Zimbabwe Today is reporting that a run-off in the presidential race there is likely:
Two different sources of information have agreed this afternoon that the contest for the next President of Zimbabwe, known already to be a two-horse-race between Tsvangirai and Mugabe, is so close that unless the figures are changed by Zanu-PF's vote riggers, there will be a run-off vote.
Both the independent organisation Crisis In Zimbabwe Coalition and my source within the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) agree with the following figures:
Tsvangirai 48 per cent
Mugabe 44 per cent
Under the constitution, this means there will have to be a two-man run-off vote.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Zimbabwe “On a Precipice”
It is difficult to tell just exactly what is going on in Zimbabwe. There are encouraging signs the Opposition has won as they claim. For one thing, Mugabe’s “Justice” Minister has lost his seat. And there is even a BBC report that officials are deciding how to break the news to Mugabe that he has lost.
But winning the election is one thing. Winning the count is another. And results are slow to come out, fueling speculation that Mugabe is stealing this election.
I fear for Zimbabwe if Mugabe is declared the winner. Mugabe is a monster who has destroyed his country. Further, the reaction to another stolen election may make Kenya look like a day in the park.
Please keep praying.
UPDATE: Here’s an interesting report with some speculation thrown in. I have no way to tell how accurate it is, however.
But winning the election is one thing. Winning the count is another. And results are slow to come out, fueling speculation that Mugabe is stealing this election.
I fear for Zimbabwe if Mugabe is declared the winner. Mugabe is a monster who has destroyed his country. Further, the reaction to another stolen election may make Kenya look like a day in the park.
Please keep praying.
UPDATE: Here’s an interesting report with some speculation thrown in. I have no way to tell how accurate it is, however.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Pray for Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe holds elections tomorrow. And that monster Mugube is not one to give up power easily. Already there are signs he will attempt to steal the election. And he has already threatened those who may protest that theft in ominous terms:
The President had delivered earlier an angry statement via State media, warning Morgan Tsvangirai, the opposition leader, and his faction of the divided Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) against staging demonstrations if they lost the election. “If they make a disturbance like in Kenya, you will see,” he said. “We are not joking. We warn the MDC, if they want to put a rope around their necks, that is OK.”
Please pray.
The President had delivered earlier an angry statement via State media, warning Morgan Tsvangirai, the opposition leader, and his faction of the divided Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) against staging demonstrations if they lost the election. “If they make a disturbance like in Kenya, you will see,” he said. “We are not joking. We warn the MDC, if they want to put a rope around their necks, that is OK.”
Please pray.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Obama, Wright, and the Double Standard in the Room
So far I’ve restrained myself from commenting on the controversy surrounding Barack Obama and his long-time pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. But the discussion continues as it should.
Yesterday’s entry was a column by Martin Peretz of the New Republic. (Hat tip to titusonenine.) I think well of the New Republic though they are considerably to my left on the political spectrum. I find their offerings usually well reasoned. But this column falls short. Peretz distracts more from the real issues here rather than addressing them (e. g. What the hey does Zbigniew Brzezinski have to do with this?).
As for me, I could point out that Obama’s attempts to distance himself from Wright don’t hold water in light of their past close ties and the influence Wright has been on Obama. From Rolling Stone, yes, a very friendly source, over a year ago:
Wright is not an incidental figure in Obama's life, or his politics. The senator "affirmed" his Christian faith in this church; he uses Wright as a "sounding board" to "make sure I'm not losing myself in the hype and hoopla." Both the title of Obama's second book, The Audacity of Hope, and the theme for his keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in 2004 come from Wright's sermons. "If you want to understand where Barack gets his feeling and rhetoric from," says the Rev. Jim Wallis, a leader of the religious left, "just look at Jeremiah Wright."
I could point out that Obama wasn’t born in this church, he chose it.
I could point out that Obama’s recent claims not to be aware of the *ahem* tenor of certain of Wright’s sermons are slightly specious given that any number of those sermons are anti-American, anti-White rants (not to mention a bit loony).
But instead I’ll merely ask a simple but clarifying question.
Would it be acceptable for a Republican presidential candidate to attend and support a church that preaches hate against Blacks?
Yesterday’s entry was a column by Martin Peretz of the New Republic. (Hat tip to titusonenine.) I think well of the New Republic though they are considerably to my left on the political spectrum. I find their offerings usually well reasoned. But this column falls short. Peretz distracts more from the real issues here rather than addressing them (e. g. What the hey does Zbigniew Brzezinski have to do with this?).
As for me, I could point out that Obama’s attempts to distance himself from Wright don’t hold water in light of their past close ties and the influence Wright has been on Obama. From Rolling Stone, yes, a very friendly source, over a year ago:
Wright is not an incidental figure in Obama's life, or his politics. The senator "affirmed" his Christian faith in this church; he uses Wright as a "sounding board" to "make sure I'm not losing myself in the hype and hoopla." Both the title of Obama's second book, The Audacity of Hope, and the theme for his keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in 2004 come from Wright's sermons. "If you want to understand where Barack gets his feeling and rhetoric from," says the Rev. Jim Wallis, a leader of the religious left, "just look at Jeremiah Wright."
I could point out that Obama wasn’t born in this church, he chose it.
I could point out that Obama’s recent claims not to be aware of the *ahem* tenor of certain of Wright’s sermons are slightly specious given that any number of those sermons are anti-American, anti-White rants (not to mention a bit loony).
But instead I’ll merely ask a simple but clarifying question.
Would it be acceptable for a Republican presidential candidate to attend and support a church that preaches hate against Blacks?
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Gorbachev Still an Atheist
I reported here, citing a Telegraph story, that it “appears” Mikhail Gorbachev has become a Christian. Well, it now appears that appearances were mistaken, that he’s still an atheist.
I’m sorry about that . . . in more ways than one.
I will now write on the blackboard a hundred times, “I will not trust the Telegraph’s religion reporting.”
I’m sorry about that . . . in more ways than one.
I will now write on the blackboard a hundred times, “I will not trust the Telegraph’s religion reporting.”
Bullying
This story about a bullied Arkansas high school student has touched a chord with me and with a number of others over at titusonenine.
I don’t think I’ve mentioned here I was persistently bullied up until 8th grade (when distance running success for my school gained respect). Of course, the school* did nothing, except discipline me when I took up for myself. Now, it wasn’t nearly as bad as what the student in the story has endured. And, thankfully, it did end in 8th grade. (Thank God for my past distance running abilities!)
