine Solidarity Network responded to the decision in an Instagram post by saying that the borough has a "long and proud history of standing up to fascism". 

"We thank the Mayor, the Council, and our faith and community leaders for putting pressure on the police to protect our borough," the network said. 

Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman said he had met with local faith leaders "including many Christian friends of all denominations" to "discuss how we prepare for UKIP’s latest planned march on Tower Hamlets".

"We are united, and will never be divided by their hate," he said. 

"Our conversation this evening focused on what brings us all together - love, respect and understanding for our borough. As in the past, our council will work with the police and key stakeholders to ensure that there is no place for hate in Tower Hamlets." 

Those who march for Jesus in the U.K. are "haters" according to this report.

Or maybe Muslims just hate UKIP.

Here is a link to UKIP's web site.

Favorite verses

 Due to the recent snowstorm that hit our neck of the woods, many may not make it to church this Sunday.

Here is what you missed, 

Matthew 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

 ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

 ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

 ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

 ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

 ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

 ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

 ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely* on my account.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

My personal favorite verses. 

Mere Anglicanism 2026: A view from the pew

 This year's Mere Anglicanism Conference in Charleston, South Carolina was happily free from the controversy of 2024's gathering. With 650 people in attendance, the theme this year was, "You Are Not Your Own: Gospel Identity in an Age of Expressive Individualism." 

I must admit that I had never heard the term "expressive individualism" and was a little pessimistic as to whether or not I would get anything out of attending this year, but a couple of days in the Holy City with fellow believers was reason enough to go.

I was not disappointed as the weather was excellent, the speakers were excellent, and we enjoyed a wonderful Eucharist on Friday night at historic St. Philips Church. 

We had a great bookstore set up by Westminster Bookstore where one could purchase books written by the speakers and others.

I shall summarize my observations about the presentations below.

1) Carl Trueman gave a thorough overview of the history and definition of expressive individualism along with the philosophical and social movements that led us to where we are now. He pointed out that in pre-enlightenment times if one was asked the question, "Who are you?" they would say, "My family is so and so, from the village of such and such, and I am a blacksmith." Identity was often based on what one did to provide for your family. Now if you ask a young person the same question, they do not have a solid answer. They are more likely to talk about their feelings than their purpose in life. 

2) Al Mohler gave one of the more entertaining talks. He introduced himself as "Baptist by theology, Anglican by taste," a meme picked up by many subsequent speakers. He said that we should be like the tribe of Issachar, 

...men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do-200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command (1 Chronicles 12:32)

That is to say that it is our duty to understand the times and to know what to do. He described the times as the age of "hyper modernity." 

He said that he would not reiterate Carl Trueman's talk so traced the origins of expressive individualism to Immanuel Kant's radical break from pre-enlightenment thinking and a switch from a focus on the object to a focus on the subject, or the known to the knower which is exactly where expressive individualism takes us. 

Moving on to Marx and others, Mohler made the comment, "Elites always understand oppression better the people who are being oppressed do".

He made the point that we teach our children well or they will be lost, 

Dueteronomy 6:4-6 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[b] 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.  And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.  

 Being lost is the end result of expressive individualism.

3) Michael Nazir Ali went next which was much to his disadvantage as the previous speakers had covered so much. 

4) Mary Eberstadt last spoke to us 11 years ago. Her subject this time was, "Life, liberty, and the human body: the wages of our defiance." She said that modern identity crisis was in large part due to the collapse of the family which could be traced to the sexual revolution and its battle cry. "I am my own!"

This led to what she called "subtractions" such as abortion (subtracting babies), the pill, divorce, single parenting, small families, all of which leads to fewer people in one's life to learn from and from whom to form an identity, a collapse of social knowledge, loneliness, drops in marriage, increase use of porn, and a decreased ability to love. 

She sees hope in more research being reported on the results of the sexual revolution and increases in college conversions, homeschooling, and charter schools.

5) Justin Early gave a talk without notes about the importance of friendships.