But the damage was done. My interaction with other kids had been so negative for years that it taught me to be a loner. In my teen years and onward, I did grow socially. But in hindsight, I got a real late start on that due in large part to the bullying. I was always a few steps behind. In a word, I was a bit clueless socially for too many years afterward. And in various ways, my life still bears the marks of that.
Of course, we all have our difficulties in life. And God does turn bad into good. I’ve always hated injustice with a passion due to my experiences. I have a great deal of empathy for the struggles kids go through. And, though I haven’t thought about it, perhaps my experience is one reason I’m so opposed – and provoked – by the actions of bullies in vestments.
But I know all too well that bullying is not harmless or some rite of passage all kids should go through. No boy or girl should have to endure it, at least not for months and years on end. And parents and school authorities who don’t lift a finger to stop it are negligent, to say the least.
As I posted over at titusonenine, if I ever have a child who is frequently bullied and the school does nothing to stop it, I will become that school district’s worse nightmare.
Yes, I’m ranting. Bullying and those in charge who do nothing about it really ticks me off.
-------
*namely Bradfield Elementary in Highland Park, Texas. Lord have mercy, my elementary school years were miserable. My school from 7th grade onward, Greenhill School, handled such things much more responsibly.
I don’t think I’ve mentioned here I was persistently bullied up until 8th grade (when distance running success for my school gained respect). Of course, the school* did nothing, except discipline me when I took up for myself. Now, it wasn’t nearly as bad as what the student in the story has endured. And, thankfully, it did end in 8th grade. (Thank God for my past distance running abilities!)
But the damage was done. My interaction with other kids had been so negative for years that it taught me to be a loner. In my teen years and onward, I did grow socially. But in hindsight, I got a real late start on that due in large part to the bullying. I was always a few steps behind. In a word, I was a bit clueless socially for too many years afterward. And in various ways, my life still bears the marks of that.
Of course, we all have our difficulties in life. And God does turn bad into good. I’ve always hated injustice with a passion due to my experiences. I have a great deal of empathy for the struggles kids go through. And, though I haven’t thought about it, perhaps my experience is one reason I’m so opposed – and provoked – by the actions of bullies in vestments.
But I know all too well that bullying is not harmless or some rite of passage all kids should go through. No boy or girl should have to endure it, at least not for months and years on end. And parents and school authorities who don’t lift a finger to stop it are negligent, to say the least.
As I posted over at titusonenine, if I ever have a child who is frequently bullied and the school does nothing to stop it, I will become that school district’s worse nightmare.
Yes, I’m ranting. Bullying and those in charge who do nothing about it really ticks me off.
-------
*namely Bradfield Elementary in Highland Park, Texas. Lord have mercy, my elementary school years were miserable. My school from 7th grade onward, Greenhill School, handled such things much more responsibly.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Strong Words about Rowan from the Global South
After their recent meeting in London, the Global South Steering Committee has issued a statement. Most notable are the strong words about Dr. Rowan Williams’ leadership. By Anglican standards, they are practically calling him out. For starters they clearly criticize his “undifferentiated invitations to the Lambeth Conference (July 2008) of the un-repenting Bishops who have clearly flouted the bonds of trust and 'torn the fabric at the deepest level' of the Communion . . . .”
Then they take on his whitewash, via the Joint Standing Committee, of the Episcopal Church’s defiance, saying it “has further weakened the remaining fragile threads of trust in the Communion and severely affected hope for any genuine resolution.”
They are not optimistic at all about the Anglican Communion:
These have caused various deepening negative assessments and cast further doubts on the state, will and ability, of the Communion to continue as a recognizable living and witnessing expression of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. Consequently, initiatives and challenges have emerged which could lead to further fragmentation and disintegration in the Communion, which is already in the nadir of collegial trust and confidence.
It’s hard to miss the inference that it’s Williams’ leadership especially that has eroded trust and confidence among Communion bishops. They all but say, “Rowan, we don’t trust you.”
They once again criticize Williams for not inviting to Lambeth missionary bishops from the Global South while freely inviting apostates:
. . . we deeply regret that the Archbishop of Canterbury did not consider it appropriate to invite those bishops consecrated by outside Provinces to address pastoral exigencies in USA. The temporal pastoral responses to needs on the ground should not be treated on the same level as the crisis-creating theological and ethical innovation of those involved in the consecration of Gene Robinson. Furthermore, these responses would not have continued if the requirements of the unanimously agreed Communiqué of the Primates’ Meeting at Tanzania of TEC had been adequately complied with.
They leave unsaid that Our Lord of Canterbury himself undercut the Tanzania Communiqué. But given the rest of the Primates' statement, I think that can be read between the lines.
One thing about Anglicanism I don’t like is the propensity to be entirely too polite in addressing sorry bishops and their leadership. So it’s refreshing to see these Primates engage in such straight talk about Rowan Williams’ leadership.
Then they take on his whitewash, via the Joint Standing Committee, of the Episcopal Church’s defiance, saying it “has further weakened the remaining fragile threads of trust in the Communion and severely affected hope for any genuine resolution.”
They are not optimistic at all about the Anglican Communion:
These have caused various deepening negative assessments and cast further doubts on the state, will and ability, of the Communion to continue as a recognizable living and witnessing expression of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. Consequently, initiatives and challenges have emerged which could lead to further fragmentation and disintegration in the Communion, which is already in the nadir of collegial trust and confidence.
It’s hard to miss the inference that it’s Williams’ leadership especially that has eroded trust and confidence among Communion bishops. They all but say, “Rowan, we don’t trust you.”
They once again criticize Williams for not inviting to Lambeth missionary bishops from the Global South while freely inviting apostates:
. . . we deeply regret that the Archbishop of Canterbury did not consider it appropriate to invite those bishops consecrated by outside Provinces to address pastoral exigencies in USA. The temporal pastoral responses to needs on the ground should not be treated on the same level as the crisis-creating theological and ethical innovation of those involved in the consecration of Gene Robinson. Furthermore, these responses would not have continued if the requirements of the unanimously agreed Communiqué of the Primates’ Meeting at Tanzania of TEC had been adequately complied with.
They leave unsaid that Our Lord of Canterbury himself undercut the Tanzania Communiqué. But given the rest of the Primates' statement, I think that can be read between the lines.
One thing about Anglicanism I don’t like is the propensity to be entirely too polite in addressing sorry bishops and their leadership. So it’s refreshing to see these Primates engage in such straight talk about Rowan Williams’ leadership.
Monday, March 24, 2008
I've changed the title . . . again.
Yes, I've changed the title of this blog . . . again . . . back to its original name, Wannabe Anglican.
I could give several reasons for this. When I began this blog and, later, when I became Anglican, I hoped to one day be in full communion with Canterbury. Due to the leadership of the current occupant of that see, that hope has greatly diminished.
And some people opine that if you aren’t in communion with that see, you can’t be a proper Anglican. I disagree, but I might as well humor them.
Also, I’m getting to be less of a “Newbie” Anglican every day. Heck, already I can get worked up over incorrect liturgical colors.
But actually the real reason is this: I’ve just discovered some site feed readers don’t like html in blog titles. So “NewbieWannabe Anglican” had to go.
Also, I’m adding proper titles to future posts to appease the site feeds.
I hope this addresses the difficulties with site feeds. Feedback on whether appeasement is actually working in this case would be appreciated.
I could give several reasons for this. When I began this blog and, later, when I became Anglican, I hoped to one day be in full communion with Canterbury. Due to the leadership of the current occupant of that see, that hope has greatly diminished.
And some people opine that if you aren’t in communion with that see, you can’t be a proper Anglican. I disagree, but I might as well humor them.
Also, I’m getting to be less of a “Newbie” Anglican every day. Heck, already I can get worked up over incorrect liturgical colors.
But actually the real reason is this: I’ve just discovered some site feed readers don’t like html in blog titles. So “Newbie
Also, I’m adding proper titles to future posts to appease the site feeds.
I hope this addresses the difficulties with site feeds. Feedback on whether appeasement is actually working in this case would be appreciated.
Easter Monday: The Road to Emmaus
The Gospel Lesson for today, Easter Monday, is my favorite post-Resurrection account, the Road to Emmaus, Luke 24:13-35.
One reason I like this account so much is it reveals so much of the personality of the risen Christ. In a way, he’s playful with the two disciples as he talks with them on the road about Himself while concealing his identity from them. At the same time, he's intent to teach and prepare his followers.
Like other post-resurrection accounts, it shows Jesus’ priority to just be with his disciples. He had only 40 days between his resurrection and his ascension, yet he spends an afternoon and an evening with these two. In St. John’s account, he has breakfast with his disciples by the seashore . . . and doesn’t say much during the meal. It seems he mainly wanted to be with them.
Indeed, one of his prayers between the Last Supper and Gethsemane asked “that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am.” (John 17:24) And from John 17:20, we see that he prayed this not just for his disciples at the time, but for us as well!
Doesn’t that go to the heart of why he died and rose again for us? He did it so we can be with Him and He with us . . . forever.
One reason I like this account so much is it reveals so much of the personality of the risen Christ. In a way, he’s playful with the two disciples as he talks with them on the road about Himself while concealing his identity from them. At the same time, he's intent to teach and prepare his followers.
Like other post-resurrection accounts, it shows Jesus’ priority to just be with his disciples. He had only 40 days between his resurrection and his ascension, yet he spends an afternoon and an evening with these two. In St. John’s account, he has breakfast with his disciples by the seashore . . . and doesn’t say much during the meal. It seems he mainly wanted to be with them.
Indeed, one of his prayers between the Last Supper and Gethsemane asked “that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am.” (John 17:24) And from John 17:20, we see that he prayed this not just for his disciples at the time, but for us as well!
Doesn’t that go to the heart of why he died and rose again for us? He did it so we can be with Him and He with us . . . forever.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Good Friday Moments
This morning, when I woke up, there was an almost pristine but dead dove on my deck. It had flown into a window. That’s the first time that has happened.
During the Stations of the Cross, the rector’s two-year-old son wandered off to the altar . . . and bowed deeply to it. That may be the first time that has happened, too.
This morning, when I woke up, there was an almost pristine but dead dove on my deck. It had flown into a window. That’s the first time that has happened.
During the Stations of the Cross, the rector’s two-year-old son wandered off to the altar . . . and bowed deeply to it. That may be the first time that has happened, too.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Gorbachev’s Faith and God’s Providence
After his visit to the tomb of St. Francis, it appears the last Soviet Union President, Mikhail Gorbachev, is a Christian.
This comment from Peter Robinson is particularly interesting:
Whenever Ronald Reagan would mention his suspicion that Mikhail Gorbachev was a secret believer, everyone on the White House staff would scoff, thinking the president naive. When I had the opportunity to speak to Gorbachev a couple of years ago, however, I found myself concluding that Reagan had been onto something after all. Why, I asked, had Gorbachev refrained from putting down the revolution of 1989, just as Khrushchev had put down the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and Brezhnev had put down the Prague Spring of 1968? "Because of something I shared with Ronald Reagan," Gorbachev replied. "Christian morality."
God was behind the peaceful bringing down of the Iron Curtain and of the old Soviet Union more than we knew.
After his visit to the tomb of St. Francis, it appears the last Soviet Union President, Mikhail Gorbachev, is a Christian.
This comment from Peter Robinson is particularly interesting:
Whenever Ronald Reagan would mention his suspicion that Mikhail Gorbachev was a secret believer, everyone on the White House staff would scoff, thinking the president naive. When I had the opportunity to speak to Gorbachev a couple of years ago, however, I found myself concluding that Reagan had been onto something after all. Why, I asked, had Gorbachev refrained from putting down the revolution of 1989, just as Khrushchev had put down the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and Brezhnev had put down the Prague Spring of 1968? "Because of something I shared with Ronald Reagan," Gorbachev replied. "Christian morality."
God was behind the peaceful bringing down of the Iron Curtain and of the old Soviet Union more than we knew.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
A Request from the GAFCON Leadership Team
Many of the bishops and their wives planning to attend GAFCON will need financial assistance to do so. Therefore, the GAFCON Leadership Team is passing the hat.
I intend to help out. Please consider joining me.
Many of the bishops and their wives planning to attend GAFCON will need financial assistance to do so. Therefore, the GAFCON Leadership Team is passing the hat.