Genesis2:18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

He said that you were "made for people," and "you cannot become yourself by yourself." 

Expressive individualism leads to restless wandering, 

"I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me." - Cain in Genesis 4

Modern America is proof that Genesis was right, expressive individualism leads to death.

We need to have "covenant friendships" built on vulnerability and commitment like Jesus had with his disciples.

A good quote,

"Internet friends are snacks. Embodied friends are a meal."

On Saturday morning we had two more speakers. The Rev. Jeffery Miller gave the introductions with an amusing preface explaining why he missed Morning Prayer today, 

" I was worshipping at St. Mattress and the Springs." 

6) Stephen Pressley spoke on the early church and its relevance to today. The ancient world has come back to us with numerous religions to choose from, paganism, and the rise of the "nones." 

He hearkened to Ireneus and the importance of catechesis, citizenship, virtuous leadership, and hope in order to engage with the world. 

A football analogy was made: You have to first learn the basics, blocking and tackling before you go into the arena.

"We are heavenly citizens engaging in a public world."

"What the soul is to the body the Church is to the world." - the Epistle to Diognetus.

7) Vaughn Roberts started off with naming expressive individualism a "false gospel."

"A human being wrapped up in himself makes a very small package."

"Modern identities are insecure, and that is why they are defended so vigorously."

We have four gifts:

• A secure identity in Christ
• A glorious destiny
• An inclusive diversity
• A captivating purpose

He named three priorities:

• Proclaim a BIG Gospel
• Pray for progress
• Present a big challenge

Pewsterspouse and I had to leave before the final panel discussion in order to get home before a predicted ice storm.

We did.

All in all it was a great conference, but I shall have to start a diet after all of the fine meals we had in Charleston.

 

 

 

The Galilean Fishermen

This Sunday's lesson from Matthew 4:12-23 sees Jesus withdrawing to Galilee. This reminded me of our visit there in 2022 and the ancient boat that dates from the time of Jesus that was discovered.

Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

 ‘Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,

   on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—

 the people who sat in darkness

   have seen a great light,

and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death

   light has dawned.’

From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’

 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

I wonder if the boat I photographed was the one James and  John left behind.

Targeting Christians in Minnesota

  This weekend the unrest in Minnesota breached the sanctity of the church walls. I found an interesting tidbit in the reporting by Brandon Porter at Religion Unplugged,

"ST. PAUL, Minn. — An anti-ICE protest disrupted the morning worship service at Cities Church Sunday morning.  

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon livestreamed a portion of the event from inside the church building on YouTube.

Protestors could be heard chanting, 'Hands up, don’t shoot' and 'ICE out' throughout the video. According to Lemon, the protestors interrupted the opening prayer of the Sunday worship service."

Was the plan for the stunt leaked to sympathetic media types like Don Lemon and perhaps others so that it could be videoed and broadcast?

Lemon denies having known about it before hand but still should have done something to stop it once he figured it out such as notifying the police.

Did he even try?

Imagine what would happen if people decided to conduct a protest inside a mosque during prayer because there was an imam there who offended them.

Just imagine.

Do you think Don Lemon would be present livestreaming that?

What if the congregation of that church marched down the street and into an abortion center and led a protest?

They would be put in jail for invading the church of the holy zeitgeist.

Behold the Lamb of God

 

This Sunday's reading from John 1:29-42 immediately made me think of the above movement from Handel's Messiah with its simple, repeated message that should be told again and again, and again to a world in desperate need of peace.

The next day he saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter).

Former Everythings

 This past Sunday our little church had the Bishop visit who conducted a couple of confirmations and receptions into the ACNA. In talking to other church members and finding myself explaining Confirmation to some I began to see our congregation in a new light as a group of former Baptists, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Methodists, atheists, etc., most of whom are learning the Anglican traditions from our rector, our Bible study, our Prayer Book, hymns, and sometimes from myself. 