I intend to help out. Please consider joining me.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Bishop Anis (almost) Nails It
I commend to your careful reading Bishop Mouneer Anis’ Reflections on the Joint Standing Committee. I respectfully differ from the Bishop of Egypt in that I do believe there are times for withdrawal as the Apostles clearly taught. But other than that, he nails the current situation in the Anglican Communion, especially here:
I cannot see any desire to follow things through as decided before. The Windsor Report (TWR) recommendations, which was accepted by everyone since it was produced in 2004 is a very good example. These recommendations were affirmed during the Primates meeting in 2005, everyone waited for TEC and Canada to respond. TEC’s responses were unclear and the Primates at Dar es Salam requested a clear response by the 30th of September. The response was clearly inadequate as Archbishop Rowan mentioned in his Advent letter. What action did we take or recommend in the JSC meeting? The answer is nothing. Moreover, the very people who cause the current crisis are invited to Lambeth Conference and this contradicts with TWR as well as Dar es Salam recommendations. This widens the gap and distrust between the two sides within the Communion.
He sees that the Covenant Process is a dollar short and several years late:
I was shocked when the time line of the covenant process was presented. The plan that it would be enacted in 2015 gives the impression that we are NOT in a state of crisis and that there is no desire to move towards a solution. In my opinion, if we wait until 2015 or even 2012 the Communion will be fragmented. If we truly are in a situation that makes us “seriously concerned”, as mentioned in the JSC resolution, how can we wait another four or seven years?
Good question. This crisis began in 2003, and the response? Numerous meetings, panels, reports, and communiqués – with those having any teeth promptly undercut by the Archbishop of Canterbury, of course -- culminating in a toothless covenant in maybe 2015.
As Johnny Rotten once asked, “Ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated?”
I commend to your careful reading Bishop Mouneer Anis’ Reflections on the Joint Standing Committee. I respectfully differ from the Bishop of Egypt in that I do believe there are times for withdrawal as the Apostles clearly taught. But other than that, he nails the current situation in the Anglican Communion, especially here:
I cannot see any desire to follow things through as decided before. The Windsor Report (TWR) recommendations, which was accepted by everyone since it was produced in 2004 is a very good example. These recommendations were affirmed during the Primates meeting in 2005, everyone waited for TEC and Canada to respond. TEC’s responses were unclear and the Primates at Dar es Salam requested a clear response by the 30th of September. The response was clearly inadequate as Archbishop Rowan mentioned in his Advent letter. What action did we take or recommend in the JSC meeting? The answer is nothing. Moreover, the very people who cause the current crisis are invited to Lambeth Conference and this contradicts with TWR as well as Dar es Salam recommendations. This widens the gap and distrust between the two sides within the Communion.
He sees that the Covenant Process is a dollar short and several years late:
I was shocked when the time line of the covenant process was presented. The plan that it would be enacted in 2015 gives the impression that we are NOT in a state of crisis and that there is no desire to move towards a solution. In my opinion, if we wait until 2015 or even 2012 the Communion will be fragmented. If we truly are in a situation that makes us “seriously concerned”, as mentioned in the JSC resolution, how can we wait another four or seven years?
Good question. This crisis began in 2003, and the response? Numerous meetings, panels, reports, and communiqués – with those having any teeth promptly undercut by the Archbishop of Canterbury, of course -- culminating in a toothless covenant in maybe 2015.
As Johnny Rotten once asked, “Ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated?”
Monday, March 17, 2008
The Unity of Holy Week
When the Pascha, the celebration of the Passion and Resurrection of our Lord, came about in the earliest years of the church, it was a one night service, the Easter Vigil concluded in the morning with the Eucharist. Though the history is murky (And I invite learned readers to correct and clarify.), we can say with some confidence that so it was into the 3rd century, though certainly there were preparations such as fasts and the preparation of candidates for baptism. It wasn’t until the 4th century, largely under the influence of Cyril of Jerusalem, that the commemoration blossomed into the Holy Week which we now observe.
But the custom of the early church should remind us that the celebration of Holy Week is a unity. Fr. John Hunwicke certainly so reminds us:
Perhaps we should not think of Holy Week in too 'linear' a way. It is well known that S John's Gospel, read in the Western Rite on Good Friday, emphasises the Victory of the Cross (Victory doesn't have to wait for Easter morning). On Maundy Thursday, the Lord gives his disciples to eat and drink the Body and Blood which, in terms of a simplistic 'linear' approach, have not yet been broken, shed, or sacrificed. Yet he gives them to his disciples as already sacrificed. And Triumph is already integral to Palm Sunday. All the themes and elements of Pascha surface in all the rites of Holy Week; it is a thematic unity, even if poor mortals, bogged down by 'linear' time, have to take the components one at a time. The soon-to-be-taxed bag you brought back from the shop contains all your groceries simultaneously, even if you have to take them out one at a time.
And indeed the events of Holy Week fit together and lose their meaning if separated. The Last Supper and the agony of our Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane point to the cross and must be viewed in that context. Even the cross becomes a failure better forgotten than commemorated if it weren’t for the Resurrection. Holy Week is still just as much a unity as when it was all commemorated in one night.
I’m beginning this Holy Week with some melancholy. I’m not experiencing my usual peace right now. I guess that’s appropriate. But I would appreciate prayer nonetheless.
When the Pascha, the celebration of the Passion and Resurrection of our Lord, came about in the earliest years of the church, it was a one night service, the Easter Vigil concluded in the morning with the Eucharist. Though the history is murky (And I invite learned readers to correct and clarify.), we can say with some confidence that so it was into the 3rd century, though certainly there were preparations such as fasts and the preparation of candidates for baptism. It wasn’t until the 4th century, largely under the influence of Cyril of Jerusalem, that the commemoration blossomed into the Holy Week which we now observe.
But the custom of the early church should remind us that the celebration of Holy Week is a unity. Fr. John Hunwicke certainly so reminds us:
Perhaps we should not think of Holy Week in too 'linear' a way. It is well known that S John's Gospel, read in the Western Rite on Good Friday, emphasises the Victory of the Cross (Victory doesn't have to wait for Easter morning). On Maundy Thursday, the Lord gives his disciples to eat and drink the Body and Blood which, in terms of a simplistic 'linear' approach, have not yet been broken, shed, or sacrificed. Yet he gives them to his disciples as already sacrificed. And Triumph is already integral to Palm Sunday. All the themes and elements of Pascha surface in all the rites of Holy Week; it is a thematic unity, even if poor mortals, bogged down by 'linear' time, have to take the components one at a time. The soon-to-be-taxed bag you brought back from the shop contains all your groceries simultaneously, even if you have to take them out one at a time.
And indeed the events of Holy Week fit together and lose their meaning if separated. The Last Supper and the agony of our Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane point to the cross and must be viewed in that context. Even the cross becomes a failure better forgotten than commemorated if it weren’t for the Resurrection. Holy Week is still just as much a unity as when it was all commemorated in one night.
I’m beginning this Holy Week with some melancholy. I’m not experiencing my usual peace right now. I guess that’s appropriate. But I would appreciate prayer nonetheless.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Palm Sunday
On this Palm Sunday, I commend to you two excellent essays from Cranmer and from The Continuum.
Have a blessed Holy Week.
On this Palm Sunday, I commend to you two excellent essays from Cranmer and from The Continuum.
Have a blessed Holy Week.
Friday, March 14, 2008
More Absurdity and Evil from the Episcopal Church’s “Depose-a-rama”
It’s hard to know whether to laugh or to be angry over the conduct of those who lead the Episcopal Church. In the case of the charges against Bishop Edward MacBurney, probably both are appropriate.
Bishop MacBurney is an 80 years old retired bishop who performed confirmations at a non-TEC Anglican church in San Diego under ++Greg Venables. But – Horrors! – he didn’t get permission from the TEC bishop of San Diego! Now, again, the church in question isn’t a TEC church, but that doesn’t matter. The Episcopal Church rules over all! He crossed the Holy Boundaries of The Episcopal Church without permission! BURN HIM!
Yes, this is a bit silly. But it is also truly evil. At the above link is a revealing comment:
Bishop MacBurney is a close friend of mine. Bishop Ackerman informed me of this about a week ago. Bishop Ackerman told me in a meeting that he pleaded with 815 to delay this as Bishop MacBurney has a son who is on his deathbed. Did these vampires listen? NO!
This only strengthens our resolve in Quincy. We showed restraint at our last Synod by delaying our second vote. And this is what we get?! You pick on another 80 year old whose son is dying?!
I don’t understand Presiding “Bishop” Schori’s and her minions’ obsession with charging and/or deposing everyone who doesn’t kiss her ring. It is truly vicious and vindictive.
But God brings good out of evil, even banal evil such as this. And this Depose-a-rama is certainly making it that much more clear what sort of evil has taken over the Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Church is practically forcing people to choose between good and evil. In fact, it’s been speculated that the strategy of TEC is to see how much they can get away with in the run up to Lambeth.
Even the Archbishop of Canterbury is being forced to choose. Will he stick with his invitations of Lambeth of those now deposed, such as +Schofield? If --Schori has her way, even +Duncan will be deposed before Lambeth. Would ++Rowan still invite him then? Will he continue to silent about these attacks on the faithful?
The Episcopal Church is not only showing more of her true colors, but is forcing ++Rowan Williams to show more of his true colors as well.
UPDATE: As if the House of “Bishops” of the Episcopal Church don’t have enough self-inflicted egg on their face, it turns out they violated their canons in deposing +Scholfield.
It’s hard to know whether to laugh or to be angry over the conduct of those who lead the Episcopal Church. In the case of the charges against Bishop Edward MacBurney, probably both are appropriate.
Bishop MacBurney is an 80 years old retired bishop who performed confirmations at a non-TEC Anglican church in San Diego under ++Greg Venables. But – Horrors! – he didn’t get permission from the TEC bishop of San Diego! Now, again, the church in question isn’t a TEC church, but that doesn’t matter. The Episcopal Church rules over all! He crossed the Holy Boundaries of The Episcopal Church without permission! BURN HIM!
Yes, this is a bit silly. But it is also truly evil. At the above link is a revealing comment:
Bishop MacBurney is a close friend of mine. Bishop Ackerman informed me of this about a week ago. Bishop Ackerman told me in a meeting that he pleaded with 815 to delay this as Bishop MacBurney has a son who is on his deathbed. Did these vampires listen? NO!
This only strengthens our resolve in Quincy. We showed restraint at our last Synod by delaying our second vote. And this is what we get?! You pick on another 80 year old whose son is dying?!
I don’t understand Presiding “Bishop” Schori’s and her minions’ obsession with charging and/or deposing everyone who doesn’t kiss her ring. It is truly vicious and vindictive.
But God brings good out of evil, even banal evil such as this. And this Depose-a-rama is certainly making it that much more clear what sort of evil has taken over the Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Church is practically forcing people to choose between good and evil. In fact, it’s been speculated that the strategy of TEC is to see how much they can get away with in the run up to Lambeth.
Even the Archbishop of Canterbury is being forced to choose. Will he stick with his invitations of Lambeth of those now deposed, such as +Schofield? If --Schori has her way, even +Duncan will be deposed before Lambeth. Would ++Rowan still invite him then? Will he continue to silent about these attacks on the faithful?
The Episcopal Church is not only showing more of her true colors, but is forcing ++Rowan Williams to show more of his true colors as well.
UPDATE: As if the House of “Bishops” of the Episcopal Church don’t have enough self-inflicted egg on their face, it turns out they violated their canons in deposing +Scholfield.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Holy Week Gets People’s Irish Up
It’s not every day that the church Kalendar makes the news. But this is one of those rare years when March 17th, the normal St. Patrick’s Day, falls in Holy Week. Holy Week takes precedence, of course, as my erudite readers all surely know.
But tell that to people who use St. Patrick’s Day as an excuse for parades, dissipation, and general ungodliness. So there is not a little conflict about how to handle the calendar conflict.
This goes to show what happens when people don’t engage in reverent study of liturgics.
It’s not every day that the church Kalendar makes the news. But this is one of those rare years when March 17th, the normal St. Patrick’s Day, falls in Holy Week. Holy Week takes precedence, of course, as my erudite readers all surely know.
But tell that to people who use St. Patrick’s Day as an excuse for parades, dissipation, and general ungodliness. So there is not a little conflict about how to handle the calendar conflict.
This goes to show what happens when people don’t engage in reverent study of liturgics.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Exhibit #5674 On Why Gaza Palestinians Don’t Deserve a Homeland in Any Habitable Place on the Earth
You can probably tell from the headline that I have zero sympathy for the Gaza Palestinian cause. The attack on the Mercaz Harav seminary and Palestinian rejoicing over it will give you a good idea why:
And as their friends and parents mourned and wept for their murdered children, there was rejoicing among the Palestinians as they fired their guns and celebrated by handing out sweets. At mosques in Gaza City and the northern Gaza Strip, many residents performed prayers of thanksgiving — only performed in cases of great victory to thank Allah. And Hamas have welcomed the shooting, saying ‘We bless the operation. It will not be the last.’
And remember Gaza Strip Palestinians elected Hamas to lead them.