We do get a few visitors from off the street. These are mostly those who came during the week to the food pantry or the clothes closet and received a warm welcome and invitation to worship with us on Sunday. 

This is my family now, a bunch of former everythings. I love them all and am thankful to God for putting me here.

A Christian Witness

 This Sunday's reading from Acts 10:34-43 contains Peter's witness to the facts for which he himself would die.

Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’

What more do we need to know? 

Episcopalians supporting narco-terrorism

Soon after the U.S. special forces arrested accused narco-terrorist Nicolas Maduro, the Episcopal Public Policy Network sent out an e-mail asking people to call their congressional delegation in protest.

Episcopal Church Statement on U.S. Intervention in Venezuela

January 3, 2026

Office of Government Relations

The people of The Episcopal Church offer prayers for our beloved siblings in Christ in the Episcopal Diocese of Venezuela, and for people across the region following this morning’s U.S. military operation that removed President Nicolás Maduro.  

Episcopalians in Venezuela carry out vital ministries in increasingly challenging conditions, and we fear for their well-being and their church community if these military interventions, and any form of U.S. occupation, lead to more instability and violence. Episcopal Church Center staff have spoken with and offered support to the Rt. Rev. Cristobal León Lozano, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Ecuador Litoral and bishop provisional of Venezuela; the Rt. Rev. Lloyd Allen, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Honduras and president of Province IX; and to standing committee leadership.  

The Episcopal Church’s General Convention has long-standing policy that “condemn[s] in any nation the first use of armed force in the form of a preventive or pre-emptive strike that is aimed at disrupting a non-imminent, uncertain military threat.” Even as we recognize that intervention in sovereign states can sometimes be necessary to prevent atrocities, we discourage “the abuse of this norm to rationalize military actions in sovereign states for political ends.”   

We urge Congress to call for an investigation and accountability for this most recent unauthorized operation, as well as the related military actions carried out in recent months. We urge all regional parties to support a peaceful transition that respects the rule of law and the will of the Venezuelan people. Join us in praying for our siblings in the Diocese of Venezuela and the Venezuelan people.

Notice that they claim that the operation was not authorized.

I don't think that claim will hold up in court. 

I am not surprised that the Episcopal organization would seem to want the United States government  to sit on its hands and allow tons of illegal drugs to be shipped into our country. 

I am shocked at the lack of understanding on how these drugs are killing people.

What would you expect from a group of people who have walked away from God's Word in so many other ways?

The flight to Egypt and modern times

This Sunday many churches will hear Matthew 2:13-15,19-23 in which Joseph flees to Egypt with Mary and the child Jesus.

Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I have called my son.’

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He will be called a Nazorean.’

We often hear revisionists refer to the holy family as illegal immigrants in an attempt to justify an open border policy.

I saw a response from Robert A. J. Gagnon to such a comment which deserves your attention, 

 ...as is typical of your exegesis and hermeneutical appropriation of Scripture, you are missing the point regarding your application of the story of the flight of Joseph and Mary to Egypt. 

(1) The issue is not whether Joseph and Mary were in flight when they went to Egypt. Obviously they were. The issue is rather whether they were violating Egyptian law through their emigration (btw, temporary) to Egypt. The answer is: They were not. While Egypt was outside the jurisdiction of Herod the Great, it was still part of the same Roman Empire to which Israel also belonged. 

(2) They were also not entering a welfare state that guaranteed them welfare benefits for food, housing, medical care, and a basic income. They were not a burden to Egyptian taxpayers. 

Moreover, (3) Egypt was not viewed generally as a destination to which untold millions around the Roman Empire and beyond wanted desperately to emigrate for economic reasons. 

In addition, (4) while the vast majority of illegal immigrants now in the US came here for economic opportunity, Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt because their child was being specifically targeted for execution. 

Finally, (5) the stay of Joseph was only temporary, limited in duration to the reign of Herod the Great who was already advanced in age. There was no plan to stay in Egypt permanently.