You can probably tell from the headline that I have zero sympathy for the Gaza Palestinian cause. The attack on the Mercaz Harav seminary and Palestinian rejoicing over it will give you a good idea why:
And as their friends and parents mourned and wept for their murdered children, there was rejoicing among the Palestinians as they fired their guns and celebrated by handing out sweets. At mosques in Gaza City and the northern Gaza Strip, many residents performed prayers of thanksgiving — only performed in cases of great victory to thank Allah. And Hamas have welcomed the shooting, saying ‘We bless the operation. It will not be the last.’
And remember Gaza Strip Palestinians elected Hamas to lead them.
BREAKING: Reports - Elliot Spitzer Will Resign Today
CNBC just reported that NY Governor Elliot Spitzer will resign today.
And to that news, I say, “Good riddance!” The more I learn about him, the less I like him. Among other things, he made an art form of destroying the reputations of others for political gain. What goes around comes around.
CNBC is hedging their report as I post this. So we'll see.
MORE: Do continue to pray for me as I strive to resist temptation to engage in the sin of Spitzenfreude.
UPDATE: Spitzer announces his resignation effective Monday, March 17th.
CNBC just reported that NY Governor Elliot Spitzer will resign today.
And to that news, I say, “Good riddance!” The more I learn about him, the less I like him. Among other things, he made an art form of destroying the reputations of others for political gain. What goes around comes around.
CNBC is hedging their report as I post this. So we'll see.
MORE: Do continue to pray for me as I strive to resist temptation to engage in the sin of Spitzenfreude.
UPDATE: Spitzer announces his resignation effective Monday, March 17th.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Lambeth for Gene Robinson “not possible.” I am not impressed.
Word has come via the TEC House of Bishops that a Lambeth invitation for Gene Robinson is “not possible.”
I am not impressed. I have more of a problem with his unrepentant consecrators and with “bishops” who are persecuting the faithful than with Gene Robinson. Theirs is the greater sin. But they all get tea at Lambeth. I actually agree with those who say Robinson is being singled out. Meanwhile, true shepherds who are guilty of the grievous sin of crossing holy boundaries are shunned.
But if insufferableness were a moral sin, Robinson would be in big trouble as he once again plays the victim. “I am not here to whine.” Yeah, right. When that man says he’s not going to do something, you can know that is precisely what he’s going to do. Remember when he told us he wasn’t going to be “the Gay Bishop”? I thought you did.
Word has come via the TEC House of Bishops that a Lambeth invitation for Gene Robinson is “not possible.”
I am not impressed. I have more of a problem with his unrepentant consecrators and with “bishops” who are persecuting the faithful than with Gene Robinson. Theirs is the greater sin. But they all get tea at Lambeth. I actually agree with those who say Robinson is being singled out. Meanwhile, true shepherds who are guilty of the grievous sin of crossing holy boundaries are shunned.
But if insufferableness were a moral sin, Robinson would be in big trouble as he once again plays the victim. “I am not here to whine.” Yeah, right. When that man says he’s not going to do something, you can know that is precisely what he’s going to do. Remember when he told us he wasn’t going to be “the Gay Bishop”? I thought you did.
Monday, March 10, 2008
BREAKING: NY Gov. Spitzer Involved in Prostitution Ring, Reports Say He Will Resign
This story is on numerous sites. I’m listening to his statement as I type this. CNBC is following this closely.
His statement was brief, apologetic, but non-committal. It did not include a resignation.
When the reports hit the floor of the NY Stock Exchange, there were cheers.
This is bizarre.
UPDATE: He was apparently “Client 9”.
(Tells self: No, I will not engage in schadenfreude. I will not engage in . . . )
UPDATE: Meanwhile,loonies our friends at the Daily Kos are already blaming Bush. I’m not making that up.
This story is on numerous sites. I’m listening to his statement as I type this. CNBC is following this closely.
His statement was brief, apologetic, but non-committal. It did not include a resignation.
When the reports hit the floor of the NY Stock Exchange, there were cheers.
This is bizarre.
UPDATE: He was apparently “Client 9”.
(Tells self: No, I will not engage in schadenfreude. I will not engage in . . . )
UPDATE: Meanwhile,
Where I Was Saturday Afternoon
Saturday I was up in Austin cheering on the Ponder Lions to their second Texas 2A basketball state championship. I was there for the first one back in 2001, too.
I got into Ponder basketball years ago when I lived in Denton County. I was a youth leader to a couple guys on the basketball team. So I started going to games to support them. I loved the atmosphere of the games and of the school, and I soon became hooked.
I even played pick-up basketball with the players on some Sunday afternoons. I like to flatter myself that dealing with my relentless defense helped Calvin Redfearn become the player he is.
Even now, I’m much more interested in small town basketball than what goes on in the larger divisions. What is there not to love with teams named Arp or Jim Ned (Ponder’s two opponents in the state tournament this past weekend) and with the small towns that become nomadic following them once a year during the basketball playoffs?
Saturday was a little bittersweet though. I know fewer people than when I went to see Ponder compete for state two years ago. And reunions were a little more awkward. And the next time, I’ll surely know fewer people. But it was definitely fun to go see Ponder play one more time and win state.
Saturday I was up in Austin cheering on the Ponder Lions to their second Texas 2A basketball state championship. I was there for the first one back in 2001, too.
I got into Ponder basketball years ago when I lived in Denton County. I was a youth leader to a couple guys on the basketball team. So I started going to games to support them. I loved the atmosphere of the games and of the school, and I soon became hooked.
I even played pick-up basketball with the players on some Sunday afternoons. I like to flatter myself that dealing with my relentless defense helped Calvin Redfearn become the player he is.
Even now, I’m much more interested in small town basketball than what goes on in the larger divisions. What is there not to love with teams named Arp or Jim Ned (Ponder’s two opponents in the state tournament this past weekend) and with the small towns that become nomadic following them once a year during the basketball playoffs?
Saturday was a little bittersweet though. I know fewer people than when I went to see Ponder compete for state two years ago. And reunions were a little more awkward. And the next time, I’ll surely know fewer people. But it was definitely fun to go see Ponder play one more time and win state.
Friday, March 07, 2008
First Chalice
The past Sunday was my first time to be in charge of the chalice.
Sunday morning, Father John, the associate Rector, pulled me aside and asked me to administer the chalice. The lead Rector couldn’t walk due to a sprained ankle and John wasn’t feeling 100% himself.
I tried to talk him out of it, pointing out that I’m clumsy and haven’t even practiced it. But I didn’t want to say no to him. So I was volunteered. He showed me what to do. And thankfully, my words were reduced to “The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.” I asked if that conformed with REC rubrics, and he assured me it did. The usual formula at my parish is much wordier (and more Zwinglian, too). So I’m thankful I was given a much shorter sentence.
I vested for the first time. I wore the Rector’s vestments as we are very close in size and shape, but I otherwise vested like an acolyte as I am laity. Also, I did not participate in any way in the consecration. No lay presidency here.
Before the service, when we were praying in the vestry, I asked if there was a prayer against spillages. Father John later instructed me to avoid overfilling the chalice . . . then during the service filled it a bit too close to the brim for my comfort.
Fortunately, everyone was easy to give the chalice to. One two year old who usually takes a drink intincted, by his merciful mom’s instructions I’m sure.
I did help John consume the remaining wine. That knocked me for a small loop. Not even in college did I gulp down that much wine.
But I think I kept liturgical abominations to a minimum. And there were no spillages. So it went as well as can be expected.
And, yes, I would do it again. It’s a service beyond words.
The past Sunday was my first time to be in charge of the chalice.
Sunday morning, Father John, the associate Rector, pulled me aside and asked me to administer the chalice. The lead Rector couldn’t walk due to a sprained ankle and John wasn’t feeling 100% himself.
I tried to talk him out of it, pointing out that I’m clumsy and haven’t even practiced it. But I didn’t want to say no to him. So I was volunteered. He showed me what to do. And thankfully, my words were reduced to “The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.” I asked if that conformed with REC rubrics, and he assured me it did. The usual formula at my parish is much wordier (and more Zwinglian, too). So I’m thankful I was given a much shorter sentence.
I vested for the first time. I wore the Rector’s vestments as we are very close in size and shape, but I otherwise vested like an acolyte as I am laity. Also, I did not participate in any way in the consecration. No lay presidency here.
Before the service, when we were praying in the vestry, I asked if there was a prayer against spillages. Father John later instructed me to avoid overfilling the chalice . . . then during the service filled it a bit too close to the brim for my comfort.
Fortunately, everyone was easy to give the chalice to. One two year old who usually takes a drink intincted, by his merciful mom’s instructions I’m sure.
I did help John consume the remaining wine. That knocked me for a small loop. Not even in college did I gulp down that much wine.
But I think I kept liturgical abominations to a minimum. And there were no spillages. So it went as well as can be expected.
And, yes, I would do it again. It’s a service beyond words.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
British Denied Referendum on Joining Gulag EU
Parliament yesterdaypassed the Enabling Act denied the British people a referendum on whether to approve membership in the new, improved, even more dictatorial EU.
But what’s a trivial thing like democracy to get in the way of theAntichrist Glorious European Union.
It wasn’t just the Labour Party that rammed this down the throats of the British people. The so-called Liberal Democrats helped, too.
Brits, if you still have backbones, you better use them now . . . or it will soon be illegal to possess backbones or anything else in opposition to the Glorious Secular European Reich.
Parliament yesterday
But what’s a trivial thing like democracy to get in the way of the
It wasn’t just the Labour Party that rammed this down the throats of the British people. The so-called Liberal Democrats helped, too.
Brits, if you still have backbones, you better use them now . . . or it will soon be illegal to possess backbones or anything else in opposition to the Glorious Secular European Reich.
Times Reports Vatican to Rehabilitate Luther.
Yes, the Times reported overnight that Pope Benedict will rehabilitate Martin Luther.
I’ll believe it when I see it.
Yes, the Times reported overnight that Pope Benedict will rehabilitate Martin Luther.
I’ll believe it when I see it.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Texas Republican Crossovers
The evidence is anecdotal, but it appears many Texas Republicans crossed over to vote in the Democrat primary yesterday. (Yes, that’s legal in Texas.) That’s understandable given that, for the first time in many years, most of the real action was in the Democrat primaries here, not the Republican. And it appears a majority of those crossovers voted for Hillary Clinton.
This event brings back distant memories of when the Democrat primary was always the only political game in town in Texas. And, yes, back in the old days, many (most?) Republicans crossed over and voted in the Democrat primary.
I remember when “Mama”, may she rest in peace, crossed over to vote in the 1970 Democrat primary for Lloyd Bentsen for Senate against the sitting Senator Ralph Yarborough. Mama hated liberal Yarborough with a passion. With the help of such Republican crossovers, Bentsen won and went on to have a long Senate career.
The crossover Republican support for Bentsen had unintended consequences, however. It scuttled the chances of the Republican in the November election, one George Bush (the elder). And Bentsen turned out to be unbeatable, holding the Senate seat for 22 years until his retirement to become Secretary of the Treasury.
Such Republican miscalculation is understandable though. Back then, most Texas elections were decided in the Democrat primary as it had been since Reconstruction.
That would soon end, however. The “Yellow Dog” Democrats were already beginning to die off. 1972 and George McGovern would lurch the national Democrat Party to the left. In the Reagan years, Texas would become a strongly Republican state.
So it’s been many years since Texas Republicans had reason to cross over into the Democrat primary. Although it would be a cold day in Hell before I would do so (I do usually split my ticket in November though.), I think this development is healthy. Being a one party state or close to it breeds corruption and complacency regardless of which one party is in power. As a Republican precinct chair, I saw first hand negative effects of Denton County being a one party Republican county. It woke me up to the fact that the rot of one party politics isn’t just a Democrat problem. So I think the strong Democrat primary yesterday was healthy, both for Texas and for the Texas Republican Party.
And, yes, I’m also glad we slowed down Obamarama.
More here and here.
And I am ready to hear confessions from Republicans who crossed over.
The evidence is anecdotal, but it appears many Texas Republicans crossed over to vote in the Democrat primary yesterday. (Yes, that’s legal in Texas.) That’s understandable given that, for the first time in many years, most of the real action was in the Democrat primaries here, not the Republican. And it appears a majority of those crossovers voted for Hillary Clinton.
This event brings back distant memories of when the Democrat primary was always the only political game in town in Texas. And, yes, back in the old days, many (most?) Republicans crossed over and voted in the Democrat primary.
I remember when “Mama”, may she rest in peace, crossed over to vote in the 1970 Democrat primary for Lloyd Bentsen for Senate against the sitting Senator Ralph Yarborough. Mama hated liberal Yarborough with a passion. With the help of such Republican crossovers, Bentsen won and went on to have a long Senate career.
The crossover Republican support for Bentsen had unintended consequences, however. It scuttled the chances of the Republican in the November election, one George Bush (the elder). And Bentsen turned out to be unbeatable, holding the Senate seat for 22 years until his retirement to become Secretary of the Treasury.
Such Republican miscalculation is understandable though. Back then, most Texas elections were decided in the Democrat primary as it had been since Reconstruction.
That would soon end, however. The “Yellow Dog” Democrats were already beginning to die off. 1972 and George McGovern would lurch the national Democrat Party to the left. In the Reagan years, Texas would become a strongly Republican state.
So it’s been many years since Texas Republicans had reason to cross over into the Democrat primary. Although it would be a cold day in Hell before I would do so (I do usually split my ticket in November though.), I think this development is healthy. Being a one party state or close to it breeds corruption and complacency regardless of which one party is in power. As a Republican precinct chair, I saw first hand negative effects of Denton County being a one party Republican county. It woke me up to the fact that the rot of one party politics isn’t just a Democrat problem. So I think the strong Democrat primary yesterday was healthy, both for Texas and for the Texas Republican Party.
And, yes, I’m also glad we slowed down Obamarama.
More here and here.
And I am ready to hear confessions from Republicans who crossed over.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
A Sample of Obama’s Religion
It includes equal adoption rights for homosexual couples. Read more here.
Remember, he’s United “Church” of Christ.
The Texas and Ohio primaries are today, by the way.
It includes equal adoption rights for homosexual couples. Read more here.
Remember, he’s United “Church” of Christ.
The Texas and Ohio primaries are today, by the way.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Shame
In commenting on Michael Ingham’s attack on Dr. J. I. Packer, the Anglican Church League of Sydney absolutely nails it.
(The emphasis is mine. Thanks go out to Stand Firm.)
-----
The ACL notes with alarm the Bishop of New Westminster’s threat to revoke Professor J I Packer’s ‘spiritual authority as a minister of Word and Sacraments’.
Professor Packer, one of the leading Christian voices of the twentieth century, is amongst those who have voted to stand with authentic and orthodox Anglicans rather than those who have undermined biblical truth over many decades and most recently by their innovations regarding homosexual practice. As one of these he has now become a target for revisionist aggression. Once again the intolerance and anti-liberal heart of liberal Christianity has been exposed.
Professor Packer continues to be held in the highest regard by all those who seek to live in faith and obedience to the Scriptures as the written word of God. As a disciple of Jesus Christ he has provided a remarkable example of faithfulness and steadfastness for more than fifty years. We in the ACL assure him of our love, support, and continued prayer for him at this difficult time.
This latest incident highlights what has been happening to authentic and orthodox Anglican men and women in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom in the past few years. Ministers have been deprived, congregations have been forced to leave their buildings, law suits have been instigated and campaigns of misinformation have been launched in the religious and secular press. Others have simply been threatened with these things and more in an attempt to silence them.
This use of coercion by revisionist bishops has not been publicly addressed by the Archbishop of Canterbury or by those who champion the so-called ‘Windsor Process’. Their silence is deafening and shameful. In the light of this it is little wonder that so many of us have very little confidence in this process or in the resolve of those behind it to focus on the most important issues.
We look to the Lord of heaven and earth, who is more than able to protect his people and vindicate his own word. If even the gates of hell will not prevail against Christ’s church we need not fear ecclesiastical bully-boy tactics.
The ACL also give thanks to God for those who have begun to act to bring about genuine reformation and a renewed vision for the gospel mission in world Anglicanism and eagerly anticipate much good from the forthcoming Global Anglican Future Conference in Jerusalem.
Mark D Thompson
President
Anglican Church League
March 2, 2008.
-------
The refusal of the Archbishop of Canterbury and other bishops to defend the sheep is indeed shameful. And it’s one reason I, who once eagerly yearned to be under Canterbury, now want little to do with that decrepit see.
As for the “Windsor Process,” instead of defending the faith and the faithful, it was and is a ploy to buy time for apostates and heretics and to give cover for their evil. To Hell with it!
In commenting on Michael Ingham’s attack on Dr. J. I. Packer, the Anglican Church League of Sydney absolutely nails it.
(The emphasis is mine. Thanks go out to Stand Firm.)
-----
The ACL notes with alarm the Bishop of New Westminster’s threat to revoke Professor J I Packer’s ‘spiritual authority as a minister of Word and Sacraments’.
Professor Packer, one of the leading Christian voices of the twentieth century, is amongst those who have voted to stand with authentic and orthodox Anglicans rather than those who have undermined biblical truth over many decades and most recently by their innovations regarding homosexual practice. As one of these he has now become a target for revisionist aggression. Once again the intolerance and anti-liberal heart of liberal Christianity has been exposed.
Professor Packer continues to be held in the highest regard by all those who seek to live in faith and obedience to the Scriptures as the written word of God. As a disciple of Jesus Christ he has provided a remarkable example of faithfulness and steadfastness for more than fifty years. We in the ACL assure him of our love, support, and continued prayer for him at this difficult time.
This latest incident highlights what has been happening to authentic and orthodox Anglican men and women in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom in the past few years. Ministers have been deprived, congregations have been forced to leave their buildings, law suits have been instigated and campaigns of misinformation have been launched in the religious and secular press. Others have simply been threatened with these things and more in an attempt to silence them.
This use of coercion by revisionist bishops has not been publicly addressed by the Archbishop of Canterbury or by those who champion the so-called ‘Windsor Process’. Their silence is deafening and shameful. In the light of this it is little wonder that so many of us have very little confidence in this process or in the resolve of those behind it to focus on the most important issues.
We look to the Lord of heaven and earth, who is more than able to protect his people and vindicate his own word. If even the gates of hell will not prevail against Christ’s church we need not fear ecclesiastical bully-boy tactics.
The ACL also give thanks to God for those who have begun to act to bring about genuine reformation and a renewed vision for the gospel mission in world Anglicanism and eagerly anticipate much good from the forthcoming Global Anglican Future Conference in Jerusalem.
Mark D Thompson
President
Anglican Church League
March 2, 2008.
-------
The refusal of the Archbishop of Canterbury and other bishops to defend the sheep is indeed shameful. And it’s one reason I, who once eagerly yearned to be under Canterbury, now want little to do with that decrepit see.
As for the “Windsor Process,” instead of defending the faith and the faithful, it was and is a ploy to buy time for apostates and heretics and to give cover for their evil. To Hell with it!